Ford Bell is by no means a "cut and run" Democrat. This is just name calling by the DFL establishment to stifle the grassroots of the party. Bell is an articulate patriot. I totally disagree with your comments. This is the type of thinking that has caused the Democratic Party to increasingly sound like a party only spouting poll driven platitudes that present no substantive alternative to the Republicans.
In order for us to win we need to be for a set of policies not just against the Republicans. We need to present a clear choice in this race for Minnesota voters; this will require a candidate to take clear stands on the issues in the manner that Ford Bell has. Bell is for creating a single payer universal health care system for all Americans, pulling our troops out of Iraq no later than the end of the year, public financing of federal elections, advocating policy that will help farmers and spur rural development, investing in development renewable energies etc...
Bell has worked to improve communities throughout Minnesota his entire life. Ultimately Bell presents a clear alternative to the Republican spin machine. Sadly, Klobuchar has consistently only been out for herself. Klobuchar today seems to be looking more and more like the "John Kerry" of the 2006 MN Senate race, she has all the advantages to become the party nominee in the primary and all of the liabilities to lose to Kennedy in November. John Kerry was perceived to be a waffler on the issues and Klobuchar is perceived as waffler as well as well.
My vote will go to the candidate with the most "authentic and honest voice" Ford Bell.
One caution: Any Democrat attempting to defeat Kennedy is going to need the left, center and right of the DFL party to win statewide. So I would caution you to not discount the left of center of the Democratic party or to assume that Bell's clarity on the issues only appeals to the left.
" Ford Bell is by no means a "cut and run" Democrat."
According to his position as posted on his website, one can only see that is his position. This has nothing to do with anything other than his own words.
The remainder of you comment points exactly to the point of my post. Here we are sniping back and forth, creating a pile of fodder for the Right to use against the DFL once a nominee emerges. This can't happen. There is a majority of the electorate who wants, even demands a a distancing from the current administration, but if the DFL splinters themelves, the base of the Right will be victorious again. Until the Left realizes that, they don't stand a chance come November.
Flash
Ahh, here we go shooting ourselves in the foot again. What is that I hear, oh yeah, its the GOP laughing their heads off, sound familiar?
Amy Klobuchar is the strongest and hardest working person the DFL has, period. She understands a thing called strategy and unlike some in our great party does not shoot her mouth off like a lunatic. She understands that there is a timing to this game and will represent our great state well. Ford Bell is an honest and respectable fellow, and if we did not have such a strong candidate in the race, as Amy is, then he would be a fine choice. But the LAST thing we need is rabid foot eating, attacking each other over false and misleading claims of not speaking to issues. I never thought I'd have to say this to fellow Democrats, but all you have to do is read and you will know where Amy stands on all the issues you are concerned with, or hey how about actually contacting her and speaking to her in person, like she is hard to find.
If the discussion did not instantly turn into attack politics, I might respect the discussion, but what I have been hearing from the new found Bell supporters, is ranting and it makes me sick.
j
Amy is the hardest working candidate out there period. She's been running statewide for for three years now (first as AG, then when Dayton announced retirement, Senate. She will win because of her work ethic.
What you wishy-washy Centrists don't get is that voters will vote for someone who is labeled to the Right or Left if they have convictions that relate. At one time very recently we had Paul Wellstone, Jesse Ventura, Rod Grams, Mike Hatch, Judy Dutcher and Mary Kiffmeyer all in statewide elected office. That gamit covers the left, right, center and the true fringe.
DFL victorious elections are possible by strongly carrying the 4th, 5th and 8th Congressional Districts. That with a competitive showing in St Cloud are, Anoka County and Olmested County. Trying to appeal to the Woodbury/Washington COunty, Dakota County and exurbs of the 2nd/6th CD can't coincide with a hands down win in the base districts.
You got numbers to show me different? I got 16 years of numbers backing my point.
If any DFLer--left, right, or center--fails to support the eventual nominee, then get the heck out of the party.
As for me, I'm backing Klobuchar, because she's put together the best campaign so far. Ford Bell may be a charming guy, but I remember the success that "charming guy" Jerry Janezich had back in 2000, and I remember the success that "stalwart liberal" John Marty had in '94. Klobuchar has an organization that gives her the best shot.
