I Don’t Hate America!

Steve Sarvi, Iraq war veteran and former mayor of Watertown, announced his candidacy for Congress in Minnesota’s Second District at a press conference today at the state capitol. The seat is currently held by Bush-ally John Kline, a Republican from Lakeville.

“I learned in the Army that when you think you’re off course, you should stop, check your compass, and change direction as needed. After five years without the kind of service and representation that 2nd District voters deserve, it’s time to change course, not only in the White House, but in the people’s House,” Sarvi said in a statement.

“The people standing with me today represent service, sacrifice and change. My fellow veterans answered their country’s call to put themselves in harm’s way. They represent the best tradition of America’s greatness, of putting country above self. We must keep our promise to them to always honor their service and sacrifice,” he continued.

Sarvi noted the political climate in the Second District could be favorable for a victory with several state legislative wins including the recent victory of Northfield teacher Kevin Dahle in a special election.

Much like Kline’s support of Bush’s policies, Sarvi’s criticism of Kline is quite unwavering.

“Americans have always overcome what is hard in order to achieve what is great. Nowhere is that more true than in Minnesota. Our optimism and pragmatism have made us an international model of voter engagement, environmental stewardship, energy innovation, health care, campaign finance, and public education.

“John Kline has failed to take Minnesota’s unique capacity for problem-solving to Washington. He has failed to serve the voters who honored him with the job of Congressman. I will not just win this election; I will do from day one what I have always done: serve my country and my community, bringing neighbors together to build an America and a Minnesota that is stronger, safer, and better able to prosper in the future,” he said.

Sarvi also announced he would begin a 15-stop district-wide listening tour on February 15, his second tour so far.

All the arguments have already been made.  Pundits have weighed in.  Television ads have been aired.  Form e-mails have been sent.  It’s now time for those of us in the state of Minnesota to make decisions at this thing we do called “caucusing.”

Tonight I will attend my first caucus since returning home to deep-red Savage.  I hope we have a good turnout on the DFL side to bring momentum into the elections this November.

Speaking of momentum, if you were at the Target Center on Saturday you would see momentum personified.  Having all of those people packed into that arena just felt like special, once in a blue moon feeling.  The prospect of change was truly in the air.

Change.  Yes, we have all heard that buzzword.

“DANIELSON, I’D LIKE TO YOU DEFINE CHANGE!,” you might say.

Let’s try: change from the politics of fear and cynicism.  Change from the policies based on fear and cynicism.  Change from this atmosphere of fear and cynicism that could potentially lead to two families having members in one of the top two spots for 36 years.

A lot of what I just mentioned may be intangible, but in a time like this it is certainly important.  To have a candidate who can make people, especially those younger folk like me, feel like they are part of an optimistic movement to actually bring about change can set in motion a renewed progressive movement taking us into the next generation.  Obama is this candidate.

Oh but the criticisms.  He doesn’t have enough experience, you say.  Spending time all over the globe.  Organizing communities.  Teaching constitutional law.   In elected office for 12 years.  I say that’s plenty of experience.  Also, it’s important to look at what a person has DONE in his or her experience as opposed to the LENGTH of that experience.

Or maybe more importantly, what wasn’t done.  Such as in the case of Hillary Rodham Clinton, stopping  Wal-Mart labor-busting revolution or working to stop us from going into war.

Also some say “he can only give a good speech, he doesn’t talk about issues!”

Saturday he talked about plenty of issues!  He has talked about issues in the debates.  He has issues on his website.  If you can’t see that he has policy positions, you simply aren’t trying to.  My opinion? He’s such a good orator that it is so convenient to ignore the fact he has positions.

Now, don’t get me wrong: Clinton would be a fine president and certainly an improvement over who we have now.  But it is this thought process that leads us to think that “good enough” is the way to go.

I truly believe this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for such great change.  Support Barack Obama tonight!

Ann Coulter, the outspoken conservative pundit has stated she would vote for and campaign for Hillary Clinton if John McCain gets the Republican nomination.  Here is the recent YouTube video from the Hannity & Colmes show that caused this news to spread:

This is the same Ann Coulter that made harsh comments about Bill and Hillary Clinton in a January 10th, 2002 New York Observer interview with George Gurley.  Courtesy Media Matters.

