In a move to fend off attacks on the organization being seen a strictly an operational arm of the Rep. Tom Emmer (R-19B, Delano) campaign, MN Forward sent out a press release showing support for three DFL and three Republican legislative candidates.

We find this interesting since in our first conversation with Brian McClung, we asked if the group would be supporting candidates in other races and he said, “No, just in the governor’s race.”

Looks like the group is nimble enough to try and control their own pr.

Here is the release.

 MN Forward announces support for bipartisan group of state legislative candidates  

Coalition of job providers backing 3 DFLers, 3 Republicans who support key issues

Minneapolis, MN August 5, 2010 — MN Forward today announced the first group of state legislative candidates the organization is supporting in the 2010 elections.  Direct mail pieces backing the three DFLers and three Republicans will arrive at homes in six legislative districts around Minnesota over the next few days.

SENATE CANDIDATES

• Senator Terri Bonoff (DFL-Minnetonka) – Senator Bonoff was chief author of Senate File 2757, a key piece of education reform that would have allowed Minnesota to offer alternative  programs like Teach For America and allow mid-career professionals a pathway into the teaching profession for school districts and students struggling to close the achievement gap.

• Rep. Doug Magnus (R-Slayton) – Rep. Magnus is seeking the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Senator Jim Vickerman.  Rep. Magnus has served as the ranking member on the House Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Finance Division and has been a strong voice for spending reform.

• Senator Jim Metzen (DFL-South St. Paul) – As chair of the Senate Business, Industry and Jobs Committee, Senator Metzen regularly seeks the input of the business community on issues that would impact job providers.  Senator Metzen also serves as President of the Minnesota Senate.

HOUSE CANDIDATES

• Rep. Gene Pelowski (DFL-Winona) – Rep. Pelowski broke ranks with his party and voted against a $1 billion tax increase in 2009 and against a veto override attempt on the same bill.  That year he had the highest ranking on the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce scorecard of any DFL House member.

• Rep. Kurt Zellers (R-Maple Grove) – Rep. Zellers has been a consistent supporter of job providers.  He received a 100 on the Minnesota Chamber scorecard in 2010 and a 92 in 2009.  He has also been an outspoken supporter of key education reforms like alternative licensure.

• Doug Wardlow (R-Eagan) – Doug Wardlow is an attorney with the Minneapolis firm Parker Rosen.  He was valedictorian of his Eagan High School class and received a B.A. and J.D. from Georgetown University.  His campaign has focused on improving Minnesota’s job climate.

“From day one, MN Forward has made it clear we would support both Republicans and Democrats who support reforms that strengthen our workforce and improve our ability to create jobs and economic opportunity,” said Brian McClung, director of MN Forward.  “This group of candidates has varied backgrounds and positions on many issues, but they all have been focused on making Minnesota a better place to grow jobs.”

To view the direct mail pieces being sent to voters in support of these candidates, go online to http://www.MNForward.com/candidates.

MN Forward is a new organization established to ensure that private-sector job creation and economic growth are at the top of the agenda during the 2010 campaign. The organization is working with a broad coalition of Minnesota job creators to elect candidates from both parties who support policies that enhance job growth in Minnesota.

MN Forward is supported by a growing list of Minnesota-based job providers and business trade associations including the Minnesota Trucking Association, the Insurance Federation of Minnesota, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, and the Minnesota Business Partnership.

In 2000, 433,399 people voted in the DFL Primary for U.S. Senate with Mark Dayton (D) carrying 41.29% over Attorney Michael Ciresi (DFL) 22.35, DFL Endorsed Candidate Jerry Janezich with 20.78 and Rebecca Yanisch with 14.60%. Dayton’s win is largely attributed to his appeal to the senior vote. He financed trips to Canada early in 2000 for seniors to purchase prescription drugs and his campaign commercials set the tone of the primary election by running during the summer before his opponents chose to engage.

The electorate in 2010 is much different than it was in 2000. The World War II generation is not as prevalent. The significant decline in this cohort is a reality and the current crop of seniors is not as easily defined especially with the incorporation of the first wave of the baby boom.

 A 60 year old voter in 2000 was not a senior citizen but in 2010 their status has changed. They are concerned about quality of life issues, but with their retirement savings in decline there are a plethora of issues they must now contend with.

We are not saying Dayton has lost his edge with this population, but rather the diversity of their concerns may make them less wedded to his candidacy. This population is reflects a higher percentage of women who may have come of age during the women’s rights movement and they may see House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher (DFL-60A, Minneapolis) as an embodiment of their won political power. Unlike in the contest between Barack Obama (D) and Hillary Clinton (D), where younger woman supported Obama and older women supported Clinton there is no other candidate for Kelliher to compete with on gender.

