“Sex writing by Al Franken cited in campaign…”

Des Moines, Iowa – American Future Fund (AFF) Political Action today launched the 30-second web ad, “Laugh Track,” exposing Al Franken’s fines for failure to pay workers comp, and highlighting the pattern of tax evasion he racked up in 17 states.

AFF Political Action Spokesman Tim Albrecht said, “Al Franken thinks he is funny, but being a sloppy businessman is no laughing matter. He wants to raise taxes on the people of Minnesota, but failed for years to pay his own. Al Franken’s sketchy past foreshadows a careless, haphazard future if he was a senator.”

The ad is the first produced by AFF Political Action.

AFF Political Action provides Americans across the country a mechanism through which to advocate for conservative and free-market principles, and help candidates embrace that agenda. The PAC will endorse and support candidates around the nation that share these same ideas. Further, AFF Political Action will also target for defeat liberal candidates that are well-funded by left-wing special interest groups that prop up their candidacy.

“There is no denying that liberals and their special interest groups are very well-funded,” continued Albrecht. “Simply put, the right offers no similar avenue for grassroots conservatives to support candidates and causes. AFF Political Action is filling that void.”

Individuals and grassroots activists are encouraged to get involved at http://political.americanfuturefund.com.

The script of the ad is as follows:

Al Franken thinks he’s…funny.

Franken wants amnesty for illegal immigrants.

He was fined $25,000 for refusing to pay workers comp.

On taxes: Franken’s California company didn’t file income taxes for 5 years…but he wants you to pay higher gas taxes.

If Franken gets his hands in your money…the joke’s on you.

Call Al Franken. Tell him his agenda is no laughing matter.

“But that’s NOT THE WHOLE STORY.

Franken said he overpaid taxes where he lived at the time — in Minnesota and New York, and he underpaid his taxes in the 17 other states where he earned money. ‘No one likes being called a liar,’ Franken said. ‘No one likes being called a tax cheat.’” Source: WCCO, April 30, 2008

Click here for the complete story.

“Here’s WHAT WE DON’T KNOW.

The Franken campaign released summaries of all state taxes he paid and what he owes now, but he’s not revealing if he had unpaid taxes before then.” Source: WCCO, April 30, 2008

Click here for the complete story.

Early last month, Franken discovered, through a Republican blog post in Minnesota, that the company he runs with his wife owed a $25,000 fine in New York State for failure to pay workman’s compensation.

The Frankens paid the fine but, through representatives, said they believed it was levied in error.

On Friday, the Frankens said indeed they had not paid all the insurance payments they should have.

‘We’ve resolved this,’ said Franken. ‘It turns out we were mistaken and we’re fine.’

Late last week, Coleman’s campaign and local and national Republicans all said that Franken had not adequately resolved the situation.” Source: Pioneer Press, April 14, 2008 Click here for the complete story.

THE FACTS ABOUT ASHWIN MADIA

Madia Is Tax & Spend Liberal

Madia Opposes 2001-2003 Tax Cuts. “The candidates agree – or come close – on some issues. For example, both oppose continuing President Bush’s tax cuts…” (Harvey Rockwood, “Bonoff, Madia Appear Headed For Nomination Fight For DFL Endorsement In 3rd Congressional District,” Sun Newspapers, April 1, 2008)

Madia Opposed Bi-Partisan Economic Stimulus Package. “I disagree with the plan that was recently passed by Congress, which was the very short-term stimulus package…” (Pig’s Eye Podcast, www.startribune.com <http://www.startribune.com/> , March 17, 2008)

Madia Opposes Terrorist Surveillance Program

Madia Opposes Terrorist Surveillance Program. “‘Another bad decision would be going after our civil liberties – warrantless wiretaps or torture or secret prisons,’ he said.” (T.W. Budig, “Five Candidates For Ramstad’s Seat Give Their Views,” ECM Publishers, February 12, 2008)

Madia Supported By Extreme Ellison

“Congressman Keith Ellison Is Backing Former Marine Ashwin Madia For The Congressional Seat Being Vacated By Republican Jim Ramstad.” (“Ellison Endorses Madia For Congress,” Associated Press, April 10, 2008)

Madia’s Boss Mike Ciresi Backs Bonoff Over Own Employee

“Today former candidate for U.S. Senate and long-time attorney Mike Ciresi announced his support of Terri Bonoff and her campaign to represent Minnesota’s 3rd District in Congress.” (Bonoff for Congress Press Release, March 24, 2008)

I’ll be on the radio today for a two-hour program from 3-5 p.m. with King Banaian of SCSU Scholars on AM 1280 The Patriot.