[Gurley] Do you have a perverse admiration for her [Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY)]?

[Coulter] “Ewwww, no. As with John Kerry, I generally don’t admire people who get ahead on somebody else’s coattails. She’s like the anti-feminist. No, except she isn’t — because all feminists behave that way and pretend to be, ‘Oh, I’m a strong woman.’ They’re all weak and pathetic.”

[…]

[Gurley] What should we remember about Bill Clinton?

[Coulter] “Well, he was a very good rapist. I think that should not be forgotten.”

 Clinton thinks it is rather funny and probably doesn’t believe it either:

“I’m a conservative, Neil.  I just have a thing for voting for the more conservative candidate and it’s McCain versus Hillary.”

Is anyone else extremly confused how liberal democrats and conservative republicans (like Coulter) can vote for the same candidate?

Via press release:

WALZ SUPPORTS EMERGENCY ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE

Package signals a clear change of priorities in Washington

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Congressman Tim Walz joined 384 of his House colleagues in voting for the bipartisan Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act of 2008. The emergency stimulus package provides tax rebates this spring of up to $600 for an individual and up to $1,200 for a married couple, plus $300 per child. A total of 117 million families will receive a check. The package also includes mortgage lending reforms and additional write offs for small businesses.

“American families are hurting and this package provides them with badly needed relief,” said Walz. “I’m pleased that Democrats and Republicans came together and found agreement on helping every day Americans. We will continue to monitor the economy and to work together if additional actions are necessary to spur the economy.”

“Under this plan, a single mother with two children making $15,000 will get a $900 rebate. That is real money in the pockets of working people who desperately need the assistance,” said Walz. “When it comes to the economy, this legislation is a clear sign that Washington’s priorities have changed. A few years ago, big business would have been the priority during an economic downturn. Today, every day Americans are first on the agenda, and that is a change we can be proud of.”

The following provisions are included in the legislation passed by the House:

Broad-Based Relief for Individuals

· Tax Cut for 117 million Families. This broad-based stimulus package will provide tax relief of up to $600 per individual and $1,200 per married couple, plus an additional $300 per child. Recovery rebate checks could be sent as early as mid-May, getting money to Americans who will spend it immediately to reinvigorate the economy.

· Unprecedented Tax Relief for Working Families. The measure provides $28 billion in tax relief for 35 million families who work but make too little to pay income taxes — families who otherwise would not have been included in this recovery effort. More than 19 million of these are families with children. Americans who earned at least $3,000 in 2007 will get at least $300 per single and $600 per couple, plus a child tax credit of $300 per child. Economist Mark Zandi of Moody’s Economy.com estimates that tax rebates that include low- and moderate-income families are 24 percent more effective as stimulus than rebates that leave these families out.

· Tax Fairness and Targeted Rebate. Nearly $50 billion of the rebate will go to middle-income Americans and those aspiring to it — making less than $50,000. The wealthiest taxpayers are not eligible for this relief. Tax relief begins to phase out above incomes of $75,000 for a single and $150,000 for a married couple.

· American families are struggling in weakening economy. Family incomes and home prices are down as health care, energy, food, and education costs and mortgage foreclosures have climbed. No wonder American families falling behind on their bills and consumer confidence is at a five-year low.

Helping Families Avoid Foreclosure

· Increasing Affordable Refinancing Opportunities and Liquidity in Housing Market. For 2008, the bill increases the FHA loan limits up to $729,750, to expand affordable mortgage loan opportunities for families at risk of foreclosure through the Federal Housing Administration. To enhance credit availability in the mortgage market, the measure includes a one-year increase in the loan limits for single family homes from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from $417,000 up to $729,750 for 2008.

Encouraging Business Investment

· Small Business Expensing. The bipartisan plan doubles the amount small businesses can immediately write off their taxes for capital investments made in 2008 from $125,000 to $250,000, for purchases of new equipment of up to $800,000 (from $500,000).

