12/31/2005 02:28:00 PM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|This is just a start. Check back tomorrow for more posts. ## THE GOOD I was the first to report that Senator Dayton may not run for re-election: MDE EXCLUSIVE: IS DAYTON HAVING SECOND THOUGHTS ABOUT RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION? Less than a week later, Senator Dayton decided against running for re-election: DAYTON DROPS OUT! I was one of the first bloggers to report that Mike Erlandson was maybe on his way out as head of the DFL party: ARE MIKE ERLANDSON'S DAYS NUMBERED? THE BAD It's clear this post was wrong: SOMETHING FROM THE RUMOR MILL|W|P|113607112137797851|W|P|UPDATE: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/30/2005 03:09:00 PM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|2005 was a great year for Minnesota Democrats Exposed. Starting tomorrow, I will be reviewing all of the posts from the past year and I will compile a list of posts that were good, posts that were bad, and posts that were really ugly. As Patrick Timmons of MN GOP Watch said, "A blog lives and dies by its credibility...If you don't have that, you don't have anything." While some believe admitting mistakes makes you less credibile, I believe an honest accounting of where I was right and where I was wrong will make Minnesota Democrats Exposed much more credibile. I encourage you to contact me via email to suggest a post that was good, bad, or ugly.|W|P|113598528177113583|W|P|THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com1/01/2006 11:19:00 AM|W|P|

Anonymous|W|P|Make your blog logo link back to the main page. Easier navigation.12/30/2005 02:12:00 PM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|I am getting compliments from the most unlikely sources: Democrats! "I read the whole thing and I reeeeally hate to say this, but MDE nailed this one. But good."|W|P|113598095387105953|W|P|UPDATE: MDE EXCLUSIVE: COLEEN ROWLEY AND BLOIS OLSON #7|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/29/2005 12:39:00 PM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|I just received this email from a prominent DFL activist. ## From: XXXXXXXXXXXXXX Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2005 1:55 PM To: minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com Subject: Blois Olson >I find it funny that Mr. Olson "demands a retraction" from you. A couple months back he printed this article on the DFL state office: Extreme Makeover: DFL Staff Style The DFL state party headquarters staff has undergone a complete face-lift under new chair Brian Melendez. The problem for many Democratic stalwarts is that no one recognizes any of the new staff. The only remaining staffers are director of communications and research Bill Amberg, and long-time office administrator Jan Rein. New executive director Andrew O'Leary replaces Democratic campaign and Capitol veteran Jennifer Siems Ford. New director of outreach Peggy Flanagan replaces Eric Mitchell, and John Fitzgerald has been added in the newly created position, director of finance. State DFL Chair Brian Melendez is reportedly getting heat from Democratic donors and constituency groups who are looking at other places to invest in electing Democratic candidates. Melendez's one- time suggestion that the party shouldn't accept funds from political action committees and his lack of attention to outstate Democratic interests has key funders grumbling that his term might be short-lived. >I personally sent him a number of corrections to this piece that he never retracted. I mean factual errors, like the Finance Director's name is John Schultz not Fitzgerald, that two of the staffers he mentions (Eric Mitchell and Jennifer Siems Ford) resigned while Mike Erlandson was Chair, etc. >Mr. Olson obviously doesn't do any real research in his "reporting" and I've come to realize that Politics In Minnesota isn't worth the electrons it's written on. ## The story referenced above appeared on October 21, 2005, in The Politics In Minnesota Weekly Report. Ouch.|W|P|113588941538509074|W|P|UPDATE: MDE EXCLUSIVE: COLEEN ROWLEY AND BLOIS OLSON #6|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/29/2005 11:59:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|I just received this tip from a reader of Minnesota Democrats Exposed: "...Eileen Weber is also a columnist for the Hastings newspaper. She's been getting tons of free ink for months. Something smells here. She's been ripping Governor Pawlenty and House GOPers for months in the Hastings paper."|W|P|113588652627845825|W|P|UPDATE: INTERESTING DEVELOPMENTS IN SD 57|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/29/2005 12:33:00 PM|W|P|

Kevin from Minneapolis|W|P|Has the Hastings paper willingly given her campaign a microphone or did Weber dupe them as to her intentions?

Lying to a local paper is not the best way to start a campaign.12/29/2005 11:41:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

Click on the picture to view Buck's fundraising email.

According to Blois Olson: "New School Communications does not do ANY political work. Buck Humphrey may have persued a work with Rowley PRIOR to his employment at New School but we do not do any campaign work." But Buck recently sent out a fundraising email on behalf of Amy Klobuchar's campaign for the U.S. Senate. To be fair, Buck may just be a volunteer for Klobuchar's campaign. I have no evidence that he has been a paid consultant or staffer. Stay tuned to Minnesota Democrats Exposed for more information.|W|P|113588527002850142|W|P|UPDATE: MDE EXCLUSIVE: COLEEN ROWLEY AND BLOIS OLSON #5|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/29/2005 10:13:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|Why has Coleen Rowley's former field director, Eileen Weber, registered a campaign committee to run for the Minnesota House of Representatives in 57B? 57B is currently represented by Denny McNamara, a GOPer. Is McNamara not running for re-election? Would Weber leave her job with Rowley's campaign to run againsts an incumbent? Is McNamara running for the State Senate? State Senator Sharon Marko is from SD 57 and she is considered a potential candidate for Congress in the 2nd Congressional District. This is a very interesting situation and I encourage anyone with more informtion to contact Minnesota Democrats Exposed.|W|P|113588221428136768|W|P|INTERESTING DEVELOPMENTS IN SD 57|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/29/2005 09:58:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|After reading some of Blois' emails, I am surpised someone who a founded a PR firm specializing in crisis comunications can't find a better way to communicate himself out of trouble. |W|P|113587951374097287|W|P|UPDATE: MDE EXCLUSIVE: COLEEN ROWLEY AND BLOIS OLSON #4|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/29/2005 08:30:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|Politics in Minnesota, co-published by Blois Olson, first mentioned that Coleen Rowley may face a challenger for the DFL nomination in 2006: "An excellent source has told us that State Senator Sharon Marko (D-Cottage Grove) is considering running for Congress against Representative John Kline in the Second Congressional District. That move would give Colleen Rowley a significant challenger for endorsement or in a primary." Source: Politics in Minnesota, November 11, 2005 A week later, Politics in Minnesota was the first to report that Marko would not run: "After further thought and some family issues that require tending to, State Sen. Sharon Marko has decided against running for Congress." Source: Politics in Minnesota, November 18, 2005 Why then is Marko still quoted in stories as a potential candidate for Congress? "Perhaps that is why state Sen. Sharon Marko (D) is considering seeking the Democratic nomination in the 2nd district, which stretches from the first-ring suburbs south of the Twin Cities to more rural southern Minnesota. Marko told the Star-Tribune that Democrats need to appeal to swing voters in the 2nd district and that she wonders if Rowley has broad enough appeal." Source: Roll Call, December 6, 2005 ## I would be interested to know if Blois or anyone at Politics in Minnesota spoke with Marko directly about her candidacy to verify if she was running or that she had decided not to run. Blois, just because you sign your name to your newsletter, doesn't make the information more accurate or credible. UPDATE: Remember it was Politics in Minnesota, co-published by Blois Olson, that first took a shot at anonymous blogs: "Anonymous Bloggers Need To Get A Life Okay, the Blogs of the world have had some impact on politics in the past few cycles, but it's time that someone begins outing all of the anonymous bloggers. Both sides have them, but it seems as though they have decided to pop-up as the most cost effective (free) ways to anonymously attack candidates. We value free speech, just have the guts to attach your name to your comments." Source: Politics in Minnesota, December 9, 2005 I'll repeat my previous statement: Blois, just because you sign your name to your newsletter, doesn't make the information more accurate or credible.|W|P|113587506505550722|W|P|UPDATE: MDE EXCLUSIVE: COLEEN ROWLEY AND BLOIS OLSON #3|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/28/2005 09:05:00 PM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|After reading my emails, it's clear I have gotten under Blois' skin. According to my source Buck Humphrey (who works for New-School Communications), pursued a contract with Coleen Rowley's campaign. I encourage Buck to contact Minnesota Democrats Exposed and clarify his employment status with New-School Communications during the time he was trying to work with Rowley's campaign. We let the truth speak for itself!|W|P|113583274276852707|W|P|UPDATE: MDE EXCLUSIVE: COLEEN ROWLEY AND BLOIS OLSON #2|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/29/2005 07:43:00 AM|W|P|

Cyril Sneer|W|P|Whether or not this Blois guy's company had something to gain from saying Rowley's campaign is in shambles is really not the point here, because everything he said is the truth and it has been confirmed by a myriad of other Democrats and pundits (Joe Atkins, Sharon Marko, Amy Walter, Stu Rothenberg, etc...) in the same stories that you cited.

