According to the Star Tribune, investigators entered Sheedy’s home this month on a federal search warrant only to find many of the “stolen” pieces still in his possession. Sheedy has not yet been charged, but investigators say evidence has been found of mail and wire fraud as well.

Sheedy and former Pres. Jimmy Carter via CarterCenter.org

Within the last five years, Sheedy has made major contributions (some listed below) to some of Minnesota’s finest DFL leaders, including Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Rep. Tim Walz, Sen. Al Franken, Maureen Reed, Patty Wetterling, and the Obama for America fund.

Contribution records via CQ Moneyline

Will Senator Klobuchar set an example for the rest of the recipients of Sheedy’s funds and return his fraudulent donations and/or donate the contributions to her favorite charity?

Tags: 2012 Election, Al Franken, Amy Klobuchar, Barack Obama, Patty Wetterling, Star Tribune

Many were disappointed in the University of Minnesota Duluth Kirby Ballroom, awaiting the appearance of U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar at the Farm Forum, sponsored by Food and Water Watch. After an outpouring of calls and letters, Klobuchar indicated she’d accept an invitation to attend to discuss important issues related to her perceived corporate-friendly and anti-food consumer stances. She serves on the Senate Agriculture Committee. At the very least, she indicated she’d send a staff person from her office.

She chose the latter, offering no reason. She chose not to interact directly with her constituents.

In the recent past, she did, however, find the time to travel to Duluth to hob-nob with Norwegian royalty. Her Duluth constituents didn’t rate that same kind of attention. She also more recently took the time to attend a photo opportunity with Gov. Mark Dayton and the Minnesota Thanksgiving turkey pardoned by the president. Her constituents didn’t even rank up there with a turkey!

Photo via Governor Dayton's office

Tags: 2012 Election, Amy Klobuchar

Here’s the story from the Star Tribune.

Tags: 2012 Election, Amy Klobuchar, Star Tribune

The group organizing the Southwest Minnesota Broadband Services (SWMBS) project has had the full support of Sens. Franken and Klobuchar. Klobuchar praised the project during a visit to Windom, MN last April. The Worthington Daily Globe reports that, “After much anticipation, construction will kick off Monday for fiber-optic cables, which will provide high-speed Internet to eight surrounding communities: Jackson, Lakefield, Round Lake, Bingham Lake, Brewster, Wilder, Heron Lake and Okabena.”

A Freedom Foundation of MN report released earlier this month provides insight as to why this project is the antithesis of a free market initiative that allowed for questionably low input from the local taxpayers that are subsidizing it:

When bids were recently opened by the Southwest Minnesota Broadband Services (SMBS) consortium, proponents of the fiber optic stimulus project found out it was going to cost more than they bargained for–$1.7 million more. Suddenly, a venture that started out as a $12.8 million “government giveaway” became dependent upon local taxpayers for a bailout.

…

Eight rural cities will own and operate SMBS, a 125-mile long fiber optic network that will offer telephone, video and internet service to some 3,300 residences and 350 businesses. Half of the $12.8 million federal stimulus funding came in the form of a grant, while the other half is a Rural Utilities Services (RUS) loan that SMBS officials say will be repaid through revenues from the network. Several private providers already offer high speed internet services in the area, but city and county officials insist their network will be faster and help retain local employers such as Toro.

Despite a lagging economy and difficult times for local government, five of the consortium’s small, rural communities have already anted up $1 million, loaning local tax dollars to the project as required by  federal law.. Contributions from local governments range from $520,000 from the city of Jackson (population 3,299) to $30,000 from Bingham Lake (population 126) — an amount larger than the $27,487 in Local Government Aid (LGA) the city received in 2010.

…

SMBS’ application for federal stimulus funding refers to Windomnet as a success story that “proves these networks can be built and remain competitive.” An audit provided to the Windom City Council on June 21st, however, found that Windomnet lost $661,301 in 2010 despite its reported revenues of about $1.8 million.  The audit indicates the Windom broadband network has $15.3 million in remaining long-term debt and additional liabilities on the city books.

Here’s the part of the report that describes how many residents were given the chance to vote on this massive public expenditure (none):

None of the eight southwestern Minnesota communities involved have scheduled a referendum to give local taxpayers the opportunity to vote on whether to proceed with the government-run telecom project. State law requires local governments to receive 65 percent of votes cast in a referendum in order to own and operate a telephone exchange. In November, 2000 Windom voters approved a ballot question allowing the city to implement the Windomnet system with 67 percent support.  After seeking legal advice, SMBS officials intend to move ahead without turning to voters of the eight cities in the consortium for approval.

“That whole referendum question, some do it and some don’t,” Olsen said. ”That’s always been a hot potato in Minnesota.” 

