Good Cop Bad Cop

Game on as they say. Remember when the Smear boaters came out and slimed the honor of John Kerry. While President George Bush sat back and repeatedly praised Kerry for his honorable and brave service to this country, the smear boaters slurred, deceived and distorted his record. Now we begin the Same ole Same ole.

Good Cop:

McCain sent a letter to Daves, asking her not to run the ad, which he called "offensive."

"I have been committed to running a respectful campaign based upon an honest debate about the great issues confronting America today. I expect all state parties to do so as well. The television advertisement you are planning to air degrades our civics and distracts us from the very real differences we have with the Democrats," McCain wrote.

"We need to run a campaign that is worthy of the people we seek to serve. There is no doubt that we will draw sharp contrasts with the Democrats on fundamental issues critical to the future course of our country. But we need not engage in political tactics that only seek to divide the American people," he wrote.

Bad Cop:

“He (McCain) would prefer that we not run the ad. ‘And how did you respond?’ Well, I didn't,” Daves said.

. . .

Daves argued the ad is about statewide issues, not presidential politics.

“Some people want to make this about Obama, but it is about these two candidates (Perdue and Moore) who are accountable to the voters of North Carolina,” she added.

Standard Right Wing Smear tactics, allow the standard bearer to take the high road while the surrogates do the dirty work.

Say all you want about the slugfest going on in the Democratic Primary contest, at least they have the courage to do their own dirty work!

Flash

Delaying the Inevitable

Sen. Hillary wins handily:

PHILADELPHIA, April 22 -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton won the Pennsylvania presidential primary decisively on Tuesday night, running up a 10-percentage-point victory that bolstered her case for staying in the race for the Democratic nomination.

Sen. Barack Obama played down a defeat that did not substantially reduce his delegate lead, but the outcome only further muddled a race that has stretched on for nearly four months and has sharply divided the party. The two will meet again in primaries in Indiana and North Carolina on May 6.

Too little too late, really. The math simply isn't there to make a dent in Obama's lead in either popular vote or delegate count. This campaign is all about courting Super Delegates at this point. Once they make a unified move to Obama its over.

Flash

PA Polls

Barring a last minute surprise, I think Senator Clinton will live on to campaign another day. Here are the latest and final numbers going in to today:I say Hillary by 8%. There, that oughtta jinx her for sure *laughing*

Flash

Tom Sorel-MNDOT Commish

Not McFarlin

Gov. Tim Pawlenty has named Tom Sorel, administrator of the Minnesota Division of the Federal Highway Administation, to be Commissioner of the state Department of Transportation.

He is is a true administrator and no newby to the Department:

The office Sorel has headed is responsible for the delivery of the Federal-aid Highway Program to state and local transportation agencies in Minnesota.

Maybe now we can get down to the the business of fixing roads and repairing bridges.

Flash

McFarlin?

Pawlenty will name his permanent pick to MNDot today:

Pawlenty is holding a news conference at the Capitol at 11 a.m. Monday to announce his pick. Acting Commissioner Bob McFarlin has been leading the agency since the end of February . . .

Acting commissioner McFarlin would make an excellent choice, but he has been hedging if he even wants it:

The interim leader at the Minnesota Department of Transportation hasn't decided whether to seek a more lasting appointment to the commissioner's post.

Longtime agency executive Bob McFarlin is serving as acting commissioner now that the Senate has ousted Carol Molnau from the department's corner office. Gov. Tim Pawlenty hopes to name a permanent replacement by mid-March.

I was not on the "can Molnau" band wagon. (funny how my detractors forget those moments). But that is history, and to make this transition during a busy and key moment int he department, seamless should be the main motivator to find a replacement. Let's hope TPaw did some arm twisting and McFarlin stays on.

We'll find out at lunch time.

Flash

Play Ball

Thanks to 'The Doctor' I will be sitting behind the dug out this afternoon. My view will look something like this:Techincally, they are Row 7, but since the dugout takes up the first three rows, well, you can do the math.

Flash

Can Obama Win?

Since Governor Richardson dropped out, I have remained out of the presidential nomination fray. I understand simply that either of the two remaining Democratic candidates are light years better than the Republican alternative. There are a variety of reason for that and we'll have plenty of time till November to lay them out.

Now, I have hinted that I may be a leans Sen. Clinton, for one primary reason. She has been through the dirt, and the mud and the slime for so many years she is pretty immune to the attack machine on the Right. People love her or hate her. Her negatives are where they are and will remain relatively unchanged, they are a known. Sen. Obama, on the other hand, is new to the game. And where Sen. Kerry was sitting in pretty good shape right about this time, once the smear boaters got a hold of him, his polling strength diminished. I hint thahttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gift with Sen. Obama, the same thing could happen. New red meat for the Rovian Right would be a boon for them, or would it?

Michael Hirsh at Newsweek understands what I mean:

Between the questions about Obama’s meager association with William Ayers, a former Weatherman, and the suspicions raised by his lack of a flag lapel pin, the likely nominee is slowly being turned into John Kerry. He is becoming, in other words, a candidate who may be mostly right about national security but who will lack the Red State street cred to carry his point—and the election.

Hirsh mirrors my line of thinking. An electoral vulnerability at a time when the Dems should, like Sen. Clinton mentioned in the debate,simply get a free pass to the White House.

You know, I wish the Republicans would apologize for the disaster of the Bush-Cheney years and not run anybody, just say that it's time for the Democrats to go back into the White House.

Over at DonklePhant, Obama is Not Kerry., they challenge Hirsh:

Obama has already proven that he’s no John Kerry. For one, Obama is far more charismatic than Kerry and is far better at sounding earnest when discussing important issues – these qualities help him weather attacks and regain trust. For another, Obama is much more aggressive in defending himself, taking every attack seriously where as Kerry allowed the swift boat matter to continue unchallenged for far too long. While there are certainly voters who will stay away from Obama because they question his patriotism, I tend to think those voters would stay away from any Democrat.

Much has been said about the debate in Pennsylvania. I watched the first half, and I am from the school of thought that Sen. Clinton, or anyone for that matter, should throw everything that could possibly be out there at Sen. Obama. Air every piece of slime that is known, and allow the news cycle to properly vet each and every one of them. Come endorsement time, if Sen. Obama is still standing, he will become the nominee. If not, we have a viable and electable alternative to assume presumptive status. But in either case, we must win, and it was made clear during the debate that is the commitment we were given from both candidates.

Obama:

But one thing I'm absolutely certain of is that come August, when we're in Denver, the Democratic Party will come together, because we have no choice if we want to deliver on the promises that not only we've made but the founders made. We are seeing peoples' economic status slipping further and further behind. We've seen people who have not only lost their jobs but now are at risk of losing their homes.

We have a sharp contrast in terms of economic policies. John McCain wants to continue four more years of George Bush policies and, on the foreign policy front, wants to continue George Bush's foreign policy.

So I'm confident that both Senator Clinton's supporters and Senator Obama's supporters will be supporting the Democratic nominee when we start engaging in that general election.

Clinton

I will do everything to make sure that the people who supported me support our nominee.

I will go anywhere in the country to make the case. And I know that Barack feels the same way, because both of us have spent 15 months traveling our country. I have seen the damage of the Bush years. I've seen the extraordinary pain that people have suffered from because of the failed policies; you know, those who have held my hands who have lost sons or daughters in Iraq, and those who have lost sons or daughters because they didn't have health insurance.

And so, regardless of the differences there may be between us, and they are differences, they pale in comparison to the differences between us and Senator McCain.

So we will certainly do whatever is necessary to make sure that a Democrat is in the White House next January.

So allow the underdog their due to point out every little imperfection of the front runner. Because we all know, no matter what Hillary, and other Democratic supporters of hers point out, it is nothing compared to what the Smear Boaters will do!

Flash

Checking the Nation's Pulse

With all the blathering about BitterGate, where ARE the American people on some of those key issues. This latest ABC/WaPo nugget shows us the current snapshot.

