I Don’t Hate America!

(cross-posted at Bluestem Prairie)

In the midst of the media’s coverage of health care “town hall” style meetings and the hysteria from conservative activists over the reluctance (or in some cases, refusal) of some Members of Congress to participate in such forums, at least one Republican congressman’s refusal to hold one has, until recently, been virtually ignored.

Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., has largely gone under the radar despite not only failing to host a forum about health care so far during Congress’s summer recess, but hosting only one forum at all since his election to the House in 2002. Kline serves Minnesota’s Second Congressional District, which, while containing suburbs in Carver, Scott, Dakota and Washington counties, is largely rural.

This stubbornness has been an ongoing frustration for Kline’s constituents, but his emergence into the broader discussion about health care town halls only occurred when he turned down Rep. Tim Walz’s invitation to appear at a forum in Walz’s First District. In return, the invitation said, Walz would have appeared at a town hall with Kline in the Second District.

With a town hall even being held by DFL Seventh Congressional District Rep. Collin Peterson, who previously had a hands-off attitude toward such forums, a few of us from the Second District DFL thought was time to request that Kline hold one.

So, about a half-dozen of us went off to Kline’s district office in Burnsville yesterday. No video cameras. No ambushing. No hostility. No inflammatory rhetoric. Just a simple request that Congressman Kline hold a town hall forum on health care.

We were kindly greeted by congressional staff including District Director Mike Osskopp who invited us into a conference room to discuss our request. When Kline’s rejection of Walz’s invitation was brought up, Osskopp strongly reiterated that it was their opinion that the invitation was nothing more than a “publicity stunt.” Due to the relatively close relationship both congressmen share (he mentioned that they often travel together), if the invitation was in good faith Walz would have picked up the phone and called Kline as opposed to sending a letter, Osskopp said.

After some discussion of concerns with the current health care system, we were joined somewhat unexpectedly by Rep. Kline himself. After briefly mentioning his frustration with the road map to a health care reform bill used by President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, and Majority Leader Reid, Kline gave his reasoning for refusing to hold a town hall forum, with or without Walz.

“They are a circus,” the congressman said. “They have been a circus for our side, and a nightmare for my Democrat friends, as you’ve seen.”

This position is in stark contrast with that of other Repbulican activists who were outraged at Peterson’s previous lack of town halls. Among them is Minnesota GOP Deputy Chair Michael Brodkorb, who said “If you don’t want to meet with people, then don’t run for Congress.”

While he refuses to hold a traditional town hall forum, Kline did express willingness to meet with a smaller group, 50 to 100, from the DFL side to discuss health care.

He explained that he felt the current “auditorium style” town halls have “gotten so far away from their original purpose” and only enable “each side to shout over each other.”

“It shouldn’t be about looking to get on YouTube; it shouldn’t be about getting on Channel 9,” Osskopp added.

Soon, the subject was changed to Kline’s use of “tele-town halls,” which Kline characterized as “successful” and led Osskopp to mention that “even Tim Walz is having one.”

I pointed out that the Walz telephone town hall, held last night, would feature a pre-announced dial-in number enabling all constituents and the media to “attend.” I added my position that this method enables greater constituent participation and transparency, as opposed to the method used by Kline and other members, like Michele Bachmann, which “auto dial” 40,000 constituents at random with no advance notice of the “event.”

Osskopp explained that since Kline usually hosts the telephone town halls from Washington, and the voting schedule changes “by the hour,” it would be difficult to offer advance notice. He went on to express willingness to email a couple of members of our group in advance when he becomes aware of the forums, however

Another DFLer at the table expressed greater concerns about the “auto dial” method of telephone town halls, particularly the potential for participants to be cherry picked based on party identification and for only friendly softball questions to be taken. Kline, Osskopp and Communications Director Troy Young (in the room taking photos) all explained that there are strict laws which would prohibit such behavior and that the House Ethics Committee has strict oversight over telephone town halls which would prevent it. Kline further explained that he indiscriminately goes “down the sheet one by one” taking questions during a forum. Young further explained that if a constituent opts-in to participate in the telephone town halls on Kline’s official website, the office is “required” to call the constituent when one occurs. We were all encouraged to take such a step.

