Lady Logician has a great piece on the MNGOP’s financial problems. It is a very powerful piece. Here’s the closing graph.

The ball is in Carey’s court. If he were smart, he would release the audit PUBLICALLY and immediately and he would drop the tax issue and move on to talking about why voters need to vote for Norm Coleman (as opposed to against Al Franken). Senator Coleman has a record that Republicans can be proud of…a record that has frustrated Conservatives for sure, but for the large part has been a good representation of ALL MINNESOTANS. Rather than leaving that important story just to bloggers (like Gary Gross and myself) he needs to be talking about that and leaving the attack pieces to the blogosphere - where it can be done without damaging the candidate or the party. Right now, Chairman Carey, your actions are damaging the entire Republican ticket! For the Senator’s sake, until you get the MNGOP’s financial house in order, please stop trying to help us.

The State Executive Committee must remedy this immediately. If they fail to end this before the State Convention (mind you we were promised this was dealt last June during the Chairman’s race), maybe the State Central Committee will have to take matters into our own hands on Saturday May 31st in Rochester.

The time for accountability is at hand.

This one has been chattering around the lefty blogs for a while, I didn’t want to point it out, but now it hits the Strib for all to see. 

State GOP has its own bookkeeping woes

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Al Franken will not get Norm Coleman reelected. Focus on why people should vote FOR Republicans and there is no need to worry about this sort of touché  ’journalism’. 

I sure hope we (Republican activists) finally get some answers to this crap at the State Central Meeting set to take place immediately following the State Convention in Rochester. Unanswered questions do nothing but leave questions unanswered. If there is nothing left to ‘correct’, why not make the corrections that were done in a timely manner available for all to see? 

Put this baby to bed now rather than leave this crap for an October surprise that would potentially harm our MN House candidates and let Franken off the hook/hurt Sen. Coleman. 

This post (Where Did The Revolution Go?) is starting to draw out what I think is the real motivation behind Ron Paul’s movement. 

I’ve believed from day 1 that Ron Paul was propped up by the media simply because he is an anti-war Republican. Sure there are some people who support him for his libertarian domestic agenda, but I have long held that he’s the most anti-war candidate running this cycle, of ANY party. 

If you browse through the comments of that post, you’ll see what I believe is the real motivation behind the Ron Paul campaign. They want to take the country back to the days of putting our head in the sand and fingers crossed homeland security. I’m not talking about Clinton years kind of ignoring the world. I’m talking about what lead up to Hitler’s rise to power and World War 2 where millions died. 

It would be a wonderful thing if we didn’t have to project our force and be the police force of the world, but the problem is someone has to and no one else will. We no longer live in a world where our oceans protect us from those meaning us harm. We no longer live in a world where we can be economically independent. We live in a global economy and thus it is in our best interest to try to create stability through freedom. 

It sucks, I wish we could just let the world go to hell in a bunch of thugs, dictators, terrorists, and despot’s handbags, but we can’t. 

There currently is a party that is closely aligned to the America is bad, America is the bully, America is the problem - anti-war part of the Ron Paul campaign. I believe you can find the same rhetoric and talking points, heck even bills introduced verbatim, that the Ron Paul supporters are using. It is the Democratic Party. 

Last night while finishing the fence up I had Jason Lewis on and he ripped into the Ron Paul campaign for aligning themselves with MoveOn.org. Yes the same MoveOn.org who didn’t want us to respond to 9-11 in Afghanistan. If anti-war, isolationist policies are what the Ron Paul campaign is going to turn the Republican party into, there’s going to be a big problem. 

So when I get the threats that I better be nice to the Ron Paul campaign or else….. I say bring it on.  

Gov. Tim Pawlenty who made serious gains in the good will department with the fiscally responsible people in the state when he line item vetoed the Bonding bill, has just erased all those gains. 

The Central Corridor light-rail line, which has become a pawn in back-and-forth negotiations at the Capitol, is back in a budget proposal made by Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Wednesday.

