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Michael Brodkorb – Blogger
"Minnesota Democrats Exposed"
to speak at April 22nd Full Committee Dinner Meeting
Be prepared for an entertaining evening with Michael Brodkorb, Blogger for Google as the guest speaker at the next Senate District 41 Republican Dinner on April 22 at Calvary Lutheran Church, located at 6817 Antrim Road in Edina. Michael Brodkorb writes “Minnesota Democrats Exposed” which is a blog dedicated to a truthful discussion on the activities, statements and tactics of Minnesota Democrats. This blog is not sponsored by any political party, candidate or candidate’s committee. It is just Mike with his opinions, policies and views.
Mike has spent most of his entire professional career working in Minnesota politics and public relations. He is a past employee of the Republican Party of Minnesota, serving as Field Director ('98), Research Director ('02 - '05) and Communications Director ('05) . He has also worked on the campaigns of former U.S Senator Rudy Boschwitz (U.S. Senate - '96), Barbara Carlson (Mayor of Minneapolis -'97), Norm Coleman (Governor - '98). From 1999 to March 2002, Mike worked for the Minnesota Senate in various positions with the Senator Republican Caucus, ending his employment as a redistricting analysis.
Our favorite blogger is also a dedicated volunteer activist for the Republican Party of Minnesota and has served in a variety of positions in local Republican Party organizations. He is a member of the Executive Committee SD38 GOP and a delegate to the 2nd Congressional District and Republican State Convention. Michael Brodkorb co-hosts a weekly radio show with King Banaian of SCSU Scholars on AM 1280, The Patriot every Saturday from 3 5 p.m. He is a self-employed research and communication consultant, lifelong resident of Minnesota and lives in Eagan.
The evening social hour begins at 6:00 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m with an $8 dinner donation for adults and $4 for students. District announcements will be made at 7:00 p.m. with Michael Brodkorb introduced at 7:30 p.m.
Please call the SD41 Republican Office at 952.848.4272 or email sd41gop@hotmail.com to place your dinner reservation by Saturday, April 19.
A Caucus Message from Party Chair, Ron Carey
Tuesday night was an exhilarating and encouraging night for our Republican Party and our conservative cause. In all corners of the state, thousands of new Republican activists came onto the playing field to get more intimately involved in promoting our Republican principles of less government, lower taxes, strong families, and a strong national defense. We smashed our all-time caucus turnout record by having 63,000 Republicans take part in their neighborhood caucus.
While the extraordinary turnout was welcomed, I know that extra strain was placed upon our thousands of volunteers who convened our 4122 caucus locations, set up extra chairs, directed people to their proper caucus room, and did whatever was necessary to make the caucus experience a success. Please pass on this message of sincere thanks to each of those people who went above and beyond the ordinary to make the logistics of the evening the best they could be in each location. Thank you as well for the diligent job done in collecting and reporting your presidential preference ballot results in a timely manner. I was with our staff until 1 AM gathering and reporting the data you provided that resulted in only 117 out of our 4122 precincts not being reported by the end of the evening. Great job!
Some may be a bit discouraged by the large turnout at DFL caucuses. Please keep two important points in mind to maintain perspective. First, the party holding the White House has had lower caucus/primary turnout in 9 of the last 10 presidential years; the exception was 1980 for the Carter/Kennedy primary battle. Despite having higher Democrat turnout during the nomination process, Republicans went on to win the White House in 1972, 1980, 1984, 1988, 2004, and soon to be 2008. Caucus or primary turnout is historically not an accurate indicator of who will win in November.
Second, the DFL did not hold a true caucus. The DFL chair has spent the last two weeks on radio and TV with me telling DFLers that they could simply sign in, cast their ballot for president, and leave all in one minute if they wished at anytime between 6:30 and 8:00 PM. Reports are that hordes of DFLers did just that: vote and leave. At my own caucus over 90% of the attendees were new from the 2006 caucus. I was anxious to see how many people would bolt for the door once they had voted. I was thrilled that not one of the forty-six people in my caucus left after voting. Our participation represents people who actually caucused and want to be more intimately involved; the DFL conducted a quasi-primary under the broad umbrella of the word "caucus". Their "quantity" is no match for our "quality" of participation.
