Last night, the Eden Prairie GOPers held their 42-B Endorsing Convention (they haven’t found a sacrificial lamb for 42-A yet). And they didn’t like our fellow blogger (and friend!) Gavin Sullivan bein’ there – so they bounced him. And rather unceremoniously, at that.
The video o’ Gavin, bein’ shown the door, is available, here:
After you read Gavin’s account about Jenifer Loon (“if you liked George W. Bush, you’ll LOVE Jenifer Loon!!!”) bein’ endorsed, and ya watch the video of the GOPer Prairie Dogs discourteously showin’ Gavin the door, go down a few threads and read Gavin’s trials and travails to get a simple response from his duly elected representative, Erik “The Hustler” Paulsen….
(this post originally published at MnBlue.com)
..the CD-3 GOPers are holding their endorsing convention at the Ramada Mall Of America (used to be the Thunderbird) this Saturday, April 19th.
As many reading this know, the DFL was gracious and welcoming to GOPer guests to the DFL CD-3 endorsing convention; we even let the GOPers film the event. It would be interesting to hear how friendly (or not) the GOPers are.
I’d go, but I’m goin’ to play golf. A lot of golf. Days of golf. You get my point.
Anyway, doors open at 8:30; registration closes at 9:30, and one of the agenda items is, and I quote:
“1. Consideration of endorsement for Third District Congress”
Now, this is interesting – “consideration”??!?
Yes, “consideration.”
It seems the ol’ Hustler, Erik Paulsen, isn’t feeling quite sure about his endorsement. At least, that’s one conclusion on why the endorsement for his state representative seat wasn’t on the order of business when the SD-42 GOPers met earlier. The actual endorsement for the state rep. seat isn’t until April 29th – and, just for giggles, let’s look at what the GOPers got, on their webpage:
Upcoming Conventions
HD42B Endorsing Convention, Eden Prairie High School, Tuesday, April 29, 2008 – Convention begins at 7 pm (Registration from 6pm to 7:15 pm). We are endorsing for the seat that is being vacated by Representative Erik Paulsen. The two announced Republican candidates are Jenifer Loon and Kathy Veurink. For more information: www.sd42.mngop.com
So, speculation is that the ol’ Hustler wanted to make sure he got the endorsement to challenge for The Rammer’s seat, BEFORE they gave away the endorsement for his old job. At least, that’s the way I see it.
I mean, how embarassing would that have been for The Hustler; to give up his state seat and then get denied for the new seat??!?
Oh – and one more thing that sticks out on that GOPer notice – the endorsing convention is only for 42-B; seems the GOPers haven’t been able to marshall up a sacrificial pachyderm in the 42-A race. They got two that want to take a run for The Hustler’s seat, but no one brave enough to take on Maria Ruud?
So, there we go – for sheer entertainment value, we got the GOPer CD-3 tomorrow, and the GOPer SD-42 on the 29th. I can’t make tomorrow, but I’ll be there on the 29th!!!
(this post originally published at MnBlue.com)
At his announcement, Erik Paulsen claimed to have, and I quote from his press release: “…years of working in bipartisan fashion, across the aisle, to get results in the business world and in the Minnesota legislature.”
Yeah, “right.” Anyone even slightly paying attention understands Erik Paulsen did not rise to Republican state House leadership position by being “bi-partisan.”
Right out of the box, Paulsen forces the interested citizen to question his credibility.
The very first line of the press release says, and again I quote: “Saying ‘Congress is broken, I will work to fix it,’ Erik Paulsen….”
Just who does Erik Paulsen think he’s kidding?
Jim Ramstad tried to fix it, and for that he was rewarded by GOP Leadership with backbench status.
If Jim Ramstad couldn’t fix it, what reasonable person could possibly believe Erik Paulsen could?
Newt Gingrich’s “Contract With America” fundamentally changed how power is structured in the Republican Party, in Congress.
Serious academics can explain exactly how power was removed from committees and placed in party leadership, leading to things such as the strong-armed ouster of Gingrich and the installation of Dennis Hastert as Speaker, with Tom DeLay the muscle. Not to mention the Abramoff Scandal, the K-Street Project, etc etc etc.
To the layman, the following explains it clearly: when it comes to Republican Congressmen, “the people elect them, but the GOP Leadership directs them.”
Paulsen’s claim he’s going to “work to fix it” is simply not credible.
Like Erik Paulsen is really – as a freshman congressman – going to take on and challenge John Boehner and Roy Blunt’s power and authority?
Quite frankly, in a one page press release, Paulsen seems to have a knack of saying things that simply don’t ring true.
Consider this: “Failed ideas and yearning for the past stand in the way of change. So do the politics of blame, division and partisan spin. Minnesotans are weary of this brand of politics.” (emphasis added).
Say, Erik?
THAT’S YOUR PARTY YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT.
Especially in Eden Prairie, in Paulsen’s home town. Paulsen’s party’s website is the epitome of blame, division, and partisan spin.
Gentle readers, that’s the local GOP website that blamed the DFL and spun the per diem issue; that put Erik Paulsen (along with David Hann) in the position of: “Well, I voted against it, before I profited from it.”
And that per diem issue is but one example of the “blame, division, and spin” Paulsen’s party’s website is known for; not to mention dirty politics and distortion.
Is Erik Paulsen really condemning his party, here?
Right before he’s going to ask them for their endorsement of his campaign?
Will reasonable people really think Erik Paulsen is being sincere?
Just who does Erik Paulsen think he’s kidding??!?
In his speech, Paulsen claimed to be the moderate candidate, like Frenzel and Ramstad, that accurately represents this district, Minnesota’s 3rd Congressional District.
ROFLMAO!!!!!
Erik Paulsen, “moderate”??!?
Ladies and gentlemen, Erik Paulsen is no moderate. He represents the extreme right wing of the GOP. He always has. If Erik Paulsen is saying he’s a “moderate”, I’m asking “since when – tomorrow?”
At the end of his speech, Erik Paulsen stated:
“I will not be out-hustled in this campaign.”
Clearly, those that look into Erik Paulsen’s past – his verifiable record – and compare that to what Erik Paulsen said on Sunday, can only conclude that Erik Paulsen is indeed a hustler.
Because he certainly isn’t believable.
This is crossposted at The Eden Prairie News
