Sunday, February 26, 2006
The Straw Hits the Fan
Here is the breakdown, plus the analysis of the St. Paul's Straw Poll- exact numbers for some will be coming in later
Senate:
Amy Klobuchar v. Ford Bell
In this poll, Bell received an astonishing 109 votes out of just over 300 votes. However, I think this means nothing. Bell was able to get people to the straw poll because for him, the poll mattered, for her, not so much. Ford proved his ability to organize locally, and I applaud him for that, but in reality, he's not going to beat Amy.
Governor:
Steve Kelley narrowly took this against Becky Lourey. The biggest dissapointment here was yet another missed opportunity from the Hatch Campaign. He didn't show up, didn't have signs posted, and did not recieve the polling numbers he should have. Looking at it from the active candidates, this was a huge upset by the Kelley campaign. I have always said don't count Steve out yet, and his campaign is proving it. Watching his sleeper campaign has brougth mixed feelings among the DFLers who thought Hatch or Lourey were the only possible nominees. Kelley is picking up the momentum he needs to come from behind to win.
Attorney General:
Matt Entenza was listed twice- I voted undecided just to keep them on their toes.
Secretary of State:
This was the second biggest upset of the night. Mark Ritchie barely etched out a win over Christian Sande, with the largest number of undecideds of the night. This goes to show, despite Ritchie consistently saying he has the nomination locked down, that it is truly anybody's game.
State Auditor:
It is no surprise that Reggie Edwards got schooled. Rebecca Otto just has the organizational skills ten times that of Edwards. I still think Edwards is the better candidate and would be a better auditor, but those who have the organizing skills win.
Senate:
Amy Klobuchar v. Ford Bell
In this poll, Bell received an astonishing 109 votes out of just over 300 votes. However, I think this means nothing. Bell was able to get people to the straw poll because for him, the poll mattered, for her, not so much. Ford proved his ability to organize locally, and I applaud him for that, but in reality, he's not going to beat Amy.
Governor:
Steve Kelley narrowly took this against Becky Lourey. The biggest dissapointment here was yet another missed opportunity from the Hatch Campaign. He didn't show up, didn't have signs posted, and did not recieve the polling numbers he should have. Looking at it from the active candidates, this was a huge upset by the Kelley campaign. I have always said don't count Steve out yet, and his campaign is proving it. Watching his sleeper campaign has brougth mixed feelings among the DFLers who thought Hatch or Lourey were the only possible nominees. Kelley is picking up the momentum he needs to come from behind to win.
Attorney General:
Matt Entenza was listed twice- I voted undecided just to keep them on their toes.
Secretary of State:
This was the second biggest upset of the night. Mark Ritchie barely etched out a win over Christian Sande, with the largest number of undecideds of the night. This goes to show, despite Ritchie consistently saying he has the nomination locked down, that it is truly anybody's game.
State Auditor:
It is no surprise that Reggie Edwards got schooled. Rebecca Otto just has the organizational skills ten times that of Edwards. I still think Edwards is the better candidate and would be a better auditor, but those who have the organizing skills win.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Score Card is out
the League of Conservation Voters have pubished their scorecard. Not surprisingly, only of of Minnesota's Republicans recieved a decent rating, Jim Ramstad, CD-3. Can't say I'm shocked. We still dont' have an opponent for him by the way, which sucks.
Again, no surprise on these numbers, but its always something interesting to note.
Again, no surprise on these numbers, but its always something interesting to note.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Outsourcing
I've been doing a lot of economic reading lately, especially the economist, business week, and other fine magazines like that. I want to get inside the corporate head and understand things.
I've come to understand a lot of behaviors as I press onwards, except one-Outsourcing.
Outsourcing is where you send company jobs overseas for lower pay. At first glance, this seems wonderful! Until you add in the extra costs at home. A market research survey done over the last 6 months showed that 69% of customers were unhappy when their customer service related calls were outsourced, business lost business.
American consumers want to deal with Americans.
Another thing that was recently brought to my attention is that American's should feel more outraged because its costs them more money. For every job that is outsourced, Social Security loses thousands. Multply this for one company, now its out Millions. That is now millions added to the average American tax bill, because of corporate greed. The company is costing its own workers, for the facade of a higher profit margin.
I've come to understand a lot of behaviors as I press onwards, except one-Outsourcing.
