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DFL ENDORSES SLATE OF OUT-OF-TOUCH CANDIDATES
By Luke Hellier | April 11, 2010
Yesterday the Minnesota DFL endorsed two more candidates for United States Congress.
In the Third Congressional District party activists endorsed lobbyist Jim Meffert-Nelson. Meffert-Nelson has a long history of supporting liberal causes including “card check.”
Even Democrats, like this commenter on Gavin Sullivan’s blog, have an issue with Meffert’s work as a lobbyist
Jim Meffert-Nelson is clearly out of the mainstream in the Third Congressional District. On his campaign website, Meffert acknowledges that he will vote to raise taxes as soon as he gets to Washington. Economists on both sides agree that raising taxes on Americans during a recession will not bring prosperity back to our economy.
In Minnesota’s Second District, party activists backed Dan Powers over former legislator Shelly Madore.
Not only has Powers said he wants to enact socialized medicine, he has made a commitment to:
stand with President Obama and enact the priorities voters overwhelmingly approved nationwide last year.
Powers’ blind support of President Obama and Nancy Pelosi are not values of the voters in the 2nd District. Powers is also backed by extreme left-winger Colleen Rowley. Rowley you will remember ran against Congressman John Kline in 2006. During the election she photo-shopped a picture of Kline to look like he was wearing a Nazi uniform.
Both Meffert & Powers come from the Nancy Pelosi wing of the Democratic Party. The cannot and will not support the values of voters in their respective district.
Congressmen John Kline & Erik Paulsen will need your support to beat back the radical take over of their districts.
To find out how to support Kline click here. To support Paulsen click here.
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30 Responses to “DFL ENDORSES SLATE OF OUT-OF-TOUCH CANDIDATES”
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April 11th, 2010 at 9:15 AM
Out of touch?
WHat about Congressman Paulsen?
The people of the 3rd CD deserve a Congressman that represents the diverse views of all people in the district, not only those who vow to obstruct any and every proposal put forth by our President.
Has anybody informed Congressman Paulsen that there currently is no independent candidate in the race? I would think he might consider listening to all of his constituents… the way Jim Ramstad did.
April 11th, 2010 at 9:30 AM
John Kline must really be bummed, that’s all I have to say. After all, if Dan has one thing he lacks, it’s a super polished manner. If John Kline jumps on him for that… John’ll just look like a bully.
John is going to have to about the issues with Dan, instead of attacking Dan, himself? That’s what I think. People won’t feel it’s justified if Kline attacks.
April 11th, 2010 at 10:10 AM
Since Republicans obviously have an aversion to lobbyists, the I suppose the party is going to withdraw the endorsement and support for Jenifer Loon, Representative for 42B, a former Washington lobbyist and Erik Paulsen’s state representative.
Jenifer’s husband, Doug Loon, the regional director of the National Chamber of Commerce currently lobbies in Washington for his organization.
I guess republican lobbyists are okay…
April 11th, 2010 at 11:11 AM
Another liberal stating that a women is only defined by what her husband does. stepback should take a step back and look at his/her own sexist attitude.
Does anyone know even ONE liberal that isn’t all about double standards?
April 11th, 2010 at 11:12 AM
I would think he might consider listening to all of his constituents…
(Insert whiney voice here…) “But he’s not voting like a liberal, he’s not supporting the New Messiah, he’s not “diverse” in his voting”.
Blah, blah, blah.
Keith Ellison doesn’t give a rip about voting “diversely”, Betty doesn’t give one thought to how anyone else thinks she should vote. These clowns vote liberal 100% of the time and I don’t hear you libs whining about that. Only when a conservative votes conservatively, not raising taxes, not raising spending, not taking over industries – that’s the only time you clowns want “diversity” in voting.
Please.
April 11th, 2010 at 11:15 AM
danbrome is really out of touch (no surprise there).
He supports the President when he only listens to the far left liberal minority and then turns around and claims (falsely) that Congressman Paulsen does not listen to his constituents.
