I got to meet a US Senate candidate this week!

[kestrel91316]

At a veterinary conference this week I went to a reception for a fellow veterinarian who is running for US Senator (Minnesota). Dr. Ford Bell is a board-certified veterinary oncologist and long-time university professor (U Minn) who has, by accident of birth, been able to live a life of truly amazing public service (and I don't mean career politics!). He is a very congenial, down-to-earth guy with some great ideas, and impeccable credentials. I don't know what his chances are, but I REALLY like the idea of him in the Senate!

We chatted for a while about vet stuff like new developments in feline internal medicine, but also about the current situation in DC and what needs changing. I was very impressed, and want to do what I can to help him win the seat, even though I am on the west coast. We already have two veterinarians in the Senate (Ensign-R-NV and Allard-R-CO), so we need one who isn't on the Dark Side.

BTW, I know Sen.John Ensign from vet school, and have to say I wasn't surprised when he embarked on a career in politics........I didn't care for him much for a number of reasons........

Anyway, for more information on Dr. Ford Bell, you can go to: www.fordbell.com There. I've done my part (but will keep shamelessly shilling for him, lol). I think he's a very nice man and will do a fine job. Send his campaign some money, ok?


(edited for punctuation)

[Doctor_J]

1. Are all the MN Dems waiting with baited breath for Franken to

anounce if he's running?

[ISUGRADIA]

7. I'm more concerned with the 2006 race than the 2008 one right now

[kestrel91316]

10. Well, I believe he IS campaigning for 2006.

[ISUGRADIA]

12. FYI, I was responding to post 1, not yours

My point was there's more than enough time to worry about a Franken-Coleman race. I'm more concerned with the Ford v Klobachar race now and to make sure whomever is the nomiee beats Mark Kennedy.

I'll worry about the 2008 race and Al Franken after victory this year. :)

[Olney Blue]

2. And unlike certain other senators, he loves cats!

:thumbsup:

Good job- I hope he does well.

[kestrel91316]

3. If he wins, there will be more of us (vets) than them (physicians) in

the Senate, lol!

Then I can say HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Nyah nyah nyah!

(OK, back to adult mode)

[Doctor_J]

4. Yeah, but one of you is Wayne Dullard of CO

you don't want to be bragging about being like him.

[kestrel91316]

8. I don't brag about ANY Republicans, on general principle.

[Olney Blue]

5. Veterinarians and veterans! The more, the better!

GO Democratic VETS!!!!!!

[acmejack]

6. I have heard this guy speak, he's good.

Very smooth he has well thought out positions on the issues, too. And I did! :}

[kestrel91316]

9. Being in academia, and with all his charitable work, Dr. Bell has

a huge amount of public speaking experience. If he can handle being grilled in class by vet students, he can handle campaign and political speaking. He has given the commencement address at UMn's vet school 4 times, I think (per CV on website). He is very poised and comfortable, and handled an impromptu question from me very nicely.

[catmother]

11. he sounds like the kind of guy we want in the senate.

:)

[dflprincess]

13. I received a phone call from Ford Bell today!

I would gather he's calling past caucus lists to drum up support for next month's caucuses. He was very pleasant to talk to and I really like his positions - I just like that he has taken very clear positions on a number of issues. I had decided to support him after hearing him speak (and meeting him) at the last State Central Committee meeting.

Sadly, he has an uphill battle. There is only one other candidate in the race and she has amassed a lot of money and endorsements all this while avoiding taking a clear position on anything. (A comparison of the websites shows that Bell again addresses issues on his, you can't find anything that up front on Amy Klobuchar's).

This last week Minnesota Public Radio had hour long shows with each candidate. I hope a lot of potential caucus goers heard them both so the can compare. I will confess that I turned Klobuchar's interview off after she gave her Iraq position which is and I quote, "gradual withdrawal". Bell's is "out by Christmas". I told him today that I heard that gradual withdrawal song 34 years ago when I went to my first caucus and all that every got us was a Wall with 58,000 names on it.

I agree with kestrel - check out Bell's website and, if you can afford to donate, do so.