Coleen Rowley is out of control and she should apologize for these comments:

"I think what happened on 9/11 allowed the administration ... to pursue policies of prisoner abuse, violation of civil liberties..."

Democrats are becoming increasingly concerned about Rowley's comments:

"She needs to develop some discipline in how she talks, and what she talks about," Blois Olson.

Back in September a DFLer in the 2nd Congressional District, who at the time was no longer supporting Rowley's candidacy, provided me with information to expose Rowley. ##

The former special agent who earned national renown in 2002 for scathing critiques of the bureau's pre-9/11 intelligence failures has brought the same blunt, gritty style to her fledgling run for Congress. She's trying to topple a Republican incumbent who, she argues, is too closely tied to President Bush, especially in his support for the Iraq war.

"This was a lied-into war that is a quagmire now," Rowley recently told a group of Democrats gathered in a garage in this small town south of the Twin Cities, a car on blocks off to one side. "It could be worse than Vietnam. The truth is we can't win, and there's still an ongoing deception."

Rowley's celebrity - she's been on the cover of Time magazine twice, including as a Person of the Year in 2002, and is a frequent guest on cable talk shows - is the key factor in what's expected to be national Democratic support for her effort to unseat Rep. John Kline, who's not well-known outside the 2nd Congressional District.

But Rowley's harsh rhetoric, lack of polish and independent streak have some observers worried about an important race in the Democratic effort to wrest control of Congress from Republicans.

"We're still early here, but I think among Democrats it's fair to say they're disappointed that the campaign hasn't created more momentum," said Blois Olson, a Democratic consultant and co-publisher of the newsletter Politics in Minnesota. "I think there's some naivete about the process."

Rowley's third-quarter fundraising, $80,000 to Kline's $230,000, disappointed many Minnesota Democrats. There's also concern about what some see as an obsession with national security issues in a district that leans Republican.

"She needs to develop some discipline in how she talks, and what she talks about," Olson said.

Rowley supporters point out that the election is more than a year off. "She's just getting going," said Jeanne Thomas, chairwoman of the Democratic Party in fast-growing Scott County, a major suburban base in the 2nd District. "It's hard when you're a first-time candidate."

Rowley is well aware of the criticisms. She said she's been told to cut her often rambling stump speeches, and to stick to two or three campaign themes.

"I, unfortunately, am probably constitutionally incapable of that," said Rowley, who is 50. "And even if I could, I wouldn't want it. It's boring. I think most people don't like that slick, polished politician. I'm not that way anyway, and why should I start now?"

It was a refusal to censor herself that brought Rowley into the spotlight. As the legal counsel in the Minneapolis FBI office in 2001, Rowley was part of efforts by agents there to investigate Zacarias Moussaoui, who was arrested in Minnesota prior to Sept. 11 after he raised suspicions at a local flight school.

Minneapolis agents felt that FBI bureaucrats in Washington impeded the investigation, prompting Rowley a few months after the attacks to write a blistering memo to FBI Director Robert Mueller that laid out the lapses in detail.

Soon Rowley was testifying before the U.S. Senate, and winning acclaim for her refusal to toe the bureau's party line.

Rowley wrote another memo to Mueller a few months later criticizing the intelligence cited by the Bush administration in its decision to invade Iraq. That memo wasn't as well-received by her fellow Minneapolis agents, and Rowley was forced to leave the position of legal counsel in her last few months with the FBI.

Democrats first approached Rowley about running against Kline in 2004, but she passed. She retired at the end of that year, and spent time traveling the country to speak on ethical decision-making, one of her passions.

When Democrats approached her again this year, Rowley decided to go for it. While allowing that her newfound fame is what makes the run for Congress possible, Rowley said she's not pursuing the seat to settle scores.

"I don't see it as anything I did as much as the events themselves," said Rowley, who says she voted for Bush in 2000 and supported Kline in the past. "I think what happened on 9/11 allowed the administration ... to pursue policies of prisoner abuse, violation of civil liberties, the whole Iraq war - things I was concerned about for my whole career."

While unmistakably intelligent and forceful in her views, Rowley sometimes loses audiences with winding speeches that can stray far off-topic. At a recent meeting of a senior citizens group in one Twin Cities suburb, a tangent on civil liberties slid into a lengthy discourse on the Church Committee, a '70s-era group convened to uncover U.S.-backed assassination plots against foreign leaders.

Rowley also has been criticized for not hiring experienced campaign staff, but she said in the next few months she'll bring in a campaign manager with experience in running big-media campaigns. She said she intends to raise about $2 million for the race.

The 2nd District includes suburbs south and west of the Twin Cities, and stretches south into several mostly rural counties. A goal for the Rowley campaign will be to reach out to moderate Republican women in the suburbs, by stressing Kline's close allegiance to the administration and the scandal-plagued House Republican leadership.

"She's so articulate," said Marge Schammel, an Apple Valley retiree who attended a Rowley house party recently, even though she's a Republican.

Schammel supported Kline in the past, but said she's undecided about her vote next year. "I'm going to be watching his record," she said.

Kline has had little to say publicly about Rowley's candidacy. "We are not in campaign mode yet," said Angelyn Shapiro, his spokeswoman.

Many of Rowley's character traits aren't negatives. A mother of four and, recently, a grandmother for the first time, she's down-to-earth, self-deprecating and a weekly churchgoer who still competes in - and often wins - triathlons. An Iowa native with ancestral roots in Minnesota's 2nd District, Rowley still speaks with a pronounced Midwestern honk.

Discounting her outspoken opposition to the war and visceral dislike of the Bush administration, Rowley is a political moderate who describes herself as a deficit hawk and points to her FBI record to prove her mettle on law-and-order issues.

Rowley often jokes about the criticism she got for her somewhat disheveled appearance when she testified before the U.S. Senate. But she seems to have taken such remarks to heart as well - she's since replaced her oversized aviator eyeglasses with a smaller pair, and has adopted a more stylish haircut.

"I think her authentic nature could be a positive," said Olson, the Democratic strategist. "The challenge is communicating that to voters in an effective way." Source: Associated Press, October 30, 2005

10/30/2005 07:57:00 PM|W|P| The Lady Logician|W|P|"An Iowa native with ancestral roots in Minnesota's 2nd District, Rowley still speaks with a pronounced Midwestern honk."

A PRONOUNCED MIDWESTERN HONK??? And they wonder why we think they hate us??????10/31/2005 08:04:00 AM|W|P| mnsky|W|P|Well as usual you're half of nothing wrong...half off! half baked! half a loaf short!

"She's just getting going," said Jeanne Thomas, chairwoman of the Democratic Party in fast-growing Scott County...

Scott County is growing...but Jeanne Thomas isn't the chair...Hint: Scott County has a chair MAN .10/30/2005 11:52:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|Even though this blog is called Minnesota Democrats Exposed, I thought these websites would be of interest to my fellow bloggers excited about Scooter Libby. The Clinton Legacy The Official Clinton Stat Board Disclaimer: Don't blame me for the material, I am just passing it along. Don't starting asking me about Vince Foster. |W|P|113070302007172877|W|P|REMEMBER THE CLINTON LEGACY|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/30/2005 05:22:00 PM|W|P| The Lady Logician|W|P|and yet when Dems had the opportunity to "stick with President Clinton and fight it out" they instead decided to bring up Watergate and Iran-Contra....what's the difference?????10/31/2005 10:44:00 AM|W|P| Anonymous|W|P|The charge against Scooter Libby is perjury. If he is convicted I believe he should do some heavy time.

I am glad MOST Democrats once again recognize perjury as a great evil. Except for StPaulDFLer. For him it depends on whether the accused is a Democrat in a sexual harassment case ("petty crap") or a Republican in a CIA leak case ("circumventing the constitution").10/30/2005 07:24:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

Lori Sturdevant: Hatch will find this race a different ballgame

Glaring down at a conference table from a wall in the office of Attorney General Mike Hatch are the faces of his 27 predecessors.

Not one of them went on to be governor.

(Full disclosure must acknowledge that one of them had been governor. J.A.A. Burnquist, the state's athletic young governor during World War I, was its more seasoned attorney general from 1939 through 1955.)

Looking at the last three in that lineup -- Republican Douglas Head and DFLers Warren Spannaus and Hubert H. Humphrey III -- must give Hatch pause. Each tried to make the leap to the governor's office. Each fell short.

Purely happenstance, Hatch might be thinking about the common fate of those gubernatorial wannabes as he starts his own bid for the office across the Capitol hall. The 1970, 1982 and 1998 races for governor were each singular exercises, he might claim.

Well, yes. Each of those races had its own array of the oddities that make Minnesota politics an unpredictable thrill ride for the contestants and a hoot for us commentators.

Still, permit the suggestion that inherent in the work of the second-highest-ranking state elected official are elements that voters don't consider ideal preparation for the top job.

For one thing, attorneys general are attorneys. They sue people.

If they are any good -- and Minnesota has had a string of good ones -- most of the people they bring legal action against have it coming. Litigation by Minnesota's attorneys general through the years has richly served the public interest.

Still, the people being sued tend not to be pleased -- and they have friends who feel likewise. Spannaus, who served as AG from 1971 until he caught gubernatorial fever in 1982, says as much: "You make enemies as attorney general that you don't even know you have. You sue one business, and the next thing you know, they're saying that you're anti-business."

Even if an AG does not accumulate so many enemies that he gets a new first name -- Dump -- on bumper stickers, the nature of the attorney general's work is adversarial. The more eagerly an AG conducts that work, the more he appears to thrive on conflict. (This might be especially true for Hatch, who was already described by this newspaper as "over-zealous" when he was state commerce commissioner and running for governor the first time, in 1990.)

While voters might admire pugnacity in their lawyer, they aren't crazy about it in their governor. In that office, they tend to prefer a consensus-builder. That might be especially true in 2006, after Gov. Tim Pawlenty and the 2004 and 2005 Legislatures took partisan discord to extremes previously unimagined in these parts.

Attorneys general who run for governor also have the awkward transition problem. Their speeches usually begin by touting their protection of consumers from scam artists, predatory lenders and hyper-greedy corporations. Then they have to make a flying, often flailing rhetorical leap to the issues that will confront the state's next governor -- education, transportation, tax fairness, the state's fiscal stability.

It's a whole different list, with one conspicuous common point -- health care. That, for Hatch, is a crucial intersection between the agendas of the AG's and the governor's offices. Talking about securing health care coverage for more Minnesotans not only spares him those awkward transitions. It also speaks to a sore subject for a lot of people, and takes aim at a Republican weakness -- their eagerness in 2003 and 2005 to deny health insurance to the working poor.

Hatch doesn't need to be told that the health care issue is his candidacy's long suit. He launched his campaign at the convention of the Minnesota Nurses Association, and solicited moving testimonials from people he helped get financial satisfaction from balky HMOs, health insurance companies and care providers. He gets it.

