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LTE ASKS BONOFF TO STOP “SWIFT-BOATING” ASHWIN MADIA; BONOFF’S CAMPAIGN CLAIMING MADIA “HAS NEVER HAD A REAL JOB”
By Michael B. Brodkorb | January 28, 2008
Over the last two weeks I have been hearing rumors that State Senator Terri Bonoff’s campaign has been telling other Democrats in the 3rd CD that one of Bonoff’s rivals, Ashwin Madia, has never had a real job.
According to a dedicated reader of Minnesota Democrats Exposed, the letter below was sent to the Star Tribune last week for publication.
The other night, I made phone calls on behalf of Third Congressional District DFL candidate Ashwin Madia. During several conversations with prospective caucus-goers, several of them informed me of a particular line of attack against Mr. Madia by the campaign of his opponent, State Senator Terri Bonoff. The apparent message in her campaign’s persuasion calls to caucus-goers is to the effect that “Ashwin Madia has never had a real job.” I know Ash, as a friend, and a fellow veteran, and I am greatly offended by such an assertion. Ashwin Madia is a Marine Corps veteran, who did his duty, and served our nation in Iraq. If this is not a “real job” according to Senator Bonoff, then she is jeopardizing her campaign’s credibility with every member of the armed forces, every veteran, and with those who respect the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women.
Hearing this in my phone conversations with caucus-goers is not an isolated incident, either. Other people working on the Madia campaign have heard the same thing. A reader’s comment to a posting on the blog “MN Publius” on January 10 also recognized this line of attack coming from Senator Bonoff’s campaign. I am not writing this as a partisan of Ashwin Madia; I do not even live in the Third Congressional District, so my work here was a favor for a good friend, a friend who I now thoroughly believe should win the DFL endorsement for Congress because of the tactlessness of his principal opponent, Senator Bonoff. While a candidate’s life experience is a valid concern in a political campaign, I ask Senator Bonoff to come clean on this issue, and stop swift-boating Ashwin Madia because he had the courage to serve our country.
Jesse Berglund
St. Paul
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If you’ve heard about Bonoff’s campaign claiming Madia “has never had a real job”, please leave a comment on this post.
Tags: Ashwin Madia, Erik Paulsen, Terri Bonoff
Topics: Ashwin Madia, Erik Paulsen, Terri Bonoff | 45 Comments »
45 Responses to “LTE ASKS BONOFF TO STOP “SWIFT-BOATING” ASHWIN MADIA; BONOFF’S CAMPAIGN CLAIMING MADIA “HAS NEVER HAD A REAL JOB””
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January 28th, 2008 at 2:05 PM
I had one of those “persuasion” calls. I obviously never had a job either since I served in the US Army. I don’t know about anyone else but it sure as hell felt like it.
I’ve heard this from other veterans and family members of veterans. I’m sure you’ll see more comments.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:02 PM
She is a democRat of course being in the military means nothing.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:10 PM
As someone who worked for the Department of Defense overseas, and married to a Veteran, I can say we also received one of these calls. We resented it, and it did help my family of multiple voters decide that we would certainly NOT support Bonoff as a result!
I also hear Bonoff is making some of these calls herself.
Ashwin Madia, Marine Corps Iraq War Veteran, deserves better. And so does the 3rd CD.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:11 PM
I’m a lifelong Democrat, raised by a Democrat who happens to be a military retiree and veteran and I served in the US Army. Many Dems serve in the military. Some (like Bonoff) don’t comprehend service to our country. We do need to attempt to force some comprehension into that wing of the party.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:17 PM
This is really nasty stuff. Madia is a veteren and attorney.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:17 PM
I am a democrat, and it means EVERYTHING to me! And Ashwin Madia is a DEMOCRAT and I bet it means a lot to him as well.
Ever served your country big kahuna?
January 28th, 2008 at 4:37 PM
I e-mailed Bonoff’s campaign requesting comment.
January 28th, 2008 at 6:04 PM
little stones isn’t big enough to be served at a bar, let alone serve his country.
You can tell by all the juvenile ”
” little stones puts in his posts.
January 28th, 2008 at 6:21 PM
Setting aside the facts related to his military service and lawyer gig for just a moment…. just stop and really think about Bonoff’s tactic of trying to attack him for not having a real job. That is a strange approach as many Democrats/community organizers/activists are in the same boat and have never had a real job … seems as though that might make more democrats support him rather than make them oppose him. I think Bonoff is outthinking herself (not too difficult!)
January 28th, 2008 at 7:48 PM
Thanks to all our veterans – Democrat, Republican, and otherwise – and God Bless!
January 28th, 2008 at 7:55 PM
Well NoBrainCell, would you like to compare DD214s?
