Residual Forces

Of course the usual types are going to get bogged down in petty and low browed attacks when it comes to the US Senate race in Minnesota. Look the track record of the media and online DFL attack dogs is pretty long when it coms to avoiding the issues and turning an imaginary molehill into a mountain of meaningless grap when it comes to Republicans. 

Well we’re already seeing just how far they are willing to go to avoid the issues in the 2008 race. Coleman’s latest ad is the subject. The media and the left are, in all likelihood, laying the groundwork for some slimey October surprise. Why else would they hang their hat on his wife? As for what they are arguing, WHO CARES!!!!!!!!!!

I’m guessing they are doing everything they can to change the debate on this commercial is because it smacks them right in the nose on its content. Norm’s an independent. The DFL is pushing the rubber stamp angle…. AGAIN. 

Well as a conservative Republican who feels Norm is more concerned about everyone but his conservative base, I take strong offense at the ad. Oh sure, I know the ad is intended to deflect the whole Bush connection, but it also lobs a few grenades into the conservative camp. 

Look, Norm is not proud to call himself a conservative in public. This ad is proof of that. From the summary on the Coleman campaign blog:

And, as a strong, independent voice for the state, Senator Coleman is recognized for his efforts to increase our nation’s emphasis on renewable energy and making our nation more energy independent.”

Independent voice. Renewables. Energy independence. 

If the Senator is so dang worried about his ties and loyalty to the Republican party, why the heck did he seek our endorsement? And what’s worse? It hasn’t snowed in Minnesota for some months now. In the ad, when Coleman takes the trash out, he’s wearing a warm coat and there is snow on the ground. This ad has been sitting in the can waiting to go for months. Et Tu Norme?

The verdict is in. Renewable fuels such as ethanol and bio diesel are making fuel prices higher, harming our economy, and could very well pollute and use up our fresh water supplies. The whole of the renewables movement and its connection to the green movement are the very same people who have caused energy prices to be so expensive. We can’t build power plants because of the lawsuits and mandates they got through. Frankly I am amazed anyone outside the Democratic or Green party would be so proud about being part of the energy crisis in America that they would run for the US Senate on that record. 

And given the debate that is being waged right now about Energy independence, I am amazed the Senator let this ad run. Norm’s joining the liberal side and his refusal to support domestic exploration is why oil prices are sky high. We’re more dependent today to foreign oil than we were before Norm jumped on board with the energy independence anti-capitalism bandwagon. The refusal to allow oil drilling and refining in America, has bound us to thugs, dictators, and despots around the world who manipulate the markets. Again, why would he be so proud to be on the wrong side of the debate? 

So everyone can throw mud and argue over green screens and imagery in the ad, but it is the message of the ad itself that bugs me. For a man who needs his base to win reelection, I am amazed he is so willing to take shots at us on TV. Oh sure, I understand the strategists and pundits think this kinda of campaign is the only way a Republican can win in Minnesota, but how successful have they been? 

I got news for Coleman, his campaign, and the party leadership who think this ad is great. This ad is just driving a wedge between the Senator and the people he needs to get elected. Oh sure, I bet most of us will vote for him while we’re in the voting booth. Afterall, we went out of our way to show up and vote for real conservatives for the US and MN Houses. We might as well hold our nose and vote against Franken, no matter how much we really hoped we could vote for something. 

But the biggest problem for Coleman’s reelection is that for the months leading up to the election, the base of the party is disenfranchised and upset with Coleman. We weren’t out doorknocking for him. We weren’t defending him, we were too busy fighting for real conservatives who are fighting for our ideals in Washington or want to. People like Bachmann, Kline, Davis, Matthews, and Davis-White for an example. 

These people are not more concerned with seeming independent and are in fact doing what we need to do to save this country. They are talking about the real solutions to the problems Washington created. The problems we are all trying to deal with right now, are the ones mentioned positively in the Coleman ad. 

I remember back in 06 when Mark Kennedy ran the ad where he didn’t say the word Republican, the media and attack dogs went gonzo. They haven’t this time when Coleman goes out of his way to say he isn’t representing his base and it exposes the truth of the whole situation in this race. 

Norm is an independent. Like it or not he works with both sides. On some issues conservatives can be happy, on others he is part of the (liberal) problem. Unlike the Democrats who only reprsent their special interests, Norm is doing what he thinks is best for all of Minnesota. Sure, he may be dead wrong and his votes on crucial issues are hurting America, but on those votes, the Democrats in Washington that Franken wants to join, voted the same way.

The truth is this is a good ad and the DFL and their attack dogs know it. Norm is what he says he is in the ad. He has the independent streak the DFL say he doesn’t. This one ad pretty much answers the entire Franken, DSCC, DFL, and MoveOn gameplan against COleman, thus green screen gate 2008. 

The problem is that Coleman needs his own base more than he does the anti-Franken swing voters. The people who can turn the tide are uninspired and getting tired of this shunning by Coleman, Pawlenty, McCain, etc. Look at how the RNC Convention is desperate for volunteers. The Party can’t even round up 10,000 Republicans to help with that. That should be a warning sign that we’re not rubber stamps ourselves. We do care about what you do, what you say, and how you vote. 

Anyways, that is way longer than expected and probably my usual nonsense. But I gotta get going to work.

Have a good day.