As for governor, I'm undecided, but again, I'll vote for the eventual nominee. I don't particularly like Mike Hatch, but at least if he won I'd have a governor that I didn't particularly like that I agreed with philosophically.
I really think the myth that Peter Hutchinson takes earns more votes from those who would otherwise settle for Democrats needs to end if the DFL wants to go forward.
You do not build your excuse for losing in January. While I'm not sure I can imagine a senerio in which the DFL wins the race with or without Peter. Pawlentys flaws are all exageratted in Hatch. So in that sense the lesser of two evils for most will be Pawlenty.
People are writing off the Indepedence party simply because Jesse Ventura doesn't count, and Tim Penny got 16.18%, but 16.18% from a 3rd party is always a sign of streangth.
People might not know Peter, but when the media sticks a microphone in his face he is 100% on his game, something that absulutly could not be said for Tim Penny.
Amy Klobuchar has been out asking grassroots activists what we think for several years now in rural Minnesota. She's hard working and approachable and she's put together a strong campaign.
Her success with us is that simple.
Dr. Bell's campaign strategy is just as simple. The standard template for an underdog is to call for debates and claim grassroots support.
Sadly for Dr. Bell, he has spent very little time asking us what we think--and telling us that we don't have the smarts to make up our minds independently isn't going over very well at this point.
Would it at any point?
Hey check out the new Rasmussen Poll. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/...anuary%
2016.htm
Really makes me wonder why AMY dropped 7 percentage points??? Maybe she is feeling the heat.
Flash, you're absolutely right on both counts.
For the good of the GOP, I want you to put up your best candidates. Amy Klobuchar is clearly that candidate amongst the current field. So is Kennedy in the GOP, and such a race will be a good one.
Peter Hutchinson would be a really good choice, too, especially when the incumbent is choking on his double-talk. I'm only halfway through Hutchinson's "Price of Government" book. I'm far from satisfied with some of what I've read so far. But his overall approach - do the few, big, important things well, cut the rest - is right on the money (pun intended). If he were to be the DFL candidate, I'd would almost certainly vote for him because with DFL backing, he could win.
First off the DFL can endorse Hutchinson if they want to for the first time in 2 decades endorse a winner (something the Independence Party has done 3 times in that span and the Republicans have done once).
Peter Hutchinson is not running as a DFLer because that party does not allow his kind, and if they decided to start now the perception that he's just another DLFer would be to much to overcome in a state where we do not tolerate fiscal irresponsibility.
There have only been 2 parties that had a real shot at winning the last 2 elections and that will not change this time around, and it has absulutly nothing to do with spoilers or wasted votes.
28% in 98 says it all about where the DFL party stands when it comes to the governors race. If we want to go down the road of who can't win the names are clear Doran Kelley Hatch and Lourey can not win.
Peter Hutchinson can, and when it becomes apperent I bet you will vote for him, again making the myth that he earns votes that would otherwise go for the DFL false.
(Cross-posted comment from Yowling)
Yeah, fergit that part about caucuses, elections, listening and choosing through some democratic process! Time is money, and it's a wastin'! Get yer fat butts movin' and don't go botherin' us with the details of choosing someone by fair and time-honored means.
It's good enough for the Republicans; it oughtta be good enough fer the likes of you! We don't have the time for democracy anymore, so quit your whining and choose.
I replied to MNO's comment on Yowling.
Short version: Democratic party ends and means still need to apply. We are still a party of cats, but that doesn't mean we can't also get together from time to time to take on the Republican junkyard dogs who currently run things in Washington DC.
Not taking anything away from any other candidate, I am convinced that Amy Klobuchar will be the next Senator from Minnesota.
I have known Amy since she was a young student, becoming involved in the the process, of caucuses and conventions.
Working with her on other campaigns plus her own, I saw someone who wouldn't ask a volunteer to do anything she herself wouldn't do.
Amy's work ethic will prevent her from failing at anything she attempts to do.
Keeping that in mind lets be kind to each other.
On the Governors race I agree with Fecke..I can always tell when we are going to lose a race.
The Governors race is starting to look like one that will get away again.
Right now I can only see one candidate
that can beat Pawlenty..
Otherwise Peter Hutchison looks like a spoiler.
Peter who?
The bar owner?
The vampire? Which one is he?
Without a structure in place Mike Grimes, that's what you're going to hear over and over.