Bottom line: Kline outraised Rowley by 3 to 1 last quarter and I'd be willing to bet he'll outraised her by at least 2 to 1 again this time. If you wan't to go after Buck Humphrey, be my guest, but don't give Rowley any credibility - she's running a terrible campaign and is a laughable candidate. Remember the Sheehan!12/28/2005 07:10:00 PM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|Coleen Rowley's campaign has been criticized by numerous DFL activists in Minnesota. One of the most vocal critics has been Blois Olson, co-publisher of Politics in Minnesota. This is what Blois said in late October: '"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. Source: Associated Press, October 27, 2005 ## Politics in Minnesota, co-published by Blois Olson, first mentioned that Coleen Rowley may face a challenger for the DFL nomination in 2006: "An excellent source has told us that State Senator Sharon Marko (D-Cottage Grove) is considering running for Congress against Representative John Kline in the Second Congressional District. That move would give Colleen Rowley a significant challenger for endorsement or in a primary." Source: Politics in Minnesota, November 11, 2005 ## I have been informed by a source in direct contact with Coleen Rowley's campaign, that Blois Olson's PR firm, New School Communications, tried to get Rowley's campaign to hire Blois' firm for a consulting contract. Buck Humphrey, an employee of New School Communications, was the main person trying to get Rowley's campaign to ink the contract. Rowley's campaign decided against hiring New School Communications. According to my source, it was only after Rowley's campaign decided against hiring Blois' firm that Blois started to appear in newspapers criticizing Rowley's campaign. If my source is correct, and I believe they are, Politics in Minnesota and Blois Olson have some explaining to do. Why did Blois never disclose he was trying to get Rowley's campaign to hire his firm? This story is developing and I will have more information later this evening. ## UPDATE: Blois Olson sent me the following email: -----Original Message----- From: Blois Olson [mailto:b.olson@new-school.com] Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2005 8:49 PM To: Minnesota Democrats Exposed Subject: RE: Minnesota Democrats Exposed: MDE EXCLUSIVE: COLEEN ROWLEY AND BLOIS OLSON Importance: High I don't know who you are but your story is ABSOLUTELY FALSE. New School Communications does not do ANY political work. Buck Humphrey may have persued a work with Rowley PRIOR to his employment at New School but we do not do any campaign work. I demand a retraction immediately. ## Here is my response: 1. New-School's client list shows political work. 2. This is from Blois' bio on New-School's website: "Blois Olson leads New School Communications with a broad background in public affairs, media relations and campaign management. Specializing in innovative strategies for small businesses and public affairs organizations, he is well known for his media relations and public relations, as well as his political and pundit work." 3. Blois' occupation is listed as "a Democratic consultant" in the above story . 4. According to New-School's website, Buck Humphrey joined the firm in March 2005. My source informs me that Humphrey was trying to get a contract with Rowley's campaign in June 2005. If my source is correct, Humphrey was an employee of New-School communications when he was trying to work with Rowley's campaign and it was not done prior to Humphrey joining New-School Communications as Blois now claims. |W|P|113581542400988773|W|P|MDE EXCLUSIVE: COLEEN ROWLEY AND BLOIS OLSON|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/28/2005 06:53:00 PM|W|P|

Blois Olson|W|P|I don't know who MDE is are but your story is ABSOLUTELY FALSE.

New School Communications does not do ANY political work. Buck Humphrey may have discussed work with Rowley PRIOR to his employment at New School but we do not do any campaign work.

I demand a retraction immediately.

It is well known that New School and Blois Olson have not done any campaign work since 1998.

It would be a clear conflict to our publications.

It should also be noted that an anonymous blogger that doesn't accept anonymous postings could be defined as a hypocrit.

If you want attributal, political insight from people with real experience and credibility, not afraid to put their name on what they write - subscribe to www.politicsinminnesota.com12/29/2005 07:41:00 AM|W|P|

Brian McClung is director of communications for Governor Tim Pawlenty

The Star Tribune and other supporters of illegal immigration resorted to a classic attack last week: If you don't like the message, attack the messenger. And what a weak attack it was. Reporters David Peterson and Dan Browning raised questions about the validity of a Pawlenty administration study on the number and cost of illegal immigrants in our state ("Validity of immigrant report is questioned / State demographer is worried about a Pawlenty-released report on undocumented workers," Dec. 22). As it turns out, the people questioning the report were the Star Tribune reporters and editors. Rather than reporting news, they appear to have sought out viewpoints that met their worldview and wove a story around it. The truth is that the number of illegal immigrants cited in the report was in the article: The well-regarded, nonpartisan national immigration expert said once again that his "best estimate" is 85,000. Of course, that fact was buried deep in the story. While people may quibble about the exact number of illegal immigrants in Minnesota, numbers that deserve attention reflect the recent explosive growth of illegals in our state. That number increased from 13,000 in 1990 to at least 80,000 in 2004, a 515 percent jump. This includes a 33.3 percent increase since 2000. These numbers come from the federal government. Instead of attacking the messenger, we should commit to having a broad conversation about the impact illegal immigration is having on our schools, health care and criminal justice systems. Gov. Tim Pawlenty will continue to lead in this area, working to reform and improve a chaotic system into one that is orderly, fair and legal. Perhaps the Star Tribune's next article will delve into the validity of another immigration report, cited by columnist Nick Coleman and others, that claims illegal immigrants contribute $300 million to the Minnesota economy each year. The state's leading economists criticized that report for overstating the impact of illegal immigrants in Minnesota, but I won't hold my breath waiting for that news to appear on page A1. Source: Star Tribune, December 29, 2005|W|P|113578957370610473|W|P|MCCLUNG: ARTICLE ATTACKED MESSENGER|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/28/2005 11:18:00 AM|W|P|

Kevin from Minneapolis|W|P|I wish I were a DFLer, things would be so easy.

Step 1 - Claim racism
Step 2 - Allege GOP of creating a "wedge issue" out of something an overwhelming number of Americans support
Step 3 - Invent justification
Step 4 - Claim racism a second time
Step 5 - Blame GOP for problem
Repeat.

It must be an easy life to never have to engage in a public debate and simply write off problems that you don't want to exist.12/27/2005 09:26:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

Mike Unhatched: Flip-Flop of the Week Volume 1, Issue 6:

Hatch Flip-Flops On His Own Medica Appointees Hatch Accused Own Medica Appointees Of "Hostile Takeover."

"The outsiders assigned to reorganize Medica into a cost-effective, consumer-responsive health maintenance organization are not doing their jobs, argues Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch. Worse, he says they have engineered a ‘hostile takeover’ of Minnesota’s largest HMO. That’s pretty heavy criticism considering they were appointed mostly on Hatch’s recommendation. The appointments followed his office’s extensive audit of Allina, completed two years ago, that revealed a host of problems including wasteful spending." (Jim McCartney, "Hatch Pans Own Medica Delegates," St. Paul Pioneer Press, May 8, 2003) |W|P|113570552533419417|W|P|HATCH FLIP-FLOP OF THE WEEK: MEDICA APPOINTEES|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/27/2005 06:44:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|Thank you Kelly Doran for switching races. ## Can blogs tip votes in '06 races?; Web sites attract like-minded readers, blunting their effect They're the new talk radio. Blogs — the sometimes insightful, sometimes profane, online interactive diaries rapidly proliferating on the Internet — have infiltrated politics as you know it. Campaigns and political parties cater to bloggers, giving them special access to events or inside information to post on their Web sites. Newspaper and television reporters might think of blogs as small-time players, but increasingly those reporters are competing with blogs for two things journalists covet: an audience and scoops. In Minnesota — where a vibrant political blogging community has emerged — bloggers are hoping to play a big role in the 2006 campaign, a potentially pivotal year in state politics. Several bloggers already have launched sites focused on the U.S. Senate race. Blogs will have an impact. The question is how much. Craig Westover, who blogs at craig westover.blogspot.com and contributes to the Pioneer Press opinion pages, says he and his fellow bloggers are outworking the traditional media outlets on this big story, devoting more time and attention."They're going to eat the newspapers' lunch," Westover said. Not so fast, others said. Experts say readers typically look at blogs more in line with their own political ideologies, and that reduces their impact. "There are some right-wing blogs that even if you tried to have a conversation with them, it's essentially a bunch of frat guys having a party and doing a beer dance,'' said Michael McIntee, producer for the Inside Minnesota Politics blog and podcast. "And that's not useful; it's pretty much making noise. "People who possess strong political beliefs are able to read "almost exclusively from information sources that support their already existing views," said Larry Jacobs, director of the Center for the Study for Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota's Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. Partisan blogs might help people on the fence decide whom to vote for, said Nora Paul, director of the Institute for New Media Studies at the University of Minnesota. But they're not about to change minds, especially when the readers go to blogs with similar views. Rex Sorgatz, creator of the mnspeak.com online forum, said a significant number of the political blogs listed on his Web site are "intrinsically partisan." He said he doesn't have anything against those blogs, but he's "not sure those kinds of blogs are going to change anything in the world." Along with partisanship, credibility is another problem for blogs. There's nothing in the First Amendment about the need for an editor. Bloggers can write anything they want; they can spout fact or fiction. Jacobs advises readers to beware: "There's no gatekeeping here." Patrick Timmons, founder of the Minnesota Republican Watch blog, got into blogging for the sake of accuracy. He said he read a statement on a conservative blog that he believed was incorrect. The college student said he won't post anything without researching first."A blog lives and dies by its credibility," Timmons said. "If you don't have that, you don't have anything." Minnesota's political blogs are a lively bunch and number in the dozens. While they represent a diverse background, more would be considered conservative than liberal. The most famous is the conservative blog Power Line; its authors are celebrities in the blogosphere. Last year, Power Line was credited with publicizing the serious questions surrounding the "60 Minutes" report about President Bush's military record. Time magazine named it blog of the year. Power Line claims a regular readership of 120,000, with 60,000 to 80,000 people checking out the blog daily, said contributor Scott W. Johnson, a lawyer for TCF Bank. Ed Morrissey, also known as Captain Ed of Captain's Quarters, writes for a bigger audience than just those who frequent his blog. The call center manager writes for publications across the country, including the Washington Post and the Weekly Standard. Other blogs and their authors also have captured media attention. Minnesota Democrats Exposed beat out the major media outlets in September with news that businessman Kelly Doran was switching from the U.S. Senate race to the Minnesota governor's race. In April, when blogs published photos of state Sen. Michele Bachmann — the sponsor of a constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman — observing a gay-rights rally from behind a row of bushes, both the Pioneer Press and Star Tribune responded with articles. Blogs are getting the nod from political candidates, too. Last year, the Republican Party had a special section for bloggers at its national convention.Such courting of bloggers reflects the new political reality. "I'm crazy enough to think we can make a small difference in this race,'' said Gary Miller of Kennedy v. the Machine, a pro-Republican blog devoted to the U.S. Senate race. But just how much power blogs have to influence next year's elections in Minnesota is unknown. "I'd say definitely blogs are part of the equation for campaigns and elections,'' said Mark Drake, communications director for Minnesota's Republican Party. "How significant they are remains to be seen." Source: Pioneer Press, December 27, 2005|W|P|113569547163888651|W|P|MDE IN THE NEWS|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/26/2005 07:29:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

