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[MineralMan]

83. A candidate? Really?

In 2014, there will be 435 candidates, not one, and that's just in the House of Representatives. Each is running in a local congressional district. How is it that you do not understand how our government is elected? What one candidate are you talking about for 2014? How about the candidate for MN CD-2, where a relatively popular Republican, John Kline, is the incumbent. A Democrat could take that seat, and Minnesota Democrats are going to be choosing someone to run against him. Which candidate should that be? Do you know any of the potential candidates for that individual congressional race?

I will guarantee that a candidate who met with your approval as a progressive cannot possibly win that district, and if one was the Democratic candidate, it is certain that John Kline will continue to hold that seat and to vote with the conservative caucus on every important bill. Now, if we can find a Democratic candidate who is well-known enough, and respected enough in that district to unseat John Kline, which is a definite possibility, that district will have a House member who will vote with the Democratic caucus, rather than the Republican caucus. That is what our Congress is about and that's how it works. You can rail against it all you want, but that is the fact of the matter.

So, what should the voters in MN CD-2 do in the caucuses, primary and general election in 2014? Should they put a candidate with no chance of winning on the ballot? What do you think? I think that they should find a candidate who will vote with the Democratic caucus on every important bill and get him or her elected to replace John Kline. If Minnesotans can do that, it will be one more Democrat in the House, moving toward a majority of Democrats. We have another district, MN CD-6, that is in a similar position. Right now Michele Bachmann is that district's representative. She's not running in 2014, thank goodness, but the district remains a relatively conservative one. Her Democratic opponent, though, in 2012, won by only 1% or so of the vote. We have an excellent chance to put a Democrat into office in that district, but no real progressive could possibly win there. So, what should we do? I say that we should find a popular, well-known Democrat who will vote with the Democratic caucus on every important bill and make that person the candidate in MN CD-6. And that's just what the DFL Party in Minnesota has in mind for both districts. If we work hard and campaign hard for those candidates, we could replace two Republicans in the House. Do you not see the benefit of that?

You can insist on whatever you want for your vote, but I'm pretty sure you're not voting in either of those districts. Those who are will make the choice, not you. Thank goodness.