That issue, plus the several early-going advantages that a sitting AG has as a gubernatorial candidate -- name recognition, fundraising capacity, political connections -- might, in Hatch's case, outweigh any mismatch between what voters want in an attorney general and in a governor. Two terms in the Capitol's northwest corner office give him automatic standing as a formidable contender for the southwest corner digs.

But Hatch might be well advised to tone down the boasts about lawsuits and bone up on education, transportation and taxes. He no longer needs to convince voters that he has been a good attorney general. He has to assure them that he would make a good governor. Source: Star Tribune, October 30, 2005

|W|P|113068616107038265|W|P|HISTORY NOT KIND TO HATCH FOR GOVERNOR|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/30/2005 02:18:00 PM|W|P| The Lady Logician|W|P|MDE - I see your LITTLE friend is still around. Haven't you reported him to his ISP yet? Making terroristic threats is a crime last I heard......10/30/2005 05:25:00 PM|W|P| The Lady Logician|W|P|stpaul_dfler said "This is the Stribs filling in space with boring non-informal dribble. "

No doubt about that.....they are just looking to fill column inches with this....10/28/2005 02:51:00 PM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|Former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry Charged With Failure to File Income Tax Returns, a Misdemeanor Former District of Columbia Mayor Marion Barry was charged Friday with failure to file his income tax returns a misdemeanor charge that could bring a year-and-a-half in prison if he is convicted. Source: Associated Press, October 28, 2005|W|P|113053682756496736|W|P|INDICTED|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/28/2005 03:43:00 PM|W|P| Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|I actual did this for that exact reason. I new somebody would get upset. Even though Barry was indicted, you can't10/29/2005 03:12:00 PM|W|P| John Jordan|W|P|I promise you that Rove or the premise for War will be the next bombshell.

Isn't it a sad commentary on the state of politics when someone is actually rooting for this.10/29/2005 06:55:00 PM|W|P| John Jordan|W|P|Rooting for an end to the corruption in our highest office is a sad commentary?

No, THAT was a good attempt at spin.

You "promise" us that Rove will be the "next bombshell" like you are looking forward to it. Unless you were in the Grand Jury room and have some special insight, you're clearly rooting for it.

Your OPINION is that Rove is "corrupt". Because you don't like him doesn't make it so. That's not spin, that's fact, my friend.

I am all for taking out corruption. If Libby did lie before the Grand Jury, he should be tossed in jail. Same for Rove. But Clinton should be just getting out of the halfway house for doing the exact same thing, too, since he did the same thing and did it on tape.

By the way, I still believe Wilson's nothing but a liar. So does British intelligence.10/30/2005 04:30:00 AM|W|P| John Jordan|W|P|Nice try, my friend. Clinton lied under oath, was IMPEACHED, was disbarred and has paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in settlements. I guess those don't matter.

Balls in your court big mouth.

You're nothing but another anonymous Sean. Throw out a bunch of bumpersticker accusations and then call your opponent names. Why is it that democrats have to do that? No, really. I don't call you names but you find yourself doing it all the time.

You've posted a lot of assumptions on Rove but, to date, none have been proven to be more than that. Because you can type a lot of words doesn't make any of them true.

As to "shutting you up", there's nothing I could possibly say that would do that. You're hell-bent on believing the worst about Republicans no matter the facts. You've got such a shallow, bitter view of us that it's going to take a life-altering experience before you will ever allow yourself to see anything other than your own strange view of the world.

In the end, you're unworthy of the attempt.10/30/2005 09:32:00 AM|W|P| Anonymous|W|P|SP_Dink wrote:

"Vainglory...vindictivness...abuse...lie...hatred..lie...schadenfreude...lie..vanity..spew...empty threat...fabrication..schadenfreude!"

"Now, I'm off to church."

Priceless!

I hereby nominate SP_Dink for DFLer of the month.10/30/2005 12:48:00 PM|W|P| Anonymous|W|P|"What must I do to win that annual distinction?"

Just continue to be the spunk recepticle that you are.10/30/2005 02:40:00 PM|W|P| The Lady Logician|W|P|stpaul_dfler.....The Senate looked into the whole Joe Wilson thing and THEIR REPORT came out and said that he lied in his report re:his trip to Niger. On Page 49 (of 521 found here http://intelligence.senate.gov/iraqreport2.pdf) the Senate report states AS FACT that Mr. Wilson was recommended for this trip by his wife who worked for the CIA something he has categorically denied. Page 50 talks about a meeting on 2/19/2002 where "CPD hosted a meeting with the former ambassador...the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the merits of the former ambassador going to Niger...AN ANALYST'S NOTES INDICATE THAT THE MEETING WAS APPARENTLY CONVENED BY THE FORMER AMBASSADOR'S WIFE WHO HAD THE IDEA TO DISPATCH HIM....."

If you want to talk about lies and the lying liars who tell them, let's not forget the media's darling, Joe Wilson....10/30/2005 04:24:00 PM|W|P| The Lady Logician|W|P|MORE refutation of Joe Wilson's public statements (from the SSCI report):

[the former ambassador's] intelligence report indicated that former Nigerien Prime Minister Ibrahim Mayaki was unaware of any contracts that had been signed between Niger and any rogue states for the sale of yellowcake while he was Prime Minister (1997-1999) or Foreign Minister (1996-1997). Mayaki said that if there had been any such contract during his tenure, he would have been aware of it. Mayaki said, however, that in June 1999,(REDACTED) businessman, approached him and insisted that Mayaki meet with an Iraqi delegation to discuss "expanding commercial relations" between Niger and Iraq. The intelligence report said that Mayaki interpreted "expanding commercial relations" to mean that the delegation wanted to discuss uranium yellowcake sales. The intelligence report also said that "although the meeting took place, Mayaki let the matter drop due to the UN sanctions on Iraq."

Yeah - I know....it is sad that I have nothing "better" to do on a Sunday afternoon...but I got bored watching the football game and I shipped the rest of the family off for some quality "me" time.....10/30/2005 04:28:00 PM|W|P| The Lady Logician|W|P|The did just discredit his findings....then when Mr. Wilson lied about WHO sent him to Niger he ended up dragging HIS OWN WIFE into the mess. If he had not lied about who sent him he would not be in this mess....

As far as MDE's little friend vs bringing Joe Wilson's wife up in this little spat....no one is stalking Valerie Plame....however, it is obvious that I Hate MDE is stalking Michael Brodkorb. There IS a legal difference, especially when Fitzpatrick could not find evidence to indict anyone on the "outing" charges where there is plenty of stalking evidence right here on this blog.....10/30/2005 05:19:00 PM|W|P| Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|I think Mike Hatch is sleezy for hosting a fundraiser at Alary's.

It was just wrong. Let's see if Hatch does it again.10/30/2005 05:28:00 PM|W|P| The Lady Logician|W|P|For someone who belongs to a political party that is supposedly AGAINST the exploitation of women to hold a fundraiser in an establishment that does just that is hypocritical at the very best Stpaul.... It's called walking the walk.10/30/2005 05:30:00 PM|W|P| The Lady Logician|W|P|This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.10/30/2005 05:31:00 PM|W|P| The Lady Logician|W|P|This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.10/28/2005 08:44:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|Mike Hatch has enlisted the help of his wife Patti to try to distract Minnesotans from Hatch's negative attacks: "Mike [Hatch] is proud to stand with these individuals and groups as we prepare for what will be a barrage of negative attacks these upcoming months ahead. The Republicans have already launched their negative attacks -- instead of focusing on the issues Minnesotans care about, they would rather divide and distract us from discussing what really matters. Mike is here to talk about a new agenda for Minnesota and I ask that you join him in this cause. Together we can make a difference." Source: Mike Hatch for Governor email, October 27, 2005, signed by Patti Hatch. Hatch will try to pretend he is running a postive campaign, but Hatch has launched his own attacks on Governor Tim Pawlenty. "He [Hatch] took several swipes at Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty's stewardship of the state." Source: Associated Press, October 28, 2005 "In his letter, Hatch blamed Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty for a 'humiliating government shutdown this year,' referring to the eight-day budget impasse with the Legislature in early July. 'I look forward to working with you and restoring our pride in this great state,' he wrote." Source: Pioneer Press, October 28, 2005 Hatch's announcement speech was filled with negative attacks: "Simply put, we now have an administration that masquerades as 'Minnesota nice' but whose policies are particularly cruel to the sick, the vulnerable and the impoverished. We have an administration that strangles public institutions into a state of perpetual fiscal crisis, while they seek to subsidize private enterprise with tax cuts, subsidies and loopholes. We have an administration that says it hasn't raised taxes but raises 'fees' to the tune of $2 billion, property taxes to the tune of $2 billion, and has raided funds like the tobacco endowment.

Indeed, this administration has refused to close a several hundred million dollar tax loophole for foreign owned corporations, while attempting to strip thousands of Minnesotans of their health care coverage.

This is an administration that claims to be 'value-based,' yet attempts to expand gambling."

"Minnesotans are fed up with political gimmicks and rudderless leadership that shortchanges our future. They are tired of leaders who place pledges to special interest groups ahead of our common interests as Minnesotans.

This is an administration that has allowed industrial polluters to set their own mercury emission standards."

|W|P|113051681346805008|W|P|HATCH TRYING TO HIDE HIS NEGATIVE ATTACKS|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/28/2005 12:06:00 PM|W|P| The Lady Logician|W|P|I hate to say this, because I really dislike the politics of personal destruction, but we need to set aside, once and for all, the fallicy that no one likes negative campaigning. If that were really true, we would still not be suffering through cycle after cycle of negative comments and advertisments....10/29/2005 02:20:00 PM|W|P| The Lady Logician|W|P|So pointing out inconsistencies in a candidates voting record is "personal destruction"? How about pointing out that the candidates words and actions don't match....do you call that a "personal attack"?

That is one problem I have with the DFL. A Republican runs and ad that says "my opponent said he was going to do this and he did the opposite" and the DFL screams attack ads and yet they turn around and run ads that are patently false about the other candidates (Republican, Green, Independent or whatever). As long as the Dems have people spewing things like "Republicans have never worked an honest day in their lives." you can EXPECT to be treated in kind......10/29/2005 05:37:00 PM|W|P| The Lady Logician|W|P|St_Paul - here is a grand example of what I am talking about.....

http://www.knoxstudio.com/shns/story.cfm?pk=SAMBOBLOG-10-27-05&cat=WW

What part of calling a black man "Sambo" do you find to be ok? And where do you find MDE doing something like this?????10/30/2005 10:03:00 AM|W|P| The Lady Logician|W|P|stpaul_dfler said...
This was a blogger who ran that, not the Democratic candidate. When it was discovered, he pulled the ad immediatly.

