“The path of social progress, of human compassion and understanding, would be tragically reversed by this amendment. Minnesotans are better than this. I urge Minnesotans to reject this amendment” (StarTribune, 25May2011; full veto letter there)

Minnesotans United For All Famiies has been formed to make sure this bigoted and hateful amendment does not pass. They are holding House Parties this Sunday – one year from election day next year – here’s what they say:

We are thrilled to announce that over 100 Minnesotans all across the state have signed up to host One Day United for All Families house parties on November 6th.

Thousands of Minnesotans are gathering on this historic date, one year out from Election Day 2012 – the day we will defeat this anti-marriage amendment!

You can join them at one of the handful of events open to friends and neighbors.
(MnUnited.org)

One person hosting such an event is DFL Candidate Brian Barnes – who is seeking CD-3 endorsement to run against GOPer Erik Bachmann Michele Paulsen Erik Paulsen.

I got the invite on Facebook; it’s at Brian’s house in Edina this Sunday, from 12:30 to 3:00pm.

That Brian is holding this event demonstrates what Brian told MPP’s Joe Bodell:

So how is Barnes going to stand up to the entrenched incumbent? “We’re going to make this a bottom-up campaign. I think past campaigns haven’t been able to really work with local candidates, local activists, and we need to be able to work together up and down the ticket if we want to be successful in this race.”

Quite simply, Brian is going to work with campaigns – ALL campaigns.

Now, some might think it’s not a politically correct position for a candidate for congress to take – those that think that haven’t met Brian. A graduate of the US Merchant Marine Academy with honorable service as an officer in the Naval Reserve, Brian is a quy that isn’t afraid to take a position that’s the right one to take. He’s been trained to make tough decisions.

Not that opposing this bigoted amendment is really that tough of a decision. Besides, it’s pretty clear which side GOPer Paulsen comes down on:

From the so-called “Minnesota Faith & Freedom Coalition:

October 19th, 2011

Last weekend in Minneapolis, the MN Faith & Freedom Coalition hosted their Inaugural Strategy & Briefing Session. More than 100+ MN Faith & Freedom Coalition members attended the event with Faith & Freedom Chairman Ralph Reed, 2010 Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Tom Emmer, and Congressman Erick Paulsen. Reed spoke to the group about the importance social conservatives will play in the upcoming election and the Faith & Freedom Coalition’s grassroots strategy to involve people of faith in its 2012 Get Out The Vote Campaign. Faith & Freedom Coalition member Jesse Garza said “Dr. Reed opened the two day Midwest Leadership Conference with an inspiring high energy message that motivated activists to get engaged in the 2012 fight. He set the bar for a great conference”
In addition to the mainstream press and television coverage, the Minnesota Faith & Freedom Strategy Briefing received national attention from radical homosexual activists. Watch our winner of the MN “Friend of the Family” award, Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN), get “glitter bombed” by intolerant extremists who oppose the people of Minnesota having the right to vote on the definition of marriage.
Thank you for supporting the Faith & Freedom Coalition in our mission to restore America’s greatness and founding principles.(emphasis added)

Erik Paulsen, “friend of the family”??!?

And who is Paulsen standing next to? Ralph Reed. Yes, Jack Abramoff’s pal.

Here’s a picture of Paulsen with that “award”, at that hate-fest event last month:

Extra credit to the first person to name the two in that picture that aren’t named Emmer, Paulsen or Reed.

Interestingly enough, I didn’t see mention nor a picture of that “award” on Paulsen’s hose.gov website nor on his campaign website – but to be fair, it looks like Paulsen hasn’t updated his campaign website for a year.

To be clear – Paulsen is a friend of SOME families – and that may not include yours.

“Inclusiveness” isn’t big, in the Greed Over Principles party these days.

So go to Minnesotans United For All Famiies and see if there’s a House Party near you.

Me, I’m going to be standing united with people that care about ALL (not “some”) families, at the home of DFL Candidate Brian Barnes.

We’ll be talking about the legislative accomplishmentsduring these last two years under President Obama – and there are a LOT of ‘em!