Click on the picture to view SD 38's action alert

I received a tip from a DFLer in SD 38 who is no longer supporting Coleen Rowley's campaign. They sent me a recent "action alert" from SD 38's DFL Party. The action alert is reminding people to contribute before December 31 so their contributions qualify for the Minnesota Political Contribution Refund Program. According to the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, this program is available to "individuals who contribute to a registered political party or to a state level partisan candidate who has agreed to limit expenditures are eligible to apply for a refund of their contribution." Why then is the SD 38 DFL telling people to contribute to Coleen Rowley's campaign? Rowley is a candidate for Congress and therefore contributions to her campaign do not qualify for the Minnesota Political Contribution Refund Program. |W|P|113554634190690542|W|P|SD 38 DFL'S ACTION ALERT PROMOTES VIOLATION OF STATE REFUND PROGRAM|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/27/2005 06:15:00 AM|W|P|

John Jordan|W|P|It doesn't indicate that by giving money to Collen Rowley you'll be elgible for the CRP.

The entire "action alert" is about the $50 rebate program. The entire thing. Then it lists four candidates where they'd like you to send money. To suggest that they didn't mean for Rowley to be part of that is ridiculous.

While it's probably not going to get anyone tossed in jail (maybe the Mower County prosecutor would have been interested had this been a Republican "action alert"), it clearly is inaccurate and misleading. I can't speak to whether or not it's intentionally misleading or not.12/27/2005 09:39:00 PM|W|P|

DeKlined|W|P|Like usual, MDE tries to manufacture news by leaving out important details. SD 38 sent out a correction to this email with letters so huge you couldn't miss it less than two hours after the original email went out.

Yet nearly three days later MDE puts up this incomplete story proving he's either a sloppy reporter or really doesn't care about the truth.

I notice "the Ox" didn't send out any corrections about his doctored photos in his Senate race. Perhaps that's why he lost by nearly 20 percentage points in an area that's traditionally Republican.12/27/2005 11:12:00 PM|W|P|

Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|DeKline: As I wrote in my post, I was forwarded this email from a DFLer. I am not on the list it was sent out on, nor did I receive any corrected email.

Please send me the corrected email and I will post the update. I'm fair. If they sent out a correction as you claim, I will post it.

If you want to add my email to the list so I can get all future emails sent to me directly I would appreciate it. This would prevent future lapses in my reporting.

But for some reason, I don't think you will add my email address.

MDE12/28/2005 05:46:00 AM|W|P|

John Jordan|W|P|SD 38 sent out a correction to this email with letters so huge you couldn't miss it less than two hours after the original email went out.

So even SD 38 realizes they were telling people that money given to Rowley would qualify for the refund program.

St Paul DFL'er - will you, too, be retracting your comment defending it?12/25/2005 11:48:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|I received the seventh season of "The Simpsons" for Christmas. The episode when former President Bush moves across the street from the Simpsons is hilarious.|W|P|113554081929576972|W|P|GEORGE VS. HOMER|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/25/2005 07:30:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|I will expose a few Democrats later today. I wish everyone (yes, even Mike Hatch) a very merry Christmas.|W|P|113552477425161676|W|P|MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM MINNESOTA DEMOCRATS EXPOSED|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/24/2005 11:59:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|Am I the only one who finds it odd that Earl Gray has an issue with selective prosecution of Minnesota Vikings players (vs. the staff of the boat), but saw nothing wrong with selectively prosecuting Republicans for campaign violations?

"'Mr. Culpepper is charged with an offense that can't be proved and he will be found not guilty,' [Earl] Gray said. 'The only reason he was charged is because of his name.'" Source: Star Tribune, December 23, 2005 ## "During grand jury proceedings, grand jurors repeatedly asked why prosecutors did not seek to indict anyone in connection with the American Bankers donations to the Democratic campaign committee.

Flanagan said in 2003 that he did not pursue the Democratic donations because no one complained about them or produced any evidence comparable to the Eibensteiner thank-you note.

Mauzy, Eibensteiner's lawyer, has repeatedly argued that Flanagan and [Earl] Gray improperly singled out Eibensteiner for prosecution because he is Republican and ignored the Democratic donations. Both prosecutors denied they had any political motivation." Source: Duluth News-Tribune, November 7, 2005

|W|P|113545498069079699|W|P|EARL GRAY'S DOUBLE-STANDARD|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/23/2005 06:58:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

The latest DFL Dispatch is claiming Kay Ek cannot run for the House of Representatives in HD 15B. While Kay Ek will not appear on the ballot, she is running for the seat. Any legal voter in HD 15B can write-in Kay Ek's name on their ballot. Only at the end of the DFL Dispatch does it say Kay Ek is waging a write-in campaign. Why then does the DFL say Kay Ek can't run?

It's clear the DFL's goal is to confuse the voters of HD 15B. Call the DFL Party at (651) 293-1200 and tell them to stop the dirty tricks in HD 15B.

|W|P|113534989178713897|W|P|MDE BREAKING NEWS: DFL CLAIMING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE IN 15B CAN'T RUN|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/23/2005 11:04:00 AM|W|P|

North Star Politics|W|P|Such a ridiculous reach for a "dirty trick". She can't run on the ballot. A little DFL oopsie? Maybe. A big deal? Most definitely not.12/23/2005 01:08:00 PM|W|P|

John Jordan|W|P|I can't believe how someone can defend this. It doesn't say "she can't run on the ballot", it says "now her mom can't run either."

Those are two completely different things.

This is CLEALY a DFL attempt to confuse voters into thinking that a write-in vote is a waste of time because she'll somehow be disqualified too.

The DFL is well known for last minute dirty tricks like this. And it's easy to see why they do it. Their own people don't view things like this as serious. It's only a "white lie" (like a lie isn't a lie).12/23/2005 01:14:00 PM|W|P|

Unknown|W|P|I'm sorry but on their inside the party, you have to sign up to get, e-mail list, you are chastising them for being a bit excited about your side messing up to their internal party members? There is no attempt to confuse voters because the voters recieving the democratic insider letter are *Gasp* Democrats!12/23/2005 09:43:00 PM|W|P|

lloydletta|W|P|This is petty. Jordan is way out there - what evidence does he have to show that this was an intent to mislead rather than sloppy writing. Why would the DFL mention that Ek was running a write in campaign?12/24/2005 12:28:00 PM|W|P|

John Jordan|W|P|Nothing like a RINO to defend a clear example of DFL idiocy.12/26/2005 05:07:00 PM|W|P|

