Olive Branch or Sucker Punch?

Shawn Towle of ChecksandBalances.com had an interesting take on Governor Pawlenty's saying that he would sign a statewide smoking ban if the legislature passed it. Towle sees this as a calculated move by Pawlenty to force the DFL to shoot themselves in the foot. The idea being that if the measure is pushed through mostly along party lines by a post-election, newly-empowered, DFL legislature, the DFL will pay for it come next election day. The Governor would get to look as if he's trying to be more compromising by acquiescing to the "will of the people" in their choice to elect DFLers; while actually forcing the DFL to anger a good portion of their base. The "DFL Smoking Ban" would give the Republicans a simple, concrete, symbol to cast the DFL as the party that doesn't think you're smart enough to make your own decisions.

I'd like to think that the Governor's offer is less cynical and simply an acknowledgment that Republican legislators took a beating at the polls and that it makes sense to take some positions that acknowledge the public's current preference in the hope that both sides of State government can get beyond the partisan bickering and move to the middle to get some work done. But then again, people tell me I'm Minnesota-nice.


It will be interesting to watch the dynamics of both sides as this issue plays out, though. As I look into my crystal ball, I can see Steve Swiggum adopt an "aw shucks . . . what can I do?" attitude about it. I can hear him on MPR right now . . .

Swiggum [in the future]: "Well Gary, the people elected a lot of new DFL members to the House and this was an issue they ran on. I don't agree with it, but it wouldn't be fair of me not to let them have a vote on it. I'm making a pledge right now not to get this locked up in committee. We'll let them have their vote and then we can move on."

Gary Eichten [in the future]: "Do you disagree with the Governor on this issue? He's said he'd sign it if it comes to his desk. Do we have a little inter-party conflict here?"

Swiggum [in the future]: "Absolutely not Gary, we're all just trying to end the gridlock and move forward in a positive way. I'm sure the Governor has his reasons for agreeing to sign the bill, but I haven't really had a chance to discuss it with him. I'm sure he just wants to work together in a positive way with both sides of the aisle. I think the Governor is showing real leadership in acknowleging that the voters spoke in the last election and if this issue is important to the DFL, they can have their day and we can move on to the rest of the legislative agenda."

The really interesting part will be watching Matt Entenza spot the log across the road and try to either pull the Republicans on board the train or effect an amazing u-turn on the issue. This would probably be in the form of a bill to "create a committee to study the impact a smoking ban would have on Minnesota's business climate and related tax revenues" . . . information that would be "necessary" prior to a vote on this issue in during the current budgetary crisis.

Then again, maybe they'll all just advocate for what they think is in the best interest of the average Minnesotan and let the chips fall as they may. (there I go with that Minnesota-nice thing again)

We'll see what happens . . .

Arrogance or Cluelessness . . . You Decide!

This kind of stuff drives me crazy.

This week you have, at the national level, the House Republicans:

1. Re-elected Tom Delay as their leader and then softened up their ethics rules so that he won't have to step down after he is indicted. According to the New York Times (link requires registration) . . .

The Republicans also seem bent on reining in the ethics committee for having had the temerity to rebuke Mr. DeLay for some of his more outrageous conduct. The party's Rules Committee chairman, David Dreier, recently sent a letter to House members signaling that he plans to make it even harder than it already is for members to file an ethics complaint, and for outside groups to be heard in the process. Rumors also abound that come January, when the next Congress is seated, all five Republican members of the ethics committee, including its current chairman, Representative Joel Hefley, may be replaced.

This was followed up with:

2. Slipping in an unoticed line in the budget that gave two of their committee chairs access to anyone's IRS file (can you say "audacious violation of privacy").

When the measure was noticed, Bill Frist said it would be removed. . .

Lawmakers vowed Sunday that a clause, which would allow two committee chairmen to view the tax returns of any American, would be removed from a multibillion-dollar spending bill before it is sent to the White House for President Bush's signature. Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer demanded a "full and complete" investigation into how the measure got into the bill, and "appropriate punishment" for those responsible. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said: "I have no earthly idea how it got in there. Nobody is going to defend this."
(from CNN.Com)

Now, I didn't wake up this morning intent on ranting against Republicans, but then my Strib had the story of Minnesota GOP Chairman Ron Eibensteiner's potential casino conflict . . . while the Gov. pushes the idea of expanding casino's in the state, Eibensteiner has taken a major interest in a company that sells slot machines. According to the Strib:

. . . Eibensteiner's involvement in the company has attracted criticism from some members of the state Republican Party, who say it poses a potential conflict if Gov. Tim Pawlenty succeeds in his efforts to bring Las Vegas gambling interests to Minnesota. And staunch conservatives within the party, especially those morally opposed to gambling, are particularly concerned about his role in the business. Eibensteiner is a board member of Spectre Gaming and one of its largest shareholders; in July, he held 1.8 million shares, or 17 percent of the company.

"Our party ought to be discouraging gambling, and certainly we should not be part of the take," said Allen Quist, a former Republican gubernatorial candidate.

