Jim Hagedorn, the endorsed Republican candidate in Minnesota's First Congressional district, is doubling down on his notion that rudeness is the ticket to win the hearts, minds and votes of Southern Minnesotans.
The Uptake reports that he agrees with Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump's attacks on Gold Star parents who are Muslim because ...Muslim extremism!
Writing about now-Sen. John Thune's race against Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson, Hagedorn turned his razor-sharp wit on America's most coddled demographic—Native Americans. "The race has been highlighted by a Democrat drive to register voters in several of several of South Dakota's expansive redistribution of wealth centers…err…casino parlors…err…Indian reservations. Remarkably, many of the voters registered for absentee ballots were found to be chiefs and squaws who had returned to the spirit world many moons ago." Alleging that fake votes from Indians would provide the margin of victory, he echoed "John Wayne's wisdom of the only good Indian being a dead Indian."
Hagedorn may have been joking. (The quip's real author, General Philip Sheridan, wasn't.) But American Indians were a favorite punching bag over at Mr. Conservative. . .
Hagedorn was among Republican hopefuls interviewed by The Uptake Tuesday at Farmfest for the article, MN GOP Congressional Candidates Back Trump Despite His Statements. While "Despite His Statements" is accurate for Sixth District Congressman Tom Emmer, and Seventh District Republican primary challenger Amanda Hinson, Hagedorn is totally on board with Trump's flame war against Khizr and Ghazala Khan:
Emmer’s support comes with some caveats. He thinks Trump needs to be a little more careful about what he’s saying.
“I understand that he feels as though he was attacked, but when you’re dealing with Gold Star parents — people who have made the ultimate sacrifice — I think you just…they get a free pass on all of that. You know what, that’s something he’ll have to learn.”
Jim Hagedorn, the Republican candidate for Minnesota’s first congressional district, has no such misgivings about what Trump is saying. When asked about Trump’s criticism of the military parents, Hagedorn immediately zeroed in on the fact that they were Muslim.
“Here’s the underlying issue, we have to secure our borders and we have to protect the American people from Muslim extremism, supremacists who want to come here. I have a refugee program time out that I’ve called for and I also don’t believe that at this point in time, given what’s going on in the world, it makes sense to bring people to America from countries that hate America. It’s time to step up and put our country first.” . . .
“What we should do with refugees, is we should try to have ‘safe zones’ and make sure that they can be repatriated to their home country. But I would try to create safe zones near their home country rather than bring them into our culture and change our culture.”
We are at war with Islamic supremacists devoted to the ideology of radical Islam. Given the state of the world, what good comes from transferring more people to America from nations that hate America?
It's time to take a refugee program timeout and discontinue migration from hostile nations. That's only commonsense.
As for refugees, we should work to create safe zones in or near war torn nations, with the goal of repatriating them to their home countries.
My politically correct opponent, Tim Walz, thinks my ideas are Islamophobic and unMinnesotan. Fortunately, the vast majority of Southern Minnesotans agree with me and do not favor additional Islamic migration from hostile nations.
In fact, First District voters do not understand why Walz supported Obama's program to flood America with almost 1 million Muslims from nations that hate Christians and abhor Western values.
The result: Minnesota has a terrorist recruiting problem from existing East African refugees.
It's time to elect a new Republican President and new First District Congressman who will defend the United States and protect the American people from Islamic supremacists.
Short skinny: Hagedorn can just pretend Trump hasn't insulted the Khan family because terrorism! The same day Hagedorn posted the Breitbart.com article, Congressman Tim Walz, the high-ranking enlisted man to have served in the House, issued this statement about the flap:
Washington, DC [8/1/16] – Today, Rep. Walz released the following statement:
The Khan Family has earned our respect and gratitude. As someone who wore this nation’s uniform for 24 years, I served alongside soldiers of every race, religion and background. That’s what makes us strong. We must always unite in support of Gold Star families who made the ultimate sacrifice and continue our work to ensure that sacrifice is honored and remembered.
Photo: Jackson Proskow tweeted the photo with this cutline: "At Arlington National Cemetery, there's a growing memorial at the grave of Capt. Humayun Khan" (top); Hagedorn's Facebook post (bottom).
If you appreciate our posts and original analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen P.O. Box 108, Maynard MN 56260) or use the paypal button in the upper right hand corner of this post.
Or you can contribute via this link to paypal; use email sally.jo.sorensen at gmail.com as recipient.
The first inter-party congressional debates of the political season happen Tuesday morning at Farmfest near Redwood Falls, Minnesota. The forum, which is focused on rural issues is scheduled to start at 10:30 A.M. and go until noon.
The UpTake has provided the live embeddable video feed below.
State lawmakers will be addressing timely issues affecting agriculture in Greater Minnesota during FarmFest.
Forum coordinator Kent Thiesse says a state legislative forum is replacing the Second Congressional District candidate debate scheduled Wednesday morning at 10:30. . . .
Senators Gary Dahms, Vicki Jensen and Bill Weber will join representatives Jeanne Poppe, Rod Hamilton, Clark Johnson and Chris Swedzinski as panelists during the legislative forum.
Thiesse says the congressional debate was canceled after three of the five confirmed candidates withdrew late last week.
Photo: CD7's Collin Peterson and 2014 challenger Torrey Westrom at Farmfest.
If you appreciate our posts and original analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen P.O. Box 108, Maynard MN 56260) or use the paypal button in the upper right hand corner of this post.
Or you can contribute via this link to paypal; use email sally.jo.sorensen at gmail.com as recipient.
After losing the Republican endorsement in Minnesota's Sixth Congressional District to sitting Representative Tom Emmer, rabid anti-refugee ranter AJ Kern continues to fight toward the primary.
Sixth District residents should probably be happy that she's running for Congress, rather than running a travel agency.
Minneapolis to Somalia flights. Book cheap flights to Somalia from Minneapolis. Search multiple flight deals from various travel sources with one click.
cheapflights.com
This is followed by sharing a 2013 post, Mogadishu's Best Popular Beach: Lido Beach, from Visit Mogadishu:
Kern would like to serve in Congress, but substitutes cheap shots for due diligence on her campaign page.
We'll help her out, since she doesn't seem able to help herself.
US State Department Travel Warning
Vacation in Somalia? Not recommended by the United States State Department, which issued this Somalia Travel Warning back in late May:
The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens to avoid travel to Somalia because of continuous threats by the al-Qaida affiliated terrorist group, al-Shabaab. U.S. citizens should also be aware of the risks of kidnappings in all parts of Somalia, including Somaliland and Puntland. There is no U.S. embassy presence in Somalia. This replaces the Travel Warning dated October 1, 2015.