As noted yesterday in the Chicago Sun-Times:

Obama’s two very productive legislative years
By Lynn Sweet on December 22, 2010 11:30 PM

WASHINGTON — President Obama wrapped up a lame duck congressional session with strong victories on Wednesday, and flew off to Hawaii for a winter break to close out two very productive legislative years.

The Senate on Wednesday handed Obama his top international priority and ratified the New START nuclear treaty with Russia–making the win sweeter because 13 Republicans climbed on board. The House and Senate sprinted through a stalled bill to compensate 9/11 workers injured at the World Trade Center site. In the morning, Obama signed the repeal of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell law banning gays from serving openly in the military.

The last weeks have seen a legislative blitz. A food safety bill, years in the making, is headed to Obama’s desk to sign. He recently signed a child nutrition bill and that tax compromise that forced Obama to extend Bush-era tax breaks for the very rich until 2012 in exchange for payroll tax deductions and unemployment benefits extensions.

As the Obama presidency nears midterm, there are other historic achievements that affect a lot of people: the health reform bill, new Wall Street regulations, creation of a consumer financial protection bureau, extension of unemployment benefits, the economic stimulus package, regulation of tobacco products and the popular cash for clunkers program. (more, here)

We’ll also be joined in-studio by Vanessa Blomgren to talk about her campaign to become Secretary for the DFL, and Ken Martin and his campaign to become Chair for the DFL!

And as always, we want your calls! Have a favorite legislative accomplishment? A question for Vanessa, or Ken? Call 952-946-6205 with your thoughts and opinions!!!

So tune in your radio today to AM-950, or listen live on your computer, here!

(cross posted from MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)

And it’s a good one!

Before I talk about that, I’d like to express appreciation for the job that those that got let go due to the simple numbers game – in the minority status, there’s simply less jobs. Particularly, the loss of Andrew Wittenborg will be felt. That said, elections have consequences, and this last election resulted in severe consequences.

As I read the tea leaves, the additions of Zach Rodvold as Director of Legislative and Caucus Services and Carrie Lucking as Director of Public Affairs is a strong sign electoral politics is going to play a larger part in DFL House operations. And hey – it SHOULD play a larger part – when the GOP sticks Michael Brodkorb smack-dab at the top of their Senate Caucus staff, the reality is that fire must be fought with fire. The DFL House and Senate Caucus staffs have always – ALWAYS – primarily focused on policy first, while the GOP House and Senae Staffs seem to have always focused primarily on politics first. While those primary focuses unlikely to change (especially on the GOPer side of the aisle) bringing in Rodvold and Lucking shows a new commitment to electioneering.

I hope the GOP and their staffers enjoy their new digs in the Majority offices at the Capitol; these new hires indicate their stay in ‘em will be short-lived.

Rodvold was a key player in Amy Klobuchar’s 2006 campaign; Lucking did a fantastic job on Team Thissen during his run for governor. Both worked on Tarryl Clark’s campaign. These two are seasoned pros that know electoral politics. While some might quibble that Tarryl’s campaign didn’t turn out quite as we’d like it, the fact remains that you can learn a lot in an unsuccessful campaign. And let’s be real – if Jesus H. Christ ran as a DFLer against Bachmann this last election, He’d be tarred as a “tax & spend, liberal/leftist/socialist” and lose, too.

Of all the gubernatorial candidates with hats in the ring for the top spot on the ticket, Team Thissen was a close second to Team Entenza for effective use of social media. Look for the DFL House Caucus to do a much better job in all facets communications. I don’t see a “staff shake-up” – I see two additions to staff that bring a lot of talent and experience in areas where talent and experience were lacking. I see this as good news.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 9, 2010
St. Paul, MN

HOUSE DFL CAUCUS ANNOUNCES SENIOR STAFF
Staff brings extensive experience both inside and outside the Capitol

The Minnesota House of Representatives DFL Caucus today announced their senior staff for the upcoming Legislative session. The Caucus staff includes individuals with solid experience both inside and outside the Capitol.

