Category: John Kline
Posted: 03/28/10 22:48
by Dave Mindeman
OK... I talked a bit about the CD2 Congressional race in my last post. Discussing how Dan Powers fits the mold of the previous patterns.
But this is what is really on my mind regarding the 2nd District.
Throw the darn molds out the window. Now. This district can't afford to play it "safe". We need a new direction.
The general consensus seems to be saying that Democrats are going to really get hit hard this year. That they will be lucky not to lose their majority in the US House.
But wait a minute.
Now that the health care debate has been finalized, the Democrats can now get off the defensive and start moving ahead again. Sure, there will still be attacks, but this new health care bill has a defensible position and as time goes by and the world does not end, maybe other issues will move to the front.
And, about that economy. It isn't where we would like it to be, but it is improving. Work needs to be done on housing, but businesses are slowly working out of an economic slowdown and jobs issues are changing, slowly, to a more positive direction.
If the Republicans lose the obstruction of health care as an issue; and if the economy starts improving and the GOP need for economic gloom and doom starts to wither away, what do they have left?
I mean really, what can Republican House members like John Kline point to as accomplishments? Can he talk about how much he has helped the district's roads and bridges? Can he point to any assistance with mass transit? Can he really say he has done anything for the 2nd District outside of holding up that "red card" he is so proud to show everyone?
I don't see anything of substance, do you?
But, if we move into that situation. If things improve for Democrats to the point that they can resume a debate on the future rather than obstructionism, we will need somebody who will be willing to stand toe to toe with Kline. Someone who can dig deep into the issues and engage the opposition.
So, who does the 2nd District endorse to meet that opportunity?
Well, we have Dan Powers. An engaging and friendly candidate who has been on a learning curve over the last year. And who has improved greatly in talking about 2nd District issues. He has a good general grasp, which is probably good enough, assuming you like the past results, -- if not challenged. But, Kline will challenge everything that he says. Kline is a hard boiled individual who fights hard and fights dirty. He looks for any sign of weakness and hits it like a barracuda.
I'm not trying to question Dan Powers as a candidate, but we have to think realistically. I find it disconcerting that Powers won't take a chance on debating his Democratic opponent, Shelley Madore, yet wants us to believe that he is ready for a bare knuckle brawl with the Colonel.
Then we have Shelley Madore. Madore has legislative experience. She is one of the more knowledgeable people on both health care and transportation issues. She has the gut instincts and the core knowledge of issues that can fully take on Kline when he is trying to pull something on us. She has engaged in tough debates and is more than willing to take on what is needed for endorsement or for the general election.
Now, Madore has questions marks. Her campaign has had some turnover and things sometimes look a bit unsettled. That certainly has to be factored in. And Madore certainly has a legislative record that Kline can try to manipulate -- he's done it before. However, any candidate has to be prepared to defend their past record and at least Madore's record is a solidly progressive one.
Like I said in the previous post, Powers may be a "safe" choice, but if the 2nd District actually wants to have even a chance at winning this year, "safe" isn't going to cut it.
Madore got into this race late. She rejected calls for her to step aside and just let Powers get the easy endorsement, because she just had that fire and confidence that she is the right candidate to take on a difficult challenge. She has had to compete with a lot of other campaigns for people and money, but the Madore campaign actually has more named delegates than Powers at this point.
Madore may not be the "safe" choice. But I'm tired of 42% safe choices. I want to see a candidate that will debate anyone at anytime and anywhere. I want to see John Kline sweat. I want to see a candidate engage Congressman Kline boldly and directly. I want a candidate who can stand equal to Kline on issues and knowledge.
I'm tired of "safe" choices -- this is the year for risk taking in the 2nd District.
I think you know where I'm going here. Speaking only for myself, as a delegate to the CD2 convention, I'm voting Madore.