True a blogger was the one that did that....NOW how would you have reacted if our friend MDE had done that?????? Would you have been totally OUTRAGED and demanding an apology or would you be making excuses that he is "only a blogger"????? Yes the candidate DID do the right thing by pulling his ad and he is taking HOLY CRAP from his base for doing so!!!! Where is YOUR outrage over that....

Bottom line is, we all have our agendas and biases. To pillory one side for engaging in their agendas and biases while ignoring the ones on your side is hypocritic and disingenuous.10/30/2005 10:08:00 AM|W|P| The Lady Logician|W|P|StPaul_DFLer said...
Being from Chicago LL, I give you enough credit to see this. I do forgive you for being a Northsider and will credit your bend to the Right with that.

Hehe...you too? No wonder the native MN's rag on us so much....we seem to be taking over the place....

All that aside, I would much rather live here in the Cities than I would in Chicago. It's too built up....when "the city" runs from the lake on the east to Rockford on the west it has gotten too big for me......I like my trees (except this time of year when I have to rake leaves for days on end....)10/30/2005 02:47:00 PM|W|P| The Lady Logician|W|P|stpaul_dfler said...
"Your side can't do it, and neither can mine. All we can do is keep the personal stuff to an ever changing minimun and project your candidates credentials and likability."

GIVE THAT MAN A CIGAR!!!! You are absolutely correct in that it is something that neither side can stop doing! It is therefore (as I said before) disingenuous to try to claim that only one side or the other does it and it is hypocritic to slam one side for doing it while ignoring it while your guy does the same thing....

Who knows, maybe you're a closet Republican ;-)

Glad to see that Reps and Dems can agree on something.....10/30/2005 05:46:00 PM|W|P| The Lady Logician|W|P|You asked about candidates sliming one another....remember when Senator Edwards felt the necessity to "out" Vice President Cheney's daughter? And yet when the VP and his family (and indignant Republicans everywhere) screamed in outrage, the Kerry/Edwards campaign said that she was "fair" game......10/30/2005 05:50:00 PM|W|P| The Lady Logician|W|P|stpaul_dfler said "So, will I go on and slam some republicans who will in the next week try to downplay these charges, even though I worked to change the dialogue seven years ago?
Yes.
I expect you to do the same."

Were you one of the few who said that President Clinton should have been punished for his perjury 7 years ago? Or were you one of the ones excusing it by saying "it was just about sex"?????

My feelings about it then are the same as they are now....if he lied in sworn testimony he deserves to go to jail. Can you honestly say the same?????

And I have several thousand reasons why I am a FORMER Democrat......10/30/2005 06:36:00 PM|W|P| The Lady Logician|W|P|OK - I realize that Doug Grow is NOT a politician, but then again neither is Ron Carey and for Mr. Grow to bring Mr. Carey's AUTISTIC CHILD into a political discussion is beyond the pale, wouldn't you agree StPaul?????

http://www.startribune.com/stories/465/5696399.html10/28/2005 06:29:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|According to Mike S., Hatch's endorsement list may have one name too many. "I got word from at least one person on Hatch's list that is not actually supporting him. Makes me wonder how many more there are like that. Also, 4 years ago, Lourey received quite a bit of support from the range and the rest of the 8th CD."|W|P|113050709869175848|W|P|DOES HATCH'S ENDORSEMENT LIST HAVE ONE NAME TOO MANY?|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/28/2005 07:35:00 AM|W|P| John Jordan|W|P|Who is Wendy Anderson?

Wendall Anderson - former MN Governor.10/28/2005 08:32:00 AM|W|P| Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|Today's history lesson has been brought to you by St. Paul DFLer, made possible by a grant from the Chubb Foundation.10/28/2005 09:46:00 AM|W|P| Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|Chubb Foundation is the actual name of a foundation which provides education grants.

Since I don't know who you are it was not in reference to you physical characteristics.10/28/2005 10:01:00 AM|W|P| Anonymous|W|P|"I'm 6'2" and 210, nowhere near being your typical fat-assed American."

LOL!

Right, the dink is 6'2" while standing in his clown shoes and weighs 210# when you include his backpack full of toys, candy and NAMBLA flyers.10/28/2005 11:37:00 AM|W|P| John Jordan|W|P|I'm 6'2" and 210, nowhere near being your typical fat-assed American.

Hey, we fat-a**ed Americans resent being labled as "typical". :)

And for us, it's the Chubby Foundation.10/28/2005 11:38:00 AM|W|P| John Jordan|W|P|Whoops - it should be labeled.10/27/2005 10:48:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

ST. PAUL (AP) A fast-growing union is lining up behind D-F-L Attorney General Mike Hatch, the newest entrant in the 2006 Minnesota governor's race.

Just days after Hatch officially entered the race, the Service Employees International Union has endorsed him. The 28-thousand member union says Hatch best matches the organization's views on health care.

Hatch has already collected the backing of unions for nurses and steelworkers as he seeks his party's nomination to take on Governor Pawlenty next fall.

In the 2002 governor's race, S-E-I-U waited withheld its endorsement until a few months before the election. Source: Associated Press, October 27, 2005

|W|P|113043554970978210|W|P|BREAKING NEWS: HATCH ENDORSED BY SEIU|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/27/2005 02:39:00 PM|W|P| Anonymous|W|P|Hey Stpaul_Dink! I was in Chicago yesterday, so I missed your invite.

E-mail me tjswift@yahoo.com for directions.10/28/2005 05:59:00 AM|W|P| John Jordan|W|P|They rarely give all candiates a chance even to speak their minds, and it seems as though they have already made up their minds far before the announcements anyway.

That is an accurate statement.10/27/2005 10:39:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|Thanks to another dedicated reader of Minnesota Democrats Exposed, Inside Source, my post on Kelly Doran's billboards just got more interesting: "I called the Campaign Finance Board regarding the Doran billboards. While he was relunctant to give an 'official opinion' on the matter and emphasized that he would have to know which campaign paid for what, he did say that the billboards should be taken down or modified with the proper office being sought in a 'reasonable time frame'. When I asked if 31 days (that is how long it has been since the announcement of the switch to Govenor) was beyond a reasonable time frame, he said 'it is getting very close'. I'm willing to cut Doran some slack, mostly because I can't wait for him to beat the shiite out of Hatch. But if they are still up on November 3rd, someone will probably file a complaint. That someone is most likely Mike Hatch. k.d."|W|P|113043509061410622|W|P|UPDATE: MDE EXCLUSIVE: ARE DORAN'S U.S. SENATE BILLBOARDS ILLEGAL?|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/27/2005 11:42:00 AM|W|P| Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

Any questions?10/27/2005 12:07:00 PM|W|P| woyzeck|W|P|I don't really get it. Does Doran Senate Committee still rent the signs? I am assuming that the committee signed a contract. Did it expire? If so, who then is responsible? Doran for Senate which is gone, Doran for Governor or the Billboard Company? If the contract has expired, then wouldn't the billboard company be in violation of campaign finance laws (corporate contribution?)? If the contract did not expire, does the contract then belong to Doran for Gov? I think that there is a lot of missing info here to determine the legality and who would be responsible.10/27/2005 12:11:00 PM|W|P| John Jordan|W|P|I think the likelihood here is that his contract expired at the end of September and the Billboard company just hasn't gotten around to changing them.10/27/2005 12:14:00 PM|W|P| Brent|W|P|MDE said...

Any questions?

Just one...why didn't you give Teddy credit for that quote? You are normally so good at giving credit! (Sorry, just had to tease you a little!)10/27/2005 12:19:00 PM|W|P| Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|Shark.bait: Good point, my mistake.10/27/2005 02:50:00 PM|W|P| Anonymous|W|P|7:35..at a bar?

How about you meet me for a nice workout right now. Cherokee park right across the Smith street bridge at the pavilion is a very peaceful spot.10/27/2005 03:00:00 PM|W|P| Anonymous|W|P|I'm waiting dink.10/27/2005 04:11:00 PM|W|P| Anonymous|W|P|Pfft.

Like I said in the beginning MDE, you have nothing to worry about when it comes to these keyboard commando's.10/27/2005 05:20:00 PM|W|P| Anonymous|W|P|As for you dink...you should have thought this through more before you fucked up and made a threat.

Too late to make excuses now.

I'll be seeing you sooner than you think pal.10/27/2005 06:59:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|As I and others have noticed, some of the 31 billboards purchased by Kelly Doran's defunct U.S. Senate campaign are still up across Minnesota. When Doran decided to run for governor, he was asked about his numerous billboards: "With this new campaign, he noted that first and foremost the goal is to build name recognition. As of now, billboards still have his Senate campaign information on them. Doran said those advertisements were already scheduled to come down at the end of September." Source: Eden Prairie News, September 28, 2005 But it is almost Halloween and some of the billboards are still up. If someone was driving on Interstate 35 today and saw one of Doran's U.S. Senate campaign billboards and then went to the website listed they would actually be forwarded to Doran's gubernatorial website. Simply put: Doran's U.S. Senate campaign is advertising for Doran's gubernatorial campaign, a potential violation of Minnesota campaign finance laws. According to the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board: A principal campaign committee may not accept: Any contribution from: federal candidate committees, local candidate committees, other principal campaign committees except at the time of termination, or corporations (the corporate prohibition is in Chapter 211B). Source: Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board Doran's campaign for the U.S. Senate may have officially ended, but he still has an active campaign committee. It clear why Doran paid for the billboards: "It's 443 days until Minnesota picks a new U.S. senator, but real estate developer and neophyte politician Kelly Doran already has put up 31 billboards and is working full time to build name recognition in his pursuit of the DFL nomination." Source: Star Tribune, August 21, 2005 "After Doran lent his campaign $250,000 for startup costs, it rented 31 strategically placed billboards to introduce him to Minnesotans. Doran says most candidates try to raise enough money to show their campaigns are viable, but his challenge is different: to use his centrist approach to win favorable name recognition." Source: Star Tribune , August 22, 2005 Doran should have made sure his U.S. Senate billboards were taken down as he promised and his campaign should have separated the two campaign operations. More principle, less politics? I don't think so. UPDATE: A dedicated reader of Minnesota Democrats Exposed suggested I ask this question: Is Kelly Doran's gubernatorial campaign directly benefiting from advertisements paid for by Kelly Doran's U.S. Senate campaign? |W|P|113037468459986403|W|P|MDE EXCLUSIVE: ARE DORAN'S U.S. SENATE BILLBOARDS ILLEGAL?|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/27/2005 07:48:00 AM|W|P| Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|The answer to the question is yes.10/27/2005 08:09:00 AM|W|P| Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|St. Paul DFLer: Regardless of how much of your own money you spend, you need to follow the law.

This is a solid post and don't think for a second that I or someone else has not spoken with the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board.

Give this post sometime, I think it has legs.

If you are so confident, give them a call.10/27/2005 08:12:00 AM|W|P| Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|St. Paul DFLer: Pawlenty never formally announced he was a candidate for the U.S. Senate. Nice try.