Kevin from Minneapolis|W|P|Next they'll send out an email reminding everyone to vote Wednesday.12/22/2005 11:21:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|The lies: "'Sen. Coleman broke his promise and caved to Republican Party leaders,' said State Chairman Brian Melendez. 'He seemed to have conviction about the sanctity of ANWR, right up until the chips were down.'" Source: Associated Press, December 22, 2005 The facts: Norm Coleman has voted against drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve (ANWR) every time it has come up and he will continue to vote against it. Had there been a vote on drilling in ANWR, Coleman would have voted against it. He even stated he would have voted against the Defense Appropriations Bill because drilling in ANWR had been included in the bill. Coleman voted for cloture on the Defense Appropriations Bill, which simply meant that debate would end on the bill and it would go to the floor of the Senate for an up or down vote. Coleman later voted to strip the ANWR provision from the Defense Approptiations Bill. "'I'm pleased I had a chance to cast a vote to strip ANWR,' Coleman said in an interview late Wednesday night. 'And I'm pleased we were able to pass a defense bill without ANWR.'" Source: Associated Press, December 22, 2005|W|P|113528020174322572|W|P|DFL LAUNCHES FALSE ATTACK ON COLEMAN'S ANWR VOTE|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/23/2005 06:24:00 AM|W|P|

Unknown|W|P|I wish he would change his vote anyway we need to be drilling in Alaska. This is one of the few things I don't agree on with Mr. Coleman.12/22/2005 07:47:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|This is from today's St. Cloud Times: "The reports are important and I've always completed my reports," she said. "A couple times I turned them in late, but they're all in. The bottom line is, they're talking about me and not their candidate, so I think that tells you something." A couple times? According to public information from the Minnesota Campaign and Public Disclosure Board, six times in the past five years Clark had to pay fees of between $15 and $30 for turning in her state-required lobbying reports late.|W|P|113526682271354040|W|P|CLARK'S FINES FOR LATE REPORTING BECOMES CAMPAIGN ISSUE|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/21/2005 11:10:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|Mark Kennedy '06 Campaign Manager Pat Shortridge released the following statement responding to Ford Bell's criticism of Kennedy for voting in favor of the Defense bill on Monday: "I congratulate Ford Bell for his honesty. Finally, a Democrat Senate candidate levels with Minnesotans about where he stands on a key issue. However, Mr. Bell demonstrates that he is on the extreme left of American politics. 308 members of Congress, including more than half of House Democrats (106), among them Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Colin Peterson, stepped up and voted to fund our troops. "Mr. Bell would have voted against defense funding for body armor, Humvees and technology to counter improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Bell would have also voted against funding for Avian Flu preparedness, disaster relief for victims of Hurricane Katrina, and additional funds for low-income families to help heat their homes this winter. "I hope that soon Amy Klobuchar and Patty Wetterling will be as straight forward with Minnesotans as Ford Bell and tell us whether or not they agree with him."|W|P|113519242534618696|W|P|KENNEDY CAMPAIGN CONGRATULATES FORD BELL FOR BEING HONEST|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/21/2005 09:09:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

Click on the picture to read Kelly Doran's ad attacking DFL Senator Len Price

This is not the ad mentioned in the Star Tribune, but rather a different ad attacking a DFL senator paid for by DFL candidate for governor Kelly Doran. Stay tuned, as I will be posting all of Kelly Doran's attack ads against Democrats.|W|P|113518498962910563|W|P|MDE EXCLUSIVE: KELLY DORAN'S AD ATTACKING DFL SENATOR|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/22/2005 05:25:00 AM|W|P|

John Jordan|W|P|We know you didn't dig this up by yourself; why don't you at least disclaim where you got it?

If I were MDE my answer would be - "when the New York Times reveals where it got it's illegally leaked information on the NSA listening in to terrorist conversations, I'll tell you where I get my information."

Or something like that. :) Not that MDE needs my help.12/22/2005 06:26:00 AM|W|P|

Tim Ward|W|P|Snooze. Old news.12/20/2005 11:42:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|Republicans are trying to get Kay Ek on the ballot in HD 15B, but Hatch is MIA. "But [Secretary of State] Kiffmeyer was awaiting a legal opinion from the office of Attorney General Mike Hatch before ordering any change to the ballots." Source: Star Tribune, December 20, 2005|W|P|113510840337847106|W|P|IS HATCH DRAGGING HIS FEET?|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/20/2005 01:41:00 PM|W|P|

North Star Politics|W|P|Cute, but you're ALREADY OUT OF DATE.12/22/2005 06:30:00 AM|W|P|

Tim Ward|W|P|Newflash from 2 days ago:

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/breaking_news/13449564.htm

Mary Kiffmeyer waiting 2 hours for an opinion is foot dragging? Didn't really need one. The law is quite clear.12/20/2005 09:29:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|"[Kelly Doran] admitted to not being a party activist but said he has always supported Democrats at the federal level and has donated some money, probably $10,000-$15,000 over the years." Source: Roll Call, May 17, 2005 But Doran gave to Tom Foley - an Independent. Further, $10,000 to federal candidates is a "generous" estimate, especially as of May. According the Federal Election Commission he's given $4100 to Democrats, in March and June but he also claims to have given to the DSCC this summer.|W|P|113510001755466992|W|P|MORE INFORMATION ON DORAN'S CONTRIBUTION HISTORY|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/20/2005 08:05:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Ron Carey issued the following statement tonight in response to the DFL attack on Mark Kennedy's vote for the passage of a vital defense bill. "The DFL attack machine was in such a hurry to denounce Mark Kennedy today that they now have egg on their face. "This bi-partisan bill provides crucial funding for our troops, the innocent victims of Hurricane Katrina, and provides critical investments to prepare against a potential outbreak of the avian flu epidemic. For these reasons, a majority of House Democrats, including Nancy Pelosi and Collin Peterson, voted for this bill which passed the House by a resounding margin of 308 -106. "It's clear the DFL will stop at nothing to distort Mark Kennedy's record and mislead Minnesotans."|W|P|113509689842081705|W|P|DFL ATTACK ON KENNEDY FALLS SHORT|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/20/2005 12:37:00 PM|W|P|

John Jordan|W|P|Hopefully the senate will strip the ANWR language, again.

Just to counter-balance....

Hopefully the Senate will keep the ANWR language in and let the drilling begin!!!

(There - I feel better...)12/20/2005 02:29:00 PM|W|P|

John Jordan|W|P|How would that make you feel better?

First of all, it ticks off every treehugger who reads it. :)

Drilling in Alaska is the laziest and possibly the worst thing to do with regards to our dependancy on oil.

Read the George Will column from last week.12/19/2005 07:31:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

Click on the picture to view Kelly Doran's voting history since 1994

DFL candidate for governor Kelly Doran, who claims he is a "lifelong Democrat", has not shown support for his party's candidates by voting in contested primary elections. Based on public data available throught the Secretary of State's office, Kelly Doran has not voted in a primary election since 1994. In 1994, then Governor Arne Carlson defeated Allen Quist in the Republican primary election and Senator John Marty defeated Mike Hatch and Tony Bouza in the DFL primary election. Doran did not vote in the last two competive DFL primaries - in 1998, where every DFL endorsed candidate for statewide office lost and in 2000 when numerous DFL candidates were vying for the U.S. Senate. I am sure DFL delegates would like to know in which primary election Doran voted in 1994. Did he support a sitting Republican governor or did he maybe support one of his current DFL challengers? Stay tuned to Minnesota Democrats Exposed for more information on "lifelong Democrat" Kelly Doran. |W|P|113500627769697757|W|P|MDE EXCLUSIVE: KELLY DORAN'S VOTING HISTORY CHALLENGES CLAIM OF "LIFELONG DEMOCRAT"|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/18/2005 08:39:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

I bought this new book on Friday about Governor Rudy Perpich and over the next few weeks I will post on Perpich's colorful history as governor of Minnesota.|W|P|113492395481745422|W|P|NEW BOOK ABOUT "GOVERNOR GOOFY"|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/17/2005 11:52:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|On Monday, I will post more examples of Kelly Doran not supporting DFL candidates. I am curious how Doran's campaign will spin my information. |W|P|113484975539442631|W|P|MDE EXCLUSIVE ON MONDAY: DORAN'S LACK OF SUPPORT OF DFL CANDIDATES|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/18/2005 06:35:00 PM|W|P|

