Sen, Coleman Votes to Strip Disabled of Insurance

See how stupid that sounds. The Senator kept his promise and voted against the budget bill today. An honorable choice considering his pledge, but a safe bet knowing the bill was going to pass anyway. But now the Left can turn the tables if they choose. They can take a page from the Rovian/Smear Boater handbook and start picking nits.

What else did Coleman vote against?:

--Doctors would get an $11 billion reprieve next year from a scheduled 4.3 percent cut in their Medicare payments.

--Dairy farmers won a $1 billion extension of milk income payments.

--College students would get more than $8 billion in new grants.

--More disabled children would retain Medicaid health coverage.

Will the Dems get the courage to run an add saying "Norm Coleman denies $8 billion to college students!" Unreasonable, obtuse, and ridiculous, but still fair game under the precedent set in the past.

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Deer's Governor-Hunting Opener

Some things ya simply can't make up. Via the STRIB:

A big buck smashed in a window at the back of the State Capitol near the governor's office Thursday morning, then charged past a very startled Gov. Tim Pawlenty just as he was entering the building.

The episode coincided with the run-up to the Governor's Deer Opener, an event that Pawlenty launched three years ago and which he has turned into a rather big deal.

"Another five feet...if it wasn't out of season, we could have had the opener right here," Pawlenty laughed as he told the story at a press conference announcing judicial appointments. "If that's any indication, the deer hunting is going to go well this year."

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Deja Vu and ANWR, too

As Smilin' Norm tries to wiggle his way out of his self induced pickle, I had to dig out this old post of mine from last March:

Remember all those slimy Kerry ads attacking him for being against the troops, and flip flopping. Most of them came from budget bills. Can Norm risk sticking to principle and vote against drilling, before voting for it. Or will he vote against the budget bill if it includes the ANWR leasing revenues, and face the same furor others do when they vote against the troops, and other budgetary provisions which will be gladly cherry picked by the Left for future campaign ads.

I have no sympathy for the Senator. In fact, I find it kind of amusing that the lead Senator of the Flip Flop brigade during last years' presidential race is backed into a corner like this!

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My Endorsement for Mayor of St. Paul

When it came down to it, it was about philosophy.

This has been the most difficult electoral decision I have had to make in a long time. Many have said it is a slam-dunk, due to decisions Kelly made leading up to last year's presidential election, but that wasn't enough for me. It is important that I vote FOR someone, not against another.

I actively sought out information; met Chris Coleman at a meet and greet, and either watched or personally attended three debates. The more I watched both these gentlemen, the clearer my choice became. It wasn't about who supported who when. It was about philosophy, and how these two candidates were going to move this city forward, in a time of fiscal uncertainty.

One candidate thinks he can do this alone. The other wants to include everyone at the table, and have everyone participate in the process, that man is Chris Coleman, and he has earned my vote for mayor of St. Paul.

TAXES:

I've known Randy Kelly since the late 70's. At the time, I was interning at the State Office Building and Kelly was a young State Rep from the East side. Mayor Kelly has changed over the last 30 years, and his political ideology has been running Right over the last four. He claims he has kept his promise to not raise taxes but has increased fees and assessments by over 20%. Come on, a duck's a duck.

Don't think I don't realize that Coleman will raise resources to move this city forward, but at least he is being honest about how he is going to do it. He isn't wrapping his revenue needs in a political package with buzzwords that have been screened be focus groups. Chris Coleman needs 8 million dollars to hire 100 police officers. If he can't get the money through a restoration of Local Government Aid, he will add it to the Levy over the next few years causing an increase of 12.5 percent. Regardless of where you stand on taxes, you have to appreciate a man who will honestly discuss specifics about his plan, and not hide behind words.

PARKS AND REC:

Although the Mayor has repeatedly brought up that St. Paul received the 'Academy Award' for parks, beating out all other cities in the entire country, that isn’t enough for me. Anyone can write a fancy application, lobby the appropriate people, and show off the jewels of the city, but that doesn't make all the park and rec areas perfect. My oldest son spends more time at Langford Rec Center, than he does at the two parks closest to our house. The closer ones aren't open, or have limited/awkward gym schedules. This scenario has evolved over the last 4 years. My youngest two boys come home saying ‘there is nothing to do, no where to go' because without a draw to the public areas, kids are sitting at home, sometimes unsupervised, trying to find something to do.

