People are tired of that, so keep it up and I am sure Madia will win in a landslide.

I learned that name calling from you republiCons in general, and Newt Gingrich in particular.

Nice (if typical) puerile name calling, Tommy Johnson. Please undercut your credibility more (if possible).

Paulsen has to live by his record, and it is not very good.

By the way, he also wants Creationism taught in schools. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rZ17Ry9V3M and, he voted to require students to question the theory of evolution in 2004. The Otremba Amendment, HF2558, House JOUrnal p.5557, 3/18/04.
Since over 70% of Minnesotans believe in evolution, I would say that makes Paulsen pretty extreme in his views.

Just because he has been in the state legislature for a while doesn’t mean he has been good for Minnesota. Maybe there has never been a competitive race against him until now.

The reality is Paulsen has been here, worked hard for cd3, and done a great job. I look forward to “Congressmen Paulsen.”

If you think abstinence only sex education really reduces the rate of unwanted teenage pregnancies, then Paulsen is your guy.

If you think it is okay for your store gift cards to expire, reduce value and charge fees to use, then Paulsen is your guy.

If you think it is okay for non government entities to display your social security number and print them on mail and id cards, then Paulsen is your guy.

If you think it is okay for our state government to enter into contracts with companies that offshore their headquarters to avoid paying Minnesota taxes then Paulsen is your guy.

This is fun and informative! Anyone else come up with Paulsen’s voting record?!

If you think creationism/”Intelligent Design” should be taught in high school science classes, Paulsen is your guy.

If you think honoring soldiers and veterans with words but not deeds is fine, Paulsen is your guy.

If you think it was a good idea to shut the state down in an attempt to pass Racino at Canterbury was a good idea, Paulsen is your guy.

If you think four more years just like the last eight is a good idea, Paulsen is your guy.

Paulsen is an extremist rightwinger – and if you liked Bush and the results of his presidency, Paulsen is your guy.

Gee, what a choice. Status quo or moving in a new direction with a new voice and a new perspective.

Again, it was perfectly fine to send Kline to Congress with no prior political experience.

There is no way Madia’s shockingly weak resume can stand up to the multi-decade efforts of Paulsen. That is my point – and you can spin all you want, but it is obvious to everyone I am speaking the truth.

I accept that Madia is likely strong on Iraq. I just think he should have something else on his resume (business, schools, community involvement, environment, SOMETHING) before he wants to represent me in Congress.

I would submit that Erik Paulsen should have stayed in the Minnesota House of Representatives. That would give him time to be home at night to coach kids soccer and allow him to continue to explain to his constituents why he votes against public funding for education while pushing Mandarin Chinese.

I’d prefer to send Madia to Congress where he can speak to federal issues that affect us as voters: the situation in Iraq; military funding; military troop morale; the rule of law; international perspective on the US, to name a few.

I’m voting for Madia. You can vote for Paulsen. Just do it from a position of honesty rather than spin.

The verdict still stands: Madia’s cd3 resume is shockingly weak compared to Paulsen. No wonder Madia has taken to misrepresenting Paulsen’s record.

Let’s debunk your list.

1) Paulsen’s kids were home schooled for part of the time.
2) Being a soccer coach is not impressive to me. Sorry.
3) Mandarin Chinese? EP Schools have had such severe funding issues that they have instituted pay for ride on the big yellow limo for kids within 1 mile of school, parents have fought for years to keep funding for gifted and talented services while Paulsen touts Mandarin Chinese? Please! Give me a break.
4) Endorsed by the Chamber of Commerce. Let’s see…..the local GOP candidate running for Paulsen’s vacated seat to the house is a previously paid lobbyist for ACA (the credit collection agencies) who is married to the regional director for the US Chamber of Commerce. At last month’s event with Coleman, Coleman singled out Doug Loon (hubby and paid lobbyist to the US Chamber of Commerce) while holding his hand on Jenifer Loon’s shoulder to thank Doug for all “he has done for us”. I interpreted “us” as the GOP because it was an invitation only event for the GOP. Am I impressed that the Chamber is backing him? Not much.
5) Secured equitable funding for suburban school districts? How? He presided over the largest cuts to school funding in the state legislature and the “equitable” (i.e., fiscal disparity) formulas were introduced by Charlie Weaver, a renowned Republican.

Not impressive to me. He’s a true trooper for the GOP. Great. If that’s what you’re looking for. I’m not.

Give me someone who can knowledgeably speak to the issues and has actually served (not taken a paid junket) in foreign countries, has seen this misbegotten war in Iraq first hand any day. It’s Madia for me.

1. Secured equitable funding for suburban school districts.
2. Lead the Mandarin Chinese language program in Minnesota schools. I believe it is quite successful in the Eden Prairie school district.
3. He personally coached soccer and volunteered in countless activities at the Eden Prairie schools where his four kids go.
4. He has consistently made positive votes for the environment including significant laws like the 2006 mercury reduction act and the clean water legacy act.
5. A regular supporter of CD3 small businesses being endorsed by the local business chambers in every election he has had.
6. Consistently supports police and fire – in fact he is endorsed by the police union this year (again).