The Star Tribune article on the race between embattled Sen. Satveer Chaudhary (DFL-50, Fridley) and former Rep. Barb Goodwin (DFL) called attention to the fact one of Chaudhary’s senate colleagues, from the adjoining district, Sen. Don Betzold (DFL-51, Fridley) is supporting Goodwin. We thought this logical given Betzold’s own history with the Senate Caucus.

In 1992, Betzold received the DFL endorsement and was elected after winning a primary over incumbent Sen. Don Frank (DFL). During the campaign the DFL Senate Caucus supported Frank over the endorsed candidate and even called Betzold’s house in an effort to encourage him to vote for his opponent. The tension between the party endorsement and the legislative caucus crops up infrequently, but most often in elections after redistricting.

The article also highlights the fact Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller (DFL-59, Minneapolis) door knocked the district for Chaudhary, which is not a surprise since represents the caucus. 

The Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board is keeping track on its website of all of the contributions received by the various campaigns and required to be reported within 24 hours by state law. The two largest are the contributions made by former House Minority Leader Matt Entenza (DFL) of $450,000 on July 22^nd and $630,000 on July 30^th.

To see the entire list of contributions by candidate name click here. Note this includes all current races. http://www.cfbreport.state.mn.us/rptViewer/viewRptsNotices.php 

Now that we have seen the first use of corporate money in our politics we now know the face of the beast and it doesn’t look all that different than the face of a candidate’s campaign and for some that is the problem. People are decrying the slick ad by the recently formed Political Action Committee Minnesota Forward, headed by Governor Tim Pawlenty’s former Communications Director Brian McClung.

The ad promotes the values of Republican endorsed candidate Rep. Tom Emmer (R-19B, Delano) of which the funders from the business community espouse; lower taxes, less regulation and smaller government. These virtues are what Emmer’s Campaign embodies and are in the minds of fellow travelers essential elements to prosperous Minnesota. In effect, the ad makes Emmer look better than he is.

It is clear, what the first message is and we will need to wait to see what futures messages will be. Is Minnesota Forward going to take on Emmer’s opponents and undermine their messages while Emmer’s own campaign runs only positive messages, it is likely. Otherwise, it will be the state Republican Party that does the dirty work. Actually, it doesn’t really matter since we will likely see heaps of cash thrown into this election.

The main reason for large expenditures this election is because the governor’s seat is open and if the results fall the Republicans way it will mean a continuation of a pro-business executive branch into the next four years. Also, the change in the law by the U.S. Supreme Court in Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission will remain in place unless Congress acts to change it, but will continue past November 2^nd.

We listen to the hand ringing and complaining recognizing there has been a need for systematic reform since the election laws changes advanced by Sen. John Marty (DFL-54, Roseville) in 1994. Since those changes we have in effect seen one party rule by Republicans in the Executive Branch, the exception being Governor Jesse Ventura (IP) 1999-2002.

As people as crying out for protections from the “evil” corporations they should look to the root of the problem and that is not the issue of free speech bought and paid for, but rather who is welding the microphone. Our nation has maintained the status of “person” for corporations equal to that of our living and breathing citizenry. Yes, we agree corporations do need some protections and can have some advantages, but not on an equal footing with the average citizen. Already due to financial opportunity corporations have an unequal advantage when facing a person. The corporation can deploy a bevy of lawyers to help silence, impede or stop many actions against itself through the use of the court system.

Yes, we understand the argument it about free speech, but what about fairness? The voice of a CEO or CFO already has greater weight than does an average Joe or Jane. The ability to finance one’s own opinion has been the advantage left to those of higher means and in many cases those people in turn get elected.

If the opponents want to stop corporate speech they need to attack the underlying advantage and that is the status of the entity. Corporations should be afforded only limited rights and those should be defined as corporate rights and not individual rights.

The reason the Consumer Protection Agency and Attorney General Offices have developed Consumer Protection arms is because of the need to protect the citizenry from those who over reach or operate outside of the legal boundaries. History shows the needs of protecting consumers from false claims, bait and switch tactics and outright lies in the area of commerce, why should politics be any different.

People dislike corporate involvement telling them what it thinks because they perceive an unfair advantage, well it seems the corporations have money to direct toward this type of effort because the people running the operation have the means to do so. So an active campaign boycotting products of those companies and a clearing 401K of stocks from politically motivated corporations is the best means to send a clearer message.

The Democratic National Committee Site Selection Committee is in town accessing Minneapolis’ capabilities to host the 2012 Democratic National Convention. It is our understanding the Mill City is in head-to-head competition with Cleveland, OH and St. Louis, MO for hosting the event.