Again, thank you for your strong local leadership that is the backbone of our party's success. Without the hard work and dedication you have provided, caucus night would not have achieved our objectives as well as it did. Come November, we will look back at February 5 as the launch of an election season that will be filled with great success for our Republican team!
From Black Sheep to Shepherd
Minnesota GOP Treasurer Tony Sutton talks about 2006, 2008 and everything in-between with Senate District 41
“It's always great to come out to Senate District 41,” said Minnesota Republican State Party Treasurer Tony Sutton of “one of the best organized Senate Districts in the state” as he spoke before a packed crowd of nearly 100 Edina and West Bloomington Republicans. Amazed at the turnout of activists, Sutton  commented on his own early involvement with the Republican Party in the Iron Range town of Hibbing. “I don't think there were this many Republicans in the entire city when I did lit drops for Ronald Reagan in 1984,” he half-joked. Sutton was even outnumbered in his own household growing up, being the “black sheep” as the family's only Republican. “But,” Sutton told his audience, “before my father past away in Florida, I had managed to convince him to switch his voter registration...from Democrat to Republican.”
The Sutton Family's former “black sheep” continues to try and herd more Minnesotans into the Republican ranks as he shepherds the GOP's finances as the State Party's Treasurer, a post Sutton has held since 2005. And since acquiring his new post, the former Hibbing Reagan activist has seen his job become only more daunting. “I love the party, I love what we stand for, but we face challenges as a party in 2008,” Sutton commented. Part of overcoming those challenges, Sutton believes, is understanding what led to setbacks in 2006.
“[2006] wasn't a repudiation of Republican ideology but governance,” Sutton said. In Sutton's opinion, the electorate “didn't just turn liberal” but rather reacted to the party of fiscal responsibility suddenly “spending money like drunken sailors.” “The one thing that unites Republicans,” Sutton firmly believes, “is that we're all fiscally conservative.” And with the Democrat-controlled Congress increasingly looking to raising taxes, Sutton sees what otherwise might be a “tough year” as an opportunity to recapture fiscally minded voters. “Democrats are our best allies in running,” Sutton laughed.
The prospective Democrat ticket in Minnesota for President and U.S. Senate also has Sutton feeling optimistic about 2008. “Hillary [Clinton] is one of the most polarizing political figures in the country, maybe in history,” Sutton commented. Likewise, with radio talk-show host and “comedian” Al Franken making a strong bid for the DFL endorsement for U.S. Senate, Sutton believes many swing voters could be turned to vote Republican between Clinton's historical baggage and Franken's history of making crude and outrageous remarks. Such an election could have ramifications further down the ballot. “We don't operate in a vacuum,” Sutton remarked, noting that in the current political environment, Republican need to work more on voter persuasion than voter turnout. “We can't affect the economy, we can't affect the war, but we can affect the mechanics.”
Sutton believes the signs of a positive year are already popping up. After a difficult fundraising year in 2006 among small donors – the “canary in the coal mine” that 2006 would be a bad year, Sutton believed – small donors are back and fundraising is “off to a flying start,” well ahead of earlier projections. Such early but hopeful signs have Sutton working to rally the GOP base, reminding them that after November 2008, no one wants to be playing games of “woulda, shoulda, coulda” with the party's effort.
REP’S ERHARDT & PETERSON NAMED “LEGISLATORS OF DISTINCTION”
The League of Minnesota Cities honored both District 41 state representatives with its “Legislator of Distinction” award in 2007. Representative Ron Erhardt (41A) and Representative Neil Peterson (41B) received the award from the League, which highlights legislators every year who support  le gislation furthering their mission to promote excellence in local government. Erhardt was specifically highlighted for demonstrating that higher property taxes result from the lack of a state transportation funding plan. As a former mayor, Peterson was given the award for consistently being proactive with local government issues and defending local control while protecting cities from unfunded mandates, two of the League’s core principles.
ERHARDT PARTICIPATES IN NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SUMMIT
Representative Erhardt traveled to the White House in Washington, D.C.,
on November 1 for a meeting of national transportation leaders. The
U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Mary Peters, (pictured with Rep.
