« EDITORIAL CRITICAL OF DFL SENATE PICKING POGEMILLER AS NEW LEADER | Home | PIONEER PRESS ARTICLE LISTS POTENTIAL CANDIDATES AGAINST COLEMAN IN ’08 »
GROW ON POGEMILLER’S ELECTION AS DFL LEADER: “THERE’S A LEADERSHIP VOID IN THE [DFL] CAUCUS”
By Michael B. Brodkorb | November 12, 2006
Below are snippets of Doug Grow's column on the selection of Larry Pogemiller as the new leader of the DFL Senate Caucus.
##
"The DFL has proved again that it can't tolerate success.
Hours after holding statewide victory parties, DFLers in the House and Senate opted to become the party of Minneapolis. In a stunning disconnect from reality Thursday night, Margaret Anderson Kelliher and Larry Pogemiller were picked as the leaders of the House and Senate.
These two live blocks apart in Minneapolis. In much of Minnesota, including metro suburbs, they represent two of the scariest words in politics: 'Urban liberals.'
Picking Anderson Kelliher and Pogemiller marks the first time in 40 years the DFL didn't manage to reach outside the metro for at least one of its top leaders.
Not all are amazed that DFLers made such a big victory seem so small.
###
"Of the two picks, Pogemiller is the one that should have Republicans singing 'Happy Days Might Be Almost Here Again.'
Though Pogemiller is respected for his intelligence, the most significant thing that can be said about the 55-year-old is that he grates on DFLers nearly as much as he does on Republicans.
That DFLers voted for Pogemiller, a self-righteous man who adores process and long meetings, shows there's a leadership void in the caucus."
###
But a couple of things are known about the caucus. Pogemiller and Sen. Thomas Bakk of Cook were the last two standing in the leadership race. There were concerns expressed about the little-tent appearance the DFL was creating by putting two Minneapolis pols in the most the high-profile positions.
But apparently nobody had the gumption to flat-out say that it shouldn't be Pogemiller's smug mug in front of the TV cameras, representing the majority.
###
Click here for the complete column.
Tags: Uncategorized
Topics: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
One Response to “GROW ON POGEMILLER’S ELECTION AS DFL LEADER: “THERE’S A LEADERSHIP VOID IN THE [DFL] CAUCUS””
Comments
You must be logged in to post a comment.
November 12th, 2006 at 6:01 PM
Michael, I love the new MB! Your heroes are now Doug Grow and the Star Tribune editorial board. You see? Even you can learn if you put your mind to it.