Chris Coleman plans on changing that. He will take down the No Loitering sings at the Rec Centers. He supports a 'Second Shift' program for kids to have somewhere to go after school. These structured environments will keep these idle and curious hands occupied in a controlled setting instead of spiraling independently towards mischief. Randy Kelly has failed miserably in that area, at least from my perspective, within the Hamline/Midway neighborhood.

TRANSIT:

The final issue that I focused on was light rail. I am a strong supporter of the University Light Rail proposal. Mayor Kelly has dropped the ball on this project. As much as I love the Ayd Mill road access, he failed to give Light Rail the same attention. In 4 years I have seen NO progress in establishing what I believe will be a crucial link in our transit network. Now we are facing fiscal restraints that could further delay this project. Chris Coleman is committed to bringing community leaders, both neighborhood and business representatives, to the table to expedite this process. Kelly had his chance, it is time for new blood in the negotiations, and to have someone who is truly supportive of the project, not lip service from an individual who’s political ideology is not consistent with the success of the venture.

So I am voting FOR Chris Coleman next Tuesday, because I feel it is necessary to move St. Paul into the future, and I don’t believe Kelly, given his political ideological transition will have the resources to do it.

Oh, and Kelly supported Bush!

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It was a dark and stormy night . . . .

Jeff from BotML is expanding his writing prowess by participating in National Novel Writing Month. Participants have the month of November to write a 50,000 word novel. For the mathematically challenged, that is about 1700 words a day.

Follow his progress at The Valkyrie's Tale's Blog.

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What are they afraid of?

Why is the Right so adamantly opposed to an investigation of Pre War intelligence? Why are they being cry babies about Sen. Reid's insistence that an investigation take place?

If this administration has nothing to hide, nothing to be afraid of, and nothing to worry about, then they should demand this investigation take place. They should embrace the desire of the American people for wanting to know, and get ready to flaunt their exoneration in the very noses of the Left, right about the time of mid terms next year.

But the caterwauling that is going on right now makes this pro war supporter think that maybe I was duped, maybe there was a manipulation of the data. Maybe there was a concerted effort to fool enough Americans into thinking that SoDamn was a direct threat to American's at home?

If the Right would have simply said to the Left, OK, go for it, but you'll be cutting your own throat? I would have simply shook my head at the desperation of the Left, but now I shake my head at the Right, wondering, "What are they afraid of?"

But that's just me!

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Mayoral Debate, TONIGHT!

This evening the mayoral candidates, Kelly and Coleman, come to my 'hood. A 7:00 debate at the Sundin Music Hall at Hamline University. I have made arrangments to attend, as I have a few more questions/concerns regarding my decision in this race. Hopefully, I can tie up those loose ends this evening and offer an endorsement by the end of the week.

Mitch!!, want to join me?

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UPDATEMitch is in, with a possible debrief in the Drinking Moderately garage afterwards. Time permitting of course.

UPDATE II Mitch stood me up, something about not feeling well. If I were a Righty I wouldn't be feeling very well either. Broken Nails has an excellent synopsis of the evening, here!

Is It yours!

In the Have You Heard? column, we find this lucky tidbit:

Minnesota is holding $258 million in unclaimed property for about 1 million people. Check www.missingmoney.com to see it you're one of the lucky ones.

Be sure to check out 'Missing Money' to see if you have an unknown nest egg waiting out there. Be sure to forward me a 10% finders fee if you find your name on the list. Ok, just kidding . . . kind of!

