Minnesota Democrats Exposed ©

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HATCH PLAYS DOCTOR

"Dr." appeared before Hatch's name during an interview today on CNBC.

MN GOP CALLS ON MATT ENTENZA TO FUND CAMPAIGN WITHOUT PROCEEDS FROM FAMILY UNITEDHEALTH STOCK OPTIONS

"With the CEO of UnitedHeath Group now calling for an end to company stock options, attorney general candidate Matt Entenza must make known whether he will use the millions his family made off UnitedHealth stock options to fund his campaign.

"Even the current CEO of United Health now says he’s done with excessive stock options. Will ‘consumer advocate’ Matt Entenza say enough is enough and reject the millions the Entenza family has made off UnitedHealth stock options to fund his campaign?”

-Ron Carey, Chairman of the Republican Party of Minnesota

UnitedHealth CEO Calls For An End To Stock Options After Heavy Criticism

UnitedHealth CEO Calls For An End To Stock Options. "As Minnetonka-based UnitedHealth Group has come under increased scrutiny for how it doles out stock options, the company's chief executive, William McGuire, said Tuesday he is recommending that the health insurer suspend any further equity-based awards for most senior executives . The move, announced at the company's quarterly earnings call, came the same day that a front-page story in the Wall Street Journal called attention to McGuire's growing wealth. One of the nation's best-paid CEOs, McGuire held exercisable stock options valued at $1.6 billion at the end of last year.” (Julie Forster, “CEO Wants Insurer To Halt Stock Options,” Pioneer Press , April 19, 2006)

Criticism Of UnitedHealth Grows. " Criticism of UnitedHealth's pay practices has been heating up in recent weeks , after an earlier Wall Street Journal story raised questions about the timing of stock option grants to McGuire and other executives. A shareholder lawsuit followed in late March. On Tuesday, Minnesota's attorney general said he had filed on behalf of the state to become a third party to that suit ." (Julie Forster, “CEO Wants Insurer To Halt Stock Options,” Pioneer Press , April 19, 2006)

Entenza & UnitedHealth

Entenza’s Family Fortune Based On Millions In UnitedHealth Stock Options. "Entenza has family money to help finance a campaign. His wife, Lois Quam, is the chief executive officer at UnitedHealth Group's Ovations Division. Public filings show her stock options alone are worth millions, and a stock sale in August brought her nearly $8.9 million ." (Martiga Lohn, “Entenza Jumps Into Attorney General Race,” The Associated Press , October 26, 2005)

Entenza Has Refused To Rule Out Spending Family Fortune To Finance AG Race. "The minority leader said he hasn't decided whether to stick to spending limits required to receive public campaign subsidies which would limit him to spending about $73,000 this year and about $364,000 in 2006. He said it might be hard to stand out with voters without exceeding the limit next year, when races for U.S. Senate and governor will hog the spotlight." (Martiga Lohn, “Entenza Jumps Into Attorney General Race,” The Associated Press , October 26, 2005)

DFL UPSET OVER NEWSPAPER ADS

Senator John Marty

Senator Don Betzold

Senator Satveer Chaudhary

Minnesota DFL Chair Brian Melendez just held a news conference to discuss the photos of certain Minnesota DFL senators used by Minnesota Citizens in Defense of Marriage in new newspaper ads.

ANGRY AL FRANKEN TO SPEAK AT DFL CONVENTION IN BEMIDJI

Al Franken blowing his top at the 2004 RNC National Convention

"Radio talk-show host Al Franken is the keynote speaker at the D-F-L Party's Seventh Congressional District endorsing convention in Bemidji this weekend.

Franken is scheduled to speak Saturday night at the Northern Inn. A limited number of tickets remain.

Franken recently moved his show from New York City to Minneapolis. He's mulling a possible challenge to Republican Senator Norm Coleman in 2008.

Congressman Collin Peterson is seeking endorsement for re-election at Saturday's convention.

