Tim Walz continues to be a big hit with his constituents. All around, he is a class act, and a fantastic Representative. After John Kline rejected his offer for joint town-hall meetings, Walz held his own, and showed that passionate debate could still be civil:
People started lining up three hours before the town hall meeting began at 6 p.m. at Mankato East High School. After an initial half-hour during which nearly every question and answer was interrupted by yelled comments, hoots, applause and laughter, the audience began to settle down after the moderator, former Republican U.S. Sen. David Durenberger, urged them to “mute it down a little so people can talk.” At the end of the meeting, all of those left in the room applauded. [Star Tribune]
Walz showed his commitment to having an open discussion by giving as many people as possible a chance to speak:
Though the session was scheduled to last two hours, Walz let it run an extra half-hour because dozens of speakers still were lined up behind microphones as the two-hour mark neared.
This is what John Kline was afraid of? An open discussion about the merits of health reform? If you read the article, you’ll see that Walz didn’t pull any punches; he spoke his mind and vigorously defended the Democrats’ health care plan. But if he could remain civil and respect the position of those constituents who disagree with him, is it so much to ask that Kline be able to do the same?
Sean reported Tim Walz’s offer to John Kline to hold joint town-hall meetings in both of their districts. In The Least Surprising News Ever, Kline has refused, calling it a publicity stunt. Only John Kline, who has always avoided his own constituents like a plague, would consider town hall meetings a “publicity stunt.” Why won’t Kline agree to debate health reform in public?
On this particular topic, I have to agree with GOP Deputy Chair Michael Brodkorb: “If you don’t want to be asked questions, if you don’t want to interact with the public, if you don’t want an opportunity to to get a tough question, uh, don’t run for office.”
Bachmann
Raised - $314,000
Cash on Hand - $224,000
That’s a pretty impressive quarter for Bachmann, and a so-so quarter for Walz and Kline. All three of these Representatives could concievably face serious challenges in 2010, but the reality is that none of them are really in any danger at this point.
What you probably didn’t know is that the editorial board probably already had its mind made up. Instead of meeting with the full editorial board, Steve met with two retirees. These retirees are brought back in during high politcal season to “help” when it gets busy. No members of the editorial board were present for Steve’s screening.
Kline’s challenger, Democrat Steve Sarvi, easily is one of the most outstanding political newcomers this year. A former mayor of Watertown and an Iraq veteran, Sarvi is a fresh face on the political scene. His service in Iraq gives him considerable depth as a candidate. In a televised debate with Kline, Sarvi held his own on foreign policy. He’s also passionate and well-informed on veterans’ issues.
If this were an open seat, Sarvi may well have garnered the Editorial Board’s endorsement. But Kline’s expertise, seniority and growing clout — he’s the ranking member on an influential Education and Labor subcommittee — make him the strongest contender.
IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN VETS BLAST ERIK PAULSEN FOR ATTACKS ON MADIA
WASHINGTON – The largest group of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, VoteVets.org, today blasted Erik Paulsen for hiding behind a Congressman to launch smears against Marine and war veteran Ashwin Madia.
This week, Congressman John Kline hurled a smear – accusing Madia of “exploiting” Marines in a new campaign ad, which uses widely available stock footage of Marines to visually reinforce Madia’s service. Kline is from another Congressional district, while Madia’s opponent, Paulsen, never served in the military.
“Shame on Erik Paulsen for using others to hurl baseless smears against an honorable war veteran, and not having the guts to do it on his own,” said Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran and Chairman of VoteVets.org. “Ashwin has every right to be proud of his service to the Marines, and hold that experience close to his heart. And, he has every right to highlight for voters how that experience has shaped his views and values.”
“If Erik Paulsen has a problem with Ashwin’s service to the Marines and to America, then he should be man enough to say it himself. And, if he can’t do that, people need to ask whether or not Erik Paulsen is strong enough to talk straight with his constituents,” Soltz added.
VoteVets.org PAC’s primary goal is to help elect those Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans running for public office, and defeat those whose views and records are not in line with the best interest of veterans and troops. The group has endorsed Ashwin Madia for Congress.
I am proud to have served in the Marines and in Iraq. Once a Marine, always a Marine, and I am proud, and will always be proud, to stand by my fellow Marines.Through my service in the Marines, I learned team work and discipline. We need more of that in Congress.I am talking about those needs in my new ad and on the campaign trail. In these challenging times, Minnesotans are looking for leadership and vision from the people they send to Washington – the leadership and vision necessary to get our country back on track. I will continue to communicate my positive message of change to the people of the Third District.
Paulsen also seems to have zero problem putting people in uniform even on the front page of his website:
These people are shameless. Sure, Paulsen is desperate but it’s an especially bad move for John Kline by agreeing to step into this mess.