The security situation in Somalia remains unstable and dangerous. Terrorist operatives and armed groups in Somalia continue to attack Somali authorities, the troops from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), and other non-military targets. Kidnapping, bombings, murder, illegal roadblocks, banditry, and other violent incidents are common throughout Somalia, including Somaliland and Puntland. Al-Shabaab remains intent on conducting attacks against popular restaurants, hotels, locations known to be popular with Westerners, and convoys carrying Somali and other government officials. Last year, there were at least eight prominent hotel attacks located in the heart of Mogadishu, the Somali capital. One U.S. citizen was killed during one of these attacks. Munitions caches and unexploded ordnance exist in various parts of the country and remain a danger to civilians.
In addition, al-Shabaab has demonstrated the capability to carry out attacks in government-controlled territories, with particular emphasis on targeting government facilities, foreign delegations' facilities and movements, and commercial establishments frequented by government officials, foreign nationals, and the Somali diaspora. There is a particular threat to foreigners in places where large crowds gather and Westerners frequent, including airports, government buildings, and shopping areas. Inter-clan and inter-factional fighting can flare up with little or no warning.
There are continuing threats of attacks against airports and civil aviation, especially in Mogadishu. Al-Shabaab continues to conduct attacks against the Mogadishu Aden Adde International Airport (MGQ) using mortars and other standoff weapons. The group also has conducted attacks from within the airport’s secure perimeter and successfully detonated an explosive device concealed in a laptop on an airplane shortly after take-off.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) containing information on the U.S. prohibition against U.S. civil aviation operations in airspace over Somalia due to security risks toward civil aviation. For further background information regarding FAA flight prohibitions and advisories for U.S. civil aviation, U.S. citizens should consult the Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices.
U.S. citizens are urged to avoid sailing near the coast of Somalia. Merchant vessels, fishing boats, and recreational craft all risk seizure and detention by pirates in the waters off the Horn of Africa, especially in the international waters near Somalia. Pirates and other criminals have specifically targeted and kidnapped foreigners working in Somalia, including two U.S. citizens in the past several years. Consult the Maritime Administration's Horn of Africa Piracy page for information on maritime advisories, self-protection measures, and naval forces in the region.
. . . Looking at the Facebook photos of Omar and Abdirahman together, I thought about the wave of violence eliminating my country’s young brains. I remembered my friend, engineer Abdullahi Barre, who was shot in front of his house in Mogadishu in April 2015. I thought about another school friend, Omar Afrah, who narrowly survived a car bomb. I counted the number of journalists, businessmen, aid workers, teachers and lawmakers who I knew and who had been targeted in attacks over the last few years.
The violence that dominates Somalia is as physical and emotional as it is gruesome and ghastly. Those who have the will and the way are either hiding behind barriers or leaving the country. However, through an unyielding veneer of persistence, people in Mogadishu wake up and go to work every morning. They defy the violence and try to have normal lives – until they don’t. . . .
Bluestem can't discern whether Kern is ignorant, cruel, or sadistically stupid. One thing the post clearly demonstrates--with its indifference to the brutal facts of the Somali Diaspora and current situation--is that she's not congressional.
Photo: People carry away a body away from the Lido beach (top, AFP via the Independent); Kern's Facebook post (middle); Lido Beach (via the Guardian, top).
If you appreciate our posts and original analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen P.O. Box 108, Maynard MN 56260) or use the paypal button in the upper right hand corner of this post.
Or you can contribute via this link to paypal; use email sally.jo.sorensen at gmail.com as recipient.
Bluestem Prairie grows increasing impressed by the ability of many in Minnesota's conservative movement to discard facts when convenient. We especially admire this rhetorical quality in Tea Party adherent, George Zimmerman fan boy, and Superior Mayor Hagen apologist Jim Gerdes of Sturgeon Lake, Minnesota.
I am taking issue with the News Tribune’s need to tell people who to vote for via endorsement editorials. In this country, in a pure sense, people are supposed to sort out the facts and make their own decision.
Getting a biased slant from a liberal newspaper that leans socialist is not giving voters the truth, but only what’s interpreted through the eyes of some editorial board. Stay out of it. The newspaper is there to give an unbiased account of the facts, not someone’s interpretation of the facts.
Do you ever wonder why newspapers are dwindling in subscriptions? I have decided that whenever a newspaper such as the News Tribune or Minneapolis Star Tribune recommends a candidate I will vote the other way. I can make up my own decision, thank you.
The only reason I can fathom for newspapers making endorsements is that they must believe the voting public is ignorant and needs to be told what to do. Of course, that is the Democratic Party’s belief as well.
Given his antipathy to the Duluth News Tribune (and the Star Tribune, for that matter) over perceptions of liberal bias--and his loathing of the Democratic Party--we're wondering how that decision to vote the opposite way of the New Tribune's endorsements.
It must have been tough, but we're completely certain that Gerdes is a man of his word and voted for Nolan, Dayton (and Al Franken) rather than be told who to vote for by that socialist-leaning fishwrap.
That freedom might have lessened the soul-sickness of voting for Democrats in the Eighth's congressional district. If Gerdes is a man of his--and we have no reason to doubt his word-- he would have voted for the late Jim Oberstar in 2010, after the News Tribune endorsed challenger Chip Cravaack, especially since as MinnPost media critic David Brauer reported, Duluth editor: Fargo didn't dictate our Cravaack endorsement.
If you appreciate our posts and original analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen P.O. Box 108, Maynard MN 56260) or use the paypal button in the upper right hand corner of this post.
Or you can contribute via this link to paypal; use email sally.jo.sorensen at gmail.com as recipient.
Republican congressional candidate Jim Hagedorn is seeing the fundraising advantages of being the endorsed candidate rather than the insurgent.
Two years ago, Hagedorn had raised just $75,000 through the first half of 2014 when he was hoping to win a primary election and snatch the Republican nomination from endorsed candidate Aaron Miller.
Hagedorn succeeded in beating Miller, but he was in a fundraising hole throughout the general election campaign and lost to Democratic Congressman Tim Walz by 8 percentage points.
In 2016, Hagedorn has the Republican endorsement and managed to more than double his fundraising in the same period — collecting just over $190,000 (a figure that drops to $181,000 when the candidate's personal donations to the campaign are subtracted).
Looked at in another light, however, we see that Republican moneybags are dropping fewer dimes in Minnesota's First Congressional District, which stretches from the Wisconsin state line to South Dakota along the Iowa border.
In 2014, Miller, the endorsed candidate, had collected $295,681.75 by the end of June, according to his July Quarterly report to the Federal Election Commission. Add in Hagedorn's 2014 cash, and it's clear that Republican donors collectively had invested far more money in seeking to regain the seat than Hagedorn has collected this year.
Miller did employ a revolving loan system in which he'd lend his campaign money, then pay it back, to the tune of $120,000 for the cycl, while giving the committee $3500; Hagedorn had lent his committee $5000, while giving it $15475.00.
Together, both candidates sucked $370,681 out of Republican coffers, compared to $190,000 this year.
Fischenich points out the good news and bad for the Blue Earth Republican:
That's the good news for Hagedorn as he prepares for a Nov. 8 rematch with Walz. He has $43,000 more cash on hand at the end of the second quarter than he did at the same point in the last campaign, and Walz has $53,000 less in the bank.
