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PAULSEN REMINDS ATTENDEES AT JCRC DEBATE THAT MADIA THINKS “IRAN IS NOT A THREAT”
By Michael B. Brodkorb | September 23, 2008
“The first question at the Jewish Community Relations Council debate was about Iran. Republican Erik Paulsen wasted no time in reminding the audience at Minnetonka’s Bet Shalom synagogue what his Democratic opponent Ashwin Madia has said about that country.
‘Mr. Madia at one time said Iran is not a threat. I’ll say it again. At one time, Ashwin Madia said Iran is not a threat,’ Paulsen said.
And Paulsen disagrees.
‘It’s a threat not only to Israel. It’s a threat to the United States, and it’s probably the most important threat that faces the entire globe as we look at the possibility of them getting nuclear weapons in the near future.’
But Madia, a military veteran who served in Iraq, stands by his statement.” Source: MPR, September 23, 2008
Click here for the complete story.
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“Iran and issues related to the Middle East were the first topics of discussion. Paulsen characterized Iran as ‘a serious threat’ and, as he has in the past, criticized Madia for statements the DFLer has made that Paulsen said did not sufficiently recognize the threat. Paulsen said that no strategy should be taken off the table but that economic sanctions should be explored first.
‘Iran is a threat, not only to Israel, it’s a threat to the United States and it’s the most important threat globally,’ Paulsen said.” Source: Star Tribune, September 22, 2008
Click here for the complete story.
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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.
Tags: Ashwin Madia
Topics: Ashwin Madia | 22 Comments »
22 Responses to “PAULSEN REMINDS ATTENDEES AT JCRC DEBATE THAT MADIA THINKS “IRAN IS NOT A THREAT””
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September 23rd, 2008 at 10:31 AM
So when Ashwin Madia was in Iraq did he represent the US, Saddam Hussein or the Terrorists who hide bombs that kill our Soldiers and Marines?
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Nice chop job, Michael! I do give you kudos for not putting the rest of the quote on the front page – hoping that most of your readers won’t bother to click to read the rest.
As Ash pointed out, a threat to a US Marine is not the same as to a business analyst sitting spouting GOP talking points. A threat to a US Marine means prepare for attack. As Madia stated, Iran is not a threat that we should prepare to attack. He then listed many other avenues of diplomacy that should be followed first.
But, of course, since you earned $9k from Paulsen in 6 weeks this summer, chopping quotes out of context is the least you can do for him.
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Iran has been supplying IED’s and training to Iraqi insurgents that have been killing Madia’s fellow soldiers.
If anybody should recognize that Iran is a threat it would be a US Marine.
We should always be prepared to attack, always.
Madia’s “not a threat” statement came when he was trying to suck up to the anti-war lefties to win the endorsement.
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Apparently I’m one of those “lefties” you disparage so willingly……fine with me. I’m happy to be a Dem.
I’d be more worried about Paulsen’s appearance last night than about Madia’s explanation about this comment, if I were a GOP’er. Paulsen came out of the box attacking. Didn’t go over to well from the looks in the audience (and, yes, I’m talking about those sporting Paulsen stickers). The poor guy next to me looked very uncomfortable and didn’t smile all night. He couldn’t wait to get out of there when the debate was over.
For someone who is whining about “smears” of his own comments being posted on YouTube it wasn’t a fine performance.
As to a US Marine recognizing a threat….many Paulsen sticker wearers were nodding as Ash gave his explanation. You see….it’s not taking things out of context…it’s just forgetting to include the rest of the story.
September 23rd, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Being a Dem gives you the right to lie, cheat and steal without worrying about the consequences. What a dismal existence.
September 23rd, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Excuse me? What precipitated that little outburst? It seems totally uncalled for in this discussion. Would you like to contribute to the conversation or just blurt out crap?
September 23rd, 2008 at 11:38 AM
“.many Paulsen sticker wearers were nodding as Ash gave his explanation.”
Bullshit, I was there, and no Paulsen sticker wearer agreed with Ash’s spin.
“Didn’t go over to well from the looks in the audience”
Are you a mind reader?
September 23rd, 2008 at 11:43 AM
MON,
I was sitting on the left side (surprise) and had a good view of the rows to the front of me and to the side. I can only speak from my experience. You can speak from yours. I can name articles of clothing people who were wearing who were nodding.
I did not need to read minds. The frowns and glum looks told enough of the tale.
Why is your first response to always attack? Have you never had a civil conversation and disagreement. I worry about the GOP’ers who post here. It just seems as if blood pressure must be through the roof! No one can converse and disagree civilly. It’s rather amazing. I live in a very GOP neighborhood and have quite a few GOP’ers for relatives and just don’t find that reaction outside this site. Have you had your blood pressure checked lately?
September 23rd, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Have you had your meds checked? I’m worried about you. You seem to live in some kind of fantasy land.
September 23rd, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Madia, like Obama, knew what he meant when he said Iran is not a threat.