Still in Hiding, Paulsen Accepts Help from Embattled Republican Leader
Boehner raises money for Paulsen, Bachmann and Kline behind closed doors
St. Paul (October 14, 2008) — This evening, Republican House Minority Leader John Boehner is expected to appear at a fundraising event in downtown Minneapolis. Appearing with the embattled Republican leader will be Republican Third District Candidate Erik Paulsen and Republican Representatives Michele Bachmann and John Kline.
Minnesota DFL Associate Communications Director Eric Fought released this statement:
“Erik Paulsen has spent the past 14 years as a professional partisan politician, advancing the most radical tenets of his party’s platform and leading the charge in the Minnesota House.
“True to form, Paulsen and fellow Republicans will gladly accept help tonight from one of the most ardent champions of the failed policies of the Bush administration. And in the spirit of Paulsen’s stealth campaign for Congress, which he conducted by hiding from the public and press, Paulsen will accept Boehner’s help behind closed doors, away from public and media scrutiny.
“Erik Paulsen would have Minnesotans forget his long career of far right-wing Republican partisanship — which is why he’s refusing to meet with anyone except other partisan Republicans in private. It’s past time for Erik Paulsen — not to mention Michele Bachmann and John Kline — to level with the people of Minnesota how their ideas for the next two years are any different than the past eight.”
Anyone in the mood for a $1,000 steak dinner with Republicans not being public about how they’re Republicans tonight?
Let’s not talk about voting records, let’s not talk about veterans, let’s not talk about the bailout, and let’s not talk about that smirky grin Kline had when that woman made that offensive, ignorant race comment last Friday. Let’s talk about, um, congressional provisions:
Meanwhile, John Kline voted against the independent panel on ethics, voted against earmark reform in January 2007, and actually has been the beneficiary of earmarks many times before, as well as voting for earmarks that have nothing to do with Minnesotans. Now that Kline is an earmark, or congressional provisions protester, he refuses to support congressional provisions even if they help projects for the residents of Apple Valley, Lakeville and Eagan, for example.
Why is he talking so much about congressional provisions anyway? Does he not want to talk about his voting record with the Bush administration on the Iraq and the economy? I guess if I was John Kline, I wouldn’t.
Steve Sarvi is a solid, smart and independent guy that’s fighting for the people in CD2 (which I must remind, got the endorsement of both the DFL and the Independence Party). I wouldn’t be terribly surprised if he pulled off winning this one but he needs support to compete against Kline’s machine.
Update: The UpTake will be broadcasting the Sarvi v Kline debate live at 1:30 today.
[Kline’s] excuse for short-changing veterans? According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, his spokesman says it is because he is fiscally conservative.
Really?
It is so-called fiscal conservatives like Kline who approved runaway spending in Iraq and the Bush tax cuts which have led to huge deficit spending and a $3 trillion growth in the federal debt. Meanwhile, Kline and this Administration have presided over the greatest growth of government in our history. That is not conservatism; it is profligacy pretending to be conservative.
Who pays? Veterans, seniors, the middle class and others who can least afford to. But people are figuring it out.
How are they going to explain this one? From El Tinklenberg:
With record unemployment, real wages declining, and living expenses and fuel costs strangling budgets, more families than ever are relying on credit cards to make ends meet. The average American family now has nearly $10,000 of credit card debt, and most of their interest rates already seem like highway robbery.It just makes sense to ensure that consumers are protected from abusive rate increases and interest charges.
It certainly is that time of year; we have campaign commercials coming at us left and right! Well, here’s another one from the left. Steve Sarvi launched a new TV ad recently and it’s potent:
U.S. Congressman John Kline has been among the most vocal critics of earmarking millions of dollars in federal money for specific projects in the home districts of U.S. senators and representatives.
But the Second District Republican wasn’t shy about appearing at a ribbon-cutting last week in Prior Lake to accept congratulations for obtaining more than $2 million to remodel one of the most dangerous roads in Scott County.
Now why was it that lil’ Johnnie decided that this was a good earmark? Because it came when he was in the majority.
The reason, he said, is that he earmarked the Scott County money years ago when he was like most members of Congress, pushing for special projects in their own districts.
Hypocrisy, thy name is John Kline. But the good news is Steve Sarvi is here.
Today, as U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Jim Oberstar, MnDOT Commissioner Tom Sorel, state legislators and Hastings city councilors came together to discuss progress on planning for the replacement of the Hastings Bridge over Highway 61, one face was noticeably absent: Rep. John Kline…
DFL Party Associate Communications Director Eric Fought released the following statement:
“Representative Kline’s lack of interest in showing up to do his job is not a surprise anymore, but it’s still very disappointing.
Way to represent your district John. Fortunately, Kline’s has an opponent in Steve Sarvi who actually wants to represent the 2nd District.
UPDATE: I should have been more clear in the original post: Sarvi attended the meeting.
People Are Shouting
RSS