I am sure with some effort, it would be easy to add to this list. Like I said, Madia’s resume is shockingly weak compared to Paulsen’s.

Norm Coleman moved here from New York when he realized he couldn’t get elected in his home state. That must drive you crazy too.

The choice here is for a career partisan politician or a Patriot who served his country with honor and distinction, and came back home.

1) He was a Marine in Iraq.
2) He did pro-bono work for someone, somewhere on some issue.
3) He went to high school in cd3.

Got it. That is Madia’s qualifications, right?

Shockingly weak compared to Paulsen.

Yes, everyone starts somewhere. Most start by contributing SOMEHOW, SOMEWHERE in the district they want to represent. How can anyone argue Madia understands the issues in cd3 when he has almost no history in it?

Ashwin Madia is a United States Marine who worked to create the rule of law in Iraq during a time of war. I think he knows what constitutes good government.

If experience is what is most important when serving in the House, our Founding Fathers would have made it a requirement for the job.

I would rather have a Patriot who volunteered to serve his country during a time of war, than a career politician who helped to run up the largest deficit in this State’s history.

I think our economy has suffered enough.

When Erik first ran for State Representative he was extremely well qualified for that position. He had been a congressional staffer for a few years. This gave him a good understanding of how the legislative process works and an understanding of the importance of constituent services.

Additionally, he started out running for State Representative which is a lower level then US Congressman. Interestingly, when Erik first run for State Rep. he was better qualified to be a legislator than Ashwin is right now.

Quit playing tit for tat. When Erik first ran for the state legislature, he was very young, and had no previous experience. He had also just moved to Eden Prairie the year before. I guess back then, people were willing to give a fresh young face a chance. What’s the difference now?

I have lived here for 25 years, far longer the Paulsen. If that is your only criteria, then you need to vote for me.

But, ya’ll have still failed to show one contribution, initiative or success he has brought to the 3rd. Lets face it, Madia has done good things for this country, but, due to his lack of efforts in the 3rd he is in no way able to properly represent the opinions of the 3rd residents.

Code words? Grow up and debate the merits of candidates. Madia has no resume of contributions in the 3rd. None. Zippo.

Pro bono legal work on behalf of others less fortunate is important. He has served our country. He understands the issues that are important to us CD3 voters…you know….those of us who have raised families in this district, those of us who have served our country…..Madia has worked on political campaigns in the 3rd. If we don’t count political work then we can’t count the legislative work that Paulsen has done since he’d only done his work for the right side of the aisle. During his “reign” in St. Paul he shut the government down rather than reach across the aisle. How bi-partisan is that for you? Doesn’t work for me.

It’s time to give a new voice a chance to show us what he can do for us in Washington. I for one am tired of career politicians like Paulsen.

“Madia doesn’t even know who us Western Metro people are.” is most certainly code words. You stated it, you have to live with it.

Is it too much to ask that Erik state his policy on Iraq on his website?

What is Erik hiding?

So many questions, and so little time….

I just don’t see how a guy who really has little connection (except his high school years) to the West Metro is a good representative for us. He has little track record of contribution in the West Metro and little track record of West Metro accomplishments. He has no idea who we are or what we need, so I don’t see how he can effectively represent us.

I enjoyed the bombs you threw at me, but noticed you didn’t list any West Metro track record for Madia. Seems like you admit he doesn’t contribute to our community or know anything about us.

Sheesh.

Many, if not most of CD3er’s jobs aren’t in CD3. Several work downtown. But, yes, when he was working in IRAQ as a MARINE, I guess that wasn’t working in CD3. But, I guess people who work in Minneapolis or St. Paul or elsewhere aren’t true CD3ers?

“He has no visibility in our public schools.”

What does this even mean? He went to high school in CD3. He’s made a point of making education a key issue in his campaign. What, you need to be a teacher or a school board member to be a congressman? Stupid.

“There is no evidence (I can find) he contributed to any charities or causes in the West metro.”

Who cares? He’s done a number of pro bono projects as an attorney. Who cares if he’s given money to a CD3 charity. That’s not a qualification for office.

“He has no policy experience.”

BW. Being a lawyer is all about policy. And, that doesn’t even include his work in Iraq.

“Heck, he had to move here to qualify for the seat!”

You are forgetting that minor issue of his family living here since he was in high school.

“He has a heck of a lot of nerve thinking he can be our voice!”

He sure as hell understands CD3 more than Paulsen does.

“Madia doesn’t even know who us Western Metro people are.”

Let me guess, because he doesn’t match the “demographic” of CD3? Guess what, CD3 isn’t limited to white suburbia.

“Paulsen has been an excellent voice for us and will in Congress too!”

HAHAHAHAHA.

I haven’t seen a single position Paulsen has (he doesn’t have many) that matches my views. So, he’s hardly a voice for everyone. On the issues, the majority of CD3 fits with a moderate democrat not an ideologue conservative. Not surprisingly, the polls show this fact.

