The glass is broken, not half full
I know a bunch of people out there are saying that people like me have to calm down and shut up, but I am very worried. I am actually terrified that we are going to just chalk this up as an anti-incumbant wave, and not fix our party. It is broken, and if we don’t completely change the way it works and who is running it, we’re never going to win another election in this state let alone the country. We need systematic top down change.
We need a leader to step forward and take the lead in the change. The current state of this party is fractured and dysfunctional at best. Hell, I was a failure in my BPOU, I don’t deserve to keep my position there either. I couldn’t pull my candidates together and make us all work as a team. I tried, but I failed and let the people down. My last goal is to restructure the BPOU before they run me out. Will it work, who knows, but I feel I have to try. I’m willing to accept the blame, as the Chair here, I deserve it. We lost all our races.
“A leader with out followers is just a guy taking a walk.”
The state party leadership needs to be honest too. They did fail us. There was no coordination. This wasn’t a state party acting on behalf of ALL the candidates. This party is being led by a follower. All the crap that people bitched about Eibensteiner for has just happened again, but this time we got our clocks cleaned. There were favorites played. There were candidates who were ignored and held back, and others who had the way cleared for them.
I am calling for some honesty from the party. I want them to stop, listen, and realize all the things they did wrong. The should call a summit of the BPOUs, local candidates, and major campaigns that lost and bar the doors. They should be forced to sit down and listen to all the complaints. They put all of their energy into one race, and barely won it. Meanwhile, they let everything else go and it was up to the individual candidates. Sure we have the Governor, but what good will that be? He’s all alone now. There is no one left to even try to push him to the right. Because of the tunnel vision of putting all of the eggs in that one basket, they let them steal our entire henhouse.
Its time to stop the celebration, there is nothing to celebrate. I really want people to realize that if we don’t have a system wide change in our party and the structure of it here in Minnesota, we will never win again. The system is flawed. The House and Senate caucuses are uncontrollable. They act independently of the state party, and are in no way accountable to the party’s base, yet they make all the decisions. The state party picks and choses who they want to support too, and the loses by Kennedy, Johnson, Kiffmeyer, and Anderson are all owed to the state party in my mind. They were written off from day one in order to save one man. These guys and gals were forced to run their own campaigns independently. They had to start from square one with introducing themselves to voters, because no one knows what it means to be a Republican anymore. That is not the fault of the candidates n my mind, that is the fault of the leadership.
Someone has said to me over the last few days that Pawlenty had to change in order to win. I don’t believe it. It has been the complete bungling of our Republican message over the last few years that is the problem. I believe in being a big tent party, unlike some people, but we should not let one person kick out the tent poles and watch it crush everyone inside the tent as they are running away from us. When we changed our party leadership last time, we were promised that it would be our party, that of the delegates. We were lied to.
They never asked us if it was OK to let everyone lose so one could win. They never asked us if it was OK to send out a bunch of ridiculous press releases that didn’t make any sense. They never asked us if it was OK to let the message of the party to be left for someone else to deal with and deliver.
We had a very strong party and were in control of the future of this state when Ron Carey took office. Now, we are staring in the windows begging the DFL to be nice to the few of us that are left. The systematic losses across the board should be a wake up call to everyone. It isn’t that we fielded that many bad candidates, far from it. We had great candidates in almost every single race. Hell we had a chance to take the 5th, but they F’ed it up early on by making it all about religion instead of him being the most liberal person in the world.
(breath AAA)
I saw the sausage being made here folks, and it wasn’t pretty. Trust me, we could have done better. I know it was not just Minnesota, the national party structures did the same exact things wrong, and that should tell you something. We do need across the board change in our party and how it does business. As a consumer, I sure as hell wouldn’t shop here twice.
Ron Carey may be partly to blame, but the war was numero uno in this election, with voting being used as a blunt instrument against it. (There is no real connection to state auditor and the war, for example.) Pawlenty is the second one at fault IMHO. I still have no idea what he’s about, only that he isn’t going to be moving to right. He probably thinks he has a mandate to move left now. Pawlenty has done more to keep the base demoralized and disorganized than any governor, republican or democrat in the last 10 years. At least there was no pretense with Arnie. Why does he do this? Because it benefits him politically. It’s Machievellian. It works. He almost lost this time but since he didn’t it won’t matter. Pawlenty sucked all the money and other resources of the election for Republicans. Not all of them were running great campaigns to begin with, I might add. And even with that, he appeared to be phoning it in for himself. He asked Minnesotans to crown him, not elect him for what he was going to do or even what he had previously done. It seemed like he didn’t really want the job for another four years and that the Party was basically trying to elect him against his will. I don’t get him. I never will.
