…could Tim Walz have just skipped the whole thing?
After squandering an $18B surplus and, by the way, governing like a dictator (and not even a competent one), Walz’s state of the state mostly tried to gaslight the viewer into thinking Donald Trump caused the state’s problems:
TAKE 2: A couple of key paragraphs disappeared from this one on Friday, the first time I tried it…
SCENE: A press conference at the Minnesota State University system. Spokesperson Moonbeam BIRKENSTOCK stands nervously in front of a podium, facing a gaggle of barely-engaged press, and Mitch BERG of Shot in the Dark/AM1280/HotAir.
BIRKENSTOCK: So, with the changes in federal funding, it appears the Minnesota State University system is going to have to make unprecedented hikes to tuition:
Minnesota State school officials mull what could be the largest tuition hike in more than a decade https://t.co/Rx4ci1jeUB
An audit of the Southwest Light Rail project – which is years late, and running at well over double the original projected cost, and (this is my longtime prediction) will end up over $3 Billion when it finally lurches to completion, got a hearing at the Legislature earlier this week.
A years-long audit of the construction of the embattled Southwest Light Rail line has concluded the Metropolitan Council had issues with “non-compliance” and a lack of “internal controls” managing the mega project, which is now expected to cost taxpayers $2.86 billion.
The presentation by the Office of the Legislative Auditor also gave frustrated lawmakers another opportunity to tee off on Met Council Chair Charlie Zelle.
“You can’t blame it on anyone else, blame it on the consultant, you are the decision maker,” said Sen. Mark Koran (R-North Branch) at the hearing on Monday morning.
The audit highlighted huge discrepancies in estimating the costs of hundreds of change orders on the project, including one for the construction of a barrier along the Kenilworth Corridor, which drove up the price of the project by more than $40 million.
How about we just start the next audit now, to save time?
In the six years Tim Walz has governed Minnesota, and especially in the two years the DFL, the state’s bespoke version of the Democratic Party, has had unfettered control of the state’s government, Minnesota has become something of a hotbed of corruption.
The marquee case, so far, is “Feeding Our Future”, named after a non-profit that allegedly took hundreds of millions of dollars of state and federal Covid relief aid, and “spent” it on feeding centers that served no meals and fed no hungry people.
But in a bombshell Wednesday evening, Bill Glahn of the Center of the American Experiment (a conservative think tank run by Ed and my former radio colleague John Hinderaker) released an audio exhibit from the federal cases, appearing to show Minnesota’s controversial Attorney General, Keith Ellison, discussing a wide range of subjects of interest in the case with several people involve in the case at various levels:
American Experiment has exclusively obtained the complete 54-minute, 44-second audio file of a private December 2021 meeting between state Attorney General (AG) Keith Ellison and key figures in the Feeding Our Future scandal.
As I wrote last week, the audio file was named as Exhibit 710 on the evidence list presented to the court by Aimee Bock’s defense attorney, Kenneth Udoibok. The recording was not offered into evidence during the six-week trial that concluded last month, with Bock’s conviction on all seven counts she faced.
As a document, it exceeds expectations. Voices can be heard clearly and are clearly identifiable. The highlights, which are many, tend to be front-loaded. I’ve included below some clips from the meeting to highlight a few points.
Glahn presents the receipts, as the kids say. In this clip, Ellison discusses how his flex can get other state agencies to back off:
The “Jodi Harpstead” referred to is state’s former Human Services commissioner – no stranger to other problems, and who, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune, resigned last January as controversy swelled around the department.
Here, Ellison pledges to fight on behalf the non-profits:
Perhaps most revealing, according to Glahn, the tape changes the timeline presented by Ellison in the past.
At 30:38, Ellison interrupts, saying, “This is the first I’m really hearing about it.” At 37:08, Ellison says, “This has not come to my attention until now.” These private statements in December 2021 completely contradict his September 2022 public statement:
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and his office have been deeply involved for two years in holding Feeding Our Future accountable.
Two years. Do the math.
The entire tape is included in the Center’s story.