Veteran DFL legislative strategist Mike Charboneau will serve in the role of Executive Director of Caucus Operations, pearheading legislative and floor strategy for the Caucus. Kate Perushek, who previously worked for Representative Paul Thissen on the Health and Human Services Committee, will serve as the Executive Assistant to the Minority Leader. Joanna Dornfeld, previously a Committee Administrator for the House Finance Committee, will now fill the role of Executive Assistant to the Caucus.

In addition, the House DFL Caucus is also turning to new faces who bring significant statewide political experience to the capitol. Zach Rodvold will join the Caucus as Director of Legislative and Caucus Services. Rodvold most recently served as Campaign Manager for Tarryl Clark’s race in Minnesota’s Sixth
District. Prior to that, Rodvold served as Minnesota State Director for Senator Amy Klobuchar and brings an extensive background in issue advocacy and electoral campaigns.

“I’m excited for this new challenge and I know that I will have to meet a high bar set by my predecessors,” said Rodvold. “The House DFL Caucus staff has helped its elected members keep their commitment to Minnesotans by standing up for middle class families, a better future for our children, and an economy
that works for everyone. That work will continue in the next session and I look forward to it.”

Rodvold’s colleague and former Communications Director for the Clark campaign, Carrie Lucking, will round out the House DFL Caucus Staff as Director of Public Affairs. Lucking also previously worked for Representative Thissen, serving as Communications Director for his gubernatorial campaign, and is a licensed teacher.

“I am glad to support the members of the House DFL Caucus in standing up for middle class families by joining their fantastic team,” Lucking said.

Regarding the hires, Representative Paul Thissen said, “I want to express deep thanks to all the wonderful people who have served our caucus and Minnesota well over the past years. With these hires, the House DFL Caucus will continue our tradition of bringing together an effective, efficient, and experienced staff that will help us best represent Minnesotans. I am thrilled that the Caucus is adding new faces to our already strong team and look forward to working together on behalf of all Minnesotans in the upcoming session.”

Rodvold and Lucking officially begin work on January 4th but will spend time in December transitioning into their new roles.

###

(cross posted from MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)

Traditional vets groups turn to social media
By John Ryan – Staff writer
Posted : Sunday Nov 21, 2010 8:28:29 EST

Some traditional veterans’ groups have updated their recruiting campaigns, using social media to attract younger veterans.

Groups have opened Facebook and Twitter accounts and written blogs to connect with roughly 4.3 million veterans who have served since the Persian Gulf War — and to replenish a steep decline in membership.

Lost membership and dues have forced groups like the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars to close down some social clubs across the country, as about 1,650 veterans from World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars die each day.

Organizations have turned to Internet-wired veterans to help keep their national networks of posts intact, community and soldier programs running, and their voices relevant on Capitol Hill.

But organizations founded before 1990 are losing the social media battle to recent upstarts such as Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, according to figures on Facebook.
(rest of story at ArmyTimes.com)

What can we – as Progressives that embrace social media – learn from it?

The point to me, as a Member of the VFW, is that it doesn’t matter that the older Veterans don’t do social media; it DOES matter that younger Veterans do. And to reach them – to get your message to them; to have a conversation with them – you simply have to communicate with them in the form they are most comfortable with.

We’ve had this discussion for months and Months and MONTHS at the local VFW: older veterans that say they don’t want to implement social media because THEY don’t use social media.

That the older Veterans don’t use social media doesn’t matter to the younger Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan; these returning Veterans do use social media. And the VFW and the American Legion have found out the hard way that if they won’t use social media, the younger veterans will join the Veteran Organizations that are – such as the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

Let’s take that example and compare it to a discussion we social media types have been trying – TRYING – to have with DFL Powers That Be; “Powers That Be” that have been discouraging DFL candidates from using social media while at the same time, the GOP has been encouraging candidates to be using social media.

Simply put, the GOP Leadership views social media as a tool while current DFL Leadership views social media as a social disease.

And just as VFW and American Legion National Leadership has come around and are now embracing social media because they’ve been forced to; the younger upstarts are man eaters that are eating the oldster’s dinner.

It’s clear to me that the GOP is using social media to reach our younger Veterans. If we want to complete for these younger veterans, we’re going to have to use social media to do so. We simply must have DFL Leadership that understands this – starting with the Chair.