There will be a voter revolt this November. (Barring major mishandling by the Party leadership, fingers crossed) Republicans will pick up seats in the Minnesota House. Pawlenty and Legislators are mortgaging the future of Minnesota’s children on all these pork barrel pet projects. 

Central Corridor is a boondoggle waiting to happen. Pawlenty did the right thing when he put it back on the wish list shelf. He made up for his betrayal of the taxpayer when he allowed Hennepin County to raise taxes with out a vote on the Twins tax in 2005. The rumors of him not fighting hard to sustain his veto during that Friday afternoon meeting with Republican House members still irks many fiscal conservatives. 

But his rekindled sense of fiscal sanity in cutting out the Corridor was a breathe of fresh air for many of us who see Minnesota headed toward unsustainable Government spending. But it was short lived and now I’m left to wonder if Pawlenty does have another job he will make his legacy out of. 

When in DC I was asked about Pawlenty in terms of Vice President. Of course I answered honestly and said that it would be a terrible idea. I said both McCain and Pawlenty are Big Government Republicans. Pretty solid on taxes, but terrible on spending. They are cut from the same mold. McCain needs a rock solid limited Government Conservative to balance the ticket, not pick a ticket mate that is just like him. 

I don’t think Tim pawlenty wants to be the guy who is remembered as destroying the Midway of St. Paul. I don’t think he wants to be remembered as the guy who allowed state spending to increase exponentially at a time of recession. I don’t think he wants to be remembered as the guy who has committed the state to programs, projects, and policies that will have lasting negative ramifications and huge costs hurting the state economy and forcing Minnesota citizens to sacrifice freedom, choice, and treasure. 

Pawlenty has been a decent Governor, but he has been a terrible fiscal, limited Government conservative. Like Bush has stumbled and ruined what could have been a good legacy. Bush’s, and Republicans in Congress along with him, blew it in the first half of his second term. 

Pawlenty has to have plans for the future. I don’t think being a former Governor is enough for him. I think the time spent on the campaign trail with McCain has gone to his head and rekindled the self-serving Republican in him. He is supporting flat out liberal energy and environmental problems. He is expanding the burden of Government on citizens and taxpayers. Now he is not all bad, but neither is the soon to be former President. But what they have done wrong (and those things are mostly when they worked with the Democrats on liberal agenda items) will leave lasting headaches and painful, costly policies for future generations to deal with. 

Does he really want to be another Arne Carlson? As in a former Republican Governor who left behind a legacy chalk full of liberal agenda items and policies all marked accomplished. That guy was on local morning news this AM, and he still puts a bad taste in my mouth when they introduce him as a Republican. He’s a liberal. Just look at his tenure and listen to what he says. 

So what will Tim Pawlenty’s legacy look like if his last public service act is Governor of Minnesota? What will Minnesota, and more importantly Republicans, think of his time as Governor? Unfortunately I am not too happy with his tenure so far. Central Corridor just happens to be the perfect example of how he is not acting in the best interest of all Minnesotans, let alone limited government conservatives. 

The DFL is testing him beyond, what I fear are, his limits. They are hitting where it hurts and trying to drive the final wedge between him and his base to destroy his aspirations for calling DC his home. 

Will he be known as the Republican Governor who signed into law policies that hand over control to bureaucrats  in California who get to make every single thing in Minnesota cost more, ban the sale and purchase of certain necessities deemed as tabu by feel good environmentalists, and force us all to drive Specs that have room for your arse and a bag of organic groceries? 

(long rant I know)Back to get back to the point. If the DFL will build a state park and Vet’s hospital, he’ll sign on to the billion dollar boondoggle that will destroy a historic park of our city, create added congestion rather then reduce it, and add millions in annual operating costs to already over taxed citizens at multiple levels. 