Tags: 2012 Election, Al Franken, Amy Klobuchar, Freedom Foundation of MN

When asked for a suggestion of a possible “fair” mediator, Dayton named retired Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan Lebedoff, whom has made campaign contributions to the following campaigns: Sen. Amy Klobuchar, President Barack Obama, and Mike Ciresi for Senate. MN State News wrote, “A review of campaign finance records shows that Lebedoff has made political contributions to the campaigns of Amy Klobuchar and Barack Obama. Additionally, at least one relative of Lebedoff was a major contributor to Dayton’s 2000 Senate campaign. Katie Tinucci, the governor’s press secretary, said Dayton ‘suggested Mr. Lebedoff as a possible mediator, but at this point, it was just a suggestion‘.”

Justice Lebedoff

Dayton seemed flustered after pulling the plug on allowing his Commissioners to appear before the Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy meeting which Speaker Zellers and Maj. Leader Koch called to help move the fiscal impasse forward in a constructive and open forum. Dayton’s suggestion of a mediator was disturbing and reminiscent of his strong ties to labor.

GOP leaders told Dayton of their stance on the LCPFP meeting in a letter to him, saying:
“We would like information on plants to offset the loss of $1.8 billion in revenue in the Governor’s budget due to the recent change in the administration’s tax plan. Specifically, be prepared to discuss the legislature’s spending reductions the Governor will agree to, or new spending reduction proposals. On multiple occassions the Governor has indicated an interest in exempting small business from the effects (of) his tax increase plan. We are interested in knowing how this proposal changes revenue estimates for the administration’s budget, and what offsets are proposed to allow small businesses to keep more of their hard-earned money.“

Tags: 2010 Election, 2011 Session, AFSCME, Amy Klobuchar, Barack Obama, Checks and Balances, DFL, Mark Dayton, Mike Ciresi, YouTube

However, in the lucrative world of internet content streaming, Minnesotans can feel confident their senior senator is well versed. This month, Sen. Klobuchar introduced S. 978, a bill to increase penalties for those that stream internet content illegally. The bill doesn’t seem to have gone anywhere yet, but you can add this to the extensive list of regulatory additions to U.S. code that she has been well known for during her time on the Hill.

From the article:

The text of S. 978 isn’t yet available from the official THOMAS system, but Klobuchar’s office sent us a copy of the brief bill. Under current law, “reproducing” and “distributing” copyrighted works are felony charges and cover P2P transfers and Web downloads. But streaming is a “public performance” rather than a “distribution”—and holding a public performance without a proper license is not a felony. S. 978 adds “public performance” to the felony list.

Meanwhile, our junior senator has had no trouble taking on the role of internet police chief either. Sen. Franken has been pushing regulatory garble-de-goop since he took office in 2009. The Hill had a story about Franken’s Net Neutrality work, but the latest investigation into iPhone tracking was no pretty site either.

Tags: 2008 U.S. Senate, 2012 Election, Al Franken, Amy Klobuchar, DFL, Uncategorized

We told you months ago that this pipe dream project with questionable figures and even more questionable goals was beginning to derail as county boards pulled their financial support. This demonstrates the backers of the line from Duluth to the Twin Cities are willing to go any route to find small piles of money that can keep their small working group alive. Anoka County Board member Dan Erhart has a personal and professional obsession with rail. He helped found the NLX Alliance which has sought millions in recent years to conduct study after study of the feasibility of a route from Minneapolis or St. Paul to Hinckley (Grand Casino), and on to Duluth and Superior.

Tags: Amy Klobuchar, Jim Oberstar

Minnesota’s Representatives and both Senators Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar have voiced no opposition to their respective leadership teams over the decision to stand by Planned Parenthood and the millions in annual special interest campaign contributions that accompany them. Senate Leader Harry Reid is at the middle of the debacle, despite his historically pro-life stance on the issue. Senator Klobuchar took $2000.00 from Planned Parenthood just in the last election cycle, and at least $10,000.00 from other pro-choice groups, like Washington Women for Choice.

Like those publicly-funded organizations that went awry before them (ACORN, NPR), Planned Parenthood must also face the scrutiny of our elected officials. News Real Blog is covering 10 lies by PP that raise serious questions about their role as a taxpayer-funded group. Some of the worst allegations include:

9. Lying To The State: Planned Parenthood Hides Illegal Activity Like Under Age Prostitution

7. Lying to Women About the Health Risks of Abortions

2. Lying About Why Abortions Are Done

Recent news out of Washington is that a deal may be close between the White House and Boehner/Reid, including a possible option of moving the defunding proposal out into a separate piece of legislation at a later date. More to come.

Tags: Al Franken, Amy Klobuchar, DFL

The Star Tribune reports Klobuchar joined two other Democrats in writing a letter to Speaker Boehner asking for his support in repealing the controversial and over-intrusive small business 1099 tax requirement that was part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. Maybe if our representatives in Congress that voted for this bill last spring had actually read the entire bill, they would have found the absurd requirement that mandates businesses to file reports for every $600+ expense they incur.

