Blue State Blues?
Many folks in MN sad about the Kerry loss, but on the bright side the DFL really kicked some Repub-butt at the Legislature. The Repubs went from a 81 - 53 majority, to a 68 - 66 very slim hold on the House. Many powerful incumbants given the boot. Reasons?
The Minnesota Public Radio commentator - Prof. Chris Gilbert from Gustavus - thought that voters may have been taking their anger over several issues out on Republicans:
1. Indian Gaming* - he thinks there is no way this can be spun to anyone's political favor - and Pawlenty really blew it.
2. Lack of action at last session - Gilbert pointed out we haven't really had a budget plan since Ventura.
3. Anger over the negative campaign ads waged by Republicans.
Very interesting - - he kept coming back to the Gaming thing. Thinks it's a lose-lose proposition and Pawlenty handled it poorly.
*Gaming Thing - - referring to the Gov's plan to take a sizable portion of the revenue from the Indian gaming operations in exchange for a promise from the State not to pursue private (non-Indian) gaming. Hard to not spin that as blackmail. It conjurs up images of broken treaties. Not that it wouldn't be nice to have a share of some more of that money, but any chance to come to a reasonable compromise on the issue seems blown.
The Minnesota Public Radio commentator - Prof. Chris Gilbert from Gustavus - thought that voters may have been taking their anger over several issues out on Republicans:
1. Indian Gaming* - he thinks there is no way this can be spun to anyone's political favor - and Pawlenty really blew it.
2. Lack of action at last session - Gilbert pointed out we haven't really had a budget plan since Ventura.
3. Anger over the negative campaign ads waged by Republicans.
Very interesting - - he kept coming back to the Gaming thing. Thinks it's a lose-lose proposition and Pawlenty handled it poorly.
*Gaming Thing - - referring to the Gov's plan to take a sizable portion of the revenue from the Indian gaming operations in exchange for a promise from the State not to pursue private (non-Indian) gaming. Hard to not spin that as blackmail. It conjurs up images of broken treaties. Not that it wouldn't be nice to have a share of some more of that money, but any chance to come to a reasonable compromise on the issue seems blown.
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