We just received a google alert for Southern Minnesota's Congressional Candidates Focus on Economy Contenders put forth strategies for energy independence, Iraq, immigration, an article at America.gov.
The site is kept by the U.S. Department of State, and carries this disclaimer:
This site delivers information about current U.S. foreign policy and about American life and culture. It is produced by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Information Programs. Links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein.
The tagline for the site is "Telling America's Story."
Well, not quite. Clever readers should be able to tell whose story is being told about the race in Minnesota's First from the first few paragraphs:
Washington -- Achieving energy independence and improving the economy will be key issues for voters in Minnesota's 1st Congressional District when they choose between incumbent Democrat Tim Walz and Republican Brian Davis for the U.S. House of Representatives.
Minnesota candidates received their parties' endorsements at state conventions held separately in Rochester, Minnesota, in early June. Delegates to those meetings were elected at district conventions in the spring.
Candidates will be selected officially in the state primary in mid-September, but historically Minnesota voters have backed the endorsed candidates.
(Afterthought) Not quite. Mark Dayton beat the endorsed candidate in the 2000 Senate primary; Mike Hatch took the Attorney General's primary in 1998. Arne Carlson beat Allen Quist in 1994, and Day himself rose to office by winning a primary over an endorsed candidate.(end)
Walz had no serious challenger for the party endorsement, but Davis was challenged by State Senator Dick Day, a sales representative from Owatonna, who said illegal immigration should be the central campaign issue
That's the only mention of Senator Dick Day in the article (and what of Randy Demmer, who actually took it to the district convention delegates?). Looks like Kathryn McConnell, the staff writer at America.gov, was taking Brian Davis's press releases at face value, rather than doing any independent research.
Perhaps this is completely innocent, and Ms. McConnell simply didn't understand that there's a real primary in September, and yes, Senator Day is campaigning. There's no past tense about it.
The article is part of a larger project:
This article is part of America.gov’s continuing coverage of seven of the 435 U.S. congressional districts during the 2008 campaign. Each offers a different prism though which to view U.S. politics. For more information, see U.S Elections - State and Local.
We're curious who picked the "prizm" for the First. It looks a lot like the one used by Ron Carey, chair of the Republican Party of Minnesota, and not by Minnesota's media.
Fortunately, the article does have a space for comments and suggestions, and we recommend that our readers politely ask the State Department to correct the piece. In the interest of fairness, perhaps Senator Day could be interviewed. After all, public money is used to create, distribute and publish the article. It hardly seems fair to depict a contested endorsement this way on the public's dime.
Consider including the following links to recent news reports that mention Senator Day's campaign. This volunteer research can help prevent any more government money from being spent on misinforming the public.
Found via Mr. Google--dates included:
June 18, 2008:Walz continues to carry credit card debt from campaign
June 17, 2008: 103 U.S. House Candidates Sign Pledge to Support Official English ...
June 12, 2008: In Promise sealed with a handshake
June 5, 2008: Day runs for Congress alone
June 3, 2008: Walz Leads Big
May 29, 2008: Political Clippings
May 28, 2008:Dick Day unveils parade vehicle
May 27, 2008: Day begins primary bid
May 27, 2008:State Senator launches campaign for US House
May 28, 2008 Dick Day to run in GOP primary against Davis
That should be a good start. Be nice.
Photo: Senator Dick Day's official 2008 congressional campaign vehicle. (And just in case the story gets edited without a formal correction, we do have screen shots saved).
At least one of these races may get some attention. I have thought for a while that Virginia's Thelma Drake could be vulnerable and now the DCCC has included her in the target list for her district to hear words of appreciation .....
"'W' here, wanted to thank you for your support of the big oil energy agenda. 'Preciate you voting to keep giving billions in tax breaks to the big oil companies. Sure, gasoline is over four bucks a gallon and the oil companies are making record profits, but what's good for big oil is good for America, right? I guess that's why they call us the Grand Oil Party. Heh, heh, heh."
House Democrats will use a President Bush impersonator in a new radio advertising campaign that seeks to link 13 incumbent Republicans to rising gas prices as the country heads into the Fourth of July holiday.
The targeted seats are :
* California Rep. Brian Bilbray
* Pennsylvania Rep. Charlie Dent
* Virginia Rep. Thelma Drake
* West Virginia Rep. Shelly Moore Capito
* Ohio Rep. Steve Chabot
* Pennsylvania Rep. Phil English
* New Jersey Rep. Scott Garrett
* Pennsylvania Rep. Jim Gerlach
* Virginia Rep. Virgil Goode
* North Carolina Rep. Robin Hayes
* North Carolina Rep. Patrick McHenry
* Illinois Rep. Peter Roskam
* Ohio Rep. Jean Schmidt
From the State Dept. list, only Drake is listed on the DCCC targeted radio ad. I am surprised that the ad doesn't hit Bachmann and Michigan's Tim Walberg (MI-07) ... both have some vulnerability and the Dems need the states in the Electoral College race.
Posted by: MinnesotaCentral | June 30, 2008 at 07:58 AM