Nine in 10 Americans now give the economy a negative rating, with a majority saying it is in "poor" shape, the most to say so in more than 15 years. And the sense that things are bad has spread swiftly. The percentage who hold a negative view of the economy is up 33 points over the past year, and the percentage who rate the economy "poor" has increased 13 points in the past two months. That is the quickest 60-day decline since The Post and ABC started asking the question, in 1985.

Views of the Iraq war have dipped as well. Now, more than six in 10 say that the conflict is not integral to the success of U.S. anti-terrorism efforts. That is the most people to reject what is one of the Bush administration's central contentions and a core part of presumed GOP presidential nominee John McCain's stand on the issue.

And for the first time since President Bush ordered additional troops to Iraq early last year, the number of Americans saying the United States is not making significant progress toward restoring civil order there has risen. Negative views of the war had eased steadily from late 2006 through early March of this year, but 57 percent in the new poll said efforts in Iraq have stalled, up six points.

Moreover, while Bush remains committed to keeping more than 100,000 U.S. troops in Iraq through the rest of his presidency, 56 percent of Americans say the United States should withdraw its military forces to avoid further casualties. This has been the majority view since January 2007.

On several measures, the poll finds Republicans inching away from support for the war. Among them, a sense that progress in Iraq has stalled has increased 13 points from early March, and the percentages who prefer withdrawing troops over risking more casualties (30 percent) and who think that the battle against terrorism can be a success without victory in Iraq (39 percent) are each at new highs.

Results like this don't generally bode well for the incumbent party. In the White House, that is GOP, but the Dems control congress. Now the Dems control is murky and restricted, and it would take a few more votes in the Senate to truly flex their muscles. But the Electorate is generally pretty savvy, and when they switch up the White House, they like to have Congress there to keep the Commander in check. It took them a bit longer to realize that during this current administration, and look where that has gotten us. Maybe they'll let congress continue us down the path of reformation, and add a cooperative President to make sure it gets down!

I'm off today, so if I stumble across anything else this AM, before venturing to my appointments, I'll be sure to share!

Flash

A Timely Twofer

via Heller:A welcome to the Pope coupled with a little jab to the airline industry.

Swing and a Miss!

I missed my blogging time. Dang late night hockey games. I may have something for you at lunch, until then welcome Pope Benedict XVI and be thankful for all that God has given us!

Flash

UPDATE: theUptake's Tax Protest video is up:

If you consider yourself middle class, then you probably have a right to be upset about taxes. When you include all local, state and federal taxes, you pay a higher proportion of your income in taxes than those who make more than $400,000 a year. And those who are poor pay a rate nearly twice as high as the rich.

Going Down Down Down

The President will break one record for sure:

At 39 months in the doghouse, George W. Bush has surpassed Harry Truman's record as the postwar president to linger longest without majority public approval.

Bush hasn't received majority approval for his work in office in ABC News/Washington Post polls since Jan. 16, 2005 — three years and three months ago. The previous record was Truman's during his last 38 months in office.

Now, the Republicans are going to on one hand, campaign on more of the same, but the other, whine that Bush isn't running again and all the Dems are doing is running against someone who isn't on the ballot.

What those of us that pay attention know, is there isn't a difference. The Democratic Party is running against the failed and flawed policies of the Republicans. Following 8 years of peace and prosperity we now face war and economic tumult.

The Right will use smoke and mirrors to hide that reality. They will revert to personal attacks and internal meme polling. They will steer far and clear from any attempt to debate the issues. They know what the rest of us know, that they are wrong on just about every one of them. Now that the people have that figured out, it will cost them the White House, like it did the House and the Senate..

Flash

Great American Hypocrites

I ended up on Random House's book mailing list not to long ago. Every few months or so a new morsel is on my stoop. I few weeks ago I received the best one so far. It is Glenn Greenwald's latest and it is released today.

The Great American Hypocrites: Toppling the Big Myths of Republican Politics reinforces what those of us know already, and the Right doesn't want you to know. That whenever they open their mouth, it is deception in an attempt to win since the truth will only kill them. The book destroys the myths built up by the Rovian machines of the past. You've heard them all I am sure:

Myth: The Republican nominee is an upstanding, regular guy who shares the values of the common man.
Reality: He divorced his first wife in order to marry a young multimillionaire heiress whose family then funded his political career.

Myth: Republicans are brave and courageous.
Reality: It’s a party filled with chicken hawks and draft dodgers.

Myth: Republicans are strong on defense and will keep us safe.
Reality: They prey on fears, and their endless wars make America far less secure.

Myth: The Republicans are the party of fiscal restraint and small, limited
government.
Reality: Soaring deficits, unchecked presidential power, and an increasingly invasive surveillance state are par for their course.

Some of the books I have received off the mailing list I have doled out to others, or have become door stops. Not this one.

Flash

Road to Citizenship

GREAT feel good story in the STRIB this AM:

Vikings right guard Anthony Herrera had three items on his to-do list when he woke up March 26: 1, Become a stronger, more well-conditioned NFL player; 2, Attend a scheduled appointment with coach Brad Childress; and, oh yeah, 3, Become a U.S. citizen.

Having been in country almost half his life, he waited his turn and was now set to take the oath. What really caught my eyes was the maneuver by Coach Childress:

Childress congratulated Herrera and asked who was accompanying him to the big event. Herrera said, "No one but me." His wife and young daughter were in Mississippi. His mother was in Florida. And Herrera hadn't even thought to bother his teammates by asking them to join him.

"I said, 'Anthony, you can't get sworn in as a U.S. citizen and not have anyone with you,' " Childress said. "I said, 'Shoot, give me a minute. I'm going with you.'"

Read the whole thing. It is perfect for a positive Sunday read!

Flash

Carter, Gore, Talking?!?

The Scotsman, Scotland's oldest newspaper hints:

DEMOCRAT grandees Jimmy Carter and Al Gore are being lined-up to deliver the coup de grâce to Hillary Clinton and end her campaign to become president. Falling poll numbers and a string of high-profile blunders have convinced party elders that she must now bow out of the primary race.

Former president Carter and former vice-president Gore have already held high-level discussions about delivering the message that she must stand down for the good of the Democrats.

"They're in discussions," a source close to Carter told Scotland on Sunday. "Carter has been talking to Gore. They will act, possibly together, or in sequence."

An appeal by both men for Democrats to unite behind Clinton's rival, Barack Obama, would have a powerful effect, and insiders say it is a question of when, rather than if, they act.

When not if. Hmmmmm, do they wait till PA, or not risk it and come out early next week to sway the electorate in case Hillary decides to wait it out.

I do think it is time she suspends. This will give the GOP the opening they need to begin their Smear Boat campaign. If Obama can withstand that, he'll be just fine. If not, we have the Super Delegates to bail us out at the convention.

Flash

Madia Endorsed

MNCR reports:

Bonoff is onstage right now withdrawing, and congratulating Ash Madia and his staff and supporters.

Congratulations to the Madia campaign and a world of respect for Terri Bonoff and her supporters.

Hot Topic; 3rd CD Convention

With 96 delegates needed for endorsement, the MNCR Widgets has the count going into the convention at:

Total (Pledged - Super)

87.5 (84.5 - 02) Madia
67.0 (52.0 - 12) Bonoff
04.0 (02.0 - 02) Unknown

Bonoff hopes for a no endoresment and a trip to the Primary. Madia hopes for a clear and convincing victory within a couple 3 ballots. Anything can happen and it should be an interesting political afternoon.

I'll update this post this afternoon with the results. For live Updates visit:

MN Campaign Report
MN Publius
theUptake Twitter

And the DFL, unlike the GOP, supports coverage from the other side of the aisle. The Local Paid Republican Operative reports:

9:20 A.M.: I want to thank the 3rd CD DFL and John Stiles and Kelly Schwinghammer at the Minnesota DFL for providing me with blog credentials for today’s convention.

Not quite how they do it at Republican CD conventions.

If others are reporting, let me know in the comments.

Flash

Where Does Ones Freedom End . . .

. . . and anther's begin!