Before you listen to King and me, make sure you listen to the first four hours of the Northern Alliance Radio Network. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. you can hear Power Line’s John Hinderaker and Chad and Brian from Fraters Libertas. Mitch Berg and Captain Ed are on the air from 1-3 pm.

I encourage you to all to listen. Broadcasts can be heard on AM 1280 The Patriot, which has an Internet stream for those outside the Twin Cities. Brave Democrats and proud Republicans can join the conversation at (651) 289-4488.

UPDATE: I will be at the 3rd CD DFL convention in Wayzata for most of the day.  I may be in-studio during the program or I may call in with updates.

Since the blog was deleted, I was able to locate a Google cached version of the blog. A review of the blog turned up a shocking post called “Idiots in New Hampshire!” where Senator Clinton was compared to Adolf Hitler.

“I don’t even know where to begin here. There is just so much to say. Tonight Hillary Clinton won the highly coveted New Hampshire Primary, narrowly beating the heavily favored Barack Obama by about 3 percentage points. This is astounding for a number of reasons :1) New Hampshire residents are known for being pretty savvy voters, rarely allowing themselves to be ’snowed’ by a slick talking (or should I say slick crying?) politician; 2) Polls leading up to the NH Primary predicted a double-digit blowout in which Barack Obama was the victor over Hitlery. 3) The media had all but hung Hillary out to dry – predicting that her staff were going to jump ship in droves and that the windows at campaign headquarters would be boarded up by the day after the NH primary. Alas, Mrs. Clinton gets to stand victorious at the end of the evening – Ms. ‘Ready for Change’ giving a huge hug to Chelsea and Bill before stepping to the podium wearing the same ridiculous outfit and hairstyle she’s had for decades. Not to slander her fashion sense or family loyalty, but it’s symbolic of the fact that we’ve seen this all before, and it’s really no change whatsoever….so this begs the question: What the f[***] happened?!?!??!” Source: District of Contention, January 9, 2008

A partial screen capture of the post is below:

Now remember that this post was written on a blog owned and operated by a new DFL staffer. Benenati may have been working Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter at the time this post was published. Slaughter has endorsed Senator Clinton’s presidential campaign and I doubt she would appreciate Clinton being compared to Hitler.

I will search for additional Hitler/Clinton comparisons on District of Contention, but since the blog was deleted, I may not find all of the instances.

I have e-mailed Benenati and other DFL communications staff for comment on this post. Since Benenati confirmed that the DFL is having a press event today on veterans issues, I may stop by and ask a few questions on the Hitler/Clinton comparison.

Please check back to Minnesota Democrats Exposed for more information on this developing story.

“It’s been a long time since either Nati or myself have posted up here and that’s because a) we’re lazy; b) we don’t care enough; c) lots of stuff is going on. For all of the above we apologize.

Indeed lots is going on. As a matter of fact, the DoC now has partial representation in Minnesota, as Nati’s gone and left DC to run communications for the DSCC (whatever that is) for Al Franken’s senatorial campaign.” Source: District of Contention, April 8, 2008

Click here for the complete story.

It’s been clear for sometime that there is tension in the communications department of Team Franken. The post-rally conduct of Team Franken’s campaign blocking the media from following Franken shows that adult supervision is needed.

I’m not sure who runs this blog, but if you know who the new staff coming from DC to “run communications” for Team Franken/DSCC please leave a comment on this post.

###

This post also appears on Blogs for Norm!, an online community and blog covering the 2008 U.S. Senate campaign in Minnesota. The primary goal of Blogs for Norm! is to organize bloggers who support U.S. Senator Norm Coleman.

Late last week, I was sent a copy of an e-mail sent by Senator John Doll from his official e-mail account about a moratorium on nuclear power plants.

Doll’s e-mail may likely violate numerous policies of the Minnesota Senate regarding the use of equipment for political campaigning.

From: Sen.John Doll
Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2008 3:27 PM
To: [Name Redacted]
Subject: Re: Nuclear Moratorium

[Name Redacted],

Do you live in or near District 40? I would appreciate your support in the
next election. As for the issue of lifting the moratorium on nuclear power
plants. I am not opposed to the idea or having a discussion on the idea. I
believe that we should use our committee process to hear testimony for and
against before making any decisions. Given our continuing need for expanded
power generation combined with reducing our carbon emissions, nuclear must
be a choice we consider. I remain open to the idea but cannot state my
support at this time.

John Doll

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

John Doll
State Senator District 40
State Capitol G9C
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
St.Paul, MN, 55155-1606
651-296-5975

Please note the first two sentences that I highlighted in red. Doll’s e-mail begins with a plea for “support in the next election.

