Melendez at 2010 DFL State Convention (via Politics in Minnesota)

The MN Progressive Project provides a deeper background of the story on their blog. Local DFL activists have been unable to work cooperatively with the convention center following the incident. Here’s a bit from the story:

Members of a local DFL unit in northeastern Minnesota who recently tried to book an event at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center were stunned to hear that payment in full, up front is now required, a significant deviation from the previous policy of billing the party unit after the event. The cause of this major shift in policy was later discovered to be that the Minnesota DFL still has not paid the bill for the DFL State Convention held at the facility last April.

This comes as DFL Chairman, Brian Melendez, announced this week he will not seek another term following a rough election cycle. Tom Scheck wrote on Melendez’s decision.

There has been increased chatter in the blogosphere recently regarding a ‘rift’ between Chairman Melendez and Gov-elect Mark Dayton. After DFL-endorsed candidate Margaret Anderson Kelliher lost in the August primary, DFL’ers lost control of both houses of the legislature and 16-term Congressman Jim Oberstar was unseated on the Iron Range, it’s easy to see how some would call for Melendez to step aside.

Tags: 2010 Governor, Brian Melendez, Chip Cravaack, DFL, Jim Oberstar, Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Mark Dayton, MN Publius

In the letter, Carey calls attention to new numbers released by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) recognizing the increasing jobs in the state. With several statistics, Carey attempts to discredit Melendez’s recent accusation towards Gov. Pawlenty of 'more job losses and a dimming economic future.'" Source: FOX 9, February 28, 2008

Click here for complete story. 

Tags: Brian Melendez, Republican Party of Minnesota, Ron Carey

                                                                                               February 27, 2008

Chair Brian Melendez

Minnesota DFL Party Headquarters

255 East Plato Blvd

St. Paul, MN 55107-1623        

Dear Chair Melendez:

I am writing to share with you new job numbers released this morning by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). 

According to DEED, employers in our state added 8,500 jobs last month.  Our unemployment rate dipped to 4.5 percent, 0.4 percent below the national rate of 4.9 percent.

“Over the past 12 months, the state has gained 15,323 jobs – an over-the-year growth rate of 0.6 percent.  The state now outpaces the nation in over-the-year growth in six of 11 major industrial sectors.  The U.S. over-the-year growth rate is 0.7 percent,” DEED further reported.

On February 8, you issued a blistering personal attack against Governor Pawlenty accusing him of “more job losses and a dimming economic future.” In light of today's news, it is my hope that you will now update your talking points regarding Minnesota's employment picture.  

To strengthen our economy, Republicans believe we must take measures that reward hard work and investment.  Now is not the time to be punishing Minnesotans with gas tax increases, sales tax increases, license tab fee increases, and other fee increases.  While Democrats passed nearly $6.6 billion in tax increases on hard-working Minnesotans this week, Governor Pawlenty and Republicans from all over our state remain united against these onerous tax hikes. 

As chairman of the Republican Party of Minnesota, I propose that you and I hold a series of eight debates (one per congressional district) to discuss the Democrats' transportation bill and how to deal with the budget deficit in a fiscally responsible manner.   I believe that it is important that Minnesotans have a clear understanding of where the two major political parties stand on these crucial issues.  It is my goal that we can hold this series of debates during the month of March. 

I look forward to hearing from you soon. 

Sincerely,

Ron Carey

Chairman of the Republican Party of Minnesota

Tags: Brian Melendez, Ron Carey

Tags: Brian Melendez, Mark Ritchie, Ron Carey

Ritchie receives a strong rebuke from Nobles' and the DFL decides to celebrate.  What a bonehead move.

UPDATE: I came over to watch DFL Party Chairman Brian Melendez attempt to spin today's report from the Minnesota Legislative Auditor Jim Nobles.   

UPDATE #2: This could get very interesting as GOP Party Chairman Ron Carey just walked in to respond to Melendez's spin.

UPDATE #3: Wow, Melendez is getting really desperate and he sounds really angry.  Melendez should have walked around the block before he started speaking. 

UPDATE #4: In a very gusty move, GOP Party Chairman Ron Carey just walked up to the podium after Melendez was done and is doing his own press conference.  That takes guts.

UPDATE #5: The staff from the DFL does not look very happy as Chairman Carey has just taken over the press event. 

UPDATE #6: The event is over and wow…Chairman Carey just hit a home run. I'll have more on this exchange later today.

Tags: Brian Melendez, Mark Ritchie

"'I think the fact of the matter is Mike Hatch is running against Tim Pawlenty. Whatever goes on in the primary, Mike Hatch is going to come through it and run against Tim Pawlenty. Amy Klobuchar is running against Mark Kennedy and whatever goes on in the primary Amy Klobuchar will run against Mark Kennedy. We're not seeing primary candidates of the caliber that we've seen in past years. We've got outstanding endorsed candidates and their going to come through the primary with flying colors,' he [Brian Melendez said." Source: MPR, June 11, 2006 

Tags: 2006 DFL Convention, Brian Melendez, DFL

Tags: 2006 DFL Convention, Brian Melendez

Tags: Brian Melendez, DFL, MCCL

"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."

Tags: Amy Klobuchar, Brian Melendez, DFL, Ford Bell, Mark Kennedy, MN GOP, Ron Carey

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April 22. 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. MINNESOTA DNC BREAKFAST _ Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, the Greater Minneapolis Convention and Visitors Associations and Minnesota’s DNC members host a breakfast to promote Minneapolis’ bid to be the site of the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Location: Rhytms Meeting Room, Sheraton Hotel, New Orleans

Tags: Brian Melendez, DFL