Erik Paulsen will be taking the stage next week at the Republican National Convention, some time just before President Bush (who clocks in at a 32% approval rating in Minnesota) and Vice President Cheney (who clocks in at -147%). The political chattering class is predicting that the Republican gathering will be a massive Obama bash fest and it will be interesting to see if Paulsen joins in the fun.
I would expect him to for two reasons: First, Paulsen and his allies have already shown a willingness to embrace the darkest side of professional politics. In fact, just last week it was revealed that Paulsen allies were engaged is the most dispicable of campaign tactics: the push poll. Will Paulsen encore that preformance with a negative barn-burner at the DNC? It would be true to form. Second, all indications are that the GOP wants their convention to be a reprise of the 2004 model: all negative, all the time. I doubt the Republican big-wigs would allow Paulsen within ten feet of the podium unless he promises at least a few jabs at Democrats.
Paulsen is really making a name for himself as a negative campaigner and I’m not sure that is to his benefit in the 3rd.
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Sheesh… I thought Paulsen was supposed to be a moderate, like Jim Ramstad. Guess not.
Paulsen Admits It - He’s a republiCon
I can’t wait to see pictures of Paulsen shakin’ hands with Boy Blunder and Cheney.
Maybe The Hustler will go for the Bachmann-bearhug……ya never know about today’s brand of republiCons….
Really? On the day Madia addresses Dems in Denver you bash his opponent for his attendance at the same type of event?
“Paulsen is really making a name for himself as a negative campaigner and I’m not sure that is to his benefit in the 3rd.”
Really? Really?
Seriously, guys. Paulsen and Madia could run the exact same ad. If Madia, you’d be gushing about what a Patriot he is, how we are just sooo lucky to have someone like this running. If Paulsen, you’d be talking about how it is the same old GOP BS and he is a negative campaigner.
ArmChair’s point is a great one, too. If Madia says one negative thing in this talk, I sure hope you point out how is he lowering the dialogue in this contest.
I stand corrected… from the Minnesota Independent. If Paulsen were to say next week that Madia offered no new solutions, would you all gripe that he was being negative? Also, I find Madia’s rhetoric (which I’ve heard him use every chance he gets) about “buy more oil” really funny, given that Democrats in Congress have prevented productive discussions on both domestic drilling and nuclear energy. Real nice. — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — -
“He also stated that Republicans, including his opponent Erik Paulsen, are offering no new solutions to jumpstart the economy. “What they’re saying is more of the same,” Madia charged. ”More reckless tax cuts, more deficit spending, more debt and more war.”
Madia also criticized the Republicans for failing to address the nation’s energy problems. “We’ve had a three-part energy strategy in this country over the last seven years and it’s gone like this: buy more oil, buy more oil and buy more oil,” he said. ”We can do so much better than that. We have the most innovative people on the face of the planet here. We just need the courage to change.”
Same ole same ole from both parties. Try an new direction or concept. Instead of going left or right why not forward? We need a forward thinking congressman. Seems nobody is listening to David Dillon. At least he has a plan. Give him a talking to. I bet you will like him. No special interest money doing his talking or will guide his voting. The only special interest will be the voter.
Like I said. All I hear is Madia and Paulsen. Wake up people. Time for a real change. Dillon is a factor in this. I’m so excited about these 2 putting out an ad. Dillon has had his ads out much longer than these 2.
Dillon all the way!
What a joke. There are republicans from all over the country who are making excuses to bow out of the GOP convention. It’s been the biggest joke on all of the networks. Ron Carey sent out his GOP Newsline last Friday and said that Minnesota candidates have been encouraged to stay and work their own districts, code words for “don’t show up”. I have noticed that republicans are changing their websites colors and signage to blue instead of red, and I have noticed that most republicans are not putting the words “republican endorsed” anywhere, not on signs, not on websites, not on letterhead, not anywhere. Even Norm Coleman has said he is only attending because it is in St Paul.
The GOP brand is not a positive one these days. It took Erik A FULL WEEK to decide to accept the invitation to speak at the convention! In any other time, it would have taken about 7 SECONDS for a newbie running for Congress the first time to accept a speaking spot at such an event, not 7 DAYS.
