SD49 – Wow What A Day
The Senate District 49 Republicans held their convention yesterday in Andover. This was my first time going to a convention in my new District and I have to say it was a great event. The activists and leaders there are truly top notch. The event was well run. It was also incredibly nice to be on the sidelines or not the person everyone comes running to during these as Chair. I got to relax and watch the event as a participant and it was a very fun and memorable day.
We had a couple of big deals to tackle.
1) We had a contested endorsement for Senator. Debbie Johnson, the incumbent was being challenged by Michelle Benson a Vice Chair of the SD49 Committee. Benson won big on the second ballot and the Convention endorsed her unanimously. Considering Benson started her campaign last week, this was very impressive. It also sent a big shot across the bow of Team Senjem/establishment. Minority Leader Senjem spent most of the day at the convention and I’d be willing to say he was a little upset at the results.
You see, the really great part about yesterday is that the grassroots took their rightful role in determining the direction they want their party to move.
2) Another big part of the Convention was the Governor’s race. We saw Reps. Emmer, Seifert, Haas, and Herwig speak. I was very surprised to not see nary a lit piece for Sen. Hann, I’d be willing to bet he is going to call it quits this week. Herwig was a pleasant surprise as he was firing zingers towards Seifert. You see Seifert has been playing fast and loose with the truth lately, especially on Cap & Trade and lobbyists. Herwig brought it to the body’s attention.
SD49 has a total of 39 Delegate spots to the State Convention, hence the all day attention from Emmer and Seifert, both were in attendance most of the day. Getting their supporters elected to these positions is the key to winning the endorsement. And Emmer had a great day yesterday. He took over half he people for sure, myself included. I was surprised that I was able to make the cut in my new District. But I was there helping to count the ballots until about 7 PM last night. Having experience from my days in SD51 and the hotly contested 06 Congressional endorsement that Bachmann won, I knew that it was going to be a late one and rolled up the sleeves to help when asked.
It sounded like Emmer also did very well in other conventions too. The presumptive idea that Seifert had this thing locked up is mere spin.
3) One of the other big deals for me personally had to do with Congresswoman Bachmann, her new Chief of Staff Ron Carey, and myself. I had a chance to express my concerns to Bachmann face to face and told her that I cannot help her out anymore. I just can’t forget what Carey did to me and others over the years. I think the move to turn Carey loose on the Campaign side is a huge mistake that she will regret. I gave her the key to the lawnsigns back and told her that I would not work against her, but that I just couldn’t help her with Carey around calling the shots. If Ron Carey could have picked her up and thrown her over his shoulder and run out the door when her and I were talking, I think he would have.
I do not mean Congresswoman Bachmann any ill will, I do want her to win reelection, but I just can’t get over the staffing moves and trust she is putting in Ron Carey. Letting him fire the campaign staff on the eve of BPOU conventions? Well, let’s just say that the absence of certain people helping her plan for these was noticed by yours truly and others. Let’s hope she realizes the mistake before it is too late or more people find better things to do this campaign cycle like me.
Not going to cut it.
Let’s check the scoreboard here for very important people who are very mad with (hate) me:
Former and current MNGOP Chairs – Check
Pretty much the entire MNGOP staff, their families, and friends – Check
Former US Senator – Check
Current Governor of MN and political staff – Check
Numerous high level political staffers and advisors in MN and DC – Check
RINOs – Check
Potential next Governor of MN – Check
Twin Cities hack media – Check
And now we get to add a US Representative to the mix.
At least I can look myself in the mirror.I know this seems like a stupid move, but principles matter to me.
Hopefully I can rejoin team Bachmann once this Ron Carey experiment runs its course. Until then, I just don’t think I can do what I used to do in the real world and online to help her out right now. So hopefully her trust in ROn Carey is warranted, because he is going to have to make up for a whole lot of people.
Glad to hear it was a good day for Emmer. My path to supporting him has been a windy one. But he has emerged as the liberty candidate. I’m looking forward to SD43′s convention on the 27th.