Klobuchar had no objection to this provision last spring when she voted for the measure. But with the 2010 election season behind us, it should come as no surprise that she has begun adjusting her views to her upcoming re-election campaign. The MN GOP has set up a website to track Klobuchar’s votes here. Klobuchar even made a floor speech last year citing small businesses as a reason for supporting the monstrous legislation.

This comes after a bipartisan vote by the entire House of Representatives yesterday to repeal the healthcare reform law in its entirety. Although the vote was somewhat symbolic because of hurtles in the Senate and the threat of a Presidential veto, House committee Chairmen have already established a fast and aggressive schedule for dismantling the worst parts of the bill, piece by piece. GOP Senators have also considered rules they could use to force a vote on healthcare in that chamber.

Klobuchar has successfully created an aura around herself of noncontroversial issues which has helped gain her more approval from the public. She wisely stays away from bringing attention to divisive issues or the fact that her record is as far left as her colleague, Sen. Al Franken. In fact, check out the latest issues on her News Releases page which features hot button issues such as: business innovation, missing children legislation, food safety, prescription drugs, and also, missing children.

I commend Sen. Klobuchar for tackling issues that matter to some of her constituents, but Minnesotans should also be weary of her voting record, and how today’s back-step from the Obama agenda is indicative of her political nature.

Tags: 2012 Election, Amy Klobuchar

Japan currently has the highest corporate tax rate in the world, followed closely by the United States. With this new tax cut by the Japanese, America will become number one with an average corporate tax rate of 39.21%. With the Japanese corporate tax rate sitting at 39.54%, their new cut will put the U.S. almost 5% above the rest of the world.

In response to this, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann announced her authoring of the End Tax Uncertainty Act of 2010. The bill is designed to lower the corporate tax rate to 25%.

“Lowering the corporate tax rate to 25% will increase the number of jobs annually by 581,000 on average from 2011 to 2020,” said Bachmann. “Our GDP will rise by an average of $132 billion, and a typical family of four will see its after-tax annual income rise by almost $2,500.”

Will our DFL congressional and senatorial delegation let America’s corporate tax rate become the highest in the world? Or will they join Bachmann and fight to lower the burden on American businesses? 21 fortune-500 companies call Minnesota home, will our representatives vote in favor of jobs? Or will they vote to encourage Minnesota businesses to move more and more of their operations to more business-friendly nations?

The Star-Tribune’s annual report on Minnesota’s largest employers can be found here (a glimpse below).

Tags: Al Franken, Amy Klobuchar, Michele Bachmann

Section 107 of this legislation includes new taxes. The problem is that Article 1, Section 7 of the U.S. Constitution says that “All bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.” In other words, bills raising revenue of any kind cannot originate in the Senate, like the FDA legislation passed yesterday.

Did Klobuchar and Franken knowingly sponsor a bill they knew to be unconstitutional? Were they even aware there existed items that created revenue in their own bill? Did they read the bill? If so, why would they let a clearly unconstitutional bill go forth?

Tags: 2012 Election, Al Franken, Amy Klobuchar

Though the vote was largely symbolic, Sen. Coburn said he was surprised he could muster 39 votes in favor of the measure, and says it will undoubtedly be revisited after the Congress convenes in January. In the House, Earmark Reform champion, Rep. John Kline, helped push through the successful measure.
This comes despite bi-partisan backing and even verbal support from President Obama. 7 Dem. Senators voted in favor of the moratorium on earmarks:

Sen Claire McCaskill (MO)

Sen. Bill Nelson (FL)

Retiring Sen. Evan Bayh (IN)

Defeated Sen. Russ Feingold (WI)

Sen. Michael Bennet (CO)

Sen. Mark Udall (CO)

Sen. Mark Warner (VA)

Tags: Al Franken, Amy Klobuchar, John Kline, Uncategorized

An endorsement from Klobuchar would be a huge boost to any of the DFL campaigns. But my source informed me that Klobuchar "is NOT supporting anyone.  She is staying neutral through the endorsement process." My source added that Klobuchar's office had been contacted today about Bonoff's campaign using Klobuchar's picture.  

Now I should add that Bonoff's campaign doesn't claim that Klobuchar has endorsed Bonoff.  But Bonoff's campaign is clearly hoping that people get the impression from the pictures that Klobuchar is supporting Bonoff. 

Finally, there is still plenty of time for Klobuchar to endorse one of the DFL candidates in the 3rd CD before the endorsing convention.  But I'm not sure that she benefits from getting involved in a DFL endorsement fight. An e-mail sent to Bonoff's campaign requesting comment about use of Klobuchar's picture was not returned.

Tags: Amy Klobuchar, Ashwin Madia, Erik Paulsen, Terri Bonoff

Click here to view a flyer about Mike Hatch and here for a flyer about Amy Klobuchar.

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This is a reminder that I am a part-time consultant to Mark Kennedy's U.S. Senate campaign. Minnesota Democrats Exposed is not created, endorsed, sponsored, or authorized by any political party, candidate, or candidate's committee. It's all me and always will be and I am very proud of Minnesota Democrats Exposed.

