Some in Minn. Eye Recalling Governor

[Khephra]

FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (AP) -- Minnesota DFL leaders say they're considering a California-style effort to remove Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty by recall petition -- just the latest in the summer-long political food fight between the parties.

DFLers are urging State Fair visitors to their booth to send postcards and e-mails calling for Pawlenty to open his tax records to show whether he paid taxes on $60,000 he received from a telecommunications entrepreneur and political ally while he was running for governor.

Meanwhile, Republican Party officials were busy distributing ``DFL lies on a stick!'' -- paper fans inscribed with six allegations, including one aimed at Attorney General Mike Hatch, a Democrat, and DFL Party Chair Mike Erlandson.

more.............

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Minnesota-Recall.html

[gratuitous]

1. If it's good for the California condor

It's good for the Minnesota turkey!

(Lame reworking of the goose-and-gander adage)

[DBoon]

8. Wrong bird?

I thought the mosquito was the MN state bird?

[onehandle]

2. Can they recall Coleman?

He's Hardly an "Improvement".

[Lydia Leftcoast]

12. Unfortunately,

only persons holding state offices can be recalled. Senators can only be removed by other Senators, as Bob Packwood was in the early 1990s. (He was removed for sexual harrassment, when he should have been removed for corruption for his role in co-authoring that monstrosity of a 1986 federal tax "reform" bill. I believe that the attack on Bill Clinton was partly payback for Bob Packwood.)

But if "extreme obnoxiousness by an elected representative" were a recallable offense, Coleman would certainly qualify.

[goobergunch]

14. Packwood resigned...

but he was going to be expelled...the resolution had already been voted out of the Ethics Committee.

[NewJerseyDem]

23. Are you sure?

In New Jersey you can recall members of Congress as well. I don't know about Minnesota but I don't think that senators can only be expelled by fellow senators.

This is from the New Jersey state Constitution.

"b. The people reserve unto themselves the power to recall, after at least one year of service, any elected official in this State or representing this State in the United States Congress. The Legislature shall enact laws to provide for such recall elections. Any such laws shall include a provision that a recall election shall be held upon petition of at least 25% of the registered voters in the electoral district of the official sought to be recalled. If legislation to implement this constitutional amendment is not enacted within one year of the adoption of the amendment, the Secretary of State shall, by regulation, implement the constitutional amendment, except that regulations adopted by the Secretary of State shall be superseded by any subsequent legislation consistent with this constitutional amendment governing recall elections. The sufficiency of any statement of reasons or grounds procedurally required shall be a political rather than a judicial question."

[shockandawed]

35. apparently you can but it is impossible

Imagine getting 1 in 4 people to sign anything. Shit, you could not get 25 % voter turnout if you were handing out $20 at the door.

[NewJerseyDem]

36. True

It could only work if the congressmen killed someone or something really bad like that. If it were any easier I would think that McGreevey might be in some trouble considering his poll numbers aren't much better that Davis's. I would think that there might be some constitutional issues on whether or not you can recall a member of Congress but I guess they wouldn't have put it in if it was unconstitutional.

[Caution]

3. and our country continues to fall apart

Democracy is collapsing rapidly it looks like. Redistricting power grabs in texas and possibly Ohio, recalls in california and minnesota, stolen elections, voting systems open to corruption, massive deficit spending, illegal foreign wars with no end in sight, impeachment for purely political and partisan reasons, attempts to amend the constitution to restrict freedoms (flag-burning ban, gay marriage ban), religious fundamentalism creeping into government (Bush, Moore, Delay, vouchers, faith-based initiatives), media control by the few, consolidation of news sources, massive terrorist attacks on our own soil, incarceration rates beyond the scope of anything in human history outside of concentration camps in nazi germany. The new millenium has really sucked so far hasnt it?

[zekeson]

4. Best excuse I have seen for a recall

so far. I don't know that in principle recall is correct, but when there is evidence of corruption it needs to be looked into. Recall may not be the appropriate method as we don't know he is guilty. (ok, he's a republican - he's guilty :) ) This may be the impetus to get a full scale investigation going wo we can lay to rest the question of his crookedness once and for all.

As a resident I'd like him gone. His insistence on no new taxes as the state is in fiscal crisis will destroy the social infrastructure that has been the pride of Minnesota for decades. That said, it should be done right and a full and impartial investigation should proceed any recall.