Outsourcing is where you send company jobs overseas for lower pay. At first glance, this seems wonderful! Until you add in the extra costs at home. A market research survey done over the last 6 months showed that 69% of customers were unhappy when their customer service related calls were outsourced, business lost business.
American consumers want to deal with Americans.
Another thing that was recently brought to my attention is that American's should feel more outraged because its costs them more money. For every job that is outsourced, Social Security loses thousands. Multply this for one company, now its out Millions. That is now millions added to the average American tax bill, because of corporate greed. The company is costing its own workers, for the facade of a higher profit margin.
Monday, February 20, 2006
Under-covered stories
So normally I'm a fan of the news media. They are a bit slow these days, but sometimes its quality writing. But a lot of stories lately seem to be under raps. The following are stories I'd like to see much better coverage of in the Twin Cities
1) The Northwest strike- Still ongoing, recieves little coverage, but there is a lot of human interest here. There is a lot of history in Minnesota with unions, why so little coverage?
2) the mudslide- It wasn't until an elementray school was realized to have been covered did this even make page 3 news. This is sad. They knew before that there were people under there, but it took several days before it made top news
3) the Church fires/KKK Killing- There have been a slew of church fires, I bet they will be linked to hate group, but after 13 down, no breaking news or top news stories about the hate groups being targeted. Also a boy was killed in Florida by the KKK. THis kind of behavior should also be top news, most Minnestans don't know it was covered. Later I'll probably rant even more about race problems in Minnesota, depends on my mood.
1) The Northwest strike- Still ongoing, recieves little coverage, but there is a lot of human interest here. There is a lot of history in Minnesota with unions, why so little coverage?
2) the mudslide- It wasn't until an elementray school was realized to have been covered did this even make page 3 news. This is sad. They knew before that there were people under there, but it took several days before it made top news
3) the Church fires/KKK Killing- There have been a slew of church fires, I bet they will be linked to hate group, but after 13 down, no breaking news or top news stories about the hate groups being targeted. Also a boy was killed in Florida by the KKK. THis kind of behavior should also be top news, most Minnestans don't know it was covered. Later I'll probably rant even more about race problems in Minnesota, depends on my mood.
Friday, February 17, 2006
This is just too funny
So, after a failed run for the endorsement for the US House of Representatives against Teresa Daly in the second Congressional District, Peter Idusogie is now running for the US Senate against Amy Klobuchar! He couldn't even get democrats interested enough in him to make him run, how is he going to run now? This is just so entertaining...
He has turned his podcast over to Wendy Wilde, the website indicates she was of Air America, has that changed or is this just a poor choice of words? I hope Wendy wouldn't quit her job at Air America for this, but I don't listen to Air America either so I don't know. (no, its not by choice, its that I don't own a radio tuner for my iPod).
What will happen in upcomming months? who knows, but hilarity will ensue!
He has turned his podcast over to Wendy Wilde, the website indicates she was of Air America, has that changed or is this just a poor choice of words? I hope Wendy wouldn't quit her job at Air America for this, but I don't listen to Air America either so I don't know. (no, its not by choice, its that I don't own a radio tuner for my iPod).
What will happen in upcomming months? who knows, but hilarity will ensue!
Two updates
1) Amy Klobuchar recieved the Education Minnesota Endorsement this week. Congratulations to Amy and her Team!
2) KSTP isnt' playing the anti-reality ad about iraq. Its about time we've got a corporation standing up to the conservative nut jobs and protecting their right to not to play misleading and blatently false information. Good job KSTP...
I have more stuff to cover, but I also have a paper to write, so thats just a tid bit of stuff for now. Sorry!
2) KSTP isnt' playing the anti-reality ad about iraq. Its about time we've got a corporation standing up to the conservative nut jobs and protecting their right to not to play misleading and blatently false information. Good job KSTP...
I have more stuff to cover, but I also have a paper to write, so thats just a tid bit of stuff for now. Sorry!
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Eaton it up...
It has just been confirmed that Minneapolis City Councilman Scott Bensen has entered the Senate District 62 Senate Race. This race just got significantly more complicated and entertaining to watch.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Cheney Shoots, he scores!
I didn't think Sunday could get any better until I read this. That really is what you get when you hunt with someone who has a heart condition. They tend to frighten easily and then, their hand seizes, and the trigger is pulled. Bang. And down goes their hunting partner.
