« BREAKING NEWS: ERHARDT AND PETERSON LOSE REPUBLICAN ENDORSEMENTS | Home | PIONEER PRESS SHOCK COLUMN: COLUMNIST PUSHES SEIFERT/GENGHIS KAHN COMPARISON, SUGGESTS SEIFERT MAY BLOW-UP ST. PAUL POLICE CHIEF’S CAR »
MUST READ: “STAFFERS DETAIL CLIMATE OF STRESS, POLITICIZATION IN AG’S OFFICE”
By Michael B. Brodkorb | March 10, 2008
"The office of Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson is riven by fear, politicization, low morale, intimidation tactics and constant turnover, which led to a unionization drive and has now been further aggravated by the management's reaction to the effort.
During Swanson's first year in office, more than 50 of the roughly 135 assistant attorneys general have left the office — an unusually high turnover rate. Some were fired or had their jobs eliminated.
The general description of the office environment is based on interviews with 10 current and recently departed staff members, all of whom except two spoke on condition that their names would not be published.
Swanson has so far been unresponsive to requests for an interview for this article. If Swanson decides to respond, MinnPost will report her views." Source: MinnPost, March 7, 2008
Click here for the complete story.
Topics: Lori Swanson | 44 Comments »
44 Responses to “MUST READ: “STAFFERS DETAIL CLIMATE OF STRESS, POLITICIZATION IN AG’S OFFICE””
Comments
You must be logged in to post a comment.
March 10th, 2008 at 9:11 am
[...] Original post by Michael B. Brodkorb [...]
March 10th, 2008 at 9:23 am
Ms. Swanson is a perfect fit for an entrenched bureaucracy: Rule with an iron fist, tolerate no dissension and smile. Her ability to ruin a business with the click of a button is scary. Michael – good job shining light on this. I read Eric Black’s account of the story and, surprisingly, I find his report believable and not tinged with the usual slant!!!
March 10th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Sounds like another attorney who was run out of town by the press and by liberals. I have no doubt that Swanson will not get the same treatment.
March 10th, 2008 at 9:48 am
I had heard rumors of the AG staff reaching out to Jeff Johnson before the election because they feared a Swanson ran office.
I have no doubt that Swanson will not get the same treatment.
I have huge doubts. Swanson is DFL. If this gets coverage outside of MinnPost and a few blogs, I’ll be shocked.
March 10th, 2008 at 9:50 am
***“…Some were fired or had their jobs eliminated.”***
ROFLMAO!!!
Michael – you’re mad ’cause Lori made government ?!??
ROFLMAO!!!!
You guys can’t figure out what makes you mad, or makes you happy – no wonder the GOP tent is shrinking….
March 10th, 2008 at 9:53 am
***…Some were fired or had their jobs eliminated.â€***
ROFLMAO!!!
Michael – you’re mad ’cause Lori made government SMALLER ?!??
ROFLMAO!!!!
You guys can’t figure out what makes you mad, or makes you happy – no wonder the GOP tent is shrinking…
***
Micahel, you really should offer an “edit” option.
March 10th, 2008 at 9:54 am
Uh Oh, Twobit has discovered BOLD
Now he’ll be twice as annoying
March 10th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Seriously. You grow government, and you are a tax and spend liberal. If you shrink government, you are a mean employer.
The state’s republicant party contains so many conflicted people, it is no wonder voters are running away from the party in droves. You no longer stand FOR anything.
March 10th, 2008 at 9:58 am
So, GreyMatter=None, what’s YOUR take on this matter?
March 10th, 2008 at 10:06 am
Swanson is running her office the way Klobuchar ran the county office.
Everything is about publicity and for furthering her political career. It worked for Klobuchar, so why not.
But then, I actually read the MinnPost article.
Are you guys for unions or against? It’s hard to tell from your response to Swanson’s union busting actions.
