Reports add up the bottom line on negative ads

[Dickie Flatt]

http://www.startribune.com/stories/587/5145731.html

Minnesota's DFL Party shelled out at least $800,000 in independent spending for November's state House elections, with almost half of it going toward negative ads and mailings against Republicans. ...

In one mailing against St. Louis Park Republican Jim Rhodes, widely considered one of the more moderate Republicans in the House, a weathered and dejected looking old woman sits slumped in a rocking chair in dark shadows. The ad asks: "Could You Turn Your Back on Her?" The other side proclaims: "Republican Jim Rhodes Turned his Back on Minnesota Seniors. Say NO to Republican Jim Rhodes and His Extreme Agenda!" ...

Attacks were not aimed only at Republican candidates. One mailing from the House Republican Campaign Committee accused a number of DFL candidates of being indebted to "powerful Indian casinos" and asked "Who will stand up for us?"

Another mailing suggested that southern Minnesota DFLer Ruth Johnson "votes like she represents downtown Minneapolis -- not us" and says that Johnson was "the only rural southern Minnesota legislator who voted to treat homosexual couples like married couples."

FYI: The Minnesota DFL made a 13-seat gain in the state House, leaving Republicans with a mere 2-seat majority.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

1. Could the DFL take the House and Governorship in 06'?

[bvar22]

2. An interesting question.

Much will depend on what the Democratic Party (National) does in the next few months.
Minnesota is very liberal, and we are fairly happy with the performance of the DFL (our statewide Democratic Party). We (DFL) made good gains in the State Houses, and fielded great progressive candidates for the Federal Houses that did well.

That being said, most of us are disgusted with the National Party; many believe that it is beyond salvation due to Corporate influence and corrupted leadership (DLC). Kucinich did well in the primaries (caucus) in this state, and most Minnesota liberal Democrats were disappointed that the National Party Leadership stripped ALL progressive planks from the platform, and refused to even acknowledge that most Democrats were against the War on the Iraqi People.

The Green Party has a strong base in Minnesota. Most Green Party members held their noses to cross over and vote for Kerry. The disappearance of Kerry combined with the gloating from the DLC over the Green Party getting so few votes in '04 have led many Greens to feel they wasted their vote on Kerry. Many are SWEARING never again!

We live in interesting times!


If the DFL can come up with a candidate that is acceptable to Greens, Liberals, Labor, and plain ol Democrats, then we should take the Governorship. There are enough votes AGAINST Republican Pawlenty to easily end his career....IF the DFL can stay on good terms with the Green Party. If the Greens are PISSED about wasting their votes for Kerry in '04 and the DFL fields a candidate that is unacceptable to the Greens, the vote could easily be split allowing the Republicans to keep the Governorship.