A Bluestem Prairie

FEC: Meyer and Davis reports available

Mark Meyer's report is available now at the FEC site. It's about what the Post-Bulletin reported. Davis has raised $17,100.

And while Kevin Diaz' article in the Strib on Bachmann and Walz's fundraising noted that "a definite Democratic opponent " to Bachmann had yet to emerge, Bob Hill's report shows that he has raised $100,554.34 for the cycle, and retains $64005.36 in the bank. That's more than Walz had at this point two summers ago.

Granted, the media market in the Sixth makes a campaign there much more expensive than one in the First, but $100,000 and change should at least earn Hill a place in the Star Tribune's coverage, especially since Diaz named all four of Walz's challengers. 

How "definite" are they? Is Meyer, who took in $1650.00 this quarter and $8100 for the cycle, definite, but not Hill? Is Davis with  $17,000 but not Hill?  Are Day, who raised about $120,000 and Demmer $113,000 for the cycle, but not Hill?

Does Strib political editor D. J. Tice have a special standard for the Sixth or what?

Netroots
Meanwhile check out the videos at Evil Bobby that prove folding chairs get more enthusiastic reception than either Demmer or Day in a recent parade.  Also appears that Demmer the Deere Prince gave up his convertible to walk amid the hoi polloi.

Rochester Post Bulletin: Walz outpaces GOP hopefuls in cash race

Edward Felker reports on the cash race in the Fighting First:

Demmer's report, posted by the FEC, showed he gave his campaign a personal loan of $95,000, which he combined with contributions of $18,625 to show overall fundraising for the quarter of $113,625. After expenses he reported cash reserves of $77,512.

Meanwhile, Day's campaign finance director Erica Ulstrom said the state senator would report his own loan to his campaign of $23,000. Combined with contributions, he was to report about $98,000 in total receipts. He had about $70,000 in cash reserves, she said.

Newcomer candidates Brian Davis of Rochester and Mark Meyer of Lake Crystal, like Walz and Day, had yet to file their reports to the FEC as of Friday. Meyer said in an interview that he would report net contributions of $1,650 and $4,542 in reserves, while Davis declined to estimate his report before filing it with the FEC.

For the year to date, Walz has raised slightly more then $565,000, his campaign said. That compares with about $120,000 overall by Day and $113,625 by Demmer. Walz said this spring that he planned to spend more time fundraising, and his campaign director, Richard Carlbom, said his FEC numbers met the congressman's expectations.

While the figures look quite lopsided, early money alone won't win the First, as Gil Gutknecht discovered to his surprise last November.  However, should Walz continue putting in long hours in Washington DC while staying accessible to constituents in the district, he'll be hard to beat.

We're not yet willing to say Tim Walz walks on water.  That will wait until the lakes freeze, and then it's nothing special.

 

Houston County Chronicle: Walz’s frankness is warmly received

We missed this story in Wednesday's Houston County News. Randy Stotts covers one of last Friday's listening sessions:

First District Rep. Tim Walz (DFL-Mankato) is frightened.

You wouldn’t think it to look at him. He’s a powerful man with a hulky frame and a passionate delivery in his speech. Although a freshman Democrat in the House of Representatives, Walz talks to his constituents with the rhetoric of a skilled politician. For every issue brought to the table, Walz has an answer.

Friday afternoon 20 concerned citizens of the 1st District were given unprecedented answers, and access, to their congressman at the La Crescent Community Building. Walz came through town on one of his caravan “listening sessions.” These sessions, public meetings where voters are allowed to ask anything on their minds, are very important to him.

“There are many legislators who have never had a public meeting,” Walz told the group. “That frightens me.”

Walz, claims he holds these public forums to remain, “open, honest and transparent.” In his view, voters need to actively engage with their legislators. Once the voters see government as disengaging, according to Walz, an overwhelming feeling of skepticism begins. The disengagement creeps in because “many things are done with posturing towards politics as opposed to real solutions,” he said.

For more than two hours, Walz discussed a myriad of concerns with his audience. From the Patriot Act (“Ill founded, ill executed and an over-reach into personal freedom”), Net Neutrality (“I pledge my firm support”), Radon Levels (“We shouldn’t be ashamed to ask for money back to do a project mandated by the government”) to the Farm Bill (“I would like to create a bill that does not penalize farmers for finding alternative ways to farm their land”).

Read the rest here.

Washington Post:  Midwest Town Sour On War as Their Tolls Mount
A look at changes in attitudes in Tipton, Iowa, is representative of many small Midwestern towns:

The town, by all accounts, once gave Bush the benefit of the doubt for a war he said would make America safer and a mission he said was accomplished four years before Behrle died. But funeral by funeral, faith in the president and his project to remake Iraq is ebbing away.

Deep into a battle with no visible end, many Republican and Democratic voters here say the cause is no longer clear, the war no longer seems winnable and the costs are too high. After mourning Behrle, 20, and Sissel, 22, Tipton lost its heart for the fight and the president who is vowing to press on.

"It's hitting all around us," said Jim Allen, a salesman and former Bush voter at Fields Mens Wear on the town square. "Once we got there, I thought, 'Let's get it taken care of.' Now it's dragged on and on. It's just every day, you hear of more casualties."

In the first six months of the year, 125 troops from 10 Midwestern states died in Iraq, the bloodiest stretch of the war so far. Over the past year, 239 from those states have died, compared with 129 from July 2003 to June 2004.

While opposition to the war has been stronger and more visible on the East and West coasts, small towns in the heartland and the South have provided the Bush administration with some of its most steadfast backers. But that support has cracked amid the echoes of graveside bagpipes and 21-gun salutes, which have been heard with greater frequency in recent months in small Midwestern communities.