The bad news for Hagedorn is that Walz still has a massive fundraising lead, having raised $1.15 million through June 30 and with $489,000 in cash on hand. So the Mankato resident has $10 in the bank for the fall campaign for every $1 Hagedorn has set aside.
The race doesn't seem to have captured the attention of the national handicappers or that of much of anyone.
Screengrab:On Facebook on July 18, Hagedorn let supporters know how much he loves Donald Trump: "Prospective nominees Donald Trump and Mike Pence have my complete support and I look forward to running with them and offering bold solutions to Make America Great Again!" Given that Hagedorn wholeheartedly supported TPP in 2014, Bluestem thinks that's mighty generous of him.
If you appreciate our posts and original analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen P.O. Box 108, Maynard MN 56260) or use the paypal button in the upper right hand corner of this post.
Or you can contribute via this link to paypal; use email sally.jo.sorensen at gmail.com as recipient.
The disclosure report someone lends credence to primary rival Matt Erickson's assessment of the project, via the DCCC's June 1 blog post, Welcome To Minnesota’s Messiest Primary (emphasis added):
Here’s what Erickson had to say about Lewis, Miller and Howe: “I am not handpicked by the Washington establishment. I am not a failed disc jockey snake oil salesman who swindled people through his failed Galt.io. I am not a career politician looking to enhance my resume.”
Twin Cities talk-show host Jason Lewis made a sudden exit from radio Thursday night, quitting in the middle of his syndicated show, heard locally on Clear Channel's KTLK (1130 AM).
Reached Friday morning, the conservative commentator said he decided to end "The Jason Lewis Show" to devote his full attention to his fledgling libertarian website, Galt.io. but also to put his money where his mouth is on taxation and highly regulated businesses.
"There's a tipping point for everyone and for the economy as well," he said. "I'm going to try to make certain [Minnesota Gov.] Mark Dayton gets as little of my money as possible going forward. My ending may have been a bit dramatic, but it's a suitable one, because it's happening all over. If people who take capital risks keep getting demonized, they will stop playing the game."
Lewis said he told Clear Channel that he planned to retire Aug. 1, but wanted to keep it quiet because "a month of farewell shows makes for very boring radio. But I also wanted to make a statement."
Lewis made a 15-minute video that the site calls a "parody of what it is like working in a highly regulated industry and some of the events that led to his decision" to end his show.
Named for John Galt, the protagonist of libertarian hero Ayn Rand's 1957 novel "Atlas Shrugged," will be a "marketplace for causes," said Lewis, who plans to contribute commentary as well. "We want to reward activism, but have fun as well, offering rewards for points."
The site's members are part of a virtual economy that uses "Galtcoins," earned through dividends, voting and updates, to invest in such causes as supporting the Keystone XL pipeline or contributing to a political candidate's campaign.
The site was launched after an independent crowdfunding campaign last November that raised nearly $800,000, largely on the strength of on-air promotions by Lewis, whose show was carried by more than 50 stations nationwide. According to the site's co-founder and president, tech start-up consultant Alex Huff, most contributions were in the $25 range, with fewer than 10 topping $1,000.
The 7,000-member site had been invitation-only, Lewis said, but the goal is to expand membership and increase capital.
"We'll be vetting everyone; we don't want [prominent liberal donor] George Soros as a member," he said. "No doubt those sorts will get in, but members will police the site." . . .
The member-only site remains online, though it's unclear whether it's actively used by members.
However, Erickson might have little ground to condemn Lewis's scheme, given the silliness of his own congressional campaign. In MN 2nd District Republicans post lackluster fundraising figures, St. Paul Pioneer Press political reporter David Montgomery reports:
All of the Republican candidates for Congress in Minnesota’s 2nd District struggled to raise money the past few months.
John Howe, Jason Lewis and Darlene Miller are fighting for the Republican nomination in the Aug. 9 primary. But their campaign finance reports released Friday suggested the primary battle might be a low-spending affair: None raised more than $200,000 in the past three months, and all of them combined fall far short of the $450,000 raised by Democratic nominee Angie Craig over the same period. Craig also personally contributed another $200,000. . .
Perhaps the strangest fundraising report came from a little-known candidate, Matt Erickson. Erickson reported raising and spending about $54,000 — but almost none of that money appears to be real. Instead, all that fundraising was in the form of “in-kind” donations, each ostensibly worth $2,700, for purposes of “land usage,” “physical labor” and even “spiritual advice.” Setting all that aside, Erickson reported having negative $208.83 in the bank at the end of the quarter.
There's that.
Photos: Jason Lewis (top); Clown car, because the GOP primary is one (bottom).
If you appreciate our posts and original analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen P.O. Box 108, Maynard MN 56260) or use the paypal button in the upper right hand corner of this post.
Or you can contribute via this link to paypal; use email sally.jo.sorensen at gmail.com as recipient.
The July quarterly fundraising reports for the two Republican congressional candidates in Minnesota's Seventh Congressional District reveal that challenger Amanda Hinson has raised just slightly more than twice that gathered by David Hughes, the endorsed Republican candidate.
Even more daunting for whichever Republican wins the August 9 primary? Peterson's cash on hand of $580,552.61. Hughes had $807.64 in the bank at the close of June 30, while Hinson's bank account was down to $176.96.
Peterson's unitemized small contributions--$15135.20--came close to beating both GOP candidates' total fundraising combined, even though individual giving was dwarfed by PAC contributions to the guitar-picking, critter-hunting congressman.
The Independence Party candidate, Kevin Winge, withdrew from the race to attend to a family member's health issues.
While Minnesota's Seventh District is a conservative-leaning district, Peterson routinely bests his opponents. Early targeting in the 2013-2014 cycle and much hullabaloo about Elbow Lake Republican state senator Torrey Westrom's elevation to "Young Gun" status failed to defeat Peterson.
Looks like Peterson is likely to continue serving western Minnesotans in Washington DC, while his Republican opponent is probably going to be as effective in changing minds as the PETA Lettuce Ladies.
Photo: Collin Peterson. Whatever he's playing these days, after seeing those Republican fundraising reports, we doubt it's the blues.
If you appreciate our posts and original analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen P.O. Box 108, Maynard MN 56260) or use the paypal button in the upper right hand corner of this post.
Or you can contribute via this link to paypal; use email sally.jo.sorensen at gmail.com as recipient.
The North American Meat Institute's DC National Hot Dog Day weinerfest, co-sponsored by Minnesota's Seventh District Congressman Collin Peterson ,was met with a PETA protest, Roll Call's Alex Gangitano reports in Meat vs. Veggie Showdown on National Hot Dog Day:
With only the front security entrance to Rayburn separating them, traditional hot dogs and veggie dogs were handed out for lunch simultaneously. So which do you choose?
Several hot dog companies passed out the classic summer chow in the 97-degree heat. Another perk was that former Major League Baseball players were signing balls and bats for attendees.