The Minnesota Senate publishes a handbook which detail the policies for “Senators and Staff” and according to Minnesota Senate’s policy on “Communications Equipment”:

“Senate communications equipment is for purposes of the Senate and the Legislature. It may not be used for any commercial purpose or for any political campaign.” Source: Minnesota Senate Policy for Senators and Staff, 1.50 Communication Equipment Policy

Senator Doll’s e-mail was sent from his official Senate account and specifically asked “[d]o you live in or near District 40? I would appreciate your support in the next election.”

Section 1.5 of the Minnesota Senate’s “Information System User Policy” states:

“1.5 Not for Commercial or Campaign Use.

Computer equipment, computer programs, and data communication facilities connected to the Senate Network or any state computer are to be used for purposes of the Senate and the Legislature. They may not be used for any commercial purpose nor for any political campaign.” Source: Minnesota Senate Policy for Senators and Staff

Again, Senator Doll’s e-mail was sent from his official Senate account and specifically asked “[d]o you live in or near District 40? I would appreciate your support in the next election.”

In 2004, the Star Tribune reported that DFL State Senator John Hottinger filed an ethics complaint against a Republican senator because an e-mail sent by the senator violated “a Senate rule that says Senate information systems ‘may not be used for any commercial purpose or for any political campaign.’”

It would be nearly impossible for anyone not to interpret Doll’s asking of “support in the next election” in an e-mail sent from his official e-mail account as a violation of the Minnesota Senate’s policies on communications equipment and systems use.

Legislative staff that have reviewed Doll’s e-mail believe it violates the policies of the Minnesota Senate.

Repeated e-mails sent to Senator Doll’s office requesting a comment for this post were not returned. I will publish any communication I receive from Doll’s office responding to the specific allegations.

Please check back to Minnesota Democrats Exposed for more information on this developing story.

Before he can make history, Ellison must capture Tuesday's hotly contested Democratic primary in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District, which consists of the Minneapolis side of the Twin Cities and an inner ring of suburbs. Whoever gets the Democratic nomination is expected to sweep to victory in November to succeed Rep. Martin O. Sabo (D), who is retiring after 28 years in the House.

Ellison, 43, is a two-term state legislator. He prays toward Mecca five times a day and says he has not eaten pork or had a drink of alcohol since he converted to Islam as a 19-year-old student at Wayne State University in Detroit. When speaking at mosques or to members of Minneapolis's large Somali immigrant population, he opens with "Salaam aleikum," Arabic for "Peace be with you."

Other than that, he seldom refers to his religion on the campaign trail, unless asked.

'I'm a Muslim. I'm proud to be a Muslim. But I'm not running as a Muslim candidate,' Ellison said during a break between a commemoration of Hurricane Katrina and an appearance at a public housing project. 'I'm running as a candidate who believes in peace and bringing the troops out of Iraq now. I'm running as a candidate who believes in universal, single-payer health care coverage and an increase in the minimum wage.'

Despite Ellison's desire to focus on the war and the economy, questions about his faith and character have kept him on the defensive.

The most damaging accusations, says Christopher Gilbert, professor of political science at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn., concern Ellison's past associations with the Nation of Islam and its leader, Louis Farrakhan.

Although four Democrats are seeking the nomination, Ellison became the candidate to beat in May, when the state's Democratic-Farmer-Labor organization endorsed him.Within days, Michael Brodkorb, author of a Republican blog called MinnesotaDemocratsExposed.com, dug up two articles that Ellison had written under the name of Keith Hakim for the University of Minnesota student newspaper when he was in law school there in 1989 and 1990.

The first article defended Farrakhan against accusations of anti-Semitism. The second called affirmative action a 'sneaky' form of compensation for slavery, suggesting instead that white Americans pay reparations to blacks.

Another conservative blog, PowerLineBlog.com, subsequently revealed that the candidate had used the names Keith X Ellison and Keith Ellison-Muhammed during his student days. In more than 20 Web postings titled 'Who Is Keith Ellison?' PowerLine asserted that he had been a 'local leader' of the Nation of Islam and accused him of 'involvement' in anti-Semitism." Source: Washington Post, September 11, 2006

Click here for complete story.

## 

Minneapolis, MN. Yesterday Paul Ostrow, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress in Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, began a series of television commercials on five Minneapolis-area broadcast stations. The ad is entitled 'Hilvie.' The spots shows a cell phone conversation between Ostrow and his spry eighty-four-year-old mother, Hilvie, just after Paul exits his minivan in front of a parking meter.