Pawlenty can save his legacy from being just another Arne, but he has to act sooner rather than tomorrow. The clock is not just ticking, the alarm already went off, Pawlenty hit the snooze button with his veto-palooza. But can he sustain the courage and backbone he had when he did that? It seems to come and go far to often to keep him from being just another Arne kinda of former Republican Governor. 

He must be trying to create an image and personality that will serve him in the recruitment to another position. Secretary Pawlenty? But of what?

Saudi Arabia of renewable energy…… how’s that working out for us?

AAA the GOP establishment. That is the funniest thing I have read in a while.  (at least they spelled my name wrong too) 

If this doesn’t show you just how little this movement is active and involved in the broader Republican party, I don’t know what would. Me a part of the establishment? The same establishment I have been hardping on for protecting wayward Republicans? The same establishment I have said has gotten us into this mess. 

Look folks, here’s my problem with the Ron Paul thing. I have yet to see how it is about anything other than Ron Paul and the Presidency. There are some good people, but the goal (which I found out about last night) is 25% of the Delegates this time, and 50% in 2012. The Paul campaign’s goal is singular, Ron Paul for President, period. 

This has nothing to do with getting good Republicans elected up and down the ticket here in Minnesota. That’s my problem and why I am worried. If we lose 5 seats in the MN House Republican politics in Minnesota is over.

I have a lot in common with the Paul folks. Upset with where the party has been going. Upset about the liberal policies and entitlement programs. I do not however, share some of the ‘libertarian’ policies. Some I do, but some are completely unrealistic or at least not Republican or center right stances. 

Believe it or not, they pulled the platform plank to support the marriage amendment in one Congressional District. And it seems their message is one of anti-legal moralism and anti legal paternalism. Will they fight for all or most of the Republican values, or just the ones they espouse.

In Minnesota we have to worry about races besides POTUS and Ron Paul will not be appearing on any ballot here. If that is enough to label me establishment, so be it. The party cannot be singular in focus when it comes to candidates, especially if that candidate will not be appearing on a November ballot. 

So I post this morning that I am thinking of running for National Delegate, and with in minutes, the State Party types start making calls trying to stop it. Luckily some people have a thick skin and rigid backbone.

Here’s a little tease of what my lit pieces, may be like.

Our party needs to remember Reagan’s greatness, NOT by simply saying his name, but rather by re-enacting what made him great. By taking our message of conservative ideals directly to the masses. If we’re out numbered in the Legislature or Congress, then our Executive Branch (R)s and Party leaders had better well go ignite the grassroots groundswell to oppose the liberals’ plans and push an alternative and conservative message and give our officials the fuel and support they need to fight back.
[...]
We need less government, less regulation, less spending, and lower taxes. We have majority ideas, we are a majority party, we just need our own leaders to believe what I do. I refuse to believe the era of small government is over, and as a National Delegate I will make sure the 6th District is represented by someone who won’t take liberal as an answer to anything.

Lady L has a post up at True North where she blames conservatives who stayed home for the $3 Billion turnaround in the state’s fiscal health. I beg to differ that the blame for the DFL’s ascension to power over the State’s purse is solely to blame on the coinservatives who may or may not have thrown the election to the DFL.

If conservative voters not showing up is what led to the DFL electoral wave, I would focus blame much more on the Party and Elected Republican leaders not providing the motivation. As I have harped on numerous times, Republicans lost their way and “we’re not as bad as the Liberal DFL” is anything but an inspirational and motivating factor for voters.

The larger problem for Republican candidates was that conservatives didn’t really see how things could get worse if the Republicans lost. Now, a $3 Billion turnaround in the State’s fortunes is a pretty cold shower, but the question of knowledge learned needs to remain focused on the powers that be in the Republican Party.

Will the Republican Party and elected Republican leaders hold true to principle and maintain the line for what the party will stand for? Will they allow the core beliefs of conservatives and the broader Republican party to be thrown out as they hhad been both locally and nationally leading up to the 2006 elections? That was what led to the absent conservatives.