While the Governor's office has been won once in 20 years, the DFL has won 17 statewide offices in that time.
Debating whether they were endorsed or not(all but two) is not an issue becuase the Independence Party hardly ever have a contested primary. Where's the choice? Anyone who shows up can walk away either a delegate or a candidate. You're strength (if you can call it that) is entirely based on that you are not DFLers or Republicans. Not one Independent that was a real person (read: NON-CELEBRITY) has won on that ticket. You've had a few switch over after becoming incumbents through another political party, so they win on incumbency.
Step up to the plate and win something, until then, 'spoiler' will always be a 'victory in your minds.
Wikipedia's definition of the phrase cut and run. Find it pasted below. Let's stop the name calling please.
------------------------------
Cut and run is a pejorative phrase used in the context of a war or battle meaning cowardly retreat. Thus, stripped of emotional connotation, the phrase simply means withdraw or retire from the conflict at issue. The added pungency of the phrase comes from the partially obscured implication that this withdrawal is a course only undertaken by dishonorable fools whose fear and confusion has overcome their better judgment.
According to William Safire the phrase, suggesting panic, "is always pejorative. Nobody, not even those who urge leaders to 'bring the troops home,' will say, 'I think we ought to cut and run.'"
Eugene McCarthy used the phrase as follows: "As [the Vietnam war] continued to go badly, its advocates became more defensive. The motives of those who spoke out against the war were questioned, as was their patriotism, and in the case of the Democrats their loyalty to the party. Critics were called 'nervous Nellies' and 'special pleaders,' and, in the language of cattle handlers, as ready to 'cut and run.'" (Quoted by Bob Herbert in the New York Times, December 15, 2005.)
Congresswoman Jean Schmidt famously used the phrase in the U.S. house of Representatives on November 18, 2005: "A few minutes ago, I received a call from Colonel Danny Bubp, Ohio representative from the 88th District in the House of Representatives. He asked me to send Congress a message: Stay the course. He also asked me to send Congressman Murtha's a message: that cowards cut and run, Marines never do." [1] [2]
The phrase originates in nautical usage. The OED quotes Elements and Practice of Rigging and Seamanship (1794) which defines the phrase to mean "to cut the cable and make sail instantly, without waiting to weigh anchor." Here cable refers to the anchor rope, hence the anchor is lost. Run is used in the sense of to sail downwind.
William Safire discussed the term in Cut and Run: Headlong 'retrograde movement' in The New York Times Magazine; May 2, 2004.
We can all pick and choose what victories don't count but one things for certain when it comes to the governors office it's a whole different ball game.
While we all relize the Republican ballot line was a huge factor in governor Carlsons victories he was an independent, he is an independent, and he will always be an independent.
If your a Minnesotan who knows anything about the last 20 years of Minnesota politics you know exactly who Peter Hutchinson is. All the pretending in the world is not going to make him go away. All the but Tim Penny was a congressman in the world is not going to make Peter Hutchinson any less dead on policy, all the but he wasn't a wrestler in the world is not going to make Peter any less caramasic.
The Democrats have to go out and put the best candidate up, thats the way it should be and the way it will be. If for whatever reason you think that gives Tim pawlenty a free pass as you believe he won't be the best candidate the sulution is simple. To beat the worst you have to support the best.
1100 people did that at 7:30 AM last Wendsday, several hundered have already opened up their checkbook. Peter Hutchinson did get thrust into the middle of a race 6 months before the election, he's a member of a party that in the last 2 election cycles was at some point above 30% that support didn't go anywhere, it simply needs to be asked to step forward again, and it has 9 months to get ready.
"Sadly for Dr. Bell, he has spent very little time asking us what we think--and telling us that we don't have the smarts to make up our minds independently isn't going over very well at this point."
Hey, Anonymous - where in the hell did you come up with this? I smell a spin tactic. There is nothing in Ford's message or positions that gives me the slightest inkling that he labels us as not having the smarts to make up our own minds.
For the Janazek poster above, he was the DFL ENDORSED candidate who all of the party insiders deemed as the "most electable". If we would have pushed out the other candidate early on, just think what would have happened. You're very fast to defend the "process" only when it works in your decided candidate's favor. Come on, get with it.
