Shot in the Dark

Tag: MN CD7

  • The Hail Mary

    The Minnesota 7th CD is the great long-term hope for the MN GOP; someday, when Collin Peterson finally leaves office, the district – I call it “East Dakota” – will never elect another Democrat again.  Ever. But incumbency is everything in a rural district like the 7th. But maybe lightning can strike.  I’ve had a…

  • The Unthinkable

    It was about this time four years ago that a small group of bloggers and activists got a call from the Chip Cravaack campaign; the challenger was within the margin of error against 200-term congressman Jim Oberstar. It was unthinkable. And was one of the headiest days in my life as a political activist; the Tea…

  • Collin-oscopy

    Rumors from some reliable-enough sources indicate 400-term DFL 7th District Representive Collin Peterson may retire by the end of this term. This would give the GOP an opportunity for a big flip in a part of the state that, like the Dakotas, has sent farm-pork-mongering DFLers to Washington for decades, but otherwise is solidly red.…

  • Extremists Like Us

    MN 7th District representative Collin Peterson – generally regarded as a bit of a blue dog, representing a socially-conservative but farm-bill-money-hungry district – lost his long-time endorsement from Minnesota Citizens Concerned for LIfe, the state’s main pro-life group over his flip on Obamacare. And he’s done something that’s suicide for most politicians; he’s actually said…

  • In Case There Is Any Doubt

    I was, to the best of my knowledge, the first blogger in Minnesota to publish predictions to which he has stuck through the campaign (other than the traditional “I’m gonna vote for the party with which I’m identified!” that, let’s be honest, is pretty much de rigeur among partisan bloggers). So while I reserve the…

  • I Heard It On The NARN

    Reid Johnson is running for Minnesota House District 45B. Lee Byberg is running for the US House against Collin Peterson in MN CD7 – the northwest side of the state. Andy Noble is running for Ramsey County Commission.

  • Liveblogging The GOP Convention

    11:55 – I voted.  And now I have to head home.  Back tomorrow! 11:21 – First ballot in for Auditor. Conlon (who dropped out during his speech) – 5 Wiita – 327 Gilbert – 548 Anderson – 860 1078 are required to get the endorsement.  Rumor has it that Wiita is a friend of Gilbert’s. …

  • Call Your Congresspeople

    Jim Oberstar: 2365 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-6211 FAX: (202) 225-0699 Collin Peterson (202) 225-2165 Tim Walz Washington Office 1722 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 202-225-2472 Michele Bachmann 107 Cannon HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-2331 Fax: (202) 225-6475 John Kline 1210 Longworth HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202)…

  • Too Hot To Handle?

    Via Joe Bodell at MN “Progressive” Project, it seems that Rep Tim Walz’s  (DFL, MN 1st District) feet are cooling down in re the notion of passing the Senate Obamacare bill. Bodell: One of the remaining options for the health insurance reform effort is for the House of Representatives to pass the Senate version of…

  • Around The MOB: America’s Small City Mayor

    Nathan McLaughlin is the mayor of Clarissa, Minnesota.  And that job keeps him busy enough that America’s Small City Mayor is updated on a relatively leisurely basis. But it’s good stuff.  McLaughlin brings a fairly keen analytical eye to covering his turf – Clarissa is between Eagle Bend and Browerville [1], up in Minnesota’s reddish-purple hinterland,…

  • The Number You Need

    As I write this, Ed and I are interviewing Rep. Tom Price on what you and I can do to push back against the healthcare bill, which should be coming up to a vote this week, quite likely on Christmas Eve. You need to call the House at 202.224.3121.  Call Collin Peterson to thank him…

  • Step Away From The Ledge

    I joined Facebook a while ago, largely to reconnect with friends from high school (for which it’s been great). But for whatever reason, I’ve been “Friended” by a lot of people with some outspoken political beliefs.  Most of them are regular, workadaddy hugamommy conservatives like me.  A few – very few – are left of…

  • 39 Lone Voices Of Sanity

    The NYTimes runs a handy graphic on the 39 Democrats who overcame their party’s collective insanity and voted for a free future, good healthcare, and a viable economy. It’s illuminating – all but five of them came from districts that either McCain won, or that had voted Republican up until 2008.,  Tellingly, six of the…

  • The Way The Wind Blows

    MN 7th District representative Collin Peterson will vote “No” on the House “Healthcare” bill this weekend: Peterson says the bill doesn’t do enough to control health care costs, and that it continues unfair Medicare reimbursements that penalize Minnesota doctors and hospitals. Peterson says his biggest concern is the federal budget… This is good news.  There…

  • Call Congress

    Ed and I are talking with Rep. Bachmann on the air as I write this – and she stresses the importance of calling the representatives whose votes might be up for grabs on next week’s healthcare vote in the US House.  She notes that while she, Rep. Kline and Rep. Paulsen are going to vote…

  • Your Assignment For Today

    While we Republicans fight to make sure our own party doesn’t cross over to the dark side on the biggest act of intergenerational larceny in history, it’s important to remember that since Obama is basically getting the “Stimulus” terms dictated to him from his party’s left wing, there is a fair number responsible, centrist Democrats…

  • Fearless Predictions – Take 2

    It was about three months ago that I took my Smy first whack at my biennial “Fearless Predictions” for this election.  In the original, I note my bona fides as a prognosticator:  I got closer to nailing the 2004 presidential election than anyone I know; I was two days off on Saddam Hussein’s execution; while I…

  • Now That’s Confidence!

    Demko at the Minnesoros “Independent” covers Franken at FarmFest. Typical stuff.  But I caught this bit here, about a pheasant-hunting trip with 7th District congressional representative Collin Peterson: Franken noted that it was his first time toting a rifle into the woods and that his staff needed to give him a tutorial in order to…

  • Fearless Predictions – Take 1

    My record at predictions – as long as we’re not talking sports – is mixed. Between “Good” and “Friggin’ Great”.  I got the 2004 election within eight electoral votes – in a prediction made at the NARN’s first meeting, with Hugh Hewitt, at Billy’s Lighthouse in January of 2004. Nailing the date of Hussein’s execution, while admittedly…

  • Speaking of Retribution

    John Kline and Michele Bachmann were joined by Jim Ramstad in voting against the Pork ‘n Pullout bill in the House.  And while I expected nothing better of Walz, McCollum, Ellison and Oberstar, it’s distressing to see Collin Peterson has voted with his vacuous caucus.  He’s normally this state’s sole responsible Democrat.

  • 100 Reasons I’m Voting Republican Tomorrow

    I did this two years ago (and on the air two weeks ago); people seemed to like it. Time for a reprise. This bit isn’t aimed so much at the undecideds, or at those of you who are planning to vote DFL/Democrat. No, this is aimed at those of you who are Republicans who are…