State Rep. Maria Isa Perez-Vega wants to mow herself some of that fresh astroturf:
The DFLer, who enthusiastically participated in the orgy of spending that led to both tax hikes and a colossal deficit that has raised the cost of living, led to thousands of Minnesotans losing their jobs or moving their businesses out of state, piling unfunded mandates onto schools that are causing budget-tightening in the classroom, and cutting the very services the Representative is talking about, is going to try to deflect the whole mess over to Trump.
And she is going to do the brave, boss-lady thing and hold a town hall.
Where?
When?
So, you can find out where the “town hall” is after we vet you to make sure you’re not one of the “bad” ones?
Since this takes place during show-time on Saturday, Avery Librelle will have to sit it out.
But if any of you go, feel free to call in with a report.
The child star who disappeared under a mound of blow at age 15, coming back with a stellar performance.
The team that started the season in the cellar, going to the championship.
The 35 year old short reliever who started as an 18 year old prodigy before getting stuck in AAA ball for a decade and a half that pitches a shutout to get the save, and a little bit of immortality, in the big game.
The political party that squandered a $18B surplus to create a $6B deficit, while blowing up the budget 40% and jacking up taxes, rebranding itself as tax hawks for the children…
And kudos to the social media intern for that clever job of editing all the facts out of the interchange, to make it look like Rep. Gomez was winning the discussion. It was…creative.
Suddenly, the DFL is stoked. Nikki the Ninja is no longer the juiciest (alleged) crime story in the MN State Senate.
For now, anyway. Sen. Justin Eichhorn got arrested for soliciting a “16 year old girl” who turned out to be a police decoy.
The Bloomington Police Department said Eichorn, 40, of Grand Rapids, solicited sex from a detective posing as a 17-year-old girl online. Eichorn and the detective arranged to meet near the 8300 block of Normandale Boulevard.
Eichorn was seen arriving in his pickup truck at the rendezvous point and was taken into custody just after 5:45 p.m., police said.
As of this publishing, Eichorn remained in the Bloomington Police Department’s custody awaiting transfer to the Hennepin County Jail. Formal charges have yet to be filed.
The DFL…well, they tried to have a field day with it. It didn’t end well:
So let’s recap: Republicans immediately demand their reprobate’s resignation. The DFL has been stalling on any meaningful action on Nicole “Nikki the Ninja” Mitchell for almost a year, now.
If you live in House District 40B – northern Roseville and southern Shoreview – and you’ve seen enough of how the DFL acts when it’s got all the power it wants, get out and vote for Paul Wikstrom today.
Drag your friends and family out to do it too.
Got kids who live there? They owe you. Twist that arm.
Elderly relatives? Get them to the polls.
Wikstrom has raised more money in this race than some CD4 Congressional candidates have in recent races – so there’s support and interest. This is at least in the running to be not a DFL walkover.
BTW, the “Stand your Ground” bill was defeated on a straight party-line tie in the House last week.
That means votes are on record.
The last time the House DFL voted straight-line against a gun-rights bill that lost a floor vote was 2002, when “Shall Issue” permit reform was barely defeated.
The GOP went on to win every single one of those outstate DFL seats; every outstate DFLer that voted against gun rights lost that fall. And with a GOP House and Governor (and a few iron Range DFL senators voting “yes”), Shall Issue passed the following session.
Keep that anger going.
It can not be the only issue that the GOP rides on (and it won’t be), and the MN Gun Owners Caucus must not be the only functional, focused group working conservative causes (and I don’t think it will be).
This this can be, and must be, a potent part of the right’s approach in this next election.
The report predicts that spending growth will outpace revenue in 2029, leaving Minnesota in the red after a record-setting projected surplus of $17.5 billion in 2023. https://t.co/39zpxGo8Rv
Worse, but could have been worser "MN budget outlook adjusted down amid economic, fiscal uncertainty. FY 26-27 projected balance now $456 million, $160 million less than Dec. Projected FY 2028-29 general fund shortfall now $5.995 billion, $852 million worse than Nov. estimates."
