Ya really want to go hear, do you think Pawlenty could have ever gotten to 50% ? Or how about the sales tax increase for the arts? That’s ok since people voted it in?

Thank you for asking.

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1815538,00.html

How was your vacation? You were sorely missed here.

I don’t want “sources” at the Capitol telling me who are our top-tier candidates. As I said, I think it’s perfectly fine to hear which legislators are considering a serious run for governor. But I don’t want someone else telling me who are “top-tier” candidates when they aren’t.

I.R.,

I agree Senator Hann is very intelligent and solidly conservative. But he’s no different, in that respect, than a myriad of other legislators in our party. We need someone who is accomplished and stands out from the field — someone who is well-known around the state and can build a state-wide grassroots campaign. I don’t think Senator Hann fits that mold.

It appears that Tommy is jealous that Ryan as succeeded where Tommy failed.

LOL

Liberal danbrome: Doesn’t understand the Presidential Primary System because he is ignorant … Ship it!

I don’t see a problem with that. I don’t see a problem with you saying that you do.

As far as the troll who posted inuendo about Brod’s personal life – that sounds exactly like something Tommy Johnson would post.

Ship it!

I sent one through the contact page at MDE. If you didn’t get it, no problem!

My quibble with you is more in your wording. I hate it when people are already telling us who our top-tier candidates are when (1) nobody has announced yet and (2) the names mentioned don’t have a snowball’s chance… If you’re saying that these folks are all very likely to run, then I’d have no problem. You know, Rudy Giuliani was named a top-tier candidate for president by pundits in the media. He was even my guy. But Rudy didn’t win a single state and I’m not sure that he even got a single delegate at the convention.

All I’m saying is that we have to be careful who we’re calling our top candidates when it’s so early.

Also, comments making ridiculous accusations will not be tolerated.

Anyone who voted for this can NOT claim to have not raised taxes in Minnesota. Brod sure as hell did. Just not on HER voters.

Let me also be clear that by top-tier I don’t mean the most conservative. I’m not sure who the most conservative state rep. is, but I highly doubt it’s anyone most of us have heard of. By top-tier I mean someone who has statewide name ID, someone who can build a statewide organization and can raise the funds needed to win. I also want that person to be conservative.

Frankly, I wish Erik Paulsen was still in the legislature. I think he would have made an excellent candidate for governor. The problems with the others are that Marty doesn’t come from a very populated part of the state and isn’t really that great on television; Hann comes from a more populated part of the state but isn’t well-known outside of his district and his legislative record (other than exempting fast food companies from liability from the obese) is pretty thin; Brod also isn’t that well-known outside of her district (but is well-covered in the Mankato newspapers) and doesn’t have the temparament in my opinion to make a great statewide candidate.

With apologies to my Hennepin County friends, I wouldn’t consider the Twins stadium issue a defining moment for our GOP principles. Certainly holding the line on taxes and spending overall for the last 7 years has been defining. While I agree that there was a state statute on record with respect to holding a referendum on the stadium, please note that statutes can be changed and superceded by another statute. With all due respect to my friends in Hennepin County, if you didn’t want a stadium why keep electing the same seven commissioners (with the exception of the former-Penny Steele) year after year? For crying out loud, they make $100,000 a year! Run against them!

Laura does have a high opinion of herself and she let’s everyone know it. Unfortunately, when a “defining moment” comes up (as in the Twins stadium), she abandons GOP principles.

There are not many votes that define someone. Override votes are one. This Twins bill was another. Considering she’s #19 out of 49 in the House, she’s certainly not a top-tier candidate for anything, much less minority leader.

Personally, I don’t think Laura Brod is a top contender. As long as we’re being honest about people, I think she has a much higher opinion of herself than her legislative record and her grasp of the issues. Frankly, as I privately e-mailed Ryan, I think this thread is a horrible idea because I don’t really consider anyone besides Pat Anderson and perhaps Marty Siefert “top tier.” Moreover, I don’t think it’s appropriate to have a thread where folks are invited to claim certain GOP members (Laura Brod) are openly having multiple affairs.

All thanks to “solid conservatives” like Laura Brod.

Oh well, I’m glad your multi-billionaire and his multi-millionaire employees all got $500 million of our tax dollars. Glad to see corporate welfare is alive and well.

Glad to here a clear minority can rule a strong majority in this county. Damn the Constitution and damn the State Statutes.

When you look at the 2008 lifetime scores from the Taxpayer’s League, she ranks #19 in the Republican caucus. #19 out of 49.

Sorry, that’s proof enough for me that she ain’t what you think she is. That means, to me, that there are 18 better choices than Brod.

Only 2 GOP representatives from HennCo voted FOR the Twins stadium rape: Sykora (who didn’t run for re-election) and Neil Peterson (member of the Override Gang).

I think Mike and Ryan are both smitten with the kitten. Will they wack her for this? Nope.

I have the list of turncoat weasels that sold Hennepin County down the river. Some are still in Saint Paul.

I will never forget watching “Republican” legislators that let this happen. Never.

Unfortunately, Mike and Ryan are lapdogs for people like Brod.

She might to to Hennepin County once in a while to maybe …see a Twins Game? The stadium is close enought for Brod and her constituents to enjoy but not pay for – its a win-win for residents outside of Hennepin County.

Ryan – do you have a crush on her?

Outstate GOP reps swallowed the tripe and voted to ram that tax increase down our throats. Here’s a great idea: Let’s build a Vikings statium in Scott county and ram THAT tax increase down Laura Brod’s throat!

Here’s Lunkhead Laura’s logic (I’ve witnesses it):

A: All the people I represent said it was a good idea.

B: Hennepin County’s board ASKED for this.

C: Well, I’ll have to pay it too when I’m in Hennepin County

My responses are:

If its such a damn good idea, then make it a statewide tax. Once its YOUR ox being gored, your happy gnomes that “like” this idea that you represent will be humming a different tune.

If the Hennepin County board passed a resolution asking you to jump off the Lake Stree bridge, would you do that too? Or do you just do whatever any county commission tells you to do…in which case…why do we need a state legislature?

Yeah, Laura, you pass through Hennepin county (during session) and buy a bag of groceries once-in-a-while. I live here 24/7…you can avoid the tax MUCH easier than I can.

Unfortunately, Brodkorb loves Brod, as exhibited by his fawning interviews with the witch. Don’t expect Mike to hold her responsible.

Interesting issue. For me, it is simply unthinkable for a state legislator to vote for a tax increase in a county that’s opposed by that county’s legislators. That’s just a basic violation of good manners. I would be interested in hearing Rep. Brod’s explanation for this.

http://www.startribune.com/local/46912222.html

As far as name recognition, all three have it … to the point where a nomination of any the three would help get a Republican elected.

Nobody, I mean NOBODY, in the Hennepin County GOP has forgotten her vote and defense of ripping our right to vote by referendum on the Twins stadium.

And I will take great joy in reminding my state delegate friends of this woman.