There is a legal difference between someone thinking about running for the U.S. Senate and someone establishing a campaign committee.10/27/2005 08:51:00 AM|W|P| Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|I would appreciate Reaganblows and StPaulDFLer answering this question:

Is Kelly Doran's gubernatorial campaign directly benefiting from advertisements paid for by Kelly Doran's U.S. Senate campaign?10/27/2005 08:57:00 AM|W|P| Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|St. Paul DFL and Mike S. should look at my correction to their previous post on Entenza and Quam.10/27/2005 09:10:00 AM|W|P| Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|Thank you for answering my question and then answering a question I didn't ask.

The law doesn't specify a measured benefit, just that there is a benefit.

You believe Kelly Doran's U.S. Senate billboards are currently benefiting his gubernatorial campaign. That would be a violation of Minnesota Campaign Finance Law.

The law is trying to prevent someone from establishing numerous campaign committees to circumvent (sic?) spending laws.

For example: If you decided to run for governor (God, help us) and spent $500,000 on ads and then decided to run for attorney general at the same time your governor's campaign would be helping your attorney general's race.

When you have an active U.S. Senate campaign, you are still a candidate for the U.S. Senate. That is why the law demands contributions can only be accepted from a terminating campaign.

It doesn't matter if he returned the money.10/27/2005 12:18:00 PM|W|P| Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|They say "Senate"10/26/2005 01:12:00 PM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

The picture of Matt Entenza on the left is from his attorney general campaign website, while the picture on the right is from the Minnesota House of Representative. His wife must have paid for a make-over. |W|P|113035755550100134|W|P|THE NEW MATT ENTENZA|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/26/2005 01:49:00 PM|W|P| Brent|W|P|Could they make him look any more washed out and white? I mean, I know we live in Minnesota, but there IS sunshine here at least 1-2 months out of the year. (Sorry…it appears that my seasonal affective disorder is kicking in early this year.)10/26/2005 02:38:00 PM|W|P| Kevin from Minneapolis|W|P|Looks to me like they just used different lighting. Not so washed and neutral in the official House photo. More orangish and natural in the campaign photo.

Seems comparable to the difference you would get if you took a traditional grade school picture and compared it to something taken at Glamour Shots.10/26/2005 04:08:00 PM|W|P| North Star Politics|W|P|I agree.

This is a cheap shot, MDE. Don't Republicans extol those who make a lot of money?10/26/2005 08:10:00 PM|W|P| Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|No, please tell us.10/27/2005 07:51:00 AM|W|P| Kevin from Minneapolis|W|P|Has anyone seen the "official" "family" photo of the Entenzas that they sent around? I wish I could get my hands on it, it is the oddest thing you've ever seen.

Anyone got it?10/28/2005 05:34:00 AM|W|P| Kevin from Minneapolis|W|P|Uhhh, we don't know that.10/26/2005 10:22:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|Inside Minnesota Politics is a great resource for candidate speeches and interviews. |W|P|113034763680529430|W|P|INSIDE MINNESOTA POLITICS|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/26/2005 12:35:00 PM|W|P| Brent|W|P|I hate MDE...

Why don't you go and play hide and go F yourself and leave MDE alone.

You are obviously nothing more than a chicken shit terrorist who is hiding behind the anonymity that you are so desperate to remove from MDE. You want to expose someone, why don’t you tell us all who you are?

Afraid that we might give out your address and directions to your house?

Afraid that we might comment about the nice tree you have in your front yard?

What a coward you are!10/26/2005 09:28:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

This is a great statement.

## State Representative Jeff Johnson, Republican candidate for Minnesota attorney general, issued the following statement today regarding Representative Matt Entenza, DFL-St. Paul, announcing his candidacy:

"I welcome Matt into the race. If he is my opponent next year it will present the voters of Minnesota with a strong contrast in both style and philosophy. I honestly think he is the only person in the state of Minnesota who is more partisan and political than Mike Hatch.

When I'm attorney general, the office will focus on public safety, consumer protection and job growth - not on politics and self-promotion." Source: Jeff Johnson for Attorney General

|W|P|113034433175492998|W|P|JOHNSON REACTION TO ENTENZA ANNOUNCEMENT|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/26/2005 10:03:00 AM|W|P| John Jordan|W|P|As one of the few people here who has worked with both Entenza and Johnson, I can tell you that Johnson's got it right. Entenza is about partisanship and self-promotion. It's a game to him, a sport, a hobby.10/26/2005 11:46:00 AM|W|P| North Star Politics|W|P|How long has it been since a Republican held the AG's seat?

FOURTY YEARS

When people want to be the law to be enforced arbitrarily, they'll vote for a Republican for AG. Until then, that seat will stay in the DFL column. Jeff Jordan doesn't have a prayer of winning the office, but if he did he'd turn a blind eye to the corporate scandal and fraud that Hatch has diligently worked to end and Entenza will continue to pursue. Jeff Johnson is about big business, while Matt Entenza will be about protecting the little guy.

Mr. Jordan - can you tell me why Matt Entenza is the minority leader running for statewide office while you are a former state representative blogging about a political world that you no longer run in?10/26/2005 01:20:00 PM|W|P| John Jordan|W|P|If I remember exactly Mr Jordan, you didn't work at all with Entenza. You were one of the biggest partisans without any depth.

It's so funny to watch DFL'ers make things up when they don't have a factual response to offer. I was hardly a partisan. I am one of the most pragmatic conservative Republicans that existed. I'm pro-stadium, pro-Northstar, etc. Some of my best friends and supporters are democrats, my friend.

That's why you're posting on here and Entenza went on to leadership and now the AG's seat.

And when making things up isn't enough, the personal shot.

Maybe I should have married into big money like Entenza, eh? I went for love instead of cash.10/26/2005 01:36:00 PM|W|P| John Jordan|W|P|Jeff Jordan doesn't have a prayer of winning the office

Who is Jeff Jordan?

Jeff Johnson is about big business, while Matt Entenza will be about protecting the little guy.

ROTFL10/26/2005 01:47:00 PM|W|P| John Jordan|W|P|That's why you're posting on here and Entenza went on to leadership and now the AG's seat.

One other thing - at least I can speak from my experience as one who has put his hat in the ring.

It's easy to sit back and take anonymous and inaccurate pot shots when you've never had the guts to try it yourself.10/27/2005 08:56:00 AM|W|P| Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|For the record, Matt Entenza and Lois Quam didn't go to high school together.

Quam went to Marshall High Scool and Entenza went to Worthington High School.

I know you Minneapolis and St. Paul Liberals think small towns in greater Minnesota are all the same, but they have different names.

Check-mate by MDE.10/27/2005 09:05:00 AM|W|P| John Jordan|W|P|And you were a partisan. You are a partisan. You are now a rejected partisan and bitter.

So now I'm "bitter"? Oh, c'mon. You're an anonymous guy taking potshots at someone you don't even know. When you can't defend your guy, you have to keep making things up about me. And every time you do, you add something more to it.

You're like Sean, nothing more than a bumpersticker understanding of anything Republican.10/27/2005 09:07:00 AM|W|P| John Jordan|W|P|both were poor nerds.

At least one moved on from their nerd-dom.

(C'mon, you left that one hanging out there... :) )10/27/2005 09:12:00 AM|W|P| Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|Representative Jordan, you quick humor is missed in the Minnesota Legislature.10/27/2005 09:45:00 AM|W|P| John Jordan|W|P|For instance, you start off by saying "ass the only person on here who worked with Entenza..."

If you're going to attempt to use my words, at least get it right.

I never said I was the only person who worked with him, I said this:

As one of the few people here who has worked with both Entenza and Johnson

That's quite different than what you're attempting to put into my mouth. Note, I didn't say I was the only person, but ONE of the only people to have worked with BOTH of them.

I'm not the issue.

The more you mis-use my words, the more you become the issue.

brought your experience in here as proof of your conclusions in this so you are fair game.

Yet you've not used my experience for your own gain, you've attempted to mis-use what isn't my experience for your gain. Making things up about me doesn't help your arguments, it harms your reputation.

You'd have to be a partisan hack to say that.

And you're not?

And, you are still wrong on Lois and Matt. They both are still nerds.

Given I don't know Lois, I defer to your judgment. :)

The bottom line is that you've been unable to defend Entenza and have found it easier to attempt to smear me. I can take it, no problem. But I am curious why you can't defend him instead?

What makes him a good AG candidate? Facts, not politics. What makes him better than Jeff Johnson? Facts, not bumpersticker rhetoric like that big business non-sense from yesterday.10/27/2005 09:54:00 AM|W|P| John Jordan|W|P|Representative Jordan, you quick humor is missed in the Minnesota Legislature.

Never again, my friend, never again. :)

And for the record, my wife and I DID go to high school together. Met the last day of eighth grade, been married over 24 years. (Just in case this ever comes up when I run for AG... :) )10/26/2005 09:05:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|I tip my hat to the Republican Party of Minnesota for sticking it to Hatch and Entenza this week with solid hits. ## Under Cloud of FEC Investigation, Matt Entenza Kicks Off Campaign to Buy Attorney General’s Office St. Paul - Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Ron Carey today responded to Matt Entenza's entry into the Attorney General’s race: "Last year Matt Entenza tried to buy the Minnesota House of Representatives with a $300,000 donation to the 21st Century Democrats. This shadowy group was penalized with a record fine of over $300,000 from the state Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board. "This year Matt Entenza is trying to buy the Minnesota Attorney General's Office in spite of an ongoing FEC investigation into the illegal activities of the 21st Century Democrats. "In addition, Entenza's voting record and leadership of House Democrats is extremely liberal and out of touch with mainstream Minnesotans. "Matt Entenza needs to come clean today and answer some serious questions. Every Minnesotan deserves to know answers to the following questions: 1. Will Matt Entenza abide by state spending limits? 2. What is the precise nature of Matt Entenza's relationship with the 21st Century Democrats? 3. How did DFL House candidates backed by the 21st Century Democrats benefit from this involvement in their campaigns? 4. What role will 21st Century Democrats play in Matt Entenza's Attorney General campaign?

###

Source: Republican Party of Minnesota

|W|P|113034330348169315|W|P|REPUBLICAN RESPONSE TO ENTENZA ANNOUNCEMENT A SOLID ONE - TWO PUNCH|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/26/2005 10:06:00 AM|W|P| Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|It was $600,000 or $100,000 depending on who you ask.

http://www.cfboard.state.mn.us/bdinfo/Con_Agr/pawlentycon.htm

It was not $800,00010/28/2005 07:25:00 AM|W|P| Anonymous|W|P|"undermine our national defence by illegally disclosing covert CIA operatives."

WTH?? If anyone is undermining our national defense it's the CIA itself (and Who's Who in America).10/28/2005 11:04:00 AM|W|P| Anonymous|W|P|You are the one who needs some expertise. Having security clearance doesn't mean ANYTHING. Just having a security clearance doesn't protect you from public criticism. Where did you get that idea??

