Bluestem Prairie

MN Fighting First: Five potential DFL contenders making the rounds across sprawling district

Two friends called to share their reflections on a CD1 DFL fundraiser in Fairmont at which five potential DFL candidates spoke to South Central Minnesota Democrats. The photo above, shared on the First Congressional District DFL Facebook page, shows the range of talent running for party endorsement. From left to right: Daniel Feehan, Colin Minehart, Joe Sullivan, Vicki Jensen and John Wayne Austinson.

The candidates are making the rounds. In the Albert Lea Tribune, Sam Wilmes reports in DFL candidates for governor, 1st District visit town:

. . . Democratic congressional candidates to replace Walz’s First Congressional District seat — Vicki Jensen, Colin Minehart, John Austinson and Dan Feehan — also spoke at the picnic. . . .

“This is great that I am able to get out to events like this, where people (gather), and I can go and talk to them, knowing that I am running for Congress,” Jensen said.

She said she has focused on local issues as District 24 senator, and she held an event the second Saturday of every month that she said has helped her.  . . .

Jensen served one term in the Minnesota Senate while toeing something of a Republican Lite line exemplified by failing to defend against attacks on the chair of the Citizens Board of the MPCA and voting against raising the state minimum wage. That worked out for her. She lost her seat in the 2016 election to John Jasinski by 58.52 percent to 41.35 percent.

Our friends at the Fairmont event described a stump speech in which Jensen apparently forgot a memorized text, remained mostly silent for 30 seconds or more, then resumed speaking. According to these sources, they were not impressed.

Wilmes continued:

Austinson, a former Byron High School football coach who described himself as a bridge candidate, urged DFLers to bring a positive message.

Minehart discussed his qualifications working with small businesses, noting he wants to represent constituents in Washington, D.C.

Feehan, former principal deputy assistant secretary of defense, discussed his service in the Army and as a math teacher, and he spoke of his support for universal health care and economic opportunity.

Republican Jim Hagedorn is the lone GOPer to file for election for Walz’s seat, said Freeborn County GOP Chairman Ebenezer Howe. Republicans Blake Huffman, Christopher Chamberlin, Jeff Johnson, Matt Dean and Phillip Parrish have filed for election for governor.

Austinson ran for Minnesota House seat 26B in 2016, losing to Nels Pierson in a 59.14 percent to 40.73 percent vote. More on his background in this 2016 Rochester Post Bulletin profile.

In May, Matt Stolle reported in the Post Bulletin story, First Congressional race expects to draw flurry of interest:

While no DFL candidates have yet to announce their candidacy for the 1st Congressional District held by U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, the field could get crowded within the next month or so.

Dan Feehan, a 34-year-old Army veteran who served as assistant secretary of defense in the Obama administration, is preparing to run for the seat, the Wall Street Journal reported this week. Although he hasn't lived in the district since he was 14, Feehan grew up in it and reportedly is house-hunting in Mankato, with his wife and two children. Feehan still lives in Washington.

"I'm on a very steep learning curve to learn everything that goes into this and to maintain every aspect of authenticity that I have," Feehan, who hasn't run for political office before, was quoted as saying in the journal article. . . .

Feehan's mention in the Journal story was part of a larger look at the national map. It noted the last time Democrats won a House majority was in part because of the unpopularity of the Iraq War. Now, many of those who fought in America's post-9/11 conflicts are running as candidates.

The Democratic party is running military veterans in competitive congressional districts across the country: 15 veterans already have launched 2018 House campaigns, and 10 more may enter races by the summer, the journal quoted Democratic leaders as saying.

But Feehan will have to overcome the carpetbagger label the GOP will seek to attach to him if he does run.

"The Obama administration has kind of handpicked somebody to come and be a carpetbagger for our district," Munson said. "I don't think the Democrats like this top-down dictating who the candidate is supposed to be."

Given that Jim Hagedorn spent much of his adult life in Washington DC before moving back in 2009 to run for congress, we think that line would make a cat laugh. Following one of several unsuccessful bids for the nomination, he followed a love interest to California, only to return to Southern Minnesota to run again.

Minehart, who lives in Albert Lea, owns a bar in Alden and has been an active member and leader in the Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association. His role as a promoter for the pulltabs that once were hoped to fund the Vikings Stadium is scrutinized here by The Deets.

We're still looking for information about Joe Sullivan, who was at the Fairmont event.

UPDATE: The Joe Sullivan exploring a potential congressional bid appears to be this Joe Sullivan, Manager of Strategic Relations for the Center for Energy and Environment:

Joe Sullivan is the Manager of Strategic Relations for the Center for Energy and Environment. Joe works with policy makers, regulators, utilities, energy advocates, and other key stakeholders to advance energy efficiency and clean energy in Minnesota.

Prior to coming to CEE, Joe worked as the Regional Policy Manager – West for Wind on the Wires (WOW). For WOW, Joe worked in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa to advance policies for wind power and transmission access. Joe also spent six and a half years representing a municipal power agency and greater Minnesota cities as a senior attorney at Flaherty & Hood P.A. in St. Paul, Minn. At Flaherty & Hood, Joe worked on renewable energy, transmission issues, state conservation goals, greenhouse gas reduction initiatives, net metering and Community-Based Energy Development issues. He’s also represented Minnesota cities on nuclear waste issues and an electric rate case. Additionally, Joe has worked extensively with coalitions, particularly the Coalition of Utility Cities, on utility taxation issues. Prior to joining Flaherty & Hood, Joe worked in Washington, DC at the U.S. House Committee on Science and at the Internal Revenue Service.

Joe holds degrees from Marquette University and University of Wisconsin Law School.