Others speakers tentatively set to speak include U-S Senator Mark Dayton and former state Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe." Source: Associated Press, April 19, 2006

CHIEF OF STAFF PROUD OF RECORD THAT LANDS DAYTON ON LIST OF WORST SENATORS

"That's a record to be proud of." Jack Danielson, Chief of Staff to Senator Mark Dayton. Source: Star Tribune , April 18, 2006

Tags: Mark Dayton

WILDE'S JOB NUMBERS ARE WILDLY FALSE

"There is only 1 job for every 3 people looking in Minnesota." Source: Wendy Wilde for Congress website

Reality:

"During fourth quarter 2005, we estimate that there were 5.8 job vacancies for every 10.0 unemployed people statewide." Source: Minnesota Job Vacancy Survey , DEED.

WILDE GOES WILD: WENDY WILDE FOR CONGRESS WEBSITE

I want to thank Wendy Wilde for deciding to against Congressman Jim Ramstad. I'll have so much fun exposing her ridiculous efforts to defeat Ramstad.

Tags: Jim Ramstad , Wendy Wilde

MN GOP: KLOBUCHAR "HERO" MARK DAYTON NAMED ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE'S "WORST SENATORS"

"It's official: Amy Klobuchar's 'hero' Mark Dayton is one of America's worst Senators, according to Time magazine.

" Time' s recognition of Dayton represents a fitting end to a term marked by bizarre behavior and far-left ineffectiveness.

"In her efforts to succeed the left-wing Dayton, Klobuchar has said that it is 'humbling' to think of Dayton's service and praised him as one of her political 'heroes.'

"On issue after issue, Amy Klobuchar and Mark Dayton are two liberal peas in a pod.

"If you liked Mark Dayton, you are going to love Amy Klobuchar."

- Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Ron Carey

Time Magazine: "Mark Dayton: The Blunderer." "When he was elected in 2000, Minnesota Democrat Mark Dayton seemed well prepared, having worked as an aide to Walter Mondale in the 1970s. But he has exhibited erratic behavior since then: in October 2004 he shut down his office for almost a month, citing an unspecified terrorist threat." ("America's Worst - Mark Dayton: The Blunderer," Time , April 14, 2006)

Amy Klobuchar Humbled By "Hero" Mark Dayton. "It's humbling to think of some of the great people we've sent to represent us in the Senate: Hubert Humphrey, Walter Mondale, Dave Durenberger, Mark Dayton and Paul Wellstone. Inspired by these heroes, but even more by the everyday heroes whose names have never been headlined, I am ready to take this fight for Minnesota to our nation's capitol." (Amy Klobuchar Announcement Speech, April 17, 2005)

Detroit Lakes Tribune : Klobuchar Considers Dayton Political Hero. "She combines her toughness as Hennepin County's top prosecutor with the inspiration of her political heroes: Humphrey, Mondale, Durenburger and Wellstone. So she is hoping her party the Minnesota DFL will endorse her as its replacement for another Klobuchar hero: Mark Dayton." (Tim Kjos, "Klobuchar Vies For Dayton's Job," Detroit Lakes Tribune , August 15, 2005)

TIME'S "AMERICA'S WORST SENATORS" LIST INCLUDEDS DAYTON

"Mark Dayton: The Blunderer

When he was elected in 2000, Minnesota Democrat Mark Dayton seemed well prepared, having worked as an aide to Walter Mondale in the 1970s. But he has exhibited erratic behavior since then: in October 2004 he shut down his office for almost a month, citing an unspecified terrorist threat. The 99 other Senators had access to the same intelligence and kept their offices open, even while Dayton went on television to tell his constituents not to visit the Capitol. In February Dayton, 59, made another notable blunder. The Mayo Clinic, which is in Rochester, Minn., was opposed to a South Dakota — based company's plan to expand its railroads into Rochester because it would mean dozens of trains passing by the clinic each day. Dayton told FORTUNE magazine the Mayo Clinic is 'worth a hell of a lot more than the whole state of South Dakota.' He later apologized for the remark.

