(newsflash! - Michael Brodkorb continues the Swifboating of Al Franken.)

Yesterday, Brodkorb ignored Sack’s cartoon and started a post that essentially accuses Franken of forgery, without accusing Franken of committing forgery. It’s this type of “throw crap against the wall and see if it sticks” “journalism” that Brodkorb is infamous for. But since Michael and the Republican Party of Minnesota (as if there’s any difference) want to dwell in the past, let’s take a look back at the republiCon’s Contract On America, or why Congress is such a FUBAR today (we’ll get back to the Brodkorb-inspired regularly programmed reporting on republiCon Ron’s paperwork problems later this week).

Steve Sarvi received the DFL endorsement to face Rep. John Kline (R-MN) in the MN-02 race a week ago yesterday. Now he's starting to get some press coverage. The Red Wing Republican Eagle and the Farmington Independent both provide their readers the basics on his background and campaign.

Steve Sarvi had a soldier's eye view of United States foreign policy while serving in Kosovo and Iraq.
But in deployments over the past five years, the 43-year-old decided he no longer liked what he was seeing.

"I got a sense that they no longer looked up to us as a nation," the National Guard member recalled from encounters with people in Kosovo.

Steve Sarvi, a Second District Democrat from Watertown, Minn., discusses his campaign Tuesday in an interview. He will challenge U.S. Rep. John Kline, a Republican, in November.

Three months after returning from a tour in Iraq, Sarvi decided to do something about it, announcing a bid in October 2007 for Minnesota's Second Congressional District seat.
(Red Wing Republican Eagle)

I attended today's "Explode the Vote" voter registration event in north Minneapolis, co-sponsored by the Obama and Ellison campaigns. We had a good turnout of doorknockers.

Things that really struck me - Keith told us that we are working for the common good. We are all neighbors.

The Ellison campaign slogan is: "Everyone counts. Everyone matters." *

That is what this 2008 election is about - everyone matters, everyone counts. Period.

This precinct caucus year caused me problems. I could see strengths and weaknesses in Clinton, Edwards, and Obama. I was undecided until I cast my vote.

John Edwards understood basic issues for all Americans - poverty, being shut out of our democracy, and lack of healthcare. He spoke plainly, courageously, and passionately. I knew he had some baggage. I was sad when he dropped out of the race.

Y'all probably notice that I don't write about the Presidential race much at all. First because my goal is to write about MN politics. Second cuz I'm a wonk and if I were to start, it'd be all I'd write about ... ever ... its a wee bit complex as you all know. Third, there are MORE than enough people covering it ... from the gasbag, lying, egotistical pundits to sites like Daily Kos, Crooks and Liars, firedoglake and Huffington Post to thousands of blogs across the country.

With so much at stake, we are all very passionate about the candidates we believe in. That is, of course, the danger.

Each side believes they are right and the other is completely and utterly wrong. Because we all feel so strongly about our candidate, we tend to vilify and denigrate the opposing candidate. I find myself doing it, too. Then I see people trash-talking the opposing candidates supporters. I also see the supporters on the winning sides taunting the supporters on the losing side cuz they're winning.

You are not stupid because you do not support my candidate.

You are not less of a Democrat because you do not support my candidate.

Nobody's candidate is perfect despite eveyone's protestations to the contrary.

While it is probably too late, while its probably true that we've already gone too far, can't we all remember this next time?

The Republicans want Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing) to apologize for comments they claim were threatening to MN Governor Tim Pawlenty's main henchman, Brian "McDung" McClung. They are simply trying to draw Murphy into a distraction. The Republicans are shameless. This is simply a ploy to provide the Governor cover so he can veto a bill that would:

• Toughen seat belt laws.
• Prevent teens from driving during the wee hours of he morning.
• Extend the age which kids must ride in car seats.

There's a huge back story to this kerfluffle.

Republicans are really frustrated with Sen. Murphy and have been for a while now. Murphy simply will not let the Republicans sweep the I-35W bridge collapse controversy under the rug. As Governor Tim Pawlenty and then MN Dept of Transprortation (MNDOT) Commissioner Carol Molnau were doing their damnedest to make this issue go away, Murphy wouldn't relent.

