MN-7 Peterson, Collin; MN-8 Oberstar, James must go

[glinda]

Peterson and Oberstar voted for Stupak Amendment. Peterson also voted against the Health Care Bill. I think that we need statements from them telling us why they did this for clarification. I think their time is up.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

1. Oberstar always votes anti-choice in the same way that DeFazio (Oregon) always votes pro-gun

It's their way of staying in office as political/economic progressives while appealing to the red meat crowd in their districts.

As far as Peterson is concerned, does he ever vote against the Republicans?

[glinda]

2. Every now and then he does. Not enough though.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. Oberstar is pretty reliably liberal on most things, but he's usually an anti-choicer

to placate the wingnuts in his district. Peterson almost always votes with the Republicans; I don't understand why he hasn't changed parties yet. I suppose he's not *quite* crazy enough for them.

[glinda]

5. You are right. It is Peterson that must go. Not Oberstar.

[CatholicEdHead]

6. Good luck getting a DFLer to replace him

His Blue-Dog style fits the rural 7th. He wins because he is established. His recent GOP competitors have been real wingnuts, of the teabagger style and beyond.

I will take Peterson over any GOP wingnut in the 7th which could give Bachamnn a run for her money.

[trotsky]

11. You are correct.

I realize that a lot of Dems wish we could elect a Dennis Kucinich clone in every district of the country, but that just ain't gonna happen. Peterson is truly the best we could hope for in the 7th, and it will take someone similar to oust Bachmann.

[Owl]

10. I agree.

[dflprincess]

8. I think Oberstar is genuinely an anti-choicer and he does it to

please himself not the wing-nuts. He's one of those who shouldn't be in office because he thinks he has the right (duty, in this case if he's listening to the Bishops) to impose his religious beliefs on everyone else.

[Brickbat]

4. No surprise with Oberstar, and I'm generally quite happy with him, thanks.

[Odin2005]

7. Peterson pisses me off!

This district isn't that socially conservative compared to many other rural districts, a real liberal can win here.

[Scruffy1]

9. No surprises

Peterson always votes with the Republicans and still gets to keep his chair on the lucrative Ag Committee. Rich farmers and agribusiness are his base. If he belonged to a real party he would be a back bencher. Screw him.

[krispos42]

12. Take a look at Olberstar's re-election record

He's been there longer than I've been alive, and his closest re-election win was 56%. He's most likely set for life.