…”Houston, we have a problem.”
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)
When Dr. Hackett conceded her race for endorsement, she said, and I quote:
“By the way, Jim – I’ll have your back.”
Both Dr. Hackett and Meffert had agreed to abide; when Dr. Hackett lost she lost with class.
On the other hand, this one – from an e-mail just in:
Shelley Madore back in the race against John Kline
Dear Tommy,
I wanted you to be among the first to know that I have decided to place my name on the August 10 primary ballot seeking the DFL endorsement in the Second Congressional District to run against John Kline.
Both Dan Powers and Shelley Madore had agreed to abide by the endorsement, as cited here and here.
That was then; this is now – and Shelley Madore getting back in the race is great news – for John Kline.
Looks like Shelley Madore is pulling a Maureen Reed, or Priscilla Lord Faris. Rather than doing what’s best to beat John Kline – in Ferris’ case, ol’ Smokescreen – Madore seems to be chasing a vanity campaign. Considering how poorly Madore’s endorsement campaign was run, I doubt she’ll accomplish anything other than a spoiler role as evidenced by the two to one 2nd ballot endorsement vote: the DFL Activists are solidly behind Powers.
The posts on Madore’s Facebook Page are none too complimentary, either.
A call to Dave Griggs – Madore’s Campaign Manager – for comment was not returned; Caroline Sampson – Campaign Financier Spokesman – cited “fundraising” as a major reason for Madore’s flip-flopping reneging – more on that, later.
At least Maureen Reed was clear on not abiding; Madore can’t even say that.
“Crass” is what I say.
(cross posted from ; comments welcome there)
Well, it seems that John Kline is outraged – OUTRAGED! – that a candidate is taking footage of Marines in uniform, and using said Marines in an ad. And he’s outraged. Here’s what Blogger Michael Broadkorb is reporting Congressman Kline said, over on M.D.E.:
I am outraged that Ashwin Madia would exploit uniformed Marines to advance his political ambitions. … He should immediately pull down the ad and issue an apology to the drill team and the brave men and women of the U.S. Marine Corps.” (M.D.E.)
Well, one would think, by Congressman Kline’s outrage, that he, himself, would never have used the military, or military veterans, to further HIS “political ambitions”, wouldn’t one? Or, if he HAD used the military, or military veterans, to further HIS “political ambitions”, Congressman Kline would have apologized, right?
Yeah, “right.”
Let’s take a look at a John Kline incident, from just two years ago.
On August 12th, 2006, John Kline attended an event with the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), in St. Paul. Randy Pleva, National President of the PVA, sent Congressman Kline a letter on August 28th, thanking Kline for showing up.
Now, it’s important to remember, that the PVA is a 501(c)3 not for profit.
So, what did Congressman Kline do, with that letter, from a not for profit Veterans Organization?
If you guessed Congressman Kline shamelessly used that letter to further Kline’s political career, you would be correct.
Here’s the entire verbage from the SECOND letter the PVA sent to Congressman Kline, dated 31 October 2006:
Dear Congressman Kline,
I write to you regarding a recent campaign flyer distributed by the Kline for Congress campaign (copy attached) that implies my endorsement, as President of Paralyzed Veterans of America, of your reelection. As a 501(c)3 not for profit organization we are precluded by law from endorsing or opposing any candidate for office. Not only was this language taken out of context and used without our knowledge, the fact is that this may put or organization’s good standing in jeopardy.
The language contained in the flyer comes from a letter (attached I sent you August 28, 2006 thanking you for your attendance at a fund raising event conducted by PVA’s Outdoor Recreation Heritage Fund. I find the selective editing for use in the flyer disingenuous at best.
I would appreciate that you and the campaign cease using this implied endorsement.
Thank you.Sincerely,
Randy L. Pleva, Sr.
National Presidentcc: Federal Election Commission, Office of General Counsel
Here’s the first letter, that John Kline disingenously took out of context:
Here’s the second letter, that the PVA essentially said “cease and desist”:
Now, fastforward to yesterday, and remember Kline demanding someone else issue an apology. Ask yourself this: do you think John Kline ever apologized to the PVA, for shamelessly and disengenuously using Paralyzed American Veterans to shamelessly advance Kline’s career?
If you think Kline did NOT apologize, you would be correct; I know – because I called Randy Pleva, National President, and asked.
John Kline – as usual – is acting like the shameless and disengenuous hypocrite that has caused “GOP” to now stand for GreedOverPrinciples.
“Hypocrisy, thy party is GOP”
(cross posted at MnBlue, originally posted at MnProgressiveProject.com )
a h/t to Michael McIntee at The UpTake for this one, a “must see” as to more reasons why John “Semper Never” Kline is one of the worst congressman to ever walk the steps of this great Nation’s Capital:
(originally published at MnBlue.com)
Republicans run on the campaign platform “government doesn’t work.” Then they get elected, and prove it. And my ordeal of dealing with the Dep’t of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) under the misAdministration of Boy Blunder, covering John “Semper Never” Kline’s abuse of taxpayer dough in this “John Kline Franked Me!” saga, only further demonstrates the incompetence of government under Republican “leadership.” So, what’s the update, you might be wondering? It’s the e-mail just sent, to the VA’s Media “Spokesman”, Jim Benson, that is cut ‘n pasted here in the hopes that a little sunlight will help further the sordid story of Kline’s abuse of the Franking Privilege:
According to the VA’s website, as a representative of the news media, the only fees I and/or the news media I write for are responsible for are copying, with the first 100 pages provided at no charge.
I will send a FOIA Request, for this question – “how many OTHER Names and Addresses, for zip codes not requested, were provided to Rep. Kline?”, since apparently your office doesn’t answer questions posed by citizen/journalists without one.
Tell me – will I need a FOIA to find out exactly how long you have been a “spokesman” in the Media Relations Department? Will I need a FOIA to find out how long Phil Budahn has been a “spokesman” in the Media Relations Department? The reason I ask these two questions is the current reporting that at the Justice Department, under Monica Goodling and Kyle Sampson’s direction, ideology was more important than competence in hiring decisions – and I’m seriously beginning to wonder if it isn’t the same case, at the VA’s Media Relations Department.
The issue I am investigating and reporting on is serious; a Member of Congress appearing to have abused RONA for partisan political gain.
Why the VA doesn’t take this seriously, and the delaying tactics the VA has used (I first contacted the VA about this on or about June 10th – almost 2 months ago) will be reported and published on-line at www.MnBlue.com – along with the story of how many veterans (and at what cost to the taxpayers) in Congressman Kline’s district received what appears to be campaign propaganda; and how many veterans (and at what cost to the taxpayers) outside of Congressman Cline’s district received what appears to be campaign propaganda.
Tommy Johnson
Citizen/Journalist
(originally published at MnBlue.com)
