We're back after a brief stay at a friend's isolated weekend place in the sticks. He hadn't had the very long driveway plowed, so we had to pull on the Steger mukluks and hoof it to the house. Fortunately, the snow banks had a sturdy crust and so we could walk on rather than through the snow. It's that time of year.
It's also time for reviewing the year that was. The Albert Lea Tribune reviews Freeborn County's year in quotable quotes in What they said:
“If you love this country, if you love your community ... then you take responsibility for it. One of the ways you take responsibility for it is you vote.” — Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie during a visit to Albert Lea in October.
“This is the most important election of our lives. You’re not voting for the next four years, you’re voting for the next four generations.” — First District Congressman Tim Walz during a campaign stop in Albert Lea in October.
MnpACT! takes an end-of-the-year inventory in The Top 10 Best Political Persons in 2008 Minnesota. Congressman Walz makes the number two spot right behind Minnesota Secretary of State Armk Ritchie. Blogger Dave Mindeman mentions that he had been critical of Ritchie in 2007's end-of-year "worst" list. He had been scathing toward Walz in the past as well, especially in regard to the First District Congressman's August 2007 FISA vote and war funding. Mindeman writes:
2. Rep. Tim Walz. Tim Walz has emerged from the First Congressional District to become a state wide force in Minnesota politics. Although it is very hard to classify him as a progressive, it is also hard to classify him in any labeling way. He came out of nowhere in 2006 to defeat a strong GOP incumbant and then followed it up with a nearly flawless 2008 campaign to win the district handily. Flattering calls for Tim to run for Governor in 2010 were quickly squashed by Walz himself as he prefers to work on the enormous job facing the next Congress. Walz has made some controversial votes while representing the First District. Many of them have given Progressives some cause for alarm. But, I have to say I have been impressed with the thought and thoroughness of examination that goes into each vote he takes....even when I disagree with it strongly. Tim Walz's future in politics has no boundaries. As his tenure grows in Congress, his practical solutions to problems will be given more credence. That will be good for Minnesota and good for the country.
Go over and read his appraisal of Mark Ritchies; we were please to see The Uptake made his list as well.
And how about those Vikes!
Photo: Congressman Walz talks with constituents in a district grocery store. Photo from Minnesota Public Radio's July 24 article and broadcast, A referendum on Rep. Tim Walz. Having won the seat in November with 62.5 percent of the vote in a three way contest, Walz fared well in the voters' job review.
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