Joe is a currently on the advisory board for Xcel Energy's Renewable Development Fund and is a Board Member of the Region 9 Development Commission's Renewable Energy Task Force.

Our source at the Fairmont event said that Sullivan said he worked in the energy sector and he appears to be the fellow in the Facebook photo. [end update].

More as this endorsement contest shapes up.

Photo: The contenders at Fairmont.

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It's summer, time for another appeal to our readers for support. If you value Bluestem's distinctive discussion of Minnesota politics from a Greater Minnesota progressive prospective, please consider donating to our summer fundraiser.

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MN01: US House Democrats pick Tim Walz to be Veterans Affairs Committee ranking member

Back in July, First District Congressman Tim Walz announced his intention to seek the Ranking Member seat on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

He's succeeded in that bid, Politico's Heather Caygle tweeted on Wednesday:

Dem Steering & Policy picked Walz over Takano for Veterans Affairs ranking member 31-19

— Heather Caygle (@heatherscope) January 4, 2017

In House Democrats have opportunity for redemption in selecting VA Cmte Leader, commentary in The Hill, Christopher Neiweem and Anthony Paolino wrote of Walz, the highest ranking enlisted soldier to ever serve in Congress:

Two years ago, Rep. Tim Walz (D-MN) — the veteran community's strongly preferred candidate to command a leadership post on the House Veterans Affairs Committee — was placed to the side by House Democratic leadership while competing for the House VA Cmte leadership job.

This move was made (at the beginning of the last Congress) for political and inner-caucus reasons and cleared the way for Rep. Corrine Brown (D-Fl), a longer serving Congresswoman, known for her hyper partisan persona, and combative working relationship with Republicans on the committee.

Politics backfired. . . .

Fortunately, Mr. Walz is back at the top of the list to occupy the job he should have been selected for two years ago, and this time the Democrats can achieve redemption and get this right.

Walz is a veterans' veteran, having served 24 years in the Army National Guard he achieved the rank of Command Sergeant Major and milestone of being the highest ranking enlisted soldier to ever serve in Congress.

However, that fact is only the surface of his qualifications which include: leading a bipartisan coalition and getting a major veteran suicide prevention bill passed (Clay Hunt SAV Act) through a Republican Congress and signed by President Barack Obama that cemented his bi-partisan negotiating chops at a time when none of us thought partisan politics could be put aside--even for veterans. 

He negotiated effectively to elevate many other legislative priorities and policy issues during his tenure on the VA committee as well, and attracts hope from those of us in the veteran community through his affable and accessible persona, and workhorse reputation. Congressman Tim Walz has been a proven leader for Veterans, and understand the unique needs of our community, he is one of us, and frankly we need him.

Challenging him in his race to become the House VA leader is Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA). Mr. Takano despite a very positive attitude and genuine interest in fixing the problems facing our community, lacks the experience, record, and toughness we need at this time. . . .

Good to see the House Democrats chose a veteran to serve veterans.

Photo: Congressman Tim Walz, giving someone hell over veterans' issues.

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Walz calls on House oversight committee to do its job on Trump's STOCK Act compliance

Back in 2012, Minnesota First District Congressman Tim Walz, D-Mankato, installed a tile line in the proverbial DC swamp by getting some anti-corruption legislation passed. It was called the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act.

Walz is asking that Trump obey the law upon inauguration--and to understand it. In a press release from the congressman's office:

Yesterday, Representative Tim Walz (MN-01) sent a letter to House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chair Jason Chaffetz and Ranking Member Elijah E. Cummings requesting the Committee pay close attention to President-elect Trump’s compliance with the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act upon inauguration.

Signed into law in 2012 after passing the House and Senate with overwhelming bipartisan majorities, the Walz-authored STOCK Act bans insider trading on Capitol Hill. In addition to prohibiting Members of Congress, their staff, and executive branch employees from using information obtained through their positions to profit on the stock market, the bill also explicitly bans the President and Vice President from doing the same. As a result, unlike virtually all other conflict of interest rules governing federal employees, the President is not exempt from the provisions of the STOCK Act.

Rep. Walz and Congress’ intent of the STOCK Act was reaffirmed by the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) in a December 15, 2016 legal advisory. Among other requirements the President must obey, the interpretive guidance states that the STOCK Act bars the President from: “using nonpublic information for private profit; engaging in insider trading; or intentionally influencing an employment decision or practice of a private entity solely on the basis of partisan political affiliation.”

Since being elected to the highest office in the land, President-elect Trump has responded to matters of conflict of interest and ethics laws like the STOCK Act by claiming “the law’s totally on [his] side” and that “The president can’t have a conflict of interest.” These statements stand in stark contrast to the letter of the STOCK Act and OGE’s corresponding legal advisory.

“As the President-elect’s comments raise many questions concerning whether he intends to comply with the STOCK Act, I am requesting that the Committee keep a very close eye on the actions of the President-elect upon taking the oath of office as they relate to the provisions of the STOCK Act,” wrote Rep. Walz.

“Congress has a constitutional responsibility to provide oversight of the actions of the executive branch, and investigate into those actions when necessary,” Walz continued. “I fully expect that the Committee will not treat this serious ethical matter any differently.”

Here's the letter:

21 December 2016 Walz STOCK Act Letter posted by Sally Jo Sorensen on Scribd

Cartoon: Pat Bagley cartoon for Nov. 16, 2016, Salt Lake City Tribune.

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Worthington Daily Globe editors not buying Hagedorn's fearmongering about New Americans

Ever since Heather Carlson of the Rochester Post Bulletin introduced us to Jim Hagedorn's blog in Two GOP candidates with familiar names consider run against Walz, we've been astonished by the candidate's content, rhetoric and tone.

