DFL group fined over campaign account violations

[Dickie Flatt]

The House DFL caucus has reached an agreement with the Federal Elections Commission to pay a $45,000 civil penalty for violating campaign finance laws two years ago.

The penalty handed down earlier this month deals with funds that were illegally transferred between campaign accounts. The commission determined that in 2002 the House DFL caucus improperly transferred $69,200 between accounts.

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/10255998.htm?1c

[aquart]

1. DFL stands for what, precisely?

[Dickie Flatt]

2. Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party

[Laelth]

4. Sorry to be obtuse.

So this is a Democratic Party caucus and not a separate party? :shrug:

-Laelth

[Dickie Flatt]

5. Yes, the DFL is the MN Dem party. We're weird that way.

[Laelth]

6. Actually, that's a pretty cool name.

Makes it clear who's side you're on, anyway. Probably not many DLC types in MN, huh? If not, good for you!

-Laelth

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. An interesting history.

The DFL was the result of a merger, years ago, of the Democratic Party and the old Farmer-Labor party, a progressive-populist group that originated around the turn of the last century and got quite radical during the Depression. It may explain why MN has produced politicians like Humphrey, Gene McCarthy and Paul Wellstone. We are true-blue here, notwithstanding the current butthead Repub governor.

[Laelth]

8. Even your Republicans are moderate, though.

From what I know of your neighbor to the south, Iowa, there is no Republican party there. Their R. candidates are listed on the ballots as Independent-Republicans. Perhaps you have the same dynamic in MN.

Anyway, thanks for the brief history. :toast:

-Laelth

[dflprincess]

9. The Republican party in Minnesota went through a brief spasm

when they called themselves "Independent-Republicans" this was done to distance themselves from Nixon and Watergate. They dropped the "Independent" several years ago.

At one time, the Republicans in Minnesota were more liberal (like Elmer L. Andersen who died last week at the age of 95) but the 'Pukes in Minnesota have been taken over by the extreme right wing. Many of more traditional Minnesota Republicans (like Arne Carlson) now call themselves independent.

[dflprincess]

10. The parties merged in 1944

a few years after the merger Humphrey along with allies like Orville Freeman did their best to purge what they considered the more extreme remainders of the Farmer Labor party (who they considered communists) from the DFL.

Contrary to the belief of those who would like to see the F and L dropped from our name, I believe that the Farmer-Labor party still exists within the DFL though it's influence has waxed and waned through the years. I think we're in a period right now where those of us who lean more FL will be making our voices heard again.

Humphrey was merely a liberal Democrat but I always thought Wellstone was more of a Farmer-Laborite.

[seriousstan]

3. Democratic-Farm-Labor

http://ww3.house.leg.state.mn.us/dfl/