For the record, I am giving David Dillon a look. I like him alot.
DTM, When you have an opportunity to speak with Dillon, would you mind asking him something I’ve asked several times by email without response? Ask him which party he would caucus with in DC? Would he caucus with the Democrats like Lieberman and Sanders or with the GOP? A party of one has no influence - not much less than a party of 3. Who would he lobby for committee assignments? As far as I can tell he has no plan in place to become an effective legislator if he did, by happen chance, actually get to DC. His talk of independence isn’t very realistic when it comes to legislating effectively for us - the constituents electing representation.
swd -
We agree on at least one thing — the GOP brand is not strong right now. We are seeing a shakeout of the ideological inflexible religious right. It is not complete, but it is occuring. I think the fact that this primary race was about McCain and Romney was promising. 8 years ago, it would have been about Huckabee and Bush.
The big question is if the moderates out there are so disenchanted that they would support Democrats. The answer: Depends on the Democrat.
I could vote for Collin Peterson (although I dislike his approach to giving billions of tax dollars to thriving farmers) but never for Keith Ellison, based on their positions and views. Sending more moderate Dems to DC brings up an interesting question for Pelosi, who will want liberal votes from her bloc. The bigger the tent, the more diversity you have in viewpoints, and the fewer majority votes you can count on.
“run the same ad”? I’m not sure where that came from. Let’s see what Paulsen’s given up to be in the legislature……I’m still thinking. Show me Target’s job performance documentation stating he would have been an upper level executive had he not been in the Legislature..is he only being paid “part time” by them. Madia left law school and an immediate 6 figure salary to give back to the country that has been so good to his family. I hardly think the four years serving in the Marines isn’t a much larger sacrifice, especially the 6 months in Iraq! Tell me what Paulsen’s done that’s even close to an equal sacrifice for his country. Madia’s ad is a great introduction to voters in the 3rd that haven’t had a chance to meet him yet. I’m waiting to see Paulsen’s first ad and hear all the talk about his “moderate” politics and “working across the aisle”….I don’t think the voters in the 3rd will be fooled one bit! I repeat, “elect the Patriot Ashwin Madia to Congress, and allow Paulsen to reap the financial benefits of working for Target he has missed”.
rainman -
I’d have to think that is a slap in the face to all who have served Minnesota at the legislature.
No, DtM - that’s just a slap at Erik Paulsen, R=Target.
So it is Paulsen, R-Jobs vs. Madia, D-Labor and Trial Lawyers.
Maybe Dillon is worth a look.
DtM, Target is AGAINST jobs. Well, “manufacturing” jobs; jobs that have products that retail that have “Made In The U.S.A.” on the bottom of ‘em.
Manufacturing jobs that result in retail products that have “Made In China” on the bottom, Target is all for.
dDTM…if you don’t get it, there is a difference in serving in the legislature and being able to go home to your nice home and family every night, and spending four years away from your family including six months in a combat zone! I have friends serving in the Legislature and I respect their service, but there is a difference…just ask any of them. In addition, Madia’s legal experience is not part of the problem…he uses his skills as part of the solution! If you don’t believe me, ask the gay Marine that Ashwin defended and got reinstated by defeating the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. He probably ticked off some people that believe it’s a sin to be gay, but he didn’t let that bother him….he just does the right thing and does it very well! Look out Congress, because Ashwin Madia is coming and you are going to like what he brings to the discussion.
Yes, there is a difference. But is this Congressional seat a “reward” for the one who makes the case that they sacrificed the most, the longest, put themselves in the most difficult position, etc.?
No. In my worldview, any viable candidate needs to be able to demonstrate selfless public service as part of their DNA. To me, all three candidates can do that, perhaps Dillon a bit less.
From there, it is about how they will represent the people of the 3rd. Using my litmus test, Rep. Paulsen is the best person to be pressing the “yea” or “nay” button on my behalf.
Yeah, well, fortunately, DtM, people that think like you are a minority in the 3rd CD - and it’s fortunate that it’s a minority of people like you that got the “I got mine, jack - sucks to be you” attitude that you so clearly articulate with your insistance that your “behalf” is your primary and overriding motivator.
And thanks again for demonstrating that GOP now stands for GreedOverPrinciples, DtM.