"Divided" Nation / Influence

OK, the Coleman numbers were disappointing, the Dayton numbers were expected, but the thing that was interesting is the fact that of 832 people polled 274 and 216 people had "no opinion". "No opinion" obviously includes those that literally have none and those who are more "neutral" on the subject. Don't those numbers seem high? I thought that our country was so "divided" and polarized. As the article states, Norm can look like a "yes man" for the Bush Administration, but could it be that Coleman happens to just agree with Bush on most or all of his positions? Is there a problem with unity of thought? One thing is certain, Coleman has continued to gain influence within the Republican caucus and this will only give him increased ability to influence change in the Senate. I look forward to seeing him leverage that over the next four years.

First Step - Huge Success!

The first step to democracy was a good one, contrary to what Ted probably hoped to see. Who would have thought we would have seen the video and still images from Iraq.

Iraqi women show off their ink-stained fingers after voting in Baghdad. Echoing remarks by President George W. Bush (news - web sites), US media hailed Iraqi elections as the country's first step toward democracy, but autioned that the event was not likely to lead to a quick withdrawal of US troops(AFP/Ali al-Saadi)

Photo courtesy of:

Reminder

This is just a reminder for people about the SD63 Chili Dinner fundraiser. Also, as you've noticed I have been a little busy this week. I know there are plenty of topics to cover, unfortunately time is hard to find some weeks. The volume of comments will ebb and flow.

527's in MN, Red Star & Hillary

I'm puzzled why the Red Star is so proud of itself. It seems they are trying to help the conservatives by drawing attention to the imbalance in 527 monies spent in MN. By my math, if you look at the top twelve 527 spenders in MN, 80% of the money was spent by Democratic leaning groups. Specifically, about $2.4 million for Democratic 527's compared with about $850,000 for Republican groups. Are they pulling a Hilary and trying to move to the center a little?

"We can all recognize that abortion in many ways represents a sad, even tragic choice to many, many women,'' Clinton said. "The fact is that the best way to reduce the number of abortions is to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies in the first place.''

I know Hillary is somewhat off-topic for SD63, but doesn't that quote above look like she is searching for the middle a little bit? (Clinton '08) Good luck Hillary! I guess if anyone can get away with straying from the Democratic base without losing support it is you. Problem is that most intelligent people can see right through it, which is precisely why the base might stick with you. They, and everyone, know your true colors.

My Inaugural

I made my inaugural visit to Keegan's for trivia night. I just want to thank Noodles, Macaroni Penguin, Ringer and DvK for sharing their table. And remember, its not Iran or Iraq, Keanu was born in Lebanon.

Pat, how about an "F"?

Sorry, no "F". You're up next Matt from St. Paul. Check out this great stuff from MNDemExposed about State House Minority leadership. Then check out part two. He make some great points about how the "F" is being removed from the DFL. As I said, I already think there is a shift to the right happening in the farmlands of MN, this can only push it further along if our friends outstate see their party has left them.

How Much Time?

I have a question for our friends in St. Paul, how much time are we going to waste on SF0153 and SF0289? Of course I'm all for fixing our election process when it is broken, but is it really broken? We all know why these bills are taking the time of the State Senate, one intellectual doing one of the most privileged tasks any American, didn't take the time to make sure he wrote the right name and now history will show that John Edwards received one electoral vote in 2004. One of two things happened, this person was stupid or careless. Next time Minnesota Democrats ought to select electors who can handle the responsibility. Of course another solution is to never have two guys with the same first name on the ballot together because it confuses some Democrats. Please do not waste too much time on this one!

Why?

Check out a soldier's view from Iraq. Is the media biased because they are liberal... or are they biased simply because tragedy and negative news drives ratings better than good news?

Michael Moore Supports Gun Ownership

In a story that is too good to be true, Michael Moore's bodyguard is arrested caring a gun at JFK airport. So apparently the guy who gave us Bowling for Columbine thinks it is OK for a guy he employs to have a gun. Hey Michael, I expect to see a press release announcing that you have fired this bodyguard because you are so against him owning a gun. I'm sure you had no idea he owned a gun, right? I'll be watching for the press release or statement.