Valerie Plame was not a covert operative, nor had she been on foreign assignment as a covert operative in the five years prior to Novak's article. It is not against the law to name a CIA employee who is not an undercover agent (George Tenet, anyone? Is he immune, too?).

Also, by the way: Joe Wilson didn't have any security clearance at the time he was sent to Niger. In fact he had zero intelligence background, and almost everything he has said has been thoroughly discredited by the senate intelligence committee reports.10/28/2005 11:19:00 AM|W|P| Anonymous|W|P|Heck, my some of my coworkers (at a private corporation) have top security clearances, you can bet I criticise them in writing now and again. We even mention the Dept of Defense in our client list on the website. Is there a problem with that? Maybe according to you there is.

Having a security clearance is like being a CPA. It's just a designation and it's not a super big ultra secret deal.10/31/2005 10:39:00 AM|W|P| Anonymous|W|P|1. The CIA "feeling" that the cover was blown does not change the fact that the statute in question has clear requirements as I mentioned above. If the CIA believes the statute is insufficient, they need to lobby Congress to change it. Here's to the rule of law.

2. Joe Wilson, according to the senate intelligence report, WAS recommended by his wife on two occasions, despite having no background in the intelligence community and no prior security clearances. That is a documented fact, so you can keep your "CIA maintains".

3. The charge against Scooter is on perjury, a separate issue. I am with you on that one. In fact I'm glad the Democrats once again recognize perjury for the evil it is. Here's to the rule of law.10/26/2005 06:32:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|11:45 a.m. ENTENZA-ATTORNEY GENERAL House DFL Leader Matt Entenza announces candidacy for state attorney general.

Location: Matt Entenza's home, 1647 Portland Ave., St. Paul

Contacts: John Van Hecke, (651) 245-1850

Once again, Minnesota Democrats Exposed has been proven a reliable source.

|W|P|113033399833633077|W|P|DETAILS ON ENTENZA FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENT|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/26/2005 08:12:00 AM|W|P| Brent|W|P|I just don’t get it! Why are you and the DFL so obsessed with who MDE is? Nobody cares who any of the pro DFL bloggers are! All you are doing by being this big of a prick is proving that MDE is right about the DFL and that the loony left will do anything to silence him/her because he hits too close to home for you.

Who ever MDE is, s/he has every right to the First Amendment that you or I have. You may not like what s/he has to say, but that’s tough! Nowhere in the Constitution does it state that you have the right not to be offended by what someone says.

Right now, you are going off of what? An email address that might or might not be actually registered to a Michael Brodkorb? I could go out and get a hotmail account and have anyone’s cell phone I want listed…that doesn’t make me that person. What happens with Mr. Brodkorb has a family and you have falsely accused him?

I also have to find irony in the fact that you are such a chicken shit that you are hiding behind the anonymity that you are so desperately trying to remove from MDE. If you were a REAL man, you would place your name on the line if you were SOOO certain in your claim about the identity of MDE.

GROW UP AND MOVE ON!!!10/26/2005 08:12:00 AM|W|P| Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|St. Paul DFL:

Entenza has a press conference scheduled at 11:45 at his home. The information above came from Entenza's press release.

His event in Worthington was at 8:00 am.

I am not sure what I did wrong.10/26/2005 08:48:00 AM|W|P| North Star Politics|W|P|Though you did misspell "reliable."10/26/2005 09:05:00 AM|W|P| Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|Damn you North Star Politics. You always catch my mistakes.

MDE10/26/2005 10:00:00 AM|W|P| Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|Please spell it out for me.10/26/2005 03:44:00 PM|W|P| The Lady Logician|W|P|"On another note, don't you think its time to stop posting any personal contact information on here of your exposed opponents? At the personal info that would expose their family? "

If the personal contact information is published by the person (in this case Mr. Entenza's home address) in a piece of campaign literature, you have to figure that Mr. Entenza approved that information going out to the public.

Contrast that to a blogger who, because of idiots like I hate MDE, chooses to remain anonymous.....10/25/2005 07:14:00 PM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

On September 9, 2005, I posted that Matt Entenza would announce his campaign for attorney general on or near the same day Mike Hatch announced his campaign for governor.

"Another one of MDE's fine St. Paul sources learned this week that House Minority Leader Matt Entenza and Attorney General Mike Hatch may now be happy together after all. Entenza has been telling people that he will announce his campaign for Attorney General on or near the same day that Hatch announces his bid for Governor."

Now Checks and Balances is confirming the information from my post on September 9, 2005:

"We wrote last week that House Minority Leader Matt Entenza (DFL-64A, St. Paul) would likely be announcing his bid for Attorney General on October 26th and now we can confirm it as a reality. Entenza will be in Worthington, his hometown, making a formal statement of candidacy flanked by school teachers he studied under at 8:00 AM. He then travels back to the Twin Cities and then onto Duluth." Once again, Minnesota Democrats Exposed has been proven a realiable source. |W|P|113029401467691511|W|P|MDE EXCLUSIVE: HATCH AND ENTENZA -- SO HAPPY TOGETHER? #2|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/25/2005 02:02:00 PM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|I have been waiting since August for the unveiling of Minnesota Republicans Exposed. Is this it? What a bummer. |W|P|113027451513218421|W|P|MINNESOTA REPUBLICANS EXPOSED|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/25/2005 08:00:00 PM|W|P| North Star Politics|W|P|This is NOT the site I proposed back in August. I have no information on who is running it.10/25/2005 11:33:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

The picture above was taken at Hatch's announcement yesterday and shows someone collecting donations for Hatch's campaign.

While "passing the hat" for contributions is not illegal, it is a violation of Minnesota Campaign Finance Laws to accept an anonymous contribution of more $20. "An anonymous contribution of more than $20. An anonymous contribution is one for which the name and full address of the contributor cannot be determined. You must forward the entire anonymous contribution to the Board within 14 days for deposit in the general account of the State Elections Campaign Fund." Source: Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board. If anyone putting more than $20 in the hat didn't provide their name and full address, then the contributions must be returned. |W|P|113026518872026563|W|P|PASSING THE HAT FOR HATCH|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/25/2005 01:48:00 PM|W|P| Tony Garcia|W|P|Prediction: hats being passed around as fund raisers will be seen more frequently than ever at DFL events.

Why?

There is no way to kno if people dropped more than $20. I bet that even if there were $50s & $100s in the hats the campaign would not forward them. How would they get caught?

Consider this tactic the loophole that allows larger than $20 anonymous contributions. While you're at it, consider that in the future there will be hats passed around so that people can get around their own personal limits. All they have to do is drop $20s into the hat "anonymously" and, voila, they can easily contribute more than any campaign limits.11/18/2005 02:10:00 PM|W|P| Unknown|W|P|It's funny when someone talks about how it woudl se so hard to track the cash that it wouldn't be worth it.

It's cash you moron!

I seem to remember a lot of republicans NOT being convicted of charges. They do seem to be a target for liberal attorneys.10/25/2005 10:12:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|Ouch! MN Lefty Liberal gives Doran's ads one star out of 10. |W|P|113026049583696966|W|P|FIRST REVIEW OF DORAN'S ADS|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/25/2005 09:43:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|In the last 24 hours, someone using the name "I hate MDE" has posted 30 comments on Minnesota Democrats Exposed. I am deleting the comments as quickly as I can and I apologize if I mistakenly delete your comments (sorry party opposite). |W|P|113025903662201506|W|P|MDE HAS A NEW FRIEND|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/25/2005 09:58:00 AM|W|P| John Jordan|W|P|MDE,

This is clearly harassment and might actually be a case of stalking. Once this user goes beyond just posting messages and starts talking like he's been watching your house, this becomes a legal matter. I would suggest you start documenting in every possible way whatever this clearly insane person is doing to you.10/25/2005 10:11:00 AM|W|P| Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.10/25/2005 11:02:00 AM|W|P| Kevin from Minneapolis|W|P|No problem. I wonder if it is possible for you to track this guys IP address and block ot from posting or visiting the site. I'm not a techy, but I think that's somehow possible.10/25/2005 01:03:00 PM|W|P| Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|are you calling "I hate MDE" or MDE a prick?10/25/2005 02:02:00 PM|W|P| John Jordan|W|P|Sean,

You completely missed MDE's humor there. Not sure how he'd be paranoid.10/25/2005 02:12:00 PM|W|P| John Jordan|W|P|Humor?
Please explain.

Typical DFL'er - no sense of humor. :)10/25/2005 02:30:00 PM|W|P| The Lady Logician|W|P|To Sean, StPaul_DFL and the Party Opposite: It's nice to see that some people still know how to argue issues and not sling insults etc.

To I Hate MDE and Reaganblows: Maybe if you learned a lesson in dealing with people who dare to have a different opinion than you, you might get somewhere in dealing with folks like MDE and others. You also won't get like for like out of folks like Swiftee....

Just a thought.10/25/2005 07:16:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

"I also hope you will go to our web site to view our new television commercial that is running in every zip code in the state of Minnesota!" Source: Kelly Doran for governor email. Last week I had two extensive posts (one and two) about Kelly Doran's media buy. This was a very smart move by Doran's campaign to release this ad. Please watch Doran's ad and post your comments. |W|P|113024979914425349|W|P|DORAN'S ADS RAIN ON HATCH'S PARADE|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/25/2005 07:55:00 AM|W|P| Kevin from Minneapolis|W|P|This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.10/25/2005 09:33:00 AM|W|P| Kevin from Minneapolis|W|P|Hey why was my post removed? I don't remember what I said, but I didn't think it was that bad.10/25/2005 07:07:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

The colors are off because of the lighting in the room yesterday, but Hatch's signs should look familiar to a recent campaign logo. The answer will be posted later this morning. |W|P|113024923457522438|W|P|LOOK FAMILIAR?|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/25/2005 02:18:00 PM|W|P| The Lady Logician|W|P|Mike S said...
This will all become so much fun when Cheney et al are indicted later this week. Will Pawlenty still stand by him as well as W?

So Mike, how can you be so sure about this? Do you have an "in" with the grand jury? If you do and you are imparting secret information (all grand jury proceedings are secret until the prosecutor releases it) then you could be sharing a cell with Mssrs Cheney et al.....10/25/2005 06:54:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|Republican Minnesota has a great summary of the media reports of Hatch's announcement.|W|P|113024860900957049|W|P|REACTION TO HATCH ANNOUNCEMENT|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/24/2005 12:14:00 PM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|Stay tuned for more developments. UPDATE: Hatch will abide by the endorsement, if he can get the endorsement. "To take on Pawlenty next fall, Hatch must beat at least three other Democrats for the party's nomination. Hatch wouldn't rule out running in a primary without his party's endorsement, saying that decision will depend on caucus turnout." Source: Associated Press, October 24, 2005 |W|P|113018148056929181|W|P|MDE BREAKING NEWS: HATCH TO ABIDE BY DFL ENDORSEMENT|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/24/2005 01:52:00 PM|W|P| Kevin from Minneapolis|W|P|I love MDE.10/24/2005 05:14:00 PM|W|P| Anonymous|W|P|This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.10/24/2005 05:17:00 PM|W|P| Anonymous|W|P|These drooling morons just can't get anything right.

