There's A Race, In The Sixth!
I had a funny feeling the race in CD3 was about over, so I thought I’d go up to Stillwater to see if they still had a race. And do they ever have a race! But before I did that, I wanted to see how the local GOPers were spending their time.
Fittingly, the SD42 Republicans were meeting at a church for their convention. I say this for two reasons: Grace Church is exceedingly fundamentalist, as are the Eden Prairie Republicans; and the Eden Prairie Republicans are going to need all the help they can get for Erik Paulsen in that quest for Congress. If GOPers can get endorsements from preachers that call on The Good Lord to have a hurricane smote New Orleans, who knows? Maybe they can one to get amnesia inflicted on CD-3 voters, thereby paving the way for The Hustler to avoid his record!
Last week, southern Minnetonka and Eden Prairie DFLers packed a high school cafeteria with party activists, well over 500 delegates strong. This week, the same area’s GOPers only needed a conference room at a church for their party’s faithful. OK, sure – it was kind of a large conference room, as far as conference rooms go, but while DFLers were filling “tables” as in “plural” to seat a precinct’s delegates, the GOPers were using a table – as in singular – to seat a precinct’s delegates – and not a big table at that.
I didn’t stay long; GOPer talking points defy credibility. Suffice it to say, if you want to read what the GOPer speakers were saying, just go to Minnesota Democrats Exposed to read the rhetoric the GOPers were parroting. The sad thing is, these GOPers still think reasonable people will believe it. What once was a proud party is now in the hands of extremists – extremists that helps keep the good folks at Snopes.Com in the business of debunking smears.
Stillwater beckoned – SD 52 and 56 were meeting less than a mile apart. And if these two Senate Districts are any indication, there is a real race for the privilege of taking out Michelle Bachmann. Team Franken has a solid lock on delegates, taking 10 delegates to JNP’s 3 with Cerisi being shutout. In 52, Franken took 10 to JNP’s 4 to Cerisi’s 1.
The House race is where it gets interesting. The only debate between El Tinklenberg and Bob Olson was way back in October, at St. Cloud State. For some reason, it seems Team Tinklenberg can’t find the time to debate. Why? Conventional wisdom dictated Tink had his delegates locked up; so why debate? Get the delegates locked, get through the SD conventions, take the endorsement at the CD Convention, and who remembers you wouldn’t debate the issues before?
Except, if 52 and 56 are any indication, Tinklenberg hardly has his delegates lined up, and the undecideds are getting more reasons to question Tink, then they are to vote for him. Olson's speeches garnered a lot more applause than Tink's.
I simply couldn’t believe that Tinklenberg, in his speeches, claimed, in essence, “all Minnesota's DFL congressmen have endorsed me.” Betty? Sure. Oberstar? Of course! But Walz? Quite frankly, I didn’t think Congressman Walz had endorsed, so I called Mankato. Nope! was the answer; no endorsement. If I knew anyone in Peterson's Office, I'd have called there, too. On this, and on a number of issues, Tink has some explaining to do. Too bad Tink won't debate, so all could hear.
Quite frankly, Tinklenberg’s Pro-Life, yada yada yada conservative position didn’t fare well with a lot of the delegates. At both 52 and 56 there were subcacuses named “Franken – Olson - Women’s Issues” and they both took two delegates.
At 56, Tinklenberg took two delegates with his “Tinklenberg Kiss Bachmann Goodbye!” subcacuses, and one more with a “Tinklenberg – Labor” subcaucus.
Of 17 delegates, I have 56 down as 3 Tink, 2 Olson, 12 uncommitted – but I think Olson may have 4 more.
At 52, Tink took 2 delegates with a “Tinklenberg – Uncommitted” subcaucus, 1 with a “Franken – Tink” subcaucus – and possibly 4 more out of a Franken – Obama subcaucus; quite frankly I’m not sure but this probably will be scored 7 to 2, Tink over Olson. Even with that, it was quite surprising Tinklenberg didn’t have a tighter grip on the delegates and there’s still a race in the 6th.
With the 3rd all but over, with Madia’s Marauders performance today, the congressional race in the 6th should now be getting attention. I’ll be at conventions in the 6th next week, and will be talking more about this race.
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Good work
Working on confirming endorsements. I hear he said he was endorsed by Patty Wetterling too, but after confirming she is remaining neutral, that is a flat out lie.
I Didn't Hear That
But, I heard from others, that's what Tink indeed claimed.
Tinklenberg clearly stated
Tinklenberg clearly stated Wetterling had endorsed him at the SD 52 convention yesterday. I talked to someone else who said Tinklenberg said the same thing at a meet-and-greet in the past week.