Tim Ward|W|P|You are way behind on this one.12/17/2005 11:07:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|"Another memo sent recently by Doran to his supporters suggests that a Republican blogger first launched the attack on Doran's contributions and that Republicans are 'very afraid of a match-up' between Doran and GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty." ## DFL candidate Doran's record includes some efforts for GOP The ad in the Woodbury Bulletin just before Election Day in 2000 declared that Minnesota had been on a "spending spree" since the local DFL state senator had been in office, and it urged readers in big, bold type: "Do Not Re-elect Len Price." The buyer of that ad is a wealthy real estate developer who also contributed $250 to the state House Republican caucus in 2004 and gave to at least a couple of GOP challengers to DFL candidates in 2000. He is now a DFL candidate for governor -- Kelly Doran, who is mounting a strong, self-financed bid for the DFL nomination in 2006. His political dabblings in the past are generating considerable buzz in DFL circles. E-mails from his critics provoked a detailed response from Doran in a letter to state DFL chairman Brian Melendez this week. In the response, Doran stands by his claim to be a "lifelong Democrat" and notes that he gave more than $35,000 to DFL candidates in 2004 and 2005 and only $250 to House Republicans in that period. "I have honestly said to people that I have not been a party activist," said Doran, who has been trying to establish himself as a business-oriented centrist in the DFL field. "Our campaign is about bringing new people into the process and to broaden the tent." His critics suggest that his Democratic contributions began only recently, coinciding with his early announcement as a U.S. Senate candidate. A few months ago, Doran switched to the gubernatorial race. "If you are going to make a statement that you are a lifelong Democrat, and even your recent actions say something different, I have a problem with that," said Kim Millman, a Burnsville activist who sent fellow DFLers an e-mail strongly criticizing Doran. Millman criticized the donations as well as Doran's backing of Republican candidates who supported changes in tort law. She also accused him of living half-time in Arizona, basing the statement on conversations she said she had had with someone who answered his phone. Woodbury politics Special circumstances surround the anti-Price ads and the donation to the House Republican caucus, Doran said in his letter to Melendez. In 2000, Price was sponsoring a bill that would shift the entire cost of a $25 million highway interchange in Woodbury to commercial property, said Doran, who was then a major shopping center developer in the fast-growing suburb. "I informed the senator that this was not a fair or good public policy," Doran wrote to Melendez. "He refused to change his approach and ultimately his bill was defeated in the Senate, mainly by fellow Democrats." Price's recollection is different. He said that Doran never approached him about the issue and that he has never met him. The bill passed the Senate with strong DFL support but died in a conference committee because of Republican opposition, Price said. "He was sticking up for his business interests, and I was trying to stick up for my community," Price said. Doran's critics note that none of the anti-Price ads he paid for said anything about the commercial property tax issue and instead echoed themes of conservative groups such as the Taxpayers League. To that, Doran says, "the purpose of the ad was to get Mr. Price's attention." Doran said the GOP caucus donation was simply a response to a request from a lobbyist for the Minnesota Shopping Center Association, of which he was an active member. Counterattacking, Doran suggests that the attacks might be a sign that he's being taken more seriously. Among his high-profile DFL opponents are Attorney General Mike Hatch and state Sens. Steve Kelley and Becky Lourey. "I guess this means they're worried about us," Doran said in an interview Friday. In the letter, he says, "this appears to be a coordinated effort," adding that "while I currently do not have any information that another campaign is involved in these efforts, I have stated many times that my campaign will not initiate these types of tactics." Another memo sent recently by Doran to his supporters suggests that a Republican blogger first launched the attack on Doran's contributions and that Republicans are "very afraid of a match-up" between Doran and GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty. "As a Democrat, Kelly Doran can work with people of all parties and will put principle ahead of politics to move our state forward," the memo says. As for the time he has spent at his second home in Arizona, Doran spokeswoman Tonya Tennessen said that "many things about his life will change" as a result of his candidacy. "People don't get up to the cabin as often when they run for office." Source: Star Tribune, December 17, 2005|W|P|113484755542447386|W|P|MDE IN THE NEWS ABOUT DORAN'S CONTRIBUTION HISTORY|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/16/2005 06:58:00 PM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

Click on the picture to view the clip on WCCO

This is a great story by Pat Kessler. After watching this clip, it's clear the Republican Party of Minnesota regards Joe Wilson as a complete joke.

I tip my hat to Mark Drake for his clever comments.

|W|P|113478832669091945|W|P|MN GOP WELCOMES JOE WILSON TO MINNESOTA|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/16/2005 08:09:00 PM|W|P|

W.B. Picklesworth|W|P|Did you note a hint of bias in that report? I had a tear in my eye by the end. Poor Joe Wilson. Those powerline guys need to be nicer.

PS: Are you going to be at the MOB gathering tomorrow? Just kidding! Good luck with the fight.12/16/2005 04:16:00 PM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

This is the post that started Kelly Doran's troubles. ## MINNESOTA SENATE DFL seeks inquiry on campaign: The Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party on Friday asked for an investigation in a state Senate race. A party attorney sent letters to Washington County and Hennepin County attorneys charging that a fund-raising letter on behalf of Pat Thomas, the Republican challenger to DFL state Sen. Len Price of Woodbury, violated state election laws. At issue is a letter sent by Kelly Doran on behalf of Thomas. The DFL says that because the letter was sent on stationery from the Robert Muir Co., it violates state law prohibiting corporate expenditures on behalf of political candidates. Doran said he was not aware when he sent the letter that it violated any laws, but since has "personally reimbursed the company for the expense it incurred." Doran said $300 or so spent on the letters will be officially recorded as a campaign contribution from himself to Thomas. Source: Associated Press, Septmber 22, 2000

|W|P|113477888050123835|W|P|FLASHBACK: KELLY DORAN'S REPUBLICAN PAST|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/16/2005 02:31:00 PM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|Doran's Past Contributions Become Issue In Race In the seven months since developer Kelly Doran jumped into Minnesota politics, the DFL gubernatorial candidate has hit all of his party's key themes. Now, as party activists learn of past donations to Republicans, he's found himself defending his Democratic credentials. Doran is one of four major candidates seeking the DFL nomination to take on Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty in 2006. The campaign donation issue boiled over this week when Doran sent a letter to DFL Party Chairman Brian Melendez to respond to letters circulating among party delegates over his political giving. Over the past five years, Doran contributed nearly $1,000 to Republican causes, including a $250 check he cut last December to the House Republican caucus. He also donated $1,000 to Independence Party gubernatorial candidate Tim Penny in 2002. Doran and his wife, Maria, have upped their contributions to Democrats this year, spreading almost $30,000 among federal and state candidates and caucuses. "I'm not a party activist. I never claimed I was," Doran said in an interview Friday. "I don't think that should be the rule for deciding who the candidate should be." Doran said he gave to state House Republicans while attending a fundraiser as a member of the Minnesota Shopping Center Association. In the letter to Melendez, Doran said "that contribution does not mean I support the House Republican agenda in any way." He added later, "Being a Democrat should not mean you are required to have blind obedience to every Democrat elected official's point of view." Doran remains a largely unknown quantity in state politics. After making millions as a real-estate developer, he decided this spring to run for U.S. Senate but shifted to the governor's race in September. Doran has shown a willingness to dig deep in his own pocket to fund his bid. He plans to run in next year's DFL primary regardless of whether he has the party endorsement, which will be decided at the June convention. Besides Doran, the DFL candidates are Attorney General Mike Hatch and state Sens. Steve Kelley and Becky Lourey. Even if the cross-party contributions hurt Doran's standing with hardcore Democrats, it could help him with the centrist voting bloc he is courting. Dan Hofrenning, chairman of St. Olaf College's political science department, said it bolsters his moderate image. The fact the donations were brought to light speaks volumes, Hofrenning said. "It's clear Kelly Doran has established himself as a credible candidate," he said. "Clearly people are worried about him." It's not the first time a candidate has had to address a donation track record. In 2004, Democratic congressional candidate Teresa Daly acknowledged giving $50 in 2002 to her Republican opponent, U.S. Rep. John Kline. In 2000, U.S. Senate hopeful Mike Ciresi was accused of being too stingy when it came to donating to Democratic candidates and party committees. Paul Omodt, Ciresi's spokesman in that campaign, said the donation question was something that mattered more to delegates than general voters. Ciresi failed to get the DFL endorsement and finished second in a party primary. "Delegates tend to want to find some kind of purity. Is this candidate going to pass the sniff test?" Omodt said. "The mass electorate cares more about the message of campaign. Your ability to get things done." Source: Associated Press, December 16, 2005 |W|P|113477279693079003|W|P|BREAKING NEWS: DORAN'S CAMPAIGN COUNTINUES IMPLOSION|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/16/2005 09:20:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|Last week while campaiging in Bemidji, Mike Hatch made it clear that illegal immigration is a federal and not a state issue. "And while Pawlenty has recently drawn attention on illegal immigration,holding a public hearing in Worthington, it's basically a federal issue. 'The governor has nothing to do with illegal immigrants,' [Hatch] said. 'He can kick it all around he wants, but it's a national policy.'" Source: Bemidji Pioneer, December 11, 2005 But less than a week after making these statements, Hatch attacks Governor Pawlenty by claiming his administration has "exacerbated the illegal immigration problem." "Meanwhile, Attorney General Mike Hatch, a DFL candidate for governor, charged that the Pawlenty administration has exacerbated the illegal immigration problem. He said he has received repeated complaints that the Department of Labor and Industry has failed to enforce labor, occupational health and safety and workers' compensation laws at businesses that hire illegal immigrants. He also has heard complaints that the Revenue Department isn't investigating allegations that those employers are failing to pay payroll taxes. As a result of the lax enforcement, middle-class Minnesotans have lost their jobs to lower-paid undocumented immigrants, Hatch said." Source: Pioneer Press, December 16, 2005 Illegal immigration is a huge problem and Hatch is trying to repair the damaged caused by his previous statements.|W|P|113475481141183974|W|P|HATCH FLIP-FLOPS ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/16/2005 11:10:00 AM|W|P|

Kevin from Minneapolis|W|P|S-L-I-M-E.