Arne Carlson was a Republican. He was a twice-statewide elected Auditor under the Republican ticket. So you can't claim him. By the way, when he was a Mpls City Council Member, he was a DFLer. The party was moving to vote censure him for stacking internal ballots (party games) and he switched partys on them.
Tim Penny won office(state house, senate and then Congress) as a DFLer. He was the first and only Democrat to represent that area in Congress in almost 100 years. As an Independent, he lost.
Why is it tough for Independents to win on their own- or present numbers that are not fudged or just untrue? I hope the budgeting goes better.
To ignore that the Reform to Independence Party got thrown to major party status on the back of Jesse Ventura is just not facing reality. Peter may be a nice and smart guy and all, but election are won on more than that and sometimes without either of those attributes.
The I-Party needs passionate people like you Mike, just don't let the results in November screw you up forever.
WHich #'s are you refering to that are untrue?
Carolyn..FYI
"Jerry Janezich, a very nice gentleman, was not the choice of all of the Democrats at the 2000 endorsing Convention. Many of us supported other candidates that went on to run in the Primary, won by Mark Dayton
The Convention was headed for a No Endorsement wnen Lillehaug withdrew
and supported Jerry to prevent Ciresi from getting the endorsement."
Passage from my memoir..A Million Little Memories"
Carolyn's remarks "where in the hell did you come up with this" and "I smell spin" dismisses and trivializes.
In Carolyn's world, I couldn't possibly have formulated my comments by myself, independent of any orders from on high--those "Beltway Bandits" or spin doctors in the Klobuchar campaign.
No, it's "spin" and it has to be coming from somewhere other than my own assessment.
In her world view, I couldn't have possibly made my mind up to support Klobuchar based on my own experience in watching her campaign for several years--first for AG, now for Senate. She got out here in rural Minnesota and worked her butt off.
No, in Carolyn's world--I shouldn't trust my own judgement, nor that of my partner, nor that of my friends who made the decision to support Klobuchar.
So, in Carolyn's world, we should trust her judgement, after she insults my independence by labelling it "spin".
And in Carolyn's world, I should support Dr. Bell who tells me that the support for Klobuchar is generated not from her years of connecting with people but from "Beltway Bandits."
Well, that's persuasive.
No thanks.
"Passage from my memoir..A Million Little Memories"
Uh oh...someone better alert Oprah!
Dr. Jack Shepard says
Amy's Klobuchar's 100% wrong for the US Senate; she can not treat her employees correctly how can she represent Minnesota in the Senate with her record!
Amy Klobuchar talks unethically about Dr. Jack Shepard and Amy Klobuchar takes all the credit for the work of her staff and still treats her employees so bad that her own employees warn us not to support her! Dr. Jack Shepard says
Read the letter below from James Appleby President, Local 2938 on behalf of the Executive Board of Local 2938 bottom, says "As County Attorney, Amy Klobuchar has created a hostile work environment" Amy Klobuchar is someone that we do not wish to have as Hennepin County Attorney or give her the chance to "Create a hostile work environment by treating her staff as poorly in Washington as she treats her staff in Minnesota." says Dr. Jack Shepard
Dr. Jack Shepard announces that he will seek the GOP nomination for the 4th Congressional District of Minnesota in the September 12, 2006 Primary Election.
Dr. Jack Shepard's has been called; "an evangelist in the fight against global terrorism".
Dr. Jack Shepard says at this very critical time in our Nations History the next United States Congress urgently needs new Congressmen and Congresswomen with international experience especially whose with a very good first hand understanding of the Arab Countries in the Middle East.
Dr. Jack Shepard is on the record as saying that the only possible way to achieve a long lasting peace in the Middle East is necessary to win our war on Terrorism is through dialogue.
Dr. Jack Shepard, a self-described "Born-Again Republican" and Veteran American Service Officer.
For almost a quarter of a century Dr. Shepard has been based and working out of Rome, Italy as a Mideast Specialist.
Dr. Shepard hopes to be returning to his hometown of St. Paul, Minnesota to run for the 4th Congressional District if he gets the support of the White House in his efforts to be the first Republican to win the 4th Congressional District in almost 60 years.
Dr. Shepard is just launching into the heart of his campaign; and “God Willing", says Shepard, the heart of his campaign will be the Arab World.
Dr. Shepard's campaign support to date has mainly come from the Hmong and Vietnamese communities in St. Paul.