Show me one issue that Congressman Paulsen has not listened to a majority of his constituents on. Just one danbrome.
April 11th, 2010 at 11:23 AM
Focused on 2010….read before answering. Please.
stepback’s post related to Jenifer Loon’s work as a lobbyist in Washington, DC on behalf of credit collection agencies through ACA International. Her husband being a lobbyist is an additional sidenote since he is a national lobbyist for the US Chamber of Commerce.
The GOP strongly supported Loon’s lobbying when she ran in 42B to replace Erik Paulsen last cycle. I’m assuming they should be loving that we could elect another lobbyist to office. No?
April 11th, 2010 at 12:40 PM
Did you hear me in between the non-related lobbyist discussion and the whiney voice accusation? I bet you did.
April 11th, 2010 at 1:39 PM
Jenifer was a registered lobbyist for quite a few years. In fact, she is quite proud of the work she did as a lobbyist, and being a lobbyist was embraced by her campaign and the republican party.
I added the fact that her husband has been and is currently a lobbyist. Another fact is that the Chamber of Commerce, through Jenifer’s husband, paid for lots of lit pieces and advertising for her campaign in 2008.
She had lots of help winning that race, and the facts are in campaign finance reporting.
As for one issue, how about Lilly Ledbetter? The majority of Americans feel that equal work for equal pay is an American issue, but Erik Paulsen does not believe that a woman should receive equal pay for equal work. His 4 daughters ought to thank their dad for his vote sanctioning that they receive 70% of what their male counterparts receive for doing the same job.
My daughter is a scientist, and I certainly want her to receive the exact same salary and benefits that her co workers receive for exactly the same job.
April 11th, 2010 at 4:03 PM
The majority of Erik Paulsen’s constituents expected a representative who would be open to both sides as Jim Ramstad was. They didn’t vote for a closed minded ideologue who’s primary goal is to obstruct.
Congressman Paulsen can vote his narrow agenda… he won the election. I would simply remind him that there are a lot of moderate Democrats who have tired of his rhetoric, and are looking for a better alternative.
Can he really afford to ignore the 52% of the voters who voted against him?
April 11th, 2010 at 4:16 PM
Dan:
The people of America didn’t want this healthcare bill. An open to both side person would’ve voted no since American’s expressed they didn’t want this bill.
Yet Ellison, Franken, Amy K, Betty M, Jim O, and Walz were the close minded who didn’t listen to their constituents by voting for it.
The people of Virginia and New Jersey sent a message loud and clear that the Democrats were on the wrong track by defeating them.
In early 2010 the people of Massachusetts (a blue state Dan) sent a message loud and clear to the country that they didn’t want nationalize health care by electing Scott Brown.
And just curious you keep talking about the 52% of the voters who Paulsen is ignoring.
Al Franken didn’t get the votes of 58% of the people of Minnesota. Shouldn’t Franken be respecting those 58%.
The slaughter of Democrats in November will take place. Too bad for us in Minnesota we don’t get to kick out one of our Senators or the President.
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN
April 11th, 2010 at 6:11 PM
Franken does respect the voters of this state. His first bill was for Veterans. I think we all can agree that Veterans should be taken care of and provided the benefits and care they deserve as a thank you for their service.
April 11th, 2010 at 7:58 PM
ladybelle,
Read the whole post. stepback did define her by her husbands role as a lobbyist. Why did you ignore that?
April 11th, 2010 at 8:15 PM
Because the point was that Loon was a registered lobbyist…married to a lobbyist. 2 GOP Loon lobbyists = okay then 1 DFL Meffert lobbyist should be, too. Can’t have double standards now, can we?
April 11th, 2010 at 8:20 PM
danbrome – it’s been nearly a week now and we’re still waiting for those examples you promised, or was that just an example of your tired old rhetoric?