Inside the Senate, Dayton has passed few bills partly because some are too liberal for the Republican-controlled body, including one that would have created a Department of Peace and Nonviolence. He has confounded his colleagues by complaining about basic facts of the job, such as his limited power in a chamber where authority derives from seniority. He announced early last year that he wouldn't seek re-election." Source: Time , April 17, 2006

DAMN GOOGLE ADS

I don't mind the ads to "Meet Democratic Singles", but I draw the line at ads for the Independence Party of Minnesota.

TECHNICAL CHANGES TO MDE

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MDE FROM THE ARCHIVES: DFL NEEDS A HISTORY LESSON

I wrote this post on March 31, 2005.

"DFL Party officials have picked up on the buzz and are beginning to ask whether Pawlenty intends to finish a second term, if reelected.

'Maybe Rove's the guy that Pawlenty wants to run his presidential campaign,' said Bill Amberg, the DFL Party's communications director. 'But obviously the governor has a lot of more important work to do here in Minnesota. ... We hope he focuses more of his time on governing and less on politicking.'" Source: Star Tribune , March 31, 2005

For the next 585 days, the DFL Party is going to ask Governor Pawlenty if he intends on finishing his second term. They will try and make the case that Pawlenty is using Minnesota as a stepping stone to the White House.

But one of Minnesota's most respected and admired statesman, Hubert H. Humphrey, ran for president three times within 12 years. In fact when Humphrey announced his "political resurrection" on June 13, 1970, "Humphrey said he had no intention of seeking the Democratic presidential nomination in 1972..." Source: Almost to the Presidency, by Albert Eisele.

Less two years later on January 10, 1972, Humphrey announced that he was seeking the Democratic nomination for president.

Humphrey's presidential ambitions didn't start when he was elected to the U.S. Senate for the first time in 1948: "Even as mayor of Minnesapolis in the 1940's, Humphrey and his closest advisors thought it not preposterous to talk about whom they would have in a Humphrey Cabinet." Source: Almost to the Presidency, by Albert Eisele

So the next time the DFL asks Pawlenty if he plans on finishing his second term, think of the Happy Warrior, Hubert H. Humphrey, and his never ending campaign for the presidency.

Disclaimer: I don't want any complaints from DFLers about comparing Pawlenty to Humphrey. I am not claiming that Humphrey's record of public service equals Pawlenty's accomplishments in office. I am making a historical comparison of two Minnesota politicians.

MN GOP: DFL GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES CELEBRATE TAX DAY

DFL GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES CELEBRATE TAX DAY
Hatch, Lourey & Kelley Have Long Records Supporting Tax Increases

"Mike Hatch, Steve Kelley and Becky Lourey all have long records supporting tax increases. Tax hikes will end economic growth and kill jobs in our state.

"While every day may be tax day for Hatch, Lourey and Kelley, Minnesotans aren't interested in the tired old DFL tax and spend agenda.

"As Minnesotans finish filing their returns and express frustration with high taxes, DFLers continue to push for tax increases which will harm our economy and destroy jobs."

-Ron Carey, Chairman of the Republican Party of Minnesota

DFL CANDIDATES HAVE LONG SUPPORTED TAX INCREASES

Attorney General Mike Hatch:

2006: Mike Hatch Refused to Say Whether He Would Raise Taxes to Pay for His Agenda. "After the speech, Hatch dodged reporters' questions on issue that might have overshadowed his desired message. He declined to say whether he would raise taxes to pay for his campaign promises, whether he supports a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage or whether he would call a special legislative session to act on proposed baseball and football stadiums." (Bill Salisbury, “Mike Hatch Makes His Run Official,” Pioneer Press, October 25, 2005)

1990: Mike Hatch Announces, Says He Will Not Raise Taxes. "Hatch, who has had a statewide volunteer organization drumming up support for him for a year, said his campaign will focus on two issues - improving economic opportunity for Minnesotans and restoring Minnesota values. . He promised to be a hands-on governor who will not raise taxes or cater to special interests groups." (“Hatch Joins DFL Governor’s Contest,” UPI, January 22, 1990)

