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I grew up in the Stillwater area and I don’t get back often enough. I heard that El Tinklenberg was going to be speaking at the DFL SD52 Picnic and Ice Cream Social this weekend in Pioneer Park so being it was so nice out, I decided to drop by.

Area families, local activists, volunteers and neighbors attended as well as DFL Associate Chair Donna Cassutt, CD 6 Chair Nancy Schumacher and DFL leaders from SD52. Minnesota House candidates Rolanda DelaMartinez and Kate Christopher gave great speeches as well as Thomasin Franken and a surrogate from Barack Obama’s campaign. Forest Lake School Board member Rob Rapheal also gave a great speech.

El Tinklenberg arrived right on schedule after touring around the 6th CD all day including a stop in Saint Cloud. His speech included mentioning his new endorsement of the Fraternal Order of Police in his already long list of endorsements. He talked about the many veterans he has been talking with, including many that voted for Michele Bachmann but are now switching after seeing how Bachmann voted against the GI Bill and otherwise has not supported our troops.

Tinklenberg addressed Bachmann’s “plan” to bring the price of gas down to $2 a gallon and said flat out that “…her oil claim is a lie. It is just a lie.” He listed realistic energy solutions including how he would have supported the DRILL Act, and other ideas focusing on becoming more energy independent. He mentioned a few companies in CD 6, such as SarTec Corp. in Anoka which are developing solutions for turning algae into fuels and how we should be doing more to support those efforts. In a Q&A session bluntly addressed his disagreement with how tax credits with some renewable energies were not renewed while oil companies were getting away with too many tax credits.

He talked about his visit earlier in the day to Rice, where Immaculate Conception Church was putting on their Summerfest celebration. He shared a short bit of conversation he had with “Father Tim” and how some people are seeing how Tinklenberg can be a partner on many issues Bachmann can’t be, such as social justice, economic issues and fighting for those in need in our country. The campaign is not shying away from any part of the district, no matter it’s past electoral reputation.

Overall a great, well-received speech and a fun picnic.

Tinklenberg can certainly win the 6th on issues, but he needs money to compete against Bachmann’s war chest.

Further reading: MinnPost has a big write-up on Tinklenberg this morning.