Blanked Out

The DFL State Central Committee meets tomorrow in Sauk Rapids. There are three impeccably qualified candidates for Attorney General. Everything I’ve heard, read and been told has confirmed that any of these candidates would be both good for the job and would be competitive against Jeff Johnson.* I am advocating for no endorsement and automatic endorsement for the winner of the primary.

Let’s start with the rules for the endorsement:

I. Special Orders

A. Endorsement: Attorney General

The following resolution will be in order:

Resolved, That the Central Committee now proceed to an endorsement for Attorney General. The rules that applied at the last State Convention likewise apply to this meeting.

This motion takes a simple majority.

The following resolution will be in order (1) if the above resolution fails, or (2) after the completion of any ballot that does not result in an endorsement:

Resolved, That whichever candidate the Party’s voters nominate at the upcoming primary election becomes the Party’s endorsed candidate.

This motion takes a 60-percent vote.

Don’t criticize the SCC for meeting - they have to decide to not endorse. It can’t simply be an edict of Brian Melendez. However, looking at these rules you can already see which way the wind is blowing. Usually there is a rule specifying a certain number of ballots before a call for no endorsement can be made.

The specific number of ballots varies - it depends on the number of partisans that are on the rules committee. Yet, these rules allow a call for no endorsement after any ballot that does not result in an endorsement. These rules are not friendly to a Steve Kelley endorsement push.

Here’s the bottom line: if any of the three candidates are endorsed, the other two have no options in respect to the endorsement. They can’t get off the ballot. They can make a public announcements they are no longer running for the seat, but that’s it and everyone knew that going into filing.

The State Convention is the biggest gathering of DFLers for a reason.** The state party makes significant contributions (financial, field, press etc) to statewide endorsed candidates. It should be clear that the candidates who receive those rewards have wide acceptance among the DFL activists: the activists are the ones who contribute the funds, knock the doors and make the phone calls.

Without that approval, it is unfair to appropriate those resources for any one candidate. I think the DFL SCC recognizes that, and I’m predicting a result of no endorsement with Steve Kelley topping out between 40% and 50%.

I want to echo MNCR’s statement: we are all on the same team and there is no one right answer to this unprecedented situation. I welcome civil discussion in the comments section.

*: Yes, even with the fact that Steve Kelley would need to break spending limits. Debate it in the comments section if you disagree.

**: Last month, there was a question as to how many people attended the precinct caucuses - I have the answer now. The final total was 29,067, a 24-year high in a non-Presidential year. That should put to rest any question that the party is not “inclusive”. The DFL is improving every day on bringing new people into the part and we should further this trend with constructive ideas.

[UPDATE] If you need more information on the candidates before your vote tomorrow, or in the primary on Sept. 12th, here are some great interviews:

Inside MN Politics:

Luther - Kelley - Swanson

Fresh interviews from MN Publius are coming soon.

Luther - Kelley

When I started Blanked-Out.com I was overwhelmed by the reception in the MN Blogosphere. Those initial front-page links to my blog made a huge difference. The health of any regional blogosphere is not only measured in the sheer number of blogs, but how the community promotes new blogs and thus new voices.

After the 10 x 10 initiative was released, I realized I shouldn’t wait until my blog’s readership increased to start promoting new blogs myself. That’s why I’m going to try and devote a couple Fridays each month to link to blogs within the MN Blogosphere that are either new or relatively unknown. Also, for the exception of one, consider these blogs added to my 10 x 10 tag list.

Fruit Fly
http://fruitfly.wordpress.com

Political humor and commentary from an invertebrate perspective. I especially like Frizzie McBee. Warning: there’s a graphic picture on their right now, but nothing you wouldn’t have seen by dissecting a frog.

Robert K Brown
http://www.robertkbrown.com/

This blog is hard to define, which is what makes it great. Expect thoughts on politics, fathering, sports and technology/geek issues. Definitely click on the About link to see where he’s coming from. He first caught my eye when he figured out the easiest way to articulate the Lieberman defeat - in video.