Apparently others have noticed. In its endorsement of First District Congressman Tim Walz for another term, the editors of the Worthington Globe observe in Return Walz to Washington for another term:

. . . The Lugar Center of Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy ranked Walz fourth among 434 members of the U.S. House in its bipartisan index for 2015; the index measures how often a member of Congress introduces bills that succeed in attracting co-sponsors from members of the other party, and how often they co-sponsor a bill introduced from across the aisle.

It’s hard to imagine Hagedorn, if elected, earning a similar rating. He has been a strong supporter of Trump, who has alienated many within his own party (but, of course, is by no means out of the race thanks to the many imperfections of Hillary Clinton). He has campaigned with intonations of fear, offering dire warnings of massive immigration to America by this country’s enemies along with other far-right mythmaking. . . .

Hagedorn The Younger gained national attention when Mother Jones published House Candidate Called Female Senators "Undeserving Bimbos in Tennis Shoes"; Jim Hagedorn's old blog, "Mr. Conservative," is a ticking time bomb.

Oh, that guy.

Photo: Jim Hagedorn. Hagedorn campaign photo.

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MN01 nominee who called women senators "bimbos in tennis shoes" stands by Trump

Headlines may read as does that at Minnesota Public Radio, Growing group of MN Republicans withdrawing support from Trump, but Jim Hagedorn, repeat Republican candidate for Minnesota's First Congressional District, is standing by his man.

We're not sure who's left to bake the cookies.

In an uncharacteristically terse moment captured in the screengrab above, Hagedorn reiterated his support for Trump in a one-word comment on Facebook late Monday evening:

Amy Anderson Do you still support Donald Trump? I live in your district and would like to know. Thank you.

8 hrs

Jim Hagedorn Yes.

Anderson's question followed that by a Lake Crystal resident Sunday:

Kent Wawrzynaik http://www.cnn.com/.../donald-trump-women-lewd-comments...
When are you going to comment on this? You have attached your candidacy to Mr Trump and as a father and husband I think you need to denounce this. I live in the first district and I and many others would like to hear from you on this.

Wawrzynaik's query went unanswered.

Hagedorn's support for Trump has been unwavering, as we reported in our early August post, #MN01 Hagedorn: no misgivings on Trump's feud with grieving parents because they're Muslim. Later that month, Heather Carlson reported in the Post Bulletin article, Hagedorn doesn't shy from Trump:

Looking ahead to November, Hagedorn said he is confident Trump will win the 1st District and the White House in November.

He added, "I predicted a long time ago that by the end of the election, (Democrats) will be running away from Hillary Clinton as fast as other Republicans will be running toward Donald Trump. I really believe that."

Of course he did.

 Hagedorn gained national attention during his unsuccessful 2014 bid against incumbent Democratic congressman Tim Walz following the publication of Tim Murphy's article in Mother Jones, House Candidate Called Female Senators "Undeserving Bimbos in Tennis Shoes";Jim Hagedorn's old blog, "Mr. Conservative," is a ticking time bomb.

Hagedorn later issued a non-apology apology, Murphy reported.

Minnesota's First Congressional District, which stretches across the bottom part of the state from the South Dakota to Wisconsin borders, with the Iowa border at its feet, is not considered competitive by any national handicapper.

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#MN01 Hagedorn: no misgivings on Trump's feud with grieving parents because they're Muslim

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!

The off-and-on Blue Earth resident isn't afraid of offending people, having famously blogged:

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's attempts to entertain himself are collected in Tim Murphy's classic 2014 Mother Jones piece, House Candidate Called Female Senators "Undeserving Bimbos in Tennis Shoes." 

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.”

Echo of Facebook post

The statement to The Uptake echoes comments Hagedorn posted above a Breitbart.com article he shared on his Facebook wall:

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).

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2016 Farmfest congressional forum livestream includes #MN01, #MN06 & #MN07 candidates

 

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.

 

Confirmed for Farmfest Congressional Forum:

Rep. Tim Walz (D), (First)

Jim Hagedorn (R) (First)

Steve Williams (R) (First)

 

Rep. Tom Emmer (R) (Sixth )

David Snyder (D) (Sixth)

Bob Helland (D) (Sixth)

 

Rep. Collin Peterson (D) (Seventh)

David Hughes (R) (Seventh)

Amanda Lynn Hinson (R) (Seventh)

Here's the livestream archive:

A Second Congressional District debate set for Wednesday was cancelled after three of the five confirmed candidates withdrew late last week, Brownfield Ag News reports in Legislative forum replaces congressional debate at FarmFest:

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.

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Republicans throwing away less money in MN's 1st Congressional District than they did in 2014

In the Mankato Free Press article, Hagedorn fundraising edges up; Walz challenger still faces cash disadvantage, Mark Fischenich reports:

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.

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Walz, Peterson & Nolan join MN Republicans in vote for American SAFE Act of 2015 "pause"

Congressmen Tim Walz (MN01), Collin Peterson (MN07) and Rick Nolan (MN08) have joined Minnesota's Republican representatives in voting for the American Safe Act of 2015. Fourth District Congresswoman Betty McCollum voted against the bill, while Fifth District Congressman Keith Ellison did not vote.

National Public Radio's Camila Domonoske's reports in House Votes To Increase Security Checks On Refugees From Iraq, Syria:

The House of Representatives has easily passed a GOP-authored bill to restrict the admission of Iraqi and Syrian refugees to America by requiring extra security procedures.

