MN-02 race upgraded plus pork buns banned

With CQ Politics upgrading the MN-02 race between DFL-endorsed Steve Sarvi and Republican incumbent John Kline from Safe Republican to Republican Favored, Republicans are probably starting to get worried.

Minnesota’s 2nd(New Rating: Republican Favored. Previous Rating: Safe Republican). Steve Sarvi is an Iraq War veteran and the former mayor of Watertown whose biography and experience make him a strong recruit for Democratic efforts to take over the 2nd District from three-term Rep. John Kline . CQ Politics is changing its rating on the race to Republican Favored from Safe Republican, indicating it is a race to watch. The DCCC has categorized the race similarly. It lists the 2nd District race as one of its 20 “Emerging Races,” which means the party is keeping an eye on the race and will get involved if Sarvi meets certain criteria to prove the strength of his campaign.
(CQ Politics)

Sarvi needs to show better fundraising for the DCCC to get involved. They are watching, though. He's on their Emerging Races list. One of the things they monitor closely is fundraising. So be sure to donate something to his campaign through ActBlue.

If the Republicans aren't worried, they are at least starting to get nervous. So the right wing blogs trotted out some right wing talking points. You may recall that Kline swore off pork once the Democrats took control of Congress (let's not talk about all the pork he obtained for all his buddies back in the district before Nov. 2006 ... just don't go there ...). The righty blogs are talking about Kline's nobility for abandoning his district's needs and swearing off earmarks. They phrase it a little differently as you might imagine.

U.S. Rep. John Kline (R-Minn.) has launched a website dedicated to combating pork barrel spending. The main feature of StopthePork.com is a petition drive for Americans to sign up and tell Congress to put the brakes on unaccountable and wasteful pork barrel spending:
(Americans for Tax Reform)

One of the primary ways Congresscritters can get special projects funded (cough ... Hasting ... cough ... bridge) is by earmarks which Republicans are now swearing off. This noble act is a necessity because Kline has nothing to run on. He's wrong on Iraq, healthcare, the economy, transportation and so many things ... but strangely also veteran's issues. You'd think that a retired Marine Colonel would understand how important taking care of those who've served is, but Kline wasn't bothered that troops went into combat without proper armor, has voted repeatedly to slash VA funding during a war and voted to privatize the maintenance of VA facilities resulting in the inhumane conditions at Walter Reed.

Stop the Pork is just a cheap election year ploy. Don't be fooled by John Kline.