By way of contrast: Walz, Bachmann and fundraising

One common exercise in Minnesota blogging is parsing the comparisons and contrasts between Minnesota's First Congressional District's Tim Walz and the Sixth's Michele Bachmann. They share a birthday (April 6) and some votes, but the contrast frequently exceeds the similarities.

Tim Walz serves on numerous busy subcommittees of three important committees: transportation, agriculture, and veterans. The House Ag committee is working on one of the most contested Farm Bills in years; the needs of our returning soldiers and their aging band of borthers from earlier wars threaten to overwhelm the VA system.  Transportation? Drive on Highway 14 between Rochester and New Ulm: it's not a road to nowhere, but a trip to a tire and alignment appointment on a good day--on a bad one, to the morgue.

Then there are the listening sessions, the troop greetings and send-offs, the grocery store meetings, office hours throughout the district.

And Bachmann? One committee, financial services, and subcommittees that aren't especially taxing. Town meetings? What town meetings? Office hours?

Given their time commitments,  you'd think Bachmann would be laying away her treasures, while Walz missed out on the golden hours of fundraising.  You'd be wrong.

Kevin Diaz at the Strib spells it out:

Two freshmen U.S. House members from Minnesota who face tough reelection bids next year each raised more than a half-million dollars since their elections in November, according to campaign reports released Friday.

Democrat Tim Walz, a top Republican target in 2008, reported total contributions of $565,295 since he unseated six-term incumbent Republican Gil Gutknecht in the First District. He reported $482,413 in cash on hand.

Republican Michele Bachmann, who defeated child-safety advocate Patty Wetterling in the Sixth District, reported total contributions of $557,150 in the current election cycle. That left her with a total of $336,750.

What does she do with her money? That's quite a burn rate.  See for yourself here. Should raising money cost so much?

The verbal jousts continue between the sides:

"Congressman Walz is not taking anything for granted, and neither are we," said Ryan Rudominer, a spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC).

Walz is one of 29 freshmen in a Democratic "Frontline" program designed to maintain the party's majority in 2008.

"Walz is absolutely vulnerable, and he's absolutely a target," said Mark Drake, a spokesman for the Minnesota Republican Party.

Three other Republicans taking aim at Walz are state Rep. Randy Demmer of Hayfield, Mayo physician Brian Davis and Mark Meyer, a school board member from Lake Crystal.

Any guesses what the GOP money pot between the four of them will be?  Remember, Demmer rasied $113,000, $95,000 of which was a loan from himself to the campaign committee. The rest?

Special Election 28B: Facebook v. Facebook

Via a comment at Minnesota Monitor's excellent analysis of the Special Election in MN House District 28B, we learned about the Facebook group Linda Pfeilsticker's former students started for their beloved teacher.

So far 171 people have signed up and a call went out for volunteers in tonight parade in Mazeppa. If anyone who went wants to email us about the turn out, we'll post the news.

The enthusiasm of the students is incredible.  Typical remarks:

Oh my gosh I'm so excited! I'm telling all of my friends!

I hope that she wins!!! She is one of the nicest and most influential people I have ever met!!

p-did is my role model.
basically, she's amazing!

The only bad thing that  I could see out of this is that if she wins, she'll miss a lot of school like Pelowski does. Can anyone think of anything else?

Marty Seifert frets about Hollywood mobilizing for this election? He needs to look a little closer to home. 

And The Draz?  Well, there's a page listing  a "Steven John Drazkowski" in Minneapolis and St. Paul might be him, but there's only four friends on that guy's page. But then there is a Draz group page with his picture. Total members? One, who is also a friend of SJD, so they must be the same guy.   No messages. No invites to parades.

There's a link to Draz's campaign site, where his blog "Exposing Balderdash" (pretty hep Draz) has been deleted.  What's that you say? Google cache?  Was it something he said about immigration or health insurance?  Hmmm....

7/15 Update: Guess they changed their minds at Team Draz and returned Balderdash online. [end update]

Evening update: Mark Meyer, Lewis & Clark Water system news, and more

Mark Meyer: Dark horse?
Evil Bobby takes a look at Lake Crystal Republican Mark Meyer's positive reaction to Dick Lugar's Iraq War statements and perks up.

Walz website: House Appropriations Committee approves $22.3 million for water system
Some towns in southwestern Minnesota lack enough water to put a single new household on the municipal water lines, let alone a new business. The Lewis and Clark Water system is aimed at changing that, and Tim Walz has been aggressively seeking  the project's extension into Minnesota. It's working:

Today, Congressman Walz announced that a key House committee approved $22.3 million in funding for the Lewis and Clark Rural Water System.

“This is fantastic news for southwestern Minnesota,” said Walz.  “This project is vitally important to hundreds of thousands of people in Minnesota, South Dakota and Iowa and I couldn’t be happier that my colleagues on the House Appropriations Committee have recognized its importance.”

Walz said that the funding is included the FY08 Energy and Water Appropriations bill, which must next be considered by the full House of Representatives and then be negotiated with the Senate-passed version of the same legislation.  A final, compromise version of the legislation still must be passed by both chambers before it goes to the President for his signature.

“This process is far from over and this funding level will not be guaranteed until the bill has been signed into law by the President,” Walz said.  “But I will continue to work to make sure this funding moves forward, because it is badly needed for the economic and rural development of communities in southwestern Minnesota.” 

More on the Guard's return
The Jordan Independent picks up on the Congressional resolution thanking the troops in Resolution commends returning Minnesota National Guard members.  The Rochester Post Bulletin reports Troops touch down in Wisconsin, nearly home. The plane landed in Fort Douglas.