Also, in the Nelson-Pallmeyer sub-caucus that sent four delegates to CD6/state conventions, two were leaning Olson, one was uncommitted and one was for Tink, so I think it's safe to say there are some more Olson delegates out there in other sub-caucuses from 52.
Correction
SD 52 Nelson-Pallmeyer delegates went like this:
1 Olson
1 Tink
1 Leaning Olson
1 Uncommitted
Why did Olsen skip SD 53 and SD 17?
Bob Olsen didn't have any presence - no signs, no table, no visit - at SD 53's convention yesterday. He also didn't do anything in SD 17 on Feb. 16th. Does anyone know why he is skipping some conventions?
Not sure why Olson missed
Not sure why Olson missed those two? Wetterling has stuff up on the CD 6 list serve calling for people to be calm and work together.
While I agree, how can someone be so nice and calm over someone using their name in a bogus endorsement?
He's claimed the endorsement of Tim Walz as well, which is equally as false as Patty Wetterling's endorsement.
Looks like he did this back in 2006 too! Scroll about 1/2 way down on these posts.
http://markkennedy.blogspot.com/2006_02_01_archive.html
How can we trust a guy who can't even be straight about who supports him, much less on where he stands on choice, marriage equality, the war in Iraq, etc?
Is he still claiming he's not a federal lobbyist?
Stop the madness
By talking about Elwyn Tinklenberg's lies, whether it's the lobbying, endorsements, where he actually stands on issues, were giving Michele Bachmann's campaign all the fodder she needs to defeat him in November.
We need to shut up, bury our heads in the sand, and stop the "curcular firing squad". That way, we'll all feel good about getting 36% for a Democrat in the 6th.
We should all be ashamed of ourselves...let's just anoint him now!
I think we are working
I think we are working against ourselves once again with petty bickering. We should be positive with both Olson and Tinklenberg, because when it comes down to it, we will all need to stick together to beat Bachmann in November. There is a reason we seem to not be able to win in the sixth CD, and this is part of the reason.
Petty bickering or Vetting?
We need the best candidate and we have a choice. Here is where we need to find that best candidate. "Petty bickering", "politicizing", these are just Republican framing words.
It's hard to be positive when a candidate is caught lying
Do we really need to rally behind someone who is out there lying about major endorsements he has? We were lied into a war in Iraq. I'm sick of sending liars to Washington. El Tinklenberg stood in front of us and lied Saturday. Twice--once about Walz' endorsement and once about Wetterling's. If he gets away with lying now, he'll keep lying when he gets to Washington. We've already got one liar representing us now.
They're lying about us..,.
The Tinklenberg Group made a big scene at the Mike Starr Chili Feed last night. Walked in as a group yelling "they're lying about us..."
Good job walking into a local political fundraiser making a scene like that!!
Is the progressive Wellstone spirit that of revolving door lobby
I live in Ramsey, Anoka County where the latest cash-for-Tink hustle is for a train stop.
Does Tinklenberg the lobbyist know the difference between lutefisk and loot-the-fisc?
Rethink the Tink.
It's amazing how this
It's amazing how this information gets labeled "petty bickering."
What's "petty" about the huge sums Tinklenberg has been getting paid to lobby? What's "petty" about pointing out that he's not registered as a lobbyist, while representatives from independent watchdog groups in DC think--based on the evidence--that he should be? What's petty about wanting straight-forward answers and honesty from a candidate?
Tink's supporters have thought for weeks now that they can simply dismiss questions by deriding those that make them or dismissing the questions altogether.
That strategy might have worked in the good-old-boys networks of Anoka County, but it doesn't seem to have withstood the light of day brought about by the Internet age.
What ballgame are the
What ballgame are the "Olson" people watching?? Evidently not the same one as everyone else. Tinklenberg speaks on issues; Olson speaks on semantics. Get with the program and reunite this race to defeat Bachmann. Bachmann will eat Mr Olson's lunch any time any place in a head to head meeting.
Politics is Not a Game
It is not a ballgame! which is a good thing for Tink because he would be thrown out for the "spitballs" he has been throwing. The people in SD52 and SD56 seemed to like Olson's "semantics" a lot more than they appreciated El's parsing of the truth. If you think Elwyn will be the tougher opponent against Bachmann you need to stop smoking that funny tobacco or get back to looking for WMD's. Telling lies and half truths is bad enough without compounding the error by crying foul when people demand the whole truth. One minute the tink crew whines about the Olson campaign for being too rough and then the next they imply he is too weak to win. Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive. Pathetic.