Soon after, with his scheduler hovering in the hallway, it was time for Kline to move on to the next task on his schedule. He closed by mentioning that the subject of town hall meetings was one about which he agrees with his “friends Collin Peterson and Jim Oberstar.” Before his exit I quickly mentioned how Peterson recently had a town hall in Willmar which was widely reported as civil and productive. The congressman’s response: “Well, that’s great. Thanks guys.”

Kline mentioned a couple of times during the conversation that he is “not afraid of Democrats.” Since he spent time meeting with our small group, along with his willingness to meet with a larger group of us and his district director’s willingness to try giving advanced notice for telephone town halls, I would like to take him at his word. Considering the collegiality of our meeting yesterday (for which Kline, Osskopp and other staff should be commended) I see no reason for such a fear.

Hopefully there can be follow-through on both sides so we can continue our dialog about not just the process surrounding Kline’s constituent outreach but the subject on so many of our minds: health care.

After his refusal to stop lying about Rep. Tim Walz’s representation of the congressman’s own military record, Steele County GOP Chair Dave Thul is being less than truthful once again.

From his blog today:

So Congressman Walz tried to tie his sinking ship to Congressman Kline by publicly inviting him to a town hall meeting. It was actually a lose-lose situation for Walz. If Kline showed up, he would have had the crowd on his side (assuming the crowd isn’t packed by the unions) and Kline could have taken shots at Walz directly in a public forum. If Kline turns down the request (which he did), he can simply point out that Walz asked for help talking to his district but didn’t offer any such help in Kline’s district.

Didn’t offer any help in Kline’s district? Reeealllllllly?

From Rep. Walz’s invitation to Rep. Kline:

I would like to invite you to participate in a town hall with me here in Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District on Thursday August 20th at 6:00 pm.  In return, I would be happy to join you at a town hall in your district next week or in September. [emphasis mine]

Not only is it important to dispel myths, half-truths and lies concerning the current health care reform proposals, it’s important to dispel lies concerning the process of planning these town halls as well.

I’ll have more on the latter subject later.

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.

Of course since there isn’t proof he authored the letters, regardless of a lack of a byline and the fact his name is prominently on the masthead, I have to say “potential” in my title.

I’m referring to CNN’s BREAKING NEWS (®MDE) today about Ron Paul’s 1993 newsletter featuring racist ranting following the Rodney King incident.

Yes, breaking news about a 1992 newsletter which has long been available on Google Groups an other usenet readers.

So now we get all of the excuses from the Paulites.  Rep. Paul himself has said he didn’t write the comments and isn’t a racist.  His fingers on the keyboard or not, when you distribute a newsletter with your name featured prominently in the title and with no other bylines: EXERCISE SOME DAMN JUDGMENT ABOUT THE SUBJECT MATTER YOU ALLOW TO BE PUBLISHED.  If in some fantasy world Paul is elected to be president of a country (since yes, I know he won’t be in this one), how would that country’s citizens know his cabinet won’t feature secretaries spouting the same drivel?  Yes, this stuff does matter.

Then there’s the excuse of the article’s age.  Yes, it is 15 years old, but right wing pundits like Sean Hannity still mention Robert Byrd’s past affiliation with the KKK with glee at every possible opportunity.  When running for president, keep the closet clear of skeletons.  If that isn’t possible; don’t be surprised when they are found!

Finally, I’ve heard and seen the age old defense to racism, “Well, it isn’t racist to tell the truth about black people!” out of some Paul supporters.  Cult is a strong word, but is arguably appropriate concerning Ron Paul and his crowd.

Look, I know Paul isn’t going to get the GOP nomination and I know if he goes third party he won’t be elected president.  Even so, it is disheartening to see people I know personally  buy into this fraud  of a candidate when they don’t know what he’s about beyond ending the war and “shrinking government,” whatever that is (beyond pure demagoguery, of course).  And by fraud, I’m not talking about the questions of his racism, I’m talking about him being a fraud when it comes to fiscal libertarianism/conservatism.

If you need proof of Ron Paul being a fiscal fraud, just watch his interview on Meet the Press where he says while in Congress he has never voted for a bill with an earmark, yet admits he’s sure to get all of his pork into the bills before inevitable final passage.  And we all thought John Kline’s new “principles” on earmarks were phoney, eh?

OK, rant over for now.