April 11th, 2010 at 8:29 PM
Dan:
The people of America did want healthcare reform. It is a primary reason that President Obama was elected.
Just to recap, President Obama won the state of Minnesota quite handily. I’m pretty sure that’s because they valued his views on healthcare reform.
It litle wonder that Ellison, Franken, Amy K, Betty M, Jim O, and Walz supported their duly elected President on the major issue he ran on.
And are you seriously trying to tell me that their constituents don’t support their votes for healthcare reform? I”m afraid you are the one who is out of touch.
I will stipulate that the healthcare battle was tough on both sides, and resulted in some sour grapes from the ideologues who lost. That goes with the territory. However, don’t try to tell me that Minnesota’s congressional delegation was wrong in supporting it. The majority of Minnesotan’s voted for healthcare reform when they dumped the do nothing Republicans in November 2008
Paulsen has made it clear that he is not concerned about the 52% who voted aainst him, as he voted against the President every time, EVEN TOUGH PRESIDENT OBAMA WON THE 3RD CD comfortably.
The Democrats will likely lose seats in November as is the norm in the mid terms after we elect a new President. However, there will be no slaughter.
It’s actually uplifting to witness he GOP’s euphoria so early in the election cycle. Ever worry that the Republicans ay have peaked too soon?
April 11th, 2010 at 10:00 PM
I am just happy that my soon to be college graduate doesn’t have to be kicked off of my health care on June 1st anymore. After all, I pay for her in my plan, and the insurance company wasn’t going to change my rates for the rest of the year after they kicked her off. I’d still be paying for family coverage, even though I wasn’t getting it.
The bill might not be perfect, but at least it is a start. And Mr Hanson, if you are so opposed to government health care, just turn down that medicare and buy your own insurance policy. Just see what company would be willing to insure a senior citizen at a reasonable rate and provide the services your federal government is providing you.
I predict by the end of the summer, once people start to see how the legislation helps their own situations all of the furor will die down. We’ll see.
April 12th, 2010 at 9:09 AM
[...] up on my post from early yesterday morning about the DFL endorsing a slate of out-of-touch candidates for Congress, CQ Politics weighs in on Jim Meffert. In Minnesota’s 3rd District, [...]
April 12th, 2010 at 8:39 PM
A college graduate that needs to be on the folks insurance. The Obama/Reed/Pelosi economy really sucks doesn’t it.
April 12th, 2010 at 9:47 PM
Focused, I know it is in your nature to finger-point, but you can’t peg the crappy economy on Obama, Pelosi, and Reid. If anything, you have to give them credit for pulling us out of the tailspin that started under Bush. Take a look at this: http://img.skitch.com/20100217-rwuxhad5axhkh54r9jymx6qtt.jpg
Can’t wait for your excuses…
April 12th, 2010 at 10:26 PM
Stepback:
Try telling that to Diana Smith. She was a woman who was on Medicaid who after the Social Security administration called her up to tell her that her son can get disability was taken off her medicaid because she had too much income. Isn’t medicaid expansion a key part of the expansion of health care that you hail as an achievement? Medicaid by the way is a government run program and not a private health insurance company.
Furthermore it’s kind of hard for me to turn down Medicare since I’m several years below the age for Medicare eligibility. Of course will that be around with the $500 billion in budget cuts that the Democrats will do to make health care work for other. That might explain why the Mayo Clinic in Arizona won’t accept Medicare patinents.
Dan:
For starters the most recent poll shows that 58% of the public wants Obama Care repealed. Shouldn’t Obama and his gang listen to that 58%. After all that is 5% more than Obama won in his national election.
Furthermore you have tried to claim that this is what Obama campaigned on. Oh really he said he’ll have the negoiations on CSPAN. Somehow not included were the negoiations with the unions about trying to minimize the impact of the tax on cadilac insurance plans (something by the way that he attacked John Mccain on). Somehow not included were the negoiations that turned water on in the state of California which should’ve been turned on in the year 2009.