I AM MDE

Thomas Swift
1210 Delaware Ave.
W. St. Paul MN 55118

Now what ya gonna do ya pathetic, stalking, moonbat?10/24/2005 07:33:00 PM|W|P| Anonymous|W|P|All I see is a bunch of squirming punks using the anonymity of the internet to say things that they don't have the guts to say to a mans face.

And that goes for double for you stpaul_dink.

You all think you can hide..but think again. Every time anyone leaves a message here, they leave their fingerprints; it is child's play for the site owner to track you down.

MDE I don't know what these idiots have been spewing in here, but take my word for it..behind those keyboards are nothing but scared little men.

I've fielded threats myself more than once, and in *every* instance I can report the extreme satisfaction that accompanied the witnessing of pure, pants-pissing terror take place when I granted them a up-close and personal visit.

You've got nothing to worry about, trust me.

In the mean time, just use the blogger administrator to start banning a few choice IP's.10/25/2005 05:44:00 AM|W|P| John Jordan|W|P|Hey you guys this was supposed to be Hatch's day, you really know how to ruin all the fun.

Maybe Hatch is MDE.10/27/2005 02:41:00 PM|W|P| Anonymous|W|P|e-mail me tjswift@yahoo.com for directions.

I got a minute or two to spare right now so hurry!11/06/2005 09:50:00 AM|W|P| lloydletta|W|P|This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.10/24/2005 11:48:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

Click on the picture above for the Republican Party of Minnesota's 2006 Hatch Issue Scorecard

Click on the picture above to learn the truth about what DFLers think of Hatch

The Republican Party of Minnesota come out swinging today and hit Hatch with a one - two punch! Using Hatch's own words and statements from DFLers about Hatch was a smart move. |W|P|113017971123198679|W|P|REPUBLICAN RESPONSE TO HATCH ANNOUNCEMENT A SOLID ONE - TWO PUNCH|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/24/2005 10:55:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|DFL gubernatorial candidate drops bid due to lack of funds Citing a lack of campaign funds, former state Rep. Bud Philbrook today withdrew his candidacy for the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party nomination for governor. Just three weeks after formally launching his campaign, Philbrook, 59, of Maplewood dropped out of the race. “We have failed to raise the money necessary to carry forward,” he said in a written statement. Philbrook served one term in the Minnesota Legislature in 1975-76. Since then he has founded and run Global Volunteers, a nonprofit organization that coordinates community development projects around the world. Source: Pioneer Press, October 24, 2005|W|P|113017663414953121|W|P|BREAKING NEWS: PHILBROOK ENDS CAMPAIGN|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/24/2005 09:12:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

I can't wait to see the Republican Party of Minnesota's hit on Hatch.

## REPUBLICAN PARTY OF MINNESOTA RESPONDS TO HATCH CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCEMENT

When: October 24, 2005 Immediately following Mike Hatch's campaign announcement Where: State Room 1 (lower level) Radisson Riverfront Hotel St. Paul 11 East Kellogg Boulevard Saint Paul Who: Minnesota Republican Party Chairman Ron Carey

###

Source: Republican Party of Minnesota

|W|P|113017072631397957|W|P|REPUBLICAN RESPONSE TO HATCH ANNOUNCEMENT|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/24/2005 07:17:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|Back in February, I purchased the website domain names of numerous potential DFL campaigns. My solitary goal was to use increased internet searches for these candidates to garner more traffic for Minnesota Democrats Exposed. Earlier this year, I voluntarily relinquished ownership of the domains. Minnesota Republican Watch is now reporting on my decision. The majority of this post has been in draft mode as I was waiting until the right time to announce my activity. While I and others enjoyed the publicity Minnesota Democrats Exposed received, I decided it was unfair and against my motto to keep the domain names from being used by the campaigns. Minnesota Democrats Exposed is dedicated to truthful discussion on the activities, statements, and tactics of Minnesota Democrats. I realized that if I kept the website domain names, I was preventing and not fostering a truthful discussion on Minnesota Democrats. My decision to voluntarily relinquish ownership of the domains should not be misunderstood as a repudiation of this tactic. But if I had the chance to do it over, I would not have purchased the domains. The domains purchased are available for use by the campaigns and if they have any technical problems, I encourage them to email minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com. MDE |W|P|113016637165780101|W|P|A MESSAGE FROM MDE: WHERE ARE MY DOMAINS?|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/24/2005 02:01:00 PM|W|P| Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|Thank you Republican Minnesota.10/24/2005 02:13:00 PM|W|P| Flash|W|P|I don't know if I would go that far*laughing*. But as I said on Centrisity today "I have a new found respect for MDE."

Flash10/25/2005 08:44:00 AM|W|P| woyzeck|W|P|Hmmm.... is MDE being nice? Or did someone file for arbitration through ICANN? Since MDE's providers adhere to ICANN policies. Hatch and Klobuchar could have filed for abritration through ICANN which would have potentially exposed MDE according to the aggreeemnt with one of MDE's providers. Releasing the ownership of the domain names would have been the smartest thing to do, in order to keep his/her anonimity.10/24/2005 06:46:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

Mike Hatch has some nerve to tell Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson to "stay strong on the bench." Johnson has never lost a general election, while later today Hatch will announce his third run for governor. For example in 1994, Hatch was defeated by State Senator John Marty in the DFL primary election. Marty went on to get his ass-kicked by then Governor Arne Carlson in the general election. I am sure the other DFL candidates for governor will appreciate Hatch's comment that "[t]here's only two people I know right now that can beat Tim Pawlenty, and that's Mike Hatch and Dean Johnson." I would bet the entire farm that Pawlenty will be re-elected. But Hatch's comments should be a warning to the other DFL candidates for governor that Hatch has and will continue to run a negative campaign for the DFL endorsement. ## Johnson still undecided WILLMAR -- A heavy hitter is expected to join the field of Democrats running for governor today, but Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson will stay on the sidelines, at least for now. Attorney General Mike Hatch said in a fund-raising letter last week that he would announce his candidacy today. Hatch joins a growing field of DFL candidates who hope to challenge Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty in the 2006 election. "I'm not gonna say I'm in and I'm out, because I don't know at this point," Johnson said Friday. Johnson said in a telephone interview that he admires Hatch, someone he's known for years. "He's clearly a strong candidate," he said. "He's a bulldog for the average person, no doubt about it." Hatch was elected attorney general in 1998 and is a former state commerce commissioner. He's run for governor twice before. Hatch came to his office in the State Capitol about a week ago, Johnson said. "He told me he was going to run, … and then he looked at me and said, 'Dean, are you going to run," Johnson said. "I said, 'What do you think?'" Hatch's words were: "There's only two people I know right now that can beat Tim Pawlenty, and that's Mike Hatch and Dean Johnson." Hatch's suggestion to him was "to stay strong on the bench," Johnson said. Johnson said he hasn't decided whether to run for a number of reasons. "I just philosophically think these statewide campaigns are far too long," he said. He did concede that a delay in getting into the race could make fund-raising more difficult. In addition, being majority leader takes "an enormous amount of time," he said. "It's a fascinating, intriguing, challenging position," he said. "There's no handbook written for this job, … there's a lot of trial and error." The job also gives him a chance to do some good things for his home area, including obtaining funding for Willmar’s new airport and for the Willmar Regional Treatment Center sale. Johnson is also a brigadier general and chaplain in the Army National Guard and a pastor at Calvary Lutheran Church in Willmar. His military workload as special assistant to the Army chief of chaplains is growing. Calvary is short-staffed now, so that demands more of his time, too. "It's not like I'm looking for something more to do," he said. However, he has received encouragement from many people. Some organizations just beginning their endorsement process have asked about his plans, too. Other DFL candidates who have announced so far include state Sen. Steve Kelley, former legislator and nonprofit founder Bud Philbrook, real estate developer Kelly Doran and frequent candidate Ole Savior. State Sen. Becky Lourey also has indicated interest. Source: West-Central Tribune, October 24, 2005

|W|P|113016327543121620|W|P|THE NERVE OF MIKE HATCH|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/24/2005 08:27:00 AM|W|P| Kevin from Minneapolis|W|P|I think this is more off an attempt by Hatch to shoot at Doran than a fear or concern or even urging toward Dean Johnson. Especially considering the potential Doran media blitz.10/24/2005 06:34:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

It feels like Christmas morning today! I found two stories discussing DFL infighting.

Please read the story below, as I will be posting a hit on this subject involving a DFL campaign later this week.

##

Complaint against McLaughlin dismissed; loophole revealed?

By Scott Russell

The Anoka County Attorney's Office has dismissed an elections complaint brought against Friends of Peter McLaughlin, McLaughlin's county commissioner campaign fund.

McLaughlin said he is pleased but not surprised by the opinion.

"There was nothing there - as I said from the beginning," he said. "Unfortunately, it is hard to erase the lingering untruths inherent in these filings. I am hopeful voters will … see that I have been completely exonerated."

Ken Bradley, a supporter of Mayor R.T. Rybak's who filed the complaint, said the decision spotlights what appears to be a campaign finance law loophole.

Bradley complained Aug. 5 that McLaughlin’s County Board campaign committee inappropriately spent money in 2004 to bolster McLaughlin's mayoral bid, based in part on conversations Bradley said he had with McLaughlin campaign staff.

The Hennepin County Attorney sent the complaint to Anoka County for review to avoid conflict of interest.

McLaughlin has stated his county campaign did not spend money on his mayoral bid. However, McLaughlin wouldn’t have violated any laws if he had, according to an Oct. 13 letter to Bradley from Karen M.S. Walden, an assistant Anoka County Attorney.

"The question is whether funds raised by a political committee to support a candidate for one office may be used by that committee to support that same candidate for another office," Walden wrote. "Such conduct is not prohibited in Minnesota election law."

The law does not prevent a committee "from using its funds to support a candidate for an office other than the office originally sought," the letter said. "[No] further action will be taken."

Walden was not available to elaborate on her opinion.

The ruling means local campaign fund laws are less strict than those governing state campaigns.

Jeanne Olson, executive director of the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, said, for example, that a state legislator running for state auditor could not use legislative-campaign funds. If such spending happened, the candidate’s fund would be fined four times the expense, Olson said.

It appears from the Anoka County opinion that local candidates have a way to skirt local campaign finance limits. The candidate could set up committees for several races, get friends and family to contribute to each - then spend all the money on one campaign.