Hilvie is calling to check in on her son’s race for U.S. Congress. In response Paul says, "We’re running strong." In turn Hilvie says that, "I raised you to be a common sense Democrat, to work for the little guy" and that, "In Washington I know you’ll be a fighting Democrat who pays attention to details."

The spot then cuts to Ostrow putting a quarter in a parking meter saying, "I always do what’s right, Mom."

"'Hilvie' is a great way to introduce Paul Ostrow," said Jason Amundsen, Ostrow's campaign manager. "Paul is an upbeat, energetic leader of unquestioned integrity who pays attention to details. Paul crosses every 'T' and dots every 'I' in making and following the law."

The commercial launched during the Sunday morning political shows on KARE 11, KSTP Channel 5, Fox 9, and KSTC-TV 45. The commercial will continue to run on the previous stations early this week including WFTC-TV 29. The cable buy begins tomorrow on CNN, CNBC and four additional stations.

Ostrow is the first of the four major candidates in this race for U.S. Congress to feature advertisements on broadcast or cable television.

To view the ad please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzepFtsIEYM

###

He was forced to explain his association with the Nation of Islam and its controversial leader, Louis Farrakhan. Ellison, a Muslim, has denounced Farrakhan.

His only connection with the Nation of Islam, he said in an interview last week, was in helping to organize the 1995 Million Man March. He did so, he said, because he wanted to help African-American men who were struggling to find jobs get an education and avoid crime.

Last month, news reports revealed that Ellison's driver's license had recently been suspended for nonpayment of parking tickets and that he had been fined for failing to file state campaign finance reports on time.

Ellison has apologized for those mistakes. 'I'm sorry about it. I've fixed it,' he said.

Now that's behind him, he said, and he's moving on." Source: Pioneer Press, August 18, 2006

Click here for complete story.

Earlier this week, KSTP aired a story about Keith Ellison's tax problems.  Click here to view the public documents listing detailing Ellison's tax liens mentioned in the story.

When Ellison was asked about his previous tax problems, he claimed he "knew of none…":

"We are hearing questions about two tax liens placed on Ellison’s home; one by the state of Minnesota for $1,529.00 on 03/31/1997, settled on 12/28/2000 and another by the federal government 03/11/2002 for $18,301.00 settled 12/30/2002.  The settlements occurred just before he took office in 2003.  We asked him about tax liens on his property last week and he said he knew of none and led us to believe the information may have been specious." Source: Checks and Balances, May 4, 2006

But less than two weeks later, Ellison remembered he had tax problems: 

"When he [Keith Ellison] started his own firm and wasn't incorporated, Ellison said he made tax mistakes and ran into trouble. He ended up paying $25,000 in back taxes, interest and penalties." Source: Star Tribune, May 15, 2006

I've been hearing that the dates of the tax liens MAY NOT match up with the years Ellison had his own firm, but I still need confirmation.  At a minimum, Ellison's foggy memory is haunting his campaign.

Please check back to Minnesota Democrats Exposed on this developing story.

It's hard not to be insulted by that statement. I’m busy, too. I have writing clients, two preschool children, and I'm running a campaign for National office. Still, I trotted off to the accountant this week to file the quarterly taxes for the business that my wife and I run. Did I have the time to do it? No – not really.

It sure would be nice to join that special group of people who are just too 'busy' to follow the norms and rules of society.

Listen: could 'busy' actually be part of a new, populist message from the Ellison camp? Think of it: Vote for me and you won’t have to do anything the government asks of you.

Maybe Mr. Ellison has stumbled upon a winning strategy…?

Jason Amundsen
Campaign Manager" Source: Ostrow Blog, July 9, 2006   

What a mess.

Could the burning issue in the race for the Fifth District U.S. House seat turn out to be the driving records of all of the candidates?

If so, perhaps we should reinstitute a Grand Prix auto race in downtown Minneapolis. Instead of an election, we could award the congressional seat to the candidate who is able to show the most restraint by crossing the finish line last.

BRUCE H. BRUEMMER, MINNEAPOLIS

Cover the real issues

Having cut my eyeteeth on the down and dirty, rough and tumble politics of Detroit and Chicago, I thought I had seen it all. Sadly, the latest "Swift boat" smear tactics against Keith Ellison, the DFL candidate for the Fifth District U.S. House seat, rank right up there with the devices employed by Karl Rove and company.

Will the driving records of all other candidates for Congress throughout Minnesota now be examined and published? If not, why not?

Surely this information is somehow relevant to running for Congress. Or is such inane scrutiny reserved only for Fifth District congressional candidates?

