In a performance that one Capitol source characterized as a “ripfest,” Seifert also said that if the “Override 6” were to be denied endorsement by their local party organizations, he would “be inclined” to support their opponents.
Wow. Much has been written in recent years about the decline of the suburban Republican moderate, but never before has their been such a stark example of moderate Republicans being driven from their party. Four of these Republicans represent suburban districts including cities like Edina, Bloomington and Coon Rapids that have been trending Democratic in recent years. All six represent districts that Amy Klobuchar won in 2006. Despite this, Seifert excommunicated them from the church of conservatism.
Anyone who thinks that this is a party that Arne Carlson could have been an elected member of is kidding themselves. Anyone who thinks that this is a party that might nominate Jim Ramstad for Governor in 2010 is not paying attention. Anyone who thinks that this is a party that stands a chance of recapturing the Minnesota House or Senate in the next few years is just plain wrong.
Do you care to talk about the Democrat incumbents who are facing endorsement challenges this year?
One word describes the leadership of the MNGOP………ARROGANT!!!
Thanks for giving the DFL improved chances of picking up those seats Marty!
“a chance of recapturing the Minnesota House or Senate in the next few years”
But … But … But …That is what Gov TPaw said was going to happen. Weren’t you listening. TPaw is a moderate and he isn’t being excommunicated. Those other 6 were just democrats pretending to be republicans. I think I read that on a blog somewhere with a bunch of AAAaaaa’s in it. Shouldn’t we be worried. Shouldn’t we be preparing for battle.
*tussling for my keyboard* ‘Give that back to me’ *comotion ensues*
There!! Sorry about that. Some young Democrat got a hold of my keyboard. Don’t worry, I’ll set ‘em straight!
Flash
http://centrisity.com
I have been trying to think about what DFL situation, when the DFL was in the minority, would be analogous to this this situation.
When the anti gay marriage amendment and pro life initiatives were the biggest issues at the Capitol, the DFL House Caucus actually ENCOURAGED members from highly competitive districts to SUPPORT the GOP position.
This strategy, for members such as Rep Hosch and Rep Welti helped the DFL hold on to those seats and attain the majority in 2006.
The Entenza led DFL minority did the shrewd thing. It maintained a “big tent” and eventually prevailed and won the majority.
“”The Entenza led DFL minority did the shrewd thing. It maintained a “big tent” and eventually prevailed and won the majority.”“
SHhhhhh, RON!!! Don’t give it away!!
Uh…so wouldn’t this set these 6 members free to defy the party and side with democrats in the future?
They’re all bonded now by this banishment, and I would think they’re inclined to say “screw you” to the Republican leadership.
I wouldn’t be surprised if it nudged the Override 6 a little to the left.
These 6 are true moderates. Nothing wrong with that.
Sure — they could join to Democratic caucus. But don’t expect loyal party line votes from them on that side either. Once a maverick, always a maverick.
Would Kelliher be just as accepting if they were the reason the next veto was not overridden, by one or two votes?
I agree with SeanH, this George Bush and Tom Delay tactic is exactly why the DFL is going to pick up more seats in the state. There are no compromises, no middle ground, no win-win, there is my way or the highway – either with them or against them.
Rebecca Otto lost - partly because of taking Matt Entenza’s advice on this issue, and she had to do quite a bit to regain the trust of Stonewall DFL after that vote. She ended up publicly apologising for it when she ran for auditor, and did end up with Stonewall DFL’s endorsement. I’m not sure how much this position helped Bev Scalze or Denise Dittrich in their reelections.
It certainly is an example of how quickly gays get thrown under the bus by Democrats.
Hey Seifert,
Keep this up it will be wonderful to have a veto proof DFL majority in both legislative chambers
I hope you enjoy a permanent minority if you continue these tactics. Everyone who disagrees with you is a heretic!!! Keep up that mentality.
S.G.
There is nothing moderate about overriding a veto of the state’s largest tax increase in history. This was not a simple nickel gas tax increase. This bill jacks up our license tabs, adds wheelage taxes and a metro wide sales tax (with the potential for a sales tax hike statewide). This bill will cost Minnesotans hundreds of dollars a year and I don’t even bet that the roads will get built.
For those of you crowing about DFL supermajorities, I would just say hold on to your seats. When gas goes way up this summer (in time for the gas tax to be fully implemented) who do you think Minnesotans will blame? When the people paying $100 for their license plate tabs today start paying almost $300, who do you think they will blame? The polling shows that Minnesotans were opposed to this bill by almost a 60-40 difference.
CNN is reporting that Americans should expect to be paying $4.00 a gal. by sping….
Mad backstabbing and spinning can be expected from the Democrat taxapolooza supporters by June.
“Representative Moonbat, isn’t it true that you voted yes to the largest tax increase in the history of the state of Minnesota?”
“Well, that depends on the meaning of ‘yes’”.
Gonna be a bloodbath, just watch.
