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PAULSEN FOR PRESS RELEASE: “VETERANS AND FORMER LEGISLATOR RESPOND TO UNPRECEDENTED SMEAR TACTICS IN 3RD DISTRICT”
By Michael B. Brodkorb | September 22, 2008
EDEN PRAIRIE- Two veterans and one former legislator gathered today to cite the unprecedented attacks occurring in the Third District. Brigadier General Dennis Schulstad, USAF (Ret.), Lieutenant Colonel Alex Plechash, USMC (Ret.), and former State Representative Bill Haas, all residents of the Third District, expressed outrage at the smear tactics.
“These attacks are completely out of touch and out of line here in the Third District,†said Brigadier General Dennis Schulstad, USAF (Ret.) “Representative Paulsen has served his constituents with respect and dignity and has always looked out for veterans and our needs. He has not only voted to continue important programs such as LinkVet, but also is on record with votes to provide help and support for our families. Paulsen is, and will always be, a friend to veterans.â€
Lieutenant Colonel Alex Plechash, USMC (Ret.) made the following statements, “Never before have we seen such negative attacks on a candidate. These kinds of smear tactics are completely out of touch with the values in Minnesotans. People want to hear what a candidate will do for them, not how they can slam their opponent. I call upon Mr. Madia and his allies to focus on his own record rather than distorting Rep. Paulsen’s.
“As someone who served with Erik Paulsen for 10 years, I can say, certainly, that he is one of the most respected legislators in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Having a voting record is often-times both a blessing and a curse. The negative distortions of Erik’s record simply show that his opponent in fact doesn’t have a ‘positive and uplifting message’ to run on, as he once promised,†concluded former State Representative Bill Haas.
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This is a reminder that I am a part-time research consultant to Erik Paulsen for Congress. Minnesota Democrats Exposed is my personal blog and it is not created, endorsed, sponsored, or authorized by any political party, candidate, or candidate’s committee.
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41 Responses to “PAULSEN FOR PRESS RELEASE: “VETERANS AND FORMER LEGISLATOR RESPOND TO UNPRECEDENTED SMEAR TACTICS IN 3RD DISTRICT””
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September 22nd, 2008 at 4:05 PM
Again, it is not “negative” or “a smear” to point out how Paulsen voted.
Note that all of the high-powered talent that Paulsen assembled couldn’t contest the truth: Paulsen voted to fund a golf course rather than fund benefits for Minnesota’s National Guardsmen.
People can say “Paulsen is a friend to vets” all they want, but when the rubber met the road, Paulsen voted for that golf course.
You won’t hear the GOP deny that, because they can’t.
September 22nd, 2008 at 4:13 PM
Seriously, don’t you need to actually contest the accuracy of the ad’s claims to actually call it a smear? Not one of these guys said the ad was wrong.
September 22nd, 2008 at 4:14 PM
Yep, and Barak Obama voted to deny medical care to children who lived through abortion procedures.
You can’t deny that fact either.
September 22nd, 2008 at 4:15 PM
This is so funny. They call the twisting of Erik’s record “accurate”, and the accurate description of Al Franken’s potty mouth as “smear”.
What a very strange world liberals live in. Black is white, fact is smear.
September 22nd, 2008 at 4:18 PM
Does anybody have a transcript of the DCCC ad?
September 22nd, 2008 at 4:30 PM
MON, Just type in Erik Paulsen on YouTube and watch it. I don’t have a transcript but it’s one of the first hits up….it’s called “Got to Go”.
September 22nd, 2008 at 4:48 PM
“I can say, certainly, that he is one of the most respected legislators in the Minnesota House of Representatives. “
Bullshit.
Paulsen led the state to a shutdown, and rose to Majority Leader of the GOP through strong-arm tactics and rote devotion to republiCon (lack of) principles.
He’s a far-right wing extremist, who’s running as hard as he can away from who he is, and what he believes.
These days, he lacks the convictions of his beliefs, and the voters in the 3rd District see through it.
I have nothing but contempt for a bullshitter like Paulsen, who will say anything to continue his career as a career politician.
September 22nd, 2008 at 4:57 PM
So, did he or did he not take that vote?
September 22nd, 2008 at 5:02 PM
Some years ago in Maplewood MN I knew a Paulson family and I believe with a son Erik. This was at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. Please lemme know.
September 22nd, 2008 at 5:25 PM
I know Erik attends a Lutheran church here in EP, in fact he is on their board. Don’t know about the past.