Absenteeism
Mike Hatch has been noticably absent from many events. He hasnt shown up for screenings. He hasn't shown up to talk to young democrats. He hasn't made many personal appearances at Democratic events.
Why?
His campaign is claiming its so he can work on his job at Attorney General. This seems plausible, but unlikely. At the end of last year, during his big medicare case, he made time to drive all over the state. I saw him every week--but now I don't.
My thoughts on this go a different direction. This is a campaign tactic. A risky tactic. Hatch is the given frontrunner. Being an incumbent in the AG's office helps, he can position himself like a vice presidential candidate, who is taking on a bad president, this gives him clout with DFL members, evident by his list of supporters. So why not attend events?
The reason I believe Hatch isn't attending events is to cut off Lourey and Doran. Its hard to attack Hatch when he isn't around. Lourey suddenly loses her appeal as the anti-Hatch--which is what she's billing herself as. Doran also loses a lot of credibility as the outsider candidate, especially when attacking someone who isn't there. So this is the brilliant strategy--force the other candidates to pick and chose amongst eachother for frontrunner status in order to be the one candidate with enough clout to go after Hatch in June.
Will this work? Only time will tell, but I do have to say, it has put Lourey into perspective. When Hatch isn't around, she does look less impressive, with less to offer. Perhaps it will work.
On another note--SOS candidate Mark Ritchie has RSVPed and been on the list for two events this weekend and didn't show up. He didn't call. He didn't inform the people running the events he wasn't showing up. He didnt send a surrogate. Is Ritchie sick or just lazy? Either way, and this goes for any candidate or person, if you commit to something and have to pull out, let the people running the event know. Its just plain rude to not. (And I know Ritchie's campaign staff, who have my blog bookmarked, will probably post all sorts of reasons in the comments section. I hope they realize I am not looking for their excuses. He didn't show up and he didn't let them know he wasn't showing up. Thats just rude. I'd say the same thing if Christian Sande did it, or if Becky Lourey did it, or if Paul Wellstone had done it.)
Why?
His campaign is claiming its so he can work on his job at Attorney General. This seems plausible, but unlikely. At the end of last year, during his big medicare case, he made time to drive all over the state. I saw him every week--but now I don't.
My thoughts on this go a different direction. This is a campaign tactic. A risky tactic. Hatch is the given frontrunner. Being an incumbent in the AG's office helps, he can position himself like a vice presidential candidate, who is taking on a bad president, this gives him clout with DFL members, evident by his list of supporters. So why not attend events?
The reason I believe Hatch isn't attending events is to cut off Lourey and Doran. Its hard to attack Hatch when he isn't around. Lourey suddenly loses her appeal as the anti-Hatch--which is what she's billing herself as. Doran also loses a lot of credibility as the outsider candidate, especially when attacking someone who isn't there. So this is the brilliant strategy--force the other candidates to pick and chose amongst eachother for frontrunner status in order to be the one candidate with enough clout to go after Hatch in June.
Will this work? Only time will tell, but I do have to say, it has put Lourey into perspective. When Hatch isn't around, she does look less impressive, with less to offer. Perhaps it will work.
On another note--SOS candidate Mark Ritchie has RSVPed and been on the list for two events this weekend and didn't show up. He didn't call. He didn't inform the people running the events he wasn't showing up. He didnt send a surrogate. Is Ritchie sick or just lazy? Either way, and this goes for any candidate or person, if you commit to something and have to pull out, let the people running the event know. Its just plain rude to not. (And I know Ritchie's campaign staff, who have my blog bookmarked, will probably post all sorts of reasons in the comments section. I hope they realize I am not looking for their excuses. He didn't show up and he didn't let them know he wasn't showing up. Thats just rude. I'd say the same thing if Christian Sande did it, or if Becky Lourey did it, or if Paul Wellstone had done it.)
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Ciresi is out
No surprise. I never expected him to get in. I know people who were working for his exploratory committee and I knew these people would tell him the smart thing to do would be to bide his time until 08 or run for something else. Perhaps He could start in the state house? Just a thought
Passing on information
Now, I know what I'm about to say is kind of hypocritical. But, I have a serious problem with democrats passing information to republicans about in house matters.
A series of e-mails from DFL Associate Chair Donna Cassut have appeared, within minutes of being recieved on MDE. This kind of behavior by DFL activists is repugnant. Doing this is exactly why democrats lose elections.