I would hope, that universally, we are horrified by what is happening in the polygamist camp in Texas:

According to court documents unsealed this week, the teenager said during her call to a local domestic-abuse hotline that she was taken to the ranch by her parents three years ago and shortly afterward was married "spiritually" to a man three times her age who physically and sexually abused her.

Caver of the Texas Rangers said that when he and other officers arrived at the ranch on April 3, he told the ranch's overseer, Merril Jessop, that they would execute the search warrant "at whatever cost that may be." But Caver said he told Jessop he wanted to do it "in the most peaceful, respectful way I could, to avoid destroying their property."

Caver said that all the buildings on the sprawling 1,700-acre compound were searched for children and that he asked sect leaders to unlock the temple and the gate on the 10-foot-tall concrete fence around the building, but sect leaders refused. Authorities brought in a locksmith to unlock the fence gate, but they had to "physically breach" the temple door and every door inside the structure, Caver said. At that point, church members formed a human chain in front of the temple and then dropped to their knees as officers proceeded.

So that begs the question that Jeff at Anti Strib is asking:

I think this is a good example of when the concept of "freedom" becomes murky. What do we have freedom to teach our children? Are we free to indoctrinate them into a cult? If this is wrong, then were is the line? What rights to children have to *not* be exposed to something like this?

These are the splinter type issues that can challenge any judicial system. We have 'murky lines' in many areas of debate that can become quite passionate, abortion issue being another one, death penalty, gun control, and freedom of religion.

But as we see in Texas, and I hope we can all agree, that line was crossed some time ago. But that still doesn't answer the question . . . . where is the line, and who gets to draw it?

Flash

Carl, Carl, Carl . . .

How the mighty have fallen:

Two Minneapolis police officers found themselves "in the fight of their lives" Wednesday against a man who fled from them, hit them and threw one on a car. They didn't realize at first that the man was Minnesota Vikings legend Carl Eller, and they were "crushed" when they found out.

Police Inspector Mike Martin said Eller sped through a stop sign in his neighborhood near Theodore Wirth Park, led police on a chase that reached more than 60 mph and assaulted officers when they tried to arrest him.

Officers smelled alcohol on Eller's breath, but they won't know how much he was drinking because Eller refused to take breath or blood tests, Martin said.

Police used Tasers on Eller four times and put him in a neck hold to restrain him.

It got me to thinking about the trouble he had in 1999,

It remains to be seen how those considerations will play out in the more recent case involving Eller. According to North Mankato police reports, a woman called police from a pay phone at a SuperAmerica at about 2:00 a.m. on April 21, saying she'd been sexually assaulted. Capt. Wayne Hoffman, one of the investigating officers, says the woman is a student at Mankato State University.

and 1988 before that.

St. Peter Police Department records show that on November 14, 1988, Catherine reported having been "inappropriately touched" by Eller, who was on campus to speak to students about sobriety. Eller was never arrested or charged in connection with the incident. He declined to speak to City Pages about the case for this story; in a statement released through Andrew Birrell, the attorney who is representing him in the North Mankato case, he acknowledges that "there was a claim in 1988, but it was never charged because I was innocent and there wasn't any evidence to support the charge."

Almost like he is on some 9/10 year plan.

He once again finds himself facing some pretty serious charges. What a distraction from his glory days. Shame, really!

Flash

Dodging Bullets

Frustration by design, or sincere ignorance, you make the call:

Asked repeatedly yesterday what "conditions" he is looking for to begin substantial U.S. troop withdrawals from Iraq after this summer's scheduled drawdown, Army Gen. David H. Petraeus said he will know them when he sees them. For frustrated lawmakers, it was not enough.

So he doesn't know what it will take, but will know it when he sees it. O . . K . . ?

A year ago, the president said we couldn't withdraw because there was too much violence," said Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.). "Now he says we can't afford to withdraw because violence is down." Asked Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.): "Where do we go from here?"

Buy stock in WD40, the wheels on the goal posts are getting a work out!

Petraeus, the top U.S. military commander in Iraq, and U.S. Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker echoed what they said seven months ago in their last update to Congress -- often using similar words. Iraq's armed forces continue to improve, overall levels of violence are lower than they were last year, and political reconciliation is happening, albeit still more slowly than they would like.

I'm all for progress, and I have supported the Surge as well as this engagement all along. However, I grow weary with the rest of the electorate as it seem to be more clear each day there is no end game. However, the General did confirm the Surge draw down will continue, before a 45 day pause to re-evaluate begins. That pause will commence about the same time my son is due in country.

Petraeus said he has recommended to President Bush that the planned withdrawal of the five "surge" combat brigades by the end of July be followed by a 45-day hiatus for "consolidation and evaluation." Then, Petraeus said, he would begin "a process of assessment to examine the conditions on the ground" and determine whether to recommend "further reductions as conditions permit."

The President stated that the primary goal of the surge was to turn over Iraqi security to the Iraqi's by last November. Last I checked, he was only half way there. I don't think a full scale withdrawal is responsible, but neither is using our troops as pawns in a political game of electoral chess. That is what it seems like is happening.

Flash

Pawlenty Bait and Switch

It's not that TPaw can't do math, it is inherent in the extreme Right Wing not to understand simple arithmetic. Even ScaifeNet equates a few pennies to signing checks, but this is ridiculous.

The Governor was on record saying:

[DFL legislative leaders] can either join me in figuring how will get to $825 [million] or I’ll do it myself.”

But it turns out he didn't really mean $825 million, he meant $717 Million. Ironically, $70 million of it was a provision he helped craft and supported, or so he lead us to believe:

Jaws dropped in the second floor offices of the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners as news of the veto of Central Corridor spread.

"It makes no sense," said Comissioner Victoria Reinhardt, after several seconds of silence after a Pioneer Press reporter informed her of the veto. After confirming the news with a county lobbyist, she continued. "It was his proposal to begin with. We did everything he asked for. We reached consensus. So he vetoes himself?"

When will people learn that you can't believe a word out of a typical Republican's mouth, cause what they say, what they mean, and what is the actual truth can all be completely different things.

Flash

The Inquisition!

A campaign break will bring all three current contenders together, in the Senate, to hear the latest on Iraq:

When Army Gen. David H. Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker travel to Capitol Hill tomorrow, they might be the ones before the microphones, but the cameras will be trained on three of their inquisitors: Sens. John McCain, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.

Sure, Spring Break is over and the excitement begins without me. I'll be stuck looking at transcripts.

That and more ScaifeNet hijinks from the Juvenile Detention Hall Kool Aid Drinkers and other not so Swift henchman.

It will be a fun week.

Flash

Charlton Heston, Gone at 84

via the STRIB:

LOS ANGELES - Charlton Heston, who won the 1959 best actor Oscar as the chariot-racing "Ben-Hur" and portrayed Moses, Michelangelo, El Cid and other heroic figures in movie epics of the '50s and '60s, has died. He was 84.

Wild Clinch

Myself, and over 18,500 of my close personal friends witnessed history last night!

the Wild claimed the Northwest Division title for the first time Thursday night with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over the rival Calgary Flames.

Fittingly, it was the Wild's only original player, Marian Gaborik, scoring two third-period goals to break a 1-1 deadlock and send the sellout crowd into an absolute frenzy during the final 2 1/2 minutes.

And a frenzy it was. Now off to the playoffs, after we complete the regular season on Sunday. We have a Cup to win!

Flash

Thune Blogging

Remember the good ole days:

The blogging efforts on behalf of Thune's Senate campaign didn't cause greater civic participation or bring in piles of small donations. Instead nine bloggers -- two of whom were paid $35,000 by Thune's campaign -- formed an alliance that constantly attacked the election coverage of South Dakota's principal newspaper, the Sioux Falls Argus Leader. More specifically, their postings were not primarily aimed at dissuading the general public from trusting the Argus' coverage. Rather, the work of these bloggers was focused on getting into the heads of the three journalists at the Argus who were primarily responsible for covering the Daschle/Thune race: chief political reporter David Kranz, state editor Patrick Lalley, and executive editor Randell Beck.

Imagine that, a campaign paying bloggers to preasure the local press with twists and turns of intimidation. Sound familiar?!?