Mike Hatch knows no boundaries in his quest for political power.12/16/2005 11:23:00 AM|W|P|

John Jordan|W|P|Sounds like Mr. "Will Sue for Food" attended the John Kerry School of Politics.12/15/2005 08:46:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

Duluth Mayor Herb Bergson after his arrest for DUI

"Bergson said today that he had drunk four-and-a-half drinks at a private residence on Friday, but he would not identify the owner of the house." Source: Star Tribune, December 15, 2005 But when Bergson was asked by Trooper Anthony DeStefano how many drinks he had he informed the trooper "he had two drinks prior to the crash one beer and one vodka." Source: Arrest report According to publish reports, Bergson weighs aproximately 180 pounds. Bergson's blood-alcohol level was .161 at the time of his arrest. I found a blood-alcohol content calculator and typed in Bergon's weight, the number of drinks he now claims he drank, and different drinks. It's tough for me to find a combination of four-and-a-half drinks (unless he was drinking double-shots in one hour) that would produce a blood-alcohol content of .161 for a man weighing around 180 pounds. |W|P|113466517109859575|W|P|I THINK BERGSON'S MEMORY IS A LITTLE FUZZY|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/15/2005 01:42:00 PM|W|P|

A guy from West Duluth|W|P|It's easy to figure out, he was taking his drinks from a mason jar. He drank 4 and a half jars!12/15/2005 08:02:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

Click the picture to view the video on Wetterling's website

Patty Wetterling's campaign released a new internet video last night. Amy Klobuchar's campaign should be worried as this is a great video that will sway delegates to Wetterling's camp. |W|P|113466254686017360|W|P|KLOBUCHAR SHOULD BE WORRIED ABOUT NEW WETTERLING VIDEO|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/15/2005 01:28:00 PM|W|P|

Tim Ward|W|P|I'd be more worried if I were Mark Kennedy.12/14/2005 09:46:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

Click on the picture to see that a DFL delegate purchased www.brianleclair.com

Tim Ward's name is listed in the 2004 DFL Convention directory

I have blocked the other names from the page

As you can see from the pictures above, www.brianleclair.com was purchsed by a DFL delegate, not a Republican activist as MN Publius reported. Without any proof that a Republican registered www.brianleclair.com, the kids at MN Publius decided to publish this lie. Apparently, their adolescent zest to attack Republicans will not be limited to factual information. Unless I am presented with evidence to the contrary, I believe MN Publius had to know that Tim Ward was a DFL delegate and not a Republican. A simple newspaper search would have found Tim Ward quoted in an article from the Star Tribune last year about his involvement in the DFL. "'We're throwing away our future in so many ways,' [Tim] Ward said, ticking off his beefs with Republican leadership: a runaway federal deficit, the war in Iraq, the underfunding of education. 'We built this state's economy on great education, and now we're tearing it down,' he [Tim Ward] lamented. Delegate [Tim] Ward stood alongside alternate Ryan Ward - his 17-year-old son. Getting involved in DFL politics has been a family affair for them, they said, and a positive experience. 'We're meeting a lot of new people like us,' Ward said." Source: Star Tribune, May 24, 2004 If a partisan Republican can find out Tim Ward is a DFL delegate, why can't MN Publius? I am not attacking Tim Ward for registering www.brianleclair.com. In the past, I purchased the domain names of DFL candidates and forwarded them to Minnesota Democrats Exposed. But if I had the chance to do it over, I would not have purchased the domains. I also wrote that my decision to voluntarily relinquish ownership of the domains should not be misunderstood as a repudiation of this tactic. I wil let other bloggers debate the decision by a DFL delegate to purchase the domain name of a Republican state senator. But I will criticize MN Publius for falsely claiming a Republican purchased www.brianleclair.com, when in fact it was purchased by a DFL delegate. |W|P|113458236648166888|W|P|WEBSITE PURCHASED BY DEMOCRAT, NOT REPUBLICAN AS MN PUBLIUS REPORTED|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/14/2005 08:32:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|This is a great op-ed by Randy Wanke. ## War numbers sign in Kelley's window panders to antiwar left The antiwar political activists who dominate the endorsement process at the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party have a tendency not to favor moderates. By some counts, or at least by some standards, DFL gubernatorial candidate state Sen. Steve Kelley is "perceived" as being moderate. That may be why he allowed the posting of a sign, which lists the number of U.S. service members killed in Iraq, in his Duluth campaign office window right next to the U.S. Army recruiting office. Kelley is keeping the sign up despite requests from local servicemen to take it down. Kelley appears to be trying to shed his "moderate" image by making a quick dash to the antiwar left. In doing so, he is showing himself to be a political opportunist who is willing to exploit and cheapen the sacrifice of our soldiers. And worst of all, he has done so in a manner that is tantamount to a daily slap in the face of those who bravely serve and are looking to serve our nation. Here is some unsolicited political advice for the senator: While it may gain you antiwar supporters you seek for your party's endorsement, when the general election rolls around, most Minnesotans won't take too kindly to insulting our service men and women for political gain. Sen. Kelley may want to listen to the members of the military at the recruiting office, who are forced to read the sign every day when they go to work in service of their country. Perhaps he should listen to Army Staff Sgt. Gary Capan, who called the sign "ridiculous" and said that it "makes it so troops are just a number." So far, he does not appear willing to take advice from those he claims to be trying to help. A Kelley spokeswoman offered this weak defense of Kelley's actions: "He supports making sure everyone has accurate information" about the Iraq war. If Sen. Kelley truly "supports making sure everyone has accurate information" about the Iraq war, perhaps he should post some other numbers and information in his campaign office window to reflect the progress in Iraq, which has been made possible by the sacrifice of American soldiers. For example: • Saddam Hussein, a brutal dictator who butchered countless people, is no longer in power. (According to a 2003 New York Times article, "Accounts collected by Western human rights groups from Iraqi emigres and defectors have suggested that the number of those who have 'disappeared' into the hands of the secret police, never to be heard from again, could be 200,000." The number of lives lost at the brutal hands of Hussein probably are much larger and the true human cost of his rule may never be fully known.) • In October's constitutional referendum election, more than 9 million Iraqis voted. • And as U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.) recently pointed out, the Iraq war is "between 27 million and 10,000; 27 million Iraqis who want to live lives of freedom, opportunity and prosperity and roughly 10,000 terrorists who are either Saddam revanchists, Iraqi Islamic extremists or al-Qaeda foreign fighters who know their wretched causes will be set back if Iraq becomes free and modern." Or maybe Steve Kelley could simply put up a sign saying, "America thanks our servicemen and women for their service and sacrifice." I don't expect that we will be seeing any of this information or these numbers hanging in Kelley's window soon. After all, these are not the kinds of facts that appeal to the political base Kelley is trying to court. We all mourn the loss of those who have sacrificed their lives in this war. Yet, success and freedom in Iraq are the best monuments that we can build in their honor. Those are far greater monuments than a politically motivated sign in a campaign office window. Many Democrats understand that important fact. Unfortunately, in his attempts to curry favor with the antiwar faction in his party, Sen. Steve Kelley has shown himself not to be one of them. Source: Duluth News-Tribune, December 14, 2005|W|P|113457901176491496|W|P|WANKE: WAR NUMBERS SIGN IN KELLEY'S WINDOW PANDERS TO ANTIWAR LEFT|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/14/2005 07:59:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|FYI ## Former U.S. Sen. Eugene McCarthy, who died Saturday, will be honored with an Irish wake at 5 p.m. Sunday at Kieran's Irish Pub, 330 Second Ave. S., in Minneapolis. The event is being organized by Mike Hazard, who made a documentary about McCarthy. Among those expected to attend is writer Bill Holm. Hazard's film, "Eugene McCarthy: I'm Sorry I Was Right,'' will be screened by Minnesota Film Arts at noon Saturday and Sunday at the Bell Auditorium, 10 Church St. S.E., in Minneapolis. Those wishing to read more tributes to McCarthy can go online at the Web site of his alma mater, St. John's University, www.csbsju.edu . Source: Pioneer Press, December 14, 2005 |W|P|113457604349115480|W|P|MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR U.S. SEN. EUGENE MCCARTHY|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/13/2005 08:03:00 PM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

Glenn Campbell's messy hair makes his picture worse

The Duluth News-Tribune should have printed Glenn Campbell's mug shot for a visual comparison. It's a good thing I am here to help. ## "[Herb] Bergson made the spread, but he also made the front page of this paper, as well as the top story on every local TV news show, with the report of his drunken driving arrest. Where the Times displayed his beaming, proud smile, the local media have made famous the worst mug shot since Glenn Campbell posed for the police in Phoenix. If ever there was an illustration of just how far, and how quickly, needlessly foolish and irresponsible behavior can sink someone from the heights of achievement to the gutter of embarrassment, this was it." Source: Duluth News-Tribune, December 13, 2005|W|P|113453299907889258|W|P|DULUTH NEWS-TRIBUNE COMPARES BERGSON'S MUG SHOT TO GLENN CAMPBELL'S|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/13/2005 09:45:00 PM|W|P|

A guy from West Duluth|W|P|That's hilarious. Thank you for the visual.