Mark Olson and Mary Kiffmeyer news
While House District 28B is gearing up for a special election based on on happy news for incumbent Steve Sviggum,  a transition in Mark Olson's district may not be so tidy. Olson was convicted on one misdemeanor count of domestic assault today.  The GOP Minority caucus had expelled Olson pending the results of his trial. The jury is in, and calls are going out from the political spectrum for him to resign.

One of the names most frequently batted about on the right to replace Olson is Big Lake Republican Mary Kiffmeyer, who was defeated in her 2006 bid to remain Minnesota Secretary of State. However,  a new report from the legislative auditor may diminish her political fortunes, according to the Rochester Post Bulletin in Auditor questions worker pay under Kiffmeyer:

The Minnesota legislative auditor alleged Friday that former Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer's administration overpaid 17 employees a total of $190,000 by giving them wages above allowable salary ranges.

In a report covering the final two years of Kiffmeyer's second term, auditors said her staff didn't get proper approval for various personnel transactions. Sixteen new hires were paid up to $11 more per hour than they were entitled. Another was promoted without prior authorization from the Department of Employee Relations and ended up making $11,000 more than his position's rate.

Kiffmeyer, a Republican, lost her re-election bid to Democrat Mark Ritchie, who took over the officer responsible for overseeing elections and business registrations in January.

In a letter responding to the audit, Ritchie said the prior administration believed it retained power over its pay rates. He said he has asked for the Department of Employee Relations to review rate decisions before he takes "appropriate actions."

Employee Relations Commissioner Patricia Anderson said Friday that her department is trying to determine how to recover the money, a process made harder by the fact that some of the workers are no longer on the state payroll. Only six are still employed by the Secretary of State's office.

"It's significant dollars," Anderson said. She added that some of the workers probably would have received authorization for the extra pay had the requests been put through the right channels. "For some it was justified and for some it was not."

Kiffmeyer didn't immediately return a phone message.

The audit also said Kiffmeyer was overpaid for mileage reimbursements, including some where the public purpose of the travel wasn't clear. The report doesn't say how much was improperly paid out, but said Kiffmeyer should be asked to repay any overages.

Anderson said Ritchie has followed proper procedures of submitting pay rate assignments to her department.

It's not clear when the hires or the promotions in questions were made. The audit didn't specify that information or the names of the employees.

Via Lloydletta's Nooz, the audit itself. Goodness, gracious!

Walz ends Q2 with $482,413 on hand

A press release from the Walz campaign:

(Mankato, MN) - Today, Congressman Tim Walz announced that he has raised more than a half million dollars for his re-election.  Walz, a freshman who upset incumbent Congressman Gil Gutknecht in 2006, ends the second quarter with $482,413 cash on hand.

“I’m humbled by the support I’ve received since taking office in January.  These numbers demonstrate that Minnesotans continue to support the change they demanded in November,” said Walz.

“In total, supporters and the organizations they belong to have contributed just over $565,000 to my campaign this cycle,” continued Walz.  “I truly appreciate the outpouring of support and I hope to continue working for the voters of southern Minnesota for a long time to come.”

Since the start of the 2008 election cycle, Walz has raised a total of $565,295.

Matt at MnPublius believes Republicans are "delusional" to think they stand a chance against Walz.  We respectfully disagree: at this time in the 2005-2006 election cycle, Walz had raised only $43,768.00 and had a mere $27,305.51 cash on hand. Gutknecht, on the other hand, had $495267.15 in the bank--an amount uncannily close to what Walz now has in reserve. Despite the huge cash disadvantage, Walz prevailed through incredible hard and strategic campaigning, with big money poured into the race in the last few months before November.

Another important factor was Gutknecht's own confidence that the district was his, and the resulting sloth as a candidate and denial about the abilities of his opponent. Should the Walz camp rest on its cash cushion and take the contest for granted, he risks falling to the same fate.

However, it's difficult to imagine Tim Walz resting on his laurels. Or resting, period.  In the district and in Washington D.C., the representative is always in action. Nor has he lost his fundmental, common humility or concern for average people.

Given the party voting indices in the district, and the national stakes for the race, we predict a rumpus.

And now we wait for Q2 reports from the rest of the elephant herd seeking the GOP endorsement in the Fighting First.

Q2 Update: The Big Question
Kevin Diaz says that robust fundraising in the first two quarters of the cycle has helped Tim Walz retire some of the campaign debt in The Big Question:

...Walz, a rising star in the Minnesota DFL, logged a total of $565,295 in contributions as of June 30, the end of the second quarter reporting period. After retiring some campaign debt, he was left with $482,413 in cash on hand.

Walz said he’s “humbled” by the support he’s received since taking office in January. “I truly appreciate the outpouring of support,” he said.

The strong fundraising figures also reflect the importance both parties place on winning the First Congressional District in Minnesota, a swing district that had been in Republican hands since Gutknecht was first elected in 1994.

Since then, Democratic leaders in Congress have made it a priority to protect freshmen who helped them win back control of the House.

In yesterday's state press call, Congressman Walz thanks Diaz for his article about his household debt, and said that Gwen had set him a $50 food budget for the week. Since he is on a diet anyway, Walz couldn't object to his wife's frugal planning.

Update: The Divine Tild has us blushing over this birthday tribute. And Jennifer Lopez sent her birthday wishes, too.  Go figure: sounds like we should show up more at Drinking Liberally or something.

District 28B race: Linda Pfeilsticker web site up

Visit the Pfeilsticker campaign website.  Still evolving, but contact, issues and biographical information are there.

Looks like Pfeilsticker and Drazkowski attend the same Catholic church, St. Felix in Wabasha. A similar situation occurred in Northfield, where opponents David Bly and Ray Cox go to the local UCC.

h/t to Fast Annie.

