An apology for no final report last night, as I began to feel puny and turned in early. I'm still digging up material to link to so that readers may gain some background into the policy issues raised at yesterday's ag debate. Not everybody has a context for ag policy and I'll try to provide it.
The round-up should be posted sometime today. I requested audio of the debate from Tim Walz's press secretary as well and will be posting clips (perhaps as a multipart podcast) as they are ready.
In the meantime, some photos. Click on the pictures for a full sized view.
At right, the crowd in the Steele County Free Fair Cattle Arena. A good turn-out of over 100. The audience did seem to favor Walz initially and their support grew as the event progressed. The man walking toward the camera is Steele County MFU president Trevor Jensen.
After the debate, I thanked him for a job well done and was surprised to learn that this was the first debate his county unit had organized. He also noted that Farm Bureau was not a sponsor as had been reported in the Mankato Free Press. However, Paul Knutson from the Steele County Farm Bureau served on the panel asking questions, along with Tom Pyfferoen of the Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association and Barb Overlie of the American Soybean Association. John Connor of KRFO radio moderated. They all were professional and cordial to both candidates.
The contrast between the candidates was clear from their opening remarks. Not just in what the men said, but how they said it.
Gil Gutknecht spoke first, and chose to remain seated at the table. He noted his Iowa farm background and related a history of his last name, explaining that it means "good servant" in German.
He spoke of the tiny share of the federal budget that farm policies consume, while agriculture accounts for 15% of the gross domestic product. He related his service on budget and ag committees.
Walz listened respectfully, then stood, removed his mike from its stand and moved in front of the table. His years of teaching and commanding his fellow citizen-soldiers were immediately obvious, and he established a quick intimacy with his audience.
Walz, too, spoke of his roots in rural America, noting that when his father died of cancer when Walz was still in high school and his little brother only eight, his mother moved his family back to her small hometown in rural Nebraska. (His mother was in the audience helping to attend to Hope, his five-year-old daughter).
What the Walzes learned from that experience was the way in which the small community gathered around and helped them, caring for everyone in their midst. This ethos is the core of the common interests to which Walz appeals, putting common sense above ideology. Throughout the debate that ensued, Walz returned to this theme, constantly reframing and thus owning the discussion.
The Republican playbook and talking points against Walz were set months ago and never waver: they jabber about far-left values out of touch with the district, angry comedians, and the wedge issues of abortion and gays.
While Gutknecht's remarks about radical environmentalists on the left seemed outlandish to much of the audience yesterday, the statements become more understandable when put in this rhetorical context. Gutknecht was talking by the playbook.
Unfortunately, the GOP framing of this race simply isn't taking hold, and in the presence of Walz, the talking points might even pass for the Dadaist humor of Krazy Kat. After one of Gutknecht's more zany statements, the man sitting next to me whispered in my ear: "This is better than Saturday morning cartoons."
At a certain point, common sense kicks in. People who hear Tim Walz's message and meet the candidate have a pretty hard time believing the GOP baloney.
The man quite literally stands up for what he believes, and like any great teacher, respects all people. Parents have trusted this guy to take their kids halfway around the world to China, soldiers have trusted his command, and increasingly, citizens in MN-01 are putting their trust in him.
Note: Greg Mikkelson, Gutknecht's GOP primary challenger, was seen at the debate. I will look into whether he received an invitation to participate. Independence Party U.S. Senate candidate Robert Fitzgerald was a no-show.
OLLIE OX UPDATE
Robert Fitzgerald posted about his absence in the comments. I arrived as the candidates were being introduced and probably missed the explanation. Fitzgerald writes:
I had confirmed earlier this summer but the other two major party candidates declined. Seeing how the debate was structured, I felt that I would be a distraction to the Gutknecht / Walz head-to-head. I let the debate coordinator know that I would not be attending. The coordinator appreciated the consideration. I regret missing the opportunity to meet and share information about this campaign with the attendees.
very exciting!!
thank you for posting. i appreciate it very much.
Posted by: sherry | August 20, 2006 at 11:41 AM