· Bonus Depreciation. It provides immediate tax relief for all businesses to invest in new plants and equipment by speeding up depreciation provisions, so that firms can write off an additional 50 percent for investments purchased in 2008.

-30-

It was a matter of when, not if.

…for those of us somewhat grounded in reality anyway. From the AP story:

CLEVELAND — Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich is abandoning his second bid for the White House. In an interview with Cleveland’s Plain Dealer, the six-term congressman said he was quitting the race and would make a formal announcement on Friday.

“I will be announcing that I’m transiting out of the presidential campaign,” Kucinich said. “I’m making that announcement tomorrow about a new direction.”

“New direction?” Any predictions?

The 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!

As I channel-surf watching coverage of the results of the New Hampshire presidential primary (supplemented with viewing of the Uptake’s live coverage), it’s become clear that the media is not telling the whole story about this primary.

By “not telling the whole story” I mean no one has told me that Minnesota’s own Ole Savior is on the Democratic presidential ballot in New Hampshire (link to PDF).

Furthermore, none of the major networks, nor the Uptake, are displaying his numbers.  Shameful.

In all seriousness, congrats to John McCain on his victory.  It looks like Barack Obama is gaining a little bit of ground on Hillary, but let’s keep watching to see how it turns out.

7:39 p.m.: I will be bringing liveblog coverage of the results of the special election in Senate District 25. Polls close in about 20 mins; results should flow in shortly thereafter.

Check back soon!

8:07 p.m.: With two (Ottawa Township and Heidelberg) of 63 precincts reporting, Kevin Dahle (DFL) leads with 66 percent, Ray Cox (R) follows with 29 and Vance Norgaard (IP) trails with 5.

8:10 p.m.: Belle Plaine goes heavily for Cox, (321 to Dahle’s 273) and pulls ahead 49-48.

8:22 p.m.: The election judges must be in traffic; nothing new to report.

8:27 p.m.: Sharon Township goes 52-41-2 (votes) for Cox goes to 50%-47%-3%.

8:29 p.m.: Dahle wins Cordova township 32-31-5.

8:32 p.m.: with 9 of 63 precincts in, we have a close one kids. Cox: 48.71%. Dahle: 48.18%. Norgaard: 2.97%.

8:36 p.m.: Dahle doing better in 25A (contrary to what you have have heard on the radio, is held by Republican Laura Brod) than I thought he had any chance of doing. He takes New Prague 217-202. Cox leads with 11 precincts in 48.59% to 48.11%.

8:40 p.m.: Dahle takes Montgomery Twp. (60-48). Pulls ahead 48.43%-48.20%. Only one precinct in Rice county in so far (Sheildsville Twp.) which went for Dahle 61-47.

8:43 p.m.: 14 precincts in and political newcomer Kevin Dahle leads former House member Ray Cox by a single vote, 902-901. Eight precincts in Northfield we are still waiting for (ya know, where all those eeeeevil college students are).

8:45 p.m.: Cox pulls ahead with a 125-103 win in Lanesburgh. 48.72 to 47.72. I think I will feel comfortable finding my way around if I get lost in this district after I learn all of these townships.

8:49 p.m.: Cox wins Waterville Twp. 44-42. With 18 of 63 reporting, Cox leads 48.44 to 47.99.

8:52 p.m.: Almost 1/3rd of the way home. Cox continues to lead 48.63 to 47.85. Wins Le Center 116-94.

8:57 p.m.: As I was bickering with Sean over at MNPublius, Dahle pulls ahead BIG (well only by 2 percent and only 63 votes, but still significant relatively) 49.21-47.14. Dahle wins Montgomery (178-116), Erin Twp. 62-47 and Kasota 26-13.

9:02 p.m.: Just like that, Cox pulls ahead in a huge way, now leading 50.02 to 46.49 percent. Cox destroyed Dahle in Cedar Lake Township 214-105 and in Lonsdale 188-111.

9:05 p.m.: What’s taking Northfield so freakin’ long? Dahle tightens things up a bit, is behind Cox 47.04 to 49.50. Dahle annihilates Cox in Dundas 93-52. Cox wins Forest Township 117-101.