Molnau, as Commissioner, hired a law firm that collaborated in the National Transportation Safety Board's investigation. Murphy called into question the objectivity of whatever findings they might conjure up. He led an effort that resulted in an independent investigation into the collapse. As Chair of the MN Senate's Transportation Committee, he became the focus of their ire.

The time has come to institute a comment policy. The trolls have descended and I'd prefer the comments to be substantial. The comments should be above name-calling and baiting. From here on out you will need to create an account and login to post a comment. Here is the policy:

1. If you are wishing to engage in a discussion of issues, you are welcome to post your comments regardless of whether or not the editors of mnblue agree with you.
2. If you are being a troll or if you get abusive, you will get a warning. At the 2nd offense you will be banned for a week.
3. Repeat offenders will be banned permanently as soon as I get tired of them. This is our blog on which we want to discuss issues, not conduct troll patrol. Piss me off one time too many, adios troll.

This is rich. The Replubicans are going to coordinate their efforts to ensure they transition smoothly into cushy lobbying jobs? This is schadenfreude at its best. You'd think that since they are the party of turdblossom, they'd have this all planned out in advance and in secret. If you did, you thought wrong. The Replubican leadership doesn't get along so well. There is a danger that it could undermine Replubican reelection efforts.

But it's all been solved because they've formed a magical panel. They made it an advisory sort of panel which is essential to amplifying its magical qualities. To guarantee its truly magical abilities, they've added a trendy phrase to the title: "rapid-response" -- apparently hyphenating it is also important. Plus, Rep. John Kline (R-MN) was appointed to it.

Last week, I nominated ol' republiCon Ron for the Hypocrite Of The Week award. Today, I find out that's been awarded to John Boehner, R=Hypocrite.

Well, hey! It was close!!!

The Washington Post--among others---has Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty at the top of the prospective Vice Presidents for John McCain. Pawlenty is a Midwest Governor, 47 years old, well liked by both economic and social conservatives, just re-elected in a supposed "battleground" state where the Republican convention will be held this summer, at St. Paul's Ecel Center.

But here's three reasons why nominating Tim Pawlenty would be a good thing for Democrats, and why Tim Pawlenty can't deliver Minnesota to McCain in the Fall:

OK, to review – since at least 2001, when Ron Carey was Party Treasurer, the Minnesota GOP has had financial paperwork “problems”. In 2001, these problems resulted in the Federal Election Commission fining the GOP $16,000. Hey – is that a good use of Joe Sixpack’s $20 dollar donation, or what?

Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) wants to have it both ways on the subprime mortgage, home foreclosure crisis. He wants to bail out the banks who either made the subprime loans or own them now, but wants everyone to think he's looking out for the people who in danger of losing their homes. Norm has co-authored the HOME Act which would allow banks to get homeowners retirement assets before they are forced into bankruptcy. The HOME Act would allow homeowners facing foreclosure to raid their retirement accounts to pay off outstanding mortgage payments. Unfortunately, many homeowners don't have retirement assets and they'd have to pay it all back within 3 years or face severe penalties. Since banks can't get someone's retirement assets if they declare bankruptcy, its just a ploy to help the banks gain access to embattled homeowners money.

But Norm doesn't want you to think about that. He wants voters to see him as a champion for the little guy despite all the evidence to the contrary. Yesterday he held a conference call with Republican bloggers.

Finally, Sen. Coleman is working diligently on the mortgage crisis. He's opposed to Sen. Durbin's "cramdown" approach. Instead, he favors making available fixed rate mortgage money, which the homeowner would have to repay. It would just eliminate the exhorbitant payments they're currently getting buried by.

He isn't in favor of bailing out speculators who simply got stuck while trying to make money on the housing market. I agree with that. People that make commitments while trying to make money know that there's risks involved. If they get hung out to dry, that's part of the inherent risk involved in speculating.
[emphasis added]
(Let Freedom Ring)

This is the opposite of what Norm's HOME Act will do. Has Norm flip-flopped? Or is he just posturing? Here's what the responsible adults in the Senate are proposing.

Ron Carey has blasted Al Franken, calling Franken a liar and worse. At republiCon Ron’s last Press Conference, Carey questioned Franken’s integrity, his credibility, and his word. Carey said there are too many unanswered questions.

Today, Carey’s the one not answering questions – because he’s been completely discredited as a hypocrite of the lowest order.