On the other side, five of PETA's "Lettuce Ladies" dressed in lettuce bikinis, stood around a table of veggie dogs, which were handed out by PETA employees , not the scantily dressed women. The PETA display outside the Rayburn front entrance encouraged people to “Go Vegan.” . . .
Gangitano notes that the National Hot Dog Day battle between the North American Meat Institute and PETA is an annual event. Peterson chose the meat dogs:
Rep. Collin C. Peterson stuck to the meat version, sampling hot dogs from the Boar’s Head and Smithfield stands. His verdict: “They were both good.”
The Minnesota Democrat is a co-sponsor of the institute’s annual lunch, which also included hot dogs from Tyson Food, Dietz and Watson, Hormel, Hoffmann and Land O’Frost.
“It showcases these companies that do a great job and all of them have great products,” said Peterson, ranking member of the House Agriculture committee. “They are people we work with all the time on the committee, so it’s a way to just showcase what they do for people that aren’t close to agriculture.”
A press release for the event also listed the American Bakers Association, American Beverage Association, Diageo, International Bottled Water Association, and Snack Food Association as sponsors.
Peterson's sprawling district in western Minnesota is largely agricultural. The Open Secrets database reports on Peterson's career totals from ag-related industries. While the veteran congressman didn't join the lettuce ladies, Peterson has parted company with the North American Meat Institute in the past, most notably in the rush to repeal Country of Origin Labeling (COOL).
Photo: Lettuce Ladies offered vegan dogs. via Roll Call.
If you appreciate our posts and original analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen P.O. Box 108, Maynard MN 56260) or use the paypal button in the upper right hand corner of this post.
Or you can contribute via this link to paypal; use email sally.jo.sorensen at gmail.com as recipient.
Thus, the campaign held on to the check for nearly a month and a half, only to be refunded the day we posted our story. A coincidence or whatever. [end update]
The anti-immigrant movement has attempted to distance itself from criticism since its ties to white nationalism were exposed. However, those distancing efforts have proven to be ineffectual given the anti-immigrant movement’s main political action committee has hired a prominent white nationalist as its manager going into the 2014 election season.
Last year, the US Immigration Reform PAC (USIR) quietly revealed that Tim Dionisopoulos would succeed James R. Edwards – a Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) fellow and lobbyist for the anti-immigrant movement – and become the committee’s next manager. Originally operating under the name “FAIR PAC” in reference to John Tanton’s flagship anti-immigrant organization Federation for American Immigration (FAIR), USIR has served as the movement’s campaign contribution arm since the early 1990s. Tanton’s wife, Mary Lou, still serves as the committee’s president.
Dionisopoulos is a graduate of Providence College in Rhode Island. During his time on campus, he founded and led a local chapter of the white nationalist student group Youth for Western Civilization (YWC). In Providence, Dionisopoulos and YWC were best known for the anti-immigration protests they organized both on and off campus. Dionisopoulos was also a member of Rhode Islanders for Illegal Immigration Enforcement (RIILE) – a FAIR state contact group. After being introduced by RIILE President Terry Gorman during a 2010 Minutemen rally in Rhode Island, Dionisopoulos spoke to the crowd citing the theories of deceased white nationalist Sam Francis. . . .
Read more about the PAC manager's ties to white nationalists in the article. Here's a video about the Dionispoulos' speech and its intellectual underpinnings:
Those sorts of comments are an opposition researcher’s dream and dominated news coverage of Lewis’ congressional campaign early this year. They drew a rebuke from the Minnesota Republican Party’s deputy chairman and prompted the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee to create a “Never Lewis” website. Yet over the weekend, Lewis won the Republican Party’s endorsement for the Minnesota 2nd congressional district seat being vacated by retiring Rep. John Kline (R-MN).
More fodder for anti-Lewis electability arguments?
Miller’s campaign, too, is based heavily on her claims to superior electability. In a recent email to supporters, Miller’s campaign ratcheted up the rhetoric by calling Lewis “fundamentally unelectable” because of controversial comments he made about slavery in his book, “Power Divided is Power Checked: The Argument for States’ Rights.”
As part of a discussion of same-sex marriage in the book’s audio version, Lewis said: “People always say, ‘Well, if you don’t want to marry somebody of the same sex, you don’t have to, but why tell somebody else they can’t?’ You know if you don’t want to own a slave, don’t. But don’t tell other people they can’t.”
Damian said that “these comments will cost Republicans both this seat and hurt us down and across the ballot in Minnesota.”
Lewis says that his words are being taken out of context, and that he was actually arguing the pro-same-sex marriage argument was “so ridiculous that if you believe that, you have to believe this position” about slavery.
The winner of the Republican primary will face DFLer Angie Craig.
Photo: Timothy Dionisopoulos, via Imagine 2050.
If you appreciate our posts and original analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen P.O. Box 108, Maynard MN 56260) or use the paypal button in the upper right hand corner of this post.
Or you can contribute via this link to paypal; use email sally.jo.sorensen at gmail.com as recipient.
Republicans in the second slapped Gene off their sleeves and went on to endorse radio talk show host Jason Lewis, who holds slightly less outlandish ideas.
Three candidates want to represent the Republican Party in the race for U.S. House this November in Congressional District 4. Only one of them actually sought the Republican endorsement, according to Jim Carson, the party’s congressional district chair. . . .
Despite repeated requests, candidate Gene Rechtizigel could not be reached for comment. His website refers to him as “Gene for People” and says he’s a “self-employed farmer, property manager and self-taught legal expert.” The site accuses Congresswoman Betty McCollum of being a “Congressional Zombie” who “goes against the people.”
Rechtizigel’s website lists “modern safe, independent, efficient transportation” as a priority but dedicates the most space to his proposal to mandate labeling genetically modified foods.
Jim Carson, chair of the 4th Congressional District Republicans, said [Nikolay Nikolayevich] Bey and Rechtizigel aren’t credible candidates. . . .
We certainly never would have guessed that.
Photo: Gene Rechtizigel. Not a zombie, or so voters can infer from his identification of McCollum.
If you appreciate our posts and original analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen P.O. Box 108, Maynard MN 56260) or use the paypal button in the upper right hand corner of this post.
Or you can contribute via this link to paypal; use email sally.jo.sorensen at gmail.com as recipient.
Calling for the elimination of the IRS, the Department of Education, the Department of Energy, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development didn't help Ted Cruz slowdown the relentless Donald Trump.
While meeting with potential voters at Beltrami Electric Cooperative, Hughes described his background as a U.S. Air Force veteran, his political stance as a constitutional conservative and outlined his plan to reduce the size of the federal government
"My No. 1 theme is to make the U.S. government smaller and send much of what's done at the federal level back to the states," said Hughes, a Karlstad resident.
To do so, Hughes said if elected to Congress, he would want to eliminate five of the 15 federal government departments including education, energy, commerce, labor and housing and urban development. Despite his ideas, though, Hughes said he isn't telling voters that he will get everything accomplished on Capitol Hill.
