Every time I think to myself “wow, we could be in trouble here.” I stop for a second and say “Wait… they’ve got Ron Carey, that guy couldn’t organize a political party with a blowtorch, a unified party structure, a compelling message, and a pack of sherpas.” And then I think to myself “Meh… we’ll be alright.”
Ash Madia’s law license expired this past summer while he was running what has been to date one of the more spectacular runs for a federal office I’ve ever seen. As problems go this is a pretty minor one since Madia hasn’t been practicing law since last October.
Ron Carey, who was last seen wringing his hands in the 3rd Congressional District over Madia’s decided lack of bluster over Iran decided to weigh in with this overwrought blabber:
“Ashwin Madia’s failure to renew his law license because it was ‘an oversight’ is just one more example of why he isn’t ready to represent the people of the Third District…. Madia has apparently failed to keep his key credential for serving in the House up to date.” (emphasis mine)
(closed circuit to Gina Countryman: Alright, so who am I kidding, Ron didn’t write this, hopefully he signed off on it, but more accurately you or some other communications staff employee wrote this. All the same: come on, you can do better!)
“His key credential for serving in the House…”?!?!?!?! Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? For the Constitutionally ignorant yahoos operating the MN I-R communications shop, I’ll remind you that these are the credentials necessary for serving in the House of Representatives:
No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.
That’s in Article One of the Constitution, and there’s this too:
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.
That’s Article Six — I like to just throw it in there for it’s own sake.
Okay, now down to the brass tacks, Madia’s credentials. Over 25? Check. An American citizen for at least 7 years (and in his case, his whole life)? Check. Resident of the state of Minnesota? Check.
Madia has all the right credentials to serve in the United States House of Representatives. Now, for his qualifications? Thoughtful, articulate, intelligent, believes in service, capable of being a representative of all the people in the 3rd? Check, check, check.
Representative Madia. That’s got a wonderful ring to it. And chairman Carey should start worrying about the day that we have Representative Madia, it’ll be right around the time he’ll be looking for a new job.
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“Ron Carey: Pathetically Incompetent, or Criminally Culpable?”
Look up “hypocrite” in a dictionary, and you’re liable to see republiCon Ron’s smilin’ mug.
One day, it’ll probably be a mugshot.
Incompetence knows no bounds.
What about Gina Countryman? Her and Justin (SD38 GOP chair) are my neighbors… I live on the other side of the street from them. I’m waiting for one of them to complain about my lawnsigns to the townhome association…
If a law license is the key credential for serving in the House, what does that say for Erik Paulson, who I believe has a career in finance?
Yes, Carey is a tool.
No, Madia won’t win. You folks should have nominated Bonoff.
Anybody who works at a law firm, is an attorney, or is a legal secretary (personally, I work as a manager at an IP firm downtown) knows that, without a legal secretary to put together the paperwork and watch the deadlines for such things, attorneys all over the country would regularly let their law licenses lapse, as they’re very busy people who primarily focus on their clients’ many needs, often at the expense of their own. Madia is currently without a legal secretary (no, campaign managers don’t count; they’re not familiar (nor should they be) with the rules of law license registration.
The fact that Madia’s license expired (as opposed to, say, being revoked for misconduct, etc.) is a complete non-starter for me. If people knew how many attorneys’ law licenses lapsed regularly, this would be an issue that would get no attention at all.
So much for the ideal of the citizen patriot… wasn’t the original idea, before the Republicans got hold of it… “by the people, of the people, for the people” where citizens ran for office and all together we developed the laws to better our local communities? I guess you need a law degree now to be considered a candidate for office… according to this lawyer Carey guy. Just doesn’t seem fair or in the spirit of the Constitution to me.
dumb, I agree 100%
Everyone knows Madia will not win.
If we repeat this enough, it will become true.
Great Job!!
Dumb. Smart democrats don’t heed the advice of concern trolls. Thanks anyway.
No, Madia won’t win. You folks should have nominated Bonoff.
Why? Because you prefer typing “Bonoff won’t win”?
Bottom line — I’ll take a Patriot who served his country proudly over a career politician anyday!
This whole issue is a nonstarter. Norm Coleman and Michele Bechmann BOTH have lapsed licenses.
Big deal.
Can we talk about Iraq now? Oh- I forgot. Erik doesn’t have an opinion on Iraq.
Isn’t a career politician exactly what Madia is trying to be?
Prior to running for Congress, he’s had a couple jobs which included being in the Marines (don’t construe this as bashing his service because I’m not).
I still want to know why, after being out of the Marines for at least 2 years is he still getting mail of this magnitude at his parent’s house?
Madia is running for a 2 year term. As for what he might do after that, that is cetainly up to him. I have never heard him say he wanted to become a career politician. If he is as good at the job as I suspect he will be, I hope he sticks around for a while. We enjoyed Jim Ramstad for a long time. There are careers, and then there are partisan careers.