UPDATE: Like MNCR, we're hearing great reports about Linda's warm reception in parades, and her Facebook group is up to 178 members, mainly local high school students or college students who are recent Winona high school grads. Looks like LP likes hotdish and the Vikes.

Here's her bio for those who don't have time to click through.  Looks like a local farm girl made good (and a Phi Beta Kappa, too):

I grew up on dairy farm outside of Wabasha that was first purchased by my great-grandfather in 1919. This farm is still owned by my father today.

Education
   Masters of Instruction, Saint Mary’s University Of Minnesota, Winona, MN June 1997.
   Teaching Certification, Social Studies (5-12). Bachelor of Arts, The College of St. Catherine, St. Paul, MN May 1994
   Political Science Major, Economics and History Minors.
         3.8 GPA at Both Masters and Bachelors Levels
          Magna Cum Laude
          Phi Beta Kappa Member
   Wabasha-Kellogg High School 1990

Current employment
   Winona Senior High School Social Studies Teacher, Winona, MN 1998-present.

Leadership Experience
   Winona Education Association Head Negotiator, 2000-present.
   Winona Education Association Executive Board, 2000-present.
   Winona Education Association Vice President, 2002-2004.
   Winona Senior High School Site Team Management Committee, 2003-present.
   Winona Area Public Schools Insurance Committee, 2000-present.
   Winona Area Public Schools ATPPS Committee Co-Chair, 2005-present.
   WEA Alternative Compensation Point Person, 2000-2007.
   Winona Area Public Schools Meet and Confer Committee, 2002-2005. .

Religious Affiliation
   Life-long member of St. Felix Catholic Church

I am 35 years old, single and live outside Wabasha

Rochester Post Bulletin: Hormel Institute closer to federal funding

The Post Bulletin reports about additional earmarked appropriations in Hormel Institute federal funding moves closer to reality:

The Hormel Institute in Austin is closer to obtaining $400,000 in federal funding. The House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday approved two bills that include funding for several requests made by U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, a Democrat who represents the 1st District in southern Minnesota.

Walz says eight project requests passed through a key House subcommittee, describing it as a "major hurdle."

Funding for the Hormel Institute, a University of Minnesota cancer-research facility in northeast Austin, would go toward supporting the construction and expansion of research facilities.

The institute is in the midst of a $20 million project that will triple its size. With Mayo Clinic as a partner, the institute expects to add 100 science research jobs in coming years.

None of the funding is guaranteed, however, until the bills are passed by the House and Senate and signed by President Bush. Both bills now will be considered by the full House and then negotiated with the Senate version of the same legislation.

Other projects that received initial support include $350,000 for construction of U.S. 14 from Owatonna to Waseca; $300,000 for building a garage and transportation hub to serve Albert Lea's public-transportation system; and $125,000 for the Sheriffs Youth Programs' chemical-dependency, outpatient-treatment program in Rochester.

Construction on the institute is expected to be completed by spring 2008. Institute staff members will likely move into the new facilities in November.

Austin residents in May announced raising more than $1.4 million for the institute's project through the "Grow Science, Grow Austin" campaign, topped the $1 million goal.

Netroots
Joe Bodell writes about the 28B special election and MN-01 fundraising.  Hal Kimball posts a message from Ezra Kazee, the Winona State student nominated by his peers to serve on the MnSCU board. It's all good.

 

Walz, Klobuchar introduce resolution honoring returning soldiers: Walz at Ft. McCoy

We neglected to mention that one of the Walz earmarks appropriators approved was for the beyond the yellow ribbon program to support returning troops.  That being noted, we just got a press release about a congressional resolution:

Concurrent Resolution recognizes the 1st Brigade Combat Team,  34th Infantry Division of the Minnesota National Guard

(Washington, D.C.) - Today [July 12?], Congressman Tim Walz (MN-1) and Senator Amy Klobuchar introduced a Concurrent Resolution commending Minnesota's returning National Guard soldiers on completion of the longest continuous deployment of any United States military unit during Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Congressman Walz and Senator Klobuchar were joined in honoring the 1st Brigade Combat Team by Representatives McCollum, Ramstad, Ellison, Oberstar, Peterson, Kline and Bachmann as well as Senator Coleman.

"It is an honor and a privilege to know and represent these brave men and women," said Congressman Walz, who is at Ft. McCoy today to welcome Minnesota's Guardmembers home.  "I served alongside these soldiers for many years and I could not be more proud of them.   They endured their extended deployment with patience and determination and their distinguished service record in Iraq speaks for itself.  Today, every Minnesotan should be proud to call the Red Bulls our neighbors and friends."

"As they return from the longest continuous deployment in Iraq of any U.S. military unit, the men and women of the 1st Brigade Combat Team deserve our  heartfelt thanks for their service and sacrifice," said Klobuchar.  "They stood up and stood tall for their country.  Now it's our turn to stand up and stand tall for them, by offering a warm welcome home and making sure they get the recognition and benefits they deserve." Klobuchar plans to meet with Minnesota's Guardmembers at Fort McCoy on July 22nd. 

The 1st Brigade Combat Team/34th Infantry Division mobilized in September 2005 and deployed to Iraq in March of 2006.  They served as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom for 22 consecutive months.  During their time in Iraq, they completed thousands of combat logistics patrols and secured millions of convoy miles.  The unit helped start local Iraqi newspapers and produced documentaries on the work of the U.S. military in Iraq.  The 1st Brigade Combat Team completed 137 reconstruction projects while capturing some 400 detainees.  In January of this year, the unit's mission was extended by 125 days, making theirs the longest continuous deployment of any United States military unit during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Is your community sponsoring a public welcome back for the soldiers? If so, by all means go out and greet them.