January 28th, 2008 at 9:43 PM
I’d lay my DD214 on the line any day. Being told that Ash never had a job when he served in Baghdad didn’t really work for me. I know it sure as hell felt like a job when I was in the Army.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:54 PM
Maybe they should have been talking about Ted Kennedy.
January 29th, 2008 at 2:12 AM
1.Ted Kennedy served in the military too.
2.Unlike W, he has no gaps in his service.
3.If being a lawmaker is not a ‘real job’, why are we paying them $160,000/yr?
4. John Kerry served too. You know who didn’t? Romney. He went to France.
January 29th, 2008 at 7:31 AM
DJZ —
1.) Prove GWB’s gap in service. Fake memos don’t count.
2.) I don’t know why we pay those hucksters what we do.
3.) John Kerry went to France, too… where he committed an act of treason by holding clandestine meetings with an enemy government.
January 29th, 2008 at 8:33 AM
Anytime, dogbreath – any time.
Because I don’t believe you are a veteran – no self-respecting veteran is a GOPer these days.
January 29th, 2008 at 8:41 AM
Say, chestNuts?
here’s your (cheney)in’ proof George aWol Bush served
January 29th, 2008 at 9:28 AM
Little Pudd; you missed todays DFL talking points, your supposed to like veterans but hate the President. Getting a little flustered there little fella!
January 29th, 2008 at 10:29 AM
twopudd you are a treat some days.
I do not suppose you could tell me why service folks vote overwhelmingly for Republicans then?
After all you say no self-respecting vet could be a GOP’er. So my guess is if a solgier does not share your views he is not self-respecting.
Boy you liberals go way out on a limb sometimes to try and force your ideas through.
Twopudd you talk awful tough here but the fact of the matter is you are just a young buck who has his head filled with liberal mush. Which is really sad if you are the vet you claim to be. My guess, you are one of the “new” breed of military who signed up for benefits but would not want to have to serve in a war.
You are a coward at best little man. The name calling a baiting you play is little more than some afternoon humor, your post bring nothing to the discussions at hand.
January 29th, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Okay. Everyone. Back off. Two Putt is not a young ‘un. Period. I know him. He’s Vietnam era. Let’s all calm down. More and more veterans are realizing that the GOP sold them down the river over the years and are voting their consciences. My dad is a Korean War and Vietnam era vet and is a Dem. I’m a middle east vet and a Dem. Not all vets are GOP.
Two Putt….you need to stop baiting people. We need to discuss issues. Period.
There are differences to be discussed and slights we all can agree on.
January 29th, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Funny, one cannot help but think he is a young buck with his lack of understanding issues and the fact he cannot post without name calling and baiting. Now I feel bad as he is too old to pound on.
January 29th, 2008 at 11:21 AM
little stones, I’m following the SOP here.
And I’m not surprise anyone as little as you, doesn’t understand the difference between those classified “Active Duty” and those classified as veterans.
Someday, you just might; like when you grow a set, ‘er, ‘scuse me, “grow up.”
But I doubt it.
January 29th, 2008 at 11:22 AM
You have permission to pound on him for issues but everyone needs to stop name calling and start discussing the differences. I, personally, was really offended by Bonoff’s “persuasion” call telling me that Ash had never had a job. I’m not the only one who got one of those. The ignorance and arrogance of saying that only business and legislative experience are “jobs” in her opinion was amazing.
January 29th, 2008 at 11:46 AM
WMD, you would be correct, Sir, however:
little stones and his ilk – like dogbreath, chestNuts, and the rest of the bootlickers were callin’ folk names long before I ever heard of MDE.
I find it highly amusing these putzes, like punky, er, ‘scuse me, “Pete”, like to dish it out, but can’t take it.
Ever notice how little stones likes to make posts like:
;-0 hey – that asshole :-0 is callin’ names :-0 – what an asshole
that guy is for callin’ names like asshole 
Which, of course, only goes to show the the hypocrisy of those that still lick the boots of Boy Blunder And The Plunderers.
Like little stones.
January 29th, 2008 at 2:04 PM
big kahuna, as asked before, have you ever served your country, and in what capacity?
Get back on topic, which is the swiftboating of Ashwin Madia– a Marine Corps Iraq War Veteran, who is being accused by the Bonoff camp of never having held a job.
Got one of those calls myself. Nasty stuff!
January 29th, 2008 at 3:00 PM
Munchkinmom, we have been through this before. Yes I did my two years right after high school. (Early 80′s) No combat and served the whole time stateside. does that disqualify me from something?
I find what Bonoff is doing is not only wrong but going to scar her political career for some time.
