Who is Winning?

I just tweeted that the youngsters in the GOP think that shutting the state government down will hurt the Democrats. It won’t, it will hurt the GOP. Why do I say that? Well, I have been watching the entire process for the last several months and the Democrats have had an effective strategy, and planned or unplanned, it is working. They are making themselves out to be the underdogs who are being beat up by the GOP. Have you looked at the pictures in the news of Mark Dayton? He looks like a beaten down person, the looks on his face is one of a pathetic person who is trying as hard as he can, but can’t quite get there.

On the other hand, there is the GOP who is trying to ram the word the compromise down people’s throats. They have not chosen there spokesman very well in Mike Brodkorb. His main word again is compromise, but his statements and tweets have very little substance. The other statement they are beating to death is balanced budget, but nobody has seen the budget, so we are supposed to take their word for it. They are also talking about balancing the budget, while making cuts, without raising taxes. Well that is not exactly true.  My GOP representative, when I questioned her about it, told me that the state doesn’t have anything to do with raising property taxes. While that may be technically true, cutting money to cities has a trickledown effect and the only way local government can produce revenue to operate is to raise real estate taxes or drastically cut back on services. The GOP’s biggest mistake is that they are putting off a lot of GOP constituents, by being loudmouth and braggarts, which is not the best way to win friends and influence people. In a very loud voice they have continually bragged about their balanced budget, cutting taxes and no new revenue.

The GOP collectively and individually made several tactical mistakes during the session. One of the mistakes made by the GOP, and I understand the NRA/ILA may get involved, is to turn on the gun owners and sportsman of the state. Prior to the session starting, the GOP promised to pass the No Retreat bill, as it has come to be called. However the GOP leaders killed that bill. The mistake made here is that there are hundreds of thousands of gun owners in the state that don’t have a concealed carry permit and don’t wish to get one, but have guns at home. This bill affected them also, not just the few thousand concealed carry holders. The biggest mistake though is making the fisherman angry and there are millions of them. The GOP slashed the DNR spending bill and that greatly affects the fisheries in the state. Musky fishing in Minnesota has become a tourist attraction and the bill as passed will ruin a good percentage of Musky lakes according to several fishermen’s groups, as well as affect the walleye fisheries. These groups have long memories and very active participants. One of which now has a drive going to get the governor to veto the bill, and their email is on this blog.

Individually the GOP representatives have been none responsive to their constituents when ask direct questions. Most of the answers look like preplanned boiler plate. One of the representatives Tony Cornish made a huge mistake when responding to an email pertaining to the very unpopular gay marriage bill. His response of “Give it a Rest”, evoked a huge response and he tried to ineffectively talk his way out of it. Groups such as these have long memories and I doubt if there will be forgiveness.