The bill — called the American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act of 2015, or the American SAFE Act of 2015 — would require the secretary of Homeland Security, the head of the FBI and the director of national intelligence to sign off on every individual refugee from Iraq and Syria, affirming he or she is not a threat.

The FBI director would also need to confirm that a background investigation, separate from the Homeland Security screening, had been conducted on each refugee.

Lawmakers say it is the first of many bills aimed at addressing security concerns in the wake of the Paris attacks, reports NPR's Muthoni Muturi.

Supporters of the bill say it would require a "pause" in admitting Syrian and Iraqi refugees, as current applications would be halted while a new vetting process was established. Some conservative critics object that it doesn't ban such refugees outright. . . .

An article published yesterday by Breitbart.com illustrates those objections. Matthew Boyle reports in Paul Ryan, House GOP Leaders Set The Stage For Coming Cave To Obama’s Syrian Refugee Resettlement Program:

But despite McCaul’s and the committee’s tough-sounding rhetoric, the bill—several congressional aides and the actual text of the legislation confirm—simply requires one new step for Syrian and Iraqi refugee admittance and resettlement: That the Director of National Intelligence, the director of the FBI and the Secretary of Homeland Security approve any such refugees beforehand. Each of those people work for President Obama at the pleasure of the president.

“That’s like asking Janet Napolitano to verify the border is secure,” one GOP aide told Breitbart News. “Of course they are going to approve them without hesitation.” . . .

But another congressional GOP aide from an office highly skeptical of the package told Breitbart News if anyone expects three top officials who serve at the pleasure of the president to rebuff Obama’s wishes they’re kidding themselves.

“If you believe that, I’ve got some oceanfront property in Arizona,” the aide said.

National Public Radio reports that the bill faces an uncertain future in the Senate and President Obama has promised a veto should it reach his desk:

It's unclear whether the Senate will take up the legislation, says NPR's Arnie Seipel. If the bill does pass through Congress, President Obama has pledged to veto it. But in the House of Representatives, Republicans would only need one more vote to make the bill veto-proof.

The administration says the bill would introduce "unnecessary and impractical requirements that would unacceptably hamper our efforts to assist some of the most vulnerable people in the world."

It would also undermine allies and partners in the Middle East and Europe, the administration says.

Obama argues that the existing vetting process — which includes fingerprinting, examination of personal history and interviews — is sufficient, and the certification requirement the Republicans are calling for would "provide no meaningful additional security."

The Obama administration has recently begun disclosing details about how Syrian refugees are currently screened. As we reported Tuesday, the process includes multiple agencies and lasts up to two years. . . .

The U.S. has taken in about 2,500 Syrian refugees since 2011, according to the AP, and the Obama administration has announced a plan to accept 10,000 more in the coming year. The White House says half of the refugees admitted to the U.S. are children, and about a quarter are older than 60. 

We're disappointed that the three Democrats are playing along with this nonsense. Walz has issued a statement about his vote:

“Throughout my life, both in and out of uniform, my priority has been to ensure the safety and security of the American people. We have to protect our country and live up to our founding ideals. Over the past several days, I have met with experts, studied the issue and solicited the opinions of southern Minnesotans. The message from southern Minnesota has been very clear: our care and compassion for those fleeing terror is absolute, but we have to find a way to ensure that we keep Americans safe from harm. I supported this legislation today because I believe it adds important safeguards to ensure additional security. I believe doing so is critical to the success of any refugee program, and I will continue to fight to ensure we take every possible measure to protect our country.”

Photo: Rather than letting refugees literally drown in the ocean, the Safe Act will figuratively let them drown in red tape.

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Bluestem Prairie is in deep mourning tonight, since Representative Tony Cornish (R-Vernon Center) has decided to refrain from challenging Tim Walz for the seat in Minnesota's First Congressional District.

The Pioneer Press's David Montgomery reports in Cornish picks safe legislative seat over Walz challenge:

Seven-term state Rep. Tony Cornish, R-Vernon Center, ruled out a run for Congress against Democratic Rep. Tim Walz Wednesday morning.

Cornish, the chair of the House’s public safety committee, considered a run carefully, going to far as to talk to potential political directors for the run against Walz. But ultimately he decided the risk wasn’t worth it. . . .

Cornish’s announcement comes one day after Walz’s 2014 opponent, Jim Hagedorn, announced a bid for a rematch.

Cornish said he wasn’t yet endorsing Hagedorn, but would wait to see who else entered the race.

“I’m not… committing my support to him or anybody else until I see the whole field,” Cornish said.

Well then.  That's a bit different for Cornish than the situation in 2014. As Bluestem reported in Minority Leader Kurt Daudt, two GOP primary challengers attend tasteful winery fundraiser:

We're struck by a photo caption on Representative Tony Cornish's Facebook's album, Chankaska Winery Fundraiser 2014:

Jim Hagedorn (Running for Congress) Dave Kruse (Running for House of Representatives) Kurt Daudt (House Minority Leader) Holly Schlingman of the Band, Bobby Patrick (House Leadership) Marty Siefert (Running for Governor).

Cornish was perfectly fine cavorting with Hagedorn before the 2014 primary, at a time when Aaron Miller was the endorsed candidate for MN01. 

Photo: Tony Cornish's famous tiny handcuffs.  Perhaps he'd need a bigger pair for Congress.

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Update: The Pioneer Press post has been clarified to reflect the facts more accurately. [end update]

In the Pioneer Press Political Animal Tuesday, David Montgomery reports in Hagedorn gunning for 2016 rematch vs. Walz:

Hagedorn lost 54.3 percent to 45.7 percent, a comfortable victory for Walz but nevertheless the closest election the Democrat had since his 2006 election. Walz, 51, is in his fifth term.

