Heard both Rowley and Marko tonight

[dflprincess]

I went to the caucus convenors' meeting out in Burnsville tonight put on by the 2nd Congressional District and both Rowley and Marko were there. Because there was a lot to cover for convenors they were only given a couple minutes each so neither one got to say much but I got some definite impressions from just those two or three minutes.

Both candidates did an equally fine job of bashing Kline.

This is the second time I've heard Marko in as many weeks and she does her best to avoid Iraq. She did mention the deficit and how much is being spent just paying the interest and what that is taking away from education and veterans' benefits - but she neglected to mention what is currently driving the deficit. She did call herself a moderate Democrat. She seems like a nice enough person, but I smell DLC.

Rowley did make some comments about not liking the war, though no mention of how to get out. I thought her speaking ability has really improved and I was kind of surprised she made no mention of the Dubai deal. My personal opinion is that if we want to strike back against Kline and security Rowley makes the best candidate.

[IMissPaul]

1. Marko drops out of race...

In order to focus on her legisltative duties, Marko just dropped out of the race. What are your thoughts on this?

I thought Rowley was a pretty good candidate, but others seem to disagree: http://www.backboneminnesota.com/2006/03/29/mn-02-caught-with-my-pants-down/#comments - What's the deal?

[dflprincess]

2. I think Rowley will make a good candidate

Her public speaking has improved a great deal - and she's taken some advice on her personal appearance. Granted the 2nd CD will be tough but I think she's got the name recognition and credentials needed to attract non-activist voters who'll go to the polls only knowing what they've heard on the local media and maybe read in campaign literature they've received. As far as her being the most conservative DFLer running (as was mentioned in your link), have they forgotton Collin Peterson?

[CatholicEdHead]

3. Well Rowley used to be a former Republican

of the "old type". She became disgusted with the process and party. While more conservative, she is still a huge improvement over Kline.

[katinmn]

4. DLCers talk, talk, talk about party unity but rarely practice it

Upon dropping out Marko says, "I'm not supporting anybody." Way to go, sour grapes.

[annm4peace]

5. Today is Cesar Chavez's birthday.

Call Coleman 202-224-5641, Dayton 202-22403244.
Let them know that bill hr4437 is an incredible stupid bill, (read the bill, and you'll see how bad it is)
Yes we need immigration reform but this bill isn't it.
what will happen to the 3Million children left behind when their
parents are put in Prison? http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/HR4437.html

I am taking grapes to work today to share, and i will have a little note that says.

These grapes were planted, tended to, picked, and packed by
Immigrants who might or might not be illegal.

Think of that next time you drink a bottle of CA wine.
O8)

[katinmn]

7. Welcome, Ann! This deserves its own thread!

I know you can't start them yet so I'll do it for you.

'Bout time you started posting here. :hug:

[indigo32]

9. Hello!

welcome to DU

[newyawker99]

12. Hi annm4peace!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[indigo32]

8. Thats too bad

I met her a few weeks back, and she seemed like a good person, working very hard in the State Senate. I'm really disappointed to see her and others doubting our candidate here. Kline REALLY needs to go.

[mnSky]

6. Sour Grapes Indeed

Backbone is made up of Sharon Marko's volunteers. Some of whom are obviously sore losers and poor democrats...for them it wasn't defeating Kline, it was about defeating Coleen...still is..which makes me question why they're democrats.

[katinmn]

10. Excellent point. I most wholeheartedly agree.

Well, apparently they saw that they could not derail Coleen.

In the meantime, Coleen is staying focused on cleaning up Kline lies:



Press Release

For Immediate Release
Contact: Joe Elcock
Phone: [phone]
March 30, 2006

Kline: A Case of Amnesia?
As a quote in this morning's Star-Tribune story on Sharon Marko's exit from the DFL endorsement race for Congress, Republican John Kline attempted to position himself as above the campaign fray. Stating that he's "been focusing on making college more affordable for the low- and middle-income students" than thinking about campaign dynamics in the Second District, Kline's claim failed to align with his voting record on education.

"The plain truth is that two months ago, John Kline voted for the single largest cut to education in our nation's history, cutting federal student loan programs by $12.7 billion," said Coleen Rowley, DFL candidate for the 2nd District congressional seat. "I don't know a single low- or middle-income student in this district that believes Kline's student loan cutting helps make college more affordable."

The U.S. National debt now stands at $8.3 trillion dollars as the War in Iraq continues to eat up billions of dollars of federal money. Recent polls suggest that voters lay much of this blame on the Republican-led Congress which continues to back the Bush Administration's drastic cuts to domestic programs in order to fund war efforts abroad. Education-funding remains a top priority, and pivotal issue, in the Second District.

"Instead of voting against education funding in Washington, John Kline should get back on the campaign trail and start listening to the voters of his district. I know firsthand that they expect more from their congressional representatives than spending our country into the ground at the expense of real priorities like affordable education," Rowley concluded.


# # #

For more information: www.coleenrowley.com
Contact email: [e-mail]
Campaign Phone: [phone]
Paid for by Coleen Rowley for Congress

[dpbrown]

11. Didn't Marko drop out yesterday?

While refusing to back Rowley?

[mnSky]

13. Marko Supports Coleen Rowley

Sharon Marko(MN) throws her support behind Coleen Rowley for the congressional seat in 2...

"I leave the race for Congress, humbled by the depth of support I received, and searching for a path to unify our party in CD2 and beyond.

As Coleen Rowley noted in her email earlier today, our campaigns have been about defeating Kline. In the final analysis, that is what matters most.

In a little over a month, delegates will gather in Faribault where they will vote to endorse a congressional candidate. Today, I offer my support for the candidacy of Coleen Rowley for United States Congress."

State Senator Sharon Marko

[annm4peace]

15. Besides beating Kline

I have met and talked to Coleen Rowley and often heard her speak on the local Air America show that
Wendy Wilde hosted (I really miss that show). I was so impressed by what she had to say. She is very intelligent and knows how to work with others. She isn't the polished politician but i thought that was what we didn't need.
Besides getting rid of incompetent Republicans, we also need people in Congress that can clean up the mess and people who know the ins and outs. I am so confident in who and what Rowley knows and she will know who to go to and what to do to help clean up the corruption in the FBI as well as the CIA and Pentagon.

I'm so glad she is getting more and more support. :patriot:

:applause:

[indigo32]

14. I met Coleen at my district convention Sat.

I enjoyed our brief talk. I thought she did quite well with the crowd, and an adamantly anti-war vet friend of mine was there backing her, so I was pleased about that.