Minnesota GOP Convention results, Friday and Saturday

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For the Senate, Mike McFadden won endorsement on the 10th ballot. That’s rather remarkable, for somebody who announced that he wouldn’t abide by the endorsement if it didn’t go to him. It’s unclear, whether there will be a real primary challenge. Based on all that I’ve seen, there are likely some very unhappy and disgusted right-wing GOPers, Tea Partiers and Paulbots and so forth, right now, and they would like a chance to take this guy out on Aug. 12. It seems less than 50-50 at this time that he will be challenged, though. I believe that potential challengers, like Jim Abeler, only have a day or two to make up their minds. And I’m also pretty sure that his main competition for the endorsement, Chris Dahlberg and Julianne Ortman, have said they’re done. Continue Reading

Optimism on dealing with the Trans-Pacific Partnership

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If you’re reading this, you very likely already know more than a little about the proposed “Trans-Pacific Partnership” trade agreement. Now, I have seen claims from the left about this that likely cross the line into hyperbole; if it goes into effect as it exists now, it won’t really mean total corporate world takeover and the end of all hope. But it unquestionably is a very bad deal, and needs to be blocked, or at least cut way, way down to size. Thankfully, there are growing grounds for optimism. Continue Reading

The card is full for the Minneapolis mayoral race

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Indeed it is. See for yourself. There are a lot of what are often termed “non-serious” candidacies, whether by those that know that it’s not entirely unheard of for the longest of long shots to pull through to glorious triumph; those trying to draw attention to some other cause or agenda; individuals with a pathological need for attention; or those just trying to make cynical “statements” about politics. Those latter being nowhere near as original or compelling as their purveyors may believe. Quite tiresome, by now, is more like it. Continue Reading