He meant it’s not a threat. Not in terms of what a Marine thinks about. Even so, if he’s so careless with language, why should anyone support this guy?
He said Iran isn’t a threat. Of course, Obama turned around the next day and said Iran is a serious threat. Obama was right the second time around.
Madia, apparently, is a Leftist fool.
September 23rd, 2008 at 12:33 PM
MOM, obviously you did not take to heart the comments given by the Rabbi, who told us that we all had to learn to disagree without being disagreeable.
I liked the fact that Madia held Paulsen to his voting record. I came home last night and looked up Paulsen’s voting record as a result. Can’t run away from the facts.
September 23rd, 2008 at 12:45 PM
munchkin.
If you look through the comments on this post, the first attack you will find is CherylIP attacking Michael for getting paid to do his job.
I liked the fact that Dillon reminded everybody that Madia is bought and paid for by the labor unions and the trial lawyers.
When you looked up Paulsen’s voting record, did you notice that he voted exactly the same as Keith Ellison on the issue in the DCCC smear ad? the same as many many other democrats.
September 23rd, 2008 at 12:54 PM
munchkinmom, when you look up candidate’s voting records, did you see that Barak Obama voted to deny medical care to children who survive late-term abortions?
Can’t run away from the facts.
September 23rd, 2008 at 1:47 PM
CherylP said:
“Why is your first response to always attack?”
after stating this:
“Nice chop job, Michael! I do give you kudos for not putting the rest of the quote on the front page – hoping that most of your readers won’t bother to click to read the rest.”
and this:
“But, of course, since you earned $9k from Paulsen in 6 weeks this summer, chopping quotes out of context is the least you can do for him.”
And that is pretty darn hypocritical (in a real sense, not a Tommy Johnson “I like big words” way). You can stop projecting anytime now, CherylP.
September 23rd, 2008 at 1:51 PM
You’re right, Troy….pointing out that Michael is paid to twist things is an attack.
September 23rd, 2008 at 2:33 PM
I liked where Dillon said it’s GOPers like Paulsen that caused him to leave the party.
It’s GOPers here that constantly remind me why I’m an independent.
If there were Instant Runoff Voting, Paulsen would finish third in this race.
September 23rd, 2008 at 3:00 PM
Madia’s spending a lot of time trying to parse “threat”, and my suspicion — I’m a suspicious sort — is that it’s largely to remind folks of his (entirely laudable and praiseworthy) military service.
Which is okay. That said, respecting a candidate’s military service doesn’t mean one has to rubber stamp his policies and vote for him, and Madia seems to really, really want that. For him; he doesn’t seem to have quite the same desire in re: voting for John McCain.
Seriously, rather than “Iran: Threat or Menace?” could, just maybe, both candidates talk clearly about, well, policy toward Iran?
September 23rd, 2008 at 3:36 PM
Joel, they DID talk about policy. Surprisingly for me, David Dillon gave the best answer.
That said, when Paulsen took Madia’s Iran comment out of context, Madia calmly explained what his real position is and the context of Paulsen’s snippet.
Madia later called out Paulsen on Paulsen’s vote in support of Intelligent Design, and Paulsen claimed Madia was taking that vote out of context. Paulsen further claimed he never voted for nor supported Intelligent Design.
Madia offered to yield to Paulsen Madia’s time, so Paulsen could explain the “context” of the vote. Paulsen refused to do so.
Here’s links to the Minnesota Family Council website, documenting that Intelligent Design vote:
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:25 PM
CherylP said:
“You’re right, Troy”
I’m so glad you finally see the light.
“….pointing out that Michael is paid to twist things is an attack.”
You don’t regard this as any kind of an attack, CherylP? I guess, in your view, a comment from you has to reach a significantly higher threshold, offense-wise, than what you set for others. When I said “hypocritical”, that’s what I mean.
September 24th, 2008 at 7:29 AM
Tommy Johnson said:
“Madia calmly explained what his real position is and the context of Paulsen’s snippet.”
No, he tried to explain away his old, silly opinion by stating that marines define ‘threat’ differently than other folks. If I give him the benefit of the doubt, there may be a more pressing problem with his candidacy given that he will have issues communicating with non-marines.
September 24th, 2008 at 7:44 AM
In other words, Troy – you’ll go with the liar – Paulsen – instead.
Which, of course, demonstrates once again your devotion to the GreedOverPrinciples party.
September 24th, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Troy,
Before you are tempted to respond to Cheeto boy’s assinine spew, take a moment to consider that he shares a blog (â€mnblueâ€) with the other two biggest blithering idiots in the Sorosphere.
And that, my friends, is saying something.
Tom Johnson, Eric Pussy and Grace Kelly are the Three Stooges of political blogs. They are to be laughed at, not engaged.
The best that can be said is that at least the other two dolts are smart enough to stay safely inside their own little rubber room, but Cheeto boy can’t help but take his asshat dance on the road (he thinks we’re laughing *with him*!).