The younger Veterans insist on it – as the VFW and American Legion have found out.

And does anyone doubt that the younger non-veterans insist on it, too? It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a college kid reading a dead-tree edition of a newspaper….

It’s really rather patheic, that the old-school Veterans Organizations are getting with the program before the od-schoolers on Plato and elsewhere are.

(cross posted from MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)

“The future belongs to those who are passionate and work hard.” — Paul Wellstone

I’ll start off by reiterating what I’ve said all along: social media is NOT the end-all, the be-all, the “s/he with the most twitter/facebook followers wins” – NOT at all; social media is simply one link in a chain that compliments all of the other links that get a (hopefully!) progressive message out. And in some races, social media wouldn’t make any difference whatsoever; such as in SD58 where Senator Higgins won with 80.27% of the vote, or SD59 where Senator Pogemiller took 78.12%, or SD60 with Senator Dibble taking 79.81%, or SD61 with Senator Berglin taking 88.46%. And it woudn’t have helped in 35-B, where GOPer Mark Buesgens, who cruised through a ditch on his way to a 67.47% re-election. On the other hand, how many tight races were decided for a GOPer by a mere number of votes? Former State Rep David Bly in 25-B comes to mind, as does former State Rep Maria Ruud in 42-A. Would a strong social media presence helped flip the very few votes needed to have kept them in office? We’ll never know; but what we do know is their GOPer opponents used social media but we didn’t — and we lost by nail-biters.

Obviously, I’m making the case for use of social media; big surprise! – I do social media. And I can tell you at the local level, where GOPers knocked off Maria Ruud, and re-elected GOPer State Senator David Hann and State Rep Jenifer Loon – turning SD42 completely red (for now), social media played a big role in knocking off the GOPer-endorsed candidates for Mayor and City Council. GOPers won locally at the state level while in the same election they lost at the city level.

That said, the importance of getting a message out simply has to include face-to-face, neighbor-to-neighbor conversations. A candidate in a tight campaign has to make personal connections to get their opinions, their positions, their message out – that’s a link in the chain that has to – has to – be strong.

Which gets me to my point – you, dear and gentle reader, have to get your opinion out too – and if you live in Otter Tail County, Todd County, Freeborn County, SD-32, SD-38, SD-54, SD-56, or SD-61 — tonight’s your night to show up and be heard. If you saw things that went well, TELL your local Elected Leaders what worked! If you saw problems, tell them what those problems were. If you think the DFL’s communications program needs improvements – or, hey! if you think it doesn’t – TELL your local elected officials. Your local elected officials need your honest feedback.

Your local elected officials need your input – and while social media and emails and phone calls are are fine and good, nothing will ever replace the need for the good ol’ fashioned “look ‘em in the eye and tell ‘em how you feel.”

So just do it.

Details of where to do that tonight, below the fold. List of ten questions you may want to cut and paste and print, here.

Otter Tail County DFL Party Monthly Meeting
When
Thursday, Nov 18, 2010
Where
TBA

SD54 DFL Meeting
When
Thu, November 18, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Where
Basswood Room of Fire Station No. 1 near the Roseville City Hall campus – 2701 Lexington Ave, Roseville

SD38 DFL Central Committee Meeting
When
Thu, November 18, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Where
Eagan Community Center, Lone Oak Room

SD61: Central Committee Meeting
When
Thu, November 18, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Where
Hosmer Library 347 East 36th Street, Lower Level Meeting Room Minneapolis

SD56 Central Committee
When
Thu, November 18, 7pm – 9pm
Where
Woodbury Davanni’s — located at Valley Creek and Radio Drive Woodbury

Todd County DFL
When
Thu, November 18, 7pm – 9pm
Where
at Randy Brown’s Law Office, Highway 71 Long Prairie

SD 32 Committee Meeting
When
Thu, November 18, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Where
12800 Arbor Lakes Parkway, Maple Grove, MN 55369

Freeborn Co DFL Mtg
When
Thu, November 18, 7pm – 8pm
Where
7pm, Albert Lea Union Center

Maple Grove Links Forum
The Brooklyns DFL Community Forum
When
Mon, November 22, 6pm – 9pm
Where
Houlihan’s, 12725 Elm Creek Blvd N, Maple Grove, MN 55369 (map)
Description
THE MAPLE GROVE DFL LINKS Joint Meeting with the Brooklyns DFL Community 6 p.m. Dinner, 7 p.m. Program David Schultz – Author, Political Analyst, Hamline University Professor Review of the Election – What comes next?

