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MDE EXCLUSIVE: BETTY FOLLIARD CLAIMS DFL PARTY HAS “TENDENCY TO ONLY AWARD WHITE, MALE, RURAL, ANTI-CHOICE LEGISLATORS”
By Michael B. Brodkorb | November 14, 2007
A dedicated reader of Minnesota Democrats Exposed forwarded me a copy of an e-mail sent by former DFL legislator Betty Folliard regarding yesterday's DFL Feminist Caucus event. In the email, Folliard claimed that the DFL did not organize the event and that "they have a tendency to only award white, male, rural anti-choice legislators."
According to the DFL Feminist Caucus' website, Folliard is coordinator for the 5th CD. Folliard ran unsuccessfully for DFL Party chair in 2005.
I sent an e-mail to Folliard requesting a comment about her claims that the DFL Party tends "to only award white, male, rural anti-choice legislators." While Folliard didn't answer my specific question, she did write that she appreciates me "caring about the recognition of women's leadership in our state."
As I have said before, I love DFL infighting. Please read Folliard's complete e-mail after the page jump.
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Dear DFLFC/DWLC Awards Committee et al,
Thank you so much for a job well done at the Women's Leadership Awards press conference yesterday. It certainly exceeded my expectations. The event significantly raised the specter of women's accomplishments in this state – which was why we did it in the first place. Everyone did an outstanding job.
Thank you to all our great presenters. Special thank you to: Tammy for all the planning and beautiful invites & flowers. Thank you Barb for outstanding press advance work. Thank you Rosemary for your invaluable contributions to the scripts. Thank your Cheryl & John for making the hospitality part such a huge success. Thank you Julie for the Chess Queen. Thank you Ellen Anderson for letting us mess up your reception room. Thank you to all our recipients for showing up and caring, and for your great service to this state and to this country.
Deep thanks to Jane Fonda. And of course kudos and an most grateful thanks to Koryne Horbal for doing all arrangements to have
Jane Fonda here. Without her this event would not have garnered the AP, Strib, Pioneer Press, Channel
5 etc. We are most grateful!
I expected to see about 100 people there if lucky. Barb Toren, our Advance Gal, counted 175! Lots of elected, dignitaries & candidates came, as well as friends and everyday folks. The Republican Party filmed us, so maybe we'll make to blogs and YouTube. Also, thanks go out to GOP Chair Ron Carey for all his nasty press releases blaming the DFL Party. If he only knew that the DFL did not organize this event. they have a tendency to only award white,
male, rural, anti-choice legislators. (Tweak – Tweak).
So we had some fun, gave great awards, accomplished what we set out to do: recognize great leaders, had cake, and went home. We might want to do this again sometime.
Thanks again.
Best,
Betty
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14 Responses to “MDE EXCLUSIVE: BETTY FOLLIARD CLAIMS DFL PARTY HAS “TENDENCY TO ONLY AWARD WHITE, MALE, RURAL, ANTI-CHOICE LEGISLATORS””
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November 14th, 2007 at 3:45 PM
MDE am I mistaken or did Betty Foliard just give you somewhat of a compliment by saying that she thinks you care about women’s issues in this state? You are moving on up MDE!!!
November 14th, 2007 at 3:48 PM
Mike:
Maybe it’s my imagination, but the way I read the writing it looks like the “they have a tendency to only award white, male, rural, anti-choice legislators.” is aimed at GOP Chair Ron Carey and the Republicans.
follow the structure GOP Chair ron Carey is named for nasty press releases
If he only knew (implies Carey)
that the DFL did not organize this event (the part that has me confused)
since Carey is the start of the sentence and Republicans implied that can be a shot at Republicans.
At least that is a thought especially with the (tweak-tweak) after the sentence.
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN
November 14th, 2007 at 3:51 PM
Walter: Folliard did not dispute my claim that she was referring to the DFL.
November 14th, 2007 at 4:00 PM
then why do the talk of Carey and the Republicans also? Maybe she was trying to hit both parties? You might want to ask why if she was talking about Democrats she needed to mention Carey and the Republicans.
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN
November 14th, 2007 at 4:03 PM
But Michael, play fair. You did not post my complete reply. Here it is:
——————-
Dear Michael,
Thanks for sharing. I am putting my comments in Politic In Minnesota (PIM) so don’t miss it.
Nice to meet the young lady from the GOP yesterday who came to film us. I made sure she felt right at home, and I am sure some of our messages resonated with her.
I appreciate your caring about the recognition of women’s leadership in our state! So do I.
God bless,
Betty
————–
Until we meet again,
Betty
November 14th, 2007 at 4:46 PM
I believe that the comment was directed at Republicans, and that it also speaks to the repulsion that 95% of those in that room have for those fitting ANY of above categories (after white), let alone all three.
It could easily be said that the DFL only awards white, female, urban & suburban, pro-abortion candidates in lock-step with Education Minnesota.
November 14th, 2007 at 5:12 PM
Representative Folliard: Welcome to Minnesota Democrats Exposed! I look forward to your comments in Politics In Minnesota.
You’re are always welcomed to comment on Minnesota Democrats Exposed.
November 14th, 2007 at 6:34 PM
My pleasure, Michael.
And thank you for inviting me first with your pre-emptive email notifying that you would have a piece on this. Nice touch. That didn’t happen in the past when you’ve written about me.
I will be sure to return the courtesy by mentioning you in my piece in Politics In Minnesota (PIM).
Signing off now. Got to get to choir!
Happy Thanksgiving,
Betty
November 14th, 2007 at 7:20 PM
Mike has been had
November 14th, 2007 at 7:51 PM
[...] Stress wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptMike has been had… [...]
November 15th, 2007 at 1:00 AM
Speak the word Betty Folliard in DFL circles and you will get many different responses. I disagree with Betty’s opinion as have many in the DFL over the years. I take all her comments with a healthy grain of salt.
November 15th, 2007 at 7:56 AM
The Final Jeopardy category is: People I’ve Never Heard Of. Who the heck is this Betty Folaird?
Doesn’t it speak volumes that one of her first thank you’s went out to the person who arranged the flowers for the event?
No mention of Anne Taylor, Coya Knutson, Nellie Stone Johnson, or Patty Berg.
The dems talk about women’s leadership yet they fired the previous Education commissioner and are going to do the same to Transportation commissioner Molnau.
Their idea of women showing leadership must be Rep. Kahn stealing campaign literature.
The only women they want in leadership now are the ones who worship at the altar of bigger government and higher taxes.
November 15th, 2007 at 12:22 PM
I know about Betty Folliard. Nearly 10 years ago, she had a major problem with her back and she didn’t want people even brushing her chair. I had to get past, and her chair was blocking the way, and after brushing her chair, she got up and tried to rail me on things.
Needless to say, I just told her to not sit so far into the aisle and we would never have to have this conversation again.
It was one of the few times I could state that I told a legislator to “shut up”.
November 15th, 2007 at 3:01 PM
Newton, must DFLers don’t think very highly of Folliard’s opinions, so I wouldn’t worry yourself too much about that.
As for the firing of 1 (soon to be 2) female commissioners, sex has nothing to do with it. Both of them were poor leaders and through their own conduct they lost (and will lose) their job. Many female commissioners of both parties have been confirmed over the years. Alice Seagren, I believe received a unanimous in the Senate.