For example, individuals can give a maximum $500 to a Minneapolis mayoral campaign in an election year. If a candidate had or set up a campaign committee for another local office, a donor could contribute the maximum to both funds, and the candidate could spend it all on his or her chosen race. Source: Skyway News, October 24, 2005

|W|P|113016146535236801|W|P|LOOPHOLE OR SMART POLITICS?|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/24/2005 07:50:00 AM|W|P| North Star Politics|W|P|Of course, those of us on the other side of the aisle are getting ready to celebrate Fitzmas, a day on which we will celebrate "exposed" corrupt Republicans.10/24/2005 06:19:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

As I have said many times before, nothing warms my heart more than DFL infighting. "When one of the neighbors asked him how he would distinguish himself from Mike Hatch, [Steve] Kelley joked, 'I actually have businesspeople who like me.'

As the group laughed, Kelley singled out his wife Sophie. 'I've been married to a businessperson for 30 years now, and my family are small businesspeople,' Kelley said." Source: Minnesota Public Radio, October 23, 2005

|W|P|113016013352477777|W|P|DFL INFIGHTING: KELLEY vs. HATCH|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/23/2005 05:20:00 PM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|DORAN'S AD BUY TO FOCUS ON CABLE The latest word on the rumored $500,000 Kelly Doran for Governor ad buy is that it will be focused largely on cable TV. Cable rates are a fraction the cost of network TV spots (because cable continues to be fragmented and delivers a fraction of the viewers), but that means the number of ads in the buy will be enormous. We've also learned that the ad buy will last approximately three weeks. It will be interesting to see how Doran segments out the buy. Will he go for sports fans on ESPN? Women watching Lifetime? Seniors checking out the Weather Channel? Doran's camp could also choose certain suburban and Greater Minnesota markets with much greater precision than they could do on network TV. I can hardly wait to watch these Democrats climbing all over one another. Looks like a fun week coming up.|W|P|113011351234949947|W|P|MDE EXCLUSIVE: MORE ON DORAN'S IMPENDING SPENDING SPREE|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/23/2005 10:13:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|Governor Pawlenty's re-election website has been officially activated. www.timpawlenty.com. Pawlenty's website has up and running for more than a week. My compliments to Pawlenty's campaign staff for a job well done.|W|P|113008766472309707|W|P|PAWLENTY FOR GOVERNOR WEBSITE|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/23/2005 08:56:00 PM|W|P| Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|A MESSAGE FROM MDE
Minnesota Democrats Exposed is a blog dedicated to a truthful discussion on the activities, statements and tactics of Minnesota Democrats.

I choose to exercise my First Amendment right to remain anonymous. Minnesota Democrats Exposed is, and always will be published anonymously. I will never confirm nor deny my true identity.

I have never used my right to remain anonymous as cover to post lies or false information.10/22/2005 02:57:00 PM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|Mike Hatch goes from his campaign announcement... Oct. 24. 1:30 p.m. HATCH ANNOUNCEMENT Attorney General Mike Hatch announces his campaign for governor at the Minnesota Nurses Association Annual Convention. Location: Radisson Riverfront, Minnesota Ballroom, St. Paul Contacts: Kari Erickson, (651) 221-0881 Source: AP Daybook to defending two girls who survived a plane crash that killed their mother. Oct. 24. 3 p.m. PLANE CRASH CASE Attorney General Mike Hatch appears in court to argue the case of two girls who survived a plane crash that killed their mother. The company that insured the airplane denied the girls coverage. Location: U.S. District Court, courtroom 12W, 300 S. Fourth St., Minneapolis Contacts: Leslie Sandberg (Attorney General Mike Hatch), (651) 296-2069 Source: AP Daybook ## This is unbelievable. Hatch times his announcement for governor to coincide with his appearance in court only ninety minutes later. Hatch wants the media coverage of his campaign kick-off to include him defending two little girls who lost their mother in a tragic plane crash.|W|P|113001959116498658|W|P|HATCH TO USE DEAD MOTHER AS CAMPAIGN PROP|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/22/2005 08:28:00 PM|W|P| North Star Politics|W|P|Mike Hatch has a job to do, a job that no Republican has the spine to do, as the voters acknowledged in 2002. Republicans would undoubtedly let this horrific act on the part of the insurance company slide, while Hatch is going to do something about it. The campaign be damned - Hatch is defending people no Republican would bother with.10/22/2005 11:24:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

Mike Hatch's website needs some work. Steve Kelly and Kelly Doran's websites are much better and provide more information about the candidate and their campaigns. |W|P|113000546237992071|W|P|HATCH FOR GOVERNOR WEBSITE NEEDS WORK|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/22/2005 07:49:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|There is a new DFL blog with an ingenious name: DFL Blog. One of the authors, Toby, has been a frequent visitor to Minnesota Democrats Exposed. I hope Toby doesn't mind me publicly thanking him for providing me with technical advice during one of the numerous times I had problems with Minnesota Democrats Exposed.|W|P|112999402995824512|W|P|NEW DFL BLOG|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/21/2005 02:47:00 PM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

It's no secret that man most obsessed with becoming governor is going to make it official on Monday. But remember that you heard the details here on Minnesota Democrats Exposed first.

WHAT: Hatch for Governor announcement WHEN: Monday, October 24, 1:30 p.m. WHERE: Radisson Riverfront, Minnesota Ballroom (lower level), St. Paul

Hatch is making his announcement at the Minnesota Nurses Association annual convention (http://www.mnnurses.org). Good thing. With all of the damage Hatch took on from his failed Medica lawsuit (that was the suit the judge called "unproven and without merit") he could probably use some good nursing care.

|W|P|112993125658982156|W|P|MDE EXCLUSIVE: DETAILS ON HATCH ANNOUNCEMENT|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/21/2005 01:47:00 PM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|I just received this press release. ## Senate Republican Leader Dick Day Denounces Dirty Campaign Tactics in Senate District 43 Special Election Democrats Dirty Tricks Undermine Integrity and Public Trust in the Political Process, Says Day (St. Paul) Today Senate Republican Leader Dick Day (R-Owatonna) denounced dirty campaign tactics being used by Democrats in Senate District 43, where a special election is scheduled for November 22 to fill a vacancy created by the appointment of Senator David Gaither to serve as Governor Pawlenty's Chief of Staff. Reports of "push-polling", an opinion poll conducted with loaded questions or offering negative information to sway the opinions of those polled, have surfaced throughout Senate District 43 in recent days. Those receiving calls have reported false attacks against Plymouth Mayor Judy Johnson, the endorsed Republican in the race. Questions targeting Johnson have included false or misleading information regarding issues such as Local Government Aid levels, police and fire personnel levels, and City of Plymouth tax rates during Johnson's term as Mayor. Other question implied that blame for the timing and cost of a special election falls squarely on Johnson's shoulders. When reached for comment, Johnson - who has pledged to run a positive campaign - was surprised and disappointed to hear that negative tactics such as push-polling were taking place. "These push-poll calls seek to not only undermine my service to the citizens of Plymouth, but my character and integrity as well," said Johnson. "I was very hopeful that this would be a clean, positive campaign on the issues most important to the residents of Senate District 43. These types of negative campaign tactics simply undermine the process as a whole, and lead to voter apathy. I have worked hard to cultivate broad support from Republicans, Independents and Democrats alike, which is why I am so surprised by these attacks." "One question claims that under my watch, Plymouth's tax rate has risen. This is patently false," Johnson continued. "In fact, during my time as Mayor, Plymouth's tax rate has decreased every year. Plymouth has the lowest tax rate of all cities in Minnesota with populations over 25,000, and the fourth lowest tax rate for cities over 10,000." Another question claims that under Johnson's watch, the number of police officers in Plymouth has been cut. In fact, Plymouth’s total police budget has risen from $6.5 million in 2002 to over $8 million in 2005, increasing the number of sworn officers by six. "Through Mayor Johnson's leadership, she and the City Council have been staunch supporters of our City's public safety efforts. Their support affords us the opportunity to offer professional, comprehensive and prudent police services to this community, making Plymouth a safe place to live, work, and recreate," said Plymouth Police Chief Mike Goldstein. "Once again, we're seeing that some Democrats only think they can win elections by resorting to underhanded smear tactics," said Day. "When those Democrats don't have any ideas of their own, they resort to lying to the voters, plain and simple. Fortunately, from my years in politics I've learned you can't scare your way into office."

###

|W|P|112992805113090025|W|P|DFL DIRTY TRICKS IN SD 43? #2|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/21/2005 07:39:00 PM|W|P| North Star Politics|W|P|Republicans ALWAYS use this little gem to either try to paint the DFLers as bad guys during an election or whiningly rationalize their losses afterwards. Republicans constantly engage in the same thing, only to a much higher degree. It's the purest form of hypocrisy: to a Republican, turnabout is not fair play.10/21/2005 08:32:00 PM|W|P| Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|I would like an example.10/22/2005 04:58:00 AM|W|P| John Jordan|W|P|I've seen such things personally. In one of my campaigns, a blue van was out stealing my signs. In fact, one morning they were particularly stupid. My neighbor called me at 6:30 am saying "there's a van out front stealing your sign!". Sure enough, he had a van full of my signs. I ran out and he took off. Turned out he'd been busy for hours stealing maybe 25-35 of them around my neighborhood.

Why do some DFL'ers think it's necessary to cheat? Because they view politics as sport. Stealing signs or doing push polls aren't "cheating" to them, it's "just politics". There is no moral center in many of these people to stop them from discerning the difference between right and wrong. There isn't "right and wrong", only wins and losses.

Power is corrupting and some of these people will do anything they have to to get it and keep it.

Republicans constantly engage in the same thing, only to a much higher degree.

This is not accurate. It's a deflection of reality to try and say "they're just like us" when it's just not true. In my first House campaign I told my volunteers - "you will not cheat and if I find you did you will no longer be associated with this campaign". I had several democrats who helped me and they witnessed me stating this emphatically. Cheating in campaigns is repugnant and is always wrong no matter who does it.10/22/2005 04:47:00 PM|W|P| John Jordan|W|P|Also, everyone steals signs.

Why do you assume all campaigns are cheaters? That's a smear that just not true.

My campaigns never stole signs. Campaigns I've worked on never stole signs (local or state). And I've even worked with a local candidate that was a democrat.

I hate it not because it's busy work. I hate it because it's against the law and it's wrong to do. Period. If you work on a campaign that does that, you should inform the candidate, release the volunteer from service and consider turning them into the police. It should not be taken so lightly. It is against the very principles of American democracy. I'm shocked anyone could even think of defending it.10/23/2005 03:56:00 PM|W|P| John Jordan|W|P|Am I right? Did you talk to the MNGOP about unnecessary tactics, or is this outrage reserved for DFLers only?

It wasn't done for me so I can't speak to what the Party does for others.

I was speaking to illegal activities and I have stated here quite clearly that no matter who does it them, they're wrong.

Generally speaking, though, I have seen cheating by DFL'ers for years and rarely see it by Republicans. Not because I look the other way, I'd denounce it no matter. I just haven't seen it.

