So I was on the Air America (AM 950) Tuesday for a short segment discussing the 6th District. While I was able to address a few things about the race, there are a couple of points I feel the need to point out.
Currently, we have three confirmed candidates for the DFL in Elwyn Tinklenberg, Maureen Reed, and Tarryl Clark. The last few days have seen quite a lot of chatter throughout the blogosphere about this district and this particular race. In that chatter and in the chatter from my personal sources there seems to be a few themes:
Currently, we have three confirmed candidates for the DFL in Elwyn Tinklenberg, Maureen Reed, and Tarryl Clark. The last few days have seen quite a lot of chatter throughout the blogosphere about this district and this particular race. In that chatter and in the chatter from my personal sources there seems to be a few themes:
1. With Maureen Reed, every indication I am hearing is that apart from her large fund raising numbers she is dead in the water. Don't get me wrong, I like Dr. Reed and would have no trouble supporting her but for one reason or another the people I have contacts with have already counted her out of the endorsement. Does this mean that Reed is really gunning for the IP candidacy? Will she abide by the DFL endorsement? If she were to lose that endorsement, then will she run as an IP candidate or put her name on the DFL primary ballot?
2. Elwyn Tinklenberg appears to have two hurdles to overcome: First, to convince people throughout the district who recall that big blue paw print on his '08 campaign site touting the endorsement by the Blue Dog Coalition that he is NO LONGER a Blue Dog Democrat. Second, much like Reed, there are increasingly loud questions about why he has chosen to ignore the DFL endorsement and take this race to a primary. All of my sources who might have supported him before are abandoning ship because of this decision. Why would Mr. Tinklenberg tell the entire DFL establishment in the district that he will ignore their decision? Could I support Tinklenberg? Sure, but right now his answers to these questions concern me.
3. Tarryl Clark, from EVERYTHING I am hearing, is the early leader in the initial endorsement process. Her one disadvantage might be her initial fund raising which will have to catch up with her competitors. As she has not been very public yet I do not know what her stance is on honoring the endorsement process but given the questions surrounding Reed and Tinklenberg it would interesting to hear what she intends.
UPDATE: h/t to Blue Man on this one...
The Clark website is up with a youtube video message:
Clark makes it clear in the video that she WILL abide by the DFL endorsement which could be an indication that she has called around the district and all but locked up the delegates she needs to win.
At this point I refuse to endorse any particular candidate and would like to see an honest process with each candidate answering this simple question: What makes YOU the best DFL candidate to win the endorsement and win the district?
Logging you in...
Rae · 818 weeks ago
She has appeal and legitimacy across parties because of her extensive experience and the energy she brings to the campaign. She is really the person to beat Michele, and out of the three, the only one who can do it.
Political_Muse 35p · 817 weeks ago
http://liberalinthelandofconservative.blogspot.co...
It is also true that her fund raising efforts thus far have been nothing short of awesome. What I was saying is that amongst the DFL activists I speak with she is at best a second option. Now I don't have so many connections that I could definitively count her out but they are some fairly influential voices.
As I said in the post, though, I do really like Dr. Reed and could easily see myself supporting her.
Dustin · 817 weeks ago
There seems to be more than just a little bit of effort to get Reed elected. Even in her candidacy right now, people are talking about her in the race. That says something considering she hasn't placed her name in the political area before and doesn't have the Barack Obama affect going for her political career.
Reed might just be the best candidate because when you look at why she is succeeding, it is because she has the right stuff for the job. Looking past the try, try again attitude of Tinklenberg or the popularity of Tarryl. Reed is the candidate of actual ground that has a chance to win and won't be hung by her political record.
For the Democrats really, that is the best strategy. I don't assume the democrats will be that intelligent although, so look for Republican Michelle Bachmen to hold her seat another time as the Democrats pick Tinklenberg and Reed pulls a decent amount of the vote as the Independent.
Pitty · 818 weeks ago
I understand the excitement about Tarryl as a candidate. She's a rising star within the party, and she has high name recognition within certain parts of the 6th. To the democratic base in the 6th, she is an incredibly appealing candidate. And for that reason, it makes sense that people think she will win the DFL endorsement. But, I'm sorry, in the 6th, turning out the democratic base isn't going to beat Bachmann. We need a candidate who will appeal to moderates and disaffected Republicans and Tarryl will get hung by her legislative record, specifically her votes with regards to taxation.
Again, it is too early to tell for sure, but I strongly feel Dr. Reed is the only candidate who has thrown her hat in the ring who has a shot at beating Bachmann in the general. She is a genuine moderate, and as indicated by her online activity and fundraising, she is running a solid campaign and generating a great deal of excitement and activism. When we consider who should win the endorsement, we have to consider who will have the best shot at winning the general election. Right now, I feel the candidate with the best chances is Reed.
Sailor · 817 weeks ago
When it comes to health care, we need people with the leadership to say NO to those who wnat medical procedures that are inefficient. ONLY Dr. Reed, as the medical director of one of the most successful HMOs in he country, has been on the firing line directly telling greedy physicians and their malingering patients who are out to game the health care system!