Nihilix
http://www.nihilix.blogspot.com/

If reading Wege or Wonkette sometimes makes you blush (through embarrassment or anger), stay away from this blog. Far away. That’s the best compliment I can give. Shine on you crazy diamond.

Voix de Michèle
http://voixdemichele.blogspot.com/

Another blog that’s impossible to describe: books, creative-non fiction and French.

DFL Education Foundation
http://www.dfleducationfoundation.blogs.com/

Their blog could be updated more often, but they put on great discussion forums. Past speakers have included Art Rolnick on investment in early childhood development, Jeff Blodgett on the future of progressives in MN and election analysis by Dan Cramer. Because of their non-profit status, they are exempt from the 10 x 10.

If there’s a blog you can suggest, add it to the comments section!

Simply incredible:

Lieberman had already filed paperwork to create a new party called Connecticut for Lieberman.

Creating a new party allows him to secure a position higher on the ballot than he would have if he petitioned as an individual. He will be fifth on the ballot under the new party, rather than eighth or ninth.

Joe is willing to trample on all the real independents (small “i”) to get his name higher on the ballot. What turns the incredible into the outrageous is the name of his party: Connecticut for Lieberman. How will they abbreviate that monstrosity if he wins? Sen. Lieberman (CfL - Connecticut)? Will the CfL start nominating presidential nominees?

On election night, will we hear sound bites such as:

“Bad night for the Connecticut for Lieberman Party, Jim. Incumbent CfLer Joe Lieberman was re-elected, but they are still a staggering 49 seats away from obtaining a majority in the Senate. Better luck next year.”

Joe, I’ve heard of one issue parties before, but I don’t think there’s even been a “one-person” party. It seems like you’ll never learn that Connecticut isn’t supposed to be for you…
…you are supposed to be for them.

Mark Kennedy has finally run so far from the Republican Party that he now endorses an “independent Democrat” against a Republican for the Senate seat in Connecticut. (emphasis added) [Via the Big Question]

“At times like these, when our country is fighting a global War against radical jihadists, and there is so much at stake for our nation’s security, we must put politics aside. The arrests this morning in Great Britain make it clear that now, more than ever, this is an on-going battle and we need leaders in Washington who remain committed to doing what is right instead of what may be seen as politically advantageous.

It’s in that spirit that I would like to offer my support for Sen. Joe Lieberman’s bid for the U.S. Senate from Connecticut. There are many things the Senator and I disagree on. In fact, I doubt he wants many Republican endorsements, given that millions of dollars have been spent attacking him for being too close to Republicans in fighting terrorism.”

Kennedy will try to use this to further frame himself as a moderate. You can be a moderate in your views on the issues, but bucking your own party’s endorsed candidate is not being “moderate” – it’s being politically expedient.

[UPDATE]

Let us be crystal clear on this one: this is not Mark Kennedy crossing party lines. In Kennedy’s press release he often talks about principle over politics. If Kennedy’s principle in this case is supporting the Administration’s policy positions on terrorism, why would he not support the Republican candidate, who would caucus with the Republicans, and thus keep strong Republican leaders as heads of important national security and military committees?

Lieberman has made several statements that he would still caucus with the Democrats. Until that changes, Kennedy’s support for Lieberman endangers Republican control of Congress, and thus undermines his own “principles”. This endorsement has nothing to do with principle and everything to do with politics. We will see how the press interprets Mark Kennedy’s press release.

Ever since New Orleans dropped out of the running for the Democratic National Convention in 2008, Denver has been the presumptive front-runner, despite a fantastic push by Mayors Rybak and Coleman for Minneapolis/St. Paul.

Denver knew from the start it would have to resolve its lack of unionized labor, particularly in their hotel industry. Could it increase unionization across the city before 2008? Would the DNC accept a lower level of unionization?

Colorado Confidential is reporting that progress on the “union question” has slowed, propelling Minneapolis/St. Paul into first place:

The political “buzz” about the location of the Democratic National Convention has Denver slipping into second behind St Paul/Minneapolis because of Union problems and lack of facilities, according to sources within the national party circle. They acknowledged that Denver Mayor Hickenlooper is working on the labor problems, but with the DNC decision expected in November, will he have enough time to solve the problems?

