[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: More Thoughts on SD 25

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Posted by Speed Gibson:
More Thoughts on SD 25
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1199671389.shtml


   I'll confess right now to babbling given my inexperience, but I'm
   wondering if there is some misconception as to the role of the state
   party, what's expected of its local units, and of course, the voters.
   For the record, I will be attending my first party caucus next month,
   so while I vote at least 90% Republican, I have no official connection
   to date. And I also did nothing in regard to SD 25.
   On "The Final Word" (Saturdays 3-5 pm on 1280 The Patriot) we heard
   Michael Brodkorb lashing out at those who didn't somehow get involved
   with the Senate District 25 special election, lost handily and
   unexpectedly to the DFL. Brodkorb says it was a lack of GOP effort,
   statewide. Drew Emmer contends that we were bested, even blindsided by
   a clever DFL.
   It's a fact of life that the DFL is going to cheat. That's the whole
   purpose of same day voter registration, giving driver licenses to
   illegal aliens, instant runoff voting, and the like. Also, as Emmer
   noted on the broadcast, the DFL has paid volunteers. Worse, we now
   have a corrupt Secretary of State who has no trouble with any of this,
   nor do the print and TV media. We have an Attorney General who
   admitted she isn't up the job by hiring Mike Hatch. Our State Auditor
   is still wondering why the rows have numbers and the columns have
   letters. The more important the election, the more of a safety margin
   we'll need. So yes, vote for vote, we have to work harder.
   That said, an election was held by the rules and the DFL won. The
   voters of that District elected who they wanted. Those that didn't
   vote can't complain. Is that so terrible?
   Brodkorb thinks so, for now the DFL has the 2/3 majority to override
   vetoes. Pogemiller unchained! The Governor powerless! He neglected in
   his emails to mention that the House is not yet veto-proof. In fact,
   had I received one of those "call to action" emails, I would have been
   skeptical. Why is it necessary to over-state the situation in order to
   bring out the troops?
   I have another question. Is it ethical for outsiders (for either
   party) to make phone calls and go door knocking if it is just a local
   election?
   Yes, it shifts the balance of power in St. Paul more so than if the
   Senate were 34-33 or 60-17. But this is buzzer shot thinking. Exciting
   as such finishes are, basketball games are never won or lost solely on
   the last shot. A hundred or more other scoring or defensive
   opportunities set up the final seconds. Similarly, the 2006 election
   results set up this special election's importance. Had we won or lost
   2 more seats then, this discussion wouldn't be happening.
   So back to the original question: what is expected? Are all other SD
   units supposed to swarm, dare I say overpower the opposition in a
   special election like this? I ask that of both parties. By what moral
   right? Aren't we at least annoyed by all the out of state money (and
   candidate) flowing into the 2008 U.S. Senate race against Norm
   Coleman?
   What is appropriate is support from the state party organization, to
   help the local organization with advice, training, and certainly a
   share of the expenses. Residents in neighboring districts can
   certainly volunteer to help if the First Amendment still applies to
   elections. But for the state party organization to demand such efforts
   before or shame the lack of such efforts afterward crosses a line in
   my opinion, again, for either party.