Montgomery bases this on Hagedorn's spin on the 2014 race in the Republican's press release, Hagedorn Seeks 2015 Rematch With Walz:

Hagedorn . . . .earned the highest vote percentage (45.7%) against Walz since the incumbent was first elected in 2006. Hagedorn performed equal to or better than highly-bankrolled GOP challengers running in higher-profile races, in Minnesota and nationwide.

However, this was not the closest election Walz faced, as Montgomery phrased it.

That would be 2010, when three opponents kept Walz to under fifty percent. Randy Demmer took 44.05% of the vote to Walz's 49.34%. That 5.29 point margin is smaller than the 8.6 point spread between Walz and Hagedorn.

Indeed, Johnson and Wilson were conservative candidates; Hagedorn failed to capture much of the slack. 

Finally, Demmer captured 109,242 votes in 2010, while Hagedorn took 103,536 votes in 2014. Walz received 122,365 votes in the more competitive 2010 race, while garnering 122,851 in 2014, which was not a high turnout year across Minnesota--or the First itself.

Voter turnout in 2010 was 56 percent statewide, but only 50 percent in 2014, according to CBS Minnesota. Both were midterm elections.

Photo: Jim Hagedron voting in the 2014 primary, via Mother Jones' article, House Candidate Called Female Senators "Undeserving Bimbos in Tennis Shoes."

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Congressmen Ellison, Nolan and Walz to wade into waters of state transportation debate

On the Pioneer Press's Political Animal blog, David Montgomery reports in Congressional delegation weighs in on transportation fight in Legislature:

Three of Minnesota’s Democratic members of Congress are stepping in to a political debate in the state Legislature.

Reps. Rick Nolan, Keith Ellison and Tim Walz will hold a press conference on Monday with state Transportation Commissioner Charlie Zelle and advocacy group Move MN to urge lawmakers to pass “reliable funding” for state roads and bridges.

Congress also plays a major role in funding Minnesota roads, and its lack of action as the national Highway Trust Fund runs out of money has spurred states around the country to tackle transportation funding themselves. Nolan, Ellison and Walz are all in the minority in the House. . . .

According to his website, "Rick [Nolan] is the only member of Minnesota's House Delegation on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee."  He serves on the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, the Subcommittee on Aviation and the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials.

Walz served on the Transportation Committee from 2007 until January 2015. The Star Tribune reported in Rep. Tim Walz swaps Transportation for Defense, hopes to gain power:

Frustrated by eight years of inaction on the House Transportation Committee, Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn., the highest ranking enlisted soldier to ever serve in Congress, is making a midcareer move to the House Armed Services Committee — a perch he thinks will be more productive and satisfying.

Walz secured his new slot earlier this month after lobbying Democratic leadership. On Armed Services, he will be charged with annually approving the military spending budget.

“Armed Services is, whether you agree with it or not, the one area where things get done,” Walz said. “Budgets go through, things happen.”

While Walz was not among the most senior Democrats on the House Transportation Committee, his departure comes at a critical time for transportation and infrastructure reform.

The federal Highway Trust Fund is projected to go belly up in May, a problem both House and Senate Republicans acknowledge needs to be addressed likely through more revenue. Transportation infrastructure needs loom large in Minnesota, where officials say nearly half the state’s bridges are in poor or mediocre condition and almost 2.5 million commuters drive across a deficient bridge each day. Gov. Mark Dayton recently proposed a wholesale tax on gasoline of 6.5 percent per gallon, along with a hike in license fees and a metro-wide one-cent sales tax increase, to help solve the problem.

In Rochester, which is in Walz’s district, Mayor Ardell Brede awaits a Hwy. 14 expansion from Rochester to Owatonna. He says the road is among the most dangerous in the state and should be four lanes the whole way. Commuters driving to work at the Mayo Clinic simultaneously face the sun and grapple with strip of highway that abruptly changes from four- to two-lanes.

Walz is familiar with all this, but angrily notes that for six years, “the Transportation Committee has done nothing … except argue about the cost of soda in Amtrak and debate about urban vs. rural transportation needs.”

He says he can advocate for stretches like Hwy. 14 without being on the committee. “Our point is that you can advocate for transportation on a broader scale,” Walz said. . . .

Ellison, who represents Minnesota's urban Fifth Congressional District, lamented underfunding of urban transit and bike projects in the 2014 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Act.

Photo: Old photo of Highway 14 in southern Minnesota, via Star Tribune's Part 2: Hwy. 14, Highway of horrors.

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MN01: Walz lauds FCC net neutrality decision

When Tim Walz won a surprise victory over six-term MN01 incumbent Gil Gutknecht in 2006, one of the areas where Walz enjoyed tactical superiority was his swarm of young supporters in their early 20s who knew how the Internet worked.

Thus, his statement on FCC's embrace of strong net neutrality on Thursday is no surprise.  From his office:

Today, U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, a longtime supporter of keeping the internet free and open, lauded the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruling today that will create strong net neutrality rules to ensure access to the internet remains free and open as it is today.

“A free and open internet is important in a free and open society, and that’s exactly what strong net neutrality rules will continue to ensure we enjoy here in America,” said Rep. Walz, a longtime supporter of net neutrality. “This ruling by the FCC will ensure that you, the consumer, can determine what websites you have access to. It will prevent large corporations from becoming internet gatekeepers and slowing down access. And it will continue to foster competition, innovation, and growth in our economy. I applaud today’s ruling by the FCC and pledge to continue fighting to keep the internet free and open for all.”