Tags: Amy Klobuchar, Mike Hatch

"At this dangerous time in our nation's history Minnesotans need a senator who doesn't need on the job training and has a grasp of basic current events." – Ron Carey, Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman

Watch Video Of Klobuchar's Homeland Security Gaffe:

http://media.mngop.com/081706Klobucharbrown.wmv

At Homeland Security Press Conference, U.S. Senate Candidate Amy Klobuchar Couldn't Even Identify Tom Ridge As Michael Chertoff's "Predecessor"; Thought FEMA’s Michael Brown Was Once Head Of DHS:

Q:  "Do you think [Department of Homeland Secretary] Michael Chertoff is doing a good job?"

Klobuchar:  "You know, I think he's doing a better job than his predecessor. I always thought it was kind of strange when we put the head of the Arabian Horse Association, um, in that job as our top, uh, law enforcement person, uh, uh, working with FEMA and Homeland Security.  And I think he's doing a better job, but as I have said at length today, I still think there has to be improvement and the whole philosophy has to change in Washington so that we are putting the money where it is going to make a difference for the people of the state, and that means on the front lines with the officers and that means being smarter about how we use homeland security." (Amy Klobuchar Press Conference, August 17, 2006)

Homeland Security History: A Primer For Klobuchar:

"On February 15, 2005, Judge Michael Chertoff Was Sworn In As The Second Secretary Of The Department Of Homeland Security.'  (Department of Homeland Security Website, http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?content=4353, Accessed August 17, 2006)

"On January 24, 2003, Tom Ridge Became The First Secretary Of The Department Of Homeland Security."  (Department of Homeland Security Website, http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/editorial/editorial_0586.xml, Accessed August 17, 2006)

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This is a reminder that I am a part-time consultant to Mark Kennedy's U.S. Senate campaign. Minnesota Democrats Exposed is not created, endorsed, sponsored, or authorized by any political party, candidate, or candidate's committee. It's all me and always will be and I am very proud of Minnesota Democrats Exposed.

Tags: Amy Klobuchar, Mark Kennedy

"It is baffling that Amy Klobuchar didn’t inform the media when she filed last Friday," said Heidi Frederickson, press secretary for Mark Kennedy 06. "Was Ms. Klobuchar worried that reporters would again ask her about her 12-year lobbying career or about her positions on the key issues of the day?"

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This is a reminder that I am a part-time consultant to Mark Kennedy's U.S. Senate campaign. Minnesota Democrats Exposed is not created, endorsed, sponsored, or authorized by any political party, candidate, or candidate's committee. It's all me and always will be and I am very proud of Minnesota Democrats Exposed.

Tags: Amy Klobuchar, Mark Kennedy

Caller: "Keith, your candidacy has been pretty controversial so far, so I’m just wondering do you have the support of your top DFL endorsed candidates – you know, Mike Hatch for governor or Amy Klobuchar for senate?"

Keith Ellison: "Sure, I do.  They’re great, but they’re spending a lot of time out-state and I’m spending a lot of time in-state."

Sarah Janacek:  "Just so we’re really clear, because this is a really important issue for some people on my side of the aisle: has Mike Hatch openly endorsed you?"

Keith Ellison: "I haven’t asked him for it in writing, you know, I mean, but I haven't seen anything even remotely close to the contrary.  But I, you know, he’s running his race and I’m running my race. You know, but, um, I have no reason to doubt it."

(Keith Ellison, "Lambert and Janacek," KTLK-FM Radio, July 5, 2006)

Tags: Amy Klobuchar, Keith Ellison, Mike Hatch, Uncategorized

Klobuchar Campaign Promised To Be "Crystal Clear" On Issues:

Campaign Manager Calls Klobuchar "Crystal Clear On The Issues," Promises Klobuchar "Will Continue To Be So." "A bit of a ruckus has been kicked up over whether U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton has actually endorsed DFL Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar for his Senate seat, and why, if he has, she hasn't acknowledged it. … Ben Goldfarb, her campaign manager, said she 'has been crystal clear on the issues and will continue to be so … and we look forward to having Senator Dayton's formal endorsement.'" (Dane Smith, “Sen. Dayton's Endorsement Of Klobuchar Is Questioned," Star Tribune, March 14, 2006)

But Corporate Lobbyist Klobuchar Refuses To Answers Questions About Her Lengthy Lobbying Career: 

Star Tribune: "Asked Later About Her Own 13-Year History As A Lawyer/Lobbyist Before Entering Public Life, Klobuchar Said Only That She Had Been A Lawyer In The Private Sector And A Prosecutor And That It's Her Prosecutorial Experience That Is Most Relevant."   (Patricia Lopez, "Klobuchar Wants Congress Gift Ban," Star Tribune, June 29, 2006)