Obama campaigned that he will cut spending. He’ll go through the budget and cut it. Sure that’s why we got a trillion dollar health care bill, a stimlus bill of close to $900 billion, double digit spending increases.
You attacked the Republican Congress as do nothing. First of all they were replaced in the year 2006 not 2008. In that year we got Walz and Amy K elected. Well the budget deficit they inheritied was just $160 billion. Since the Democrats controlled Congress and in effect controlled the budget the deficit has jumped from $160 billion to $1.6 trillion. Wow I rather have a do nothing Congress that would’ve kept it at $160 billion.
Dan if you were truly right that this is what people want than the Democrats won’t suffer any major losses. You are aware that the Democrats could lose the US Senate in the year that the Republicans have to defend 19 seats! Barbara Boxer who comes from California is struggling to win reelection.
Dan if you were truly right than the Democrats in the House would’ve been eager to rush to vote for the bill. Yet Collin Peterson a democrat who won by 140,000 votes (thus one of those people who you claim will do the will of Obama) voted no on the health care bill. If this was truly the will of the American people Nancy Pelosi wouldn’t had to beg to get over the top.
The message that America doesn’t want this will be sent loud and clear on November 2nd. Then you won’t disagree with me that the American people don’t want this.
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN
April 13th, 2010 at 11:20 AM
The current health Care system is a Free Market system that has run amok. The reforms that have just passed will still benefit the Health insurance Companies, but with regulations that will protect consumers. What part of the law are Republicans wanting to repeal as they campaign for the US House and Senate? Some of it? All of it???
Here is what the Health Reform law does immediately….
1)having adult children covered on their parents Insurance plan until age 26.(Most are in college, starting careers that offer no Health Benefits).
2)Close the Medicare Part D donut hole within 10 years to save Seniors money on Prescription drugs. Seniors on Medicare will receive a $250 rebate this year. Next year, drugs costs will be reduced by 50%.
3) Be part of a Health Care Exchange to get better Insurance rates that will be portable from job to job. Target date is 2014.
4) Help Small Business with Tax Credits up to 35% of premiums to afford Health Insurance for their employees.
5) Have Preventative Care visits for Seniors covered under Medicare. Eliminates co-pays for preventive care.
6) No dropping of policy holders when they get sick.
7)Increased funding for Community Health Clinics that serve poor and low income Americans.
9)Helps early retirees with a temporary re-insurance program until the Exchange is established.
10)Bans lifetime limits on coverage.
11) Bans restrictive annual limits on Insurance Coverage.
12)Increases the number of Primary Care doctors, nurses, and public health officials with investments in training programs.
13) No discrimination against children with pre-existing conditions. All persons will be in effect by 2014
There are more benefits to health Care reform that will be a hard sell for any GOP candidate to say they want to repeal.
AS for Medicare cuts, that goes mainly for the fraud that takes place such as multiple billings. A few weeks ago, 60 Minutes did an interesting story on such goings on fly-by-night operations that bill Medicare for Billions annually. Even the operations such as Motorized Scooters, Stair lifts, step in tubs, and other non-medical equipment are under scrutiny for their billing on behalf to legitimate or deceased clients.
Medicare benefits are not being cut. I had to set my elderly mother straight on several points.
April 13th, 2010 at 11:33 AM
The first discussion of a National Health Care system for Americans started with Teddy Roosevelt in the early 1900′s. The onset of WWI, put the discussion aside.
The issue was brought up again with Harry Truman after the ending of WWII. But southern Democrats and established Republicans at the time fought him on this. They did not want Blacks afforded benefits of that of whites.
After the passage of Medicare in 1965, there was some equity to be had on the part of Seniors be they Black, White, or Nationalized Citizen age eligible at the program’s implement.
Richard Nixon championed Health Care Expansion. Congress fought him on that as well.
Bill Clinton tried in 1993, only to fail.
