Paul Thissen, the future of the DFL

It is official today.  I have narrowed my choice for governor down to one candidate, Paul Thissen.  It is not like this is a momentous occasion or anything; I just want to be open about it as we get down to crunch time.  The only reason I am even announcing my choice is because a couple people have speculated that I lean too much to one candidate or another.  One friend even told me I was obviously a “closet Mark Dayton” supporter.  I like most of the candidates and think most of them, if not all of them, could win the general election.  But, since I have decided to support Paul Thissen, I felt it was worthwhile to post it.   

While I will be supporting Paul personally, I still plan on maintaining a level of impartiality on MNDem.com.  I think it is important to keep working to November.  Any one of ten candidates might make it that far, and I would support that candidate.  That said, I will attend the caucus in five weeks with the intention of attending the SD36 convention as a Thissen supporter.

So why do I like Paul?  I think he is intelligent, energetic and optimistic.  He is authentic, and I think he connects with people.  He cares about people, and realizes the importance of healthcare for all.  Paul Thissen is concerned about Minnesota families as they struggle to survive in this economy.  He is looking to the future to make things better for the long run, not just from election cycle to election cycle.  I think what Paul Thissen brings to the table is what the future of the DFL party needs to be.  In that sense, Paul Thissen may be the future of the DFL.

Caucus 101 – A how to guide to participate in the DFL caucus

I wrote the following guide to what happens at the caucuses after writing the previous post about people being scared away from the caucuses.  I’m one of those people that like to know what is going to happen.  It makes me more comfortable.  I think there are a lot of people who stay away from the caucuses because they don’t know what is going to happen.  Here is a little how to caucus guide.  If that is you, maybe you will show up this year…

Caucus 101 – A how to guide to participate in the DFL caucus

The 2010 DFL precinct caucuses are meetings organized by the DFL to begin the process of selecting candidates for the 2010 elections.  Elections will be held for Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Auditor, State Senator, State House of Representative and other local officials, as well as for U.S. Congressional seats.   The caucuses are also the first step in shaping the DFL platform and policy positions.

Step 1: Find out what house district and precinct you are in.
Caucuses are usually organized by precinct within senate or country districts.  The Minnesota Secretary of State website has a polling place finder, which should provide you with information about the political districts you reside in.  Follow the steps by entering your zip code, followed by your address, to find out your district information.  Besides telling you where you vote, it also tells you your congressional district, Minnesota senate district, house district and precinct, along with a few other districts.  Your precinct is often a combination of your town with the letter “P” and a number or your for smaller towns, the name of the town.  Example: Farmington P-4 is precinct 4 in Farmington.   

Step 2: Find your caucus location.
 After you know your house district and precinct, you can find out where your precinct caucus is.  Since caucuses are organized by local DFL parties, the Secretary of State is dependent on receiving the location information from local party officials.  Secretary of State  Mark Ritchie’s office is working to launch an online caucus finder, but it will not be available until late January 2010.  In the meantime, you can find your caucus location by contacting your local DFL Senate District official.  For instance Senate District 36 (SD36) is planning the caucuses in the SD36 area.  The local leaders or the website in SD36 will provide you the information for your meeting location.  

Step 3: Show up.
Once you know where to go, it is as simple as showing up.  Arrive a little early to sign in.  Registration begins at 6:30 p.m., and the caucus is convened at 7:00.  At many caucuses, multiple precincts meet in one location.  Generally, you go directly to your precinct to sign in, but people or signs should direct you.  There is generally a fair amount of literature to review.  There is always DFL party literature, and often candidate literature.  It is not uncommon for local officials or candidates to make an appearance too.

Step 4: Engage with others in your precinct as you wait to begin.
The caucus is a great place to meet neighbors who share your political view.  But caucuses also are the first step in developing resolutions to be included in the DFL platform.  Talk about ideas and engage others.  The caucus is the first step to offer a resolution on an issue important to you.  Before the close of the caucus, attendees in your precinct will vote on the issue, and if passed , will forward the resolution on to the next level of discussion.  Click here to open the resolution form.

Step 5: The caucus begins.
The caucus begins with a few introductions and a couple required announcements.  To begin the process, the caucus attendees elect a caucus chair, a secretary to record notes and tellers to count ballots.  These positions are occasionally opened up to volunteers, then consented to by the body with a vote.  Caucuses are run using parliamentary procedures to nominate and elect officials.  Do not be embarrassed to ask questions if you are unfamiliar with how to phrase something — others, including the conveners and even the chair are often in the same boat. 