Shouldn't the electorate and the Star Tribune be concerned with what candidates has been able to accomplish while in office or during their professional careers, where they stand on the issues of the day, and what they wish to accomplish should they be elected?

In other words, should we not judge candidates by the content of their character rather than listen to a bunch of axe-grinding, muckraking characters?

ALAN HOOKER, MINNEAPOLIS Source: Star Tribune, July 8, 2006

On file with the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board are dozens of letters, going back to his first campaign in 1998, warning Ellison and his wife, Kim, who also is his campaign treasurer, about missed deadlines for routine reports on contributions and expenditures.

Ellison said Friday that he takes full responsibility for the problem. He said that he's finally settled the complaints and that the infractions are about bookkeeping and timing and are not serious ethical violations.

Letters to Ellison from the board contain repeated threats of fines and sanctions for failing to file, correct errors or respond to previous advisories.

Efforts to get Ellison to comply over the years have involved the attorney general's office, a collection agency and Hennepin and Ramsey county authorities." Source: Star Tribune, July 8, 2006

Click here for complete story.

##

I wrote about Ellison's campaign finance problems back in April.

As former governor Wendy Anderson said about Ellison, everybody makes mistakes, but it's important how you learn from your mistakes.  I believe a candidate who accepts responsibility for their mistakes can earn the respect of voters and turn the situation to their advantage.   

I've learned from my mistakes (but I still drive too fast, I don't always wear my seatbelt, and I sometimes type on my Blackberry while I'm driving) and I'm certainly not perfect. I strongly believe mistakes are wonderful learning opportunities.

Ellison's problem is that he thinks 55 traffic tickets makes him human – he's just like everybody else! I think most voters will view his 55 tickets as a character flaw – a sign of somebody who operates with a complete disregard for the law. 

Damn I'm tired – I can't type anymore.

Holy cow – 55 tickets!

##

"Since this time we have learned [Keith] Ellison's driver license was not suspended for parking tickets, which was suspect, but rather for driving after withdrawal.  Meaning his license was taken away and he drove afterwards and was cited for it.  We now have learned Ellison has received 38 parking tickets and 17 moving violations.  This habitual disdain for the law is an interesting position for the voters of the 5th Congressional District to weigh when they are choosing the person to make laws for them in Washington, D.C.  It is hard to believe Ellison, even as a practicing attorney lacks a wanton disregard for the law." Source: Checks and Balances, July 7, 2006

##

Almost everyone (including me) has the occasional traffic violation and nobody likes to pay traffic tickets, but 55 times?   

I just spoke with Nick Coleman from the Star Tribune and he asked me if I thought the media coverage about the traffic violations was fair.  I told him it was up to the voters in the 5TH CD to decide, but I thought it was fair.

He had a copy of my driving record and he asked me if it would be fair to report about my traffic violations.  I said "what's good for the goose is good for the gander."  I even corrected him when he said my last ticket was in 1999.  I did a public records search and according to my research, I was last ticketed in July of 2001. It has been almost 5 years.

I think he was expecting me to cry foul about my record being exposed. The only distinction between Ellison and me, is that Ellison is running for congress. I don't believe many candidates for congress have 17 traffic violations and get their drivers license suspended during the campaign.

Coleman may be doing a story and I'll certainly post any relevant information on Minnesota Democrats Exposed.

An Ellison campaign staffer also confirmed that Ellison's driver's license has been suspended because of unpaid parking tickets. The staffer also said the license will be reinstated and Ellison will be able to drive again later this week. Ellison declined comment." Source: MPR, July 6, 2006

##

"Congressional candidate Keith Ellison is responded Thursday to concerns about the number of unpaid parking tickets he has received throughout the years.

In an exclusive interview with 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS, Ellison admits his driver’s license had been suspended because of the tickets.

Ellison says he has accumulated many tickets because as an attorney he often parks at the Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis.

He says the tickets are not a major concern for him.

"I just haven't counted them," Ellison says. "It's not what's on my mind."

Ellison says most of the tickets were in fact related to his work, and should not be a campaign issue.

"I have a lot of people I have to talk to … and sometimes I overstay longer than I should," he says. "But I just can't see how that's a campaign issue.”

Ellison's critics and DFL opponents argue that the parking tickets and his record of 17 moving violations since 1990 are a campaign issue.

"Obviously, all of us if we have things in our past will have to explain them and will have to be honest about them," says Mike Erlandson, fellow DFL Fifth District congressional candidate.

Ellison says many people have moving violations on their driving records.

"The fact is, how many Americans don't have a traffic ticket now and again?" he says. "How many don't have a parking ticket?"