Now, are there plenty of Minnesota voters stupid enough to believe that DFL spending under Biden spun the state’s budget wheel $24 Billion Dollars in the wrong direction in two years?
Well, they’re sure hoping so.
Right. Trump forced you to squander an $18 billion surplus two years before his reelection.
— Mitch "The Wałęsa Project" Berg 🇺🇸🇳🇴🇪🇪🇦🇷 (@mitchpberg) March 6, 2025
Of course, it’s not just Howard – who’s replaced Smith as the dumbest voice in the legislature:
SCENE: Mitch BERG is checking out after a meal at an Indian restaurant in the north ‘burbs. Hostess Elora BANNERJEE is running BERG’s card, as he notices Moonbeam BIRKENSTOCK, Cat SCAT and LEAKEY the Beagel climbing out of an Uber. BERG frantically drums his fingers, waiting for the card-reader to approve the transaction – which it does, just as the three progressive activists walk through the door.
BIRKENSTOCK: Merg!
BERG: Oh, hey, Moon…
BIRKENSTOCK: Shut up. The MNGOP just voted to for bullying!
BERG: You mean, for a bigger, stronger person being able to use their size and power to exert their will over others?
BIRKENSTOCK: That was rude! How dare you use size and volume to yell over someone who’s…
LEAKY: Zat vas anozzer interrrrhuption!
BIRKENSTOCK: How dare you!
BERG: OK, so glad to see you disavow people interrupting other…
BIRKENSTOCK: Shut up. So while you Republicans were pushing a bill that legalized bullying…
BERG (stifling a yawn, badly) by stopping the erasure of women in their own sports by men who’ve in many cases not even begun the years-long process of hormonal transition, which never actually completely erases mens’ physical advantages…
BIRKENSTOCK: SHUT UP! What were you doing to fix the economy?]
BERG: I bet this is the point where you drop some kind of tweet from the DFL’s social media intern…ope, there you go…
BREAKING NEWS: Democrats just defeated HF 12, a dangerous Republican bill that would put the power to bully and harass kids in state law.
Now, let’s focus on solving real problems that people care about, like making life more affordable for our constituents.
BERG: So the party that squandered a $19B surplus, hiked taxes, blew up the budget, raised fees on everything from tabs to parking, and shrugged their shoulders and said there’s nothing they can do about an acceptable level of fraud and corruption, and participated in the ruinously inflationary spending binge of the past four years, has done exactly what to “make life more affordable?”
(The three look back and forth. SCAT produces a bullhorn from a capacious MPR tote bag).
BANNERJEE: (Pulling a bottle of mace from under the desk) Oh, no you don’t. Put that thing away.
SCAT: But…
BANNEREE: Now!
(The three sheepishly comply as BERG makes his escape).
Lt. Governor Flanagan, the one-time extremist who has drifted toward the center-left, at least as compared to
Ilhan Omar and
Leigh Finke.
Al Franken is also riumored to be thinking about wanting to go back to DC.
Angie Crag, who just keeps barely portraying herself as “moderate” in defending her always vulnerable House seat.
The DFL’s big advantage is their chair has far more power to shape the election field than the GOP chair does. I suspect the wrangling before, during and after the DFL convention will reflect the wishes of whomever is the MNDFL’s sitting char. If it were still Ken Martin, I’d suspect a lot of push behind Rep. Craig – I can’t see that the other three contenders aren’t going to have problems outside 494/694. Franken’s a wild card – but he’s also 73.
There are mainstream (i.e. less overtly Maoist) DFLers who say they think Craig may have an inside shot. Which would open up CD2, which has been vulnerable ever since Jason Lewis left the seat – provided the CD2 GOP can coalesce around a viable candidate, rather
As to Walz running for a third term? That’s gotta be a big lift – but with seemingly every other contender for statewide office in the ring for Senate, it’s hard to see who in the DFL would oppose him, as the field looks now – or which of them would do better in a Governor race.