Background:

What is net neutrality? It’s a very simple concept: keep the internet the way it is today, free and open for all. Enforcing strong net neutrality rules today basically means that nothing will change to the internet you know and love. According to FCC Chairman Wheeler, strong net neutrality rules “assures the rights of internet users to go where they want, when they want, and the rights of innovators to introduce new products without asking anyone’s permission.”

Why are net neutrality rules needed? There are concerns that, without strong net neutrality rules, internet service providers (ISPs) can, at their discretion, slow down or speed up access to certain websites and services. This could lead to higher prices for consumers and stifle innovation, competition, and growth. 

For example, an ISP could act as a gatekeeper to the internet, forcing startups—and/or businesses that compete directly with other services offered by ISPs—to pay a premium in order for their service/website to be accessible at the same speeds as other, better established companies. Net neutrality rules would prevent ISPs from becoming internet gatekeepers and guarantee everyone has equal access to the internet, no matter how large or small your company is

For more background on the FCC’s ruling today, please see a fact sheet by visiting the link below: http://www.fcc.gov/document/chairman-wheeler-proposes-new-rules-protecting-open-internet

Photo: Tim Walz shows off his favorite mobile at Netroots Minnesota 2009.

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Walz to serve on Armed Services Committee

Just in from First District Congressman Walz' office in Washington:

Today, the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee appointed Representative Tim Walz (D-MN) to serve on the influential House Armed Services Committee. In addition, Walz will continue to serve in prominent roles on the Agriculture and Veterans’ Affairs Committees. Walz is the highest ranking enlisted soldier to ever serve in Congress.

“I’m honored to be selected by leadership to this influential committee and look forward to this new challenge and responsibility,” Representative Walzsaid about his selection to the House Armed Services Committee.

The Armed Services Committee retains jurisdiction of all subjects listed in clause 1(c) of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives and retains exclusive jurisdiction for: defense policy generally, ongoing military operations, the organization and reform of the Department of Defense and Department of Energy, counter-drug programs, acquisition and industrial base policy, technology transfer and export controls, joint interoperability, the Cooperative Threat Reduction program, Department of Energy nonproliferation programs, and detainee affairs and policy.

Photo: First District Congressman Tim Walz, DFL-Mankato.

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Walz and co-sponsors reintroduce Clay Hunt SAV Act to address veteran suicide

Last year, in Some legacy, Tom Coburn: Representative Walz's statement on blocking of Clay Hunt SAV Act, we'd posted about the failure of the bill to come to the floor of the Senate for a vote.

Tom Coburn, R-Oklahoma, is gone, retired, and the bill is back.

According to a press release from Congressman Walz's office:

Today, Representatives Tim Walz (D-MN), Chairman of the VA CommitteeJeff Miller (R-FL), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) announced the reintroduction of the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (Clay Hunt SAV) Act, a bill supported by veterans and their advocates to help prevent veteran suicide and ensure our nations heroes get the care and support they need.

The legislation, named in honor of the late Iraq and Afghanistan War Veteran and suicide prevention advocateClay Hunt, unanimously passed the House of Representatives in the 113^th Congress and had broad support in the Senate, but was blocked from becoming law by a lone Senator. Representatives Walz, Miller, and Duckworth first introduced their bipartisan legislation last summer after spending months working together to write final legislation with veterans and their advocates.

“Currently, 22 veterans die by suicide each and every day,” Rep. Walz, the highest ranking enlisted soldier to ever serve in Congress, said. “These folks aren’t just our former warriors either; they’re our mothers and fathers. They’re our grandfathers and grandmothers. They’re our brothers and sisters. They’re our neighbors and friends. While no piece of legislation will completely end this heartbreaking epidemic, we cannot stand idly by while more of our heroes struggle with the invisible wounds of war. We must take action, and I continue to believe that this bipartisan bill is a step in the right direction. We can and must work urgently to send this bill to the President’s desk without delay.”

“Despite record mental health staffing and budget levels at the Department of Veterans Affairs, an average of 18 to 22 veterans have been taking their own lives each day for more than a decade. Solutions to this horrific problem will only come from comprehensive, new ideas that improve the accessibility and effectiveness of mental health care available to our veterans. The Clay Hunt SAV Act will ensure VA’s mental health and suicide prevention efforts receive crucial independent, third party oversight while creating a greater accounting of available services and fostering an enhanced community approach to delivering veterans suicide prevention and mental health care treatment. I urge all my colleagues to once again join us in helping preserve the lives of our nation’s most at-risk returning heroes,” said Rep. Jeff Miller, Chairman, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

“As a nation, we have a commitment to our Veterans to make sure that they receive the care that they need, and that means reducing barriers to care however we can. When an average of 22 Veterans commit suicide every day, we are failing them,” Representative Duckworth said. “I am proud to join with Congressman Walz and Chairman Miller in introducing this legislation that is a crucial step in reducing Veteran suicide.”

“IAVA applauds Chairman Miller, and Representatives Walz and Duckworth for reintroducing the Clay Hunt SAV Act in the House today," said IAVA CEO and Founder Paul Rieckhoff. “After last year's overwhelming bipartisan support, we now urge the House to move quickly in passing this bill, which will help curb the veteran suicide rate. Twenty-two veterans die by suicide each day and our country can provide the tools to help reverse that number. No veteran should have to cut through bureaucratic red tape to access the mental health care they earned. As Congress begins a new year, veterans and their families are watching Washington closely to see who has our back.”