A week ago today Bill Habedank of Red Wing experienced one of the main consequences of having Rep. John Kline in office: zero constituent service.

Habedank and others tried to visit Kline’s office last week and he tells his story in a letter to the Red Wing Republican Eagle:

You are told no one is ready to discuss your issue even though you called ahead. The young lady has you fill out a form.

As 13 of us wrote down our issue and contact information, each knew that was as far as this would go. Why? Because that is what happened all the other times you have done this.

Treatment is the same whether you visit, send an e-mail or call. You are always treated courteously, but you could (or should) get that treatment in any office. You came to be heard even if your message was contrary to the representative’s views. That is his job.

This wasn’t the first time he had to deal with this runaround.

We asked when we could speak with someone of authority. We are told the congressman’s and his assistant’s schedules are not to be revealed, so it becomes a guessing game. We are then told issues of this magnitude are best brought to the Washington, D.C., office.

I did that last March. I asked at least two weeks in advance to meet with Kline. I did get an appointment and get beyond the front desk. I had a 20-minute meeting with a young man in Kline’s plush office. As I relayed my issue, I found the man to be slightly argumentative. Is that his job?

You would think if Kline is unable to hold a decent town-hall meeting his taxpayer funded staff would at least show an effort to listen to constituents. I have an experience lobbying Kline in Washington D.C. as well and while the legislative assistant with whom we met wasn’t argumentative, it was clear from the start of the meeting that the congressman’s position on higher education (the issue about which we were lobbying) had already been established.

Steve Sarvi was able to teach democracy over in Iraq; it looks like we will have to elect him in order for Second District citizens to be able to see it in action here in America.

This info was passed along from Mike McIntee, familiar to viewers of the Uptake and listeners to Inside Minnesota Politics, who will be guest hosting the Mark Heaney Show on AM950, Air America’s Minnesota affiliate.

When I first interviewed Steve Sarvi he was in Iraq helping people in rural Iraq rebuild their roads, buildings and other infrastructure that has been destroyed in the fighting there.  It was his last assignment in a 19-year military career that had included successfully mentoring people in war-damaged Kosovo on how to set up their own local governments.

At that time Sarvi indicated he was ready for his next assignment: coming home, taking on Rep. John Kline in a run for Congress, and then helping us fix our own war-damaged government.

Today Steve will be a guest (and I’ll be the fill-in host) on Air America Minnesota’s Mark Heaney show.  We’re going to talk about what Steve has heard in his 13-stop listening tour through Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District.  By the way, that’s 12 more open face-to-face meetings than Rep. Kline has held with his constituents this year.  I’ll be opening the phone lines so you can ask questions of Steve too.

So as you’re driving home, or cleaning house today for Thanksgiving, turn your radio to AM 950 and participate.

Three ways to listen.  On the air live on AM950, on line live, or if you miss the show there’s a podcast available usually by the next day.

I had the opportunity to attend two of Sarvi’s listening sessions last week, and he has said that part of the reason he decided to run for Congress is because of Kline’s lack of open meetings.  Listen in at 5:00 p.m.

Over two months after Minnesota Reps. Tim Walz and John Kline .ast squared off on the big blue couch on Twin Cities Public Television’s Friday night staple Almanac (that time about the Iraq war) the two will return to the program to discuss this week’s House vote to approve transportation and housing funding. Included in the bill was funding for the reconstruction of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis, the Northstar commuter rail corridor and funding for US Highway 14 in southern Minnesota, which is, well, in craptastic shape.

Walz voted for the bill; Kline voted against it.

From the Almanac Producer’s blog:

Congressional Tussle Over Funding the New 35W Bridge
U.S. House members John Kline and Tim Walz took different sides on a big House Bill that would fund –among other things– the final construction costs of the new 35W Bridge in Minneapolis. They join us live to explain their positions.

7:00 p.m. on KTCA 2.

The US House of Representatives today approved a transportation and housing bill today by a vote of 270-147.  The only members of the Minnesota delegation voting against the bill were Reps. John Kline and Michele Bachmann, both Republicans.  The bill includes $195 million for funding the reconstruction of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis.