Step 6: Elect precinct officers.
Caucus attendees elect officers who will be responsible for organizing political activities within the precinct.  Each precinct elects a precinct chair and two precinct associate chairs.  Within the DFL, at least  one male and one female must be elected.  For example, if a woman is elected chair, at least one associate chair should be a man, and vice versa.  Precinct chair responsibilities can be very different from district to district.  A key responsibility is to attend local DFL committee meetings and to help organize and increase the presence of the party through voter registration and get-out-the-vote efforts.  Additionally, in some districts, the precinct chair is expected to raise a certain amount of money in a district. In others, it might be as simple as calling people in the precinct to remind them of a meeting or an election.  Literature describing the duties will be at your precinct location.

Step 7: Elect senate district delegates.
Each precinct has a predetermined number of delegates to elect to the county or senate district convention.  The caucus attendees will elect representatives to be delegates.  In many districts, there are often more delegate and alternate openings than there are people willing or able to attend the convention.  You don’t need to launch a massive campaign to be elected to the next level.  It is important to make sure your precinct chair checks the “delegate” box on the attendance forms to ensure you are included in the rolls for the convention.  Keep something in mind.  After the caucuses a list of the convention attendees is often acquired by candidates.  Expect calls from candidates.

Step 8: Vote in the gubernatorial straw poll.
Attendees of the caucus will be given a straw poll ballot to indicate their preference among the candidates for governor.  Cast your vote before 8:00.

Step 9: Finish up.
If there are pending resolutions, finish considering the resolutions.  The chair will announce the results of the straw poll and finish up with any announcements.

Step 10: Adjourn.
Finally, the caucus chair will ask for a motion to adjourn the caucus.
After the caucus there are tasks that need to be completed.  Cleaning up the area is the simplest duty to help with.  Reporting results and entering attendance data into the DFL database is also an important task.

Note: While many of these steps fit caucuses statewide, I did write this specifically with experience in the south metro.  Feel free to forward this or repost it.  Please credit MNDem.com if you do.

Will the 2008 caucus scare away 2010 caucus attendees

I kind of wonder if the Barack Obama-Hillary Clinton contest that created an incredible wave of DFL caucus participation in 2008, might actually hurt caucus attendance in 2010.  It was a madhouse with long lines, locations running out of supplies and grumpy people.  Despite the anticipation of a huge turnout, the group of volunteers at each location struggled to keep up.  For many of the people attending, it was their first caucus experience.  Will that caucus experience frighten people away from attending a second caucus? I’m afraid it will.

I have personal experience that makes me think that.  I attended my first DFL caucus in 1988 at a church in Richfield.  I was an excited 17 year old.  The caucus was packed with supporters of the different presidential candidates running, Michael Dukakis, Jesse Jackson, Dick Gephardt, Paul Simon and Al Gore.  It was filled with local candidates and state candidates.  I remember meeting Mike Hatch for some reason.  But the event was confusing to a newcomer in terms of format, organization and language.  It was overwhelming.

It was practically another 17 years before I attended my second caucus.  I never missed voting, but the experience in 1988 made me think the caucuses were for hardcore people, not for amateurs like me. 

While 1988 and 2008 both had competitive races, the 1988 race between Dukakis and Jackson does not compare to the passion and energy behind Obama and Clinton that pumped the 2008 race into a frenzy of support for each candidate.  Thousands of people showed up at caucus locations, many just to vote and leave.  Those that stayed were greeted by more chaos.  The people charged with leading the caucus struggled to deal with the long lines of new attendees and voters, start timess of meetings were delayed, and experienced caucus attendees in each precinct were unexpectedly forced to become teachers and meeting leaders.

The 2008 caucus was an anomaly.  While DFL leaders hope to keep those people involved, political meetings are often not the most exciting way to spend a cold February evening.  While the 2008 caucus was packed, loud, and even a little confusing, I recall at the 2006 Farmington caucus.  I felt a little like one needed to whisper it was so quiet.  While I don’t know the exact number, I know attendance was under 100 people at my location, and my precinct had four or five attendees. 

