Over at a site entitled Democrats Work, there is currently a contest going on in which General Wesley Clark will be visiting a congressional district to do a community service project with the Democrat running for office in that district. Here in Minnesota there are two candidates from which to choose: Ashwin Madia and Elwyn Tinklenberg. One has to wonder why there is no Steve Sarvi choice. So, for whom will you vote?Will you vote for Madia running in the 3rd district or Tinklenberg running in the 6th district? While I would love to get some coverage from Clark in the 6th district the reality is that the 3rd district is far more winnable. Given that reality, it would seem far more useful to throw your support to Madia who is going to need to run an impressive campaign in order to take this seat. On the other hand, a figure such as Wesley Clark might play well in the 6th district and energize a Democratic electorate that seems to be fairly ambivalent about Tinklenberg.
The four main goals of Democrats Work:
Make tangible contributions to increase the visibility of Democrats at the local level. We want to show our neighbors that Democrats get things done, making improvements that people can point to and say: "The Democrats did that for this community." We associate Democrats with service so when there is a need in the community, people will say, “Call the Democrats, they always have people who can help.” Engage the grassroots during non-election time to keep folks active and involved. Instead of asking people to get involved every two or four years, we tap into that energy year-round and “keep the band together.” Reach out to people who might not otherwise get involved in purely “political” activities, but share our values. Not everyone wants to hand out campaign literature or phone bank or even wants to work for a particular candidate, but they are willing to paint a school or clean up a park with their friends. Build a unified stable of motivated and easily mobilized volunteers who can help candidates win elections.
I encourage you to use the comment section as a way to convince myself and others who the better Minnesota choice would be for a Wesley Clark visit.
Cross Posted on St. Cloud Times
Cross Posted on St. Cloud Times
9 responses to "Democrats Work: Ashwin Madia OR Elwyn TInklenberg?"
There are a few bloggers ambivalent about Tinklenberg, but that's hardly the "democratic electorate". There is a small but vocal group of activists who will be satisfied with nothing less than the furthest left candidate we can find who are ambivalent, but they are mad every year we don't run a candidate exactly like Paul Wellstone.
Other than the echo chamber between this and a couple other blogs, and a couple of people who can't get over losing an endorsement, I don't hear any real ambivalence among Democrats. Don't assume just because you and your friends blog something a lot it is the truth. As your blog title points out, your views are not exactly common out here.
I may not be the best person for you to go after given that I have not gone after and did not go after Tinklenberg nearly as much those other friends you have connected me with. Furthermore, I have never thought we should find the farthest left candidate we could. My goal is to defeat Michele Bachmann and whomever can do that is all right in my book.
I am friends with many of the people who have slammed Tinklenberg but that doesn't mean I am as vehemently opposed to him as they are. This blog stayed out of a lot of that stuff and was perhaps the first to tell Olson outright that he was done and should pack it in. All I was saying is that I personally am not seeing nearly as much excitement about Tinklenberg as I am about Madia.
Damn that small group of activists that want a progressive. They are mad that this year we will run a candidate who about as far from Paul wellstone as we can get. How dae they. Think of what Paul would have said about being endorsed by the Blue Dogs. Nothing like being a friend of Joe Liberman and Zel Miller to warm the hearts of liberals every where.
I guess you have not drank enough kool aid yet muse. Get with the program or you will get no love.
I don't think Muse was out of line by noting the enthusiasm level in CD 3 vs. CD 6.
El's only getting started and might end up doing great by November (I certainly hope so).
But for now, the real fire is in the 3rd. I worked in both districts this year and can honestly say that Ashwin and Bonoff each had more enthusiasm around their candidacies than Olson and Tinklenberg combined.
That can, of course, change and I think it's safe to say we're all pulling for El to beat Michele.
We like Elwyn more than we like Michele, don't forget that.
The attacks on Elwyn are coming. Freedom's Watch has spent a lot of time looking at Elwyn's position on Iraq and on Impeachment. How they position themselves when these attacks are launched will be vital to their success in the 6th.
Having been to a few of these conventions, IMHO, I have witnessed the buzz around Ashwin Madia and Steve Sarvi.
Regardless, we stand to have a great election in November...if Franken dosen't take us all down :p
Thanks Chris & Blue Man. The only thing I meant is that from a purely excitement standpoint, Madia has the advantage and a Clark visit to the 6th District could help to bring some excitement here. Little did I realize that I would be chastised for even the most innocent of commentary.
We all identify ourselves except the stone thrower. I just bet the person has a name and could give it, putting more credibility behind the comments that way.
Musings have been fair and without favoritism, others are correct in noting that.
I appreciate the notice of this "gimmick" being posted here.
It is useful for helping the DFL. Notice is almost always a good thing. Sunshine, etc.
Can you picture Michele Bachmann with Col. Kline or some such person doing the same thing? She'd have to come back to the district and take time away from DC, staff changes, Marcus and the children. And she has no real skill set to be of much service to anyone.
That said, I voted for Madia.
Have a Jag Corp. jar head bossing an Army general around, let the branches of the service work together and be unified, etc.
Other reasons, Anonymous already identified.
May Madia win, and continue to serve as he did, on the ground, in Iraq - although not in combat - but competent and willing.
He volunteered and did what was commanded. As one who was never in the armed services, I respect others who commit that way.
I have been surprised at those who dislike El because he is too far right, but seem to love Ashwin. Ashwin used to be a Republican for God's sake, why isn't he getting the flack El is?
And this anonymous simply doesn't want to get yet another internet account...
Anon: You bring up a good point. I think it is less about Tink being a moderate than it is about seemingly contradictory statements. Those statements are seen by some as waffling on issues. However, I really wasn't talking about those things when I spoke of ambivalence. My point was that it SEEMS as though there is more excitement in the 3rd than there is in the 6th. Perhaps I am wrong but it is my perception nonetheless.