You can't believe how big this is in Duluth. No one can believe the Mayor's excuses so far, and he's actually hiding from the public! I guess he wants to wait until Thursday so his face heals up a little bit.
To get and idea of how big this is locally visit: www.duluthcitizensblog.com12/14/2005 07:43:00 AM|W|P|

Kevin from Minneapolis|W|P|First Tom Rukavina, now this guy? What's in the water up there?

Duh, whiskey.12/13/2005 07:39:00 PM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

Duluth Mayor Herb Bergson after his arrest for DUI

Many in Duluth seek answers from mayor

Duluth Mayor Herb Bergson, whose reputation and leadership ability were tarnished by a drunken-driving arrest last weekend, is compounding the damage by refusing to explain the incident, cloistering himself at home and missing important city meetings, officials and pundits said Tuesday.

"I'm not going to advocate his resignation," said City Council Member Jim Stauber, a conservative counterbalance to the liberal DFL-supported mayor. "We all make mistakes. But he's gotta come clean if he wants to regain public confidence."

Stauber said the mayor must either admit to a drinking problem and deal with it or come back to work and lead the city.

Stauber's comments, versions of which were echoing in blogs and coffee shops all over Duluth on Tuesday, came after a crucial City Council meeting Monday night from which Bergson, who was home nursing cuts and bruises, was absent.

The meeting dealt with what Council President Donny Ness called "the biggest issue to face Duluth in decades" -- the presentation of a task force's solutions to a projected $280 million debt on retiree health care, which officials say could bankrupt the city within years if not headed off by aggressive budgeting.

Bergson had consistently pushed the issue to the top of the city's agenda and was featured Sunday in a New York Times story on the nation's problem with retirees and health care.

Conversely, Minnesota newspapers Sunday were focused on his arrest in Wisconsin after he totaled a car Friday evening in a single-vehicle accident while traveling to Chicago on city business.

Duluthians are scratching their heads over the amount of alcohol involved -- Bergson's blood-alcohol content was measured at 0.161 percent, or twice Wisconsin's legal driving limit -- as well as the time of the accident, 6:25 p.m., and the fact that Bergson was headed to Chicago three days before a two-hour conference he was to attend.

They're also troubled by police reports that say Bergson -- a former police officer and mayor of Superior, Wis. -- asked others to refrain from calling the police and instead help him push his car free from a guardrail.

In a scathing editorial Tuesday, the Duluth News Tribune said the jail booking photo of Bergson's bleary and battered face was the "worst mug shot since Glenn Campbell['s]."

"If ever there was an illustration," the editorial said, "of just how far, and how quickly, needlessly foolish and irresponsible behavior can sink someone from the heights of achievement to the gutter of embarrassment, this was it."

While Bergson announced the arrest himself via e-mail, he refused to explain other details other than to call it an isolated, "tragic mistake" not indicative of a drinking problem.

He said in an e-mail Monday that he can't talk about specifics of the incident while the matter is pending in court, although he said he plans to plead no contest. He did not respond to e-mailed questions for this story.

Bergson's stance thus far won't easily wash with voters or colleagues in City Hall, said Prof. Craig Grau of the Political Science Department of the University of Minnesota Duluth.

"Maybe there isn't a drinking problem," Grau said. "But if that's true, he'll need to provide an alternative explanation that makes sense to people, and right now, these facts are hard for people to square."

Bergson announced through a spokesman Tuesday that he'll return to work Thursday and issue a statement. The News Tribune's editorial said that for his sake, the mayor better have a lot to say.

"Bergson can begin to undo, or at least put into some perspective, his troubles," the paper said, "by immediately coming clean on the details of the debacle before rumors and innuendo finish the job of burying him that he himself started on the road." Source: Star Tribune, December 13, 2005

|W|P|113453159658842460|W|P|BERGSON IN BIG TROUBLE IN DULUTH|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/13/2005 02:45:00 PM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|SCSU Scholars has the details.|W|P|113451420572897233|W|P|COLLEGE DEMOCRAT TOMFOOLERY IN ST. CLOUD|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/13/2005 05:33:00 PM|W|P|

Kevin from Minneapolis|W|P|I know from students I know at SCSU that the DFL is going around signing up students to get absentee ballots and dismissing questions regarding whether it is legal to be registered in two places.12/14/2005 07:42:00 AM|W|P|

Kevin from Minneapolis|W|P|But they can't be registered at both and that is what the college dems are telling them is okay. Plus, with our wacky registration laws, one real voter can walk in with a gang of frauds and vouch for them.

In my opinion, no election in a college town carries any legitimacy. Our rules are way to easy to exploit, but we can't change them because it's job security for certain folks.12/15/2005 07:56:00 AM|W|P|

Kevin from Minneapolis|W|P|So would you please explain to me how we track this? Why couldn't a student (in a normal election year) vote absentee in his or her hometown - say, Alexandria - and then sameday register in St. Cloud or any other college town?

Ballots are anonymous aren't they? If they found someone did this how would they know which ballot was yours? Maybe they keep absentee ballots on record, I guess I don't know.

Who is charged with catching these double votes? Secretary of State?

What about out-of-state students? If I moved here from Sodak, why can't I vote in both places - who's going to check that?

And what about sameday frauds? If I know a person registered in a college town (or anywhere else) what is to stop me from bringing a bunch of friends of there and having my friend vouch for all of us? I would say that should be even more of a worry for this special election because fradulent voters won't be voting anywhere else that day so there would be no way to double check their records.

This all stinks to the high heavens. How can anyone think our elections here are even remotely legitimate?12/13/2005 02:20:00 PM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|I have been informed that Tarryl Clark refused to be interviewed by the gentlemen behind "Race to the Right." What is Tarryl hiding? For more information on the Tarryl Clark visit St. Cloud Lawyer Lobbyist. |W|P|113451336939108643|W|P|TARRYL CLARK'S MEDIA BLACKOUT|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/13/2005 06:21:00 PM|W|P|

North Star Politics|W|P|Ms. Clark is undoubtedly too busy campaigning for her win on the 27th. Why do you believe that she needs to accept an invitation from a conservative program? Would you also write a post on Rep. Kennedy's or Pres. Bush's refusal to be interviewed by the student behind North Star Politics?12/14/2005 10:01:00 AM|W|P|

DeKlined|W|P|"Race to the right" has such lousy ratings that not even podcasters will take time to be interviewed on it. Why would a campaign even waste their time on it. BTW have you seen what the program director of that radio station is trying to get away with in his campaign literature? Fake photos of his supporters!12/14/2005 01:40:00 PM|W|P|

Tony Garcia|W|P|Just for the record, we have been very fair to all of the canidates, Left & Right, that have come on our show. Every local public figure attacked has been given opportunity to refute.

Our philosophy regarding having candidates on our show is to let the people hear what they have to say. Period.

Why should she accept the invitation? Because we are a St Cloud station and she is running in a St Cloud race.

We made the offer to her and gave her first choice of which show to appear on. Ochsner would have been left with the remainder show. It was not a confrontation set-up and listening to the archives would show that. Scott Mortensen I think would say we were very good to him. Coleen Rowley was treated well the first time (and we crossed signals the second time).

Candidates can dig their own graves or build their own pedestal when we invite them on. (Commentators are a different story.) We also warn candidates if we are planning to be aggressive...and for refusing those appearances we say nothing publicly.

Just thought I should clarify the significance of Tarryl's refusal.12/13/2005 01:24:00 PM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|This is a great press release from the Republican Party of Minnesota. ## "Mike Hatch's deeply irresponsible comments on illegal immigration demonstrate a troubling misunderstanding of this important issue. For the chief law enforcement officer of the state to praise illegal immigration and dismiss any attempts to reform a system that costs Minnesotans $188 million a year is just flat out wrong. As a nation of immigrants, we should support immigration but immigration that is legal." - Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Ron Carey

Mike Hatch Dismisses Attempts To Reform Illegal Immigration, Praises Illegal Immigration

"And while Pawlenty has recently drawn attention on illegal immigration,holding a public hearing in Worthington, it's basically a federal issue. 'The governor has nothing to do with illegal immigrants,' [Hatch] said. 'He can kick it all around he wants, but it's a national policy.' A report from Pawlenty's office late last week showed the cost of illegal immigrants to state services, but Hatch said it failed to show positive attributes, such as providing low-cost labor and in paying taxes." ("Hatch brings campaign for governor to Bemidji," Bemidji Pioneer, December 11, 2005) |W|P|113450967354986735|W|P|REPUBLICAN PARTY OF MINNESOTA ON MIKE HATCH'S IMMIGRATION COMMENTS|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/14/2005 11:27:00 AM|W|P|

Kevin from Minneapolis|W|P|The war in Iraq is basically a federal issue as well, but that doesn't stop local Democrats from espousing their terrorist-friendly strategy.12/13/2005 11:01:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

