Emo Senator: paper reports opinions on Parry run gamut--even his own opinions on himself

Several weeks have passed since Mike Parry has been vocal in the press or on twitter, though one friend reported seeing him at Farmfest ralling about regulatory agencies regulating things.

That's in character, as fans of Bluestem's telenovela "The Emo Senator" know. As a sidebar in Opinions on Parry run the gamut, Ruth Ann Hager's story in the Waseca County News, points out, Parry has something of a problem regulating himself:

The Waseca Republican representing District 26 made news when he refused to yield to a colleague’s question on the floor of the Senate; when he walked out on Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton who was speaking to the Republican Caucus; when he walked out of a special session budget meeting saying he “wasn’t here to waste my time”; when, in a newspaper interview, he said he had “no obligation to this leadership;” when he tweeted that former Vice President Walter Mondale and former Governor Arne Carlson should “stay in their rockers” and that the budget crisis would be resolved “when Dayton resigns.”

“I’m not politically correct and I’m not afraid to say what I think,” Parry said when he announced his candidacy for the term vacated by Sen. Dick Day, R-Owatonna, who left to lobby for Racino Now.

That was January 2010.

But that headline, Opinions on Parry run the gamut. foreshadows the revelation on this installment of "The Emo Senator." In Hager's article, no one has more wide-ranging opinions of Mike Parry than Mike Parry himself.

Yes, he's not politically correct, he said in 2010. No, he's not afraid to say what he thinks, he said. And now? The County News reports:

While most people are afraid to hurt someone’s feelings, Parry said he “tells it like it is” although he has sometimes regretted the method he used to deliver the message.

But there's much more to this real Republican of genius than just the loud mouthed jerk. No: when Mike Parry looks into the mirror, he also sees a thoughtful stateman who works to quell partisan bickering. Hager reports on Parry's view of the softer side of Mike Parry:

Over the session, Parry said he worked hard to get the jagged edges off. He’s gotten real thick skinned and has learned not to take criticism personally, he said. . . .

“Now I love talking to those who disagree with me if we can be respectful. Maybe we can come closer together to do the right thing,” said Parry.

During the special session, Parry knows his tweets had impact, catching the attention of the governor and his staff. He has since decided to “slow down and back up” but will “always tweet because it’s an opportunity to get a slice of the thought process.”

He says the current toxic political climate has a lot to do with the tough economic times people are in.

Getting rid of the partisanship would take backing off, slowing down and rephrasing comments, including his own, making them less inflammatory on both sides of the aisle, said Parry.

Parry credits DFLers for his growing statesman-like abilities. There's Senator Ann Rest, as well as the disciplining hand of a Minneapolis senator:

He also credits Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, with giving him guidance during his first term as a chairman.

Through that chairmanship, Parry said, he learned a lot of patience and intent listening.. . .

What a patient, sensitive guy who doesn't care about your feelings. (He did care a lot about how he felt about Dayton's feelings, though). Opinions on Parry run the gamut, and you don't even have to consider anyone else's opinions other than his own for that to become evident.

Hager did interview two other people before she filed her copy; go read the article to find out what a couple of local party chairs thought.

Photo: It's not just Dayton, for Parry fiddle-de-dees his own spectrum of opinion of himself. Is The Belle of Southern Minnesota trying on new frocks in anticipation of a new job? From the WCN article: "Parry loves what he is doing and intends to stay in politics for some time, although he doesn’t know at what level that will be." Does Mr. Robocall have an equally annoying rival for the GOP endorsement?

Image: The Emo Senator by Tild.

Previously on "The Emo Senator": Suddenly stoic Emo Senator deplores giving "money away to make someone feel good"

Emo Senator: Parry to city council, "Don't blame me & Dayton for shutdown, just blame Dayton"

The Emo Senator: Cleveland MN resident points out how much Parry cares for state workers

Emo Senator: Do Parry's reforms include ending pay equity?; took over Carlson's bill in May

Was Senator Parry's single term on Waseca City Council predictive of today's budget flouncing?

Emo Senator flounces out of budget meeting; will Parry's mood swings derail special session?

When a newspaper loves a Republican, he can do no wrong (and the FDN can't factcheck Parry)

Emo senator Mike Parry pats self on back for compassion, reveals another income source

MNGOP's class warfare for dummies: Waseca voter tells Mike Parry he's wrong about Dayton

Emo tweeting senator Mike Parry can see Governor's mansion lawn from Waseca

The Emo Senator cont'd: rocking chairs, resignations, and a retreat to retweets