Bracket Buster

This was me last weekend!The lovely Mrs. Flash is in the driver's seat with the hopes of a UCLA finish, son Josh has a shot if UNC can pull it off.

I broke a tooth last night and have an emergency dental appointment this AM. This may be all you get today.

Flash

Job Description

My friendly troll commenter helped gather some information in his attempt to discredit my well documented and rock solid post on Mike's motivations as a blogger. He tends to think that blogger credibility is determined by MSM links, but he apprerently is not familiar with what a press consultant does, and what his roles is. It goes a lot further than just reprinting press releases. And we have seen from Mike's writing style he struggles with putting words together for more than a few sentences, because he must be very careful with his use of pronouns and prepositions to give himself just enough wiggle room. The more important role of a press consultant is pushing stories, calling contacts, and seeing how fast you can get the snowball to roll down the hill.

No one has ever doubted Mike's ability to do his job and do it well. But since Fall of 2006 there is no hint on his current disclosure form as to what he has been doing as one who readily admits "I have spent most of my entire professional career working in Minnesota politics and public relations." Not a word as to how he is paying the bills as an admitted paid professional political consultant.

I do not begrudge anyone for their career, and I could care less, frankly, if Mike was Coleman's Campaign Chairman, but why hide it. Tom Swift, in his designated role as ScaifeNet attack dog hasn't once addressed the issue at hand, and instead has proven my point. That Mike continues to works his craft as a press consultant by successfully building story lines and pushing them through the media. That isn't credibility as much as it is his chosen career path. I am just respectfully requesting that Mike honor the standard he set for himself

"I am continually aware of my responsibility to disclose any conflict that could tarnish the effectiveness of my blog."

If it only takes a few pennies trickled down after being passed through a couple different organizations to be under the control of a Left leaning partisan, what is it when that money is handed directly to someone in the form of a payroll check. Or is it, as Spotty suggests, just a tin cup that is used to keep food on the table.

Flash

UPDATE:

Tom, the designated ScaifeNet attack dog admits:

"Mike Brodkorb, on the other hand, gets paid lots more than 'pennies' to do communications work for the GOP and political candidates."

and

"Mike is in the business . . . "

Yet Tom only links to an outdated, and significantly scrubbed re-edited disclosure page. So the questions remains, now that Tom has outed MDE's current funding sources, when is Mike going to honor his word and disclose who they are. I mean, he said he would: "I am continually aware of my responsibility to disclose any conflict"

Thanks again, Tom, your service is appreciated!

I'm No Fool

I am taking a planned Blog break, today. I suspected the usual suspects would get all up in arms over my well documented and factually based assertions. What I didn't expected, is how their comments would so perfectly prove my points for me while providing the much needed stepping stone to my next screed.

You enjoy this beautiful Spring Day, I am going to spend quality time with the Lovely Mrs. Flash as we continue our Spring Break.

Till Tomorrow!

Flash

Obamacans

Republicans for Obama. Many of whom struggle with the current status of the war in Iraq:

The Obamacans include a former senator of Rhode Island, Lincoln Chafee; a former senior Justice Department official under President Reagan and senior legal adviser to Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign, Douglas Kmiec, and a granddaughter of President Eisenhower, Susan Eisenhower.

The group one day may include Senator Hagel, a Republican of Nebraska, who has co-sponsored Iraq withdrawal legislation with leading Democrats. Asked yesterday on CNN whether he would endorse his party’s presumptive nominee, Mr. Hagel said he would base his support on the candidates’ positions on withdrawing from Iraq.

There is enough basis, without the war, to support an Obama presidency. The irony is, I am not on board with his Iraq policy, yet, but know he is right on every other issue.

Happy Birthday!

NO, not to Al Gore, potential presidential candidate, to my son Nick, who is 16 today.

Happy birthday, son!

Dad

Disclosing or Scrubbing

I appreciate Mike working feverishly to update his disclosure page. Unfortunately, he still isn't caught up to where he was as recently as last August. I am begining to wonder if he is sincerely follwing through on his claims of ethical obligation, or scrubbing his former involvement. Here is the baseline I am using, his page from August of last year.

Based on his current disclosure, he has been unemployed since November of 2006. I mean, since he readily admits "I have spent most of my entire professional career working in Minnesota politics and public relations." either he has made a full 180 career change, or is simply out of work.

See, the pathetic attempts by Mitch and other members of ScaifeNet to slime sites like the Minnesota Monitor, because a few pennies trickled through a couple different organization makes them sock puppets, means I get to use the same standard. THEY have decided what is acceptable and what should be disclosed. THEY have gone out of there way to negatively attack honorable people. I just ask that they expect the same from both sides.

Mike Brodkorb's 10s of thousands of dollars received directly from campaigns or via consulting firms over the years is far more egregious then a few pennies second, third, even forth hand. If the Main Stream press would simply call him out for who he is, a paid Republican Operative, it wouldn't bother me so much. But they don't they allow him to wear his mask.

So thanks, Mike, for taking some time over the weekend to edit your old disclosure page, but we are looking for current information, because as you say:

my ethics are not governed by legal interpretations. As I am a Republican operative who exposes Minnesota Democrats, I am continually aware of my responsibility to disclose any conflict that could tarnish the effectiveness of my blog. If I am hired by a campaign or political party, I will disclose it

So since you say ANY conflicts, does that also include if you are hired by a consulting firm contracted by a campaign or political party you would disclose that as well, or is that more of your word mincing. Just asking.

Flash

St. Peter, 10 Years Later

I spent a nice chunk of my youth in St. Peter. Weekend visits to both my grandparents' houses, one living on the South end on Jackson Street, the other in a farmhouse on the North end of town. I mentioned my Southern Minnesota connection in my St. Patrick's day post the other day.

On March 17, 1998 the lovely Mrs. Flash and I traveled to St. Peter, MN for the St. Patrick's Day festivities at, where-else, Patrick's on Third. That would be the last time I saw St. Peter whole. Less than two weeks later, the terrain would be changed forever.

The town has recovered amazingly well over the last 10 years, but when I read 'the scares are gone', that is simply not the case. Buildings are gone forever, and rebuilt in different locations, specifically, the Catholic church. I was baptized in this church, along with my sister. My parents were married there almost 50 years ago as was my Grandmother's funeral, less than 4 years earlier.

The German Lutheran Church, where the Schiebel side of the family worshiped, met a similar fate. Roof torn apart beyond repair. The church was completely rebuilt on the same location, while sharing worship times with the neighboring Trinity Lutheran. Minnesota Square Park is still without all the luxurious old growth trees, and the Catholic Cemetery, with only one tree remaining, hovering over the resting place of Patrick and Margaret Mayer, the very Patrick who is the namesake of the aforementioned bar. My Grandparents are also in that cemetery, as is Dustin.

Dustin Schneider was the lone fatality in the St. Peter storm. He was sucked out of the families van as it searched for cover. I visit Dustin every time I am 'up on the hill' paying my respects to Grandma and Grandpa. My boys are about his age, with Nick turning 16 on Monday. Dustin's headstone is adorned with a small color picture of this bright young boy. Matchbox cars and other youthful trinkets scattered about. My boys, years ago, left some things for Justin. I will visit again when I make my annual Memorial Day trip.

Life is fragile, and the Comfrey/St. Peter tornadoes of 10 years ago are a testament to that. It is also a testament to the determination and vitality of community. I miss the old buildings, the trees, and the loved ones lost, but an enhanced respect for my old home town shines through. They made it through the tumult just fine and I look forward to my next visit.

Below are more picture links and I will be cobbling together other media acknowledgments of the anniversary.

Have a great weekend . . . and hug your kids!

Flash

Pictures above, are used with permission of Eric Foss, former St. Peter Herald photographer and proprietor of Wedding Maps. More pictures here, many are before and five years after.

