And -
This post is about the mid-June 2009 reporting of the spiffy new GOP party leadership honchos in Minnesota, where MPR reports:
Tony Sutton elected as new chair of Minnesota GOP
Tom Scheck, Minnesota Public Radio - June 13, 2009
St. Paul, Minn. — Republicans have elected businessman Tony Sutton as the new chair of the Minnesota Republican Party.
The delegates elected Sutton on the first ballot. He received 195 votes, while radio personality Dave Thompson received 133 votes and former state Senator Carrie Ruud received 17 votes.
Sutton said he's committed to rebuilding the party.
Sutton will be responsible for recruiting and backing candidates, organizing grass roots support and turning out the vote in elections. 2010 is a critical year because there's an open race for governor and every legislative seat is on the ballot.
A handful of candidates who have said they're running or are open to running for governor talked with delegates at the meeting. The list includes former House Speaker Steve Sviggum, former Rep. Bill Haas, current Rep. Paul Kohls, R-Victoria and Rep. Laura Brod, R-New Prague and state Sen. David Hann, R-Eden Prairie.
Delegates also elected blogger Michael Brodkorb as Deputy Chair. Brodkorb, who writes for the website Minnesota Democrats Exposed and is also communications director for Republicans in the Minnesota Senate, said he will not blog when he takes his job on July 1.
Message is same-old-same-old, MPR's report giving this Sutton quote:
"We've got to get back on track philosophically," Sutton said. "The party of fiscal responsibility was spending like crazy in Washington. We've got to regain credibility with folks for whom fiscal issues are important."
Ho, hum. Heard that already (from Elwyn Tinklenberg and Maureen Reed, each blue as a dog can get, each intent in out-bluing the other, as well as from actual and declared GOP types).
Pawlenty spoke - routinely Pawlenty stuff:
"Next year, we don't have a U.S. Senate race," Pawlenty said. "We can focus solely on the governor's races and the state legislative races. And this is only once in a twenty year or so phenemenon where we can focus exclusively on the future direction of Minnesota and Minnesota state-based races. That's going to have a dramatic effect and opportunity for our party. I predict we're going to have a good year."
Yawn.
Same old gray guv.
Move On, TP.
What's interesting, Triple A - Andy, on his design-upgraded blog, [screen shots below, the well-designed new header-banner first, the GOP affairs post next], went into weekend GOP inner-party deliberations with an opinion on record:
I use the screenshot, because historically Triple A in Bachmann's first Sixth District Congressional run went into things a Krinke backer, even a bit critical of Bachmann, but revised and extended his views. It will be interesting to see how he adapts to the new GOP leadership once he sees it at work rather than in anticipation.
As of authoring this post, Gary Gross has not directly mentioned the inner-party affairs, but in the past his feelings were clear; see, here, here, here, here, and here.
And as we await healthcare reform and the straddle the GOP and Dems will do - entrenched friends wanting favors kept, an expectant electorate waiting, waiting, and waiting for something good - beyond business as usual for the pharma-HMO-insurer cabals for whom the strutting turkeys in both houses in DC will doubtlessly with smooth words deliver; the question being where Obama will be, in lockstep or pushing decency for the people of the nation and their health needs.
As he promised. As "change" would dictate.
All that will be interesting theater. The autoworkers have been example number one; and healthcare "reform," I fear, will be example number two of Washington DC at its money-run worse.
Maybe we need a Huey Long to show up, wanting to push the for-now totally novel notion, spread the wealth.
He'd/she'd have my vote.
________UPDATE_________
Obama, he's not going to spread any wealth, he's saying he and his Clinton carryovers will render the fat out of the hog and we can live on that; here, here, here and here. Excuse me, I am a skeptic. Go back and read that Sutton quote and then look at the whitehouse.gov stuff. It sounds as if Obama and Sutton are shooting baskets on the same team. Who exactly are both playing against? Who are the referees?
__________FURTHER UPDATE_________
Here's the Suttonesque Obama at the podium, East Room of White House, on "Pay as you go."
Paying for what you spend is basic common sense. Perhaps that's why, here in Washington, it's been so elusive. Of course, there have been those in Washington leading the charge to restore PAYGO, and many of them are here today. I want to recognize Congressman George Miller, who introduced the first PAYGO bill in the House. (Applause.) I want to thank the House Blue Dogs and their leader, especially Baron Hill, who has been a driving force in favor of PAYGO. (Applause.) I want to acknowledge Senator Claire McCaskill, who's shown real leadership on this issue in the Senate. (Applause.) And as I said, I want to acknowledge the Speaker of the House, as well as leader Steny Hoyer, who are here because they understand the importance of this principle and are fully supportive of our efforts.
In fact, two years ago, a new Democratic Congress put in place congressional rules to restore this principle, but could not pass legislation without the support of the administration. I want you all to know you now have that support. (Applause.)
The fact is there are few who aren't distressed by deficits. It's a concern that crosses party lines, geographic boundaries, and ideological divides. But often, in the give-and-take of the political process, the vested interests of the few overtake the broader interests of the many. The debate of the day drowns out those who speak of what we may face tomorrow. And that's why "pay as you go" is essential. It requires Congress to navigate the ebb and flow of politics while remaining fixed on that fiscal horizon.
Speechifying you can believe in. I am more distressed by untrue posturing than by deficits, whatever that last paragraph starts off saying ...
_________FURTHER UPDATE_________
More rendering fat from the hog as a solution to something, Strib online this morning:
The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the president's remarks before they were delivered.
The nation's doctors, like many other groups, are divided over the president's proposals to reshape the health care delivery system. The White House anticipates heavy spending to cover the almost 50 million Americans who lack health insurance and has taken steps in recent days to outline just where that money could be found.
For instance, Obama wants to cut federal payments to hospitals by about $200 billion and cut $313 billion from Medicare and Medicaid. He also is proposing a $635 billion "down payment" in tax increases and spending cuts in the health care system.
To an audience of doctors Obama plans to say the United States spends too much on health care and gets too little in return. He says the health industry is crushing businesses and families and is leading to millions of Americans losing coverage, the administration official said.
I suppose the speech today the Strib item preludes will be posted on whitehouse.gov
What about rereading the Wizard of Oz, instead of his speeches?
The man's had time enough - tell me - what's he delivered? More troops in the poppy fields with a new McChrystal at the levers. Ho, hum. In closing Gitmo, what's he going to do, put them all on a skiff as if they were Haitians aiming to reach the mainland?
That Sutton quote, one word stands out, in context, " ... We've got to regain credibility with folks ..." and so far, has Obama earned the "c-word"?
Do you honestly think the GOP will? Uncle Sam, HELLLLLLLLP!!
___________LAST FURTHER UPDATE___________
Craig Westover is a conservative blogging voice, and had his pre-conference say on the direction he'd prefer; no quotes, but please have a look, here.