Former Minnesotan Gretchen Hoffman: Guns don't kill people, political correctness does

One-term state senate wonder Gretchen Hoffman may have fled across the Red River of the North after declining to seek re-election in 2012 (and rejection by Seventh Congressional District Republicans for her bid to get thumped by Collin Peterson) but she's still offering advice to sitting legislators on discourse.

On Facebook this morning, Representative Tony Cornish expressed regret at having used vulgar language in an interview that is used in the CBS Minnesota clip, Gun Debate On Carrying At State Capitol Heats Up. Cornish writes:

I made a comment at the hearing, something like; "Its not the gun owners of Minnesota's fault, if Rep Paymar and colleagues wet their pants on hearing the word gun, or seeing one!" I took some flack for that for not being more professional. In retrospect, it wasn't the best choice of words, and took away from the message. I think the frustration came from them losing their bid for 15 different bad gun bills in session, and then coming back with this "sneak attack" after our rights to carry at the State Capitol. So, anyway, I'll try to keep on subject from now on.

Bluestem is surprised by Cornish's reflection on his word choice, since the phrase "wet their pants" is pretty much a standard talking point for the Blue Earth County-based Republican legislator. On April 11, 2012, Mankato Free Press political reporter Mark Fischenich wrote in Dems say GOP conducting 'do nothing' session:

Cornish said Democrats have been unwilling to compromise on issues important to Republicans and other Minnesotans, including expansion of gun rights and changes in election law.

“They wet their pants any time you mention guns and they run and hide on voter ID,” Cornish said of the DFL. “... (Voter ID) is a very important issue and they say we’re wasting time.”

Later that spring, Dayton vetoed Cornish's bill expanding the Castle Doctrine, and in the fall, a majority of voters agreed with the Democrats who argued against putting a photo ID requirement for voting in the state constitution. Perhaps Cornish is right when he says that vulgar expressions aren't helpful, since Cornish's grandstanding did the Republican Party as a whole no good in the fall elections, when it lost control of both chambers.

Cornish was unscathed, as he ran unopposed. Bluestem's sources in the district claim that this was largely because local DFL leaders were reluctant to recruit against a Republican who opposed bringing the right-to-work amendment to the House floor.

And most of Cornish's Facebook followers are having none of the former crappie cop's fit of civility.

There are comments like that of U.S. Army Pastafarian Jeff Kirkwold:

Paymar's diaper would be full after seeing what I hunt coyotes with... That snarky bloated hair covered snot rocket deserved it.

However, Bluestem's favorite cheerleader for political incorrectness, Kvetchen' Gretchen Hoffman, pats Cornish on the back for his potty language, since guns don't kill people, "political correctness" does:

Gretchen Hoffman sometimes Tony, you just have to speak in plain terms so people can understand what they are actually doing. Political correctness is killing us...the truth hurts.

4 hours ago via mobile · 16 [likes]

Many parents might disagree with Hoffman's choice to define Cornish's sudden reluctance to use potty language as "political correctness," rather than mere old-fashioned politeness. Good manners, apparently, will never be a part of good politics from Hoffman's window on the Red River.

Readers may remember that Kvetchin' Gretchen was forced to apologize by the state senate ethics subcommittee for tweets during a floor debate that misrepresented a colleague's remarks.

However, no one should imagine that political correctness killed Hoffman's political career. Rather, she declined to run against senator and former Douglas County sheriff Bill Ingebrigtsen (R-Alexandria) when redistricting threw them into the same turf. The CD7 Republican endorsing convention did the rest.

Political correctness had nothing to do with it.

Here's the clip for which Cornish is expressing regret:

Photo: Tony Cornish's feet. Apparently he feels surgery earlier this month didn't keep them out of his mouth. Via Facebook. (Bluestem agrees with him and Governor Dayton about carry permit holders bringing their handguns into the state capitol. It simply hasn't been a security problem). One of Cornish's Facebook friend does support the representative's reflections on word choice:

Chris Nauman While I laughed, I knew immediately that it took away from the power your point could have had. It may have caused those who were on the fence to lean away from our side just a bit. Another notch in their "gun owners are intimidating bullies" argument we probably didn't need right now. Now, I've said similar, but I'm not a public figure being interviewed.

If you enjoy reading posts like this on Bluestem Prairie, consider throwing some coin in the tip jar: