Marko to challenge Rowley in DFL primary

[katinmn]

Interesting that the dateline was DC rather than Minnesota. That means the Washington Dems contacted a DC reporter to make Marko's announcement. Slick.

http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2006/02/01_ap_marko/
February 1, 2006

Washington, DC — (AP) State Sen. Sharon Marko said Wednesday she is jumping into the DFL race for Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District, pitting her against former FBI agent Coleen Rowley.

"This is a really important election," Marko told the Associated Press, citing the possibility of Democrats taking back the House. "We need to be focused on the important issues."

The winner of the DFL primary will take on U.S. Rep. John Kline, a Republican.

snip
"I'm not really focused on her; I'm focused on John Kline," Marko said. But she did say of Rowley, "I've just noticed the occasional lack of professional ability."

Marko, 52, served four House terms before being elected to the state Senate.
more

** Marko, like anyone who has served in the legislature, must have some achievements she can tout. So why does she have a page devoted to serving on the State Quarter Commission with the title "Working for District 57?" That seems a little shallow. Safe. But shallow.
http://www.marko.formn.com/vertical/Sites/{74781C7F-8DD4-4321-B112-E8EDCA9FC547}/uploads/{4EF3B45B-B64E-4C2A-985F-5B91A5409682}_WEB.jpg
http://www.marko.formn.com/vertical/Sites/{74781C7F-8DD4-4321-B112-E8EDCA9FC547}/uploads/{BC75EB8D-247E-4F1B-A1F9-48D9166879AB}_WEB.jpg
Design for new state quarter
http://www.marko.formn.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={1F66A4A0-F11C-4737-96C9-E63C30F885FD} and
http://www.marko.formn.com/

[indigo32]

1. Interesting

whata we know about her?

[Minnesota Raindog]

4. Marko supported Randy Kelly for mayor of St. paul

How's that for starters?

[katinmn]

5. WTF???????????

:nuke:

[ISUGRADIA]

6. A bad sign...I wonder how she explains that

[indigo32]

7. Well that sucks

[northernsoul]

8. where did you hear that?

If true, I have to question her judgment.

[ISUGRADIA]

10. See here:

http://sync.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=160x7147

The link to the ST story is now dead.

[dflprincess]

12. There was a story in today's Strib

I saw it in the print edition - I assume it's on their website as well.

http://www.startribune.com

[Tigress DEM]

18. Not liking Marko then.

Do we know what Rowley's positons are? I like her, but has she issued any specific statements?

[katinmn]

19. Yes, she's very open on where she stands.

http://www.coleenrowley.com/issues.php

[Tigress DEM]

20. Cool - thanks.

Um. What's with the handcuffs?

Are you a vetran protester or just feel the rethugs are coming to get you?

[katinmn]

22. The handcuffs are for Bush.

I change my avatar pretty frequently. I've been a sunflower, a pretzel, a pretzel with an X-mas bow, an orange ribbon, John Conyers, Barbara Boxer, Cindy Sheehan, end the torture, and a few others.

It might be time to find something a little lighter than handcuffs. :)

[Tigress DEM]

25. I like it. Can you add text?

Something like, Your bushackles are ready, chimpy.

[Zookeeper]

28. Whenever I see handcuffs for an avatar....

I do wonder if they indicate some kinky interests...especially the pink, fuzzy ones used by another DUer! ;)

[katinmn]

29. OK! Time to change!

:rofl:

[Tigress DEM]

21. Awesome read and great candidate.

Before I just had a gut sense of her because she stood up to the administration and told the truth but it's good to see how articulate and open she is.

I still think that going into primaries it is awesome to have choices so we get issue discussion before hand.

I wish we had campaign finance reform so that it didn't have to be this huge financial burden to have several people run for office. I want honest hardworking people as leaders. That used to mean DEMS, but because the right wing has shifted so far over into corruption, DEMS can still see themselves as white knights even if they are dingy grey in comparison because the rethugs are SO awful.

Evil.

[katinmn]

23. Yes, we need choices! And I am 100 percent with you on

campaign finance reform. What if all campaigns were public financed with each candidate getting the same amount?