Ashwin is a respectable man and a very good public speaker. Without a doubt I think he is the best DFL candidate. I will not be supporting him, but I also would never say his service was not a real job.
Twopudd I think the difference here is you like to turn the name calling into a personal attack. My saying things like Wellstone was a worthless terd of a senator is not aimed at another poster here. Also, what the hell does active versus veteran have to do with my thoughts of who you would be?
I am surprised if you are a vet. Not that you are a liberal vet, but just by your comments and attitude. If the poster above is correct and you are a Vietnam era vet at that, you really surprise me as that mean you are much older than one would guess with what you post.
January 29th, 2008 at 3:07 PM
2 Put said; ‘…no self-respecting veteran is a GOPer these days.’
I’m afraid I have to disagree. My father retired from the service after being drafted in 1944 and serving 38 years in the active duty army, air force, reserve, and national guard. He’s also a retired teacher and former member of the teacher’s union. He’s never voted for a democrat in his life and has said he never will.
I’m sure when I tell him you have no respect for him – he will have a good laugh.
Thanks!
January 29th, 2008 at 5:26 PM
fumr, I have nothing but repect for your father’s service.
That said, it is unfortunate that your father is a blind partisan, that votes the party and not the person.
Sadly, he is the epitome of what is wrong with America, these days.
And you are correct, if your father is indeed the blind partisan you claim, you may most certainly inform im that although I respect his military career, I lament his un-American civilian career.
January 29th, 2008 at 5:35 PM
Twopudd I think the difference here is you like to turn the name calling into a personal attack.
Well, little stones, “there ya go again…”
(typical little stones post)
that asshole 
is callin’ names 
what an asshole 
that asshole is 
for callin’ people assholes 
Grow a set, boy.
January 29th, 2008 at 8:34 PM
What is the definition of a “blind partisan” TwoPuttTommy? Do you believe in supporting ethanol subsidies (like President Bush does)? Do you believe in man made global warming (like president Bush does)? Do you believe in supporting mass transit projects that do nothing to relieve traffic congestion (like President Bush and his Secretary of Transportation do)? My answer to all three of these questions is “No”. What say you? Even if you answer in the affirmative to all of these questions, I still will not call you an “un-American pseudo-con” or what is the other one you like to hurl “Republi-Con Bootlicker”. Very classy.
January 29th, 2008 at 11:25 PM
TwoPutt – you believe my father’s career as a public school teacher for 30+ years is an “..un-American civilian career”?
That is the first time I’ve ever heard a democrat think public school teachers are un-American. Maybe you’d like to re-state that last line?
I know my father has voted for democrats in local non-partisan elections, but when it comes to national politics, having voted in every election since 1944, he’s never found a democrat he could agree with more than the Republican alternative.
January 30th, 2008 at 4:12 AM
” Because I don’t believe you are a veteran – no self-respecting veteran is a GOPer these days.”
Want to try that again? I know tons of veterans, the vast majority are conservatives or Republicans.
And I’m most definately a veteran, a disabled on at that.
No self respecting veteran would be a lying moonbat Democrat. And NoBrainCell, you definately are a lying moonbat. I distinctly remember that lovely line about how all people in Eden Prairie were spouting off some liberal line I live in EP and have never heard that line.
By the way, I’m typically voting AGAINST a person, just like I’ll be voting against Hitlery if she gets the nod from the Democrats.
January 30th, 2008 at 7:27 AM
I.R. Informed – “What is the definition of a “blind partisan†TwoPuttTommy?
Someone that doesn’t even consider the candidate, but only the party; someone who refuses to even consider their party could and does do wrong, let alone hold their party’s candidates responsible and accountable for their actions.
And yes, there are “blind partisans” in the DFL, too.
“Blind Partisanship” is one of the gravest threats facing America today – especially in the House, in Congress.
Far too many Members Of Congress see themselves as a member of their party first, and a member of the institution – the House – second.
Two academics, Thomas Mann and Norman Ornstein, wrote a book about how this “blind partisanship” has overtaken the House, the consequences, and what they think needs to be done so genuine gentlement such as Jim Ramstad are the norm, not the aberration.
Link here for an excerpt; this one is describing the Medicare Vote in 2003:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0195174461/ref=sib_dp_pt/103-1806157-6227064#reader-link
January 30th, 2008 at 7:29 AM
By the way, I’m typically voting AGAINST a person,
If I had your shitty outlook on life, dogbreath, I’d probably do the same as you.
But I don’t, so I don’t.
Sucks to be you, doesn’t it?
January 30th, 2008 at 7:33 AM
I know my father has voted for democrats in local non-partisan elections,
Say, fumr?
Get your story straight, will ya pal?