Steve Sarvi, the only announced DFL challenger to Kline so far, released the following statement:

“I’m in shock. John Kline has been grandstanding on this issue for the past month – and now, when he actually has the opportunity to deliver the funds authorized to Minnesota in the wake of the bridge tragedy, he votes against the bill. He chose a smoke-and-mirrors attempt at convincing his constituents he’s willing to invest in the infrastructure they count on every day over actually doing anything about it. This was a horrible vote for the people of Minnesota. An unthinkable vote.”

President Bush has threatened a veto based on grounds it “doesn’t hold spending to reasonable and responsible levels.”  It’s too bad that Kline and Bachmann are more concerned with helping Bush reinvent himself as a fiscal conservative with a year remaining in his term than investing in infrastructure.

Want to talk about playing politics with the bridge?  Kline, Bachmann and Bush offer the prime example of that with their votes and threatened veto, respectively.

As Steve Sarvi’s campaign for Congress from Minnesota’s Second District slowly but surely picks up steam, so too does the mainstream media’s coverage.

This Ed Felker article from yesterday’s Rochester Post-Bulletin illustrates strong parallels to Tim Walz at this stage of the race, particularly, National Guard service and lack of experience in partisan office:

Sarvi, 42, hopes his own military background and local connections, combined with another strong Democratic election wave, will be his trump card against the seemingly entrenched Kline. Like Walz, Sarvi is married and has young children. Both he and Walz served in the Minnesota National Guard and worked in the public sector.

Likewise, neither Walz nor Sarvi had much political experience before declaring their bids. Sarvi wasn’t active in partisan politics previously, holding the nonpartisan posts of mayor in Watertown; city administrator and clerk in Lanesboro; and his current full-time job as city administrator of Victoria.

He acknowledged in an interview that he attended Republican caucuses around 2000, but said he was “always more of a moderate” to Republicans, and said he is now “probably a little left of center, because of some social issues.”

So far, the race has yet to attract national attention, and political observers haven’t placed the Kline-Sarvi match among races to watch.

Congressional Quarterly still lists MN-2 as “Safe Republican,” but after Walz’s win in 2006 we know that those ratings aren’t the end all be all of candidate’s fate.

Want to find out more about Sarvi? Check him out at these remaining dates and locations as part of his district-wide listening tour:

Today, 5 – 6:30 p.m. : Chanhassen, American Legion Post 580, 290 Lake Dr. E. , Chanhassen; 7 – 8 p.m. : Senate District 34 DFL, Chanhassen Library, 7711 Kerber Blvd. , Chanhassen.

Thurs., Nov. 15, 5 – 6:30 p.m.: Prior Lake , Prior Lake Public Library , 16210 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake; 7 – 8:30 p.m. : Burnsville , JoJo’s Rise & Wine, 12501 Nicollet Ave., #100 , Burnsville.

Fri., Nov. 16, 5 – 6:30 p.m. : Eagan , Community Center, 1501 Central Pkwy. , Eagan.

Sat., Nov. 17, 10:30 – noon: Northfield, Northfield Library, 210 Washington St., Northfield; 12:30 – 2 p.m. : Faribault, Java Live, 313 Central Ave N. , Faribault ; 2:30 – 4 p.m. : Montgomery, Montgomery Public Library, 104 Oak Ave. E. , Montgomery.

We realize we have been paying an awful lot of attention to the First Congressional District race and more specifically the “four pack” of GOP contenders looking to take on DFL Rep. Tim Walz.  While Jason and I are no longer stationed in the First, we retain interest in the in the activities going on down there.

I now reside in the Second and have attempted to keep up on the activities, or lack thereof, of GOP Rep. John Kline.  We will also pass on information about the campaign of DFL Iraq-war veteran Steve Sarvi who is looking to unseat Kline as it becomes available.

Information such as this:

On November 7 at 8 p.m., the Carleton College Democrats will host congressional candidate Steve Sarvi in Sayles-Hill, room 251. Sarvi will talk about his campaign and answer questions from the audience. All interested students and members of the general public are invited to attend.

Democrat Steve Sarvi is running in the 2nd Congressional District of Minnesota for the U.S. House of Representatives. He is an Iraq veteran. Previous to deciding to run for Congress, Sarvi was city administrator in the towns of Lanesboro, Watertown, and Victoria, Minn. He also served as a three-term Mayor in Watertown.

The Carleton College Democrats’ mission is to encourage involvement and activity not only on the part of other Carleton students, but also in the community at large.