Comments on: KSTP/SUSA Poll: Madia 46, Paulsen 43

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:09:14 +0000

Time for an IP candidate. David Dillon needs to run. This election was bought and paid for. Wouldn't have mattered if it was Demo or not. David Dillon would not be paid for by anoyone at all. David would be beholden to you and me.
David- Run and I will return and run your campaign next summer.

By: W Action

W Action — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 05:41:05 +0000

Much as I’d love to join in, it seems DtM’s butt has already been handed to him by previous posters. Whining about the source of donations? By a Republican apologist? Three weeks before we vote? Clearly Paulsen’s losing this election if that’s the best they’ve got.

(And ain’t it great that every Republican hack who copied Rove’s “genius” attack strategy has gone down in the polls as a result? Obviously it was Obama’s no smear strategy that was the true genius play of 2008.)

By: rainman

rainman — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:26:14 +0000

Come on DTM, quit whining. Think big picture here. Madia will have much more influence as a freshman Congressman if he has some actual appeal outside just our CD. Because he accepts money from individuals all over the country doesn’t make him beholding to anyone in particular…his job is to represent all of us, including those supporting Paulsen and Dillon. You claim to have met him, how can you possibly believe he won’t do a tremendous job for all of us…I’ve met a number of politicians through the years and he’s as “real” as any. He’d love to have some campaign finance reform, but until that day comes, he has no choice but to use the resources available. When he talks to folks outside the state, he must be doing a great job or they wouldn’t send him money. Let’s be totally honest…when have we seen such a compelling story where a first time candidate has energized such a great number of people…Obama, but he’s also had quite a head start. Madia is special and fortunately for you and others, he’ll be here for all of us….not them, the special interests. By the way, did you hear that the RNC has just pulled another week’s worth of ads for Paulsen and switched the buy to Bachmann?

By: DantheMan

DantheMan — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:50:35 +0000

Fascinating. If Paulsen was collecting half his funds from outside the state, you’d be saying he is pandering to corrupt industries across the country. If Coleman was collecting half his funds from outside the state, you’d be railing on New York Norm working for East Coasters.

But Ashwin Madia collects half his funds from people outside the state, and the refrain is “don’t mess with him, man. He has to do it this way.”

It doesn’t sit will with me. Maybe I’m an idealist, but I have this vision of someone who we live and work with in our community gaining our respect, and then we as the District prop that person up and elect him or her, saying “this is who we want to send to Washington on our behalf.” It is all so Mr. Smith, I know.

Instead, we have a guy who has spent all of two years here, mostly in high school, he moves back to the district after the opportunity to run arises, he gets as much campaign funding as he can from people who he will never represent, and he could very well win.

Call me old fashioned.

By: TwoPuttTommy

TwoPuttTommy — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:49:45 +0000

DtM - Erik Paulsen ran unopposed for the GOP endorsement - are you going to tell me that there wasn’t anyone else interested in the job that would likely be theirs as long as they wanted it??!?

But you claim Madia is beholden to someone, if he wins.

Just who the (cheney) do you think Paulsen would be beholden to?

Here’s what’s wrong with politics, DtM - tools, best exemplified by you.

By: West Metro Dem

West Metro Dem — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 04:21:10 +0000

Actually, DTM, candidates who want to take on the large party machine have to reach out of the district to raise money - no matter what district they are in. Paulsen is the consummate insider - the legacy candidate of the GOP - the career politician with the machine behind him. Madia had to build a machine to compete - and he has. His grassroots support is very different from his funding support. His grassroots campaign is huge - supporters who can’t necessarily write the big checks but will put the boots on the ground, make the phone calls and get out to vote. It’s going to take both to win this race and Madia has put the time and effort into building both.

By: southwestdem

southwestdem — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 03:38:14 +0000

Every donation I have made to the Madia campaign has been through http://www.VoteVets.org. I come from a family of
Veterans and support Veterans every way I can, and VoteVets is one of them. Every Veteran I know here in Minnesota gives to their candidates through http://www.VoteVets.org.

This is the first candidate I have ever sent money to as well. I gave my deductible contribution to Jerry Pitzrick, SD42B, and today for the first time I sent money to a candidate who would not represent me directly — El Tinklenberg.

So I guess you could say local support through a great organization, http://www.VoteVets.org!

By: DantheMan

DantheMan — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 03:25:51 +0000

Madia’s playing in the big leagues by his own choosing. He has a nice story, but no slack will be cut for the fact that if he wins, this election will have been bought by people who are not his constituents. To be beholden to influential and vocal constituents is one thing. To be beholden to guys from New York and California.. well, that is what is wrong with politics.

By: rainman

rainman — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 03:03:50 +0000

Thanks for the back handed compliment to Ash’s fundraising numbers. Why not really put this in perspective…Paulsen has a 14 year career head start and the entire GOP money machine for the last 13+ months and Madia, a total unknown 11 1/2 months ago who had to go through an incredibly tough endorsing process till late April, and you can’t cut him a little slack because people around the country identify with him including plenty of vets. He’s raising plenty in the 3rd and he’s the first candidate I’ve given to (and more than once) and there’s plenty more first timers like me. By the way, if you check your figures MANY vets prefer to give through the ActBlue PAC rather than separate checks, so the 70 % isn’t totally correct…my guess is both candidates are close in that department. Let’s be honest, Madia is kicking Erik’s butt all over the 3rd, and Erik can’t take it so he’s resorting to attack ads…..and no, Madia has not stooped to that level, nor will he. Ashwin Madia….all about issues and solutions. Erik Paulsen…all about hide and seek and sleaze character attacks. The choice is simple…MADIA

By: DantheMan

DantheMan — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:49:57 +0000

Oh, and before you talk about Madia’s campaign being some grassroots effort… a higher % of Madia’s total funds have come from PACs than Paulsen’s. Paulsen is 75% individual donors. Madia is 70%.