MNBlue 11p · 817 weeks ago
Blueman · 817 weeks ago
http://www.mncaa.org/
Community Action Agencies
Help people move up in their career ladder (through jobtraining, job search, and career development services);
Keep people warm and dry (through energy assistance and weatherization services);
Help the unemployed find work (through job training and application assistance);
Help families and seniors put food on the table (through food shelves and nutrition programs);
Give young children a healthy, (through WIC, Head Start, crisis nursery, and child care programs);
Help in times of crisis (through emergency housing and financial assistance, counseling, and crisis nursery services);
Advocate for policy solutions that eliminate poverty in Minnesota.
@TwoPuttTommy · 817 weeks ago
Bull (cheney)in' (droppings). Anyone could beat Bachmann, what with the way the Bachmann MotorMouth Overdrive is on the fast-track to political oblivion.
I want to hear why candidates will make the best representative rather than the self-serving claim they're the only one that can beat Little Miss Hiding In The Bushes.
surf · 817 weeks ago
lav · 817 weeks ago
MNBlue 11p · 817 weeks ago
Also, regarding health care, she has extensive knowledge and experience working in MN health care, which is by and far, the best in the country re: cost, coverage and outcomes. She was the head of the group that spawned community measurements, I seriously doubt she'll be "just another blue dog democrat on health care".
Sammy · 817 weeks ago
As for Tinklenberg, he's had two chances now to prove that he could beat Bachmann and it hasn't happened. A lot of people are fed up with him as he seems to be doing anything to win. (changing his ideology and hiring Dana Houle, who is extremely divisive, as his campaign manager). Personally, I think two times is enough.
Blueman · 817 weeks ago
I see Reed as a wild card here, but I do wonder if she is a one trick pony (health care, understanding her role as a U of M Regent)
Holly Cairns · 817 weeks ago
What's up with the Clark website? Salsa? Clark won't have fun putting this on her literature: http://dlcc.wiredforchange.com/o/6460/t/3379/cont...
For important videos, I'd like to see her wear a suit. But maybe she knows the district and everyone wears t-shirts.
The website image: She's surrounded by people, but are any looking at her? Perhaps she wants another photo.
Dr. Reed
Makes me nervous since she crossed the line and ran as an Independent. In my opinion, that move makes it clear she doesn't really get 'running for office and how we get there'. Independents usually end up only helping the party they least like. SHE'S the one that has to prove something.
El Tinklenberg
Probably knows his district better by now and at least has name recognition. Not everyone in the district will know Clark. If I were El, I'd call myself T-Berg and I'd talk about how I supports family values, want to end painful discrimination, realize that strong families means a strong America, and that I am listening and want people to reach me. Plus I would tell people I have a strong faith and I believe it is important not to discriminate against, or hurt, others.
I'm trying to remember if there was a lot of buzz about T-Berg. I didn't hear much down here and I'm wondering if the new campaign manager will use his blog correctly. Hopefully it won't be a "this is what is wrong with Bachmann" blog. I don't even know Tinklenberg at all, and I'd like to get to know him more.
--->ON another note (and this is lame, I suppose): I know the 6th goes all the way west to about Paynesville. Does the 6th also wrap all the way around the cities, and include that stretch of 35 that has Sean Hannity etc. AM1500 billboards? If so, I'd like to see some DFLer put up a few billboards with a smiling face and "Strong Families means a Strong America" or something like that. Something nice to look at while driving north. Good Lord, it's a vomit stretch to dive it, now.
Holly Cairns · 817 weeks ago
LITLOC Fan · 817 weeks ago
Now the fact that she told me that, means she is making connections with people who have been delegates in the past, and that bodes well. She is working like she wants the endorsement. So is Tarryl, she's called me as many times as Reed has in just the last two weeks.
El has yet to connect with me, which is surprising since he called me early the last two times he ran. I hope his hotshot campaign manager doesn't think he'll win the sixth on the blogosphere - our voters still poll as getting a lot of their information via the grapevine and coffee shop chats out here. I love all you little bloggers, but you still win more votes in the sixth at chicken dinners than online.
Demigod · 817 weeks ago
MinnesotaBulldog · 817 weeks ago
Maureen was evasive at a recent meeting: wouldn't state much about what she actually supported, wouldn't state if she would abide, didn't have a position on EFCA, etc. I know she wants to reform health care, but what does she mean by that? I'm not thrilled with the idea of putting a HMO executive in charge of reforming health care, unless she pulls a Wendell Potter and tells us about all the horrible things she's seen insurance companies do from the inside.
I would be thrilled to help someone who not only can beat Bachmann but who has strong stances and will fight for them.
I'm encouraged by Tarryl. I like that she will abide, she's a good speaker and good at articulating DFL positions.
All three are nice people. All three are smart people. Money is important, campaign staff are important, but what's most important is having a good message with good policies that are argued effectively. It's not enough to just be against BachmannL let's hear what you are for, and not just in generic terms: put some meat on the bones.
MNBlue 11p · 817 weeks ago
Wellstonedem · 817 weeks ago