Click on the pictures for the SEIU's holiday tunes

Last Tuesday, Minnesota hospital workers and members of SEIU Local 113 launched the "Together for Quality Care'' campaign to improve the quality and affordability of health care. The event was held at Bethany Lutheran Church in Minneapolis and numerous DFL elected officials were scheduled to attend. SEIU workers handed out the words to rally songs and chants for the crowd. They took the words to Christmas songs and changed them into propaganda songs for workers rights. Is nothing sacred? Why not turn Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer into a union steward? I encourage the readers of Minnesota Democrats Exposed to ignore the traditional holidays songs and to go caroling through your neighborhoods signing the SEIU holiday tunes. I would dress warm because your neighbors may throw cold-water and snowballs at you. |W|P|113450051007644935|W|P|CHRISTMAS CAROLS COMPLIMENTS OF SEIU|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/13/2005 01:55:00 PM|W|P|

John Jordan|W|P|I think I'm going to hurl.12/13/2005 05:34:00 PM|W|P|

Kevin from Minneapolis|W|P|I can't believe they acknowledged the existence of Christmas!12/13/2005 08:36:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

Mike Unhatched: Flip-Flop of the Week Volume 1, Issue 4:

Hatch Flip Flops on Another Run for Office

"Michael Hatch said Saturday he will not support Gov. Rudy Perpich because of the governor's personal attacks against Independent-Republican challenger Jon Grunseth. ...Hatch said he's not supporting anyone for governor at this time. 'Obviously, by doing this I have no further interest in politics. I'm burning my bridges,' he said. Hatch said he believes he won't be able to run for political office again because he's not being a team player and supporting Perpich. He added: 'That's OK. I have other lives to live.'" (Betty Wilson, "Hatch Withdraws Perpich Support, Opposes Tactics," Star Tribune, October 14, 1990)

|W|P|113449177028736537|W|P|HATCH FLIP-FLOP OF THE WEEK: ANOTHER RUN FOR OFFICE|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/13/2005 07:58:00 AM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|In their endless quest to print anything that presents Republicans in a less than favorable light, Minnesota reporters overlooked one very important part of last week's Saint Cloud State University poll- Kelly Doran's inability to make progress in his bid for governor. In spite of his unprecedented television and radio buys, Kelly Doran remains virtually unknown to most Minnesotans. Only 20.4% of Minnesotans polled knew his name, according to the recent SCSU poll. With that kind of lack of improvement, it looks like Doran's gubernatorial ambitions may be heading the way of his failed senate bid. |W|P|113448971075135461|W|P|DORAN'S DOLLARS CAN'T BUY NAME ID|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/13/2005 11:15:00 AM|W|P|

John Jordan|W|P|Seems to me Doran's still lagging behind the pack. If you are not at all active in the party, you don't deserve the endorsement.

I don't know if I agree or not so don't take this as argumentative...

Define "active".

Manning phone banks? (Sorry, personning phone banks...)

Doorknocking for other candidates?

Showing up at precinct caucuses?

There are different levels of activity, some are more public than others. There are lots of candidates through the years who weren't overly active in a party but because 1) they were agreement with the principles of that party and 2) delegates thought they could win that they got the nod.

So I was just curious what Doran has to do to be qualified under the qualification of "active".12/12/2005 07:05:00 PM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|I have just been informed that some of Kelly Doran's billboards from his defunct U.S. Senate campaign are still up. One of Doran's billboards was recently spotted on Highway 61 near Winona. If you are keeping track at home, Doran ended his campaign for the U.S. Senate 83 days ago. I will have more on Doran's billboards tomorrow. |W|P|113444450699137796|W|P|UPDATE: MDE EXCLUSIVE: ARE DORAN'S U.S. SENATE BILLBOARDS ILLEGAL? #3|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/12/2005 05:52:00 PM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|According to a new report, illegal immigration costs Minnesota $180 million annually, but Mike Hatch thinks it has "postive attributes." "'The governor has nothing to do with illegal immigrants,' he [Mike Hatch] said. 'He can kick it all around he wants, but it's a national policy.' A report from Pawlenty's office late last week showed the cost of illegal immigrants to state services, but Hatch said it failed to show positive attributes, such as providing low-cost labor and in paying taxes." Source: Bemidji Pioneer, December 11, 2005|W|P|113444015909027010|W|P|HATCH BELIEVES ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION HAS "POSTIVE ATTRIBUTES"|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/12/2005 07:23:00 PM|W|P|

lloydletta|W|P|A stopped clock is correct twice a day. On this one, Hatch is correct.12/12/2005 07:31:00 PM|W|P|

North Star Politics|W|P|Jeebus, $180? That's one hell of a burden on the taxpayers.12/12/2005 07:51:00 PM|W|P|

Kevin from Minneapolis|W|P|Oh, but what about what they bring into the state? I mean, so what if they're breaking the law by being here, they pay taxes, which is all any American is worth, right?12/13/2005 07:11:00 AM|W|P|

Kevin from Minneapolis|W|P|The state can do something. Did you know Minneapolis has what amounts to a "catch and release" policy with illegal immigrants? Essentially if they catch you in the country illegally they ignore it, in condradiction to state and federal laws.

Maybe Minneapolis should just get it over with and withdraw from the nation.12/13/2005 07:47:00 AM|W|P|

John Jordan|W|P|I love it when someone defends something that's clearly illegal. It's even better when it's a top law enforcement official of the state who is running for governor as a tough guy.12/12/2005 02:13:00 PM|W|P|Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|

Doran's contributions to Republicans are making Democrats angry

When Kelly Doran was attacked in a letter to DFL activists about his contribution history to Democrat and Republican candidates, his campaign issued a quick response. Part of that response warrants further examination. "Other campaign contribution information excluded from the letter include: Kelly and Maria Doran have given $10,000 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee after getting out of the U.S. Senate race. Kelly and Maria Doran have given $5,000 to the DFL Senate Caucus. Kelly and Maria Doran have given $2,000 to John Kerry's campaign for President. Kelly and Maria Doran have given $2,000 to the Democratic National Committee. Kelly and Maria Doran have given thousands of additional dollars to federal, state and local DFL candidates." Source: Tonya Tennessen, Kelly Doran for Governor communications director. The reality is this: Kelly Doran's campaign cannot go back in time and add his name to contributions actually made by his wife. According to the FEC, Maria Doran, not Kelly, gave money $2000 to John Kerry. According to the FEC, Maria Doran, not Kelly, gave $2000 to the Democratic National Committee.

I assume the $5,000 contribution referenced in Doran's response to the DFL Senate Caucus was made at the state level and therefore it cannot be verified until the reports become public next year.

I have yet to locate the $10,000 contribution to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, but I will find it.

In fact, according to the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure, Kelly Doran made no contributions to Democrats candidates from 1998 to 2004. It was only after Doran decided to run as Democrat did he start contributing to Democrats.

|W|P|113441424376752039|W|P|DORAN'S CAMPAIGN SPINNING CONTRIBUTION RECORD|W|P|minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com12/12/2005 03:42:00 PM|W|P|

Minnesota Democrats Exposed|W|P|According to the FEC, Maria contributed, not Kelly like his campaign is claiming.

It's a solid hit. It's confusing, but still a solid hit.

Doran's campaign wants to boost his contribution history to Democcrats.12/12/2005 04:13:00 PM|W|P|

John Jordan|W|P|When Kelly Doran was attacked in a letter to DFL activists about his contribution history to Democrat and Republican candidates

I'm curious. Would these be the same people who complained that Mark Kennedy always voted in "lock step" (98% of the time, is their number) with President Bush?

I guess I'm confused. If a Republican votes one way most of the time it's wrong (lock step, he's not independent, he's being controlled by Karl Rove, etc.) But if a Democrat decides there's an occasional Republican he can support he's castigated for going off the farm (he's not really a Democrat, etc.)

Seems a bit hypocritical, eh?12/12/2005 06:38:00 PM|W|P|

John Jordan|W|P|and I REALLY do not care that Kelly Doran gave money to some Republicans...just as long as he didn't give any money to John Jordan.

Liberals are a funny bunch. When they can't argue the point, they take a shot. It's so endearing.

you are confused and cute when you use qualifiers like 'most' and 'occassional'.

I'm blushing. :)

But after reading your entire post, I still don't see anything that directly addresses the real point. That is, DFL'ers often (is that better than "most" and "occasionally"?) rail against Republicans for voting in "lock step". They then take on their own candidates when they're not "pure" enough for them (gave money to a - oh my - Republican, or once supported a pro-life issue, etc.)

You know this happens. Sure, some very conservative delegates in the Republican Party have a tendency to have their own purity tests. But this is a much larger issue in the DFL, especially when it comes to the younger, more liberal activists.

Doran isn't pure enough for many of those folks so he gets attacked. In reality, he's probably very much what the majority of statewide DFL'ers would like but he'll likely never get past the convention. And that's too bad, he's a nice guy and very pro-business (much more than Hatch, that's for sure).12/13/2005 07:14:00 AM|W|P|

Kevin from Minneapolis|W|P|If we're going to bank on Becky Lourey to base policy on what's best for small business owners, I'm moving to Texas and a village in Minneapolis will lose an idiot.