Erlandson has several speeding violations dating back to 1984, and fellow candidate Ember Reichgott Junge has one speeding violation from 2000." Source: KSTP, July 6, 2006

Thanks to a dedicated reader of Minnesota Democrats Exposed, I have more information about Ellison's driving record. 

The incidents labeled "Not confirmed" still need to be verified with supporting documentation, but are listed on Ellison's driving record.  Public records are not always 100% accurate and I will do my best to independently verify the incidents listed below.   

September 7, 2005: Driving after withdrawal (suspension) – Not confirmed

May 2, 2003: Speed – Not confirmed

April 25, 2003: Following too close – Not confirmed

January 29, 2003: Speeding – Not confirmed

May 14, 2002: Speeding – Not confirmed

February 18, 1998: No proof of insurance – Confirmed

August 4, 1994: Driving after suspension - Confirmed

Augut 4, 1994: Unsafe equipment – Confirmed

September 1, 1992: No drivers license in possession - Confirmed

September 1, 1992: Failure to display drivers license – Confirmed

Based on verifed public information, Ellison's license has been suspended twice.  His license is currently suspended and he was cited for driving after suspension in 1994.

Almost everyone (damn perfect drivers) has the occasional traffic violation (my last speeding ticket was in 2001) and nobody likes to pay traffic tickets.

But based on information provided to Minnesota Democrats Exposed, Ellison's driving record shows a clear pattern of violating traffic laws.

Almost everyone (damn perfect drivers) has the occasional traffic violation (my last speeding ticket was in 2001) and nobody likes to pay traffic tickets.

But based on information provided to Minnesota Democrats Exposed, Ellison's driving record shows a clear pattern of violating traffic laws.

It's not uncommon for campaigns to hire drivers to usher candidates from event to event, but the candidate usually has a valid drivers license. 

If Ellison can't follow the law in Minnesota, how can we expect him to make the laws in Washington D.C.?   

Check back for updates later tonight/tomorrow morning.

Based on published media reports, Keith Ellison has roughly $50,000 in the bank. 

Alan Fine is a great candidate – the best GOP candidate since Walter H. Judd.  Ellison's poor numbers are further evidence of his radioactive candidacy.

These facts should have been reported before the May 6 DFL endorsing convention. Because those delegates did not have these facts, the party's endorsement of Ellison for the Fifth District U.S. House seat should be null and void.

PAUL SCHEURER, MINNEAPOLIS" Source: Star Tribune, July 5, 2006 

A caution to the paper: beware of covert racism in this election, and try not to repeat it.

BETTY FOLLIARD, GOLDEN VALLEY" Souce: Star Tribune, July 5, 2006

## 

"WASHINGTON – Former state Sen. Ember Reichgott Junge has raised the most campaign money among four congressional candidates for the Fifth District DFL nomination, but former state party chair Mike Erlandson has the most cash.

Reichgott Junge has raised $225,000 since jumping into the race in late March, her campaign said Friday, which marked the close of the second-quarter reporting period.

Erlandson said he raised at least $170,000 during the quarter, ending with a bankroll of about $123,000, although he has pursued donors for only about five weeks. Reichgott Junge finished with a cash balance of about $100,000, said her campaign manager, Lori Jacobwith.

The party's endorsed candidate, state Rep. Keith Ellison, collected $110,000 to $125,000, but will report to the Federal Election Commission that he had a quarter-ending balance of about $50,000, campaign manager Dave Colling said. As the endorsed candidate, Ellison is expected to get assistance from the state DFL party.

The fourth candidate, Minneapolis City Council Member Paul Ostrow, raised about $77,500 from private donors and lent his campaign another $24,000, campaign manager Jason Amundsen said.

Ostrow planned to host a large fundraiser Friday night at his campaign headquarters in hopes of significantly boosting his figures. Not counting the fundraiser, he had about $40,000 in cash, Amundsen said." Source: Star Tribune, July 3, 2006

Click here for the complete story.

I felt good reading this part of the story: 

"Minneapolis-area blogs have dug up past statements by Ellison, such as his defense in 2000 of Symbionese Liberation Army member Kathleen Soliah, who later pleaded guilty to murder. All of this has put the candidate on the defensive." Source: Chicago Tribune, June 30, 2006.

'When we are connected, we have power,' Jackson told a gathering of about 50 area pastors and community members at New Salem Missionary Baptist Church in north Minneapolis." Source: Star Tribune, June 30, 2006

## 

In 1984 while running for president, Jesse Jackson was caught refering to New York City as "Hymie Town."

Hymie is a derogative term for a Jew.  The origins of the word are believed to come from Hymie, a nickname for Hyman.