[joeybee12]

5. This ercall won't happen

Mainly because you can see the Repukes fighting back before it even gets started. That's what the Dems should have done from the beginning, instead--AS USUAL--they are playing catch-up.

[kimchi]

6. Turnabout is fair play.

I can't wait to see how this is spun on the networks.

[NickDanger]

9. I don't believe Pawlenty is a crook

I've appeared before his wife, a district court judge. My understanding is the couple are some sort of sincere Christians, and not of the sort to be really crooked. I would oppose a recall unless there is more than a little of the usual influence peddling going on.

[alfredo]

10. I've been in business as an owner and manager, and just because

they appear to be Christians means nothing. Too often it is a front, hiding corruption. I have been burned too many times by professed Christians. Their integrity is not assured by the profession of faith.

Read the story, Tartuffe The Imposter.
http://moliere-in-english.com/tartuffe.html

How dare you even hinder or annoy,
When I've the means to ruin and destroy
You should have thought before my toes you trod.
Attacking me, you set yourself 'gainst God!--

[zekeson]

11. Good rule of thumb

Avoid the transmission shop that displays a fish on its sign. If it has the fish AND the American flag you bring a large jar of vaseline when you go to pick up your car because you are gonna get screwed.

Outward professions of Christianity and patriotism in business are not always, but it seems more often than not, simply come-ons to endear trust rather than legitimate beliefs.

[Voltaire99]

18. Great post

And what an unexpected treat to find words from the magnificent Moliere.

America is much in need of reading Tartuffe these days.

[corarose]

27. How about the TV Right Wingnuts that gather cash for God

Isn't that a good example of Unholy Christians?

[NickDanger]

37. I met her; I have good instincts for creeps, and she's sincere

As an atheist, I of course believe people who believe in a God are sincerely deluded. However, my sense of her is that she is an intelligent and decent person, one who wouldn't marry an evil or stupid SOB (Bush, probably the latter).

Though I've never met him, I doubt Pawlenty is motivated by tawdry motives. His mistakes--and the results of some of them have been posted on this board--are more likely the result of his belief in a Christian God, rather than as a result of avarice or the pursuit of personal ambition. I'd also bet he (and she) is a lot smarter than Bush. While ignorance and intelligence are different things, there is usually a connection. Bush loses on both.

[peacetalksforall]

39. The most stolen book from bookstores is...

the bible!

[Voltaire99]

16. No Get Out of Jail Free card for "sincere Christians"

I've appeared before his wife, a district court judge.

So, did you beat the rap? ;-)

My understanding is the couple are some sort of sincere Christians, and not of the sort to be really crooked.

Whew. Let's pass on the evidence, then, as long as they're "sincere Christians." Now that you've adduced their spotlessness from their Christianity, case closed!

By coincidence, there's a judge down south right now who's sure that his Christianity is above the law, too. Would you apply your sincerity test to his case, too?

[thebigidea]

22. hmmmm

to quote William Burroughs: "If you're doin' business with a religious son of a bitch, GET IT IN WRITING. His word isn't worth shit, not with the Good Lord telling him how to fuck you on the deal."

[Lindacooks]

24. Nobody who did what he did to children...

...is a sincere 'Christian'. That yahoo destroyed child abuse prevention programs in this state, all in the name of making the rich richer. That's about as UN Christian as you can get.

[zekeson]

25. Take a look at what he did to DD Kids

Child protection is, regrettably, just one area where Minesota is taking in on the chin from the Pawlenty admin.

Developmentally Disabled kids were traditionally institutionalized up to a decade or two ago. Minnesota, being (pre neo-con takeover) a foreward thinking state, led the charge at getting kids out of institutions and back at home with their families and out in the community. This equale a better quality of life and a substantial cost savings for the state.

Fast forward to the Pawlenty admin. Hey, he sez, what are all these families getting so much state aid for? He, without warning, includes participation fees for families, based on their incomes. Think of the fee as your insurance fee - you pay and are eligible for services. I know of families who saw premiums go from 120$ to over 600$ with no warning. July 31st, bam, you are paying a new, highly costly rate. Most family budgets were already stretched to the max. Having a severely disabled kid is extremely costly and typically one family memeber cares for the DD kid full time. That means, of course, there is only one income for the family to rely on and less cushion.

Since the state has decreased available instiutional beds to nothing, these families have little to no means to get by. I really want this nightmare to end.