With roots in the 1880s, the DOL was created when President William Howard Taft signed the Organic Act of the Department of Labor on March 4, 1913, having been bullied into it. A DOL timeline notes:
After much opposition, President William Howard Taft signs the Organic Act creating the U.S. Department of Labor. Signed during Taft's last hours in office, it is followed shortly thereafter by President Woodrow Wilson's appointment of William B. Wilson (no relation) as the first secretary of labor.
Hughes will undo this Progressive Era betrayal and put the Bureau of Labor Statistics et. al back into state governments' hands, whether or not they want it.
"I feel I'm much more conservative than Hinson," Hughes said. "I want to eliminate entire departments, make government much smaller and taxes much lower, whereas she will talk about streamlining and making efficiencies."
Photo: Woodrow Wilson (left) and William Howard Taft (right) on the day the Organic Bill of the Department of Labor was signed and government balloon to proportions that mirrored Taft's awesome Progressive Era stache.
Bluestem Prairie is conducting its summer fundraising drive. If you appreciate our posts and original analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen P.O. Box 108, Maynard MN 56260) or use the paypal button below:
What seems to be the problem, since support for the freedom of speech for someone who completely disagrees with you, while pursuing one's own freedom of religion, seems pretty gosh-darned respectful of the Constitution and the American way of life?
What is it that's giving poor Mrs. Kern the hopping fantods now in her insurgent campaign against the sitting Congressman? We see two parts: mythic prayer rooms in schools and Somali men creating voluntary associations and non-profits that might possibly access federal funds. That's some of heckova idea upon which to run for Congress, but we can't say we weren't warned that Alt-White folks might be a few Lego blocks short of a platform.
Living on the American tax dollar.... creating nonprofits for a living, while demanding prayer rooms in the schools and work place. Yes. The St Cloud school district is accommodating Muslim prayer time. And you wonder why there is growing conflict. Here's a clue: It's not because of speakers on Islam.
We'll get to the part about "creating nonprofits for a living" in a moment, after dispatching Kern's assertion about prayer in school. In Lying Carpet, Snopes' Kim LaCapria writes:
On 29 March 2016 the web site US Herald published an article reporting that Muslim students in St. Cloud, Minnesota were receiving accommodations (namely, prayer rugs) at taxpayer expense deemed "impermissible" for pupils of other religions . . .
US Herald included a "source" link at the bottom of the page. That led to a 23 March 2016 PBS Newshourarticle, which made absolutely no mention of prayer rugs bought at taxpayer expense and contradicted the claim that Muslim students receive accommodations that are denied students of other faiths. In keeping with federal laws regarding religious accommodation, St. Cloud's middle and high schools maintain rooms for prayer (and other purposes) that are open to students of all religions, and the school cafeteria offers pork-free lunch options but has not removed pork from their menu.
Somali students, and all other students of any religion, will be allowed to practice their religion on school property, but there will not be any rooms dedicated for the use of any one religion group, [St. Cloud's superintendent of schools Willie] Jett said.
He said the district will follow state and federal guidelines that don't allow spending tax dollars for specific accommodations for any one religion. Students have been allowed to practice their religion as a group on school property, and that will continue to be allowed.
He cited examples of student groups that do Bible study or prayer groups around a flag pole.
"That's ongoing in schools for years," Jett said. "And there are Bible studies within schools in different classrooms, if it's during a time when (the classroom) is not being used for a specific course. . . .
As for the "And you wonder why there is growing conflict" crack, we recommend John F. Carlsted's letter to the editor reflecting on his granddaughter's recent graduation from St. Cloud Tech, Optimism shines bright at graduation:
. . . My intent is to briefly describe my reaction to some events at the Tech graduation exercises as a contrast to the event at the Granite City Baptist Church as reported May 28 in the Times. (“Anti-Islam preacher draws crowd, protest.")
My motivation comes from the joy my wife and I experienced while witnessing our granddaughter receive her diploma, along with others sharing that same pride for their graduates.
The event took on added meaning for me as I witnessed the diversity within the class, along with the diversity represented within the program itself, the presenters, and the makeup of the multi-cultural audience.
By casually studying the names of the 300 graduates, I estimated at least 75 of them were Somali, with still others representing other minority groups. The diversity was everywhere, on stage and in the audience. The program included interpreters for two groups.
The young lady selected by the graduates to speak for them was Somali. She did a great job to the delight of all, both graduates and those of us in the audience. You could also not miss the diverse relationships shown by the snippets of fun times in the video presentation shown prior to the beginning of the formal program.
My final reaction was the feeling of pride and joy felt by all as we gathered together at this important event. Full inclusion was in the air, not fear and separation.
For me, it was diversity at its best – a diverse group coming together for a common purpose – celebrating the accomplishments of all of our special young people as they move on into lives of challenge, hope, service and fulfillment, within a more interconnected and diverse nation and world. . . .
Growing conflict? St. Cloud Tech had been the site of some true ugliness in March 2015, but the school responded by adding staff and forming a Student Advocacy Team to address the issues troubling the student body, Minnesota Public Radio reported in August.
Kern can denounce Somali students and their parents from her crabby tower in Sauk Rapids, but that's not to say that she's either accurate or fit to serve in Congress. She does seem to want to grow the conflict, regardless of what else other people are experiencing or doing to create a more inclusive community.
Perish the thought that people might be able to get along while still nurturing their distinct cultures and faiths--and be stronger for those differences.
These three men are Muslim/Somali leaders in the St Cloud area. All three are 'Directors'... 'Executive Directors' of nonprofits. All three are living on federal grants/hard earned taxpayer dollars.
In the last decade, our federal government began bringing greater numbers of refugees who are eligible to create nonprofits on the American taxpayers backs simply because they are refugees. Then, year after year, they continue to live on the taxpayer dime by serving other refugees... directing new refugees where to sign up for government assistance, interpretation services....
They're not "executive directors" of non-profits they formed to get federal grants. But what if they were?
Kern seems to have fallen asleep during the study of "freedom of association." American citizens and refugees can form organizations to promote anything from ATV trails to art fairs to ethnic empowerment groups,Tea Party Patriot chapters, anti-refugee/immigration reduction groups and refugee relief organizations. Some of these may gain nonprofit status. Some may secure federal grants.
Not everyone who disagreed with Dakdok wanted to protest. A group of Somali community members released a statement late Thursday saying the best way to deal with him was not to respond in that manner.
Still, the statement sharply criticized his message. "Although we understand this individual's right to free speech, we strongly disagree with his attempt to cause disharmony and to sow division in our community," the statement read.
The statement also noted that someone set fire to a Muslim-owned business in Grand Forks, where Dakdok has spoken.
"We understand that this individual does not speak for Christians and Jews or other peoples of faith because faith by its very nature inspires love, trust, sharing, caring and uplifting human beings," it said.