I do not think it is smear to tell the facts. Did Paulsen really vote for a golf course instead of Veteran’s benefits for our National Guard?
I do know that in 2007, he voted AGAINST SF1989, the higher education appropriations bill. This bill establishes the Minnesota GI Bill Program to provide postsecondary educational assistance to veterans and their families [Art. 2(sec. 2)].
September 22nd, 2008 at 5:47 PM
Tommy,
Erik Paulsen works as a business analyst at Target Corp and has been elected by his community to represent them in the State House which meets 5 months out of the year. He is not a career politican. You’re a career hack.
September 22nd, 2008 at 5:48 PM
mm, remember when Erik was trying to get Racino passed?
That was back when he shut the state down.
September 22nd, 2008 at 6:46 PM
This vote was nothing more than a state legislator who was angry about the Sports Center in Blaine and offered and amendment to take from one part of the budget and move to another. Keep this in your political archives, as “up and coming” DFLers like Joe Atkins and Tony Sertich voted the same way as Paulsen. This is nothing more than a “gotcha” vote that the DFL has researched and exploited unfairly.
September 22nd, 2008 at 6:56 PM
Rural Guy: Why is it “unfair” to inform voters about a terrible vote that Paulsen took?
Is it “unfair” to note that Paulsen voted to teach Creationism in Minnesota’s public schools?
Is it “unfair” to note that Paulsen voted to prevent stem cell research that could help millions of Minnesotans?
No. It is the truth. Paulsen should take responsibility for his ultra-right-wing record, not run from it.
September 22nd, 2008 at 9:21 PM
hey smart guy, adult stem cell research has produced more cures and is more promising than embryonic stem cell research, which Paulsen voted against (I’ll take your lousy word for it this time and not look it up) and you claim “could help millions of Minnesotans.”
Care to tell me how embryonic stem cell research, which hasn’t produced any cures, would help millions of Minnesotans?
September 22nd, 2008 at 9:24 PM
MinnVoter, is it “unfair” to inform voters that Barak Obama voted several times to deny medical care to children who survived abortion procedures is also JUST TELLING THE TRUTH.
September 22nd, 2008 at 9:29 PM
“Is it “unfair†to note that Paulsen voted to teach Creationism in Minnesota’s public schools?”
No he didn’t. That’s a lie.
“Is it “unfair†to note that Paulsen voted to prevent stem cell research that could help millions of Minnesotans?”
Good for him. Killing children in the name of medical research isn’t just unethical, it’s immoral.
And since there has never, ever been any cure or treatment, or anything resembling a cure or treatment to come from “embryonic stem cell research” why are liberals so intent on killing children in the name of “science.”
September 22nd, 2008 at 9:34 PM
Chestnut, of course it’s unfair. Aren’t you aware of MinnVoter’s inherent double standard? Anything Democrat is great! It’s progress! Anything Republican is despicable. (also evil)
September 22nd, 2008 at 9:35 PM
why are liberals so intent on killing children in the name of “science.â€
Because it protects their holy grail, the killing of children in the name of “choice.”
September 22nd, 2008 at 10:20 PM
Bill Haas, who got voted out of office for rejecting the will of the voters in his district is now advising Paulsen?
How appropriate.
September 22nd, 2008 at 10:29 PM
Chestnut: In response to your post #17, I hate to break it to you, but it is indeed the truth that Paulsen voted to teach creationism in Minnesota’s public schools.
He took the vote in March 2004. It was an amendment to HF 2558. It would have required discussion of how new “evidence” can challenge evolution.
Bowhuntdude: Thanks for taking my word on Paulsen’s anti-stem-cell-research vote. A kind gesture. You’ve mistaken me for a ideological liberal. Believe it or not, I’ve voted for both Republicans and Democrats. I like progress, not parties or ideology. That’s why I’m “MinnVoter” instead of “MinnDFLer” or “MinnLiberal.”
Anyway, we’re not going to persuade each other on abortion. On embryonic stem cells, the chances of progress would be much better if the GOP actually allowed that progress to occur by funding research.
I agree that adult stem cell research is very promising. So is embryonic. We should pursue all avenues to find solutions that COULD (not necessarily “would,” as you tried to put into my mouth) help Minnesotans down the road.
September 22nd, 2008 at 10:39 PM
State shutdown = Good.
Voting against veteran benefits = Bad.
Voting not to give the U of M and MNSCU bazillions of State $$’s = good.