I doubt anyone could put together a fail-safe plan for an increased union presence in Denver by 2008 by November. It will come down to either the DNC accepting Hickenlooper’s promises on faith, or putting the meme of a resurgent Democratic party in the Mountain West above union problems.

They better stick to that November deadline because the Republicans are also taking a very hard look at Minneapolis/St. Paul. Rybak and Coleman have made it clear that Minneapolis/St. Paul is first come first serve - they will withdraw their bid for the Democrats if the Republicans pick them and vice versa.

Info on Minneapolis/St. Paul becoming the Republican favorite underneath the fold:

(more…)

Minvovled, MN Publius and MN Campaign Report have been debating the effectiveness of Mike Hatch’s campaign for Governor in light of a new Strib article on the race. The thread, in chronological order is here: Minvovled, MN Publius, MNCR and Minvolved’s response to MN Publius.

Given the variances of psephology, the debate has been extremely well informed and civil.

However, the most important feature of this race has not yet been discussed openly since the original Strib article was released. Hatch has not yet sealed the deal with Democratic voters.

In the Rasmussen subtotals, Hatch is only polling at 68% of Democrats. 6% are going to Hutchinson, with 12% undecided. Contrast this with Pawlenty earning 85% of Republicans. Rasmussen argues that Democrat voters usually come around by election day. However, they do not put this into the context of Hatch’s favorability numbers trending downwards (-6%).

If Hatch was still polling high among Democrats, I would readily agree that Hatch has played his summer correctly and can begin his campaign in earnest after Labor Day.

Summer is more about developing your own grassroots base than it is about direct voter contact. Volunteers are busy people and they make their time commitments early in the season. If your volunteer recruitment is not high in the summer, you risk losing volunteers to other candidates or other causes. A handicapped volunteer operation in the fall could be fatal in a race that will be decided by the Democratic base.

It has been said that the blogs should stop complaining and start doing. Such an argument misses the point: Jeff from Minvovled, Matt from MN Publius, MNCR and I are all the type of people who will go to a candidate’s office without being asked and phone bank on our cell phones in a broom closet. If voters with our political profile are not being asked to volunteer every weekend, the question stands: who is being asked?

Throughout the month, I will be investigating the cause of Hatch’s Democratic deficit.

• Is it messaging?
• The media? Their refusal to pick up on Hatch’s avuncular side?
• Field operations?

None of this is over.

But Lieberman pledged to continue his candidacy as an independent in the general election in November.

“Incidentally, we are gonna go,” Lieberman told supporters at the Hartford Hilton hotel.

Challenger Ned Lamont defeated Lieberman by more than 10,000 votes, according to unofficial vote returns.

“The old politics of partisan polarization won today,” Lieberman said. “For the sake of our state, our country and my party, I cannot and will not let that result stand.

You lost the primary. For the sake of the party, withdraw now.

11:10pm: I just realized that Joe was very careful to say “OUR state” and “OUR country”. But he said “MY party”. This isn’t a slip - he’s not talking about the Democratic Party anymore. He’s talking about the Joe Lieberman Party. Uncloaked, his argument is that Connecticut and the nation will suffer greatly if he respects the decision Connecticut’s voters.

This reminds me of someone…

UPDATE: Lieberman fires campaign manager and spokesman and asks for the resignation of several other staff. Now I know why no one has been returning my phone calls regarding their hosting company.

UPDATE 2: Slightly off-topic.  Wes Clark in an email to WesPAC supporters says that “We cannot let Joe Lieberman be this year’s Ralph Nader.”  Wow.

Lieberman’s website is down - and Lieberman’s campaign can’t get their story straight.

In the NY Times, they claim it was a denial of service (DOS) attack. At MSNBC they claim it was a SQL injection technique. The DOS argument is being debunked at Kos.

Kos also posted that Blanked-Out.com almost pays as much as Lieberman does for web hosting. As for the “SQL injection”, I don’t know what brand of SQL they are using but most major brands of SQL addressed this problem three months ago or more.