Louis Farrakahn also endorsed Jesse Jackson's campaign for president in 1984. Source: Anti-Defamation League

##

"Today, Jackson will attend a rally for Ellison beginning at 12:30 p.m. at North Commons Park, 1801 James Av. N. If it rains, the event will be moved into the nearby North High School gym." Source: Star Tribune, June 30, 2006

'I do believe in racial reconciliation, but you know what? When somebody makes an apology on the eve of them being confirmed for a job that they want, I sort of doubt the sincerity of that apology,' he said." Source: MPR, June 30, 2006

##

Ellison is asking for a new job and the sincerity of his apologies should be doubted.

This is the problem facing Ellison:

"In an attempt to alleviate concerns about his background, Ellison wrote a letter to the Jewish Community Relations Council and has been speaking at synagogues to emphasize his work on civil rights issues.

That isn't enough for some members of the Jewish Community Relations Council. Daniel Rosen, a Minneapolis attorney who is also on the board of directors at the JCRC, says Ellison's ties to the Nation of Islam should disqualify him as a candidate.

'If Keith Ellison establishes a record of advocating for Jews and the Jewish Community, that is as lengthy and enthusiastic as his record of advocacy for anti-Semites and anti-Semitic organizations then at that time we can weigh his two records and decide who the real Keith Ellison is. We haven't reached that time,' according to Rosen." Source: MPR, June 30, 2006

That is a powerful statement from Daniel Rosen. 

Ellison, a state representative and criminal defense lawyer, is the state-party endorsed Democratic candidate in the liberal-leaning 5th Congressional District. That makes him the favorite in his quest to become the first Muslim member of Congress.

But Ellison is dogged by questions about his faith, particularly after disclosures about his past associations with the Nation of Islam, a group led by Louis Farrakhan.

While Ellison has since denounced Farrakhan, Jewish leaders say the candidate's ties to the organization remain an issue.

"For Jews, there's no ambiguity when it comes to the Nation of Islam," said Stephen Silberfarb, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas. "It's a group that hates the Jewish people."

Around 1990, Ellison – then a University of Minnesota law student known as Keith E. Hakim – wrote several columns in the student newspaper that are getting a second look.

One column defended Farrakhan against charges of anti-Semitism; a second suggested the creation of a state for black residents. In 1995, Ellison helped organize a delegation to Farrakhan's Million Man March in Washington. Source: Associated Press, June 29, 2006

##

Click here for complete AP story and here for the articles Ellison wrote as Keith E. Hakim, first posted on Minnesota Democrats Exposed.

## 

The Roll Call article mentioned above was actually written by Dan Rasmussen.

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"It seems that state Rep. Keith Ellison’s campaign for Congress so far amounts to answering one question: How close was he to the Nation of Islam and controversial leader Louis Farrakhan?

Since being endorsed for the Fifth Congressional District seat by the DFL in early May, Ellison has been under attack in the blogosphere and, more quietly, among rival Democrats raising questions about his views and the strength of his ties to the Nation of Islam.

Interviews with Ellison and others provide a picture of the part of his past that has come under scrutiny. Since he was a law student in 1988, Ellison has espoused a string of strong opinions in writing and by his associations." Source: Star Tribune, June 28, 2006

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But now Ellison is calling concerns these concerns "meaningless":

"Ellison said he is increasingly frustrated about the extent to which the allegations about his past have distracted attention from the substance of his campaign.

Ellison dismissed the allegations as 'not legitimate' and 'meaningless.'" Source: Roll Call, June 27, 2006

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Minn. Party Designee May Be in Some Trouble

Roll Call Staff

June 27, 2006

A few weeks ago, Minnesota state Rep. Keith Ellison’s (D) prospects of becoming the first Muslim ever to serve in Congress looked strong.

As he moved toward the Sept. 12 Democratic primary, Ellison had garnered high- profile endorsements from the state Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party as well as from the Minnesota AFL-CIO and other key unions.

But that was before two conservative Web logs began to do a little digging on Ellison’s background. What they found — Ellison’s ties to Louis Farrakhan’s Nation of Islam and his public defense of radicals who were later convicted of murder — has made many Democrats in the Minneapolis-based 5th district a bit nervous.

Ellison now has fallen behind two other Democratic candidates in fundraising, and he recently replaced his campaign manager. Political analysts are saying DFL officials should have done a better job vetting the candidates before they endorsed Ellison.

"This is a classic example of liberal moral relativism," said Sarah Janacek, Republican editor of the Politics in Minnesota newsletter. She added that the Ellison endorsement shows the DFL is dominated by the far-left wing of the party. "A lot of people are willing to gloss over his past because he’s black."