DFL SD40 Central Committee Meeting
When
Mon, November 22, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Where
Oxboro Library – 8801 Portland Ave. South, Bloomington

SD 22 DFL Mtg
When
Tue, November 23, 7pm – 8pm
Where
7pm, Royal Loon in Slayton

Social Luncheon for MN DFL Senior Caucus
When
Wed, November 24, 12:30pm – 2:00pm
Where
Riverside Perkins Family Restaurant, I-94 & Riverside Ave, Minneapolis

Edina Democrats
When
Mon, November 29, 6:30pm – 9:00pm
Where
Party Room, Davanni’s Pizza and Hoagies 5124 Gus Young Lane, Edina, MN 55436 (map)
Description
EDINA DEMOCRATS 6:30 p.m. Visit with Fellow Democrats and Order Food, 7 p.m. Program David Schultz – Author, Political Analyst, Hamline University Professor Review of the Election – What comes next?

Lake Country Progressives
Tonka Progressives
When
Tue, November 30, 6:30pm – 9:00pm
Where
Ridgedale Byerly’s Community Room, 13081 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka, MN 55305 (map)
Description
The Lake Country Progressives Joint Meeting with the Tonka Progressives Ridgedale Byerly’s Community Room 13081 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka, MN 55305 Tuesday, November 30, Social Hour 6:30 p.m. Program 7 p.m. Eric Black – Writer for MinnPost

SD47 Central Committee Meeting
When
Wed, December 1, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Where
Sammy’s Pizza, 9750 Schreiber Terrace, Champlin, MN

Crow Wing County DFL monthly meeting
When
Thu, December 2, 6pm – 7pm
Where
Brainerd Library

(cross posted from MnProgressiveProject; comments welcome there)

And I’d like to ask one more thing. In DFL Chair Melendez’s letter, posted at Bluestem Prairie yesterday, the Chair’s very first sentence is:

“I have been taking the time since Election Day as an opportunity for listening and learning.”

Here’s the thing: If your Senate District has already met, was Chair Melendez there? When you go to one of the upcoming meetings – below – does the Chair show up to listen?

Because if he’s not listening to the grassroots, just who exactly is he listening to? Hey, we know he’s not listening to the blogs; just before the election, at a presser, he told the capitol press corps he doesn’t read ‘em…

SD34 DFL Discussion Group
When
Wed, November 17, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Where
Chanhassen Library, Wilder Room

SD34 DFL Central Committee Meeting
When
Wed, November 17, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Where
Chanhassen Library, Wilder Room

Pine County DFL meeting
When
Wed, November 17, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Where
Hinckley, MN

SD44: Central Committee Meeting
When
Wed, November 17, 7pm – 9pm
Where
SLP City Hall – 1st floor Community Room: 5005 Minnetonka Boulevard, St. Louis Park

SD45: Central Committee Meeting
When
Wed, November 17, 7pm – 9pm
Where
Crystal City Hall located at 4141 Douglas Ave N, Crystal, MN

SD60: DFL Central Committee Meeting
When
Wed, November 17, 7pm – 9pm
Where
Painter Park at 34th & Lyndale Ave S.