I am a MN National Guardsman and Iraq war veteran, and I think that the greater public good is served by reducing the U’s take from the public teat. Pass the MN GI bill on it’s own merit, not as part of a bloated porky higher education appropriations bill.
September 22nd, 2008 at 11:16 PM
You made Lieutenant General as a mustang??!?
September 22nd, 2008 at 11:40 PM
which Republicans have you voted for MinnVoter?
September 22nd, 2008 at 11:42 PM
Typical dem tactic mustang09. Put a moderate provision into a dirty bill no conservative would vote for and then scream to high heaven in the campaign that the provision was voted against.
September 22nd, 2008 at 11:51 PM
Munchkinmom,
Actually, SF1989 did not establish the MN GI Bill. SF1989 was vetoed by the governor because, among other things, it included the DREAM Act (subsidized resident tuition for illegal aliens), a huge new fee on non-residential building permits (think small and large businesses, schools, churches, etc…), and UNDERfunded the governor’s GI Bill initiative. As you may already know, the governor asked for $30 million to fund the program and the DFL House would only provide $20 million in SF1989. (The DFL Senate would only fund $10 million of the governor’s request in their Higher Ed appropriations bill.)
You may also already know that Rep. Paulsen voted FOR HF1063, the bill that actually did establish the MN GI Bill, which the governor signed. Unfortunately, the DFL legislature only funded $12 million of the governor’s $30 million request in the end. While the governor and legislative Republicans didn’t end up with half the amount they requested for the GI Bill, the Democrats were forced to delete the DREAM Act and the DFL’s large new fee.
Much more could be said, but that’s the gist of it. Like almost all of the legislators, Rep. Paulsen is a friend of veterans. But, like all legislators, his votes can easily be taken out of context and exploited by unethical hacks. All part of the “game” I guess.
September 23rd, 2008 at 7:55 AM
“Chestnut: In response to your post #17, I hate to break it to you, but it is indeed the truth that Paulsen voted to teach creationism in Minnesota’s public schools.”
No it’s not. That is a lie. I have looked at the text of HF 2558. There’s no language whatsoever about “creationism.”
And do you really believe there’s no such evidence to challenge “evolution?” Do you really thing the quest for knowledge ends there?
To be honest, I believe evolution is part of the development of life on earth. But it’s fantasy to believe that’s all there is.
Either way, the bill said nothing about creationism, and it is a LIE to mis-represent it as such.
“On embryonic stem cells, the chances of progress would be much better if the GOP actually allowed that progress to occur by funding research.”
This is abject bullshit. Millions of dollars are already being spent on ESR. It has yielded nothing. And the GOP is standing in the way of nothing.
Believe it or not, dumb ass, but research funding comes from many other sources than government. And it is absolutly reasonable for me and millions of others to object to my tax dollars being wasted murdering humans for research.
Adult Stem Cell research is far more promising, and has actually yielded hundreds of real cures and treatments. ESR is bullshit. Immoral bullshit.
And it’s high time that liberals understand that sometimes the means (murder) don’t justify the ends.
September 23rd, 2008 at 8:27 AM
Hey Chestnut-
I find it ironic that you argue that creationism, while totally unproven, deserves to be taught in our schools, but unproven stem cell research methods should not be used in our labs.
If you have enough faith to believe in the inherent goodness of a creator, you should be similarly faithful that researchers given the proper tools to succeed, will make breakthroughs with stem cell research.
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:13 AM
Hey Leroy,
I find it stupid that you make shit up and put words in people’s mouths.
I have never said that creationism deserves being taught in public schools.
In fact, there are many holes in the theory of evolution. That’s why scientists continue to search and evolve (pun intended) the theory.
Why are you afraid of this?
Moreover, you abject idiot, my argument against embryonic stem cell research is not based on it’s unproven standing. My argument is based on the fact that ESR is immoral and unethical.
Try not playing the part of the intellectually lazy and dishonest liberal bag of shit so well.
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:19 AM
I find it ironic that the same people who are so overwhelmingly concerned about finding the latest medical breakthroughs and miracles absolutely demonize the very industry that actually finds and develops those miracles. They even attempt to eliminate the basic motivation for this effort, profit.
Necessity may be the mother of invention, but profit is the baby daddy.
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:34 AM
The vote in the ad, was a vote on an ammendment by Phil Krinkie to take land from Minnesota amateur sports commission, sell it, and give the proceeds to the National guard text book and tuition reimbursement program.