Erhardt) led the meeting, which included discussions on transportation
funding solutions and reforms necessary to help states access federal
monies more readily. The meeting also featured a discussion on the
technology and politics of congestion pricing (tolling).
This was Erhardt’s second invitation to the White House in 2007. He
also attended the first White House Surface Transportation Legislative
Leadership Summit in February. Erhardt participated in the meeting on
behalf of the entire Minnesota House.
Work Continues for Out-of-Session Legislators
Rep. Neil Peterson (41B) has continued a busy schedule throughout the summer months, even though the State Legislature adjourned in late spring. As a member of the bonding committee, he and his fellow committee members take a close look at all the requests for capital investments to come before the Legislature next session.
During August, Neil has traveled to both the Como and Minnesota Zoo’s, a tour of the flood area in south eastern Minnesota, and a floor hearing in Winona. In September, six days were spent in communities in northern Minnesota, from Moorhead to Silver Bay. October focused on the bonding needs in the southern part of the State, both east and west.
Between trips for the bonding committee, Rep. Peterson has been appointed to two important study groups; the Bridge Collapse Task Force and the Housing Foreclosure Response Task Force. Both are important to the needs of our community.
November will be no less busy, with more travel to study the bonding needs in central Minnesota. When the Legislature convenes next year, Neil and his fellow members will have already spent months preparing to do the voter’s business.
Education, Healthcare, and Budget
Minority Leader Marty Seifert’s Republican View
Speaking at the September Full Committee Dinner Meeting, Rep. Marty Seifert, minority leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives, set Republican priorities and how Republicans would approach them. All Minnesotans are alike, whether Republican or Democrat, on concern for two issues facing us today, Education and Healthcare. Republic ans would add Budget to that list as well.
Rep. Seifert spelled out the issues, as a former teacher and now party leader, facing our education system in Minnesota. As the only state in the union that does not have an academic calendar minimum, Minnesota’s average number of school days has dropped from 177.3 in 1972 down to 171 today, during a period when the amount of material to be learned has increased significantly. He pointed out that taxpayers want our kids to learn and to have a quality education, neither of which is being served by today’s shorter schedule and shorter school days. His view? “Every kid should reach their God given potential.”
On healthcare, Marty admitted that Republicans are not very good at getting their message out on this important issue. “The real problem is cost,” he said. That cost can be addressed by five initiatives:
- Competition – Today, four healthcare insurers dominate the Minnesota marketplace. That needs to change. More competition will lower costs, both for insurance and healthcare procedures. He held up invoices for one procedure performed at a local hospital for $2600 and the same procedure performed at a private clinic for $946.
- Eliminate Taxes – the 2% healthcare tax needs to be eliminated.
- Reform Welfare – Today, 4000 to 6000 people per year move to Minnesota in order to apply for welfare benefits that are competitively out of sync with neighboring states. A waiting period and work requirements need to be instituted in Minnesota.
- Reform the Tort System – In his home district, Marty quotes an OB/GYN doctor as saying that $1200 of the cost of each baby he delivers is to cover malpractice insurance premiums.
- Remove Mandates – Currently, Minnesota has 65 mandates in place that restrict action on the part of healthcare providers and insurers.
Finally, the Minnesota State budget is a priority for Republicans. Rep. Seifert pointed out that in the 1970’s the largest employers in the State of Minnesota were companies like 3M, CDC, Dayton-Hudson, and Northwest Airlines. Today, the three largest employers in order of size are the State of Minnesota, the Federal Government, and the University system.
He wants everyone to know that Democrats want to tax those that create jobs and increase the welfare system. In doing so, they potentially increase their voter base as well.
He wrapped up the evening’s discussion with he own view of the Presidential election in 2008 and its importance to this country. Judges are the key. The difference between judges that will be appointed by Hillary Clinton versus those appointed by a Republican will be striking. The effects could be felt for generations. 
For additional information on these and other issues Marty invites everyone to visit the GOP House Caucus website at www.mnhousegop.com.
ERHARDT SELECTED FOR BRIDGE COLLAPSE INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE
State Representative Ron Erhardt, (41A) will be one of 16 legislators looking into whether or not state policies and MnDOT decision making played a role in the 35W bridge collapse.