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak (DFL) may be the ace-in-the-hole on this one. As an organizer of the “Draft Obama Campaign” he was in the room when things first started. Yes, he has been mentioned on a number of occasions as a potential pick for a position in Washington, D.C., but nothing has come his way. It is clear since he is still here in Minnesota, he may not have cashed in his chit nor even had his name drawn. There will be three factors in play that with determine the outcome of the selection and they are: Politics, Money and Logistics.

Politically, Minnesota was a more advantageous choice for Republicans in 2008. As a Democratic stronghold the home of Hubert Humphrey II, Walter Mondale and Paul Wellstone our state provided a good contrast to a Republican message. With Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) as a successful candidate in a blue state people could make the specious claim of a changing trend. In 2012 it would seem more favorable for a swing state like Ohio or Missouri to get the nod. The question is what will be the trump card for a political event? We actually think you can figure this one out on your own.

Financially, Minneapolis is a known quantity. Hennepin County is the principle funder of elections in Minnesota and a financial commodity nationwide. The RNC convention was a financial success and the corporate community stepped up to help finance the undertaking. This will also bode well in a bid for the DNC.

Logistically, Minneapolis has many advantages over Cleveland; it is considered a very attractive venue. One, there are a number of downtown hotels, which means nearly half of the delegates will be staying within a mile of the site, which is a serious advantage. Secondly, there are many bar and restaurants in the area, which can support this throng of people. Since Minneapolis is a convention town events of this size are not daunting.

The convention site being promoted is the Hubert Humphrey II Metrodome. With the Twins no longer tenants there the facility is fully available during the summer of 2012. Minnesota was on the Democratic shortlist in 2008, but the Republican National Committee picked St. Paul as their site when then DNC Chairman Howard Dean decided to wait until after the results of the 2006 election were in.

The list of amenities from Target Field, Target Center, the Guthrie, the Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis theater district provide great opportunities for hosting other events, but again in the political calculus may out bid logic, but the real question is can money and logic trump politics. We expect we will have to wait until November to learn this answer.

The town hall meeting endorsed candidate Rep. Tom Emmer (R-19B, Delano) held last Wednesday at Old Mexico in Roseville disintegrated after someone left the crowd and poured a bag of pennies onto the table in front of the Republican candidate. After making his contribution to the Emmer campaign and then fleeing like a thief in the night, Nick Espinosa, who later lied claiming to be Robert Erickson, succeeded stealing the focal point of the debate and interjecting immigration into the discussion away from the clarity of a minimum wage discussion. By his act, Espinosa, single-handedly hijacked a hotly charge issue from remaining center stage.

The actions by Espinosa expose the vulnerabilities in the Democratic coalition. Those who either cannot leave well enough alone or are so myopic when caught up in the clap trap of their own vested interests are merely seeking attention for themselves in a very immature manner. Or maybe a better way to state the point in the left has no idea what the far-left is doing.

Democrats are blessed by the selection by Republicans of Emmer; he is the gift they hope keeps on giving. His comments on issues like minimum wage are right in line with core Republican rhetoric. He embodies the arch-conservative agenda and will give voice to it. This will reduce the need to define him as a candidate and the best strategy will be to create opportunities for Emmer to be himself.

The staged display by Espinosa could have been a legitimate attempt to broaden the debate, but it appears to be nothing more than grandstanding. Espinosa is student of the Javier Morillo Alicea school of politics, where it all about getting yourself to be a spokesperson and your organization is forced to suffer in silence. This is what Coup d’e’tat are all about.

We find it interesting Espinosa has not commented much publicly and has claimed death threats against him afterward. This all seems a little too contrived and disingenuous the reason due to the following self-promotional release sent out after the event:

Friday, July 16,  2010

Contact: Nick Espinosa, 612-432-8888, Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action committee member
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
http://mirac1.wordpress.com/
http://bamcampaign.wordpress.com/


Penny Prankster Not Satisfied With Emmer’s Lack of Clarity on Issues.


(Minneapolis) July 16 --After having a $20 tip in pennies dropped at his table during his minimum wage town hall in Roseville, Emmer’s campaign continues to struggle with clarifying their position on the server wages and the tip credit, and escaping the controversy generated by their comments.

The infamous “penny pour” thrust the issue unto the national stage, where Emmer is being hammered by national blogs and television shows including:

MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews

Talking Points Memo

Think Progress

The Wonkette

Activist Nick Espinosa and The Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action committee (MIRAc) are keeping the pressure on Emmer to give some clear answers to Minnesotans, both servers, and immigrant rights advocates as this hard hitting letter was released today:
Emmer: Who’s really running away here?

Another interesting point to note is the organization Minnesota Immigration Rights Action committee webpage has only four people listed on its board.

Illegality is a key word for Republicans in the Minnesota 2010 election. The release of information by the Minnesota Majority of potentially, thousands of felons voting in the 2008 election, when the outcome of the U.S. Senate race between Al Franken (D) and U.S. Senator Norm Coleman (R) came down to a court decision and resulted in a mere 312 votes fills the feedbags of the conspiracy theorists.