Wiki

Other pics including this one of the Catholic Church from a different angle
Day after/cleanup pics

Other 10 years later links:

KARE
Post Bulletin
PiPress
MPR
Mankato Free Press-Paid Sub required
KTTC
Gustavus Adolphus College

I'll add more as I find them, if you know of others, comment section is below!
STRIB Nick Coleman

BREAKING: Centrisity Forces MDE to Update Disclosure Page

Well, its a start. Mike Brodkorb of MDE has begun to finally make adjustments to his disclosure page. Since there is a vast amount of public information NOT disclosed I assume this is still a work in progress.

In fact, Mike thinks he shouldn't have to tell us where his bread is buttered:

I am under no legal obligation to disclose a professional relationship with a business, campaign or political party on my personal blog. But my ethics are not governed by legal interpretations. As I am a Republican operative who exposes Minnesota Democrats, I am continually aware of my responsibility to disclose any conflict that could tarnish the effectiveness of my blog. If I am hired by a campaign or political party, I will disclose it on Minnesota Democrats Exposed.

Yet there is no mention of his relationships with the Bachmann campaign, or the Kennedy Campaign. No mention of his time spent on the payroll of the MNGOP as an opposition researcher. Is there some type of statute of limitation here where he doesn't feel it necessary to disclose these past relationships. I challenge him to share with all of us what his day job is. Everyone else in blog land is pretty transparent, yet Mike continues to be evasive, why is that.

I've got Spring break next week. I may just have to do some digging. We'll be watching. And the counter, until Mike fully discloses and completes the update of his disclosure page, we'll have to leave it up there for awhile.

My Lunch is over, I don't have the luxury of putting up multiple posts throughout my work day. Maybe Mike can help me find a gig like his.

Flash

DTV2009

I have been struggling with getting decent TV reception in my garage. I was looking forward to the DirecTV HD upgrade so I could move my old dish to the Garage roof. The big tree in my front year has prohibited that, so I was still stuck with funky rabit ears and a battle between the Snow storm and the Ghost storm on the TV. That has all changed.

In February 2009, the 2 - 13 range of your TV dial will go away in favor of a much higher quality digital signals spread across the UHF band. This frees up a boat load of frequencies that were recently auctioned off to private enterprise. That auction netted 19.6 billion dollars, a portion of which is funding the TV Converter Box Coupon Program.

I applied from my coupons a while ago at dtv20009.com. Each residence is entitled to two $40.00 coupons to be used on FEC approved Digital TV boxes. Boxes average about $60.00, so it is a significant savings. I picked mine up a couple weeks ago, and oh what a difference. Crystal clear reception, no ghosts or snow storms. I do get some intermittent pixelization that those with satellite TV experience from time to time, but that is very rare.

So no more standing in the garage looking funny as I hold the tip of my antenna. The Pictures are as good as anything you get via Cable or satellite, and I get all those extra channels you here about. There are 5 Channel 17s, Channel 5 has a second channel for all news and weather, and all in crystal clear quality. The added bonus is there is even a built in TV guide to the box.

There is a set limit of Coupons available, so apply now. And the beauty of it is, no tax dollars are being used. This is all funded from a small portion of the auction receipts. Now that is efficient government, no matter what Norquist says.

Flash

RIP, Paul

That awful feeling turned into reality today:

A Minnesota family's agonizing wait for the return of a loved one kidnapped in Iraq 16 months ago ended in grief and tears today when U.S. authorities confirmed they have recovered the remains of Paul Johnson-Reuben, of Buffalo, Minn.

All my hopes to all the grieving families of contractors who have been identified over the last several days.

Day 100

Do you know where your disclosure page is?!?

Bees' Wax

A Right Wing plant (OK, I don't know that for sure) tried to stump the former first daughter by playing the Monica Lewinsky card:

Campaigning at Butler College in Indianapolis, an audience member asked the 28 year-old whether the Monica Lewinsky scandal had damaged her mother's reputation.

"Wow, you're the first person actually that's ever asked me that question in the, I don't know maybe, 70 college campuses I've now been to, and I do not think that is any of your business," Clinton responded, appearing a bit surprised by the question. The crowd immediately cheered loudly at the response.

I'm really curious who asked that question. If I find out I'll update this post. If you find out, that's what the comments are for.,

Flash

UPDATE: Foot proclaims Evan Strange is a Hillary fan!

Drawn Out Good News

The longer the Democratic primary battle is drawn out, the less time the Smear boaters have to figure out the presumptive, and the more time the party has to engage new voters:

Figures released by Pennsylvania's Department of State on Monday night showed that Democrats have topped 4 million registered voters, the first time either party in the state has crossed that threshold. Democrats have added 161,000 to their rolls, a gain of about 4 percent; Republican registration has dipped about 1 percent, to 3.2 million.

That is consistent with the pattern since the beginning of the year: Democratic turnout in primaries and caucuses has topped Republican turnout, often by huge differences.

In Ohio, 2.2 million voters participated in the Democratic primary, compared with 1.1 million in the Republican primary. In Texas, 2.9 million voters turned out for the Democratic primary and 1.4 million for the GOP primary. Even in Florida, where the Republican primary was one of the most hotly contested of the year and the Democratic primary featured no active campaigning by the candidates, GOP turnout was only marginally higher: 1.9 million vs. 1.7 million.

These turnout figures match what pollsters have found as they have surveyed the electorate throughout the year: The gap between Democratic and Republican identification has grown dramatically.

Listen, people aren't happy, and this comes at no shock to those of use who actually care about the future. There are those on the Right who are greasing the wheels on the goal posts to re-write expectations. The electorate won't fall for that.

Both the Democratic candidates are light years better than the presumptive ideological dancer the Republicans will put up. If he picks a right wing purist as his running mate, the base may be able to rally behind him, if he chooses another plum, it will be all but over.

Flash

Hillary Screwed Up

Hillary screwed up, somethin' awful. And unlike the local GOP snark Blogs like Shot In The Onion, it isn't too hard to admit when those candidates on your side screw up. But she did provide us the best quote we will probably have in this campaign.

"I did make a mistake in talking about it the last time and recently.”

“That happens, it proves I’m human,” she said. “Which, you know, for some people is a revelation.”

Brilliant!

SoLiAh

Ok, so a local 70's radical and admitted murderer was released on Monday after serving her time. We can all argue all day long whether or not it was just, but based on the system, and the computations, agreements made regarding her plea, and the evolution of the laws over time, she walked away from prison on Monday.

Sunday, she was on her way back to St. Paul prison. Whaaaat!, back to prison.

Sara Jane Olson and her husband, Dr. Gerald Peterson, were celebrating her release from prison over a plate of chicken wings Friday night at the Los Angeles International Airport when some state employees abruptly interrupted.

"They approached her and said, 'You need to come with us. This is not an arrest,'" Peterson said. "Sara very calmly understood that she needed to go with them."

Despite those assurances, Peterson said it was clear that Olson was being arrested. He decided to return to St. Paul while his wife's attorneys contest the issue.

"Our kids are mystified by this process of formal release and then rearrest," Peterson said.

Yeap, see, there was just enough of the right people who decided to take a fine tooth comb to her file and the myriad of gonkulations to discover that, some one forgot to carry a one or something. So they claim she has to do another year.

SJO plead guilty and needs to serve her time. If, through some miscalculation, they let her out a year early, then maybe she needs to go back.

My beef . . . I hope they are scouring every record ever touched by the person who miscalculated SJO's time served because if they made one mistake they probably made others. That means there may be people walking around out there who have not served their time yet, and maybe others who already have, still sitting in cells. But to pick on one single person because of some media hype isn't justice for all, it is justice not at all.

But that's just me!

Flash

4000+

Godspeed to our brave men and women in the armed forces. All my hope to them as they fight to preserve the freedoms we so richly enjoy!

Flash

BasketBlogging v.2008

Not a great start for me, but I suspect most people were taken a bit off guard by the upset fest yesterday. I went way off the board for my Final Four so that will make me look like a fool, or Nostradamus.

Tennessee Beats Wisconsin
Texas over UCLA

Texas claims the title after edging the Vols

Here is the rest of my bracket, click to enlarge:

Flash

Pool Drain Victim Dies

A tragic end to a simply awful progression of events.

According to a family attorney, Abigail Taylor passed away Thursday night at a hospital Omaha.