As I said, DFL leaders are making a push to get first time attendees to return, but I have a feeling that 2010 will look a lot more like 2006 than 2008.  There were a lot of people in 2008 eager to get involved, but people’s lives are busy.  Few people in my district realized that there was more involved in running for positions than just winning in 2008.  There were many people eager to join the fight, but attending a few meetings or working on fundraising is difficult when you are working to keep your head above water.  It is hard to attend a meeting when it takes away one of the few nights you get to spend with your children.  I don’t think a lot of those people will attend again.

 If you want to get involved, if you feel like helping to get the word out on DFL values, or can raise a little money to support candidates in the area, don’t be afraid to attend the caucus.  Think about becoming a precinct leader or assistant precinct chair at the caucus.  Become a delegate to the district convention, where you have the opportunity to become a delegate at the State Convention.  The caucuses will be a smoother experience in 2010, with a greater ability to get involved at the level you want.  Don’t be afraid.

And by the way, even if you don’t attend the caucus, you can still attend your local DFL meeting and get involved.

To have one’s cake doughnut and eat it too – RETRACTED

I had to remove this post. I didn’t read the original article as tongue-in-cheek reporting. So my article really makes no sense. Well it makes sense, but at the wrong person’s expense.

Here is the original article from Politics in Minnesota. I still don’t catch the humor in his comment, but..

Sorry Rep. Juhnke. He posted this reponse:

This was a ‘humorous’ piece…you don’t recognize that? Oh my.

(Plus, food for DFL caucus retreats is NOT paid for by state funds. Never has been. It is purchased with our own money. Oh my.)

Are you living within your means?

I keep hearing government needs to learn to live within its means.  Many politicians are quoted that during these tough economic times citizens have learned to live within their means, government should too.

Are you living within your means? 

According to the credit card industry, at the end of 2008, the average American credit card debt in households that have a credit card was $10,679.  That figure was up .4% from 2007.

In March 2009, credit card debt was nearly $950 billion! 

According to a congressional economic committee report, nearly 14% of Americans disposable income is used to pay that debt. 

In 2004, 58% of households had credit card debt.  Do you think that figure has gone down or up in the last 6 years?

I could go on with insane figures about credit card debt.  But credit card debt isn’t the only debt.  How many families have a car loan?  How many families have a student loan?  How many families have a mortgage?

I’m not truly living within my means.  Are you?

“Living within our means” has become a buzz phrase that politicians use in an attempt to get votes.  That is all it is.  The most notable Minnesota politician who uses the “live within our means” phrase, is willing to push debt into the future like a huge credit card balance onto the backs of our children.  That way, he can claim there were no tax increases when he runs for president.

Don’t let the buzz phrases influence your voting decision.  We need to elect leaders who plan for and invest in the future.  Candidates who realize rough times happen and the best way to prepare is during good times.  It takes an honest, authentic and common-sense individual to do that.  And you won’t find it from somebody declaring we just need to cut expenses and live within our means.  There is a lot more to living within our means than simply cut, cut, cut.

Credit Card Industry Facts

Lakeville Accident Family In Need

I didn’t know the family personally, but Shirley Iverson, Deb Buhmann and Lexi Iverson were members of my church at Farmington Lutheran Church.  I couldn’t imagine if something happened to my wife and kids.  Just the thought of it makes get that tight feeling in my stomach and tear up.

If you are able to, there are two ways to help the families financially.  Anchor Banks are accepting donations to help the families.   Also, Dave Ryan and KDWB are helping to raise money to buy a new car for the father and the surviving children.  The car involved in the accident was the family’s only car.  Click here to help Dave Ryan and KDWB help the family a little.

DONATE TO DAVE RYAN’S GOAL

 

Update: KDWB is still taking donations, but had rasied over $30,000 when they announced what was happening on the Thursday morning show.

Another (John Kline) Rant!

My oldest son and I were returning home from a quick four store Christmas shopping trip around 4:30 Sunday afternoon.  As we drove up Pilot Knob Rd toward Farmington, we approached a mini-traffic jam.  After numerous cars ahead of us moved into the right lane to pass a slow driver, we were left following a white Ranger pickup going about 45 mph, and slowly swerving from side-to-side across the lane.  My assumption is that he had been cheering on the Vikings or Packers with a libation or two.