Erhardt will join seven other representatives and eight senators on the bipartisan committee that will review the bridge's inspection reports and MnDOT's work on the bridge. They will also look into which, if any, other bridges might be in danger of immediate failure.
"We will especially focus on the 35W bridge inspection reports starting in 1990 when the bridge was first rated structurally deficient," Erhardt said. "We need to take a look at how the department responded and what they could have done better. That should give us an idea of what to do and not do in the future when dealing with structurally deficient bridges."
The committee will also examine MnDOT's staffing to determine if it has enough workers to inspect, maintain, repair and replace highway bridges. A 1997 report by the Office of the Legislative Auditor found that "MnDOT probably does not perform enough preventative maintenance". The report also found a backlog of bridges labeled structurally deficient and warned of an "emerging problem" with steel fatigue in several bridges. The collapsed bridge, which carried the structurally deficient label for seven years at the time, was not specifically mentioned in the report.
Erhardt said the committee will use its findings to make recommendations on potential changes to the ways MnDOT maintains and inspects bridges.
COALITION OF GREATER MINNESOTA CITIES HONORS ERHARDT
The Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities awarded Rep. Ron Erhardt, R- Edina, the Legislator of Distinction Award for transportation policy July 26 at the coalition's three-day summer conference in Detroit Lakes.
The Legislator of Distinction Award is given to legislators who have played key roles in passing legislation important to the CGMC and greater Minnesota during the preceding session.
Erhardt was recognized for his unwavering support of a comprehensive transportation bill in the Legislature last session. He opposed both his House caucus and the governor by supporting the transportation legislation.
"Rep. Erhardt appreciates the desperate transportation and infrastructure needs of the entire state," said Tim Flaherty, executive director of the CGMC. "He recognizes that transportation policy and funding should not be a divisive, political issue. Rep. Erhardt is a proven leader on transportation issues at the Capitol. "
Erhardt has a history of supporting increased funding for transportation. In 2005, he authored an amendment to the House transportation bill that included a gas tax increase. Like the 2007 legislation, that bill also was vetoed by the governor.
The CGMC is a nonprofit advocacy organization that represents 68 cities outside of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The organization educates legislators about issues important to greater Minnesota.
Senator Geoff Michel Named
“Legislative Champion”
Dennis Schulstad (left) and Margaret Carlson (right) present
a “Legislative Champion” award to Senator Geoff Michel from the
University of Minnesota Alumni for his work supporting the university.
Make your 2008 fully refundable contribution to
Senate District 41!
Edina and West Bloomington Republicans need your help!
Click here for details on how to contribute.
Neil Peterson Earns Guardian of Small Business Award
The state’s largest small-business group, the National Federation of Independent Business, is pleased to announce that Rep. Neil Peterson of Bloomington has earned the “Guardian of Small Business Award” for the 2005-2006 biennium. “Rep. Peterson is a good friend of ours and a real supporter of small-business at the capitol,” said Mike Hickey, State Director for NFIB/MN.
Rep. Peterson understands the vital role small businesses play in our state’s economy and realizes how many jobs are created by small business each year. He has made many votes in support of small business including voting to place significant restrictions on the use of eminent domain and for landmark legislation to allow small businesses flexibility in designing health insurance plans. Small business has a real friend in Rep. Peterson and we are happy to announce that he has earned the “Guardian of Small Business Award.”
ERHARDT HONORED FOR LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP IN CONSERVATION
Award presented by MN League of Conservation Voters
State Representative Ron Erhardt was presented the 2006 Conservation Leadership Award from the League of Conservation Voters, Wednesday night, April 19, at the Mendakota Country Club in Mendota Heights.
Erhardt, Chairman of the House Transportation Committee, received the award for his career-long dedication to improving roads and transit in Minnesota. “Rep. Erhardt has been a champion of transportation legislation that works to improve air quality and reduce fuel consumption,” said Molly Schultz, Public Affairs Director for the League of Conservation Voters. “We are thrilled to honor his legislative leadership.”
“I greatly appreciate the League’s recognition of my leadership in transportation legislation,” Erhardt said. “It is important to recognize the connection between transportation and environmental conservation issues.”
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