The people who had the opportunity to fix things before they got5 as bad as they did, or most of them, were punished. Bush now has a hostile Congress, Pawlenty a rabid Legislature, Frist and Hastert no longer get to eat Freedom Fries at the COngressional cafeteria and Sviggum is now a commissioner.

Republican officials let liberal Republicans rule the party. Spending was setting records under Republican administrations, Congress, and a MN House. Republican officials forgot who elected them in the first place, and that was the conservatives. And the biggest problem was the Party did absolutely nothing.

Conservatives don’t show up and carry the burden of voter ID, lawn signs, lit drops, and GOTV for tax fee and spend liberalism. They don’t show up and try to elect people who are exactly, or near to, what conservatives so direly oppose. We show up for what we recognize as true to form principled conservatism.

So rather than blame conservatives alone for the DFL’s win, maybe Lady L and others should be more focused on asking the Republican Party and elected Republicans who managed to survive the 2006 Blue crush tidal wave if they learned anything?

Have Republican Party officials and elected Republican leaders digested why they really lost in 2006? Because if the choice on the ballot is tax and spend or fee and spend, you will see another Republican blood letting in 2008.

The conservative movement is in dire need of leaders in both elective office as well as the Republican party to provide a message that will get conservatives off the couch. We have glimmers of hope and new leaders in our movement are emerging, but will they have the power to drive the message so conservatives can come home again? The DFL is helping immensely in that task, but will our guys and gals do their part? Will they figure out in time that leadership does matter.

Those who can’t lead, cast blame for their failures. Leaders, do. (Lady L, that is not directed at you)

The news of a ‘rogue’ Republican District and the Party power broking has finally hit the public news waves.

Support Sen. Coleman or not?

More later……

An outstate reader heard about a great Strib cartoon today. It isn’t available online yet, but I scanned it in for all to see.

[siiiggghhhhhhh]

Well the Republican Party of Minnesota unveiled a new TV ad and website today about the Transit Tax increase.

I’m sorry, but give me a little leeway here. This ad should have come out last week. Heck the vote was what, 7 days ago. Sure, it would take that time to throw up the website, but did you need a new website? Don’t you have a website? Gimmicks won’t win elections. URL creativity won’t win elections and change minds of Minnesotans.

As for the commercial it looks and feels like a crude CGI thrown together ad. Talking points and one video clip of Pawlenty blasting Democrats. No technical stuff that would delay something like this. And frankly had the Republican House Caucus stuck together, this bill would never have passed. Just 2 more votes to sustain in the House, and Minnesotans would still have $7 billion to look forward to spending themselves, but nope, now it is going to Government.

No talking about the other side of the story, as in how the government already takes too much money out of the average Minnesotans bank already. No talk about how Republicans are going to fight to let you keep your money and make the government spend money better so remember them in November. No clips of the great floor arguments against the bill.

I know I am thought of as a political Neanderthal by most party leaders and the likes, but come on. Use your imagination!

How about an image of an ATM that says Minnesota Taxpayers and have Rep. Piggy and Senator Porker swing by and make a withdrawal and need a wheelbarrow to carry away the money they got out….. Then have the final shot be a Minnesotan at the gas pump putting in their bank card, but getting rejected for non-sufficient funds. As the person walks away they pass some one else walking away carrying their kid’s car seat and they’d ask, “Democratic Legsilator?” The other would respond, “Tinglestad!”

That’s just off the top of my head, but we’re supposed to have the best minds out there doing the greatest work ever.

Sheesh, and this thing is called a “TV ad” I hope they aren’t wasting money buying TV ads. I’ve received like 4 emails already today pimping this from Chairman Carey and the Communications Dept. I pray we’re not paying for TV air time to run this ad.

Nice try, kids.

The bill has passed. The time to take out TV and radio ads has passed. Sure there are more tax and spending increases coming, but this was about the transit bill. Just who in the world thought this was a stupendous idea to spend critical party resources on?