Liberal in the Land of Conservative

Olson, Tinklenberg debate
By Lawrence Schumacher, lschumacher@stcloudtimes.com

Published: November 16. 2007 12:30AM

Two candidates hoping to win the DFL Party endorsement to take on U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., next year found lots of room for agreement at their first debate Thursday evening at St. Cloud State University.

First and foremost, Bob Olson and Elwyn Tinklenberg agreed that they don't care much for having the Stillwater freshman represent the 6th Congressional District in Washington, D.C.

Olson, a tax lawyer and bank co-owner who recently made St. Cloud his home, called out Bachmann on a litany of votes in Congress against Democratic bills to extend health care, fund transportation, bring American troops home from Iraq, end tax breaks for oil companies, increase aid to college students and more.

"This is not a family value. This is not a Minnesota value. This is not an American value," Olson repeatedly stated of Bachmann's choices in Congress.

Tinklenberg, a transportation lobbyist, former mayor of Blaine and former state transportation commissioner, took special exception to Bachmann's vote on Wednesday against a final transportation, housing and urban development appropriations bill that would provide $195 million to rebuild the Interstate Highway 35W bridge in Minneapolis, $55 million for the Northstar commuter rail line, $1.125 million to improve St. Cloud Regional Airport's terminal and $820,000 to replace Metro Bus dial-a-ride buses, among other items.

"She has capped off a career of voting against adequate transportation funding," he said of the vote. "Michele Bachmann is not for Northstar, not for transportation improvements, not for adequate infrastructure. She's going to vote against these interests every time."

The 6th Congressional District covers most or all of Anoka, Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, Washington and Wright counties and includes the St. Cloud metro area.

The DFL race would appear to be up to party delegates to decide, as Tinklenberg, who had avoided saying he would abide by the party's endorsement process earlier, appeared to commit Thursday.

"I supported the party's endorsed candidate before," he said of his 2006 endorsement loss to Patty Wetterling. "I will certainly do that again."

Olson reiterated his previous commitment to abide by the endorsement process.

Olson's platform

Olson, whose tone was more somber and formal during the debate, played up his strengths — knowledge of tax law and energy policy.

A founder of the American Sustainable Energy Council, Olson emphasized a platform of calling for a deadline to withdraw American troops from Iraq, using tax incentives to jump-start renewable energy production and rolling back President Bush's tax cuts on wealthy individuals and families.

"I can no longer stand by and watch the middle class in this country be destroyed for the benefit of the rich," he said.

Olson said he would support ending the military's policy of discharging homosexuals from service, diplomacy and economic negotiations to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, public funding of campaigns and a bill making it easier for employees to form labor unions.

Tinklenberg's tone

With a more casual, relaxed tone, Tinklenberg sought to reinforce his long history of service in the 6th Congressional District and expertise on transportation and infrastructure issues.

Tinklenberg cautioned DFLers that Bachmann would be a tough opponent in the general election, despite a voting record most DFLers believe is counterproductive.

"She's tough when she's on message," he said. "We've got to make sure she doesn't stay on message, because, underneath that message, there's some really interesting stuff going on."

Tinklenberg said a bill calling for timetables for American military withdrawal from Iraq should be on the next president's desk within three months of the start of the next Congress.

Tinklenberg also said he would support ending the military's policy on homosexual troops.

He emphasized diplomacy, economic sanctions and consistency in dealing with burgeoning nuclear states. He also advocated public funding of campaigns and easier labor organization, among other issues.

4.
Lawrence Schumacher from St. Cloud Times
Comment Posted: 11/16/2007 4:22:56 PM

John,

See http://www.sctimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071115/NEWS01/111150066/1009

Also, http://65.36.138.212/publicus/blog/read.asp?BlogID=6&ID=8048