Larry Jacobs Of The Humphrey Institute: Questions About Klobuchar’s Lobbying Career Are "Fair Game, And A Question She Has To Answer At Some Point."  "Larry Jacobs, head of the institute's center and host of the event, said later that much of what Klobuchar proposed 'has been around a long time, and the odds of any of this passing are long.'   He said the questions about Klobuchar's lobbying experience were 'fair game, and a question she has to answer at some point.'"  (Patricia Lopez, "Klobuchar Wants Congress Gift Ban," Star Tribune, June 29, 2006)

Tags: Amy Klobuchar, Mark Kennedy, Uncategorized

“With today’s false attack on Mark Kennedy, it’s clear the Klobuchar attack machine has once again fallen for the blogosphere’s misinformation hook, line and sinker. After falsely accusing Mark Kennedy of doctoring a photograph of a fish, Team Klobuchar now falsely accuses of him of ‘scrubbing’ his website.

“The fact is Mark Kennedy’s website includes 72 mentions of the word ‘Bush.’  With her hostile work environment, ineffective record, praise of ‘hero’ Mark Dayton, and hypocritical attacks on lobbyists, the only candidate in this race whose record needs a good ‘scrubbing’ is Amy Klobuchar.”

________

To view Mark Kennedy’s “scrubbing” of his website, please visit the following website and then select “Search markkennedy.house.gov.”  You will find 72 references to “Bush.”

http://markkennedy.house.gov/

Tags: Amy Klobuchar, Mark Kennedy

Klobuchar Criticizes Others For "Politicizing" Crime:

Klobuchar Now Says "Politicizing Crime Is Unfortunate."  "Klobuchar said 'politicizing crime is unfortunate' and crime numbers tell only part of the story.  "Those statistics are important to me,' she said. 'We also need to look at my function in this and the part that I can control.'" (Rachel Stassen-Berger, "When Crime Jumps, Politicos Trade Blame," Pioneer Press, June 26, 2006)

But Klobuchar Has Repeatedly Used Crime Issue To Score Political Points:

St. Cloud Times: "Klobuchar Said She Plans To Use Her Seven Years As Hennepin County Attorney, Managing 400 Employees Who Prosecuted More Than 14,000 Criminal Cases Last Year, To Her Advantage." (Lawrence Schumacher, "Klobuchar Talks DFL Values," St. Cloud Times, October 12, 2005)

Klobuchar Boasted That Her Experience And Toughness Helped Reduce Crime In Hennepin County.  "'I have experience and I'm a tough fighter,' Klobuchar says.  Many say she's the front-runner for endorsement, and no shy denial is forthcoming from her.  Klobuchar has the advantage of serving as a prosecutor and crime fighter to offset her liberal profile. She claims to have cut serious crime 20 percent in the state's largest county." (Dane Smith, "Senate Hopefuls Already On Move," Star Tribune, August 21, 2005)

Klobuchar Says Her Support Of New Laws Led To Crime Decrease.  "While Klobuchar, 44, has not held statewide elected office, she pointed out that as Hennepin County attorney she represents nearly a fourth of the state's population. Klobuchar, who was elected to the post in 1998, pointed to a decrease in serious crimes during her tenure, new laws enacted with her backing and her success in managing an office of 400 people." (Patrick Condon, "Klobuchar, Hennepin County Attorney, Enters U.S. Senate race," Associated Press, April 17, 2005)

Klobuchar Has Characterized Herself As A Crime Fighter.  "Characterizing herself as crime fighter, Klobuchar is proud of having been a part of the effort to reduce Hennepin County's crime rate by 20 percent by working with law enforcement and neighborhood groups. …'In my career as a prosecutor, I have shown to be someone who fights the fight and stands up for people,' added Klobuchar." ("Klobuchar Vies For Dayton's Job," Detroit Lakes Tribune, August 14, 2005)

Mesabi Daily News: Klobuchar "Points To Her Record As County Attorney" To Show Her Success Fighting Crime. "Klobuchar points to her record as county attorney – an office she was elected to in 1998 and then re-elected in 2002 without opposition – as evidence that she follows through on what she says. Her campaign Web site offers specifics. … Klobuchar says that focus has helped to lower the serious crime rate in the county by 20 percent since she took office." (Bill Hanna, "Klobuchar's Iron Range Roots Run Deep," Mesabi Daily News, September 11, 2005)

Klobuchar Pledged To Do For Washington What She Did For Hennepin County.  "Klobuchar pledged to 'take on the tough fights', noting the 20 percent decrease in Hennepin County's crime rate since she became the county attorney, and pledged to do the same thing in Washington D.C." (Kurt Nesbitt, "Chilly Weather, Hot Words As DFLers Gather," New Ulm Journal, October 8, 2005)