The additional specter of illegal voting by felons only adds to the attacks on the integrity of the electoral process and couples well with ongoing unsubstantiated claim of widespread voting by illegal immigrants. These interwoven attacks succeed in undermining the credibility of elections and results in a number of benefits at the ballot box for Republicans.

Clearly, the first benefit helps to motivate the Republican base and incense them to a point where the possibilities of an election theft are more important than reality. Red meat in the water whips the political piranha’s into feeding frenzy.

Secondly, the claims of voting by illegal aliens and voting by felons disproportionately impact minority communities in urban areas and any suppression of voter turnout in the urban core will help Republican statewide. The main areas these issues can become potential factors are in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties, homes of the state’s two largest cities.

Thirdly, this attack will directly benefit Republican Secretary of State Candidate Rep. Severson in his quest to unseat incumbent Secretary of State Mark Ritchie (DFL). By attacking the results of 2008 Republicans are able to challenge Ritchie credibility as the administrator of our state’s elections.

Fourthly, there also is a residual benefit in a local Ramsey County election. By creating the specter of illegality in multiple ways justifies the need for strong law enforcement and hence more law and order candidates like Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher. By developing a red herring narrative of the potential of stolen elections it begs the question for a strong enforcer.

The recent engagement in this conversation by Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) is also interesting to note. As he continues his call for photo id he helps keep these unproven issues at the fore. This is surprising since in 2007 the legislature sent him an elections bill which called for the Department of Public Safety to work with the Secretary of State’s office to create a voter file cross referenced with the DPS database. This means every registered voter would be able to be cross checked against any database of felons well in advance of coming to the polls.

Additionally, since this discussion is based on illegality it is likely those involved in other types of illegally activity will be the ones likely to be carrying an illegal form of identification in the first place. There is no guarantee a driver’s license or identification card is a valid proof of identification. If the person in question is forging money how hard would it be to forge a photo id?

While we are awaiting the release of another poll in the DFL governor’s race we are hearing the numbers are shifting. Previously, former U.S. Senator Mark Dayton (D) lead the field with 39% followed by House Speaker Rep. Margaret Anderson Kelliher (DFL-60A, Minneapolis) at 26% and former DFL House Minority Leader Matt Entenza at 22%.

We understand the race is tightening as anticipated at the expense of Dayton. Both Kelliher and Entenza are improving with likely DFL Primary voters while Dayton is declining. We hear DFL tracking polls are showing slight erosion for Dayton into the mid-thirties, an equal rise for Kelliher into the upper twenties and Entenza climbing out of single digits into the low teens.

This information comes just after Kelliher began running television commercials.

When people see money changing hands, cash specifically, they often conclude two things; one, the person receiving the cash doesn’t likely pay taxes on the money and two, they are getting a lot of it. When we heard Rep. Tom Emmer’s (R-19B, Delano) comment of tipped employees making $100,000 dollars annually, we were scratching our proverbial heads to understand who would be in a situation to make this kind of income.

After racking our brains for awhile we have concluded there are only two legal establishments  where the volume of cash transactions could occur to create such an opportunity for a person earning $5.25 or 6.15/hr to accumulate that much money in the course of a year; those being in a casino or a strip club. We doubt the average waitress at Perkins© will make anything close to 100K.

If politicians draw on their personal experiences, it is unlikely those who identify with the principles of the Republican Party are willing to admit publicly they attend such reprobate places, Tom Emmer included. Our experience with tipped employees does not draw the same conclusions.

In his statement, Emmer struck a flat note with the electorate. Many people worked their way through college or hold part-time jobs at minimum wage in order to receive tipped income. The ready cash at the end of a shift makes a quick trip to the grocery store an easier outing rather than the need to plan for the journey every two weeks.

Historically, Minnesota became more of a service economy during the 1980’s due to significant job losses in the manufacturing sector, which continued in the 90’s. Our state followed the national trend of companies finding cheaper workers in foreign countries to reduce the costs for manufacturing of our disposable goods. Equally, the loss in the manufacturing sector resulted in loss of union labor jobs and the failure of the service sector to organize union shops in the service industry help the downward trend continue.

This comment could make Emmer seem out-of-touch with the average Minnesota, similar to when President George H. W. Bush (R) is reported to walked through a check-out line in New Hampshire a commented his “astonishment” of a Supermarket barcode scanner. A poor economy became the principle issue end of the Bush Presidency and the focal point of the 1992 election.

It is interesting to see the response by the Emmer campaign, rather than run from the issue they are now calling for tax cuts for tipped employees up to $20,000. This means the campaign is remaining consistent a finding opportunities to call for tax cuts at every turn.