The statement was signed by Abdullahi Kulane, executive director of Central Minnesota Community Empowerment Community, Ahmed Ali Said, executive director of the Somali American Relations Council, and Farhan Mohamud, community outreach director for the St. Cloud Area Somali Salvation Organization.
Jama Alimad, an elder member of the St. Cloud Somali community who met with others who didn't want to protest, said Dakdok didn't deserve any response and that his speech is protected under the Constitution.
"We don't care about whatever he says, we don't care," he said. "This is our town. This is our place. This is our community."
Kern appears to be making things up about these individuals in particular. We contacted Kulane, a St. John's University graduate, businessman and St. Cloud school district employee who unsuccessfully ran for St. Cloud City Council in 2014. Kulane, who was traveling, wrote:
"I work full time for the school district and I have a business. I volunteered part time to lead this organization and I am not getting paid for it." He added, "We are all volunteers."
The organization he heads is an informal, unincorporated association, similar to many community or interest membership groups with a small annual budget and no paid staff.
The St. Cloud Area Somali Salvation Organization (SASSO) has received government grants off and on, and the organization's 2014 990 filing with the IRS (the latest available via Guidestar) reflects the contract that SASSO obtained through MNSure in that year. While this partnership didn't end well, the scale of the grant was also not typical for the established but still relatively small non-profit.
MNsure ended its contract with the St. Cloud Area Somali Salvation Organization in May over concerns about SASSO's ability to account for how it spent its grant dollars. Last month, MNsure's decision became final, and the agency is trying to collect the $91,867 it paid to SASSO. . . .
Farhan Mohamud said MNsure officials acknowledged they were satisfied with SASSO's performance in outreach and enrollment. The nonprofit enrolled close to 1,000 people in MNsure, he said. . . .
The MNsure dispute could be costing SASSO other funding. The state Department of Human Services' Resettlement Programs Office had a contract with SASSO until Sept. 30 to help refugees find stable housing and community services.
DHS did not renew its contract with SASSO because of concerns about its fiscal management, the agency wrote in an emailed statement. DHS said it is conducting an audit of SASSO and expects to have a final report soon.
Read the whole story for the details. It does not appear that the MNSURE contract ended well--or that the organization simply exists to live in high clover at taxpayers' expense.
Outreach Director Farhan Mohumad was paid received $26,641 as an employee, when SASSO was managing the MNSure grant in 2014. Because of the grant, the organization recorded $203,789 in gross receipts. A 2013 990 report kept in the ProPublic non-profit 990 database shows that the organization received $80,398 in contributions including grants of all sorts in 2013, though no government fees and contracts are declared. Working under contractor arrangement, Farhan Mohumad received $17,115 (page 7), while another contractor received $15,774. By way of contrast, a full-time, 40-hour a week job at Minnesota's current minimum wage of $9 per hour is $18,720 before taxes and social security and insurance; these contractors had to pay that on their own.
Kern can fantasize all she wants about the three leaders being kingpins in a nonprofit industrial refugee complex, but her insinuations don't mesh with the numbers. Moreover, Kern's allergic reaction to the right of refugees to create associations and non-profits to better their communities is peculiar. The Refugee Act of 1980 standardized the arrangement bringing refugees to the United States. It's unclear why Kern singles out her Somali neighbors as being unique in wanting to help their fellow refugees.
The funding mechanism for refugee relief has been changed--but the impulse isn't any different than that which started the Russian United Benevolent Association in our old neighborhood in Philadelphia. Or that which gave rise among immigrants to create the Independent Order of the Sons of Norway, at first a secret society that helped with insurance. Of course, Kern the anti-refugee candidate can run on the notion that the law needs to be changed because she doesn't like the religion of some of those coming in--if she can find enough primary voters foolish enough to agree with her.
Nonetheless, she probably should check the facts before she makes accusations about the livelihoods and motives of individual Somali-American leaders in the district she wants to lead. As we noted at the beginning of the post, it's peculiar to attack people in St. Cloud who are advocating for freedom of speech and religion. From those odd jabs to her butthurt urban legend about prayer rooms in St. Cloud public school, Kern isn't one to let facts stop her in her dogged pursuit of fear and loathing.
It takes a mighty imagination to make Congressman Tom Emmer seem to be the sweet voice of reason, but Kern has pulled it off on her campaign Facebook page.
Photo: AJ Kern For Congress graphic, via the Red Herring Alert blog. When Dede Evavold,who is charged with helping to hide the Rucki girls, is one of your bids' most vocal exponents, maybe your own thinking could be a little fishy.
Bluestem Prairie is conducting its summer fundraising drive. If you appreciate our posts and original analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen P.O. Box 108, Maynard MN 56260) or use the paypal button below:
Two Republicans will face off in a primary election to see who will face Rep. Collin Peterson (DFL) in the general election in November.
The two candidates are Dave Hughes of Karlstad, Minnesota and Amanda Lynn Hinson of Long Prairie. Hughes was endorsed by Republicans in Minnesota's Seventh Congressional District at their convention in Alexandria in April. He was selected by delegates of the 38 counties that comprise the district by a majority of 60 percent or more in the first round of balloting.
Hughes said he brings a message of "prosperity, security and integrity." He describes himself as a strict constitutional conservative who supports small government and low taxes. He also supports a "zero-for-zero" policy for agricultural trade and said foreign agriculture programs should not put U.S. farmers at a disadvantage.
Despite not earning the Republican endorsement, Hinson said she plans to continue her campaign as part of her commitment to supporters, donors and citizens of the district. Issue that are important to Hinson include balancing the budget and addressing the national debt, and cutting back on federal overreach into areas like the federal school lunch program. . . .
One woman in history who helped form school lunch policy on the Ag Committee is Coya Knutson. She was not endorsed by the DFL party but ran in a primary and went on to become Minnesota’s first Congresswoman, serving from 1951-1955. She is remembered for the letter to the editor her then estranged husband wrote at the behest of party officials. Entitled “Coya, Come Home”, the letter is largely considered a historical example of sexism in politics.
“Everywhere I go, people ask me how I could raise my kids and run for office or serve in Washington,” Hinson said. "I have met women serving in Congress today who are effectively serving and being engaged with their families. If that question is fair game for me, it's fair to ask that of my opponent as well who has seven children of his own.”
Hinson has a point in raising the example of Coya Knutson, though a 2014 National Public Radio feature by Liz Halloran, The Congresswoman Whose Husband Called Her Home, suggests that dirty tricks, as well as sexism, played heavily in the 1958 election, in which Knutson was defeated by a Republican whose slogan was "A Big Man for A Man-Sized Job."
Uffda.
However, Bluestem loses sympathy for Hinson when she relates the story of securing a Russian visa for a son who was born in while she and her husband were serving as missionaries in that country. On the website and in the Alexandra Echo Press article, Hinson files for U.House 7th District:
Hinson said that similarities to her present run with her past experiences.
“My son was born in a foreign country and essentially was born an illegal alien,” Hinson recalled. “Unlike America, there are no anchor babies in Russia. Legal experts advised my family that we should leave and start over with a lengthy and costly visa process we had already achieved.”