I think the media would be forced to cover the issues instead of raking in billions of dollars in negative or meaningless ads. Now the media writes stories about the negative ads and barely covers the issues.

[Tigress DEM]

24. Choices, issues and people willing to work on them once elected.

The media is really gotta step up to the plate, but I guess the ones that are doing it are getting picked off.

[Tigress DEM]

2. Got to follow the Money.

I feel like Coleen is trustorthy and capable because she got up and spoke truth to power in the early days when others were cowering.

If Marko is a legitimate candidate and has strong supportable views on the issues, then this is good, having 2 good DEM candidates to choose from.

If she's taking money from the RNC or another PAC, woe be to her. I am SO tired of DINOs and in fact I wonder if those who take money from the opposition can be prosecuted? Isn't it false advertising to run for one party and take money from the other?

[Tigress DEM]

3. Got to follow the Money.

I feel like Coleen is trustorthy and capable because she got up and spoke truth to power in the early days when others were cowering.

If Marko is a legitimate candidate and has strong supportable views on the issues, then this is good, having 2 good DEM candidates to choose from.

If she's taking money from the RNC or another PAC, woe be to her. I am SO tired of DINOs and in fact I wonder if those who take money from the opposition can be prosecuted? Isn't it false advertising to run for one party and take money from the other?

[mnSky]

9. Marko passes on issues

Marko declined to speak to the issues when asked by reporters are her own press conference...said she would do so later on...so 15 years of experiences in politics teaches you not to address issues? too bad..so sad..same old crap.


http://truthsurfer.blogspot.com/2006/02/issue-this.html

[katinmn]

11. That's the new strategy

Keep your true agenda hidden as long as possible.

http://www.tinklenbergforcongress2006.com/polstate.html

[Tigress DEM]

13. Were you were spoofing? He's been up front on Air America Radio..

... with his positions already. I know there isn't a Political Statement on that page, but he does outline his positon on the main page.

((However someone should correct his grammar. By placing the adjective "cynical" in closer proximity to the noun "middle class" than the intended noun "Republicans" he's making it seem he blames the people for the calculated build up of national debt.))

http://www.tinklenbergforcongress2006.com

<snip>
As your candidate I intend to confront the Republican abuse of power. I want to reassert a middle class claim on the economy and challenge their cynical and calculating build up of national debt on our children and grandchildren. I want to re-establish a focus on the real needs of our district and on working together to achieve solutions - not divisions.

During my career I have served as a United Methodist minister, as a suburban mayor, as a government manager at the county and state levels and as a small business owner. I have learned how to get things done, how to achieve real, tangible improvements in the lives of people and communities and how to make a difference by working cooperatively. With your help I can bring that spirit to Washington and to the U.S. Congress. By getting out strong and early I can present a clear alternative to Republican extremism, and we can reaffirm the kind of positive and progressive values that are at the heart of our party.

[Minnesota Raindog]

14. Ho-hum

You call those "positions?" And being on Air America "up front" about them?

See ya, El. Back to consulting. We've got a candidate as of today.

[katinmn]

15. What are his positions on the war, health care, Patriot Act,

election fraud, environment and energy independence, abortion, and gay rights?

Those are among the top issues people want to know about.

I've heard him on AA950. The station frequently gives him a platform to talk about transportation.

[Tigress DEM]

16. The piece I heard was about election reform, I believe.

My main point was that he hasn't put it on his website, but I don't think he would refuse to comment since I'd heard him speak out on issues before.

I don't get into the whole heated support of one DEM over another. I like to know what they stand for and then make up my own mind, so it would be better if his info was there, but I just don't see the need to make it look like he's hiding it.