Tags: Amy Klobuchar, Mark Kennedy

Klobuchar Rails Against "Washington Celebrities." "I would like to send a heartfelt thank you to our entire grassroots network of contributors and volunteers. Your energy and dedication will help us succeed against the big money behind the Republican machine. … Our efforts have proven that those Washington 'celebrities' are no match for the homegrown celebrities supporting our campaign, including the Gear Daddies band from Austin, Minnesota." (Amy Klobuchar For US Senate Website, Accessed April 7, 2006)

Klobuchar Campaigns With "Washington Celebrity" Barack Obama. ("Minnesota; Obama to Attend Rally For Klobuchar Saturday," Roll Call, April 5, 2006)

Klobuchar Raises Campaign Cash With "Washington Celebrity" Tom Harkin And "Hero" Mark Dayton.  (Klobuchar Campaign Fundraising Email, June 20, 2006)

Tags: Amy Klobuchar, Mark Kennedy, Republican Party of Minnesota, Ron Carey

(St. Paul, Minnesota) – Amy Klobuchar’s friends in Washington, D.C., in a feverish attempt to change the subject from Amy Klobuchar’s lobbying hypocrisy, criticized Mark Kennedy on Thursday for, prepare yourself, raising money in Washington, D.C.

The attacks came one day after it was revealed that Klobuchar, who has been campaigning heavily against lobbyists, actually spent 12 years as a lobbyist for eight different corporations.

"This laughable attack against Mark Kennedy is nothing more than a smokescreen from the Democrats in Washington to distract from Amy Klobuchar’s campaign hypocrisy," said Pat Shortridge, campaign manager for Mark Kennedy ’06. "We’re not the ones hiding something here."

"Democrats, including Amy Klobuchar, also raise money in Washington," concluded Shortridge. "The issue here is the hypocrisy of lambasting lobbyists without telling people you are one. This episode just goes to show, you need to watch what Amy Klobuchar does, not what she says."

Tags: Amy Klobuchar, Mark Kennedy, Pat Shortridge

"With her twelve year career as a corporate lobbyist now firmly established, Amy Klobuchar's attempts to portray herself as a straight-talking candidate of change are destroyed.

"Amy Klobuchar has said she can't hide behind rhetoric, but she is now. The defensive and flailing attacks by the Klobuchar campaign against Mark Kennedy are typical of a campaign with a growing credibility problem."

Tags: Amy Klobuchar, Republican Party of Minnesota, Ron Carey

'Amy Klobuchar often rails against corporate lobbyists, but she forgets to mention that she lined her pockets for 12 years as a corporate lobbyist,' Carey said at a State Capitol news conference." Source: Star Tribune, June 22, 2006

Click here for complete story.

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"A gap exists between Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar’s rhetoric and work history in regard to lobbying, charged Republican Party State Chairman Ron Carey on Wednesday (June 21).

At a Capitol press conference, Carey attacked Klobuchar — Democratic U.S. Senate candidate — for verbally sticking it to lobbyists while herself being a lobbyist for over a decade.

Klobuchar began working as a lobbyist in the late 1980s,

'There’s a disconnect in here somewhere,' said Carey, accusing Klobuchar of hypocrisy." Source: ECM Publishing, June 22, 2006

Click here for complete story.

Tags: Amy Klobuchar, Republican Party of Minnesota

I read with interest your June 14 editorial explaining that Republican abuse of Sen. Mark Dayton was unseemly and rude, because he is retiring and Minnesotans just don't treat people that way.

President Bush will not be running for the presidency again. Please let us know on which day your new policy will take effect.

BOB FLEAGLE JR., EDEN PRAIRIE

Source: Star Tribune, June 16, 2006

Tags: Amy Klobuchar, Mark Dayton, Uncategorized

Amy Klobuchar AGAIN Avoids Talking about Issues of Campaign

(St. Paul, Minnesota) – Immediately following her endorsement from the DFL in Rochester, Amy Klobuchar ducked another Senate candidate debate with Mark Kennedy and Ford Bell.

"Ms. Klobuchar and her party talked a big game over the weekend, pledging to address the issues of this campaign," said Heidi Frederickson, Press Secretary for Mark Kennedy '06. "But what happens three days later when Ms. Klobuchar actually has an opportunity to participate in a debate to discuss the important issues of lowering health care and energy costs? She ducks. Minnesotans expect and deserve more from their Senate candidates."

"Ms. Klobuchar spends a lot of time attacking and very little time addressing substantive issues, because I think she realizes that her positions on taxes and jobs, health care, national security, and other key issues, are out of step with Minnesota voters," added Frederickson. "I don’t think she wants Minnesotans to know where she stands."

"Minnesotans don’t expect you to agree with them on every issue, but they expect that you’ll tell them where you stand," said U.S. Senate candidate Mark Kennedy. "I will continue to speak honestly about my positions on the issues that matter to Minnesotans."

Tags: Amy Klobuchar, Heidi Frederickson, Mark Kennedy

"Even fellow DFLer Ford Bell has said that Amy doesn’t stand for anything and that she has no plan," Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Ron Carey said. "This early in the campaign, it is already becoming obvious that Amy Klobuchar is going to hide from her indefensible record of rising crime in Minneapolis, and support for massive tax increases and her 'hostile work environment.'"