Now with the Obama Administration finally passing into law some assemblence of Health Care reform, this country is on the right path. This discussion was not rushed.
Nor are the reforms a “government takeover” of Health Care. England has total Government run Health Care where everyone in the medical field is an employee of that government. That will not be happening here.
The Health Insurance companies will have rules they will have to follow. They will still profit with the influx of more consumers.
April 13th, 2010 at 12:25 PM
LadyK..
Many thanks for the thoughtful summary. I hope we can all learn a bit more about the provisions in the new law.
You are officially a Minnesota Democrat who has been exposed for knowing the facts.
Bravo!
April 13th, 2010 at 2:55 PM
Looks like the GOP may have peaked too soon? Here is a taste of reality guys…
http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/04/13/rel7d.pdf
April 13th, 2010 at 10:10 PM
Dan and Lady K:
Lady K went and took talking points of what the Democrats thought was in the bill. If this bill does what is described why is Diana Smith losing her medicaid coverage which is government run?
Why if this program is so good is the New York Times reporting that members of Congress weren’t aware that some of their staff could lose their medical coverage with no back up?
Why is the Los Angeles Times reporting that this is stopping premium increases?
Lady K you are aware that hole in medicare coverage is being filled by killing medicare advantage accounts which benefits an insurance company called AARP? I thought you didn’t want insurance companies to profit by this bill.
And I assume that you two are aware a former offical who worked for the CBO when he scores it properly estimates that the deficit cost
So keep talking those democrat talking points. You’re the type of people who pretended the emperor had clothes on when he was naked.
And Dan the the GOP is still rising to have one of the greatest midterm elections in history.
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN
April 13th, 2010 at 10:52 PM
AARP is not an Insurance Company, Walter. I thought you knew that, with all due respect! But an Advocacy group for people 50 and over. You might say AARP, American Association of Retired People, is the NRA of Lobbying groups.
Even with the closing of the Medicare Part D, those with Medicare Advantage Insurance plans will see their Drug costs go down over the years. My Mother has such a Plan to help cover her meds. She is 76. Saving money is key.
There is no question the GOP will gain seats in the House in the midterms. But John Boehner will not be Speaker. The Democrats will still hold on to a slimmer majority.
My facts presented are correct.
April 14th, 2010 at 1:05 AM
Lady K:
AARP runs an insurance business which benefited by this plan. The fact that you didn’t know this well known fact shows you just pulled up a talking point list and didn’t know what you were talking about.
Furthermore your example of using the NRA is off based here. What the AARP did was the equivelent of the NRA lobbying for gunowners to be forced to give up their guns. After all this plan has $500 billion in medicare cuts so other people can get insurance.
So once again Lady K I compliment you on your fiction writing. After all even Democrat lawmakers are discovering after they passed the bill that things that they thought were in the bill weren’t there or like Senator Nelson who was interviewed on television in trying to defend himself had no idea who proposed the $100 million for Nebraska.
So are in favor of the $500 billion in increase deficit spending that this bill will create?
You talk about your Mom saving money. Well one of the tax increases which they passed to raise the revenues to pay for health care bill by limiting medical deductions. That affects 14 million people (maybe your mother) and in the year 2019 alone people making less than $200,000 will pay $3 billion dollars alone.
I think those 14 million will disagree with you that this is a great thing.
Speaker Boehner is coming! The only question is will Mitch Mcconnell be the majority leader in the Senate or what Democrat is going to be asked to fill Harry Reid’s job since the voters of Nevada will retire him.
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN
April 14th, 2010 at 8:33 AM
Walter..
You are dreaming.
http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/04/13/rel7d.pdf
April 14th, 2010 at 11:07 AM
I stand correct on points, Walter. AARP does sponsor Insurance plans of their own as well as endorse others to aid Seniors, save money on travel, hotels, meals, etc.
I used the NRA as a metaphor in that AARP has a very large membership as does the afore mentioned. When I am wrong on points, I fess up.