March 10th, 2008 at 10:18 am
I couldn’t care less about union busting, I would just like to see this DFLer get the same scorn and bad publicity that was given to Rachel Paulose. But like I said, I doubt that will happen. Swanson is an attractive female DFLer in a high position with unlimited ability to do feel good things like attack health care companies. Where a GOP official would get run out of office, Swanson will get the kid gloves.
Sad.
March 10th, 2008 at 10:29 am
I believe every employee has the right to unionize, or NOT unionize, as they see fit.
And I’m really enjoying you GOPers demonstrating the consistent inconsistency you’re known for.
March 10th, 2008 at 10:57 am
Way to NOT answer puddles.
Again, if you are for unions, then you are against what Swanson is doing. If you are against unions, then you are in the wrong party.
Puddles with you it is always unclear just what you are trying to say. You talk out of both sides of your mouth.
You are also fat and useless, but we try to not hold that against you.
March 10th, 2008 at 11:19 am
loris,
Sorry, I misread your comment.
I agree, Swanson won’t get the same treatment as Paulose.
March 10th, 2008 at 11:45 am
What evidence is there that the AG’s office is smaller?
Sounds like she’s hiring just as fast as she’s firing.
March 10th, 2008 at 11:48 am
MoN, Swanson doesn’t have the same situation Paulouse did, either.
little stones, what part of the right to choose, didn’t you understand? Oh, wait – you’re a republiCon; you’re used to taking orders. Never mind….
March 10th, 2008 at 11:52 am
what part of the right to choose, didn’t you understand?
The part where you fail to criticize Swanson for not allowing her office to choose.
MoN, Swanson doesn’t have the same situation Paulouse did, either.
That’s true, the charges of mismanagement against Swanson actually have some evidence behind them.
March 10th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Speaking of Klobuchar, I see they are retrying the case her office screwed up about the little girl who got shot in the chest while she was doing her homework.
March 10th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
***“The part where you fail to criticize Swanson for not allowing her office to choose.“***
I was too busy laughin’ at you GOPers to do so. Besides, my answer should have made it clear, but GOPers clearly don’t think.
***”That’s true, the charges of mismanagement against Swanson actually have some evidence behind them.“***
ROFLMAO!!!!
If you wanted to argue BOTH have “evidence of mismanagement”, you MIGHT have regained some credibility that you’re COMPLETELY out of.
But, you didn’t, because you have no credibility.
March 10th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
my answer should have made it clear,
You didn’t answer anything.
ROFLMAO!!!!
When you’re drunk, everything seems funny doesn’t it.
March 10th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Speaking of Klobuchar,
Was this the girl whose mother was in Klobuchar’s campaign ad?
March 10th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
MoN, you’re a poster boy of why the GOP is imploding into irrelevancy.
Ten years ago, democrats in Eden Prairie were caucusing at a table at Perkins, while the GOP filled the high school gym.
At cacuses in February, there were traffic jams to attend DFL caucuses in Eden Prairie; GOPers got peace and quiet.
For the DFL SD Convention, we filled the high school cafeteria; GOPers filled a conference room at a Church.
You should move to northern Idaho now, before your fellow Minnesota GOPers drive up the land prices….
March 10th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Please elaborate Two Putt….
Rachel Paulous was accused of intimidating her employees and of “politicizing” as is AG Swanson. The only difference that I see is that one is Republican and one is Democrat. Paulous was run out of town on a rail by the Star Tribune and folks like you. Will the same happen to AG Swanson? Inquiring minds want to know…
LL
March 10th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
My SD convention was overflowing as was my caucus.
Many of the delegates to the SD convention were first timers, including a large number of former Democrats, and young voters. I’ve got no worries about the future of the GOP in Minnesota.
Not after the DFL has shown its complete and utter lack of fiscal responsibility as demonstrated by the transit bill and the bonding ill.
No worries at all.
Now, Back to your bottle.
March 10th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
That’s right I believe she was. Was that before or after the case was over turned? If it was after, I’d say Klobuchar misled voters blatantly.
March 10th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
It was after, and yes she misled voters.
Of the three people arrested for this murder,
two plead to a lesser offense, and the third’s conviction was overturned.