Updates as the story develops.

4:00pm: Empire Zone is reporting that a month ago, Lieberman’s campaign website was defaced by someone who called himself “thhackr”. Until they release a screen cap, I’m not convinced. A hacker calling himself “thhackr”? Seriously? In Leet you don’t delete the E’s you replace them: “th3hack3r” or if you are using a strong dialect of Leet, “7h3h4(|{3r”.

5:20pm: Not a single news agency has asked the simple question: “What was your allotted bandwidth as of Monday”? A truthful answer to that question would go a long way to actually determining the truth.

5:23pm: Wonkette starts to ask the important questions.

6:46pm: Wonkette and Kos have it wrong - I just called Kerry Szeps of 2 Dog Media. They were paid for web design and hosting, but that contract expired right before the CT Dem. Convention. Afterwards Lieberman moved his account elsewhere - presumably to MyHostCamp. Great research Wonkette, but the info is out of date for the current story.

Kerry also said that Lieberman was paying 2 Dog Media much more than $10 a month for their services.

MyDD, FDL, Kos and Wonkette are all doing great research and reporting on this developing story - the MSM doesn’t have a clue on how to report on this story, but let’s make sure we fact check as much as possible.

EDIT: Corrected Kerry’s first name.

Minvolved is heavily promoting their ActBlue page - they are raising for Dean Johnson, Andrew Borene, Coleen Rowley and Tim Walz.

It’s dead simple: give $10 to each candidate, then get 10 of your friends to do the same. I think that technically makes it a 11 x 10 program, but don’t waste time counting, just start giving now!

UPDATE: Rew at Power Liberal is starting a blog chain for the 10 x 10 initiative. I’ve sent out the chain to American Hot Sausage, Vox Verax, 11th Ave S, Truth Surfer, and DFLers. I’ll send out other 5 later today. I’m going to try and find some below the radar MN Blogs.

Many issues over the years have driven citizens to protest on the National Mall in Washington D.C. Although it won’t draw any protesters, the financial malfeasance currently practiced by the federal government demands immediate redress. Turns out, Minnesota’s financial ledger takes a page right out of the federal playbook: (emphasis and hyperlinks added)

The federal government keeps two sets of books.

The set the government promotes to the public has a healthier bottom line: a $318 billion deficit in 2005.

The set the government doesn’t talk about is the audited financial statement produced by the government’s accountants following standard accounting rules. It reports a more ominous financial picture: a $760 billion deficit for 2005. If Social Security and Medicare were included — as the board that sets accounting rules is considering — the federal deficit would have been $3.5 trillion.

Congress has written its own accounting rules — which would be illegal for a corporation to use because they ignore important costs such as the growing expense of retirement benefits for civil servants and military personnel.

Over the entire lifetime of my blog 5 days I have been writing at Blanked-Out.com, I have never seen such an egregarious blank out. They don’t include Social Security or Medicare? What kind of accounting rules are these?

Social Security chief actuary Stephen Goss says it would be a mistake to apply accrual accounting to Social Security and Medicare. These programs are not pensions or legally binding federal obligations, although many people view them that way, he says.

Social Security and Medicare are pay-as-you go programs and should be treated like food stamps and fighter jets, not like a Treasury bond that must be repaid in the future, he adds. “A country doesn’t record a liability every time a kid is born to reflect the cost of providing that baby with a K-12 education one day,” Goss says.

Oh. Those kind. The kind of rules where social welfare programs and education are considered benefits the state may or may not confer upon its populace. Last time I checked, we did not live in a laissez-fair economy. If the wool has been pulled over my eyes all this time, I want a lifetime tax refund so I can start building a private school for my potential children. Furthemore, I will start voting Libertarian up and down the ticket: at least I’ll get an honest answer as to the actual financial obligations of government.

This problem was caused by both parties and needs to be solved by both parties.

[UPDATE: More hyperlinks and spelling correction. WP 2.1 with spellcheck could not come too soon - the Google Spellcheck toolbar doesn’t play nice with WP.]