[Lindacooks]

42. Oh, I know

My example was just one example in his tireless campaign to hurt the poor, children, women, the homeless, the disadvantaged, the environment, etc. etc. etc. etc.

[samsingh]

7. great

let's start recalling all elected officials if we can.

[Bandit]

26. I agree ~ They are all corrupt

:shrug: Maybe we could get Santa Claus to do the job. I believe more in him than I do any of our elected or selected officials.

[cprise]

13. ping

kick

bump

[bluestateguy]

15. Payback is a BITCH!!

Politics is all about revenge and destroying your opponents!!

[Abaques]

17. As much as I hate Pawlenty...

I think that recalls in general are a bad idea. He was elected (because the state DFL screwed themselves) and he should server his four years unless he does something that would be impeachable. Which, in the case of his telecom dealings, might just happen. But I'm not holding my breath.

[corarose]

28. Gray Davis was elected also wasn't he?

It's time to recall Jethro & Jethrine Bush.

[Abaques]

33. But I don't think Gray Davis should have been recalled....

Bushco wasn't elected. And most likely has committed several impeachable offenses and I still don't think Bush should be recalled.


Bush and Chaney should be impeached. Recalls subvert the democratic process.

[0rganism]

19. "just the latest in the summer-long political food fight"

While the California recall is generally treated as good, just, and necessary.

Anyone who can't see the obvious double standard is blind as a bat.

[DemonFighterLives]

20. First I heard of this

Thanks. I walked right through the DFL booth on the way to the Boston concert> "You Can Still Rock In America". I am not much into the recall thing, but always wondered how he got elected. Seems all kinds of dough flowed into MN from Repubs worlds away. With the big push of Bush and Cheney and the questionable killing of Wellstone, I may be inclined to recall any Rep, I could. Payback is hell and always has been. They don't belong in charge here. We were perfectly happy as a Democratic state. :9

[hoboken12]

29. When I see "You Can Still Rock In America"

I think of Night Ranger, that song's on the same side as "Sister Christian" of Boogie Nights fame.

[DemonFighterLives]

31. Night Ranger was there

And they were great. Bostons new album is "Corporate America". After 4.5 years in the making, it really fits with the times. Corporate greed, environmental destruction.
Sorry for my diversion- Down with Pawlenty! and Coleman and Cheney and Bush Jr. :)

[Ganja Ninja]

21. Recall Jeb too.

Recall Jeb too.

www.petitiononline.com/JebLies/petition.html

[SideshowScott]

30. Even though im agiant the recall...

I think it would be a bit hypoctical to support this recall when im agianst the recall of Davis..But I hope it makes the GOP sweat and worry a bit..They want to play games well we can play too!

[NewJerseyDem]

34. It doesn't seem likely

The DFL probably isn't trying to do this too much. It was probably just mentioned. There doesn't seem to be much evidence that Pawlenty has done anything illegal and if he did then this would be entirely different. I would oppose any recall that is just based on the fact that people don't like him but a recall because he acted illegally would be fine. There just doesn't seem to be much of a chance that the Minnesota supreme court would let a recall happen.

[genius]

32. Sounds good.

We should recall all Republicans.

[dflprincess]

38. Recall is not as easy in Minnesota as it is in California

The state constitution limits the reasons for recall to serious malfeasance or nonfeasance. The state Supreme Court has to decide that the facts alleged in the petition are true and are grounds for a recall petition. After that, the court appoints a special master who holds hearings to detetemine if the grounds are sufficient for a recall. That, and it would take 500,000 signatures to get the petition rolling (remember, there's only about 5 million people in the state).

All this to get rid of a Bush* stooge who was elected with a plurality of 44% and, in my opinion, is probably a crook. I agree with some of the posters above, the more someone proclaims their Christianity the less apt I am to turn my back on them. Every budget cut Pawlenty pushed hurt the most vulnerable people in the state. I sent him an email asking him is he remembered what Jesus said about "What you do to the least of my brethren, you do to me." But I never got a response.

[peacetalksforall]

40. Didn't the gun manufacturers already profit from Pawlenty - Pugs

got a concealed weapons law passed overnight - without all contingencies addressed. They have so many agendas they can't even keep them in their pockets or day-timers or briefcases on wheels.

[ButterflyBlood]

41. hell yes

get that fuck OUT!