Here's the House resolution:  redbullconcurrentresolution.pdf

Friday morning news digest: appropriations, conventions, deployments

KEYC-TV reports that Walz Announces First Step In Funding For Projects Across S. Minnesota:

Several appropriation bills have cleared their first hurdle at the state capitol. Congressman Tim Walz announcing two projects in our area approved by the appropriations committee. $350,000 for construction on highway 14 from Waseca to Owatonna. And $350,000 for planning and environmental review along highway 14 from North Mankato to New Ulm.

Representative Walz talked about this yesterday in his district press call.  He noted while some will object purely on ideological terms to funding coming to the district, the reformed earmark process asked legislator to put their names on the money they asked for their districts. No more the anonymous slush slipped into a bill in the middle of the night, but a transparent process.

The projects Walz requested also assured local control of federal dollars, for projects communities and state agencies requested, rather than having the money go into a big pot held by the federal department of transportation.

It is possible that the appropriations could be removed on the House floor or in conference committee, but Walz thought that was unlikely.

He doubted that anyone would call Highway 14 a road to nowhere. We have provided a map for those who might be tempted to tell people living in Rochester, Owatonna, Mankato and New Ulm about their insignificance, or the reason they should put up with a notoriously unsafe road.

Political Hot Spot
KTTC reports on the 2008 state conventions in Rochester. Why such a hot spot? Go read the article to find out.

Austin Daily News: Send-off for Guard bound to Kosovo
Although the deployment is being overshadowed by the long awaited return of hundred of Guard members from Iraq, soldiers are being sent to Kovoso.  The ADN reports Public invited to National Guard send-off:

The public is invited to a send off ceremony for  Minnesota  Army National Guard soldiers leaving for military duty in Kosovo.                               

The ceremony begins 6 p.m. Sunday at the Austin Armory, headquarters of  Fox Company, 334th BSB, LMT.

Formerly “Bravo Company,” the soldiers are veterans of duty in Iraq, having served there in 2005.

Congressman Walz will be among the speakers.

Mankato Free Press LTE: Walz understands air traffic contral system's importance
Reed Miller of Byron writes his appreciation in Walz understands air traffic control system’s importance:

I want to let your readership know how much I and my fellow air traffic controllers at the Rochester International Airport appreciate that Congressman Tim Walz recently cast a vote for the restoration of our collective bargaining rights.

The FAA unilaterally imposed work and pay rules last Labor Day weekend, adding to a critical staffing shortage that threatens the safety and efficiency of our skies. Walz understands what effect the air traffic control system has, not just in Rochester, or the 1st District, but on aviation in the United States as a whole.

I would like to thank Walz for acting on behalf of safety of the flying public by voting to protect our rights to fair contract negotiations that will stem the tide of controller retirements and stabilize the controller workforce.

Netroots
A National Farmers Union intern from the Dakotas meets Tim Walz in surreality.

Happy birthday to BSP
One year ago today, we posted our first entry about the First Congressional District contest. Send gifts now.  On second thought, contributing to Tim Walz's re-election campaign would be the best present ever.

 

Demmer data available

According to Political Moneyline, Randy Demmer's campaign had total receipts of $113,625 for the Quarter runnningg from April 1 through June 30.

Of that sum, $95,000 is a loan made or guaranteed by the candidate, and the rest is hard dollar contributions. The campaign spent just over $36,000, and has about $77,500 in the bank.

CFRA: We're in the wrong business

While a vocal coalition of the right and the left are gunning to eliminate farm payments, we favor payment limitations.

Honestly, we're not sure what to make of some of the things we're been reading lately on the Internets, what with people who for years have shouted for Fair Trade suddenly growing all misty eyed in their narratives of WTO rulings and the progress of the Doha Round, but we're probably just slack-jawed prairie yokels.

Our friends at the the CRFA are better at explaining farm policy that would benefit small and medium sized family farms. In a recent post, Dan Owens looks at equity in farm support levels. He begins:

We’ve mentioned before that Southern elected representatives (plus California) are the biggest obstacle to strong, effective payment limitations. The single most important reason for this is that the primary Southern crops- cotton and rice- receive much higher per-acre payments than the other three big program crops (corn, soybeans, wheat). How much higher is something that is not always clear. The EWG database that details payments to producers is great, but it doesn’t get into the differences in farm program payments between commodities. Cotton and rice advocates generally argue that they have higher costs, so they should receive larger payments.

A few weeks ago the Congressional Research Service put out a report entitled “Measuring Equity in Farm Support Levels” (pdf). As policy wonks, we love CRS reports and many can be found at the National Agriculture Law Center’s website. Researchers Jasper Womach and Randy Schnepf lay out the numbers- and they are astonishing.

In the past three years, on per acre basis, rice has received an average of $270 per acre and cotton has received an average of $213 per acre (peanuts clock in at $192, but they are covered by an entirely different support program). On a per acre basis, the next highest is corn- at $66.   

Go read the rest.

Bird lobbying update
To put on a different hat than family farm advocate to bird conservationist, we're somewhat happy about where the Farm Bill is going: the new chairman's mark provides dedicated funds for nearly all of the conservation programs I asked for during the National Audubon Society's grassroots lobbying training back in June, but only provides an outside chance for funding for the Grasslands Reserve Program. Funding for it would be taken from the reserve funds, and in this era of paygo rules, that's pretty iffy.

Chairman Peterson's ag staff person and the ag committee staffer spent a lot of time discussing these issues, and I'm glad to see their statements confirmed in the draft.

