Randy Demmer in WaPo: What it means to be a Republican these days

Earlier in the week, we had wondered whether Randy Demmer (R-Backbench) was one of the GOP congressional hopefuls who went out to Washington DC for the NRCC's candidate school described in the profile of Tom Cole. After all, Demmer missed two days in the Minnesota House last week--days in which the people's business was growing ever more crucial.

And yes, indeed, it does seem that Demmer was indeed in Washington DC, sitting down with DC press corps members Chris Cillizza and Shailagh Murray for their article, In This Race, There's No Starting Gun:

The Fix had the rare opportunity recently to sit down with six Republicans ready to run for the House in 2008. In a wide-ranging discussion, the aspiring candidates talked about making a bid for Congress in spite of the difficult national environment for the GOP, their positions on the Iraq war and what it means to be a Republican in 2007.

The group consisted of five announced or soon-to-be-announced candidates -- Erwin Roberts (Kentucky's 3rd District), Tom Rooney (Florida's 16th), Marc Flagg (Florida's 22nd), Randy Demmer (Minnesota's 1st) and Dave Cappiello (Connecticut's 5th) -- as well as one, Steve Greenberg (Illinois's 8th), who is still mulling a bid.

This "rare opportunity" was no doubt provided by the press wranglers at the NRCC, who must see Demmer as one among the pick of litter of 30 wannabes shipped in for obedience school. Demmer's presence supports rumors that Demmer is the GOP beltway insiders' choice. Senator Dick Day, after all, was doing the people's business in St. Paul last week.

Sometimes, given a plane crash or other accident, the Washington power brokers' choice for Republican candidates in Minnesota works. Other times--witness Mark Kennedy's witless run last year--not so much.

How did Demmer define himself to the gathered members of the DC press corps? He compares a House race to a speculative purchase:

"Sometimes when things look absolutely the worst, that's the time to buy," Demmer said.

Being a Republican:

What does being a Republican mean? For Demmer, who has served in the Minnesota state House since 2002, that can be summed up in less than a sentence: "Government that is a framework and not an end-all."

Perhaps that open frame allows him to head to DC while there's business pending in St. Paul. Or why he can be both for and against a five cent hike in the gas tax. 

In addition to wondering where Demmer was last week, we were also scratching our head over his statements to the press about the proposed five cent gas tax hike and Demmer's vote.  Demmer told KTTC on May 10:

But Republicans say they'll back Governor Pawlenty who says any new tax is a bad tax.

Republican Representative Randy Demmer says, "A nickel or a dime tax increase is still a nickel or a dime whether it's two dollars or three dollars and that's what we're concerned with because it's more tax dollars."

That statement confused us, since when we were examining the list of legislation Demmer co-authored this year, we found HF 2219.  While this bill was referred to committee on March 19 and never seen again, the short description is instructive:

Gasoline and special fuel tax rates increased, and phase-in of motor vehicle sales tax revenues to transportation provided

And what would that gasoline tax rate increase be? We went one level deeper:

1.7    Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 296A.07, subdivision 3, is amended to
1.8read:
1.9    Subd. 3. Rate of tax. The gasoline excise tax is imposed at the following rates:
1.10(1) E85 is taxed at the rate of 14.2 17.8 cents per gallon;
1.11(2) M85 is taxed at the rate of 11.4 14.3 cents per gallon; and
1.12(3) all other gasoline is taxed at the rate of 20 25 cents per gallon.

Unless we're suddenly reading impaired, that text looks like a gas tax rate hike of five cents per gallon. It's looking like Randy Demmer was for the gas tax hike (HF 2219) before he was against it (HF 946).  That should make campaiging convenient in the First, as Demmer will be able to be all things to all people.

Perhaps Demmer is relying on the pressure of a threatened veto for cover and to explain his change of heart. He did tell KTTC:

Demmer says, "Anything that has any kind of tax increase that is under the state control he will veto, that's what he's told us."

This recalls a bit from MPR's summary coverage of HF 946's passage:

Supporters said the money is needed to fund transit and transportation systems that are widely recognized to be in need of more than $2 billion in improvement. "We need to look at what happens if we don’t do anything," Lieder said.

Some Republican members said the debate was an effort in futility because Gov. Tim Pawlenty has indicated he will veto it.

"This is not a solution in part because of the gas tax increase. Let’s not send the governor a bill he’s going to veto," Rep. Paul Kohls (R-Victoria).

"If we’re operating by a veto threat we don’t even need to be here," Lieder countered.

Bold Sir Randy's statement to the television station was pure GOP talking points. But it's his turn to run.

Meanwhile, Representative Walz is not only showing up for work and serving on three important committees as a freshman, he's working pretty hard in the district, too, listening to ordinary citizens in meetings that are open to everyone. ABC affiliate KAAL reports in Rep. Tim Walz Swings Through Area:

"I’m a firm believer that 1 thing I can do at this job is re-connect people with government, especially at the federal level, make myself as accessible as possible," says Walz.

MOTHERS DAY UPDATE: The Austin Daily Herald has published Boy scout recreates Gold Star Mothers flower bed, a moving Mothers' Day tribute to all Gold Star Mothers--and to Grace Darling Seibold in particular.  Don't know who she was? Go read the article.

The Rochester Post Bulletin has a story about the Eagle Scout project, too.

Comments

[Grace Kelly]

Great article, nice work as always!