Robert Bennett, the attorney for the Taylor family confirmed Abigail's death to KARE 11.

Bennett said Abigail's parents were with her when she died at Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

Abilgail was seriously injured after sitting on an uncovered drain in a wading pool last summer.

My hear goes out to the family during this difficult time.

Flash

Richardson to Endorse Obama

At a rally in Portland Oregon, today, Gov Bill Richardson will be throwing his support behind Sen Barack Obama

In a statement explaining his endorsement, which was provided by the Obama campaign early Friday morning, Mr. Richardson hailed Mr. Obama’s judgment and ability to be commander-in-chief — qualities that Mrs. Clinton has called into question in recent weeks on the campaign trail.

“I believe he is the kind of once-in-a-lifetime leader that can bring our nation together and restore America’s moral leadership in the world,” Mr. Richardson said in the statement. “As a presidential candidate, I know full well Sen. Obama’s unique moral ability to inspire the American people to confront our urgent challenges at home and abroad in a spirit of bipartisanship and reconciliation.”

I was really hoping Gov Bill would sit this one out until the presumptive was crowned. I still plan to wait this one out.

Flash

See This Through

Mitch pointed to a T v P post on the anniversary. Specifically:

Will we say as a nation we still have the resolve to see this through, or we will signal retreat?

I challenged in the comments:

What exactly does “to see this through” mean and how much longer do you think it is going to take. Because, frankly, I never signed on to perpetual war, I signed on to a mission to tackle Islamic extremism and liberate a country from a vicious dictator. Not to be a Middle Eastern Baby sitter.

Honestly, don’t you think it is long overdue we begin significant redeployment, within the region, and allow the Iraqi’s to be responsible for themselves.

In all seriousness, please, not snark. I really am curious what some of you think the end game is here.

The replies, were, well, pretty snark free and one of the most engaging dialogs I have seen in awhile at SitD. Well worth a read through.

Flash

Between the Wheels

On the 5th anniversary of Iraqi Freedom, I offer you lyrics from Rush, Between the Wheels:

Wheels can take you around
Wheels can cut you down
We can go from boom to bust
From dreams to a bowl of dust
We can fall from rockets' red glare
Down to "Brother can you spare..."
Another war
Another wasteland
And another lost generation

My support is waning, the mismanagement continues. The Surge, only a moderate success, seems to have missed the mark. My son will be leaving for Al Asad this Summer, and I am concerned. I want to win, but no one can tell me what winning means. Someone, anyone . . .

The President, is staying the course:

"No one would argue that this war has not come at a high cost in lives and treasure, but those costs are necessary when we consider the cost of a strategic victory for our enemies in Iraq.

This next part must have taken a case of WD40 to wheel the goal posts around

"The surge has done more than turn the situation in Iraq around; it has opened the door to a major strategic victory in the broader war on terror,"

The Key tenant of the Surge, based on what the President said a year ago, was to turn over Iraqi Security to the Iraqi's by November, LAST November. Last time I checked, he was barely half way to that goal. Recent reports indicate it is slow going:

Separated by tribal and regional differences, and a personality clash between top officers, the two branches of the Iraqi security forces have largely refused to coordinate their activities.

For the Marines, the situation is a major stumbling block toward their goal of turning security responsibility for Anbar province over to Iraqis as quickly as possible.

"This is our way out," said Col. Patrick Malay, commander of the 5th Marine Regiment. But for now, he said, the Marines are forced to serve as a bridge between two feuding sides.

Rawah is not alone. Although there are areas in the province where the Iraqi police and army are working well together -- Fallouja, for example -- in many places they are not, U.S. officials say.

All my hopes to our brave fighting men and women as we continue the struggle against terroristic extremism. I just wish that was actually the focus of this War on Terror.

Flash

GUILTY; 3rd Degree Murder

Some of you may recall my family tragedy last spring. The drug dealer involved was later brought up on 3rd degree murder charges. This afternoon, he was found guilty.

Sentencing is in April.

More at GreenTea and I am sure in evening news broadcasts along with morning dead trees.

Flash

UPDATE: STRIB reports.
UPDATE II: More STRIB

Potentially Defining!

Sen. Obama's spiel today may be the defining moment of this campaign. Do or Die! I am sure the transcript does zero justice to this great orator's delivery, so I look forward to watching it later this evening. For now, you'll have to deal with the transcript. A snippet:

But the remarks that have caused this recent firestorm weren't simply controversial. They weren't simply a religious leader's effort to speak out against perceived injustice.

Instead, they expressed a profoundly distorted view of this country -- a view that sees white racism as endemic, and that elevates what is wrong with America above all that we know is right with America, a view that sees the conflicts in the Middle East as rooted primarily in the actions of stalwart allies like Israel, instead of emanating from the perverse and hateful ideologies of radical Islam.

As such, Rev. Wright's comments were not only wrong but divisive, divisive at a time when we need unity; racially charged at a time when we need to come together to solve a set of monumental problems -- two wars, a terrorist threat, a falling economy, a chronic health care crisis and potentially devastating climate change; problems that are neither black or white or Latino or Asian, but rather problems that confront us all.

Old -v- New

So the MNGOP mouthpiece thinks that comparing a 12 year old satire video, with 5 years of Senatorial failure is a safe bet. But again, they also thought Mark Kennedy was unbeatable.

Now, what really is strange, is I haven't found any criticism by Norm the Democrat when the book came out and the video was made, so can we presume it was OK then, but now that he is a Repubicon its not.

By the way, Mike, how is that disclosure page coming.

ABOUT ME - MICHAEL B. BRODKORB
Under Construction - December 19, 2007

DISCLOSURE
Under Construction - December 19, 2007

Is it not important to disclose what we know already, like your work as an oppo researcher for the MNGOP, or the consulting work for Bachmann and Kennedy and who knows who else. Just interesting how stealth you are, again.

Here's my disclosure page, I haven't received anything from any one, not even ad revenue or a cup of coffee. Your turn.

MDE Disclosure Page Watch, Day 91

Flash

My Irish Surnames

My dad's side is all German. Heck, I have 4 generation all resting together at the Nicollet Lutheran Church Cemetery in Nicollet County. Talk about a genealogical gold mine.

Mom's side has the Eaton/Mayflower connection, and her mother is of the English Trowbridge family. The Trowbridge's arrived in the Mid 1600's and can be traced all the way back to King Albert the Great and Charlemagne.

Then Great Grampa John, (Grampa Turkey they called him) married a fine Irish woman of the Maher Clan. Margerette's Family Tree is littered with common Irish names like Clenane (Clenhane), Mulcahy and Hagerty's.

Margerette's Grand Mother, Catherine Hagerty came to the states from County Cork soon after the Civil War ended. Most of them ended up in Rice Coutny, Shieldslville/Erin area. Here is an 1875 Census shot of the clan:The Old Catholic Cemetery In Shieldsville is filled with Irish immigrants from the turn. Records indicate she is buried there as well, but I have yet to find her, but suspect she is near her son and daughter in law who cared for her in her last days. Their graves I did find, so think I am close.

Margerette rests in Madelia, Minnesota along with Grampa Turkey's Parent's Seth and Clarissa Trowbridge. I have a long and historic connection to Southern Minnesota.

So to the Clenanes, Clenhanes, Mulcaheys, Mahers, and Hagerty cousins I must have all over the world, Happy St. Patrick's day from a fellow Irishman, even if it is only an 1/8

Flash

Bluestem Prairie pays tribute as well. I am going to scan that pic of Grandma when I get home.Here is GrandMa Eaton. She passed in 1994 so this was some time before that. I still miss her!

Madia, Presumptive?

What a wild ride in the 3rd. Both MNPublius and MNCR had excellent coverage. What happened? Let's take a look.

With candidates needing 95 for endorsement, Madia has 82.5 pledged with 3 Supers for 84.5; Bonoff has 51, with 15 Supers for 66. Even though 60% is needed for endorsement, what we can tell by some simple math here is that Madia is well over the half way mark, and even if Bonoff grabs every remaining Uncommitted AND flips Madia 2 Supers she still doesn't make it to 50%.