Mankato Free Press editorial: No need for Fairness Doctrine

The Mankato Free Press cautions against reviving the Fairness Doctrine, and points out that Tim Walz voted to block funding for its implementation:

Legislation to bring back the Fairness Doctrine has yet to be introduced, but the possibility is weighing on legislators’ minds. On June 28, the House attached an amendment to a federal spending bill, voting 309-115 to block funding for implementation of the Fairness Doctrine. Rep. Tim Walz, D-Mankato, was one of three Minnesota Democrats to vote with the majority.

Mid-afternoon: Walz on Rochester conventions and House 28B special election update

In this morning's press call, Walz was asked his opinion of both major political parties' state conventions being held in Rochester in 2008, since the Republican Party of Minnesota had listed his potential defeat as Reason #2 for holding the convention in the city. Walz said he was flattered, but expected nothing less than a vigorous race in 2006.  He observed that the Republican party needs to bear in mind that the people of the First will decide the winner.

Walz welcomed both parties and their money to his district and hoped that everyone will have a good time.  He pointed out that many of the hotels in Rochester pay union wages.

28B Special Election: Primary is on
The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that there will be a primary in the 28B special election, as Wes Moreland did not withdraw his filing with the Minnesota Secretary of State. Moreland is studying abroad, according to the paper. Minnesota House District 28B straddles the state's First and Second Congressional Districts.

The DFL endorsed candidate is Linda Pfeilsticker, a Wabasha resident who teaches high school social studies in the Winona public schools.

28B Special Election: Outside help for me, but not for thee
In the Red Wing Republican Eagle, we read that Minnesota House Minority Leader Marty Seifert is warning Republican loyalists that "outsiders" might help Linda Pfeilsticker.  The horrors:

In a sign that Republicans aren't giving up the seat without a fight, most of the party's biggest hitters from the Legislature attended the convention, including House Minority Leader Mary Seifert of Marshall and Senate Minority Leader Dave Senjem of Rochester.

Sviggum, a former House speaker and minority leader, also attended, as did Minnesota Republican Party Chairman Ron Carey.

Seifert predicted an election win for Drazkowski, but warned that Democrats will mobilize from Hollywood to the Twin Cities in support of their candidate.

"The Democrats are probably going to be busing in left-wing activists from Minneapolis," he said.

To counter that push, Drazkowski told delegates to expect historic efforts from his supporters.

"We have a ground force that has never yet been seen in a special election in Minnesota," he said.

We gather that getting help from outside a state House district is only wrong if you're a Democratic candidate.

Looking around the web, we found this exchange on a discussion board (screen shot at left) run by ALIPAC, the PAC of Americans for Legal Immigration:

saveourcountry ALIPAC Apprentice Joined: Jun 25, 2007 Posts: 84	Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2007 12:36 pm    Post subject: Minnesota (special election) Steve Drazkowski     I do not live in Minnesota, but I got an email stating that this man needs help now (especially financial help). He is against illegal immigration. His wife came here legally from Canada. http://www.draz.com
Back to top
girlygirl369 ALIPAC Hero Joined: Apr 09, 2006 Posts: 1082 Location: Pennsylvania	Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2007 12:56 pm    Post subject:     With a strong background in both agriculture and education, Drazkowski is very well suited to represent the rural district....... With such a strong background in ag, just WHAT is his stand on illegal aliens? Minnesota is suffering from the illegal alien invasion. I don't know what state you are in, but I would check this info to see if this is genuine.  Why would a man running for state office be sending emails to individuals outside his state? Steve Drazkowski, Candidate Minnesota House of Representatives District 28B 14369 654th St. Wabasha, MN 55981 (651) 565-3711 (h) (651) 564-0638 (cell) steve@draz.com

In the world of Marty Seifert and Steve Drazkowski, it's okay to solicit out-of-state for financial aid in the special election and haul in Seifert himself from Marshall, over in Lyon County in the 7th CD,  but Katie-bar-the-door! if the DFL brings in volunteers from Minneapolis. Okay then.

It doesn't look like Pfielsticker has thought much about Hollywood yet, if we can trust the Republican Eagle article:

Pfeilsticker thinks the district is ready for a transformation. The 35-year-old said she plans on bringing a fresh approach to politics and residents in this area.

"People are ready for a change and I'm ready to give them that," Pfeilsticker said.   

She said she's not deterred by her rookie political status and plans on using it to her advantage.

Pfeilsticker said she was surprised she received her party's endorsement after only one round of voting.

She nabbed 43 of the 66 possible votes. Kenyon resident Jeff Flaten received the next highest total with nine ballots in his favor.

"I hope what the people in this district see in me is them," a visibly shocked Pfeilsticker said after the convention.

Breaking: Walz fundraising

In a just-concluded press call, a member of Minnesota's press corps asked Representative Walz about the latest fundraising.

He estimated that the campaign had raised $600,000, and over $400, 000 remained in the bank.   

The press was directed to call his campaign's political director for additional information, and so we will.  We'll update as we get more.

UPDATE: Richard Carlbom, Walz campaign political director, said that some solid numbers will be released to the public before the weekend.

A quick trip to the FEC's web site shows that no figures from any of the four GOP contenders have been posted online by the agency. We'll let readers know when those reports are available. It's possible that the reports have been sent to the FEC, but it takes a day or two for it to post the reports.

Thursday morning news digest: the loud debate that is democracy edition

Minnesota Public Radio reports that Republicans not the only ones taking heat on Iraq. Listener to MPR who criticized President Bush had also scolded Congressional Democrats for foot dragging.

The Walz response is classic Tim:

Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn., said he's pleased to see vocal dissatisfaction from key supporters. He says it's better than a silent, detached pessimism on the issue. For his part, Walz said many Democratic rank and file voters may have believed that the end of the war would be an event rather than a process.

"I'm just as frustrated as them but we still have a constitutional Democracy," Walz said. "We voted to have a reasonable plan. The president vetoed it. I voted to override it. I voted against the surge. The president went ahead with it."