They supported him after he promoted policies that would aid the Hmong refugees in the US and help to resettle the Hmong refugees in Thailand and Laos.
Dr. Shepard see his election to the US Congress as being urgently needed so he would be in a position to convince other US Congressman who do not really understand the urgency of fulfilling President Bush's vision of the states of Palestine and Israel living side by side in peace as the key to creating a democracy Iraq.
Dr. Shepard believes that Americans need to be informed about the Arab World. Dr. Shepard is seeking to strengthen his Arab ties and to promote Arab and Palestinian interests within the Bush Administ
Dr. Shepard says here the letter!
Amy's Klobuchar's 100% wrong for the US Senate; this strike anybody as a shock? Klobuchar letter from her employees union! NO WE DO NOT ENDORSE KLOBUCHAR!
The strong feelings of our membership compel the Executive Board of Local 2938 to write you regarding AFSCME’s contemplated endorsement of a candidate for the United States Senate. Our local represents the attorneys and legal professionals in the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office who have worked under candidate Amy Klobuchar for seven years. Thus we are in the unique position of providing you with the most comprehensive information necessary to judge Ms. Klobuchar’s performance on the issues germane to our organization. Four years ago, this local asked Council 14 to withhold the endorsement from Amy Klobuchar. This request was ignored. We do not want that to happen again. The purpose of this letter is to tell you why Ms. Klobuchar continues to be wholly undeserving of AFSCME’s endorsement.
Throughout her tenure as Hennepin County Attorney, Amy Klobuchar has demonstrated her disdain for the very employees that have placed her in the position to run for the office she now seeks. She has denigrated these lawyers both publicly and privately. She has refused to support their efforts to obtain a fair wage adjustment. She has taken credit for the hard work of her employees. She has severely damaged the morale of the office.
As County Attorney, Amy Klobuchar has created a hostile work environment. This has resulted in increased grievances from employees as well as informal disciplinary matters in which the union was asked to intervene on the employee’s behalf. Ms. Klobuchar’s hiring practices have further evidenced disdain for her own employees. Qualified personnel from her own and other public offices have been rejected because her priority has been to choose candidates who support her ambitions. In a dispute with county investigators, Ms. Klobuchar made no effort to keep these qualified team members in the office. She has even succeeded in diminishing the union ranks by promoting retirement among a group of employees, and then rehiring them as independent contractors.
In short, Amy Klobuchar is exactly the kind of candidate that AFSCME should oppose.As you are aware, Hennepin County attorneys were seeking a market increase during the last contract negotiation so their wages would be representative of the work they do, and competitive with the wages of attorneys in neighboring jurisdictions. Local 2938 sought Ms. Klobuchar’s assistance. For months, Ms. Klobuchar refused to support these efforts. Last October Ms. Klobuchar attended a fund raiser for Senate District 19. A former AFSCME member, Lori Schmidt, asked for her position on the market increase. Ms. Klobuchar did not offer any words of support. Instead, she ridiculed the request and characterized it as unreasonable and unfair.
Around this time, Ms. Klobuchar met with AFSCME leaders in an attempt to obtai
Dr. Shepard says here's the end of the letter WHERE HER EMPLOYEES SAY NO WE WILL NOT SUPPORT HER! & the end of Klobuchar's chances of winning!
The fact that Ms. Klobuchar holds so little regard for her employees has not stopped her from taking credit for their work. She has used the publicity from the many successfully prosecuted criminal cases to give the public the false impression that she was actively involved in those cases. She was not. She presents herself as a dedicated public servant acutely concerned with the public’s safety when her only dedication is to her own self-promotion.
AFSCME represents thousands of working men and women that have dedicated themselves to fairness in the workplace. Council 5’s slogan is: “One strong unified voice for Minnesota workers.” Amy Klobuchar assumes she will receive AFSCME’s endorsement. She believes that AFSCME’s fear that a Republican will be elected will preclude any fair review of her labor record. This must not happen. AFSCME must hold Amy Klobuchar responsible for her shameful treatment of her employees. We, the members of Local 2938, demand that you deny Amy Klobuchar endorsement for the United States Senate.
Sincerely,
James Appleby
President, Local 2938 on behalf of the Executive Board of Local 2938
Posted by: Dr. Jack Shepard; Veteran America Service Officer announces he will run again for the GOP nomination
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