The wildest card of all, of course, would be vintage DFL: Senator Smith resigns early, Walz appoints either himself or whichever candidate has the current favor of the DFL (himself or Craig, I’d suspect), potentially leaving that choice and Lt. Gov. Flanagan as incumbents next year.
At any rate – the opportunity is there for the MNGOP, if they can tame the circuilar firing squad for one lousy cycle.
Tina Smith is retiring from the Senate, citing health.
So – who’s turn is it in DC?
Tim Walz has made noises about running – and clearly lusts after DC real estate. More on that maybe next week.
Peggy Flanagan came right out of the gate, though, and announced yesterday.
No huge surprise there.
Of course, some of her support rates a grim chuckle:
I am so excited to hear that our Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan is going to run for U.S. Senate! Her lived experience, proven leadership, and heart for public service will represent Minnesota well at the U.S. Capitol! https://t.co/wP6GPZyHMZ
Her “lived experience” is entirely as part of the non-profit/DFL/industrial complex; she has never not been a first or second-tier government employee.
As to “proven leadership?” The only issue I can recall about her actually leading, as opposed to posturing…
Besides Walz (ahem), we’ve Ilhan Omar, Jacob Frey, and we’ve got late-breaking rumors that Leigh Finke is mulling throwintg Leigh Finke’s hat into the ring:
“In Minnesota, participation and eligibility of transgender student-athletes is determined by state law, through the Minnesota Human Rights Act and the Minnesota Constitution. The Minnesota State High School League, similar to other youth sports organizations, is subject to state anti-discrimination laws, which prohibit discrimination based on gender identity. Therefore, students in Minnesota are allowed to participate consistent with their gender identity. League Member Schools have done excellent work in respecting students and their individual situations as they determine their participation and eligibility within interscholastic sports.
Look – the DFL just discovered the 10th Amendment!
While the fracas in the MN House is getting all the attention, the DFL is having to battle for their electoral lives in the Senate, where their one-vote rests on Senator Nicole Mitchell.
Becker County Attorney Brian McDonald added a second burglary charge Monday against state Sen. Nicole Mitchell focusing on items she had with her when police encountered her stepmother’s home in April 2024 in Detroit Lakes….Mitchell’s case was supposed to go to trial in late January, but her defense team invoked a Minnesota law saying lawmakers cannot be required to attend court proceedings during a legislative session. That delayed Mitchell’s case until June and possibly later, depending on when the 2025 session wraps.
The new complaint includes more details about her alleged interaction with police. It says Mitchell told an officer “I’m just hoping this mistake won’t completely f*** up my life” and that she voiced alarm about affecting her military retirement.
She’s gonna leave the Senate, one way or another, and while two tied chambers isn’t any bigger of a hassle for the Governor and DFL and their agenda than one tied chamber, Woodbury isn’t so utterly safe that they can take anything for granted.
Melissa Hortman folded her hand yesterday, and said the House DFL would come back to work. Lisa Demuth is the Speaker, and the GOP controls the committees, at least until after the 40B Special on March 11.
There are a few Republicans – largely from the crowd that thinks “Minnesota Gun Rights” is an actual gun rights group in Minnesota – who think it was a defeat for the GOP.
Let’s let a DFLer address that:
For those claiming tonight's deal wasn't a win for Republicans, I present the Democrat base. pic.twitter.com/3R0mA8hao3
For someone who’s gotten a little fatalistic about Minnesota Republicans screwing every pooch that can be screwed, it was a very good day. This is not your fathers House GOP Caucus.
So why is the DFL fighting everything so hard this year?
As we’ve noted in the past, the DFL has been in the minority before. And they never reacted like they are today.
So while acknowledging all the usual caveats – anonymous sources, citing even more anonymous connections, etc – read this entire thread anyway:
Talked to a friend who has connections within the Democratic Party and he said the level of panic over Trump and Elon shutting down USAID is unlike anything he’s ever seen.
By following the money DOGE has struck a killing blow to the heart of the Democrat deep state machine.
Presuming it’s true – it smacks of plausibility – then USAID is just a huge money-transfer machine, slapping altruistic facades onto over-the-top grifts to launder taxpayer money to the non-profit/industrial complex.