So here's where we are at. Two rock solid candidates with clear moderate credibility. One with the support of the party leaders, the other with overwhelming support of caucus goers. This is decision time for Bonoff, who still has hope for a bright future in the Democratic Party. She can prolong the fight, and hope her pledged delegates are loyal through multiple ballots, which is highly unlikely; or she can bow out gracefully and allow for the general election campaign to begin. Once people find out that Paulson is more of a Right Wing Purist than a sensible moderate like Ramstad, the voters will flock to Madia. I hope she makes the right choice.

Flash

Vote Sarvi at VoteVets

Sgt. Steve Sarvi, Democratic candidate for congress in the 2nd district has received the endorsement of VoteVets. As an aside, him and the other 6 endorsees are in a runoff to see who receives the coveted $5,000 donation from the organization. Go there and VOTE for Steve TODAY. polling will run through the week, so vote tomorrow and the next day as well. Let's put some ching in the Sarvi campaign treasure chest.

Flash

I Double Dare Ya!

Mitch, proud member of ScaifeNet, rambled the other day:

When Republicans run as conservatives, we win.

Last night we got this tidbit via MNPublius:

According to a poll conducted this week of likely general election voters, Terri Bonoff is the Democrat who can defeat Republican Erik Paulsen in November. In a head-to-head matchup, Bonoff beats Paulsen by a margin on 44% to 40%. In a hypothetical contest between Paulsen and Bonoff’s primary opponent, Ashwin Madia, the results flip, with Paulsen defeating Madia 43-40%.

The poll, conducted by Greenberg, Quinlan, Rosner Research, from March 11-12 of 401 likely voters in the 3rd District

Run to the Right, Republicans, and you'll wake up in November with Michele Bachmann as your standard bearer and sole Congressional representative from the state . . . . Please!

Flash

Flip Flop States

The Fix has a new line and Minnesota is #9. Cillizza ranks the top 10 flippable states in the November General:

9. Minnesota (Kerry, 51 percent): Most people think of Minnesota as a dyed-in-the-wool blue state, but Kerry carried it by only three points in 2004. Democrats blew the doors off Republicans in the Gopher State in 2006 by taking an open Senate seat and winning an upset victory in the 1st congressional district. The wildcard here, of course, is Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-Minn.) who is almost certain to be in the final pool of potential vice presidential picks for McCain. If Pawlenty is picked, Minnesota is in play and could certainly move up the Line.

And #1

1. Iowa (Bush, 50 percent): The millions spent by the Democratic presidential campaigns in advance of the state's Jan. 3 caucus should give a HUGE boost to their party's chances in the general election. And never forget -- because Iowa voters won't -- that McCain skipped the state entirely during the 2000 nomination fight and campaigned only sparingly there in 2007 and 2008. Iowans take their place in picking the nominee very seriously and many aren't likely to forgive McCain for his blasphemy.

The most revealing, of course, is that 8 of these 10 states were Red on '04. Don't worry, though, the Left has a way of making things close even when they are handed elections on a silver platter.

Flash

Punchline!

via Mike Lester:

I Think She'll Make It

via ToTheCenter:

Nicking the Bone

Due to failed levy's, the voters get what they asked for:

the Osseo school board on Tuesday night passed a controversial plan to cut $16.3 million from its budget for next year.

What made it to the chopping block:

** Close Osseo elementary school
** Close Edgewood elementary school
** Turn Weaver Lake Elementary into the new home of the science and math magnet school now housed at Edgewood
88 Combine programs from Cedar Island, Fair Oaks and Oakview elementary schools, creating two prekindergarten-through-third-grade programs and one serving fourth to sixth grades.
** layoffs of as many as 166 licensed teachers, several administrators and nonlicensed staff and specialists.

"Nothing's being left untouched," said board member John Nelson. "No cuts are good ones. It's just a matter of, you've got to make a judgment of, what do you do?"

** snip **

Rice Lake Elementary parent Rachel Laurie said the school-closure controversy has gotten more attention than the question of how many teachers the district will lose, and how those losses will affect class sizes, because it feels less immediate to many.

This is what happens in no new tax environments, especially when the state transfers the burden on to municipalities and there isn't much left for school. I am not sure how much this pinches my good friend "The Doctor's" youngest, his only remaining school aged child. He may have more to add.

This is nothing, however, compared to what Brooklyn Center School district is going through. A debt so big merging isn't an option. Yet kids to educate with no money left.

Brooklyn Center is in statutory operating debt, which is the state designation for being in the red to the tune of at least 2.5 percent of its operating budget. In real terms, Brooklyn Center, which has a budget of $19 million, is $2.1 million in the hole.

To top off the budget difficulties, the district failed in its efforts in November to get voters to approve a 10-year, $500,000-a-year funding request.

I'm all for trimming fat and stopping pork, but it is clear within some of theses districts that we are bone scraping. Not quite the Minnesota I am used to.

Flash

Guess Who Got a Makeover

REW reported on an interesting expenditure in a sitting Senator's FEC report. Tildé couldn't resist.

Flash

Resignation Imminent

The fork is coming out of the drawer:

Lt. Gov. David A. Paterson and his staff have begun laying the groundwork for him to take over as governor and are reaching out to members of the Legislature, the aides said.

UPDATE: The Governor will be making a statement at 10:30 AM Central Time, Wednesday. Hmmmm, I wonder what he'll say . . .

Gov. Eliot Spitzer will resign Wednesday, his aides said, as the New York governor faces allegations -- but no charges -- that he is tied to an international high-dollar prostitution ring ensnared in a federal probe.

Gov. Eliot Spitzer apologized for a personal indiscretion Tuesday, but did not elaborate.

Spitzer is scheduled to speak at 11:30 a.m. ET. The news conference will be aired on CNN TV and CNN.com Live.

Step Down, Governor!!

via NYTimes:

ALBANY - Gov. Eliot Spitzer has been caught on a federal wiretap arranging to meet with a high-priced prostitute at a Washington hotel last month, according to a person briefed on the federal investigation.

An affidavit in the federal investigation into a prostitution ring said that a wiretap recording captured a man identified as Client 9 on a telephone call confirming plans to have a woman travel from New York to Washington, where he had reserved a hotel room. The person briefed on the case identified Mr. Spitzer as Client 9.

Mr. Spitzer today made a brief public appearance during which he apologized for his behavior, and described it as a “private matter.”

I agree it is a private matter, and no need to drag the great state of New York into it. Time for Spitzer to leave the state in the capable hands of Lt. Gov David Paterson.

This is not a partisan issue, this is a "right thing to do" issue!

Stocking Up On Litmus Paper

This weekend brought forward the true reality of the dinky tent party. Our way or the high way. Common sense Republicans aren't allowed to vote their constituency or their conscience. They must tow the party line of off with their heads. This was evident in Edina times two, and Anoka. Rep Abler fared best, missing endorcement by jsut two ticks. The other two were not only snuffed, but replaced by two purists. And although 'mitch' pretends:

“Edina is purple” is a meme

He still is forced to admit:

More Edinians voted DFL in the last few elections, it’s true; in a year (’06) where Republicans were punished nationwide

And for some reason, after two more years of economic Hell and war mismanagement he thinks that will change. Hold on to that dream ole Shoot from the Hip. We saw how well it worked for y'all in Northfield, and the general will only show the trend continue.

Meanwhile, in the 1st CD, more RINO hunting as they are already waiting their own to determine who will be the sacrificial lamb to Congressman Walz's re-election landslide!

n the quest for endorsement in Minnesota's First, it looks as if some of Brian Davis's supporters have dredged up the report cards for the Legislative Evaluation Assembly as the sole measure for Representative Demmer's record in the Minnesota House.

It would be more newsworthy if they actually had a chance at unseating the stellar 1st district Congressman, but hey don't.