Tags: Amy Klobuchar, Uncategorized

Tags: Amy Klobuchar

Remember what Ford Bell said after Klobuchar's speech:

"Because again, Amy doesn't stand for anything. . . I mean she said again in her speech today, 'universal affordable healthcare' when she and I debated a couple months ago I said 'well, Amy, that's like saying you're for apple pie and motherhood.' It sounds good but it doesn't mean anything. She has no plan. "

Tags: 2006 DFL Convention, Amy Klobuchar, Ford Bell

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Who: Ron Carey, Republican Party of Minnesota Chair

What: Chairman Carey will react to the DFL endorsement for U.S. Senate

Where: Outside the Mayo Civic Center, Rochester  (near the Peace First Tent)

When: Immediately following Amy Klobuchar’s Acceptance Speech

Tags: 2006 DFL Convention, Amy Klobuchar, Republican Party of Minnesota

Tags: Amy Klobuchar, Ford Bell

While Klobuchar and her allies are claiming Bell is breaking his promise, the record says different. 

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"For Klobuchar, the lopsided win cements her status as the clear front-runner for the Senate endorsement at the DFL convention. Bell has said he may run in the primary even if she [Amy Klobuchar] is endorsed." Source: Pioneer Press, March 8, 2006

"Veterinarian Ford Bell, who has said that he will keep his options open and won't rule out a primary…" Source: January 24, 2006

"Veterinarian Ford Bell said that the differences between him and Klobuchar will become sharper now and that he will continue to seek the endorsement but plan for a primary." Source: Star Tribune, January 21, 2006

Tags: Amy Klobuchar, Ford Bell

Tags: Amy Klobuchar, Becky Lourey, Debates, Ford Bell, Mike Hatch, Steve Kelley

"Isn’t Klobuchar trying to replace a Democrat? How would voting for another Democrat, who admires the incumbent Sen. Dayton, be someone NEW?

Just details I guess." Source: Kennedy vs. The Machine, May 26, 2006.

Tags: Amy Klobuchar, Gas Prices, Kennedy vs. The Machine, Uncategorized

"With today’s coloring book gimmick, Team Klobuchar has once again demonstrated that they have no serious plan to help Minnesotans reduce pain at the pump. 

"Coloring books and carefully scripted gas station photo-ops won’t reduce gas prices for anyone.  "While Team Klobuchar clearly has nothing serious to say about a comprehensive national energy policy, Mark Kennedy will continue to lead the way toward bipartisan legislation which will increase tax incentives for producers of hydrogen, hybrid and E85 technologies." 

Tags: Amy Klobuchar, Gas Prices, Ron Carey, Uncategorized

Tags: Amy Klobuchar, Keith Ellison

"Amy Klobuchar's gas station theatrics won't do anything to reduce gas prices.  Minnesotans want substance from their leaders, not scripted photo-ops." – Ron Carey, Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman

Taking "Marching Orders" From National Democrats, Klobuchar Misses Work Yet Again:

May 20: The Washington Post Reports National Democrat Leaders Are "Requesting That All House And Senate Democrats Stage Events Back Home Over The Memorial Day Recess To Signal The Start Of The Summer Driving Season."  "Seeking to gain advantage on a potent election-year issue, Democrats are promoting ambitious ideas to lower gasoline prices, targeting key voting blocs such as farmers and autoworkers. Party leaders are requesting that all House and Senate Democrats stage events back home over the Memorial Day recess to signal the start of the summer driving season. …  Their marching orders even include instructions for how to select locations, recruit participants and set up camera shots."   (Shailagh Murray, "Democrats To Focus On Fuel; Leaders Tell Rank And File To Spotlight High Gas Prices," The Washington Post, May 20, 2006) 

May 23: Brainerd Dispatch Reports Amy Klobuchar Will Hold Photo-Op At Brainerd Gas Station.  "U.S. Senate candidate Amy Klobuchar will talk to Brainerd residents at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the West Brainerd Auto gas station about their concerns about rising gas prices."   ("Klobuchar To Listen To Concerns About Gas Prices," Brainerd Dispatch, May 23, 2006)

Tags: Amy Klobuchar, Gas Prices

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From: Minnesota Democrats Exposed
Sent: Monday, May 22, 2006 9:21 PM
To: cberg@kstp.com; malbert@kstp.com
Cc: lmclean@kstp.com; jmason@kstp.com
Subject: Retraction – Edina warnings of criminal resident false
Importance: High

The story that aired on KSTP on May 15, about a flyer warning Edina residents about the release of a dangerous criminal caught the eye of numerous bloggers.  Your story claimed the flyer was "false."