On the flip side, remember Andy, that this election just through a bomb in the middle of the room of Minnesota Politics. Yes, it’s hideous for Republicans to have lost so many good people. But on the other hand, new coalitions will be forming, new constituencies are being heard. We’ll get to learn more about these suburban democrats in the next few months, to see what they are about.
Remember that most Americans agree with us, but they don’t trust us. And with good reason. We have to find a way to work together to offer a clear and unified program that’s not about the personalities, but about the ideas.
The only potential good thing to come of this election is maybe that this worthless blog and the worthless KvM will finally go away. These blogs offered no valuable insight into the election and spent more time piggy backing off MDE than offering anything original.
Your analysis in blaming Pawlenty is so far off base you should be embarrassed. Krinkie lost because he’s arrogant, not because he wasn’t given enough help. All the candidates lost for various reason but to blame Pawlenty is silly. The RPM spent far more on Kennedy than Pawlenty — he was left to stand on his own. Governor Pawlenty is the leader of the Repubican Party of Minnesota and you would be better served to work with him rather than against him.
There is a great deal of blame to go around, including Ron Carey. The election was ugly and you clearly would rather curse the darkness rather than light a candle. I for one will not curse the day your blogs go dark.
I’m not blaming Pawlenty.
Sorry, but the party didn’t do squat for Kennedy. What they did do was a joke.
Why was jeffers barred from the Convention but Shudlick was allowed to speak? Why was Pawlenty’s road cleared for him? Jeffers was raising legitimate concerns for the most part.
Hey, next time you wanna throw mud, have the courage to put your name on it. Coward.
Regarding Sue Jeffers – if she had not initially hitched her star to the Libertarian Party FIRST, she would have been given the opportunity. Harold, like him or not, never went to another party first. Sue even admitted that she made a mistake (going to the LP first) at the last MOB event. The Logical Husband spoke to her campaign manager at great length out in the smokers lounge….
Did we ever settle why she couldn’t speak?
She never would have won. All she would have done is muddied the water a bit. That was the problem. Hey, you all remmeber I oppposed her speaking too. But, wasn’t she just going to go in there and rip Pawlenty?
Well, why was the state party so afraid to have that happen, and so willing to let Shudlick speak and Uldrich run around acting like a complete loon?
Do you think that maybe, they only cared about one race?
This smells of Andy desperately trying to get some action from Kennedy’s press person. I saw him eyeing her one night at Keegan’s.
Problem is that Andy couldn’t get laid in a brothel with a fist-full of twenties.
Have fun blogging in your tightie whities by yourself every night.
The fact is that Kennedy ran one of the worst campaigns in the history of the state. What a waste of $10 million — that could have won a lot of the local elections.
Andy – I talked to a couple of people from the state search committee and they said that their SOLE REASON for keeping Sue off of the podium was the Libertarian Party endorsement. I have no reason to doubt what these people told me.
Krinkie didn’t lose because he was arrogant. He lost because since redistricting his margins were getting smaller and smaller. He went from a relatively safe seat to much more competitive seat. In this climate, he couldn’t just couldn’t hang on and he was in some pretty good company this time. I know, I worked his phone bank a little this weekend and it was tough sledding. Very few strong republicans on my list and a number of the leans told me they weren’t voting republican this time. Somebody like Phil needs a safe seat because they aren’t “bring home the pork” guys. I am sure his local government folks are glad to see him go. More’s the pity for the rest of us.
Yes, yes, you have a lot to panic about. I am glad you are actually realizing it and not rationalizing it like quite a few right-wing bloggers.
This is what I love…..people are asking tough questions and the lefties see it as a sign of “panic”. But then again, that is what we have to expect from those delusional folks who claim voter fraud every time THEY lose an election…..
Hello all, having been a life long Republican, I would have been happy to hitch my wagon to the Republican party, the “powers” refused. I will be happy to address these issues at anytime, it is really quite a story.
Simply put, no one was going to be allowed to challenge Governor Pawlenty. OK. The questions conservatives had, that many of us talked about (and that forced me to run against Governor Pawlenty) both inside and outside the party should have been addressed. I seem to remember a couple of you were two of my harshest critics for daring to challenge the status quo. Someone had to.