Game playing
Tinkleberg is to semantics what Republican is to right wing nut job. Both used and discarded when it becomes inconvinient. Olson takes clear stands on issues. And come to think about it El does too--his stand simply changes depending on who he is talking to.
Funny how people can dismiss partial truths and flat out lies as no big deal. No wonder most Americans are sickened by politics. We should be vetting these candidates to be the best qualified and most scrupulously honest citizens that we can find. Instead of out rage at being lied to you wink and nod and say "oh that's ok" and you try to shame others into shutting up. IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO LIE. It reflects poorly on the moral character of the liar and the person(s) who know and allow the lie to stand unchallenged. Democrats can't afford to be craven, you know the Repubs aren't.
Tinklenberg must have been tutored by Matt Entenza
He should be shown the door just like Entenza too.
DC Watchdogs say Tink a lobbyist
Who do you trust?
Elwyn Tinklenberg?
DC watchdog groups who are of the opinion he should be registered at the federal level?
http://buildourparty.blogspot.com/2008/02/dc-watchdog-groups-tinklenberg-should.html
Craig Holman, PhD. Public Citizen
The evidence presented here strongly suggests that Tinklenberg has met the threshold of a federal lobbyist:
(1) Receives compensation of $5,000 or more per six months
(2) makes expenditures of $20,000 or more per six months
(3) Spends at least 20% of his time on behalf of any single client conducting lobbying activity.
(4) Made more than one lobbying contact with a "covered official" (member of Congress).
Since there is some evidence that the threshold has been met, it is appropriate to file a complaint with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House, requesting that they investigate the matter. You may also want to copy directly to Tinklenberg for faster action. You will probably see him scramble to register and disclose.
And
Greg Gasiewski: Lobbying Researcher for the Center for Responsive Politics
The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995's definition of a lobbyist:
LOBBYIST.—The term ”lobbyist” means any individual who is employed or retained by a client for financial or other compensation for services that include more than one lobbying contact, other than an individual whose lobbying activities constitute less than 20 percent of the time engaged in the services provided by such individual to that client over a 3-month period.
Certainly sounds like it to me.
Taconite
They cry about a Wetterling staffer leaking taconite info in 2006. Rumor on the street is that the "Wetterling staffer" was none other than J. Bohn, who is now his son in law, and one of those who created a scene at the Mike Starr event.
Check this out...
http://www.michelebachmann.com/article.asp?ARTICLEID=107
J. Bohn
I helped with Patty's Campaign and John didn't even start working on her campaign until well after the endorsement convention was over. So to say that he started the rumor at the time of the endorsement convention is simply dead WRONG.
I don't like the tone of the Olson campaign in the 6th, it's getting very negative and nasty.
Relax, breath, and BEAT BACHMANN!
tone and reading comprehension
1) There is nothing in the post that says when the deed was done, just that it happened. So there is nothing "dead wrong" there.
2) I believe his name is Jon
3) Lies or tone you choose which you prefer and I'll judge the canditates based on the facts which El is way too loose with.
We can only beat Bachmann on the facts, wtih the truth, not with lies.
waste of time
this site
It's about vetting the candidates
After reading some comments here in support of always being positive and supportive of Bob Olson and Elwyn Tinklenberg no mattier what they say or where they stand (or previously stood) on the issues; I want to know what is wrong with asking the hard questions? What is wrong with pointing out inconsistancies? Why should we take a candidate at face value only to possibly find out after being elected that they do not support those that elected them? How would that be any better than our current representative in the 6th?
One more thing
The only nastiness I see is not coming from the Olson campaign. It's coming from those that are whining because Tinklenberg has been called out for advertising endorsements that just aren't true. The circular firing squad is being formed in only one camp that I can see.
Is MN-6 winnable...
Tommy,
The 6th district has a lot of exurbia (or at least that is what is seems on my drives home along 94. Is this race winnable without Rep. Bachmann being caught it some sort of ethics scandal...? I know she is somewhat unusual in what she believes (like her press conference where she said western Iraq was going to become Al-Qaeda land) and Iran would take the Eastern half). I mean she hasn't had a competent challenger yet (Patty Wetterling seemed like a ditz when I saw their debate last cycle), but still this is the most conservative part of the state.
S.G.
Dear Student Guy,
I haven't spent a lot of time in the 6th; last cycle I spent most of my time in CD-2, where - believe it or not - John Kline is very vulnerable. More on this later. This cycle, I've been in both the 2nd and 3rd. I haven't paid much attention to the 6th, but what I've seen is very disturbing.