CD3 CC MEETING
When
Wed, November 17, 7pm – 9pm
Where
Minnetonka Community Center

Otter Tail County DFL Party Monthly Meeting
When
Thursday, Nov 18, 2010
Where
TBA

SD54 DFL Meeting
When
Thu, November 18, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Where
Basswood Room of Fire Station No. 1 near the Roseville City Hall campus – 2701 Lexington Ave, Roseville

SD38 DFL Central Committee Meeting
When
Thu, November 18, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Where
Eagan Community Center, Lone Oak Room

SD61: Central Committee Meeting
When
Thu, November 18, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Where
Hosmer Library 347 East 36th Street, Lower Level Meeting Room Minneapolis

Updated! SD56 Central Committee
When
Thu, November 18, 7pm – 9pm
Where
Woodbury Davanni’s — located at Valley Creek and Radio Drive Woodbury

Todd County DFL
When
Thu, November 18, 7pm – 9pm
Where
at Randy Brown’s Law Office, Highway 71 Long Prairie

SD 32 Committee Meeting
When
Thu, November 18, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Where
12800 Arbor Lakes Parkway, Maple Grove, MN 55369

Freeborn Co DFL Mtg
When
Thu, November 18, 7pm – 8pm
Where
7pm, Albert Lea Union Center

Maple Grove Links Forum
The Brooklyns DFL Community Forum
When
Mon, November 22, 6pm – 9pm
Where
Houlihan’s, 12725 Elm Creek Blvd N, Maple Grove, MN 55369 (map)
Description
THE MAPLE GROVE DFL LINKS Joint Meeting with the Brooklyns DFL Community 6 p.m. Dinner, 7 p.m. Program David Schultz – Author, Political Analyst, Hamline University Professor Review of the Election – What comes next?

DFL SD40 Central Committee Meeting
When
Mon, November 22, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Where
Oxboro Library – 8801 Portland Ave. South, Bloomington

SD 22 DFL Mtg
When
Tue, November 23, 7pm – 8pm
Where
7pm, Royal Loon in Slayton

Social Luncheon for MN DFL Senior Caucus
When
Wed, November 24, 12:30pm – 2:00pm
Where
Riverside Perkins Family Restaurant, I-94 & Riverside Ave, Minneapolis

Edina Democrats
When
Mon, November 29, 6:30pm – 9:00pm
Where
Party Room, Davanni’s Pizza and Hoagies 5124 Gus Young Lane, Edina, MN 55436 (map)
Description
EDINA DEMOCRATS 6:30 p.m. Visit with Fellow Democrats and Order Food, 7 p.m. Program David Schultz – Author, Political Analyst, Hamline University Professor Review of the Election – What comes next?

Lake Country Progressives
Tonka Progressives
When
Tue, November 30, 6:30pm – 9:00pm
Where
Ridgedale Byerly’s Community Room, 13081 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka, MN 55305 (map)
Description
The Lake Country Progressives Joint Meeting with the Tonka Progressives Ridgedale Byerly’s Community Room 13081 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka, MN 55305 Tuesday, November 30, Social Hour 6:30 p.m. Program 7 p.m. Eric Black – Writer for MinnPost

SD47 Central Committee Meeting
When
Wed, December 1, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Where
Sammy’s Pizza, 9750 Schreiber Terrace, Champlin, MN

Crow Wing County DFL monthly meeting
When
Thu, December 2, 6pm – 7pm
Where
Brainerd Library

(cross posted from MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)

And “tone deaf” could just as easily been placed at the foot of Plato too; there were lots of comments about poor mailers sent out from Plato that didn’t message the reality of the local races.

All three gatherings of the faithful primarily focused on the “what went wrong” aspect; there simply wasn’t enough time to get through the “what went right” and no time for the “what changes are needed.”

Clearly, though – far from being “defeatist”, these activists are bound and determined to take the fight to the GOP – but after making changes in the DFL that are necessary to win in 2012. While comments ran the gamut from SNAFU’s in the Coordinated Campaign and recognizing the good things the CC also accomplished to the need for “testicular fortitude” in our leaders – starting with President Obama and working down. Suffice it to say that Harry Reid is not well-loved by the grassroots. Still, the majority of comments fall in the “messaging” category. One unsucessful candidate shared that Plato gave the advice to ignore Twitter and Facebook; I’d venture to guess that wasn’t the only candidate given such sage advice.

It’s important for activists to let the local leadership know what they are seeing, thinking, and feeling. While many SD’s have already held Central Committee meetings since the Debacle On The Duece, many have not – check the DFL Event Calendar to see if there is still time to attend your SD Central Committee Meeting. If there is, go – if not, send an email or make a call; your elected DFL Local Officials need your input as they get ready for the State DFL Central Committee Meeting on December 11th.