Krinkie had a beef with the sports commission, and wanted to spank them.
The vote failed 35 yeas to 96 nays.
Also voting with Paulsen on this ammendment were
Keith Ellison, Phylis Kahn and many many other democrats.
If this is the best that the DCCC can come up with, they’re hurting.
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:00 AM
What office has Ashwin Madia ever held?
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Madia was elected as president of the University of Minnesota student body.
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:17 AM
Responses:
#32: Captain, United States Marine Corps
#24: I’ve voted for Republican mayoral candidates in various cities. They were not ideological. They were problem solvers.
#27: Chestnut, wrong again. The amendment that Paulsen voted for required discussion in Minnesota’s public schools of how “new evidence can challenge portions of or entire accepted theories and models including, but not limited to . . . the theory of evolution.”
There is only one theory that challenges evolution. It has two names: creationism (its accurate name) and intelligent design (the name proponents give it to sneak it into our public schools).
This amendment existed to require the teaching of creationism, and Paulsen voted for it.
The bill didn’t need to say “creationism” to require teaching of creationism, the same way the bill implementing Bush’s tax cut didn’t need to say the words “tax cut.”
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:22 AM
“#27: Chestnut, wrong again. The amendment that Paulsen voted for required discussion in Minnesota’s public schools of how “new evidence can challenge portions of or entire accepted theories and models including, but not limited to . . . the theory of evolution.”
Where does that say “creationism” you lying piece of crap.
And in fact, new evolutionary evidence “an challenge portions of or entire accepted theories and models including, but not limited to . . . the theory of evolution.”
Why are you afraid of open discussion about scientific theories?
Why do you feel compelled to tell bald-faced lies?
“This amendment existed to require the teaching of creationism,”
BULLSHIT. You liar.
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Oh maybe MinnVoter is right. Maybe we should silence all discussion and further examination of everything. Forget about it. Evolution is law. What use can come from challenging young minds to examine the evidence and form conclusions, or to create new ideas of their own.
They should just learn to color inside the lines like the state instructor tells them to and shut up.
F’n kids, anyway. Do what you’re told.
Thanks MinnVoter. I agree. We sooner we stifle all intellectual curiosity, the better.
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:42 AM
There certainly are some angry and potty mouthed people on this blog….why not try cleaning up the language and insults. The fact of the matter is that Paulsen’s voting record in the Legislature has been extremely conservative and certainly doesn’t reflect the moderate core of the 3rd CD. In 2 years all you Paulsen folks can pick apart Madia’s voting record and we won’t have to defend it, Madia will actually do the talking for himself. He actually answers direct questions with direct, detailed answers…something I have yet to hear from Paulsen. I want a representative that works for ALL of us, not just those that agree with his personal beliefs (Paulsen). Vote for Madia, the Patriot!
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:46 AM
“The fact of the matter is that Paulsen’s voting record in the Legislature has been extremely conservative”
Wah-hoo!
“and certainly doesn’t reflect the moderate core of the 3rd CD.”
Says you…
“In 2 years all you Paulsen folks can pick apart Madia’s voting record and we won’t have to defend it, Madia will actually do the talking for himself.”
That’s true.
“He actually answers direct questions with direct, detailed answers…something I have yet to hear from Paulsen.”
He lies too.
“I want a representative that works for ALL of us, not just those that agree with his personal beliefs (Paulsen).”
Boo-hoo
“Vote for Madia, the Patriot!”
Zippity-doo.
September 23rd, 2008 at 11:43 AM
In 2 years we can talk about Madia’s two more years of experience as an IP lawyer. Hope he keeps his law license straightened out.
Maybe he can find a decent place to live too.
September 23rd, 2008 at 12:01 PM
I saw that ad and thought it was pretty misleading. I would think most sane people would think of it that way, too. If this is how Madia behaves, he doesn’t belong in elected office.
September 24th, 2008 at 7:51 AM
Erik is done in Anoka County as his mentor, Jim Ramstad, endorsed Good Old Boy Boss Hog DFL’er, Dan Erhart for County Commissioner. Dan is the same person who is working with Tinklenberg to try defeat Michele Bachmann. He was also instrumental in many of the Anoka County House seats going DFL 2 years ago, and Ramstad calls him a public servant and working in a bipartisan way. Give me a break! Erhart is like the local mob boss that threatens anyone that gets in his way of lining his own pockets. Thank God the Rammer is retiring!!! Erik–move as far away from the Rammer as you can!