The only previous post I have on the 6th, is here:
http://www.mnblue.com/node/1076
My take regarding lobbyists providing campaign funding is, and you can quote me: "A Lobbyist's job is to provide information, NOT money."
And it really, Really, REALLY seems Mr. Tinklenberg has had "lobbyist" questions raised, that he hasn't answered.
But, to succinctly answer your question, "Yes, I believe the 6th can be won, but it ain't gonna be easy."
TPT
Funny
Tinklenberg is crying to party leadership and others about Olson being too tough on him.
Who will he cry to after April 26th?
Bachmann is one of the toughest campaigners in the state. Looks like someone is not ready to be a prime time player.
Anyone catch the Tinklenberg campaign's inflated delegate numbers?
He's claiming he already has over 60% of delegates.
His dysfunctional relationship with the truth continues.
Thanks
Tommy,
Thanks
S.G.
It's the lobbying, stupid.
My problems with Tinklenberg - first I think he is a mediocre man, but that's a judgment thing and people can disagree.
However, the revolving door lobbying status - that is fact. And calling it "a transportation consulting business" well, if that kind of euphemism makes Tink happy he can call it that. But what about "Follow the money?" And, why is he ashamed to admit it is revolving door lobbying, or at least involves that? Clearly he must have some kind of ear to the ground and hear rumblings that voters might not think that's as okay a way to earn a living as Tink thinks.
He whines. He pontificates. He hides the data.
Show the money. Show the pattern. Show the truth. Stop whining and "saying" what the truth is. OPEN THE LOBBYING AND CONSULTING BOOKS AND SHOW FOLKS WHAT'S THERE. LET THE VOTERS THEN DECIDE WHERE AND WHAT THE TRUTH IS. BACHMANN SURELY WILL POSE THE QUESTION MORE STARKLY THAN ANYONE ELSE HAS, SO FAR, IF THE ENDORSEMENT PROCESS DOES NOT SANELY SELECT OLSON AS SIMPLY THE BETTER MAN.
Opening the books - What's hard about that? Nothing could be easier. It is a simple thing. Following the money seems, recently, to have been important for Elliot Spitzer, and while Tink's money-trail might not be as lurid as current reporting about Spitzer, it is INFORMATION. What is improper about giving voters INFORMATION? Isn't that how democracy is supposed to work? What am I missing about propriety in all this?
Blueman has a great post about Olson, in the last day or two. The man has a vision. And real and CONSISTENT answers.
Tink, he wants to sit at Oberstar's right hand. He wants to get on the House Transportation Committee. Big vision?
Other than that, bridge fell, elect me.
There's something - simplistic - in all that, and it is insulting to have it handed out.
About truth: Just give disclosure - open the books and show what's to be shown. Sunshine is the best disinfectant, Brandeis said that in 1914 and it is true today. How much from Albertsville, East Bethel, Elk River, Ramsey, Anoka County; and for what?
I believe the totals would be mind boggling. The figure given me in response to a public data request, for Ramsey, 2003 to present; $840,000. In fairness, some of that was flowed through to subcontractors.
Also, Ken Butler, a Tinklenberg contributor - a revolving door lobbyist in the DC area running in a Subchapter S corporation called "Capital Partnerships, Inc.," has taken Anoka County Regional Rail Road Authority [Agency?] money to the six-figure tune to pump the Northstar effort. That is taxpayer money to the people who grease the skids - including Tinklenberg, who registered as a state lobbyist for that operation; and who took at least $22,000 out of the Anoka County fisc, for Northstar lobbying and "consulting" via Tinklenberg Group.
Finally, Jon Bohn was the individual Michele Bachmann fingered as trying to infiltrate her campaign last cycle. That was little help to the Wetterling effort, to have that blow up when it did. He and his father appear to be career lobbyists, unlike Tinklenberg, who is a revolving door lobbyist. As far as I know, nobody has appointed or elected Jon or Ray Bohn to anything. Tinklenberg has that difference in his background.
If you think the better choice to go on to the general election is Tinklenberg, bless you. If you think it is Olson, bless you.
But get informed. Have cogent reasons for how you vote at caucus besides the ol' boys like El and I like the ol' boys. Let them stand around in a corner in back and stew as they did when Wetterling was thought the better of two choices back in 2006.
Or let them smile if Tink ultimately is endorsed, and let them handle whatever happens then in the general election. But if Tink keeps whining and not giving disclosure, even if endorsed the GOP will make him look like chopped liver.
End of rant. Go to the Senate district caucuses informed. Make an informed choice of who should run against Bachmann.