Working with a tight budget of donor money, the Hinson family needed a solution that wouldn’t require the expense of leaving and starting over. She advocated her son’s case for several months until officials appealed to Moscow. Her son was eventually granted the necessary legal status while keeping positive relations with Russian officials and without having to leave the country.
"Anchor baby"? Really? Would it have challenged her identity as a wordsmith to describe her son's situation with the proper term, "birthright citizenship?" The word choice suggests self-righteousness blended with self-pity approaching butthurt. We begin to understand, maybe, why the Republicans selected the equally self-righteous drone commander and pilot educator on the Southern Border.
Photos: The Republican primary contenders.
Bluestem Prairie is conducting its summer fundraising drive. If you appreciate our posts and original analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen P.O. Box 108, Maynard MN 56260) or use the paypal button below:
Now it seems that Darlene’s past supporters are turning their backs as fast as they can: even Tea Party favorite Tom Emmer – who once touted Darlene as a model businesswoman before she ruined his 2010 press conference by lying about accepting stimulus money and then trying to physically hide behind him at the podium – has now whole-heartedly embraced the GOP-endorsed candidate, Jason Lewis.
Kern, who exhibits all the signs of a classic Tea Party darling, frequently blames Muslim immigrants for federal deficits as well as economic difficulties and crime in St. Cloud. According to the St. Cloud Times, Kern criticized the formerly fire-spitting, mud-slinging Emmer for chilling out on conservative values when he entered Congress.
Dear Facebook Friends and Frenemies: the Castro Brothers and their Junta are throw back thugs of the twentieth century and do not belong in the Caribbean/western hemisphere. Why does Congressman Tom Emmer want to prop up the communist regime in Cuba? Doing business with thugs is not why the good citizens Minnesota's 6th District sent Tom Emmer to congress.
Will Kern and Munro be able to get earned media before August? Stay tuned!
Photo: Patrick Munro. Photo via Facebook.
If you appreciate Bluestem Prairie's reporting and original analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen P.O. Box 108, Maynard MN 56260) or use the paypal button below:
Sauk Rapids resident AJ Kern says she will challenge U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer in the primary election for his 6th District congressional seat.
Kern accuses party officials of violating party rules at the April 23 6th District Republican convention, where delegates endorsed Emmer on the first ballot. Kern said delegates who supported Emmer arrived late, bumping alternates who supported her and were already seated. She also said there was never a motion to consider endorsements.
In a written statement, 6th District GOP chairman Luke Yurczyk said no challenges to the proceedings or endorsement results were brought before the convention.
"We stand behind our delegates and the volunteers from throughout the district who worked countless hours to ensure a fair and orderly convention," Yurczyk stated. "We look forward to working with our endorsed candidate, Congressman Tom Emmer, through the primary and general elections." . . .
At the beginning of February, one-trick pony (she fears Muslims) and former St. Cloud Times Community Columnist AJ Kern announced a bid to challenge Sixth District Congressman Tom Emmer for the Republican endorsement.
While the launch was widely reported at the time, it faded with such a whimper that Emmer's first-ballot endorsement on April 23, 2016 was noted on the MNGOP's CD6 website and few other places.
Photo: AJ Kern appearing on the Speechless cable access show.
If you appreciate Bluestem Prairie's posts and original analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen P.O. Box 108, Maynard MN 56260) or use the paypal button below:
FOOD, AG GROUPS GO TO BAT FOR PETERSON, BLUNT: Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) and Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) both have strong backing from the food and agriculture industry as they ride into tough reelection races, campaign finance disclosures show.
Peterson is vying to secure a 14th term in Minnesota’s perpetually difficult 7th District race and has received about $277,000 in combined donations from ranging from butter to crop insurance, the Pro Agriculture team found when examining Federal Election Commission filings for our very first Agriculture Influence special report. The amount accounts for more than half of the House Agriculture Committee ranking member’s total $523,000 in political action committee donations during the 2016 election cycle. Peterson’s remaining $469,000 blows away the war chests of his Republican and independent competitors. . . .
It is a fact universally acknowledged that every two years, the National Republican Congressional Committee and media will suggest that Seventh Congressional District Blue Dog Democrat Collin Peterson faces tough odds for re-election in the Republican-leaning district. Yet since the 1990s, Peterson has won handily.
"Americans of all political persuasions, generations, ethnicities and backgrounds are outraged over the colossal mess our officials of both parties in Washington, D.C., have made of our great nation," a statement on his website reads. "From Woodrow Wilson to FDR to LBJ to today, all three branches of government have abandoned the principles of liberty, limited government and unalienable rights. Most importantly, they have completely disregarded the clear meaning and guiding spirit of our Constitution."
Collin Peterson has been in office for 14 terms, but Bluestem has found little evidence that he's on speaking terms with Wilson.
As for the news that the Ranking Democrat on the House Ag Committee received money from food and agriculture interests, that should come as a shock to the residents of the sprawling farm country district.
Photo: Hughes trains pilots to operate the unmanned Reaper drone. Image in public domain, via Wikipedia.
Friday, Representative Peterson's constituent newsletter included the picture of his aircraft (left), over the cutline:
The House of Representatives was in a district work period this week, allowing me the opportunity to head home to Minnesota. Above, you can see the plane I pilot in order to get around the district. In Minnesota I met with CHS, the Minnesota based global agribusiness to discuss the upcoming Farm Bill and other issues important to the farming community.. . .
If you appreciate Bluestem Prairie's posts and analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen P.O. Box 108, Maynard MN 56260) or use the paypal button below:
Peterson is garnering national attention for his support of Bernie Sanders, but thinks Donald Trump would be a better president, at least for agricultural interests, than Ted Cruz. . . .
"I'd be more comfortable with him (Trump) than Cruz," said Peterson, the ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee. Peterson spoke Tuesday on Capitol Hill with members of North American Agricultural Journalists during the group's annual convention. . . .
Peterson, generally considered a moderate Democrat, has surprised many political observers with his support of Sanders, the Democratic presidential candidate known for his liberal positions. But Peterson said Democrats in his staunchly Republican district support Sanders, and he feels obligated to do the same.
"I'm getting letters from all over the United States, praising me," Peterson said.
He said he agrees with Sanders on some, but not all, issues. "I don't agree with anyone all the time," he said.
Hillary Clinton, who's also seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, has some understanding of agriculture, reflecting her background in Arkansas, Peterson said.
Trump is "a big-picture guy" who "would hire good people," Peterson said.
In contrast, Cruz, the Texas Republican senator who's running against Trump, is a vocal critic of federal farm programs that U.S. farmers need, Peterson said.
Minnesota Republicans selected Marco Rubio at their precinct caucuses.
Peterson said our elections are poisoned by money and special interests. Campaigns should be two months, he said, and publically funded.
He said Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders are a little like him, because they speak their minds.