Walz said President Bush's policy is not working. He says dividing the country among the Sunnis, the Shiites and the Kurds may now be the best approach especially since the country is moving in that direction already.

NARAL is hosting a "Back to School" Town Hall Meeting with Congressman Tim Walz in Winona on August 15:

Please join NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota and our allies in a Town Hall Meeting with Congressman Tim Walz, State Senator Sharon Erickson-Ropes, and State Representative Ken Tschumper in Winona.

This "Back to School" Town Hall meeting is an opportunity for you to talk with your elected officials about the issues most important to you.

Check back soon for further details about location.

This event has the potential to drawn a healthy debate about the pro-choice/pro-life split.  With the GOP and DFL state conventions both coming to the First (see With GOP pick, Rochester gets both major state party conventions), there's going to be plenty of chances to see a robust democracy in action in Southern Minnesota. We predict a rumpus.

More war and return
The Strib reports Iraq benchmark progress is mixed.  The Pioneer Press welcomes National Guard members home.  Communities, groups, employers, friends, and others should think of creative ways to help with the reintegration of the returning soldiers.  It might be something like this item in the Mankato Free Press,  Wife of Guardsman gets spa treatment.  Her co-workers realized that helping her relax would be an aid when she is reunited with her husband in a few days.

The Jackson County Paper writes Paulson returns from 21-month Iraq tour. It's a town where Locals prepare for the return of the 1st Brigade.

More later, after we finish some homework for our graduate classes.

Early evening education edition: Veterans and college students

One of our favorite National Guard soldiers tells the tale of how difficult for her to return textbooks at a MnSCU school when she was called up to serve in Iraq.  Eventually, she was given a refund upon return of the books to the campus bookstore, but she had to beg for permission, all the way up to her school's president.

Yesterday, Tim Walz signed on to legislation that will help reservists/students with even bigger financial problems a call-up can pose:

Today, Congressman Walz signed on as a cosponsor of the Veterans Tuition and Support Act (VETS) of 2007, which provides assistance and financial protection for servicemembers who are in the process of earning a degree or paying back educational loans.

“This legislation guarantees basic safeguards for military reservists who are called to deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan in the midst of their college careers,” said Walz. “Too many of our youngest veterans are facing unique hardships associated with the interruption of their schooling and the repayment of their student loans.”

Walz continued, “This bill is an extra measure to both ensure a soldier’s financial security while he or she is deployed and to simplify his or her continued educational progress upon return.  Minnesota’s communities go above and beyond to help soldiers with reintegration; it is time we ask lenders and educational institutions to share that commitment to our returning heroes.”

The legislation amends the Service Members Civil Relief Act to require colleges and universities to refund service members’ tuition and fees for any unearned credit for the term in which they are activated for duty.  It also requires schools to readmit student soldiers after their deactivation.  The bill would give military personnel a 13-month grace period after their return home before their student loans come due. Many vets need this grace period to find employment and ease the stress of transitioning back to civilian life.  Finally, the legislation would cap student loans for servicemembers at a 6-percent interest rate.

Nor is he forgetting the needs of the many other college students in his district. He cast a significant vote on their behalf today:

Today, Rep. Tim Walz voted for H.R. 2669, the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007, which would provide the federal government’s single largest investment in higher education in more than 60 years.  The legislation passed the House 273-149.

A former teacher at Mankato West High School, Walz said, “As an educator, I’ve seen some of my most promising students prevented from realizing their potential because their families simply couldn’t afford to send them to college.  Today, the House affirmed that what should matter is where these young people are going, not where they come from.”

The legislation would drastically increase federal dollars available for college financial aid, adding about $18 billion over the next five years.

“This bill is a victory for middle-class families and for our country’s economic security,” said Walz.  “America’s economic strength and its place in the world depend on the ingenuity and skills of our workforce.  College education has never been more important to our young people or to our country, but it has never been more difficult to afford.”

The legislation would help millions of students and families pay for college, but does so at no new cost to U.S. taxpayers.  The bill pays for itself by cutting $19 billion in unnecessary federal subsidies for private lenders.  The bill would also provide nearly $1 billion in deficit reduction to the federal budget.

About 6 million low- and moderate-income students would benefit from the legislation, which would increase the maximum value of the Pell Grant scholarship by $500 over the next three years. Combined with other increases, either passed or proposed in the House of Representatives, the College Cost Reduction Act will help the maximum Pell Grant reach $5,200 by 2010.

The College Cost Reduction Act also cuts interest rates on federal student loans from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent throughout the next five years, saving the average borrower $4,400 over the life of their loans. About 67,468 Minnesota students use federal student loans to help finance their education each year.

Third District Republican Jim Ramstad joined Minnesota's Democratic Representatives in voting for H.R. 2669, while Representatives Kline and Bachmann voted against it.

Afternoon update: what part of "no" didn't they understand edition

At Polinaut, Tom Scheck posts a definitive "no" from Tim Walz about the draft Walz for Senate movement in  Walz to Draft Walz for Senate group: "Thanks but no thanks."   So, folks, let Walz's "no" mean "no,"  and if you like him, give money or time to his re-election bid in the First.

MNCR analyst Joe Bodell answers the question for Walz in Progressive or Liberal? Fiscal or Financial? A Key to Political Lexicons.

And the world's laziest well-poisoner award goes to...
Herbert Peter of Winona, who writes in a letter to the editor:

Rep. Jim Oberstar is the author of this legislation. Tim Walz also sits on this committee, but I don’t know his position on this issue. If Walz supports this legislation, he is in favor of bigger government and would not represent the wishes of the 1st District of Minnesota.