Ellison's primary opponents are benefiting from his troubles — on the financial front at least — and the primary is becoming increasingly difficult to call.

Because Rep. Martin Sabo (D-Minn.) did not announce his retirement until late March, most of the contenders for his job have not had to submit campaign finance reports.

But former state Sen. Ember Reichgott Junge, who ran a failed race for attorney general in 1998, said she has raised more than $175,000. Mike Erlandson, Sabo’s recently departed chief of staff and the former state Democratic Party chairman, has raised more than $120,000. Ellison has raised about $100,000.

"Ellison’s candidacy has taken a step back,” said Michael Brodkorb, a Republican operative who runs the MinnesotaDemocratsExposed.com blog. "He's going to have to do a great deal to overcome the concerns people have over his past.”

Brodkorb nevertheless said Ellison had a "very strong legislative record" and was "a very intoxicating candidate."

Also running in the Democratic race are Jon Olson, president of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Minneapolis City Councilman Paul Ostrow, and peace activist Erik Thompson. The winner of the primary is almost certain to be the district’s next Congressman in such a heavily Democratic area.

Ellison said he is increasingly frustrated about the extent to which the allegations about his past have distracted attention from the substance of his campaign.

Ellison dismissed the allegations as "not legitimate" and "meaningless."

"I’ve introduced more bills than any other Democrat. Does anyone want to talk about that?" Ellison asked. "I've gotten bills passed while in the minority, that’s something that’s not supposed to happen. Does anyone want to talk about that? I've worked to increase penalties for people stealing gas. Does anyone want to know about that?"

But critics say questions about his past need to be answered, particularly those about his relationship with the Nation of Islam.

In law school, Ellison wrote an opinion piece defending Louis Farrakhan and also helped bring a speaker to the campus for a lecture titled: “Zionism: White Supremacy, Imperialism or Both?”

Ellison also has been criticized for a speech he made at a fundraiser for Sara Jane Olsen, a member of the radical Symbionese Liberation Army in the 1970s who changed identities and hid out in Minnesota for many years, living as a suburban mom, before pleading guilty to several violent acts.

"I think, just like the people who want to come together and lock up Sara, we need to come together and free Sara," Ellison said in 2000.

Ellison also spoke in support of Assata Shakur, a former Black Panther who was convicted of murdering a New Jersey state police officer and a fellow activist.

Ellison said he was advocating for a fair trial and that he does not and did not support criminal activities.

"At the time I was the director of the Legal Rights Center. Indigent defense was what I did every day," he said. "These people were accused of something bad. I didn’t know what their actions were, but before the trial, I'm like, 'Hey, let’s give them a fair trial'"

Ellison said the scrutiny of his past actions is diverting attention from his liberal message.

"It’s distracting," he said. "It’s forcing me to address issues that don’t have anything to do with what’s going on [in people’s lives] today."

Political analysts say Ellison’s troubles have opened up the race for his challengers.

"The whole campaign has been devoted to Ellison explaining his past relation to Farrakhan," said Doug Grow, a political columnist for the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. "He's in a defensive posture."

Barry Casselman, a Minneapolis-based political analyst, said, however, that he still thinks Ellison is the favorite given his high-profile endorsements by the DFL, the AFL-CIO and other key interest groups. But he conceded that "it’s turning out to be a real contest."

Ellison, the most liberal of the leading candidates, is running on a platform of peace, universal health care and renewable energy. He said he sees his base as minorities, liberals, labor unions and people who oppose the war in Iraq.

"I don’t think the DFL endorsement guarantees anything," he said. "But with a hard-working candidate and a hard-working campaign, we’re going to energize and electrify the base. Then you’ve got a winning ticket."

But his opponents are conceding nothing.

Junge, who served in the state Senate for 18 years, is hoping to get women to the polls and sees the suburbs as her natural base of support. She has been endorsed by the Minnesota Women’s Campaign Fund.

"I'm just a better candidate," she said. "I have the ability to raise the funds to win."

Erlandson is also optimistic about his chances. He recently brought in popular former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell (D-Maine) for a campaign event and has been endorsed by his old boss, Sabo.

He says he hopes newspapers and blogs will continue to scrutinize the candidates.

"I would hope before the campaign is over that all the newspapers that cover the campaign will vet all the candidates," he said. "If they do that, that’s good for me and for my campaign."

Janacek predicted that the DFL stalwarts will support Erlandson, not Ellison. Junge’s base is in the suburbs, she said, while Ellison has the support of the liberal wing of the party.

"It’s a completely open race," she said. "There's no question about that." Source: Roll Call, June 27, 2006