As for the mail issue, he will probably continue to get mail at his parent’s home until he changes his home of record. And, since he is running for a job that will require him to commute back and forth, I would suspect that his home of record will remain the same for the simple matter of convenience.
As previously stated, my family’s home of record remained with parents for the first 15 years of our marriage. We did not even live in the same country for some of the time. No big deal. Anyone who has served in the military understands this. A home of record is usually next of kin. It is something a military person does not even think about because it is just one more piece of red tape to take care of when enlisting.
As for the “magnitude of the mail” — This renewal was for a license for a job he has not engaged in since last October. Gosh — how about being reasonable and try holding him to the same standards that perhaps you live by? Are you really so perfect that you never overlook anything? You’ve never bounced a check, or fished with out a license, let your car tags expire, or driven over the speed limit? Never paid a bill late?
Are you now contacting Norm Coleman’s office to ask him why he allowed his law license to expire? Are you questioning Michele Bachmann? Are you asking Coleman how he could possibly have a nice apartment in DC for $600 a month? Did you ask Erik Paulsen to ask Pete Sessions where that money really came from?
Armchair Operative -
Great points. I still am uneasy by the whole “moving into some apartment in the district only after you’ve decided to run” bit. Is anyone else? Maybe I’m just old fashioned. As the non-political-junkies start caring about this race in Sept and Oct, that will become an unanswered question.
swd - keeping your parents address as your address of record for 15 years after you were married seems — well — a bit weird to me. But I’m not judging. I’m sure you’re a great person.
Southwest- Ashwin hasn’t been in the Marines for 2 years or so, right? He’s no longer in the military so your “home of record” argument is bogus.
As for Coleman, this is about Madia. Stop changing the subject.
As for your retort on my magnitude of mail argument. Stop with the “not paid a parking ticket or renewed my tabs” crap. To answer your question, no, I have not. I pay my tabs, I pay my taxes, I’ve never fished without a license, I regularly drive over the speed limit.
Southwest, you and I have something in common that Madia does not. We’re not running for Congress. Madia is.
Wonder if the right wingers were equally upset at Mark Kennedy for having an inactive CPA license in 2006…especially since he claimed the senate could use a CPA. **Confused looks from all right wingers**
btw - when Mark Kennedy let his CPA license lapse, the Dems got some airtime out of it. So let the Repubs at least make mention of this news.
DTM makes a good point. The Dems got air time out of Mark Kennedy letting his CPA license lapse…..but it was because Mark Kennedy was out on the stump continually saying that we needed a CPA in the house. Madia isn’t out there saying he’ll be the first attorney to run for the house.
On to your comment to swd about home of record for years after service, I served in the US Army and left my home of record with my parents for years, too. It’s just easier when serving. You are moving around - sometimes once a year - sometimes every two years - and it’s one less thing to have to think about. Someone gets your mail and you don’t have to mess with it. Sometimes things that are important slip through the cracks - usually little things - sometimes not so little. A late fee for paying for a license renewal is not a big thing. Missing a passport renewal deadline is bigger bcause of the red tape that is involved. Perspective is needed here. Not minimizing this but putting it into perspective. It’s just a non-issue.
Let’s discuss real issues: in this race, we have a reasoned, well thought out, backed by personal experience position on Iraq by Ash Madia. Has anyone found a position by Erik Paulsen yet?
I asked Michael over on MDE to spend some of his research time looking for one for Erik since he’s a paid researcher for Erik. Maybe he can do one of those great “breaking news” headlines when he finds it! It’ll definitely be a scoop because his website sure doesn’t address the issue and the constituents of the 3rd really do care about the war in Iraq, the middle east, and our troops.
WMD, the dems got air time outa little Markie, because little Markie signed an agreement with the state about using his INACTIVE “CPA” designation, and then willfully violating that agreement.
Big difference.
But, not a surprising difference, as today’s GreedOverPrinciples party strategy seems to be spewing falsehoods, and then hoping they get away with it.
Madia = simple oversight; little Markie Kennedy = WILLFUL violation of written agreement.
Fortunately for them, they have a very pliant media that usually let’s them get away with their vile tactics.
Paulsen needs a position on Iraq, I agree.
It is not the only issue out there, and I think his positions on other important issues of our generation are spot on, but he needs a position on Iraq.
Sean,
I agree with you that Ron Carey is really stupid to jump on Madia’s law license expiration — especially since he’s not practicing. What’s really embarassing is that Bluestem Prairie and other blogs have discovered that the endorsed CD1 candidate, Brian Davis, had his drivers license suspended in 2006 after getting a ticket for expired tabs and not paying the fine. Carey should be a little more careful about what he says.