"I tell the truth," he said. "whether or not people want to hear it."
That's not exactly feeling the Bern, but one can't fault Peterson for speaking his mind.
Photo: Congressman Collin Peterson, still a-picking and a-grinning. Bluestem Prairie's World Headquarters is located inside Peterson's district.
If you appreciate Bluestem Prairie's posts and original analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen P.O. Box 108, Maynard MN 56260) or use the paypal button below:
Agriculture, food and energy industry Political Action Committees (PACs) are preparing in a big way for the upcoming presidential election, having already contributed a combined $24.9 million to political candidates in the first half of the 2015-2016 election cycle.
Farm groups and agribusinesses, along with food manufacturers, processors, retailers and their associations contributed just shy of $10.2 million to political campaigns in 2015. Almost three-fourths of those PAC dollars – 72 percent – went to Republican candidates, according to Federal Election Commission data assembled by the Center for Responsive Politics.
Energy PACs, including oil and gas companies, renewable energy producers, electric utilities and their respective industry groups, gave $14.6 million, with 78 percent going to GOP politicians. . . .
“PAC contributions are one tool we use” to develop relationships with candidates, Jon Doggett, executive vice president for the National Corn Growers Association, told Agri-Pulse. “But it’s not the number one tool,” or even the number two or three tool, he said. “We use it selectively… to support our friends that have supported us.” . . .
Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., the ranking member on the House Ag Committee, collected $209,525 in PAC funds from ag groups. Top contributors were Land O’Lakes ($10,500), the American Association of Crop Insurers ($10,000), the National Turkey Federation ($10,000), and the Southern Minnesota Sugar Beet Cooperative ($10,000).
That makes for a heady policy hotdish, but Bluestem thinks that Peterson's Independence Party and eventual Republican opponents are not likely to cook up much opposition based on these contributions. The dairy, turkey and sugar beet industries are key parts of the district's economy, and the Republican Party has tried to spin state-level DFL candidates as anti-agribusiness. F
Screengrab: Yep, our dear friends at the Minnesota 7th Congressional District Republican Party are feeling the Bern as you've never seen it before.
If you appreciate Bluestem Prairie's posts and original analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen P.O. Box 108, Maynard MN 56260) or use the paypal button below:
Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., said he would vote for Bernie Sanders if he attends the Democratic National Convention as a superdelegate.
Sanders was the favorite in Peterson's 7th District during the Minnesota Democratic caucuses on Tuesday, March 1.
"I'm voting my district," Peterson said. "I'm going to vote for Bernie."
Peterson would only get to cast his vote if he attends the national convention July 25-28 in Philadelphia. Although he rarely attends his party's national convention, he said he might this year. As a House member, he automatically becomes a superdelegate.
"If my vote makes a difference, I'll probably go," he said in a recent meeting with The Forum Editorial Board.
Sanders, a senator from Vermont, has struck a chord with voters, especially younger voters, Peterson said. By coincidence, both Peterson and Sanders entered Congress in 1991.
"He's got something going," Peterson said of Sanders. "He's tapped into something.
We would have guessed that rogue banks, outsourced jobs, and other such things would be more accountable for pilfering the American dream than Sanders, who not only gathered DFL precinct caucus votes from McLeod County to Marshall County in MN7, but also attracts large crowds and friendly house finches to his rallies.
Photo: Collin Peterson plays guitar in a congressional gun-rights band, The Second Amendments
If you appreciate Bluestem Prairie's posts and analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen P.O. Box 108, Maynard MN 56260) or use the paypal button below:
In 2014, First Congressional District GOP candidate Jim Hagedorn gained national attention for his loutish opinions about Republican women leaders, American Indians, gay men and others, after Mother Jones published Tim Murphy's article, House Candidate Called Female Senators "Undeserving Bimbos in Tennis Shoes."
Hagedorn is muting his rhetoric this year as he runs his third campaign, but not his sentiment. There's a special moment in Jason Sorensen's article in the Fairmont Sentinel, Hagedorn challenging Walz, when the Blue Earth Republican responds to a voter's plea for moderation in immigration policy:
Another person stated that while he has been a Republican voter for most of his life, he is considering becoming an independent, because the Republican Party might be appealing to racist ideologies.
"If we're afraid of immigrants, the party is doomed," the man said. "One of the things I think we need to look at is that the American Dream is supposed to be a part of the Republican platform. We have to stop illegal immigration, but we need to reach out and be the party that says this is the land of opportunity, and we're going to give you opportunities to start families and businesses, and produce."
"I have to say that I take a very strong stand against illegal immigration," Hagedorn responded. "And I think we have to go back to the rule of law in those areas. It's not because we hate anybody or are afraid of anybody, but not everyone coming into the United States, legally or illegally has wanted to assimilate and become a part of the American dream."
It's not just undocumented immigrants Hagedorn takes issue with, but also those folks who enter the country and don't "want" to assimilate.
Bluestem suspects that Hagedorn's version of "assimilate" is much different than what actually happened as Europeans came to Minnesota. Some families in this stretch of the prairie continued to speak Norwegian in their homes and eating lutefisk (practices that were put to use by the US Army in WWII).
Indeed, The Atlantic looked at the question in Should Immigration Require Assimilation?, discovering that more recent immigrants have taken up "Americanism" just like earlier generations:
A close evaluation of Hispanic acculturation data suggests there was scant reason to worry that their growing presence in the country would dilute America’s national identity or lead to cultural separatism. The 2000 Fairfax County survey of Salvadoran immigrants like Call found that while 83 percent had arrived in the United States with no English at all, most of their children by the time of the survey spoke English well enough to translate for them. In a 2007 article, four political scientists examined available data for Hispanic immigrants and found that they “acquire English and lose Spanish rapidly beginning with the second generation” and that their educational attainment and political attitudes suggest “a traditional pattern of political assimilation.” A scholar at the RAND Corporation, after comparing the trajectories of various ethnic groups in America, found that “education advances made by Latinos are actually greater than those achieved by either Europeans or Asian migrants,” meaning that as a group their educational attainment rose steadily from generation to generation. Hispanics were joining the American mainstream, just as previous immigrants had.
That might not fit in so well with Hagedorn's politics of insult, but there it is.
Hagedorn is seeking to unseat Mankato Democrat Tim Walz, who was first elected in 2006. Walz is rumored to be considering running for Minnesota governor in 2018; incumbent Mark Dayton will not be seeking re-election.
Photo: New Americans take the oath of citizenship, COD Newsroom / Flickr via the Atlantic.
If you appreciate Bluestem Prairie's posts and analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen P.O. Box 108, Maynard MN 56260) or use the paypal button below:
All of the statements, opinions, and views expressed on this site by Sally Jo Sorensen are solely her own, save when she attributes them to other sources.
The opinions, statements, and views of contributing writers are their own.
Sorensen, editor and proprietor of Bluestem Prairie, serves clients in the business and nonprofit sectors. While progressive in outlook, she does not caucus with any political party.
Recent Comments