(cross posted from MnProgressiveProject; comments welcome there)

Yes, that’s correct: subtract MAK’s 39.93 from 100 (with 98% reporting), and the vaunted DFL Endorsement Process got spanked. Badly. Deservedly? I think so. And while that’s not likely to win me many friends over at Plato Avenue, it’s not like I have a lot over there anyway. So, I’ll go ahead and say it – even though as a rule, I don’t rip those in the DFL tent. Why should I? MudSlingerMike And His Minions do it all the time (even though they’re usually just makin’ sh*t up). But, real journalists (I make no claims to be ‘journalist’ – I’m a ‘pundit’ and there’s a BIG difference) like Bob Collins over on Minnesota Public Radio are calling it like they see it, so in this post I will too. Back to Bob over at MPR:

People who vote on Primary Day in August are more likely to be the most engaged, often activist party members. That’s what makes Sen. Mark Dayton’s win over DFL-endorsed Margaret Anderson Kelliher more shocking. There are plenty of campaigns and political careers in tatters today, but the value of a DFL endorsement is — at least for now — on the trash heap of history. And someone’s going to pay.

Indeed. Because someone (actually, a bunch) SHOULD pay; whether that actually happens remains to be seen. And that’s just in MN-GOV; for instance, there’s probably plenty of quotes – with language unprintable here at your family-friendly MPP – about the “value” of a DFL Endorsement from Team Powers down in CD-02, but: that’s a tangent with different dynamics. I’m going to focus on MN-GOV (for now). Before that, I highly recommend MPP’s dedicated readers go read this. Now. Bob Collins is writing nothing there that a lot of insiders have been muttering about for quite a while. My take? There should be resignations in a pile over at Plato Avenue – with Andy O’Leary’s at the top.

Remember, Andy was “in charge” when the infamous “Grandma Learning English” YouTube was imbedded in an email blast to the DFL’s media list.

Oops!!! In the subsequent search for the guilty, there was an attempted punishment of an innocent….

And while some may have forgotten ’bout that “oops!” (or, wish they could), I’m sure MudSlingerMike And His Minions haven’t; that’s one they won’t have to make up.

So, what’s transpired since then? Oh, a couple of Sample Ballot SNAFU’s and other “minor” mistakes…

But, rather than dwell on that, let’s go back to Duluth, in April.

And before we get to the top of the problem, let’s consider that while the powers that be refused to let a guy that’s won state-wide for the DFL twice – Mark Dayton – was refused permission to address the party faithful, Ole Savior was. (Note: that’s not a real blog. Yes, it LOOKS real, and COULD be real, but: it isn’t).

Here’s what Ole told the party faithful at the Duluth DFL Convention:

“I’ll probably get eliminated on the first ballot, but that’s OK. I’ll be in the primary,” Ole Savior promises.

And, guess what? Ole was in the primary: for the GOP.

Ole gets to address the DFL State Convention; former Senator Dayton doesn’t.

I’m tellin’ ya, they got real geniuses over at Plato Avenue…

And, how ’bout the brain-trust’s decision to P.O. The Teamsters in Duluth? How’d THAT one work out for ya, Andy?

Of course, Andy is only Executive Director; let’s look at what Andy’s boss – Brian Melendez – told the crowd in Duluth (it’s at about the 54:00 minute mark):

Rick (Nelson) was a political activist. Now I mention that Rick and I shared some obscure passions and of course political activism isn’t an obscure passion – activists are a dime a dozen. But Rick was one of a kind. His long time dedication to our party was unmatched. Especially his …
(emphasis added)

“…activists are a dime a dozen.”

“Did I really just hear that??!?” was asked by more than just the ol’ TwoPutter…

OK, ok – I realize Brian was eulogizing a friend. But, this wasn’t an emotional “heat of the moment” trashing of “dime a dozen” activists; this was Brian reading from prepared remarks to a State Convention. BIG difference. And clearly, clearly how Brian feels about activists.

Such as Teamsters, AFSCME, yada yada yada.