Chis, don’t forget about Davis’s property taxes problems, either. Hey, Jeff “Landlord” Larson has a property tax problems, too. Oh, and republiCon Ron has that little FEC paperwork problem, too. And what about the allegations REPUBLICAN employees of the state GOP party raised, about republi
Con Ron using payroll deductions for retirement funds to pay operating expenses?
I could go on, but suffice it to say today’s GreedOverPrinciples party’s leadership are the most hypocritical bunch of (deleted) to ever serve
themselvesthedupedparty faithful, ever.Just think, Chris - you could send the state GOP, under republiCon Ron’s “stewardship” some dough, only to end up having it go to the FEC for more fines.
So, as much as you love government, Chris - dig deep. The FEC needs the dough.
Having allowed his law license to expire might be important if he was running for Lawyer in the 3rd CD, but he’s not. Let’s stick to some important issues: responsibly getting us out of Iraq, balancing the budget, providing health care for all Americans, reasonable immigration reform, etc., etc. Madia has articulated stances on these and other issues, and all we hear from Paulsen is sound bites and “triple speak” (that’s short for his three different approaches to our occupation of Iraq and how to get out….all given in a 5 minute interview on WCCO. Madia will win. He’s a Patriot, not a career (“I’m more of a Pawlenty type”) politician.
rainman - coming from a moderate Republican, of which there are MANY in the 3rd (see Jim Ramstad):
- you accuse Paulsen of being the soundbyte guy. I see it just the opposite. Madia has the slick soundbytes, whereas Paulsen has substance. Once you get past 30-second YouTube clips. you reaize Paulsen has more to offer than Madia.
- Who is the career politician? Paulsen, as a part-time legislator? Is it suddenly bad to represent your neighbors in St. Paul? Does that standard go for Democrats as well? If so, shame on McCollum and Ellison.
- Saying somebody is more like Pawlenty is attractive to more voters in the 3rd than it is negative.
My last point above is worded a bit like something George W Bush would say. To be more concise:
In the 3rd CD, being labeled as a “Pawlenty Republican” gains more votes than it loses.
Paulsen has “substance”??!?
Where you been livin’ man?
I remember when Paulsen door-knocked me in 1994. I’ve never - NEVER seen Paulsen in a public debate/forum/townhall/whatever.
The guy is a snake. And today’s GOP Leadership are the snake-oil salesman.
He’s a hard-core, reactionary conservative. Yet, at his campaign announcement, he claims he’s a moderate in the mode of Ramstad and Frenzel.
BULL(cheney)in’(deleted). Just who is Erik Paulsen trying to fool?
Oh, wait - he sure fooled you.
Two Putt -
The conclusions I’ve been able to draw from watching Paulsen work in the public eye of the state capitol for over ten years are much more solid than those you and I could ever draw from hearing Madia’s same stump speech umpteen times since November.
With Paulsen, you vote for a known quantity. The beauty of it is if you respect what he has done for his state House district, you vote for him. If you don’t like his work, you don’t vote for him. BUT AT LEAST YOU CAN DISCERN WHO HE IS — who he really is.
Madia seems like a good enough guy, but you’re voting for a biography and nothing more. I’m not trying to tear down Madia — I have no reason to. I respect anyone who sticks their neck out to run for office, whether it is Wendy Wilde or Tim Pawlenty. But we don’t know anything about Madia other than what he has fed us.
What we do know about Paulsen, is he’ll say anything, do anything, to stay in power.
There’s nothing wrong with being a strong, rightwing conservative.
There’s plenty wrong with being one, but trying to claim you’re not because you want to win an election and the electorate is mighty sick of strong, rightwing conservatives.
And that’s Paulsen in a nutshell. Trying to pretend to be something he’s not.
That’s his record. Give me the unproven, over a proven phony everyday.
It is laughable that you can distill over a decade of dedicated public service to those biased lines. You really have drunken the kool-aid, haven’t you.
DtM,
Two Putz hasn’t just drunk the Kool Aid, he peddles it too. And by the way, Two Putz, I have not given one dime to the state GOP since Carey became chairman. Whereas, DFLers give bum steers money and excues all the time. Like John “I porked my staffer while my wife has breast cancer” Edwards.
Chris, I agree 100%,
You certainly have a bad case of the vaopors today. I think it’s awesome.
You’ve exagerrated these Liberals positions, you’ve told these Liberals how they think about issues, you’ve said the talking points you’re supposed to say, and you’ve been persistently stalking those who disagree with you.
You even threw in a guilt by association smear, associating Edwards with the DFL. That works well.
This is the only way we Republicans are going to win elections, so I think your comments at 30 have especially have been spot on. Everybody knows there are no Republicans who have drunk any Koolaid, as you consistently prove.
Great Job Smartest Man In The Room Chris!!
I’m just curious if anyone else thinks that TFRWG is Al Franken. BTW, smart ass, John Edwards is as much a DFLer as Ted Stevens is a Republican.