Tags: Amy Klobuchar, Kennedy vs. The Machine

Tags: Amy Klobuchar

Tags: Amy Klobuchar

Tags: Amy Klobuchar

Tags: Amy Klobuchar

I'll have more on this flyer in an hour. 

Tags: Amy Klobuchar, Uncategorized

It is increasingly clear that a letter from your local union representing employees of Amy Klobuchar, which asks the state AFSCME organization to avoid endorsing Ms. Klobuchar in her United States Senate run, has become a persistent thorn in Amy's side, so much so that the letter was recently removed from your union’s Web site.

Up to this point, perhaps out of a fear of retribution, the one group that we have heard very little from is you, the very union workers Amy Klobuchar has denigrated, mistreated, and taken for granted as she has taken credit for your hard work. 

This is an open letter to you, the dedicated workers whose voice has been silenced as Amy continues her campaign of arrogance and self promotion.

If you are a member of AFSCME Local 2938 or even a non-union employee who has had the displeasure of working for Amy Klobuchar, I want to provide you with a forum to safely air your grievances, tell your horror stories or otherwise broadcast the difficulties you have experienced working for the overbearing, self-aggrandizing Amy Klobuchar. 

Please feel free to email me at minnesotademocratsexposed@hotmail.com and I will be the public voice for your private complaints.  Out of respect for your anonymity and with the understanding that you do not wish to be the victim of Amy’s retribution, I will keep your identity safely hidden. 

This is a real opportunity for the hard working employees of the Hennepin County Attorneys office to lend voice, even if anonymous, to the question "who is the real Amy Klobuchar?"

I look forward to helping you be heard.

Sincerely,

Michael Brodkorb

Minnesota Democrats Exposed 

Tags: AFSCME, Amy Klobuchar

In response to your questions:

I am the president of Local 2938 and also in charge of the web site for our local. I was unaware that the letter you mention was still on our web site until yesterday, May 16th when an acquaintance told me of the link from "amysrecord.com" to our site. I had deleted the letter, or so I thought, months ago. Apparently I only deleted the links from our home page and the "local" copy on the program I use to generate the site. That was due to my own limited computer skills. When I became aware that the letter was still on the server I deleted it.

letter was still on the server I deleted it.

No one, "Union Boss" or otherwise, pressured or, for that matter even suggested I delete the letter.

I have had no contact with anyone from Amy Klobuchar's campaign about the letter (or anything else).

Our website is intended to communicate with our members. I deleted the letter because it had already been communicated to our members.

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I appreciate his quick response to my questions.  His answers prove that because of www.amysrecord.com, the letter was finally removed from their server.

I tip my hat to the Republican Party of Minnesota for a job well done!

Tags: AFSCME, Amy Klobuchar, MN GOP

A section of this website was dedicated to providing information on the "hostile work environment" created by Amy Klobuchar in the Hennepin County Attorney's office.

The leadership of AFSCME 2938 wrote a letter to state union leaders asking that Klobuchar not receive the endorsement of AFSCME.  

"With the U.S. Senate field clear of all but one rival for the DFL Party's nomination, Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar is facing a new obstacle: The union local representing her staff is asking that she be denied the endorsement of its parent group, the powerful American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). In a letter this month to union leaders, local president Jim Appleby, an assistant Hennepin County attorney, said Klobuchar had denigrated office lawyers publicly and privately, taken credit for their work, damaged morale and 'created a hostile work environment.'" (Patricia Lopez, "Klobuchar's Work With Staff Is Focus Of A Union Battle," Star Tribune, February 19, 2006)

The letter to AFSCME from the local AFSCME 2938 was available on their website, until the Republican Party of Minnesota unveiled www.amysrecord.com and provided a direct link to the letter.  In the last few hours, the letter was removed and the link is now dead.

Did AFSCME bosses pressure the local AFSCME 2938 to remove the letter?  Did Klobuchar's campaign office pressure them to remove the letter?

Tags: AFSCME, Amy Klobuchar

Tags: Amy Klobuchar, Keith Ellison

State Republican Party leaders on Monday launched www.amysrecord.com, saying they wanted to provide voters with information about Klobuchar's 'real record and agenda.'" Source: Star Tribune, May 16, 2006

Tags: Amy Klobuchar, Mark Kennedy, MN GOP

Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Ron Carey today announced a new website, www.amysrecord.com, to provide Minnesotans with information about Amy Klobuchar's real record and agenda.

"I am excited to launch www.amysrecord.com. Whether you are interested in reading about Amy Klobuchar's 'hostile work environment,' her praise for her political 'hero' Mark Dayton or Minneapolis' soaring crime rate, www.amysrecord.com is the place to be.

"While Amy Klobuchar continues her campaign of platitudes and photo-ops, we hope Minnesotans will check out this website for information about her real record and agenda."

Tags: Amy Klobuchar, Mark Kennedy, MN GOP, Ron Carey, Uncategorized

Tags: Amy Klobuchar, Ford Bell, Mark Kennedy, MN GOP, Uncategorized