I don’t know if there had been any alcohol ingested, but when I approach a driver who seems to be showing signs of intoxication, I like to stay back, not in front of them, so I didn’t pass.  I made it the next couple miles safely home, and assume the driver of the white Ranger made it unsafely home. 

I thought about that driver again this afternoon when I read a story that Dakota County is among the deadliest counties in Minnesota for alcohol related crashes.  The next article I read was about earmarks requested by the each congressional representative.  Among the requests was a $100,000 DUI court request for Koochiching County.  It made me mad.

I know you are wondering what the maddening connection is.  I got mad because Koochiching County is going to get $100,000 for an issue that is important, and that we, including our children, have a danger every day of coming into contact with, yet John Kline didn’t request any funds for the 2nd Congressional District (CD2).   No funds!  No transportation infrastructure improvements.  No startup business funds.  No hospital funds.  No state trooper funds.  Not even a frickin’ 100K for anything DUI related, when four of the seven counties he represents: Dakota, Rice, Washington and Scott, all make the list of the deadliest DUI counties!

John Kline’s communications director said this of earmarks:

“In January 2007, he decided not to participate in earmarks. He does not support the corrupt and corrupting process of earmarks.”

Too bad he doesn’t feel that way about the corrupt and corrupting influence of the lobbying process!  Really?  There is nothing worth compromising to improve in CD2?  There is no way of participating in the system and attempting to change it? 

I think it is important to point out that GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen requested 1.6 million dollars for improved and safer highways in his district.  Michelle Bachmann and John Kline are equals in that she does not “believe in earmarks.”   Her spokesperson said “that the earmark process is broken and in need of reform. It’s not transparent or open enough, and too often jumps politics above merit.”

So the final view:  John Kline = Michelle Bachmann

Keep that in mind.

CD2 Executive Committee Meeting – December 8, 2009

I’m a little late with posting this, but the DFL 2^nd Congressional District Executive Committee met Tuesday December 8, at Burnhaven Library.  It was the night of the “blizzard” last week.  At 6:30, there were only nine members in attendance (That did not count me, I am not a committee member) but within a few minutes of the scheduled start time there was a quorum.  And by 6:45, there were probably about 20 people there.

Weather probably played more of a factor than just causing lateness.  Tom Bakk was scheduled to speak, but car troubles led to his absence.  Shelley Madore, the new candidate for congress was expected to make an appearance, but she didn’t make it.  To make things even worse, the person who brings the sweet treats didn’t make it.  But the meeting went fast, and it sounds like Tom Bakk will speak in February.

The business meeting started with a discussion of the budget approval process at the State DFL meeting.  It sounds like that was very smooth.  There was also a discussion about a motion to amend the DFL bylaws to allow districts to elect state meeting representatives before conventions.  Unfortunately, I was listening to the explanation, not taking notes, so I can’t elaborate adequately.  If you want to know more, talk to a person in attendance at the meeting.  I can suggest some names if you are really interested.

The most interesting exchange came about during a discussion that involved a request for CD2 to aid Senate Districts with a purchase of software.  There are districts within CD2 that are well organized and well funded, and there are districts that are not.  My own SD36, among others, is one that is not.  On the other hand, SD38 is well organized and decently funded.  There might be a little disconnect among well organized and well funded district members as to exactly how big the differences are.  I’m not sure if it is organization leadership, or if it is a history of losing that keeps people from donating or being involved.  I suspect it is a combination.  It can be hard to justify a $50 donation to a local candidate who might struggle to get 30% of the votes, instead of a competitive state candidate.  And it is hard to stay motivated when you continue to lose despite hard working, well qualified candidates.  But it also takes a leader with a vision to change things, and a plan to raise cash, before you can be competitive.  It is something we need to work on across CD2, and the “well-off” districts need to be supportive.  It was interesting, and hopefully it will change.

I think most people would find these meetings dull.  I think it is an interesting snapshot of the workings of the DFL.  If you think it might be interesting, and you ever want to see it first hand, join me as an observer.  It is sad, but I am there more often than some of the members.  Another person willing to listen and get involved would be great.  The next meeting will be Tuesday January 5, at Burnhaven Library from 6:30 to 8:15.  Note that this is not the normal second Tuesday of the month.  If you want to meet me there and talk, email me.

