Ssshhhhhh.
Dave Mindemen at mnpACT is about to blow the lid off something – the “facade” of Minnesota Republican unity:
A short time ago, Republicans filled a room at the Secretary of State’s office and Tony Sutton announced this as proof that the Republican party was unified and ready to take back the legislature. It was a nicely staged event to coincide with Tom Emmer’s filing for governor. All together – united in purpose.
Makes a great picture….but like most Republican declarations it’s just not true.
But…why?
Arne Carlson was on MPR this morning…you remember him. Former Governor of Minnesota, Republican? Except when you ask Pawlenty or Tony Sutton or Michael Brodkorb about Arne Carlson, they refuse to identify him as part of the GOP. Pawlenty has dismissed Carlson’s critiques as proof that Carlson has defected to the other side.
Disagreement’s not allowed?
Ask Joe Lieberman and former DFLer Norm Coleman…
….hey, wait! Arne Carlson is running for office?
(Even after doubling spending, endorsing Obama and bashing the conservative mainstream that, let me emphasize this, controls the party?)
Question #1 for Dave Mindeman: Does the fact that conservatives won the control of the party, to the point where no “moderates” made it to the convention, mean anything to you (outside the mistaken notion that it’s a weakness)?
Question #2 for Dave Mindeman: Please introduce me to all those endorsed pro-gun, pro-life, limited-government Tenth Amendment supporting Democrats in the Metro area DFL!
The left sure has an affinity for Arne Carlson, maybe they should run him.
As usual you take one comment that you want to argue and ignore the rest of the point. However, let me answer your questions:
1) True, the conservatives have “won” control of the party; however, history is replete with candidates who think party control means an automatic general election win. Those candidates are on the scrap heap. Your party seems to think that ideological purity is what the general electorate wants. To win elections, candidates have to adapt to what the people expect — not expect the people to just suddenly have a massive ideological epiphany — especially one they have spent the last 4 years resisting. Do not equate anger at the economic status as an embracing of conservative principles. Changing a “big tent” party to a “pup tent” party is great for ideologues — bad for winning elections.
2) Although I think that Democratic philosophy won’t see much support for the type of limited-government you would expect, there are plenty of suburban Democrats who voted against the spending bills of their party. Mike Obermueller in Eagan, Phil Sterner in Rosemount, Will Morgan in Burnsville to name a few examples. Sterner and Patti Fritz (as well as recently retired Mary Otremba) are all pro-life. Iron Range Democrats are largely “pro-gun” (if their is such a word)….and as for 10thers — that hasn’t had a large amount of support anywhere since, well… you said it…Andrew Johnson.
Democrats are much more diverse in their views for Minnesota and I think that will keep them in legislative control — as well as winning a governorship, this November.
Dave Mindeman said:
“Democrats are much more diverse in their views for Minnesota”
Is this another way of saying “unprincipled”? 😉
“…..however, history is replete with candidates who think party control means an automatic general election win. Those candidates are on the scrap heap.”
That really had me thinking Mark Dayton! Party control by virtue of a large checkbook.