9:09 p.m.: 34 of 63 precincts reporting. Cox now leads 50.17% (2530) to 46.56 (23.48). Cox wins the New Prauge precinct in Le Sueur County 153-148 and Helena Township 157-88.

9:15 p.m.: First precinct with “Northfield” in the name is in: Northfield Township goes for Dahle in convincing fashion: 143-106. Cox leads 49.78 to 47.14 percent (just 146 votes).

9:17 p.m.: I have CSPAN coverage on in the background featuring Des Moines precinct 53’s resolution discussion. Boy. this chair needs to get this rabid caucus goers in line! Cox wins Belle Plaine Township 72-45. Leads 49.97 to 46.93. Chair in Des Moines needed to call a division on the question; I <3 Robert’s Rules of Order.

9:21 p.m.: 41 of 63 precincts in. Cox wins Wheatland Township 123-81. Pulls ahead 50.49 to 46.44. Dahle has to hope to do huge numbers in Northfield.

9:27 p.m.: We have a tie: Cox ties Dahle in Dennision township goes 2-2. I’d hate to be that election judge.

9:30 p.m.: Roundabout the quarter pole, as Paul Allen would say at Canterbury. 53 of 63 in. Cox ahead 50.25% (3946) to 46.47% (3649). 59-59 tie in Wheeling Township. Cox wins 102-77 in Arlington, Dahle wins Arlington Township 27-11. Waiting on Northfield; did someone poison the Malt-O-Meal?

9:36 p.m.: One more precinct came in, not sure which one but results are essentially the same. I need a beer.

9:43 p.m.: Back from the fridge; no changes.

9:46 p.m.: Blakely Township goes for Cox 60-33. Nothing from the home of the Raiders, Northfield.

9:53 p.m.: All precincts are in except for the eight in Northfield (63 total). Results so far: 50.37 percent (4065) for Cox, 46.35 percent (3741) for Dahle, and 3.18 percent (257) for Norgaard.

9:56 p.m.: Final county results for Sibley, Le Sueur and Scott. Le Sueur: Cox: 47.23, Dahle: 49.14, Norgaard: 3.56. I’d say that’s pretty darn impressive for Dahle. Scott: Cox: 56.07, Dahle: 41.58, Norgaard: 2.24. Sibley: Cox: 51.86, Dahle 42.02, Norgaard: 6.12.

10:01 p.m.: Nothin’ yet from Northfield, kids. Joe Bodell at MN Campaign Report reports that Dahle and his team are feeling confident. Congrats to Barack Obama and Mike Huckabee for their respective victories in Iowa.

10:08 p.m.: So far, turnout is 16.1 percent district wide. These are three final county numbers: 16.8 percent in Sibley county, 18.5 in Le Sueur, and 19.3 in Scott.

10:27 p.m.: Joe Bodell says he has a report from the ground that Dahle has gotten enough votes in Northfield to win the election.

Last night I predicted John Edwards would be victorious in Iowa today.  What I largely disregarded was the 15 percent threshold required to advance past a first round of voting under the arcane procedures.

While Kucinich, Biden and Richardson’s support individually may not even hit the radar, on a second round of voting could crown Barack Obama victor.  Tuesday, Kucinich told his supporters to move to Obama if he is unable to make the 15% threshold in any precinct (in reality, nearly every precinct).

Today though, we learn the Iowa Independent reports that Bill Richardson will send his supporters to Obama as well. We went on to learn the same thing about Joe Biden.

Of course, everyone is essentially saying “move along; nothing to see here.”

Let’s see what happens; it should be fun!

I would pick this guy, except he doesn’t enter the race until Sunday:

Ralph will announce his candidacy on the January 6th episode of The Simpsons. Actually, he isn’t the one who announces it; rather, the voters of Springfield, who reject all of the other candidates in their first primary, write the young Wiggum in as a candidate. He quickly becomes an independent presidential front-runner that party leaders for both the Republicans and the Democrats want to have in their court.

Now for real:

Democrats: 1. Edwards 2. Obama 3. Clinton.

Republicans: 1.  Huckabee  2. McCain 3. Romney.

But what do I know?