Looking at the freneticism and bile of the attacks on DOGE, Musk and the effort to tame USAID, it looks like it’s struck a nerve.
So – imagine what’ll happen if a Republican gets into the executive branch in Minnesota ever again? Or gets enough power in the legislature to do some serious digging and publicizing?
If a Minnesota version of DOGE – perhaps the “Office of Minnesota Internal Graft, Abuse and Waste Detection” – were to get free reign to find where Governors Dayton and Walz and their non-profit/industrial complex handlers hid the bodies?
It must be a tough time to be Erin Maye Quade – Senator from Apple Valley, and Big Left’s attack poodle in the Senate.
In the past couple of years, she’s voted for a thoughtcrime data base, and openly fantasized about using government power to keep parents from teaching their kids about abstinence…
🚨 WOW: Minnesota Senator Erin Maye Quade just said she wants parents to stop teaching their kids about abstinence.
Because suddenly, she’d discovered that big powerful government can be scary, when you’re not at the controls.
Even if you have to conjure those threats out of thin air:
Minnesota State Sen. Erin Maye Quade (DFL-Apple Valley) on Elon Musk's takeover of the federal budget:
“Everybody is now in control of an unelected billionaire and people who don't have security clearance. Do I fear that they're gonna go through line by line and amalgamate all… pic.twitter.com/a30yewDY3P
It’s not like they’ve never been in the. minority before. As recently as (checks notes( 2021-2022 (somehow it seems longer), they had a one-vote minority in the Senate, and the DFL’s world didn’t end.
And yet being (when all the special elections and likely special election results are in) one vote up in the Senate and tied in the House has them out larping Norma Rae.
Why, oh why?
This is OUTRAGEOUS.
Fraud. Fraud. Fraud. And more Fraud. Fraud here. Fraud there. Fraud everywhere, under Walz.
Investigate reporter @JayKollsKSTP showed up, in person, multiple times, to EMPTY "daycare centers." Yet, these "daycare centers" are some of the highest users of… https://t.co/3rqcTMaVsj
— Rep. Marion (O'Neill) Rarick (@MarionONeill1) January 29, 2025
For those who don’t want to open “X” and scroll down:
Democrats would show up to work, the Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee could hold official House committee hearings and dig in deeper. We are waiting.
Everybody knows that All Star Wrestling was rigged. The wrestlers themselves were big and strong and skilled, no doubt. But the outcome was never in doubt. The “Good Guy” always won because they were in the entertainment business. It made for better television and that’s where the owners made their money – tv advertising revenue. Which, incidentally, is why Hollywood is going broke now – too much emphasis on the Misunderstood Bad Guy. He’s not misunderstood. He’s Bad. That’s his job, to play opposite the Good Guy and eventually fail, like the Harlem Globetrotters beating the Washington Generals. Nobody wants the Bad Guy to win and nobody will pay to watch it, time after time.
People are talking openly about the NFL being similarly rigged. The league is an entertainment business, too. Sure, the individual franchises have separate owners but they play by league rules under league refs and the league has a vested interest in making sure the Good Guys win to maximize tv ad revenue. Which explains why the officiating is such a big deal – it looks as if the league puts its thumb on the scale to affect the outcome.
Make every play instantly reviewable, put a chip inside the ball for accurate spotting, transparency is possible with technology. Unless that would force the thumb off the scale. That might let the wrong people win. That would be BAD.
Now let’s talk about elections.
Joe Doakes
I suspect after this past two years that the DFL has a lot to cover up, and the rigging is going to be over the top. WIth a little luck, perhaps too over the top
If you live in Senate District 60 – the U of M, Dinkytown, Marcy Holmes – get out and vote for Abigail Wolters for the MN Senate.
If you know someone who lives in the district and is sick and tired of DFL lawnessness, or especially of U of M student who’s looking at the life the DFL has mapped out for them – being a purposeless unit of consumption – then get them to get out and vote for Abby.
