Minn. Dems endorse Clark to take on GOP's Bachmann

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Star Tribune-AP

By MARTIGA LOHN

BLAINE, Minn. - Democrats in Minnesota's 6th Congressional District put their chips on state Sen. Tarryl Clark on Saturday, betting that a rising state lawmaker will have what it takes to beat conservative icon Michelle Bachmann.

Clark won the party endorsement at a union hall in Blaine, easily besting Dr. Maureen Reed, a former Independence Party candidate for lieutenant governor. Clark and Reed will face each other again in an August primary.

"We want to send Michele Bachmann to the career which she seems to be destined for — a career on Fox News," Clark told convention attendees.

Democrats face a tough slog against Bachmann, a star of conservative protests in Washington and frequent guest on TV talk shows. The 6th District is Minnesota's most conservative, wrapping around the northern half of the Twin Cities and stretching west past St. Cloud. Bachmann, a Republican seeking a third term, has bedeviled 6th District Democrats since she first ran and won in 2006.


Read more: http://www.startribune.com/local/89329267.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUac8HEaDiaMDCinchO7DU

[BlueIdaho]

1. One question

Where can we send our money?

[Omaha Steve]

2. Here you go

https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/22728

or http://www.tarrylclark.com/

[BlueIdaho]

17. Thanks - and done!

Better to spend my money in a state where it can make a difference.

[Zambero]

18. I've already told our taking-up-space 1st term Idaho Blue Dog

that as a "reward" for conistently taking the Republican side with his votes, that he'll get zero resources or other means of support (including votes) from our household. We donated several times to his 2008 campaign, wrote letters to the editor, put out signs, etc. and might as well have lit a warming fire with it all. Progessives around here are washing their hands of him as he cow-tows to Republicans in hopes of getting their votes. So much for acknowledging the "base" that worked to get him elected. It makes far more sense to target contributions where they will make a difference in how legislation fares in Congress, and not to perpetuate DINO's. And, sending Bachman packing will be nice indeed.

[BlueIdaho]

20. I could not have said it any better!

I let Ol' Walt know exactly the same thing. As much as I hate to say it, his voting record is really no better than Bill Sali's - and THAT is a huge embarrassment.

[Zambero]

22. It's worse than Sali's

At least Walt can claim sanity, but Club for Growth recently proclaimed that Minnick was batting 100% with them, something even Mr.Sili couldn't muster. Minnick's refusal to pursue earmarks could be the difference. I still remember Walt standing out front of Qwest Arena the night of the February 2008 caucuses, greeting attendees and politicking away as the crowd filed in. He seemed very much for "change" back then, when Larry Grant was still in the race. I wonder what happened?

[BlueIdaho]

25. Perhaps it was his time working in the Nixon White House.

All I know is Kootenai County Democrats want nothing to do with him.

[idahoblue]

26. Idaho is lost for now

on the national level. Minnick is a big disappointment. Why can't we find any real dems for national office? We do seem to have a couple of good dems running for state office. I met Stan Olson (superintendent of public instruction) today and really liked him. I met Keith Allred a few weeks ago and his campaign coordinator today. First impression was Democrat Lite, but way better than anyone else.

[Roland99]

3. Now *that's* the DU Attitude!!

[Stumbler]

4. My two cents

1) I'm rooting for Clark all the way. Plenty of union support and she doesn't appear to be bat-$**t insane.

That said, 2) It's possible MN's 6th district my be eliminated after the results of the census count are tabulated. It'd be very disappointing to finally get rid of Bachmann just to lose the seat to another state w/ a higher population.

But, such is life when one follows the rules..

[Me.]

5. Karma

Considering the stance she took on filling out and sending the census in,

[bluestateguy]

6. Is he a heavyweight or a lightweight?

A real serious candidate with money and DCCC backing and an ability to draw media coverage?

OR...

Some bum quietly going through the motions who will be back to bagging groceries the week after the election?

[SoapBox]

7. ...that's a "she"...

Tarryl is actually a female.

...just to clear that up.

[mduffy31]

9. No she is for real

She is the Assistant Majority Leader in the MN Senate.

[wellstone dem]

10. NOT A LIGHTWEIGHT!!!!

Tarryl is giving up her seat, and position of Assistant Majority Leader, in the Minnesota Senate, to run against Bachmann. Tarryl is a smart woman with political insight, she would never have done that unless the numbers added up. She will campaign tirelessly. She already has thousands of donors, and hundreds of volunteers.

She is the real thing.

Donate to www.tarrylclark.com

BTW, on her website you can "get your picture taken with Bachmann and Palin" for free, not the $10,000 you'd have to pay at the Bachmann/Palin fundraiser. (This was featured on Rachel Madow's show.)

[Xipe Totec]

8. If her district survives the census nt

[Zambero]

19. Are the black helicopters hovering overhead yet?

[truthisfreedom]

11. I hope she's the right choice. Maureen Reed's opinion is that Tarryl Clark is perceived as too

liberal for her district. I really hope she can defeat Bachmann. She's got a good start, working on the fact that Bachmann operates almost completely in absentia these days, running a seemingly national campaign like Palin.

[wellstone dem]

12. Clark won in a very conservative part of the district

taking a seat that had been held by a republican.

[Zambero]

21. Bachman has had a problem retaining staff

That and her singular focus on maintaining a national profile might not set too well with those in her district who might have an occasional need for constituent services. Since all politics is local, she might just "nationalize" herself out of a job.

[Rage Inc.]

13. Clark, I've never heard of you.....

...but kick that nutjob's ass! K&R!

[liquid diamond]

14. Good luck.

From what I hear from locals, Bachmann's territory is full of freepers.

[wellstone dem]

15. And at least one DUer!

me.

[Cha]

16. KickR

[wellstone dem]

23. and another k and r

www.tarrylclark.com

[Hardrada]

24. But make sure no bird-brained utopian pseudo-rustic runs on

some parasitic third party ticket to drain away Dem votes.

[wellstone dem]

27. for the morning crowd