Team 3-D debate in Rochester; Day, Demmer, Davis try to pull away from pack
January 11th, 2008 4:35 pm by DJ DanielsonThe three remaining Republican candidates wishing to vie for the seat in Congress currently held by freshman DFL Rep. Tim Walz debated for the first time last night in Rochester.
First time? I guess if we’re playing under the “if no one was allowed to see it, it didn’t happen” rules, maybe
The Post Bulletin has coverage of the debate featuring Mayo physician Brian Davis, state Sen. Dick Day and state Rep. Randy Demmer, who collectively form “Team-3D.”
All three were fighting for the anti-immigration vote:
Day said a framework could be put in place that would alert potential employers to the immigration status of job-seekers.
“If we don’t protect our borders, we don’t have a country,” Day said.
State Rep. Randy Demmer of Hayfield and Mayo Clinic physician Brian Davis also said they’re strong believers in adopting a get-tough stance against illegal immigration.
Wow, great original insight, Dick.
The candidates also agreed on the importance of fostering greater energy independence by increasing the domestic oil supply, including drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; and in making sure that DFL Rep. Tim Walz of Mankato is not re-elected to a second term in November.
I thought the cookie-cutter talking point on domestic oil was about “individual liberty and choices,” not energy independence. Oh, you mean this isn’t the Jason Lewis show? Sorry, my bad.
The candidates also seemed to touch on issues such as education, national security and health care.
The PB article did not mention if Iraq or transportation issues were discussed, though apparently Day’s greatest qualification is his old age and newest conquest is apparently earmarks.
“I’m too old to be influenced by power or prestige,” he said.
Day, an 18-year state senator, also said fiscal discipline would be a top priority and that he would shun earmarks.
“I’m a guy that says, ‘no earmarks. We should cut out the earmarks,’” he said.
I wish we could get real and stop with this demagoguery about earmarks. Good luck getting funding for a project, say, I don’t know, Highway 14, to go through the United States Congress in a stand alone bill. People complain about how nothing gets done in Washington as it is; can you imagine how bad it would be if every single line item to be appropriated had to have its own bill? Ollie has her views here.
Will we see Day on a mission to stop omnibus bills in the state legislature, too? Somehow I doubt it.
Tomorrow, Brian Davis will appear on NARN’s “the FINAL word” at 3:00 p.m. on 1280 AM. Glad to see Davis has caught on that it’s easier to reach his prospective voters on a conservative station as opposed to say, this lefty-blog.
If you’re in the First District, or even three miles away from the interchange of Cliff Road and 35E, and thus out of the 5,000 watt station’s reach, they offer convenient web streaming. How sweet of them!
January 11th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Excellent post.
January 12th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
Sen. Day has secured some $200 million for highway 14 expansion in the transparent budgetary system we have in the Minnesota State legislature. Walz secured $750,000 in earmarks for highway 14. Who has been the most effective leader to fund our crucial first district infrastructure?
January 13th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
So is that an argument for sending Day to Congress where he won’t ask for any earmarks, ( a promise that effectively prevents Day from asking for any transportation dollars for Highway 14), or one for keeping him in St. Paul ?
How much of Day’s $200 million (adjusted for inflation) was brought back to the district in 1991, during Day’s first year in the Minnesota Senate? That would be the only fair comparison with the dollars Walz brought back.
January 14th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
It seems FDR would prefer the John Kline way of earmarks…
January 17th, 2008 at 12:32 am
Ollie Ox,
You’re a fool for even treading in this water. The state doesn’t budget with earmarks. All of the funding for highways goes through the legislative process amd sets priorities in close cooperation with MNDOT district engineers. This is in sharp contrast to Congress, which tells MNDOT which projects will be funded whether they are in the 20 year STIP or not. A great example of this is Oberstar’s earmark for Highway 53, which has a 2500 a day car count. Oberstar put $50 million out for Highway 53, while Highway 14, with a 14,000 car count a day only got $500,000. Walz is a Democrat and is from Oberstar’s home state. It’s pretty clear Walz is a flop on the transportation committee if he can’t even get enough money for a half a mile of road for highway 14.