You don't see any republican letters appearing on DFL blogs do you? (if you want to send one along, please send to northerndebater@yahoo.com Thanks!) Of course not, because the republicans are much better at controling both their tempers and their activists. While DFLers have much more free speech and latitutde within the party then republicans do, DFLers make bad choices that yield bad results. Whomever is passing this along to MDE is the reason why we lose elections.
A series of e-mails from DFL Associate Chair Donna Cassut have appeared, within minutes of being recieved on MDE. This kind of behavior by DFL activists is repugnant. Doing this is exactly why democrats lose elections.
You don't see any republican letters appearing on DFL blogs do you? (if you want to send one along, please send to northerndebater@yahoo.com Thanks!) Of course not, because the republicans are much better at controling both their tempers and their activists. While DFLers have much more free speech and latitutde within the party then republicans do, DFLers make bad choices that yield bad results. Whomever is passing this along to MDE is the reason why we lose elections.
Friday, February 03, 2006
Timmy the Tool & WCCO
So, WCCO radio thinks its a good idea to keep giving Governor Pawlenty an hour of free radio time each week without giving democrats the same opportunity. Well its not. DFLers, including the Kelly Doran campaign and David Ruth, DFL Communicators Director, have publicly spoken against this continued free media for Tool himself.
What I don't understand is how they don't think he can be a legal candidate! He's raised nearly a million dollars in a race capped at a quarter of. Granted anyone with half a brain isn't listening to this radio show except to mock him, but still, why bother spending money on air time if you get it for free? Just another point showing exactly how biased or just dumb certain media corporations can be.
What I don't understand is how they don't think he can be a legal candidate! He's raised nearly a million dollars in a race capped at a quarter of. Granted anyone with half a brain isn't listening to this radio show except to mock him, but still, why bother spending money on air time if you get it for free? Just another point showing exactly how biased or just dumb certain media corporations can be.
...thus it begins
Patty Wetterling announced today at 10:00 am that she would break her promise to El Tinklenberg and run for the 6th congressional district seat. This really breaks my heart. I thought Patty was going to be different from others, but she isn't. This isn't the way to make change, only hurt the party.
For some reason my hyperlink program isnt' working so you'll have to do it manually for once: http://www.startribune.com/587/story/224150.html
For some reason my hyperlink program isnt' working so you'll have to do it manually for once: http://www.startribune.com/587/story/224150.html
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Wetterling's announcment
So Patty will be making some sort of announcment on Friday in Anoka County. I won't be there because I have a class but there are some speculations as to what she'll say:
First: She's running in the 6th- Likely- While I hope this one isn't true, signs are pointed to her gearing up to enter that race. The fact that its being held in Anoka, a location in the 6th, is another sign that the announcment will center around the race.
Second: She's not running in the 6th-Possible- This one I hope for more. While El might not be the best candidate, he is a pretty good fit and she could serve him best by stumping for him, spending money for him, and making sure he gets elected. She should value keeping her promises
Third: Start a PAC for Children-Possible- I hope for this the most. Patty has raised a lot of money that can, correct me if I'm wrong, go into a federal PAC. We could use a high profile PAC that focuses on children and their saftey. I really hope she does this because it would be a good way for her to stay involved and make the difference she wants to
Fourth: Drop out of politics-Unlikely- She have good name recognition, a good amount of money, and to much passion to drop out.
I don't know what will happen but I hope for 2 or 3
First: She's running in the 6th- Likely- While I hope this one isn't true, signs are pointed to her gearing up to enter that race. The fact that its being held in Anoka, a location in the 6th, is another sign that the announcment will center around the race.
Second: She's not running in the 6th-Possible- This one I hope for more. While El might not be the best candidate, he is a pretty good fit and she could serve him best by stumping for him, spending money for him, and making sure he gets elected. She should value keeping her promises
Third: Start a PAC for Children-Possible- I hope for this the most. Patty has raised a lot of money that can, correct me if I'm wrong, go into a federal PAC. We could use a high profile PAC that focuses on children and their saftey. I really hope she does this because it would be a good way for her to stay involved and make the difference she wants to
Fourth: Drop out of politics-Unlikely- She have good name recognition, a good amount of money, and to much passion to drop out.
I don't know what will happen but I hope for 2 or 3
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]