I think these lowlights mark a disturbing trend of arrogance and power politics among many of today's political leaders. While the Democrats might be watching these madcap capers with glee in anticipation of the voter backlash against the Republicans, I think they better rethink how this affects them.

The more likely outcome is not a backlash against Republicans two years from now. It is more likely that these antics will contribute to a general disgust for politics, while increasing voter apathy and lowering voter turnout. All those idealistic young new-voters that turned out to back Kerry, may start to rethink whether politics is really something they want to be associated with.

The ironic result is that, given that we're two years from an election; these actions could benefit the Republicans at the ballot box more than the Dems.

A smart move by the DFL at this point would be to work to highlight public servants on both sides of the aisle that are doing good and are worthy of admiration; rather than go on a negative attack that would further distance the average person from the abrasive world of politics.

Oh . . . and about the cold weather

Sure, politics and civic involvement helped make Minnesota a place with a pretty good quality of life, but as with most things, we can't underestimate the impact of circumstances beyond our control.

Those much maligned Minnesota winters *do* have a positive impact on Minnesota's success. Think about it . . . if you want to get through a long cold winter, you better be someone who can plan ahead a bit, put in a little hard work, deal with some adversity, and give and get a little help from your neighbors.

Those who wander into Minnesota and don't have these qualities, eventually moves on to warmer climes, leaving us with a population that is probably a little better organized, a little harder working, a little friendlier and a little more willing to contribute to the common good than most states.

You Betcha!

Would the next liberal republican please stand up?

He was considered by some to be "Minnesota's leading citizen" . . . polititian, traveler, civil rights advocate, book collector, legislator, environmentalist, philanthropist, governor, millionaire. At home in the board room. At home on the Iron Range. He himself an everyman.

No, I'm not talking about Buckaroo Bonzai, I'm talking about 95 year-old Elmer L. Anderson who passed away yesterday. His life brought him from a nine-year-old with polio, to parentless teanager, to salesman, to dairy farmer, to CEO of a billion-dollar coporation, to legislator, to governor, to philanthropist. Any of us could only hope to have so rich a life.

Of course, what I have described is just the barest of sketches. Read the Strib Story, for a more complete picture. What I think is important to realize about this man is that he represents a kind of politician/civic leader that doesn't seem to exist anymore in Modern Minnesota's ideologically driven political world.

Elmer L. was elected governor in 1960 as a "liberal republican". That's right folks, it was once possible in this state to be a Liberal Republican. You might ask, "what is that supposed to mean." Look to how he approached the business world for an answer to that question. According to Strib writer/biographer Lori Sturdevant, as CEO of Fuller "it meant more to him to be listed as one of the 100 best companies to work for rather than to make the Fortune 500 list."

Both Republican's and DFLers could learn a lot by reflecting on Elmer L.'s life. The saavy businessman without the ruthless efficiency. I think that is the essence of why we enjoy a high quality of life in this state. We once seem to have had political leaders who could demonstrate both long term business-planning smarts AND a humanity towards those that most depend on the services government provides.

I think we could use a few more Elmer L.'s in Minnesota's public life.

I don't care if you're a Republican or a DFLer.
RepublicAndersons . . . DFeLmers . . . please stand up.

Kiffmeyer takes flak . . . pushes honey butter

The Strib ran a story yesterday letting us know that Secretary of State Kiffmeyer takes flak, pushes on. Now, to some Kiffmeyer is the Katherine Harris of the North while most people just don't really notice exactly what it is that the office of the Secretary of State is for.

The Secretary of State is one of those offices that no one really pays attention to until something goes wrong, so it can be difficult to know if the incumbant is doing a good job or failing miserably. It is also one of those jobs that can have a big impact on how "real" our democracy is and whether *all* people are fully empowered to exercise their right to vote.

So, is she good? Is she Bad? Too Partisan? Not Partisan Enough? What should the SOS be doing to safeguard our democracy? Is she doing it? Is she undermining it? Eeeesh! These are tough questions, my brain hurts. Maybe I better just go to her website and get some recipes for nice homemade Rasberry Jam or Cinnamon Honey Butter . . .

Now that's Minnesotan . . . I feel better already.

What's in a Name?

So . . . what is Minnepolitisphere?

Well, it's a name that is a metaphor in its complexity. It's an attempt to reflect just how complicated the Minnesota Political Atmosphere has become. And why not? What used to be considered a solidly liberal, only-state-to-vote-Mondale-instead-of-Reagan, bastion of left leaning labor and agriculture politics is now in transition. Or is it?

The purpose of this blog is to track the political direction of the state. To try to find the emerging themes that are shaping its attitudes, opinions and political future as seen through its leaders, media, politicos and grassroots movements.

Minnesota's political story is evolving through the bits and pieces of politica that occur each week - some leading the news and others lurking in the back rooms. Minnepolitisphere will try to pick up on those that are important or interesting . . .or somewhere in between.

So, will the Taxpayers League lead the way or will the Wellstone Democrats turn the tide? Or is that even the right question (don't count out those Greens and Independencers).

In any event, Stay Tuned . . .