There’s a problem on Plato, and it starts at the top.

As regular readers know, I’m a veteran. And in the military, after every – EVERY – mission, there’s something called (well, it was back in the day, when the ol’ TwoPutter wore a uniform) an After Action Report. And after – EVERY – mission, a hard look was taken at what just happened, to learn what went right and what went wrong. To learn what worked and what didn’t. To make changes to make sure mistakes weren’t repeated.

Now, I know that some folk are gonna be mighty unhappy for me writing this, but: most of ‘em are probably those that made mistakes, and the last thing they want is the light o’ day shined on what went wrong.

Not shining a light; not having an honest and dispassionate discussion of what has happened, gentle readers, is how mistakes get repeated: over and Over and OVER.

It’s time for a cold, clear, and hard look at the endorsement process – AFTER the election. Prior to that, there’s a desperate need to look at who performed and who didn’t; what worked and what didn’t; and make changes. FAST.

Or, before you know it, it’ll be Gov. Tom “I don’t believe you can be a patriotic American and be a Democrat” Emmer takin’ TBag’s place in the corner office.

(cross posted from MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)

So, I need a playing partner.

Details here.

Now, I want to let it be very well-known, so I’ll say it again: I’m a DAM good putter. Ball-striker? Not so much.

That said, I’ll say this again: I’ve never had a bad round of golf. I’ve had some really Really REALLY (bad; rhymes with “kitty”) scores, but: never a bad round. So, who wants to tee it up with TwoPutt, this coming Saturday?

(cross posted from MnProgressiveProject; comments welcome there)

Friday was a lot of fun; expectations were high and it was great seeing friends and meeting new ones. A highlight was hanging out at the booth for StopBachmann.com; a picture of their button, that a whole bunch of folk were wearing, is below the fold! Of course, Friday night was a blast; simply too many parties to attend but the ones attended were unforgettable. It was great to go to Ruk’s party, and hear John Marty give the intro to Ruk! Two old friends, competing, but still staying friends – that’s what it’s all about. Plus, Ruk had Paul Metsa playing!!!

Saturday brought the honor of attending the UMD Air Force ROTC Spring Awards Ceremony for luncheon. It’s always moving, watching the Cadets perform the POW/MIA Table Ceremony before dining; for the significance, link here.

Back at the Convention, State Senator Mee Moua called all the veterans on the floor to join her on stage – and the stage was soon packed with DFL Veterans!

And MAK won – congratulations to her and her team; they had a great plan, worked smart and worked hard, and locked up the convention in a lot fewer ballots than I expected.

Sunday brought breakfast at Uncle Loui’s Cafe (best hangover breakfast in town, according to college kids!) and the slow ride back to the cities – and strangely (appropriately?) enough, Pink Floyd’s “A Momentary Lack Of Reason” was bein’ played.

Sure, there were SNAFU’s at the Convention, some things were completely FUBAR (“hey, is the WIFI on yet?”), some folk said some incredibly stupid things (“activists are a dime a dozen” being one that particularly stood out), and some folk did some incredibly stupid things (is it really possible that Ole Savior was allowed to speak, but former Minnesota Department of Energy and Economic Development Commissioner; former Minnesota State Auditor; former US Senator Mark Dayton wasn’t even allowed on the floor??!?) but overall, it was a great convention and filled out the roster for the DFL team for November.

Well, except for that pesky little primary MAK has to survive, that is….

Here’s that StopBachmann.com button:

OK, I know the image is a little blurred, so: here’s what that button says: –

“When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.” – Sinclair Lewis

Which, of course, is an appropriate quote to put on a Bachmann button.

And since we’re on quotes, and the GreedOverPrinciples party has their convention this weekend, here’s two more:

_ Tom Emmer quote: “I don’t think you can call yourself a freedom-loving American and be a Democrat.” Marshall Independent, Sept 2009

_ Tim Pawlenty quote: “Children who are victims of failed personal responsibility are not my problem, nor are they the problem for our government.” — Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty, April 2001 – as quoted in the Aitkin Independent Newspaper

(cross posted from MnProgressiveProject; comments welcome there)