First ya tell me, and I quote:
He’s never voted for a democrat in his life and has said he never will.
Now, this.
You do know it’s a sin to lie, doncha?
Putz.
January 30th, 2008 at 9:36 AM
Funny YOU should mention “blind” partisanship Twopudd.
As we have all come to know how fair and open minded you are.
You and your DFL brown shirt friends.
Funny, I have yet to see any of your posts or writings to be critical of a democRat. 
You are a total DFL tool twopudd.
January 30th, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Kahuna,
Hmmmm…..Dems are not critical of a Dem? Did you read the original post? It’s Dems who are critical of a Dem candidate.
January 30th, 2008 at 10:53 AM
“Funny, I have yet to see…”
None are so blind as those that REFUSE to see.
little stones, bein’ one of ‘em.
January 30th, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Thank you for you clarification on the term “blind partisan” Mr. TwoPuttTommy. As an independent conservative, I closely examine each politicians ideas and stances before pledging my full support. I am glad you concur that individuals on both sides of the political spectrum can go through life without really doing theire homework and backing politicians only on base emotion. Frankly, these people sicken me.
As to Bonoff’s claim that Mr. Madia never has had a real job, ANYONE WHO PUTS THEIR LIFE ON THE LINE TO PROTECT THIS GREAT COUNTRY AND TO ALLOW US THE LIBERTIES WE CAN EXERCISE FREELY, HAS DONE A “JOB” THAT IS WORTHY OF THE UTMOST RESPECT!!! If Bonoff’s camp really did peddle this pap to constituents, they should be very ashamed!! I disagree with Madia on many issues, but have the greatest respect and honor for him! God Bless him and America.
January 30th, 2008 at 11:13 AM
I think someone needs a little cheese with that whine – HA HA!!
January 30th, 2008 at 11:29 AM
I appreciate your kind comments, I.R. Informed.
Back when it was the “Independent-Republican” party, I was a member.
When ideological party loyalty became paramount, and the party shifted to the extreme right, I left.
For an explanation of the difference between a “Republican” and a “republiCon”, link here:
http://www.mnblue.com/node/1021
There is a difference, and it is pronounced.
January 30th, 2008 at 4:04 PM
Candidate Madia had a meet and greet at Davanni’s Monday. I happened to be enjoying a pizza with a friend and observed his presentation from afar. Seems like a sharp respectable chap with no shortage of verbosity. The half dozen attendees eyes were completely glazed over after 90 minutes of Madia.
I respect anyone who bothers to run.
January 30th, 2008 at 5:02 PM
When a monkey feels threatened it throws shit.
I don’t know whether my name will appear with this note, so please excuse my ensuring that everyone who reads this will know my name: Kenneth K. Kalish.
The kind of kindergarten name-calling I see being exchanged here is one of the reasons our political system has begun to fail us. Reasoned dialogue and fair exchange of ideas is what we voters need if we are to fairly assess candidates of any party. We are being denied that kind of reasoned discourse by those for whom ad hominum is considered debate.
I spent 15 years in the Navy, two of those in Viet Nam. If one visits Vinh Long you can take the opportunity to see the Navy compound where I spent a noisy week during Tet of 1968. I was given a medical discharge in 1979. I am now assessed as 100% disabled by the VA. I have an MA in Mass Communication and spent 13 years in broadcasting. I have spent ten years in education at the post-secondary level. I have voted in every election since having met the requirements in 1968. Those are my “bona fides.”
Negative campaigning is now de rigeur because participants in our campaigns and their supporters fear open, honest discourse.
Push telephone calls are a dirty tactic, no matter whom they smear and no mater who employs them. Let’s get back to the issue at hand, which I believe was one campaigner saying that another campaigner never had a real job.
Being barely mature enough to slide past the lawyer jokes, I can address the substantive question of whether military service is a “real job.”
Military service is a “real job” to those of us who have spent at least 181 consecutive days of active service. Reserve and Guard are usually part-time jobs, but they are also “real jobs.”
I guess I would ask a different question: Do we want to support a candidate who believes veterans of any political persuasion have not held a “real job?” I know I certainly do not.
Respectfully submitted for your consideration.
January 30th, 2008 at 6:31 PM
Thank you Kenneth for your thoughtful posting. I wish everyone posting could be more respectful and stick to the issue at hand.
Those phone calls are nasty, and represent dirty politics at it’s worst. As I said before, I know because I received one of them. Ashwin Madia deserves better than the swiftboating he is receiving from the Bonoff camp.
Thank you for your service to our country, and I am sorry that your service resulted in a disability. Take care.
January 30th, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Kenneth,
You couldn’t have said it more beautifully. Thank you for redirecting the focus of this thread.