Chris, I agree 100%,
John Edwards is as much a DFLer as Ted Stevens is a Republican. Everyone knows Ted Stevens has no known ties to ANY Minnesota Republican Senator of any kind, and John Edwards has no known ties to the Minnesota DFL.
Great Job Smartest Man In The Room Chris!!
Frightened,
It’s funny that John Edwards has no known ties to the Minnesota DFL. Because he was endorsed for President by Congressman Jim Oberstar, State Reps. Tony Sertich, Jim Davnie, Alice Hausman, Tom Huntley, Sheldon Johnson, John Lesch, Erin Murphy, Aaron Peterson, Marsha Swalisv, Ryan Winlker, State Senators Tom Bakk, Steve Murphy, Ann Rest, Former State Senator Becky Lourey, Former State Rep. Andy Dawkins, and local leaders like Ted Mondale, Scott Benson and Gail Dorfman. He was your party’s VP candidate four years ago as well.
Chris, I agree 100%,
Every moonbat has to stand by everythiong every other Democrat has done or said, as Sean Hannity has proved to us all.
Ted Stevens, on the other hand, was not really a Republican.
Great Job Smartest Man In The Room Chris
DTM….Sorry I couldn’t reply for a couple of days to your comments. Madia is certainly far more than sound bytes. Anyone who has followed this process since last October has seen him in NUMEROUS debates where he articulated specific postions on a wide variety of topics and actually seeks out the voters toughest questions…this is why he defeated Sen. Bonoff (who I also believe would beat Paulsen) and Mayor Hovland for the DFL endorsement. I’m wondering what incredible legislation you feel Paulsen has championed in the 12+ years he’s been in the Legislature…frankly I don’t see much substance. Until the last several weeks it seems he has been hiding, because no one could tell you his stance on a number of important issues (Iraq for instance), and now he has given some rather confusing triple speak on that issue. On energy, one day he’s for drilling in ANWAR and several days later he says he’s not (“it’s become too political”). Where has he been? This has been a hotly debated topic for months and even years. As far as being a “Pawlenty type” Republican and that being an asset in the 3rd….I hardly think so. In case you don’t realize it, the only way Ramstad got 60% of the vote was moderate Democrat’s and Independent’s helped vote him in….the same one’s who’ll vote for Madia. Our district want’s some real leadership and not the typical “rubber stamp” voting that Paulsen has shown in the Legislature the past 12 years. If you truly are a Moderate Republican, I urge to to get to know Ashwin Madia and I believe you will find he’s much closer to what a majority of our 3rd voters are looking for.
Paulsen carried a bill on contact lenses during his time in the legislature.
Perhaps his crowning legislative achievement.
My point exactly! I’m sure Paulsen’s a decent guy, but I’m trying to find where he has “reached across party lines to get things done” and quite frankly, I don’t see it. I’d really like to hear from someone about all this moderate legislating that he has been doing. Madia realizes he’ll be representing all the residents of the 3rd District, regardless of party affiliation, social status, job status, ethnic background, educational background, style of family, religious pursuasion, etc. I witnessed him connecting with all sorts of folks at the Long Lake Corn Day’s Parade on Sunday and heard many positive comments from people that had no specific party affiliation, as well as some Moderate Republican’s that liked what they heard!
As one of those moderate DEMS who voted for Ramstad, I am here to tell you that no moderate is going to be fooled into the “I am a Pawlenty moderate” especially after the “I am just like Ramstad” did not work.
Paulsen is an extremely conservative party operative! Can anyone show on any major bill where Paulsen crossed party lines and voted with the opposition in a bipartisan fashion? He voted against healthcare, he voted against Veteran benefits, he voted against Education, and his idea of working with the minority was to SHUT DOWN GOVERNMENT.
The very sad reality is that there is no room in today’s GOP for a moderate. Not allowing Ramstad any leadership positions in Congress, and crucifying the “transportation 6” prove my point. Even if a politician is a moderate, they must follow a strict party line or face some pretty harsh consequences.
Paulsen is the epitome of “career party politician”, and a very lazy one at that. Have any of you had the pleasure of Paulsen doorknocking your home this summer? Other than the one Coleman event in Eden Prairie, has he gone anywhere besides a parade where any of you could spend time talking to him? His idea of campaigning is to spend a lot of money on big billboards and wave at parades from a car. Not my idea of a hands on legislator. And having blank positions on issues as important as Iraq won’t be getting him any votes either.
This former Ramstad moderate is voting for a fresh new face- Ashwin Madia.
southwestdem,
“As one of those moderate DEMS….” That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all day. Thanks for giving me my belly laugh today.
Chris I agree 100%,
There are no people who disagree with us who are moderate.
Great Job Smartest Man In The Room Chris