Flash

SD 66 Convention

Over 490 DFL attendees at Como Senior High for the Senate District 66 Convention. I started an Uncommitted/Education sub caucus that merged a couple times. We ended up getting three state delegates of which I am not one. The Senate State Delegate breakdown based on named sub caucuses goes like this:

2 - Mike Ciresi
4 - Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer
7 - Al Franken
4 - Uncommitted

I am missing one somewhere as I know we got 18 total. I'll correct when I find out.

Flash

Override: A Teachable Moment

Busy today, so I will direct you to some sanity in the STRIB yesterday. A step by step cleansing of the MNGOP spin of the veto over ride. It can be found here. A favorite:

"Eliminated all the waste, fraud and abuse in state government."

As MnDOT commissioner, Carol Molnau consistently told lawmakers that there was no need to raise the gas tax because there would be plenty of money to spend on new roads and bridges once she rooted out all of the waste, fraud and abuse in her own agency. So far, the only thing that's been cut from the MnDOT budget is the maintenance of our roads and bridges.

Rooting out waste, fraud and abuse in state government is, in fact, the responsibility of the governing administration. We're now five years into the Pawlenty administration. If there are still billions of dollars of waste, fraud and abuse waiting to be rooted out, the governor should be able to tell us where it is and what he's doing to eliminate it -- and this would be a good week for him to be forthcoming with this information.

Can I shout it --> We're now five years into the Pawlenty administration. If there are still billions of dollars of waste, fraud and abuse waiting to be rooted out, the governor should be able to tell us where it is and what he's doing to eliminate it There, I feel better. One last piece:

Besides, transportation is a public utility that should be financed by its users. When I was a Republican, "user pays" was a guiding principle.

I can guess why he isn't a Republican anymore, common sense kicked in.

Read it all!

Fireman Cometh!

Tonight is one of my favorite days of the year. The tapping of the Fire Chief Ale at Rock Bottom Brewery in Downtown Minneapolis

This year, our Brewmaster’s masterpiece is a handcrafted Red Ale with an assertive hops character and subtle hints of caramel and chocolate.
A pint has never tasted better.

This is THE best specialty brew they make. and another sign that Spring is not too far away. The other great thing is that a portion of the sales go to help those in need:

As always, a portion of the proceeds from each pint of Fire Chief Ale sold from March 6-30 will benefit our local community partners . . . United Minneapolis Firefighter Charities and the Hennepin County Burn Center.

So 'The Doctor' and I will be bellied up enjoying a refreshing mug of hand crafted ale, while supporting our local community Firefighters. Stop by tonight if you are in the neighborhood. Festivities begin at 6:30 with free samples. Tell 'em Flash sent ya!

UPDATE: Welcome MinnPost readers (Blog of the Day, right sidebar). A special thanks to MN Post for acknowledging this worthy cause, and their support of yummy beer!!

The BushIdas Touch

From Lane at the Sun:

Between sub 30% approval ratings and former(?) paid Republican operatives and his ScaifeNet Minions the Dems may not even have to campaign.

Flash

The Beat Goes on

Sen. Hillary did what she needed to do, Sweep the big states and grab on of the small ones:

"For everyone here in Ohio and across America who's been ever been counted out but refused to be knocked out, for everyone who has stumbled but stood right back up, and for everyone who works hard and never gives up -- this one is for you," Clinton said before supporters in Columbus.

"You know what they say," she said. "As Ohio goes, so goes the nation. Well, this nation's coming back and so is this campaign."

Hillary has captured the bigs states throughout this campaign, while Sen. Obama has nickeled and dimed his way to a delegate lead. With so few contests left, including the bug prize in Pennsylvania, the math still looks challenging.

it would be enormously difficult for Clinton to overtake Obama in the pledged delegates chosen by voters in primaries and caucuses. By some calculations, Clinton would need to win more than 60 percent of the vote in the dozen contests remaining between now and June 7 to catch Obama in pledged delegates -- a steep challenge given that, so far, she has won that much in only one state, her onetime adopted home of Arkansas. Even in New York, where she is a sitting senator, she won 57 percent of the vote. She won 55 percent in Michigan, where Obama was not even on the ballot.

"Her durability is impressive if not astonishing, but she is still looking at some pretty cold, hard numbers in the race," said Jim Jordan, a Democratic strategist who initially ran the 2004 primary campaign of Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.). "She's running out of time, she's running out of space." He described a Clinton nomination even with wins in Texas and Ohio as "impossible, really."

On the Right McCain wrapped it up with the Huckster finally bowing out. Now he, and the local ScaifeNet affiliates need to wait with baited breath till the Dems figure out who the next President is going to be.

Flash

UPDATE: Interesting telegraphing while watching the beginning of CBS Morning News. Both Hillary and Barack spent a few moment with Harry Smith. Hillary sneaks in (about the 2:30 mark), when asked about a dream ticket containing both candidates:

"that may be where this is headed, but we have to decide who is on the top of the ticket."

I have said a Clinton/Obama ticket is unbeatable. I struggle with Clinton accepting the under card, but would not complain. I just think Obama would be better served with a Richardson or even General Clark type to balance the ticket with strong experience and geographical balance. We'll see.

Favre Waves the White Flag

Brett is hanging it up:

FOXSports.com has learned that legendary quarterback Brett Favre has decided to retire. In fact, it's believed he informed the Packers of his decision within the last few days, although it's unclear when Favre and the team will make his decision known.

So barring an unforeseen last-minute change of heart, Favre will leave the game after 17 years, during which he built himself into a household name and a figure synonymous with grit, toughness and perseverance.

and the irony of his stellar career:

If in fact, Favre does not have a change of heart, his final pass of a Hall of Fame Career was an interception by the Giants' Corey Webster, setting up New York's overtime win in the NFC title game.

Who is next:

The team will now shift to Aaron Rodgers, a former first-round pick, who has had few opportunities to play since being selected with the 24th overall pick in the 2005 draft. But when Favre was injured in a Thursday night game against Dallas this past season, Rodgers looked pretty good in relief. The former Cal star completed 18 of 26 passes for 201 yards and a touchdown — the first of his career — and nearly rallied the Packers to the win.

Even as a die hard thick or thin ViQueenie fan, you have to respect Brett for his solid play and consistent performance! A true First Ballot hall of famer, he will go down in the annals as the greatest Quarterback to play the game. Thankfully, our club won't have to go up against him anymore. If we can't beat the Packers on the field, we may as well do it by attrition.

Bye Brett, I wish you the best in the next phase of your life.

Problem with Appropriations

Buried in an article about old cemeteries, and as a Genealogical hobbyist I am a sucker for cemeteries, is a lesson in public funding. Case in point:

a perpetual-care fund valued at $99,000 and a set of historical records, some written in Czech, documenting some of the city's founding families.

With maintenance costs at about $5,000 a year, Johnson (director of recreation services for Minnetonka) expects the care fund to last about 20 years.

Now, it has been awhile since I received my Finance degree, but if you could find an annuity at 5% interest, and I believe you can, that $99,000 could last into perpetuity as the principle would never be touched. Isn't that how it works. The only way it lasts 20 years is if you put it in a shoe box, and I would think that isn't very good fiscal management.

Eden Prairie gets it:

perpetual care fund that allows it to operate without tax dollars,

Isn't that what 'perpetual' means.

Maybe King can confirm this for me, but I have a suspicion that ole Crump Farrell would just be shaking his head after reading this.

Flash

The Days to Come

The Talking heads were all doing the math this weekend, and it would take a blow out in the two big states for Hillary to make any real dent in the Delegate numbers. The way the polls look, that could happen in Ohio, but is a long shot in Texas. Double digit leads have faded in both states as the Obama Juggernaut of hope and a prayer politics takes over a state by storm. In virtually every state, Clinton would have an insurmountable lead, and then here comes the troops and the lead evaporates, Sen Barack wins, and we move on. That just may very well happen tomorrow, and if it does the race will finally be over. Short of a New Hampshire style come back that may be for the better. The Right will get to take their first pot shots at the young presumptive and we will get to see what he has.

I am not worried about his experience level to be commander in chief, Barack will make an excellent President. I am worried about his lack of experience in the rough and tumble world of GOP slash and burn Rovian style smear. If he can survive that, than he will be just fine in the White House.

Flash