Other events coming up:

 SD36 Executive Committee and Central Committee Meeting is January 14, 2010, at 6:30 p.m.  Location is to be determined.  Check the SD36 website for updates

 DFL Precinct Caucus night is February 2, 2010.

Shelley Madore to Challenge Dan Powers for the DFL Endorsement in CD2

It looks like Dan Powers has a challenger in his quest for the DFL endorsement to battle John Kline for Congress.

Former 37A State Representative Shelley Madore has expressed her intention to challenge John Kline in CD2. Shelley is a formidable candidate. She has already won in a long held Republican district. She is extremely knowledgeable on issues important to DFLers, especially healthcare, childcare and education.

I emailed a friend who is a friend of Shelley, she said the website should be up soon.

The race just got much more interesting.

Here are some link to blogs that announced her impending campaign:

MinnPost

mnpACT!

StarTribune

Jottings and Questions III

Nobody is going to go unscathed as political leaders try to figure out how to deal with the latest state economic news. We are all going to bear the brunt for the fiasco we have gotten ourselves into. But I am continually annoyed that the people with the least to give to solve the solution are the ones who feel it the most. I don’t believe we can solve the problem by taxing the rich, but the poorest people have the greatest need for safety and security. You are naive to think a person not taking their anti-psychotic drugs or a mother forced to leave her kids alone to make money won’t affect us financially in the future someway.

As a state we need to cut a lot of things. I am surprised there isn’t an outcry to cut the governor’s and legislator’s wages. Cut them in half and halve their per diem too. That is a few million dollars. You have to start somewhere.

I saw some (and listened to more) of the House Ways & Means Committee “Presentation about the November Forecast” online Thursday. SD36 was represented by both Pat Garofalo and Mary Liz Holberg at the meeting. The odd thing is that Pat Garofalo was wearing an Adrian Peterson Vikings Jersey instead of the standard legislator’s button down shirt. I figure either he wants to support the freedom to drive 109 miles an hour, or he is for a publically financed stadium for the Vikings despite the economic news he was there to discuss. I sent him an email making a little joke about it. I don’t know for sure, but I assume he was attending the Vikings Rally at the Capitol that afternoon.

Speaking of stadiums, did you see that Murray’s Steakhouse is going to have a concession stand at the Bull’s Eye, or whatever catchy name people are going to start calling Target Field. Mmmm. So long Famous Dave’s. Only 129 days until opening day at the Field.

129 days is more than twice as long until the caucus. Only 59 days until the caucus. I’m not exactly sure when the SD36 convention is, but probably within a month of the caucus. That means I have about 3 months to decide which gubernatorial candidate to support. I’m really flip-flopping on who to support. One day it is one candidate and the next it is another. To be totally honest though, I have eliminated Dayton, Marty, Gaertner and Rukavina from my consideration. That leaves six more to decide from. I’d gladly meet any of them at the ballpark for a Murray’s steak sandwich to discuss issues…

With 10 candidates for governor (12 if you want to count Ole Savior and Peter Roess) vying for support and money, a little edge on the money side could really separate a candidate. All reports are the Entenza already has an edge, but Wednesday afternoon he was lucky enough to be on the receiving end of a Washington D.C. fundraiser. While the South Dakota and North Dakota Senators were among the hosts, it seems that neither Senator Klobuchar nor Senator Franken were present in the stories I found.

Speaking of fundraising, MN Moderate to Liberal Political Roundtable by Holly Cairns is doing a very interesting test. She is offering to sell ad space to the candidates. It is a very reasonable rate, and in return, she will work to promote the candidate’s messages. If you look to the right, I am promoting candidates. A look at my blog stats shows that in the last 30 days, DFL candidate links to the right have had 136 clicks. Over the last 3 months, there have been 797 candidate link clicks. There are a lot bigger blogs than mine out there, so bloggers are driving people to the sites. Maybe a little financial support for bloggers is a good thing.

Speaking of blog statistics, I like to look at the searches people use to access my blog. My two favorite searches in the last few weeks that led somebody to my website:

“Tom Emmer Crazy Governor”
and
“who the hell is dan powers DFL”

I think most people coming to this site know Dan Powers is running against John Kline in CD2. Down in CD1, Rep. Tim Walz is holding another town hall meeting. Walz has had two meetings in the last few months. Congressman Kline has only held two meetings in his last few terms!