The Real Skinny, Campbell

Our friends at DvK pointed out a little piece last week by Campell Brown (aka "skinny nose" - I mean no disrespect, but look, she has to have the skinniest nose I have ever seen.) where she asserts how the "exurbs" are the new battleground in the changing electorate of Minnesota. While there is plenty of truth in that assertion, I do not believe it is the full story. I also believe it sells short the a potential larger shift in the electorate. If you look at the red and blue county map, you'll see Minnesota falling much like the rest of the country. Kerry carried the two cities (Minneapolis and St. Paul), the iron range (including Duluth) and a few other out-state counties. In these areas you find a strong blue collar labor group (Duluth, St. Paul & "the range"), minorities and four of the outstate counties won by Kerry also contained universities (Mankato, St. Peter, Northfield and Winona) where more liberal thoughts tend to prevail. It is no mistake that the fourth largest city in Minnesota, Rochester, went red. Rochester has always been a Republican stronghold with IBM, Mayo Clinic and other professionals concentrated there. The net gain for the democrats from 2000 to 2004 was 7 counties (two went Gore to Bush, nine went Bush to Kerry). There were some counties that definitely shifted hard for the democrats, but there is no doubt that some of these counties went blue simply because of Nader numbers went down a full 85% from his 2000 showing. I was always hopeful during the campaign, but I always told my friends that Bush would have a tough go in MN because he would be fighting a lot of Nader supporters who gave up on him in 2004. I think that proved itself true. Beltrami county is a perfect example. It went red in 2000 by a significant 1045 votes (6% margin). In 2004 Kerry won by 355 votes(1.7% margin), but Nader went from 1269 to 131 votes. So in Beltrami two things happened, Nader voters bailed and went Kerry and of the 24% increase in total votes, slightly more went to the Democrats. I come from rural Minnesota and I think there is a little shift happening there. Some of the rural old DFL, emphasis on the "F" for farmer, are starting to realize that this is not your father's Democratic party. Oh, some are still voting for Humphrey and FDR, but I think more and more are seeing the light. The county of my youth, Brown, went 23% for Bush, up from 21% in 2000. If you split the counties and set the line at 20,000, then this is how the numbers shake out. Bush carried 47 of the 62 smaller counties, 16 of the 25 counties over 20k people and if you look at the counties with more than 100k people, it is a 3 to 3 tie. The last number is deceiving though, because in these big counties Bush only took a 1, 1 and 8% victory where Kerry was pulling a 20, 27 and 31% victories. In Hennepin he took a 20% victory in a county of 640,000 votes, that is difficult to overcome. So, there are some of my thoughts on the MN electorate. I'm still crunching some numbers because I want to see how the mid-terms will shake out. We are looking for a Kennedy and Pawlenty victory in '06.

Conflicted

As a big sports fan I've found myself to be very conflicted over the past ten years. Why? Stadium bills and debates ad nauseam! I love following all the local teams, but I also can't get myself to accept it is right for us the public be the major funding for a stadium project. There is nothing on the table for the pro teams, so let me just comment on MN House File 33 (and companion HF115). This bill was introduced by an Edina Republican as I recall, but it has plenty of bipartisan support. Of all the stadiums to finance with public funds, I guess this is my first choice simply because the "the U" is not going to hold us hostage for the stadium by threatening a move to a different city. I hope the legislators stick to their guns and keep the current financing numbers which the university wants to change a bit. It currently has a significant amount of funding from private donations, which is a good thing. Maybe this can be a good model and example for the ownership of the pro teams to work out a deal, but they better be ready to pay their share just like "U" alumni. I look forward to someday seeing the Gophers beat Michigan and hoist that jug OUTSIDE on a beautiful fall day.

Where Oh Where?

How come it is so hard to find positive stories about our military men. Where are the big articles about this in the major media sources? Check out this little piece about Sgt. Rafael Peralta.

SD63 Chili Dinner

13th Annual Senate District 63 Chili Dinner Fundraiser. Tuesday, February 1st, 6:30pm Southwest Community Church 1501 W 54th St. Minneapolis, MN 55419 Featured Speakers: Patrick McGowan (Hennepin County Sheriff) Amy Vrudny & Patrick Kirby (2004 district 63A and 63B House candidates) Come and enjoy a hot bowl of chili and support local politics. Tickets are only $10 or free if you bring a $50 refundable 2005 political contribution. Get more information here.

Buy That Staffer a Drink

Did anyone see Hatch today? His staffers had to give him the cut throat signal today so he'd shut up. As Minnesota Democrats Exposed reports, he can't decide what to do in 2006. Today he almost got stuck saying more than he wanted to say. The staffers should have earned a drink for helping bail him out of it.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

The Dayton mobile is backing up. He continues his curious moves. In the Senate today instead of supporting Boxer as many hoped, he says what she is doing about Ohio election is "seriously misguided". Then on WCCO he rode the fence when talking about Iraq. He was supportive of the process because "success" is "important". His statements were very underwhelming. His moves in the Senate certainly has his base very disappointed. I think they all are hoping he will carry the Wellstone banner. One thing is certain, Dayton does not even belong in the same sentence as Wellstone. I certainly did not agree with Wellstone, but you could at least respect his conviction and abilities. It seems every thing he does is a reaction to his current situation. Is there any strategic thinking happening there?

Yet Another Reason to Love Her...

A long standing joke with my wife and I is about how I "Love Sandy", Sandy being the one and only Sandra Bullock. There is a long story that I'll spare you, bascially she is not hard to look at and I love her in a movie.

Here is another reason to love her. First she give $1 million to Red Cross after 9-11 and now $1 million to Red Cross for Tsunami victims. Take note that she did not do a press release or conference, the Red Cross shared the news.

We're #1! Uhhh, wait a minute..

The Citizen's League released their 2004 Property Tax Survey. The three great cities that make up SD63 all rose in the rankings this year. Unlike the various weekly AP or ESPN sports polls, this is NOT good. This survey ranks 111 metro area communites.

1. Minnepolis 3 to 1 (down -1.2%)
2. Richfield 40 to 36 (down -1.8%)
3. Bloomington 72 to 48 (up 1.1%)
4. The rest of the list is found here

As you can see, Mpls and Richfield's percentage taxed went down, but obviously other cities went down more. The fact that our percentage taxed went down does not mean our taxes went down, because we all know that our property assessment increases easily outgained the meager percentage decrease in taxes for Mpls and Richfield. This is especially true with the cap now removed from property tax assessment's a few years back.

So congrats to our SD63 friends in Minneapolis, you are #1!