So of that 1.00 a gallon increase, Democrats will account for a nickel. And the voters are going to be mad at the Democratic party? What did a gallon of gas cost at the end of the Clinton administration? How many quarters in the last 8 years, has Exxon posted record profits? Tom, you really aren’t the sharpest knife in the drawer. You really aren’t the brightest bulb on the tree. You really aren’t the spiceyest taco on the combination plate. The GOP is a dead party and largely irrelavant now. Pawlenty won’t be able to make a single veto stick and he will be absolutely a non factor in this next legislative session.
Every DFLer in the large DFL majorities voted for this along with eight Republicans. We didn’t even need the two senate Republicans -they just voted for it because they thought it was a good idea.
And excuse me if I don’t hold my breath on that bloodbath. I think the bridge collapse will provide plenty of justification for the tax increase. If anything, I think representatives who didn’t support this will suffer.
And you guys are telling me that a party that is purging its moderates is going to pick up seats? Hilarious. Toe the extreme party line or you will be punished? Yeah, that’s going to appeal to voters.
Here come the trains! Choo Choo!!!!!
“I think the bridge collapse will provide plenty of justification for the tax increase.”
It’s pretty amazing that the DFL is admitting they are exploiting the bridge collapse to pay for light rail projects that have nothing to do with the bridge.
Some 60% of Minnesotans disapproved of the gas tax increase, the license tab increases and the metro sales tax increase. We’ll see who will pay in November.
This bill, like any big bill, is the result of compromise. The reps in tough districts can say they opposed the light rail spending but supported the roads portion because of the bridge collapse. And although its pointless to say it, light rail does reduce the impact on the roads and does make sense as part of the state’s infrastructure spending.
Or, the reps could say they supported the bill because those pinko commies at the Chamber of Commerce supported it. That’s going to make pretty good cover.
Again, the option is the Minnesota Republican party which punishes its members if they don’t abide by the party groupthink.
Dan,
There was no compromise in this bill. The only provision that the DFL dropped was the automatic tax increses into perpetuity. They also reduced the metro sales tax from a .5% to a .25%. Big deal - that is not compromise.
As for the light rail boondoggle, there is no evidence that congestion has been reduced by one iota. Look at the cost. The University Ave. line will cost $81 million a mile. You can build 81 miles of roads for every one mile of the light rail. Moreover, the state has to subsidize the operating costs of the light rail to the tune of 63% of the annual costs. Only 37% is collected through fares.
I laugh at your idea of groupthink considering not a single DFLer in either chamber voted against the veto override. Now that’s groupthink.
Chris —
Wrong again! The actual amount of the gas tax went down a couple of times from the initial proposal. It’s the compromise that got the Courageous 6 to step up, and it’s the compromise that got the Chamber involved. If I’m them, I spend a lot of money defending the Courageous 6 for supporting my organization’s position.
The Democrats all supported a bipartisan, Chamber of Commerce and Pioneer Press endorsed bill. The Republicans are punishing their members for not voting the right way. You tell me who is engaging in groupthink.
And while the changes were small, those changes enabled the bill to get the support it needed to pass. Being a right-wing Republican, though, I understand your unfamiliarity with the concept of compromise.
Choo Choo !!!!
Drop the light rail railing, ok? None of the state gas tax goes to light rail. None goes to bike paths. None goes to busses or mass transit. It’s UNCONSTITUTIONAL!
The Minnesota Constitution requires that 100% of the gas tax go to roads and bridges. Please see:
Minnesota Constitution
ARTICLE XIV
PUBLIC HIGHWAY SYSTEM
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/cco/rules/mncon/Article14.htm
The gas tax increase to pay for roads and bridges was long over-due and in my opinion could have been higher or indexed and the only real gripes would have been from the far right. Even the increases in license and wheelage fees might not have caused much of a stir. All are a type of user fee where those that are sining the increases are the ones receiving the service. The sales tax for transit makes as much sense as increasing the social security tax to pay for the war in Iraq.
The sales tax for transit isn’t about transit it is about hiding the costs of a project that only benefits a few people. Otherwise those who support it would use the same logic applied to the gas tax increase and just raise the fares of buses and trains. Since transit does not provide the benefit commensurate with it’s costs supporters have to find dishonest funding methods and have them tag along on otherwise good legislation.
Light rail is a disaster. Every number says so. The cost per passenger mile, the fact that it is much more dangerous than Minnesota roads, the hand outs given to wealthy developers to build around the lines,the decrease in efficiency of the roads that intersect the line and no measurable reduction in freeway congestion. It performs especially poorly when compared to different configurations of buses. Supporters have no reason other than an aesthetic one in their rationale. The like it because they like it, nothing more. If they had anything else maybe they would try a method of reasoning other than “choo choo”
And because they couldn’t figure out an honest way to pay for their toy they instead found a funding source that proves what hypocrites they are. A sales tax that is counter to every claim they have made on how they are concerned with the the income gap and how it is hard for working folk to get by these days.
p.s. The bill was less bipartisan than the Iraq war vote or the patriot act so I will assume all of you who think that is a valid point here were all for those as well.