[Tigress DEM]

17. If anyone wants to know, I found more info on his positions...

On his web site - Under News Room

( District 6 is a very divided area by the way about 40% R - so I can see a need for a restrained approach to our evil government and an attempt to reach out and offer a non-partisan approach to "getting the job done" since in that way he can pull from the R base that may also be disatisfied with *ush, but will have problems jumping the party ship.)

http://www.tinklenbergforcongress2006.com/newsroom.php

<snip>
January 20, 2006 - Elwyn Tinklenberg: former Blaine mayor running for Congress - Minneapolis Labor Review

“I think that the focus of the federal government has gotten a little out of
whack,” says Elwyn Tinklenberg, candidate for Sixth District U.S. Congress. “We’re seeing
the erosion of the middle class. We’ve got an economic policy run amok — supporting
wealth creation at one end of the spectrum and leaving everyone else to fend
for themselves.”

“The real economic strength of our country — that’s people having good jobs and
taking care of their families and having retirement security.”

.....

Tinklenberg offers himself as a candidate who has demonstrated a track record of bringing
people together and getting things done. “I think people are really frustrated with
the growing polarization of politics, the growing use of wedge and divisive issues,”
he says. “The result of it is little progress on issues that matter to the lives of the people in
the district.” “I think people are saying, ‘we’re tired of this. We want to get something done.’”

............

Tinklenberg moved to Blaine in 1978, becoming minister of the United Methodist Church in Blaine. He discovered a stress point for many of the congregation's families: lack of “a secure, decent-paying job.”

“The economic pressures were so hard on so many families,” he recalls. Without a strong economic base, wage-earners couldn’t provide for their families, become involved in the community and create a future.


*********************
*********************

He isn't as tough as Colleen Rowley is, but he's mildly seasoned in MN politics and one thing I do remember is that he really didn't want to run in the first place and had to be talked into it.

My dad used to say that was the George Washington standard for measuring a politician. If they really, really didn't want the job but were willing to do it for the sake of others, they would probably do ok. (George Washington's objections were largely based on the way the executive position was initially portrayed as well. He didn't want to be in a position that others might perceive as a king or lord over others.)

[newyawker99]

32. Hi mnSky!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Bushy Being Born]

26. Lack of professional ability?

"I've just noticed the occasional lack of professional ability."

What's she talking about more than this incident?

Rowley campaign faulted for photo

http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/news/local/13751225.htm

[dflprincess]

27. So it's okay to attack the service records of

Kerry, Cleland and Murtha but it's oh so different when it's Kline. And this wasn't an attack on his service record - it was satire (Note to Kline, Col. Klink was a TV character, not a real Nazi).

http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/news/local/1...

In a letter to Rowley, Kline wrote: "Your attempts to smear my good name and 25 years of honorable service in the United States Marine Corps by equating me to a Nazi shows a lack of perspective, a lack of seriousness, and a lack of good judgment. You should be ashamed of yourself."...

The connection to Klink was apparently in reference to a City Pages newspaper story that said Kline prefers to be called "Col. Kline" rather than "Congressman Kline." The image, which was labeled as altered, was removed Monday and may have been on the site for a day or so, Elcock said.

Really, Sgt. Schultz would have been more appropriate "I know nothing!"

[indigo32]

30. The truth about her support for Randy Kelly seems to be in question

out in the blogosphere. I'd love to know the truth on that.

I've done a little research on her since I'm in CD2:

http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/projects/ongoing/votetracker/legislator_view.php?id=68&session=2005

[Minnesota Raindog]

31. A call to Randy Kelly should clear that up n/t

[dflprincess]

33. She was at my Senate District meeting last night

(my SD is split between the 2nd and 3rd Congressional Districts, I live in the 3rd). She seemed to be a nice enough person, she did take a clear stance about being prochoice and she had a good handle on how the Federal Budget cuts are hurting Minnesota - right down to how many Social Workers Dakota and Washington Counties will be losing. BUT, her response to my question about Iraq was pretty much the usual wishy-washy "I was against it, but we have to stay there until there is some order restored and the Iraqi's can handle things without us." (A song I heard 35 years ago, just replace "Iraq" with "Vietnam". I didn't buy it then, I'm not buying it now.)

The SD chair lives in the 2nd and I know she's supporting her, but I really couldn't get much of handle where the other 2nd District people are. I gather some of them are really torn between the two candidates.