Flash

Good News, Bad News

Recent polling in the Twin Cities' Mayoral show a spilt decision for incumbency:

Good news for Rybak, who was sputtering after a surge by McLaughlin during the Summer:

According to the University of Minnesota poll, 44 percent of likely voters said they would vote for Rybak while 35 percent would vote for McLaughlin. The two DFLers face off in the Nov. 8 election.

and Bad News for Kelly, with the results of the latest number crunching confirming the dismal news (61 - 28) from last week:

A survey conducted by the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs found that 61 percent of likely voters said they supported Coleman, a former St. Paul City Council member, while 26 percent said they would vote for Kelly. About 13 percent are undecided. Kelly and Coleman are both DFLers who will meet in the nonpartisan election on Nov. 8.

If these number hold, it will make for a yawner come next Tuesday.

Flash

Uncle!

At the half way point of the NFL Season. It is clear I have met my match for point spread prognostication. Although neither of us had a very good outing this weekend (both going 1-2), I am willing to call this match-up based on the unwritten 12 Pack rule. With a nice round number of 12, I can find various malted beverages that are packaged in a nice dozen (I know, 11 isn't 12, but if LF has any heart at all, we'll crack open that baby and share a beverage in his honor). A fifteen pack would limit Foot's selection to a small variety that may not adequately allow him to enjoy the spoils that victory brings.

My hat is off to Freddie the "Foot' and I encourage him to pick on someone his own size for the remainder of the season. Seems King has been taunting him all year anyway. Maybe it is time he put him money where is Foot is.

Game, Set and Match to the Learned one. I call for a rematch next season. Of course, we have hoops season just around the corner. I have had better luck in that environ, anyway.

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Snip, Snip, Here, Snip, Snip, There

More 'useless' programs on the chopping block. I guess all the pork has been trimmed already:

House Republicans voted to cut student loan subsidies, child support enforcement and aid to firms hurt by unfair trade practices as various committees scrambled to piece together $50 billion in budget cuts.

More politically difficult votes -- to cut Medicaid, food stamps and farm subsidies -- were on tap Thursday as more panels weigh in on the bill.

With the midterms campaigns slowly gearing up, I guess the Right needs to do the painful work sooner, rather then later in hops the electorate will forget. Either that, or they realize that their days are numbered and they better get the butcher knife out while they still have control.

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It's Scalito!

Samuel Alito has been tapped to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court. Alito replaces Miers name being offered to the senate as her nomination was scuttled by the once loyal Right Wing Fringe.

Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr. has been a strong conservative jurist on the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, a court with a reputation for being among the nation's most liberal.

He is to be nominated today to the Supreme Court, according to news reports.

Dubbed "Scalito" or "Scalia-lite," a play not only on his name but his opinions, Alito, 55, brings a hefty legal resume that belies his age. He has served on the federal appeals court for 15 years since President George H.W. Bush nominated him in 1990.

Let the games begin.

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Footblogging #7 (NFL #8)

OK, I had this nice post all ready to go. I said wonderful things about the Foot and King and was prepared to except defeat. Then it was all lost in the click of the Blogger Publish button.

I don't have time to rebuild it at this point, but may make everything all fancy looking later. But in the interest of timeliness, here is my call for the weekend.

1. Arizona @ Dallas (-9).

Cowboys fail to cover, take Arizona

2. Miami @ New Orleans (-2).

Miami huge in a much needed breakout game for them

3. Jacksonville (-2.5) @ St. Louis.

Jags cover, and then some.

Oh, and one more thing, FOOT!! What kind of beer do you like?

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Scooter out, Addington In

The indictment of Scooter Libby, today, begins the shake up of the White House staff. David Atkinson is slated to replace Libby as Vice President Cheney's Chief of Staff.

If Libby is indicted, Cheney counsel David Addington will replace him as chief of staff, sources close to the Cheney's office say. Addington is another longtime Cheney aide who worked for him at the Pentagon.

Although Rove dodged an indictment today, he is still under investigation as it is clear Fitzgerald wants to be thorough in preparing a strong prosecution case. Former RNC Chairman Ed 'Dizzy' Gillespie is marked to replace Rove once the indictment comes down.

A source familiar with Bush's worst-case plans said he would likely tap ex-GOP Chairman Ed Gillespie to replace Rove if he is indicted.