Man, that is some memorable sloth in the cause of poisoning the well. 

May we suggest to Mr. Peter and his ilk that they try a free service provided by the Library of Congress: Thomas.  With Thomas, Peter could refine his smears  actually look up all the bill itself and find out who the 165 co-sponsors are.

Feigning ignorance of Walz's position, and using that ignorance to then slam his congressman is probably the only strategy left open to  Mr. Peter, since Walz isn't a co-sponsor.   He could try calling or emailing the Congressman, since Walz and his staff are pretty good at getting back to constituents.

But hey, uncritical readers might go away with the idea that Tim Walz wants a really big big government, so Mr. Peter is probably satisfied that he's done his job.

Poor Herbert Peter.  Last summer  he accused then-candidate Tim Walz of supporting "socialized medicine," only to have another reader write back:

In his July 25 letter, Herbert Peter claims that Tim Walz is in favor of “socialized medicine.” That old bugaboo deserves to be challenged. For years we have been told that any effort to change our health care system is “socialist.”

. . .Change is difficult and throwing political labels at a problem is not helpful. We simply need to recognize that our health system is inefficient. It is a drag on our economic growth, and it has social and moral consequences that must be confronted. It’s time to quit the political name-calling and get on with fixing our broken health care system.

Well, Peter's 2006  barb didn't work,  given that Walz was elected, but he is trying the strategy again anyway.

And since Mr. Peter doesn't seem to be able to do the least bit of due diligence, we started wondering about his take on the bill.  The Writing Corner provides a good basic round-up of who is for and who is against the proposed legislation. Rural water districts, the corn growers, the National Association of Counties and others oppose it. A number of prominent environmental groups with sizeable memberships support it. Both sides enjoy support in the district.

The Writing Corner didn't include outdoorsmen's groups. We found that  Ducks Unlimited and Trout Unlimited support Oberstar's legislation, and there are plenty of avid hunters and anglers in the First.

What does the First want in this case? Constituents should educate themselves about the issue, take a look at each side's arguments, test it against their own values, then tell their Congressman where they stand.

Wednesday morning news digest: coming home edition

Some of their planes have landed at Fort McCoy, and the soldiers have breathed in the humid Midwestern air of home. Others make angels Back in the green grass of home, grateful to be back on their own turf instead of the shifting sands in Iraq.

Over 2600 Minnesota National Guard members are coming home after the long deployment in the Iraq War. They'll spend some time debriefing in Wisconsin, then they'll come back to us. 

Already, people in rural Minnesota have posted sparkly new "We Support Our Troops" signs and small American flags near their mailboxes on well-travelled roads, and businesses and churches are changing their lettering. We've posted a sign, too. There will be a lot of celebrations in our small towns. I look forward to being able to run into friends again in the most mundane places: the grocery store, the gas station, that sort of thing.

In the Pioneer Press earlier this month, Chaplain John Morris wrote of the homecoming:

The Minnesota towns from whence these proud soldiers came, will, in fine fashion, hail the returning warriors with wonderful "Welcome Home" ceremonies. The veterans will cherish the sentiment at the events, then shoulder their duffle bags and want to simply "go home."

Unfortunately, "going home" is neither simple nor easy. Six months of combat training at Camp Shelby, followed by 16 months of combat operations, the longest Army Guard tour of duty in Iraq, has combined to forge these men and women into warriors. But within 300 hours of their last combat mission, they will be demobilized and on the streets of Minnesota.

The home they will return to will have changed. Families will have either become "survivors" or "broken." The majority will have learned to literally survive without their soldier. Roles will have changed, children grown and family dynamics altered. For a minority, marriages have ended and families have shattered beneath the stress of almost two years of separation. . . .

. . .The vast majority of these combat veterans will face these challenges and handle them well. In fact, as past generations of combat veterans have shown, this generation of combat veterans will soon begin to emerge as leaders in every productive sector of society. The combination of discipline, wisdom gleaned from sacrifice and the love of life unique to those who have had it threatened will combine to vault this generation ahead of its peers. Future governors, senators, doctors, lawyers, teachers, clergy, social workers and scientists undoubtedly are returning within the ranks of the 1st Brigade Combat Team.

A few, unfortunately, will stumble badly. These troubled souls will wrestle with the effects of war on themselves and their families. They will need the best Minnesota has to offer.

The majority however, will need our support as well:

They will need employers willing to be patient as they wrestle to regain the skills that have atrophied.

They will need educators in our colleges and technical schools willing to help them through the complexities of admission, registration and return to rigorous study.

They will need parent educators willing to offer classes to help them learn to parent the children they love but barely know.

They will need wise counselors to help them negotiate new roles in marriage and families.

They will need savvy medical providers who understand traumatic brain injuries, Middle Eastern parasites and skin diseases.

They will need clergy who can listen without condemnation and help them sort out the hardness of soul that war can produce.

Above all, they will need a community that walks with them and their family long after the yellow ribbons fade away. A community that, though deeply conflicted by our nation's war in Iraq, honors the sacrifice made by these unique citizen-soldiers. A community that challenges this, our newest "greatest generation," to continued selfless service by inviting these combat veterans to serve in leadership capacities in business, education, government, houses of worship and nonprofit organizations. A community dedicated to bringing these soldiers all the way home, leaving none behind, and helping each to become the productive, healthy citizen we need each of them to be.

Our friend Jen, an Iraqi War vet, tells us that Morris is a good guy. We should listen to him.

The Madelia Times Messenger and Hanska Herald are now online. They both have run an article about reintegration programs for returning soldiers' families. Another version in the St. James paper.

Not too late to thank them
The Caledonia Argus reports that World War II Caledonia veterans impressed by outpouring of thanks by public.