A pair of stories in a Southwestern Minnesota newspaper illustrate the importance of fire in the belly. The Marshall Independent reports in Seifert for Senate? Not happening that former Minnesota House Majority Whip (and Minority leader) Marty Seifert won't run for office in 2012, and that the Legislature allows coyote bounties, but is anybody interested?
Some things seem like good ideas at the time, but just don't get out of the blocks.
Republicans have been asking Seifert to run--against the highly popular Klobuchar, against Collin Peterson, and if redistricted into the First, Tim Walz. Seifert is having none of it. He tells the paper:
If Klobuchar does get upset in 2012, Marty Seifert won't be the one who does it. The former state representative on Monday reiterated his preferences to stay in the private sector and said he has no desire to pull up roots and live in Washington.
"I really don't have an interest in Washington in general," Seifert said. "It's a different animal. I have been asked by national and state people to do it, but I have turned them all down."
Give the man credit for not wanting to change into a congress critter or other trickster. The article concludes:
Seifert, out of politics since an unsuccessful gubernatorial bid in 2010, was the House District 21A Rep. from 1997-2010 and one-time House Majority Whip and House Minority Leader. A Marshall resident, Seifert, who was named executive director of the Avera Marshall Foundation in September, said he probably has some name recognition "left over" from his days as a House representative and gubernatorial candidate and won't rule out running for office in the future, but as far as he's concerned, 2012 is not an option.
"I'm enjoying life right now," he said. "I know the party is certainly looking for candidates, but it's not something I'm gonna do. It's a different animal; it's expensive and a lot of work."
Speaking of different animals, the paper interviewed Southwest Minnesota State University political science professor David Sturrock, who said a lot more than Seifert. Currently serving as Republican state treasurer, the loquacious prof challenged Seventh District Congressman Collin Peterson in 2004, collecting almost 34 percent of the votes cast.
Seifert might be on to something in being true unto his own self.
Moving on the next creature in the menagerie, the coyote, Bluestem learns in Legislature allows coyote bounties, but is anybody interested?:
At the Yellow Medicine County Board meeting on July 26, a notification was passed around that the 87th Minnesota state legislative session had finally passed a bill allowing town and county boards to offer a bounty for the taking of coyotes.
Coyotes, canis latrans, are members of the dog tribe, related to both dogs and wolves. Since wolves were largely eliminated in the Midwest, coyotes have thrived and actually expanded their natural range. They have even colonized some suburbs, where they become dangerous to pets.
The bounty bill was long in coming, but now that it's here, nobody seems interested. . . .
Looks like that lack of interest stems from two factors. Like running for Senate, it's expensive and a lot of work. The article continues:
"Minnesota discontinued bounties for wolves and coyotes a long time ago. It's not economically feasible. To really have an effect on the population you'd have to pay more than anyone is willing," said Bob Meyer, area wildlife manager at the Marshall office of the state Department of Natural Resources. . . .
One problem with towns and counties offering bounties for coyotes is it's hard to tell where a coyote comes from. Local boards are often reluctant to offer bounties because they fear hunters and trappers will just bring their coyotes to the town or county that offers the largest bounty.
Sometimes, a pinch of rationality goes a long way.
Image: Marty Seifert is so not Wile E. Coyote, since the former Republican leader has sense not to run against Amy Klobuchar. However, those other guys running might fit the bill.
Is that the sound of a Clown Car I hear off in the distance?
Posted by: Phoenix Woman | Aug 24, 2011 at 07:09 PM
Indeed, and Mr. Seifert has the good sense not to climb aboard.
Posted by: Sally Jo Sorensen | Aug 24, 2011 at 07:12 PM