1990: Mike Hatch Pledged No New Tax Increases; Proposed Three New Tax Increases. "Hatch has sent mixed messages. In announcing his candidacy last winter, he declared: 'I won't raise taxes.' But since then he has proposed at least three new taxes. One is the payroll tax he proposed to finance health care for the uninsured. Hatch said that tax should be offset by lower premiums for existing health plans. The other taxes he proposed are those on toxic chemicals and non-recyclable packages that are designed to discourage pollution." (Bill Salisbury, “The Perpich, Hatch Face Off: Where Gov. Rudy Perpich And Former Commerce Commissioner Mike Hatch Stand On Major Issues As They Campaign For The Sept. 11 Primary,” Pioneer Press, August 26, 1990)

1990: Mike Hatch Proposed Payroll Tax Increase. "DFLer Mike Hatch is the first candidate for governor to propose a way to provide health care to the estimated 375,000 Minnesotans who don't have health insurance. Hatch also is the first candidate who is courageous - or foolish - enough to propose a tax increase to pay for it. His plan would cost large companies $2 per employee each month - a proposal certain to spark business opposition. Hatch says he would offset any tax increases with cost-cutting measures." (Bill Salisbury, “Hatch Offers Plan To Help Uninsured Get Health Care Tax[;] Would Expand State-Sponsored Insurance Pool,” Pioneer Press, July 15, 1990)

Senator Becky Lourey:

2006: Becky Lourey Advocates Increasing Gas Tax. "Both [Kelly] Doran and [Becky] Lourey voiced support for a gas tax increase like the one Pawlenty vetoed last year. It would have added 10 cents to the 20-cent-a-gallon tax in effect since 1988." (Conrad deFiebre, “Race For Governor; DFLers Spare Each Other, Saving Barbs For Pawlenty,” Star Tribune, March 8, 2006)

2006: Becky Lourey Claims Minnesotans Tell Her To Raise Their Taxes. "While they offered no specifics on how to pay for education and other state programs, Lourey says many people support a tax increase. 'As I've been campaigning, wealthy Minnesotans have said to me, "please, please, raise our taxes. We believe in public education. We know that it is the melting pot for our state," ' Lourey said." (Laura McCallum, “Hatch Keeping Low Profile As Competitors Score Points At Business Forum,” Minnesota Public Radio Website, February 8, 2006)

2002: Becky Lourey Said '04-'05 Deficit Couldn't Be Solved Without A Tax Increase. "Two DFL candidates, state Sen. Becky Lourey of Kerrick and Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe of Erskine, said the state’s projected $3.2 billion budget shortage projected for 2004-05 can’t be fixed without tax increases. 'I'll be very candid with you, in order to replenish the budget reserve and deal with the structural problem in ‘04-05, we're going to have to raise taxes,’ Moe said. Lourey said the balancing would have to come from 'reserves, decreases in spending and increased tax revenues.'" (Dane Smith, “Tax Issue Divides DFL, GOP Gubernatorial Hopefuls,” Star Tribune, March 1, 2002)

2002: Becky Lourey Said She Wants To Raise Gas Tax. "Moe thanked business leaders for creating a ‘middle ground’ and pushing the idea of a gasoline-tax increase dedicated to transportation and said he supported that plan. Lourey said she also supports a gas tax increase." (Dane Smith, “Tax Issue Divides DFL, GOP Gubernatorial Hopefuls,” Star Tribune, March 1, 2002)

2002: Becky Lourey Campaigned On Raising Taxes. "And while Dutcher and Moe are rather vague on exactly how they would pay for increased costs of public programs, Lourey said she favors rolling back the recent income and property tax cuts for high-income Minnesotans." (Dane Smith, “(Mostly) Civil DFLers Gear Up For Convention,” Star Tribune, April 28, 2002)

Senator Steve Kelley:

