If Representative Steve Drazkowski is a lot nicer about presenting his hardcore conservative agenda, will that make a difference?
Forum Communications politic reporter Don Davis raises the question in Will GOP tone down firebrand speeches to improve image?.
We know already that this sort of thing works to bamboozle the liberal columnist on the Star Tribune's opinion pages, but Davis seems a bit more gimlet-eyed, looking beyond the New Nice to the voting records:
House speaker-designate Kurt Daudt, R-Crown, is a guy whose personality is praised by members of both major parties. However, he said in a Forum News Service interview that his voting record is very similar to the more fiery Drazkowski.
Four years ago, Republicans owned the House and Senate, while votes just put Democrat Mark Dayton in the governor’s office. Republicans were bold and tough in negotiations, and Dayton blamed a three-week state government shutdown on Republican inflexibility. Republicans, of course, deny that and blame Dayton for the problems, but the GOP did lose both legislative bodies two years ago.
House Republicans make it clear this time around that they understand the need to work with the DFL-controlled Senate and Dayton, and have toned down rhetoric. At least they have until the session begins at noon Jan. 6.
We don't recall that "rhetoric" was the issue during the 2011 shutdown as the positions that the Republican majority took on issues.
Photo: Steve Drazkowski, talking. Apparently, if his words about chopping down black walnut trees in state parks or testing people on public assistance are nicer, all problems with them are solved.
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