Thanks Amy.
March 10th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Seriously? She did a commercial with the girl’s mom after the case was thrown out? Is it a crime to mislead voters, because that surely has to be. How could I have not known about that until today? Oh wait, I forgot, I rely on the media to learn these things.
Maybe Klobuchar will issue a comment since she made this a core component of her campaign. Ya right.
March 10th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
[I've looked at the 18th post and the 21st post.] To which voter constituency are you referring on the 25th post?
March 10th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
LadlyL, you haven’t been following GonzoGate, have you?
March 10th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
That should be “LadyL” …
March 10th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Ignore the one balled, big mouthed, punk LL.
If 2pud were actually as verbose in person as he is behind the safety of his keyboard, he’d spend a good deal of time on the floor, unconscious.
March 10th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
PUtt, not what I heard. I heard you were staying away from the VFW these days. Can you tell us why?
March 10th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Pete, the fact you believe everything republiCons tell you, simply reflects why the GOP is imploding these days.
Here’s Boy Blunder’s quote, explaining it. And yes, he’s referring to you.
“You can fool some of the people all of the time and those are the ones you want to concentrate on.” — George aWol Bush, Washington, DC March 31, 200
March 10th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
“You can fool some of the people all of the time and those are the ones you want to concentrate on.†— George aWol Bush, Washington, DC March 31, 2001
March 10th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Funny puddles, the bartender I met there a month or so ago thinks you a real piece of shit. One who agree’s sooner or later soneone is going to knock your big mouth shut.
Which I thought was funny as all get out. Appartently I am not the only one to come in and mention something about you. Sooner or later Puddles I have a fun time I am just waiting to post about. I have said many times tough guy, I have an 85 year old WW2 vet who would very much like for you to tell him to lick your jump boots.
Not only would it be funny as hell to write up how and 85 year old dropped you, but what jury would ever convict him of anything?
I also need to talk with Honeydog as I would like contact information of any vet groups you belong to. As I would very much like to help spread the word of how a quality vet like yourself conducts himself.
Just curious, did you have to keep your mouth shut while you were in the service or did you just get your dick put in the dirt a lot?
March 10th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
I would imagine the above would be why no Puddles at the VFW lately. The poor old guy cannot type for a darn so he just likes to read and does not bother posting. He finds puddles a disgusting excuse for a vet and how he deals with others here.
Seems all the guys we met the day I brought him there really liked him and thought it was funny at 85 he would still have the energy and want to confront someone.
March 10th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Say, little stones?
Boy Blunder was referrin’ to you, too.
March 10th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Hey BK, remember when ol’ one ball was trying to scare up some company at the VFW? Now that he’s got some new regulars…poof!
BTW, I don’t know if you noticed, but if the VFW had a competition for the hottest bar manager, the Hopkins VFW would win hands down!
Of course they’d also win the most yellow, big mouthed member contest…right one ball? Right.
March 10th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Wrong, NotSoSwiftly – you’re not a member.
March 10th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Bring a pen – I’ll give you an autograph.
You do keep pens in your pocket protector, doncha?
March 10th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Yeah, I have a big YELLOW marker right here for ya.
March 10th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Yeah, that’s what the bartender said – said ya used it to write your name on your check.
Don’t forget, bring cash.
March 10th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
I am not so sure Swiftee, my local VFW has a very attractive young lady working there. Plus, no yellow cowards like puddles running his mouth off.
Puddles, keep on yappin my friend. I expect to drag out my old Uncle again and see if you would like an autograph from a real combat war vet.
Only I notice you seem to not want to engage that issue.
Too bad, the old guy reads this blog daily so I keep trying to get you to say something I know will tick him off as I want to watch a very senior citizen drop your sorry ass.
Plus, the best part, I would love to see you try to bring charges on an old war vet for dropping your sorry ass.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
You uncle reads this blog, huh? I’ll bet he thinks his brother raised a real dipstick.
Has he ever asked you what’s up with your moronic smiley faces??!?