2006: Steve Kelley, Becky Lourey, and Former Candidate Kelly Doran Voice Support For Gas Tax Increase. "Real estate developer Kelly Doran and state Sens. Steve Kelley and Becky Lourey all said they would push to expand coverage and reduce the costs of health care, a mounting problem for many businesses. All said they would accelerate state spending or ‘investment’ on highways and mass transit, and all indicated they would likely approve a gasoline tax increase to relieve what one them called a 'congestion tax' on businesses." (Dane Smith, “3 DFL Candidates Mostly Agree At Business Forum,” Star Tribune, February 9, 2006)

2005: Steve Kelley Introduced A Bill Without A Funding Source, Said Tax Increases Are One Way To Pay For It. "Republicans and DFLers from both the House and Senate on Friday announced an education budget plan they say would pump $750 million into Minnesota schools over the next two years. ... 'This bill does not contain a funding source,' said Sen. Steve Kelley, DFL-Hopkins, the bill's primary Senate author, at a Capitol news conference called to announce the plan. 'It sets out a funding priority for the state. At this stage of the game we don't know where the funding's coming from.' Proposal backers say funding will probably have to come from increased fees and taxes of some sort. But no one identified the specific sources. 'I know how we're going to fund this is critically important,' Kelley said. 'I think tax increases need to be in the mix.'" (Norman Draper, “Bigger Education Budget Proposed,” Star Tribune, February 26, 2005

Tags: Tim Pawlenty, Steve Kelley, Mike Hatch, Kelly Doran, Sheila Kiscaden, Becky Lourey, Russ Koch

CHECKS AND "NO" BALANCE #2

"We doubt there will be many blacks who publicly support Republicans in the future." Checks and Balances

In fact, there are numerous African-American candidates for statewide office in 2006:

Ken Blackwell - GOP candidate for governor in Ohio.

Keith Butler - GOP candidate for the U.S. Senate in Michigan.

Michael Steele - GOP endorsed candidate for the U.S. Senate in Maryland.

Lynn Swann - GOP endorsed candidate for governor in Pennsylvania.

CHECKS AND "NO" BALANCE

I've come to expect shoddy writing and poor analysis from Checks and Balances, but this is a new low:

"Republicans have already lost any inroads they made with the African-American constituency with their handling of Hurricane Katrina. We doubt there will be many blacks who publicly support Republicans in the future.

It seems like the Republican playbook may need some new pages." Source: Checks and Balances

DFL FIRES DUD AT DAY #2

"[Senator Dick] Day is hardly alone in employing a relative who is paid through campaign funds.

Ryan Kelly managed father Randy Kelly's mayoral campaigns in St. Paul. And Attorney General Mike Hatch, a DFLer, hired his nephew, Joe Hatch, as a campaign "contractor,'' paying him more than $67,700 between 1999 and 2003.

In his gubernatorial campaign this year, Hatch's niece Kari Erickson is on the payroll.

Ruth declined to comment on the Hatch or Kelly examples." Source: Associated Press, April 14, 2006

Tags: DFL , Brian Melendez , David Ruth, Dick Day

DFL CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS

If the DFL has a problem with taxpayers money being used on campaigns, then they should return the $4,262,148 of taxpayer money the DFL state party, caucuses, and candidates have recieved to fund their campaigns.

Tags: DFL, Brian Melendez, David Ruth, Dick Day

DFL FIRES DUD AT DAY

This may be the dumbest press release I have ever read.

If I had the time, which I don't, I'd find numerous examples of DFLers hiring family members to work on their campaign committee. I know Mike Hatch has hired family members to work on his campaigns.

After waving the white flag, I knew it was only a matter of time before the DFL would continue their desperate and dishonest attacks on Republicans.

"If the Republican Party wants to play games, they can go right ahead. While they play at politics, the DFL Party will work at government. We’ll see whose product Minnesota voters are more interested in." Source: DFL Party press release, March 24, 2006

Tags: DFL, Brian Melendez, David Ruth, Dick Day