Who are we, and what makes him not one of us?!

If Paulsen were such a good legislator with such a sterling record, then he would be talking about the issues and bragging about that record instead of slinging lots of mud.

If your idea of being a West Metro guy is to be such an elitist, then I am glad I am not one like you.

What has Paulsen really done in the last 14 years for the West Metro?!

Paulsen has actively contributed to the Western metro for 14 years and has been a very effective and well respected legislator.

I am dumbfounded Paulsen’s team and the GOP are talking about Madia lying. Yah, Madia did, but that is really secondary to the reality that Madia doesn’t even know who us Western Metro people are.

Paulsen has been an excellent voice for us and will in Congress too!

Ramstad, is LEAVING political office on his OWN TERMS.

During the past few weeks, MBB has written on MDE that certain bloggers are “liars.”

This is the same MBB [RNC-credentialed] who has written “tone it down” or that the blog is “his” and he can do with it what he wants.

You truly are an idiot. So you agree Coleman violated FEC rules when the Nrsc and Team Coleman released similar press releases? That’s right, you and Paulsen are idiots.

Keep in mind what John Mccain likes to do is he respects people, but disagrees with them on the issues. Part of the problem some people have with Mccain is he won’t attack people like the way we should expect him to do.

A standard line for Mccain in his speeches right now should be because Senator Dodd accepted the most pac money from Fannie Mae and blocked fannie mae reform when it would’ve made a difference Senator Dodd from Connecut should not only be a witness telling Americans what he did to block fannie mae reform he should resign from the senate.

An agressive candidate running a republican campaign in theory should be able to destroy Obama. Once again Obama has lucked out in his political career that he hasn’t had to run against a real opponent again.

Coleman I think he’s taking the tack that since the DSCC and Franken have done a good job tarring him and making him look bad that he has to focus his campaign on the last month to remind the voters why they should vote for him and not being voting against Al Franken.

Not to mention Coleman has the luxory that some groups supporting him will keeping airing those negative commercials for him. But lets remember Coleman did call for them not to air them unlike Madia who claims he’s running a positive campaign. This is another time when Madia is talk, but no real action.

Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN

I’ve never met any politician who doesn’t color an issue to their favor. But coloring and lying are two different things. You better have facts to back up an accusation of lying, and obviously Paulsen didn’t, or he would have presented them.

For all of you on the “lying bandwagon”, start publishing the facts to back yourself up.

Coleman must be a liar too, because it was reported on the news last night that he was pulling all of the negative ads, then it went to a commercial break showing THREE negative trash Franken ads, and a negative trash Obama ad. Joe sixpack wouldn’t have paid attention to the fact that those ads were placed by other groups, all he saw was another lying politician– Coleman.

Interesting weeks in the GOP…..McCain and Coleman go positive, Paulsen keeps on sliming.

No offense, but Ramstad especially this term has voted a lot with Nancy Pelosi on her key issues. If Paulsen goes to Congress and votes basically the party line he will be far more conservative than Jim Ramstad.

As for the Republicans dumping him I won’t say that is Paulsen’s fault like you have claimed. He has raised a lot of money to compete on his own. What we have here is over the last four years the national DCCC has raised far more money than the Republican version because Republicans weren’t donating because the party wasn’t doing what they wanted them to do (I’ll give the Democrats credit they will carry water for the issues of the insane liberal positions you guys have) and I will say they have agressively used it. After all they did spend money on the Alaska Republican primary to help the candidadte they wanted to defeat in the general election to win the primary.

Of course in 2010 the DCCC will be stretched to the bone having to try so many unpopular Democrat Congressman that they won’t have the money to try to defeat Congressman Paulsen when he is running for reelection.

Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN

What an idiot.

This is a clown who doesn’t have a clue. Anyone who saw this “debate” now knows that he’s probably the most lightweight guy ever to run for Congress. He was a nervous wreck.

When called out on the card check issue he showed his complete ignorance. What an unamerican idea that this lightweight supports.

Wear blinders much? He looked nervous, inexperienced, scared to death, can’t remember basic facts or even his own recent proposals. Plus, who does his hair? Wow, time to buy a comb.

Loved the lie about him not running negative ads. Please. He’s a fricken liar. Even Dillon called Ashtrays ads a “bald faced lie”.

What’s with Ashtrays voice? Sounds like he’s afraid to speak up. The under-toned, gravelly, ridiculous, fake looking into the camera act got old in about eight seconds. He’s sooooo fake.

His idiotic denial that he’s left of Ramstad was a bald faced LIE. He knows full well he’s a nutjob lefty. No one believes him.

This guys toast. If there’s a miracle to be had here it would be him even getting close to winning this thing.

And now the GOP is out; they’ve cancelled 2 of the three weeks they reserved for Paulsen, and smart betters are betting the GOP cancels the last week, too.

This race is over, if – IF – everyone on Team Madia simply does their job, and Team Madia’s supporters simply turn out.

It’s going to take a miracle for Paulsen to pull this one out.