A 2012 study from the Department of Veterans Affairs estimated that 22 veterans are lost each day to suicide. That’s over 150 veteran suicides per week, over 600 per month, and over 8,000 per year. To put these staggering numbers in perspective, it is estimated that more veterans take their own lives each year than have been Killed in Action since 9/11. <p">The Clay Hunt SAV Act seeks to quell this growing epidemic by:

Increasing Access to Mental Health Care and Capacity at VA to Meet Demand

• Requires the VA to create a one-stop, interactive website to serve as a centralized source of information regarding all VA mental health services for veterans.

• Addresses the shortage of mental health care professionals by authorizing the VA to conduct a student loan repayment pilot program aimed at recruiting and retaining psychiatrists.

Improving the Quality of Care and Boosting Accountability at VA

• Requires evaluations of all mental health care and suicide prevention practices and programs at the VA to find out what’s working and what’s not working and make recommendations to improve care.

Developing a Community Support System for Veterans

• Establishes a peer support and community outreach pilot program to assist transitioning Servicemembers with accessing VA mental health care services.

 Photo: Clay Hunt.

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Some legacy, Tom Coburn: Representative Walz's statement on blocking of Clay Hunt SAV Act

In November, the Washington Post reported in The legacy of Clay Hunt: Marine recalled in new suicide legislation:

Marine Cpl. Clay Hunt already was a survivor when he deployed to Afghanistan in 2008. An infantryman, he’d been wounded in the wrist by an enemy sniper in Iraq in 2007, just weeks after watching a fellow Marine sustain a mortal gunshot wound to the throat by another enemy marksman.

Hunt didn’t let his wounds in Iraq hold him back, though. He recovered, went to sniper school and then deployed with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, a unit from Twentynine Palms, Calif., that quietly deployed to Afghanistan in 2008, before the troop “surge,” and was spread across 10,000 square miles in Helmand and Farah provinces. Sixteen Marines and a Navy corpsman were killed in combat, and scores were wounded. They eventually were reinforced with more troops sent from the United States.

Hunt left the Marine Corps afterward. He struggled with depression, panic attacks and post-traumatic stress but threw himself into veterans advocacy and humanitarian work, even traveling to Haiti in 2009 with other Marine veterans to help after a devastating earthquake.

Then it was over. Hunt, 28, committed suicide in Houston in 2011. Family and friends said he had been battling the Department of Veterans Affairs to get his disability rating upgraded from 30 percent, as he struggled to find employment and his marriage unraveled. He locked himself in his apartment and turned a gun on himself.

The WaPo went on to report that the bipartisan Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for America Veterans Act had been introduced in the United States Senate and House. The House version, introduced in the House  by MN01 Congressman Walz, passed on a voice vote on December 9. MSNBC's Steve Benen noted in House approves Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention Act:

Given just how little actually happens in Congress, and how many good bills die for no apparent reason, it’s easy to get a little cynical about what’s possible in the area of federal legislation.

 

Once in a while, though, a good idea actually passes. Take this afternoon, for example.

 

The House on Tuesday passed legislation to help prevent suicides of people who served in the military.

 

Passed by voice vote, the bill would require a third party to conduct an annual evaluation of suicide prevention programs at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) and Defense Department.

 

The measure was sponsored by Rep. Tim Walz (D-Minn.), and enjoyed the enthusiastic support of veterans’ groups including the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). There is no roll call to link to because support was broad enough that the bill passed by voice vote.

 

To be sure, this wasn’t the highest-profile legislation to be taken up this year, and there wasn’t much of a lobbying campaign against it, but when worthwhile bills, which will make a real difference in the lives of people who deserve our support, are able to advance in this Congress, it’s cause for some relief.

 

And the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention Act is a worthwhile bill. . . .

Unfortunately, retiring Senator Tom Coburn decided to put a block on having the bill brought to the floor of the Senate. The New York Post reports in In blocking veteran suicide prevention bill, Senate's retiring "Dr. No" goes out his way:

Leaving the Senate the way he has served in it for 10 years, retiring Sen. Tom Coburn said “no” Monday night to a bill aimed at improving efforts to stop military veteran suicides.

 

Coburn, a family doctor, earned the nickname “Dr. No” for his habit of opposing even minor measures that would otherwise pass the Senate unanimously due to concern they would expand government or increase spending. He has often clashed with fellow Republicans, in part by holding up popular measures party leaders want to avoid fights over.

 

On Monday, Coburn defied senators in both parties, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, and conventional Washington wisdom that says opposing minor bills with appealing goals for hard-to-explain reasons is always a political mistake.

 

Coburn objected to a motion to allow a vote on the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention Act, which requires annual outside reviews of suicide prevention efforts run by the Defense and Veterans Affairs Departments.

Coburn felt the measure duplicated existing efforts while not holding the Veterans Administration accountable.

In a statement issued today, Walz and other sponsors have vowed to renew the push for passage next year when the new congress convenes:

Today, Representative Tim Walz (D-MN), author of the bipartisan Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (Clay Hunt SAV) Act and highest ranking enlisted soldier to ever serve in Congress, released the following statement after Senator Tom Coburn blocked the bill’s passage, despite it having overwhelming support from veterans, their advocates, Republicans, and Democrats.

“22 veterans per day take their own lives. That’s over 150 suicides per week, over 600 suicides per month, and over 8,000 suicides per year. There is no doubt this is a serious problem that must be addressed. That is why I, along with House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Jeff Miller (R-FL) and Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), introduced the Clay Hunt SAV Act. While not a cure all, this bipartisan bill is designed to help the VA provide better mental health care services and is overwhelmingly supported by Republicans and Democrats, Servicemembers and civilians. I’m greatly disappointed that even this, the most bipartisan of measures, fell victim to politicking.