How far back does Carey’s financial mismanagement go? Here’s the oldest I could find – so far!

Last week, Ron Carey wouldn’t answer a blogger’s question (me!!!). This week, he won’t answer the Star Tribune’s questions. That’s why MN GOP Chair Ron Carey (“republiCon Ron”) is this week’s nominee for the Hypocrite Of The Month Award !

And what didn’t republiCon Ron want to talk about? Well, his “stewardship” of the State GOP Party’s finances! Remember how republiCon Ron ranted and raved about Franken’s financial paperwork? Let’s look at what the Star Tribune found, about his!!!

Yikes!

Stop the Presses! (Do we have presses anymore?)

The Republican party in Minnesota has some serious accounting problems that the Federal Elections Commission is investigating.

Just over five years ago, Minneapolis South High sponsored a debate about the advisability of the looming invasion of Iraq. I wasn't there, but by all accounts it was a rousing discussion, with hot opinions and urgent facts thrown back and forth.

Five years later, there was nobody left to debate. There were exactly four people who agreed to be on a panel this morning, all completely against the ongoing occupation of Iraq: Iraq Veterans Against the War Andrew Huff and Brandon Day, as well as local D.F.L. peaceniks Faith Kidder and myself. Not a single person could be found to claim in public that the invasion and occupation had somehow been worth it.

Update: The media is now making its verdict clear.

Everyone please deliver chocolate bars, ice cream, cookies or any favorite comfort to all Hillary supporters. It is always tough in a close race, and this morning is going to be hard. Given last night's results, we are waiting and watching the Hillary Clinton campaign and supporters. Lets let them have time and plenty of chocolate. Hillary Clinton supporters are going to be hurting. Remember how you feel in tough race. Well, today is a day to deliver comfort to anyone that you know who is supporting Hillary Clinton.

Now that Steve Sarvi has the DFL endorsement to run against John Kline in November for the MN-02 seat, I figured it was time to talk to him about his campaign again (I interviewed him last Dec). Steve was just leaving an event in Hastings and called me on the ride to his next event.

MN-02 is among the Minnesota quartet of races that could all swing blue. The district stretches from Hastings, Burnsville, Shakopee, Chaska, Chanhassen to Red Wing, Northfield and Fairbault. (Map here, warning pdf)

His opponent is weakened. John Kline has supported the Bush Administration at every turn. He's been bad on Iraq, healthcare, transportation, representing his district, delivering anything for his district and he's fiscally irresponsible (as all Republicans are who vote for blank checks for Iraq yet borrow from China to pay for it). Steve is the perfect candidate to make him answer for his complicity.

He'll need your help to do it though ... so ...

Let's help him out and show the DCCC that they need to send some love his way.

Republicans have got to be worried. Democrats are winning all the special elections. In Louisiana a seat that has been Republican since nearly forever has flipped. Democrat Don Cazayoux beat Woody Jenkins 49.2% to 46.27%. But don't even think of considering this a trend. Just find some sand and insert head.

However, is this something that we (Republicans) should be worried about?

I know that for many, this race was going to be seen as an early indicator of how things might play out in November, however I don't think that this race is one that can be seen as representative of the national electorate.
(DC Republican)

That's right. Those special elections that have occurred have absolutely no bearing as dark omens of a bitter November. Nope. Remember, when things look bad always look on the bright side of life.

The one thing that people seem to overlook in this race is the fact that Woody Jenkins was by no means a lifelong Republican.

A simple Google search will show anyone that Woody Jenkins was first a Republican in his early years, then switched to being a Democrat for 22 years, and then when he got the ambition to run for Senate, he switched back to the Republican Party.
(DC Republican)

That's right. No reason to panic. Woody wasn't a pureblood right wing nutjob. Not like Michele Bachmann. Not like Norm ... uh ... well ... we might have a problem here ...

I'd like my first post to present my reasons, as a progressive, that I oppose funding the current Central Corridor light rail plan.

Believe it or not, I'm not the only one!

Sure, perhaps I'm one of the few who blog. ;-)

But I've hit the streets, meeting others, taking their names. Many folks who're against it for progressive/liberal reasons are low-income or busy with families and feel that no one will listen to them even if they do speak up, but they're there if you can meet them during their few spare hours!

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