Who's the last legislator to be caught and convicted of cheating? Oh, that's right, the hybrid-driving lib Phyllis Con ... er ...Kahn.10/21/2005 01:35:00 PM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|I received this earlier today. -----Original Message----- From: XXXX XXXXXX Sent: Friday, October 21, 2005 8:43 AM To: minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com Subject: Push Polling by DFL candidate Thought you might want to know this. My wife was contacted by phone by a man claiming to be doing a survey. He asked her a few questions about her opinions about Judy Johnson (R Plymouth) and her opponent Terri Bonoff (DFL). He then began to tell her negative things about Johnson and positive things about Bonoff and then asked her if her opinions changed. Classic Push Polling techniques. The guy claimed to be from a Colorado firm. We sent Judy Johnson an email describing this phone call. |W|P|112992705899614108|W|P|DFL DIRTY TRICKS IN SD 43?|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/21/2005 10:47:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

Insiders are buzzing that failed U.S. Senate candidate turned gubernatorial candidate Kelly Doran may be planning to unleash a barrage of radio and TV advertisements next week.

The figure being tossed around is $500,000.

In Minnesota, a half-a-million dollar ad buy is pretty big. If he's buying ads in the Duluth, Rochester and Fargo/Moorhead markets, in addition to the Twin Cities, Doran's $500,000 could go a long way.

The big ad campaign would put a serious damper on Mike "Double Expletive" Hatch's first week in the race. Hatch is no doubt expecting a week-long love fest from the media types who have been dreaming of his entrance into the race. But we all know that $500,000 in ads will get a lot more attention that Hatch's non-surprise announcement that he's running for Governor (now for the third time).

Dane Smith reported on the Doran ad buy rumor in Thursday's Star Tribune:
"[Doran] Campaign officials refused to confirm rumors that he's poised to release a barrage of TV or radio ads in the next couple of weeks."

Side notes: Do you think that Doran Campaign Chief of Staff John Wodele is getting paid a percentage of the ad buy? And how big is Doran's campaign staff if his Campaign Manager goes by the title "Chief of Staff"?

|W|P|112991687673558090|W|P|KELLY DORAN READY TO UNLEASH HIS MILLIONS?|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/21/2005 11:32:00 AM|W|P| Kevin from Minneapolis|W|P|I think this would be a great move by Doran. Money is obviously not a problem for him, so go for it.

Hatch's announcement will receive big news coverage and probably will be considered the start of the race, not just within the DFL but in the general sense as well.

Such a huge ad buy would obviously get attention, but it also plants Doran solidly in the 2 spot on the DFL side, ahead of Kelley, Lourey or whomever else.

Obviously, Doran would rather be in the number 1 spot, where Hatch will be, but this will make him the clear alternative and be a big boost to his campaign.10/21/2005 08:33:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|Republican Minnesota has been leading the charge against Hatch for using an expletive to describe Marianne Short, a lawyer involved with Hatch's failed attempt to sue Medica. Hatch's answers to questions about the incident have been inconsistent: "I'd do it again" - Mike Hatch when describing his version of using foul language to describe Marianne Short, a former appea[l]s court judge. (Source, Midmorning with Keri Miller, August 23, 2005) Source: Republican Minnesota But then Hatch claims he didn't use it, or did he claim his did?

"That setback, however, has been eclipsed by repercussions from Hatch's conversation with Rice, about which Marianne Short questioned Hatch during the trial.

Short, a former state Court of Appeals judge and daughter of the late DFL businessman and politician Bob Short, asked Hatch if he recalled using two expletives in referring to her.

'No, nope, I did not,' Hatch replied.

Short: 'You did not use that language?

Hatch: 'No, absolutely not. I did use the word ..... but not as a noun, as a verb.'" Source: Star Tribune, October 20, 2005

|W|P|112990964732744889|W|P|"COUNTDOWN TO A FLIP-FLOP" #8|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/21/2005 07:22:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

According to the Associated Press: "Two waitresses at a downtown bar have commenced a lawsuit against the St. Paul Winter Carnival, several members of the 2005 Vulcan Krewe and others after the women were allegedly groped by then Vulcan King Thomas Trudeau."

Back in 2002, Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch held numerous campaign events at Alary's bar in St. Paul. Alary's website, www.alarys.com, did have pictures of female staff in provocative and sexually suggestive positions. These pictures defined sexual exploitation and Alary's could be called a cheap version of Hooters.

Now that Hatch is running for governor, he should apologize for using Alary's to host his campaign events. For background information, please click on the links below. Mike Hatch and the Girls of Alary's More of Mike Hatch and the Girls of Alary's None of these pictures are safe for work, but this is where Mike Hatch likes to hold campaign events. Picture #1 Picture #2 Picture #3 Picture #4 Picture #5 Picture #6 Picture #7 Picture #8|W|P|112990466072131513|W|P|MORE AND MORE OF MIKE HATCH AND THE GIRLS OF ALARY'S|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/21/2005 08:30:00 AM|W|P| John Jordan|W|P|Can you imagine what they'd do if Pawlenty had ever associated himself with such a place? Nick Coleman would have had to take a field trip to check it out and write bad things about him.10/21/2005 11:35:00 AM|W|P| Kevin from Minneapolis|W|P|Toby,

No politician, that anyone knows of, was in the boat. As far as we know it was just the Vikings, some close friends and some hoores.

Joking aside, it's one thing for a person's wife to give sexy pictures, especially when she's an "actress" and I use the term loosely. It's another thing for a major politician to hang out at a T and A bar.10/21/2005 11:58:00 AM|W|P| Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|I am agree with Party Oppostite. Hatch chose Alary's as a place to hold his fundraisers.

It was wrong.10/21/2005 06:07:00 PM|W|P| Kevin from Minneapolis|W|P|"Is Norm Coleman in the same boat as Hatch because his wife posed for"

Toby, I was making a joke. How come liberals don't get my jokes? lol10/20/2005 09:25:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

These are the guildlines for requesting permission from the Star Tribune to use a photo or article. I can't determine if Hatch's brochure sourced the photo. ## Permission to Reprint Articles and Photos

Material published in the Star Tribune newspaper and on startribune.com, including articles, photos, graphics and other content, is copyrighted by the Star Tribune and by other information providers who have licensed their content to the Star Tribune. You may not reproduce, republish or redistribute this material without the written permission of Star Tribune.

Star Tribune receives frequent requests for republishing articles and photos. If the request is for noncommercial purposes and meets the other rules established by Star Tribune, we will grant these requests.

Please note: Star Tribune cannot grant reprint permission for material from the Associated Press, the New York Times News Service, the Washington Post-Los Angeles Times News Services, features syndicates and other sources. You must contact those agencies directly to obtain permission from them. In some cases, we may be able to provide phone numbers of news services, syndicates and other newspapers. If you seek such information, please request it on the permission form. Contact information also is available in public libraries that have access to the Editor & Publisher Directory of Syndicated Services.

The permission form is for noncommercial use of material from Star Tribune, which means that you are not reselling the material or selling avertising in association with that content. In addition, you must agree to abide by these rules:

1. An article or editorial must be republished in its entirety. Bylines and credit lines ("By John Smith, Star Tribune Staff Writer") must be retained. Photos and graphics must be reproduced as they were originally published in the Star Tribune newspaper. Digital alteration of a photo is absolutely forbidden.
2. The original date of publication of the material in the Star Tribune newspaper must accompany the article.
3. This language must be added at the end of the article: "Copyright 2003 Star Tribune. Republished with permission of Star Tribune, Minneapolis-St. Paul. No further republication or redistribution is permitted without the written consent of Star Tribune."
4. Permission will NOT be granted to republish an article as a promotion piece to solicit new business, for fund raising or as a lobbying tool. Permission may be granted, however, if reprints will be distributed as information to existing customers or to potential customers who have requested additional information about an organization.
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6. For republication on another Web site: The credit line at the top of the article must be a hypertext link back to the Star Tribune's Web site at www.startribune.com. Under the credit line must be the date when the article was originally published in the Star Tribune newspaper or on the startribune.com Web site.
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|W|P|112982594815742934|W|P|DID HATCH USE STAR TRIBUNE PHOTO IN CAMPAIGN BROCHURE? #2|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com10/20/2005 12:37:00 PM|W|P| Kevin from Minneapolis|W|P|Minnesota Republican Watch doesn't allow comments, so I thought I would post here that Bill Walsh's wife, Donna, died last evening.

I bring up MRW because they mention him in a recent article on Governor Pawlenty's staff. I thought this would let them know that if they had any more plans for the story, maybe they could call off the dogs for a while so this guy can greive.10/20/2005 12:57:00 PM|W|P| Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|Please email me offline to discuss your comments.10/20/2005 01:21:00 PM|W|P| Kevin from Minneapolis|W|P|MDE,
were you talk to me or Toby about emailing you offline?10/20/2005 01:45:00 PM|W|P| woyzeck|W|P|Toby,

Try googling "Fair Use Doctrine" and you might be suprised as to what you find. Although, as I stated in another post, reposting entire articles is usually a no - no. Especially, if no commentary is offered up. One could also argue that this is site is for commercial gain due to the fact that MDE sells products on his site, in which case, the fair use doctrine goes out the window. But obviously, the Strib's legal department has been here and and seen what is here. If they had a problem with it, they probably would have made mention of more than a single picture to her/him in there communications with him/her.10/20/2005 02:40:00 PM|W|P| Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|Party Opposite: Bill Walsh's wife did not die last evening.

Her name is not Donna, and damn you for posting this false information on Minnesota Democrats Exposed.10/20/2005 05:03:00 PM|W|P| Kevin from Minneapolis|W|P|My apologies to MDE, the Walshes and MRW.

It appreas I had my Walsh families confused. I meant absolutely no harm and I sincerely apologize for the mistake.10/21/2005 06:42:00 AM|W|P| Kevin from Minneapolis|W|P|Sean,

You certainly have every reason to think I have no penalty for my confusion over the information I received yesterday. But you are wrong.

I received an email from someone I know with the last name Walsh who referred to a Bill losing his wife. Because of obvious connections, I put the two together and assumed the person was Bill Walsh. Unfortunately and fortunately, I was horribly wrong.

But to say I come through this unscathed is incorrect and a hasty assumption on your part, because you assume that just because I am anonymous here means I am anonymous everywhere. Not that I begrudge you for thinking that, it would be unfair of me seeing as you would have had no idea of that.

Also, I feel great stupidity for myself that I spread false information about someone's life.10/21/2005 08:33:00 AM|W|P| John Jordan|W|P|You have no responsibility to say the truth, to check your sources because you face no penalty if you're wrong.

What about all the non-sense you post that's wrong?

Still waiting for your definition of "fundamentalist", and answers to the questions about whether or not you think conservatives are stupid and if you think you're smarter than them.