“Make no mistake, the fight isn’t over. We will rally from this setback; I will reintroduce this important legislation immediately in the 114th Congress, and there is no doubt in my mind it will eventually become law. Unfortunately, we know for a number of veterans that wait will be too large a burden to bear. Each day we fail to address this problem, more veterans die. It’s incredibly disappointing that this commonsense legislation was stymied by the only Member of Congress in either the House or Senate who objects to the bill.

“I thank everyone who played a part in getting us this far: veterans, veterans service organizations, especially IAVA, my co-authors House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Jeff Miller (R-FL) and Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and, most importantly, Clay’s courageous parents, Susan and Richard Selke. The Selkes have taken a personal tragedy that many of us cannot even begin to imagine, persevered, and are working to make positive change. They truly represent the best of us.

“While today we may have lost the battle, be certain that we will win the war.”

Photo: Clay Hunt.

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MN01: Jim Hagedorn boasts about performance compared to Westrom and Mills

It's true that Jim Hagedorn, the 2014 Republican candidate in Minnesota's First Congressional District, received a hundred of a percent more of the total vote in the First than Torrey received in Minnesota's Seventh, but Hagedorn also fancies that he was on par with Stewart Mills III as well.

In a thank you email, Hagedorn wrote:

We performed at par or better than the higher profile races in the 7^th and 8^th Districts, which were the focus of DC and St. Paul operatives and outside money.  Rather incredibly, our campaign spent just $1.96 for every vote earned, as compared with $50 or more per vote in those other races, making this District a missed opportunity.

According to the unofficial results on the Minnesota Secretary of State's website, Hagedorn received 103,536 votes or 45.67 percent of the votes cast in the district. In the Seventh, Westrom received 45.66 percent or 109,952 of the votes cast in the Seventh.  

While Hagedorn did a hair better than Westrom, it's a stretch to say that he performed on par with Stewart Mills III in Minnesota's Eighth.  Mills received 47.11 percent of the vote in a three-way contest, garnering 125,357 votes.

Would have more spending have boosted Hagedorn's fortunes?  Perhaps, but investment in Hagedorn's bid would likely have triggered spending on behalf of incumbent Walz, as was the case in 2010, when moderate Republican Randy Demmer came the closest to unseating the Mankato Democrat.

As the spending per voter increased, attention would have been directed to Hagedorn's flaws. We doubt his bid would have been lifted by this--and so the boast rings a bit hollow.

Photo: Jim Hagedorn, Facebook via Mother Jones.

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Cornish generally interested in running for MN01

Less than 24 hours after the Mankato Free Press reported in Rep. Tony Cornish plans to challenge Walz in 2016, the Vernon Center lawmaker and former lawman claims Josh Moniz's story overstated the case.

Moniz reported:

Barely two days after cruising to an easy re-election victory after his second consecutive year without an opponent, state Rep. Tony Cornish confirmed Thursday he plans to challenge recently re-elected Congressman Tim Walz in the 2016 election.

Cornish, a longtime Republican lawmaker from Vernon Center, spoke to The Free Press by phone Thursday while helping friends with skinning a deer. He said he was approached by a few prominent 1st Congressional District activists to run in 2014 against the Mankato Democrat but declined because the field of potential candidates had become crowded.

Cornish said he is announcing this far ahead of the next election — before Walz has even begun his next term —because he wants to get feedback from the public and the Republican Party, which might help prevent another primary battle in the 1st District. . .

Bluestem suspects that the dandy but dead doe posted on Cornish's Facebook page (above) is the deer in question.

 

While the whitetail remains dead, today Cornish modified the story of his congressional bid via Facebook:

 

Minnesota Public Radio staff writer Tom Scheck tracked down Cornish for additional clarification in Cornish ponders Walz challenge in 2016:

Cornish was also quick to point out that his comments about a possible run are by no means a full-fledged kick off to a 2016 campaign. “If Tony Cornish is going to make an announcement it’s going to be with much more fanfare,” he said.

Should a Walz and Cornish contest indeed emerge, we'll have no shortage of colorful metaphors and a target-rich environment.

Photo: That's one fine doe, bagged by Cornish's son. Can his father aim as well at the seat in congress?

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>

MN01: Down memory lane with Gil Gutknecht

Via the Rochester Tea Party Patriots' enewsletter, an interview on a Rochester radio station with former congressman Gil Gutknecht, whom listeners are told took time out from his busy schedule to talk after a "Class of 1994" reunion in Washignton D.C.:

We're not sure who is pining for the Contract on America, but there you go.

Tim Walz defeated Gutknecht in a 2006 upset, and now few can spell his name.

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MN01: Party rules force CD1 Republicans to spend time & cash to formally endorse Hagedorn

In the last paragraph of First District Republicans to hold endorsing convention for Hagedorn, a short blog post at the Post Bulletin's Political Notebook, PB political reporter Heather Carlson reports:

Republican Party of Olmsted County Chairman Bruce Kaskubar is a member of the committee. He had been leaning towards not holding a convention because of the added cost and expense. He made a motion to not hold a convention but have the committee vote to show their support for Hagedorn. But during the discussion, Kaskubar said some questioned with the Republican Party of Minnesota's constitution required that candidates be formally endorsed in order to receive access to party resources. In the end, he said the committee vote was nearly unanimous in favor of the endorsing convention.

Carlson notes that the convention will take place in Mankato.

According to the pre-primary fundraising report on file with the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board,  the CD1 RPM had $13,266.81 cash on hand on July 21, 2014. The southern Minnesota Republicans not appear to have a federal account registered with the Federal Election Commission.

Hagedorn is challenging Mankato DFLer Tim Walz for the district.

Photo: A recent headline in the Star Tribune. Photo by Stacey Burns.

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