Speaker of The House Dennis Hassert states that he refuses to step down or resign for his part in the coverup of former Rep. Mark Foley’s behavior, claims to have been taking place over several years. The arrogance of this Administration continues to reek to high heaven. How much more can the American people take from those in control of this Government?

If Gil Gutknecht wants to play according to the playbook of Karl Rove, he deserves to lose. The DWI 11 years ago is a non-issue. He paid his fines and took responsibility for that.

I gave Gil a piece of my mind last year at the Olmsted County Fair. He was shaken up by my bluntness when I told him to his face, “Gil! You have sold your soul t the Wahington Whore!! You have forgotten who you work for! You do not work for G.W.Bush, your committees, or the DM&E! You work for the people in teh 1st CD! And you have been not looking out for us! We here in teh 1st CD have the power to change your job description with a flick of a pen!” Nedless to say, the other people around me adn Gil were in shock. Gil could not say anything. I was so pissed.

Now, Tim Walz has come on the scene. I too know this man to be genuine in his quest to serve others. This man has a decorated past with the Army Natinal Guard , retiring as a Command Sergeant Major after 24 years service, pkue regular Army, an Award winning Teacher, a State Championship for Foortball with Mankato West, and being a small business owner tht takes students to China on Educatinal adn Cultural exchanges with funds from his non-profit business.

I have known Tim since Spring of 2005. Within 5 minutes of meeting him, I ws fired up. This man instill such passion and excitement, he makes Gil Gutlnecht look like a limp fish in comparrison.

I attended the Chamber of Commerce debate last month between Tim and Gil. Those Republicans in atendance looked very nervous that Tim was scoring points on the issues without ever demonishing Gil personally. Tim will not lower himself to campaign on those standards.

Gil Gutknecht is now airing ads on how Tim Walz wants to raise taxes. Tim advocates raising some of the taxes given in cuts to those earning above $750,000!!! That seems reasonable.

Tim Walz is scoring points on the direction the Republican Controlled Houses of Congress is taking this country, the War in Iraq, Gi’s support of the $2.3 Billion Dollar loan for the DM&E project that runs through the city, Social Security, Healthcare, Drug costs, Veteran’s Affairs, Natinal Security, etc. Even Moderate Republicans are beginning to see that Tim Walz is right on these issues.

Gil Gutknecht is desperate because he realizes that his job is indeed in jeapordy. He has never had to defend his dismal voting record, which is 95% in favor with teh Bush Administration. Tim Walz is giving Gil Gutknecht the challange of his life. With the direction the GOP is going, Gil cannot feel ery confident at this time.

Secual harassment is no less so if the age of the person being harasses makes them technically legal.

If Foley, Hastert et all want to campaign on the fact that republicans believe that sexually harassing 16 year-olds is perfectly fine, they should be my guest.

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Because the Loyal Opposition has decided that filibuster is the default choice now for every vote? (No one now speaks of a bill “failing a vote” – it’s always “failed to receive cloture.”)

The only bright spot is that, when we (R’s) lose the majority in one or both of the chambers next month, we’ll be returning the favor.

I believe that the age of consent in Washington – the age when The People have deemed kids to be able to make responsible and informed choices about sex – is 16. Foley was IM’ing with a 16-year-old, right? So, where’s the beef?

Frankly, I think it’s just that many libs are closet gay-bashers, and this episode gives them a PC opportunity to run free with it. And, of course, it’s especially fun for them when the gay guy is a Republican.

Either that, or the age-of-consent law is only supposed to apply to those “other” kinds of people – not the lily-white, upper-class kids from suburbia.

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What happened to GWB’s domestic agenda?

Why didn’t they work out the appropriation bills prior to the election?

I realize these questions are a lot less interesting than decades old DWI arrests and cyber-sex with teenagers, but I’d say Gil Gutknecht should explain himself. He’s in the majority caucus, and the majority has done a bad job of actually governing.

But then in this story, you leave out the fact that one of the people sure to be investigated for protecting Rep. Foley’s right to molest young boys will be coming to town to campaign for Gutknecht, and you gloss over the basis of the story, which is the following:

“In Minnesota’s First Congressional District, DFL candidate Tim Walz on Tuesday accused Rep. Gil Gutknecht of passing it off as a “distraction,” and said Gutknecht owes an apology to the children of America. He also called for Gutknecht to cancel an appearance by Gutknecht at Minnesota State University-Mankato, with House Majority Leader John Boehner, one of the House GOP leaders that Democrats say helped hide Foley’s actions.”

This isn’t grasping at 20 year old straws. This man is CURRENTLY under great scrutiny for his role in allowing Rep. Foley to keep harassing young boys. I guess if Gutknecht wants to prove that he is fine with child abuse and the people who enable abusers, this is the right guy to bring to town.