I have called many candidates who won AND lost (even those who are thinking of running), the Republican party execs., conservative organizations, friendly BPOU chairs, Tim Pawlenty, Ron Carey, and a couple media sources…we want our party back. Now.
This perfect storm was brewing for a long time and this wake up call is the best thing to happen. We can go back to the core conservative principles that got us elected in the first place. Delegates want our platform to actually mean something. We have two years…let’s take our party back. I offer up my bar as a meeting place, just name the day and time, count me in!
Sue Jeffers
“This perfect storm was brewing for a long time and this wake up call is the best thing to happen. ”
I’m with you 100% there Sue and to be honest it wasn’t like the grass roots activists didn’t try to tell both the MNGP and the RNC leadership…..I know a lot of ladies, like myself, who wrote letters upon letters upon letters to our leadership…..
LL, all those letters to the leadership….what was their answer? I would also like to remind you again the party thought I was “republican enough” to ask me to run for house, senate, and the 5th district. Anything but governor.
All leaders: Did you choose party or principle? Letters are good but did you speak up? Did you allow the debate to be opened about the candidates on the ballot? Did you demand candidates follow the platform, the platform we the delegates wrote? Did you hold all candidate accountable for actions during their last term? Did you give them a free pass and blindly accept them because they had that R behind their name? Did you allow the party to tell you who should be allow to speak at your conventions?
I was willing to risk my reputation, my family, and my business and my money to challenge the status quo. My family and friends suggested I could do that in a little less public venue yet supported me 100%. Was it easy? No. Was it worth it? Yes, I hold my head high and don’t regret any of it.
To be clear, I am (yes, once again) informing and trying to work within the party to unite us all to return to the core principles we stand for. We have a wonderful group of people who truely care about the issues that unite us, not to mention we are willing to work dang hard to win. Give us something to work with, good candidates!
I have asked Ron Carey to go on Jason Lewis’ show with me next week to talk about how we will return the party to the delegates. We have a platform for a reason, it is what we stand for and it with it, we win.
Sue Jeffers
There is definitely something going on with current republican leadership and bloggers. When Ron Carey sits out an entire election cycle for most candidates and Norm Coleman pays Gary Miller NOT to blog on his behalf, it is clear there is possible conservative blog scapegoating and disdain. What they may not realize is we choose this new medium for our political opinion forming, policy and issues. We need trustworthy fun writers like Gary Miller and AAA.
Sue,
What is your opinion on Alito and Roberts? Are you Pro-life in the pro-14th ammendment sense?
Before you removed it, your ‘Sue on the Issues’ page had this:
WOMEN’S ISSUES
As a 26-year small business owner in a ‘man’s’ field, I had experienced gender discrimination first-hand.
As a political candidate for a ‘man’s’ job, I have already been asked questions no one would ever ask a male candidate. As a single mother raising three children, I already know what a tough job it is. I have clearly proven I can run with the ‘big boys’ in any arena.
Issues concerning women and families will always be a priority for me. Strengthening our families and
child protection issues will top that list. I will support strictly upholding restraining orders and
domestic violence laws and longer sentences for violent criminals.
Women’s issues are not just limited to health care, education, child care and women’s rights. Other issues have special relevance for women, and the many options out there to help all succeed. By empowering women, we can help them prepare for their future, secure their independence and make healthy choices. Education and awareness pertaining to women’s issues will improve their lives, the lives of their children and society as a whole.
Women throughout history have taught us just how much we can make a difference in our world. Women like Harriet Tubman, Susan B. Anthony, Rosa Parks, Amelia Earhart, Sally Ride, Anne Frank and millions more have paved our way. There is a big wonderful world out there; together we can tackle anything.
Sue, sure we support these things but I want to know if you agree with the Supreme court appointments Republicans made.
Regards,
Jamie
Jamie,
I my opinion Roe V Wade should have already been overturned. The constitution protects life, liberty and property.
Far to many R’s in office have forgotten the core principles that got us elected in the first place. We deserve better, in fact now we must demand it. I would support more conservative judges.
BTW, when I was asked to write a position on women’s issues, see posted above, I had to ask what were women’s issues, aren’t they everyones issues?
Hi Sue,
We agree. My mom was single for most of my life; only after she passed do I realize some of the obstacles she had. Hope to see in elective office soon!
Regards,
Jamie