As we return to the latest episode of Emo Senator, we find that our hero, Emo Senator Mike Parry, has put on his best bonnet and joined the convention and campaign circuit, with his rival, Allen Quist, doing the same.
Just before hitting the road, however, the Belle of Waseca County sent out tweets and a Facebook page announcing his "legislative leadership team," because voters so need to be reminded of Emo Senator state shutdown, floor session and committee hearing episodes.
Minority Leader Senator Bakk has said the session was one for the record books, and a fact check by MPR agreed that Bakk claim gets history right:
Before leaving the Capitol for the year, Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk, DFL- Cook, bemoaned what he called the "biggest do-nothing legislative session in our state's history."
"We're going to use 250 calendar days," Bakk said. "That, members, is the second longest calendar days since statehood. We're going to pass, assuming this bill gets signed and the Revisor's bill gets signed, about 245 bills. Members, that's the fewest number of bills that has been signed into law since 1869."
Bakk's claim is basically correct. . . .
Bakk is also correct that 245 bills became law this session. That's the fewest since 1869, when the same number of new laws were put on the books.
One isn't quite sure what Parry's legislative leadership team accomplished in the legislature, but the response on the campaign website--which allows comments--has been enthusiastic:
Reader Comments (4)
Vote for Walz! Vote for Walz! Vote for Walz! Vote for Walz! Vote for Walz! Vote for Walz!May 15, 2012 |Jacj
Tim Walz is endorsed by:
• Former Senator Dave Durenberger (GOP)
• Former Governor Arne Carlson (GOP)May 15, 2012 |Sorry Jacj, I won't be voting for Walz. My prediction -- Mike Parry will win two elections in in 2012, just like he did in 2010.May 15, 2012 |
Amy Koch? I'm in.May 19, 2012 |
Emo Senator fans will be happy to learn that their are no hard feelings on Mr. Brodkorb's part. Brodkorb resigned as Parry's volunteer campaign manager after being fired by the State Senate the week that Amy Koch stepped down as Majority Leader. Following her retirement as Majority Leader, word broke that her was forced to vacate the office because of an inappropriate relationship with a male staffer.
The City Pages was first to address rumors that Brodkorb was the staffer, and Brodkorb's lawyer later revealed the relationship as his legal wrangling over his dismissal from the senate continued.
Meanwhile, Quist and Parry visited the GOP State Convention. Allen Quist, our Hero's Nemesis from Norseland, weighed in on The International Baccalaureate high school curriculum as an Evil United Nations Plot:
I had a good opportunity to give some background on International Baccalaureate at the State Convention yesterday. It's an UN education program that exists to create "world citizens," and officially endorses the UN Declaration of Human Rights where there are no inalienable rights of life, liberty and property. The convention reaffirmed its opposition to IB in the platform.
And the Convention agreed with him.
Both candidates mentioned being in parades across the district, two of which celebrated Norwegian Constitution Day, or Syttende Mai, so perhaps there's something to it.
Meanwhile Arch Rival Tim Walz was returning part of his salary to the US Treasury (the only Democrat to do so, the National Journal reported) and introducing legislation aimed at helping homeless veterans. Fiddle-dee-dee!
Image: Emo Senator Mike Parry, by Tild (above); Allen Quist, by Ken Avidor.
Update! Emo Senator's handlers must read Bluestem, because they have deleted the "Micheal Brodkorb" remark. However, so that our credibility is maintained, we did clip a screenshot and present it below. Also removed: the note about Walz's 2010 support from former US Senator Dave Durenbergy (R) and former Governor Arne Carlson (R). This is less egregious, as neither has endorsed in 2012.
Meanwhile, other charming comments are coming, including this gem:
Glad to see the Honorable Amy Koch in your list of "advisors". Will she help your campaign remember the importance of marriage?May 21, 2012 |
Since all but one of Parry's team voted to put the marriage inequality amendment on the ballot in November, it's a fair question.
The deleted comments:
"Amy Koch? I'm in."
Erm, Michael, you might want to rephrase that a touch.
Posted by: Phoenix Woman | May 22, 2012 at 01:05 PM