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.

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.

"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.

"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.

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)

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)

“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/

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)

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)

(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."

"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."

'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.

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

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."

"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.'"

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. "

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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

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

"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.

"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." 

"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)

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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."

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

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 

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!

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?

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

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."

"Given her many failures as Hennepin County Attorney, it's clear why Amy Klobuchar and her liberal allies are so committed to running a negative campaign against Mark Kennedy. 

"Amy Klobuchar’s photo-ops at gas stations will do nothing to reduce gas prices.  Mark Kennedy provided the deciding vote last fall to increase oil-refining capacity in the U.S. and is dedicated to working in a bipartisan fashion to increase tax incentives for producers of hydrogen, hybrid and ethanol technologies.

"While Amy Klobuchar and her liberal allies continue their relentlessly negative campaign, Mark Kennedy will continue to work with members from both sides of the aisle to reduce pain at the pump for Minnesota families."