Also under consideration is bringing back former White House political director Ken Mehlman. He is the GOP chairman and is considered to be valuable to the Republicans for the upcoming midterm congressional elections.

The blind leading the blind. At what point do you think this President would recognize it is time for a fresh start to salvage his second term

Doc dump should be available here.

Flash

UPDATE:

Vice President Cheney's chief of staff, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, was indicted today by a grand jury on one count of obstruction of justice, two counts of making false statements and two counts of perjury in the CIA leak probe. A news release from special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald says Libby allegedly lied "about how and when in 2003 he learned and subsequently disclosed to reporters then-classified information concerning the employment of Valerie Wilson by the Central Intelligence Agency."

St. Paul Mayoral Poll Released

Results (emphasis mine):

Former City Council Member Chris Coleman's nearly 2-to-1 primary election lead over St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly appears to be widening significantly, according to a poll conducted this week for the Pioneer Press.

Coleman now leads Kelly 61 percent to 28 percent, according to a telephone survey of 400 registered St. Paul voters who say they plan to cast a ballot on Nov. 8. The poll, conducted Tuesday and Wednesday by Mason-Dixon Polling and Research, has a margin of error of 5 percent.

Although I am undecided, which is movement away from Kelly whom I voted for in the primary, I am not yet sold on Coleman yet. However, it looks like that there isn't much hope for the DINO, as he will have to come up with a miracle finish to close that +30% gap.

Flash

Back to the Drawing Board

Miers Out:

The fringe wins, and the President is even more of a lame duck then he was already. I guess all that talk about the President having the right to pick whoever he wants, every nominee deserves a fair hearing and an up or down vote, doesn't mean anything unless it is the person you personally want.

As usual, Jeff says it better than I ever could:

What this does do, in the end, is destroy the ability of the right to paint the Democrats as partisan should the next nominee be filibustered. While the spin from the right will be that Miers was scuttled due to Democratic opposition, nobody is going to buy it. It was the right that prevented Miers from getting her "up or down" vote. That makes it harder for them to complain the next time the left takes similar action.

Two Term George has been so marginalized over the last several weeks I am not sure how much power or control he has anymore. It's going to be a long three years for him.

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The Outing of an Anonymous Blogger

MNGOPWatch is now reporting that the purported identity of MDE has caught the eye of a "major national political publication".

If MDE's identity is confirmed, I believe it will only go towards his ultimate goal of "fostering a truthful discussion on Minnesota Democrats." Debating political ideology anonymously, in the US, has it's roots during the birth of this nation. But once you leave the confines of ideology, and enter the realm of personal attacks, the line has been crossed. Now, keep in mind this is only my personal view, the courts have recently ruled otherwise.

Regardless, MDE may now have to join us all in taking credit AND responsibility for every post.

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Three Years Ago Today

I man, his wife and daughter, along with three staffers and the two pilots passed away three years ago today.

The man may have left us on this earth, but his dream lives on.

Thanks, Paul, for making this world a better place!

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An Inspiration to us all!

An Icon passes:

Rosa Parks, whose act of civil disobedience in 1955 inspired the modern civil rights movement, died Monday in Detroit, Michigan. She was 92.

Relinquished!

In March, I shared my frustration regarding the anonymity of MDE, specifically related to his cybersquatting on potential DFL campaigns' domain names. MNGOPWatch is reporting, and MDE confirms, he relinquished those names.

Minnesota Democrats Exposed is dedicated to truthful discussion on the activities, statements, and tactics of Minnesota Democrats. I realized that if I kept the website domain names, I was preventing and not fostering a truthful discussion on Minnesota Democrats.

My decision to voluntarily relinquish ownership of the domains should not be misunderstood as a repudiation of this tactic.

But if I had the chance to do it over, I would not have purchased the domains.

I have a new found respect for MDE. I still feel it is over the line to participate in personal attack, rather then the discussion of political ideology, anonymously. But if Mr. MDE was willing to make this move in the interest of 'truthful discussion' I will give him the benefit of the doubt.

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