Category: GOP Politics

by Dave Mindeman

In a stunning 11th hour development, the GOP endorsed candidate, Dede Scozzafava, in New York's 23rd Congressional District has suspended her campaign.

Her name will still be on the ballot (too late to be removed) but this opens the door for the conservative candidate to win this district -- although there is plenty of uncertainty as to how her supporters might act in this situation; some will still vote for her, but where the rest will go is anybody's guess.

This has been a bit of a political war within the Republican Party over a district that has generally been a safe GOP district in a very liberal state.

On NPR's Jim Lehrer News Show yesterday, David Brooks (NY Times Conservative columnist) commented about this race in this manner....

JIM LEHRER: We have got about 30 seconds, yes.

DAVID BROOKS: ... a huge impact. We have got a moderate Republican, Dede Scozzafava, who is running against really a conservative tea party guy named Doug Hoffman.

MARK SHIELDS: Yes.

DAVID BROOKS: A lot of Republicans, like Rush Limbaugh and even Tim Pawlenty from Minnesota have gone off for Hoffman. I think...

MARK SHIELDS: Sarah Palin

DAVID BROOKS: Sarah Palin.

I think it is a suicide pact for the Republican Party, essentially taking a moderate Republican, dead-center in American politics, and saying, sorry, you are too liberal. That's crazy.

MARK SHIELDS: Only in a Republican fight, Jim, could Dede Scozzafava, who has the endorsement of the National Rifle Association, was for the Bush tax cuts, was against the Obama medical care, only in a Republican fight could she be accused of being a Castroite, which is what the charge is against her.

Well, Mr. Brooks, the long knives are out....and the pact has been signed.

Category: DFL Gov 2010

by Dave Mindeman

Just to reemphasize...we will be holding another Candidate for Governor Forum on November 13th. 7pm at Open Circle Church in Burnsville (Directions here)

Bakk and Entenza are two of the top candidates for the DFL nomination. Join us to hear what they have to say....and as always there will be plenty of opportunities for questions and answers.

Senator Tom Bakk
Chair of the Senate Tax Committee.

Former Minority Leader Matt Entenza

Category: Tim Pawlenty

by Dave Mindeman

Doug Grow at Minnpost has filed the story.

Two relatively small state programs are being targeted in the suit filed today by Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance on behalf of six people, who are seeking class-action status.

There has been enormous timidity in the progressive community about filing a suit against Pawlenty's unilateral unallotment. And I, for one, have wondered why.

Unallotment is a tool for the Governor to use, but not at the expense of usurping the powers of the legislative body. I am no legal expert, but if logic has any merit here, the plaintiffs will win.

Some ironies will ensue I'm sure. For one, Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance is moving the case....and they, themselves, have fallen victim to Pawlenty budget cuts.

In addition, who will handle the case for the state? Will Lori Swanson, as Attorney General, have to defend the actions of Pawlenty? One has to hope not.

But the real issue is one that needs to be answered. Can Pawlenty, or any Minnesota Governor, create a budget shortfall, and then fix it unilaterally?

Pawlenty did create the problem. He signed the spending bills...he vetoed the tax bill. He did it at a time when he knew the legislature could only be consulted if he called a special session. It was not an unforeseen emergency (which is why the unallotment provision is there), but a calculated and planned shortfall meant to give the current Governor unprecedented budget power.

But there is no guarantee that logic can prevail. This is a legal case in a political system. A majority of the Supreme Court justices are Pawlenty political appointees. They will make their own judgments....they will see the facts the way they want to.

The merits of the case favor the plaintiffs....the politics of the case favor the Governor.