MPR has info on 2006 races up.

[Demrock6]

http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/2006/campaign/

Got some good info. I discovered Mark Kennedy used to work for Author Anderson, the accounting company for Enron. Hmmm a dirt ball gop involved with them guys? I don't believe it. He has been out for years buy you know how the operate.

[davidinalameda]

1. a friend of mine's husband used to work for Arthur Anderson

he's an accountant--go figure!

[CatholicEdHead]

2. Fox 9 News Fri Morning 6/3/05

They just announced they will have Mark Kennedy on live FROM Thailand of all places.

Now that is pandering to get a special satellite feed (or telephone) in the morning. Just like the Ruphert Murdoch owned station would expect to put out.

More signs that the 2006 race is picking up speed and we are about a year and a half away from it.

[katinmn]

3. Great site.

Will be a good reference point for tracking progression of the races.

[Demrock6]

4. I also noticed

That Kennedy beat Patty 54% to 49%. I had heard of voting irregularities in this district. Were these the final numbers? Anybody know?

[Dickie Flatt]

6. Kennedy 53.99, Wetterling 45.94

[lakeguy]

5. hmmmm...Mark Kennedy

"Defeated Patty Wetterling in 2004, 54-to-49 percent."

how do you get 103%? oh yeah, diebold!

[Carolab]

7. Exactly. Did a little research into those numbers early on.

They don't add up. Major "glitch" in the "real time" reporting too on 2/3 at 1:20 a.m. Showed 8,000 MORE votes for ALL 3rd party candidates in the 6th district (Patty's) than there should have been (all fixed later on SOS website). Several instances of "more votes recorded" than total registered signatures on pollbooks + absentee ballots as well. This was saved as a screen shot and delivered to "interested parties".

[Minnesota Raindog]

8. Ugh. Might as well be Janet Robert in the 6th

Elwyn Tinklenberg announced his candidacy for the 6th District seat being vacated by Mark Kennedy (well, actually that seat has been vacated ever since Kennedy was elected). Tinklenberg opposes legal abortion, supports a federal gay marriage ban, supports more guns on the streets. Gee, that's only three DFL platfoirm principles he opposes. Did Elwyn mistakenly announce for the wrong party?

We've had one Janet Robert run--and lose Big Time in a disasterous and ugly campaign. We don't need another Janet Robert. See ya, Elwyn. Try the next door down ON THE RIGHT.

[Demrock6]

9. sad thing is....

With a record like that he might win as a Dem in the 6th.

[Minnesota Raindog]

10. Even sadder, with Dems like Tinklenberg...

...Who needs Republicans?

[goodhue]

11. There is another DFLer running in the 6th - Scott Mortesen of Woodbury . .

http://www.scottymortensen.com/

[scottymortensen]

12. Yes I am running!

I Just I spoke at the D56 picnic at Tartan Park in Lake Elmo. Here is a copy of my speech. It went very well. I was so nervous my leg was shaking, but I received a healthy round of applause. One gentle man jumped up immediately after my speech raced to the podium and shook my hand. I am in this race to win. I shook every hand I could and did the best I could. I am very positive about our campaign. Thanks, Scott

I’m sure a few of you have been wondering just who is this Scott Mortensen. And who does he think he is announcing a candidacy for Congress in the 6th district? Doesn’t he know an unknown liberal can never win there? Why, it takes millions of dollars and a well oiled political machine behind you to win. And what about name recognition? How can someone run for US Congress without having held a lower office, or at least having been a celebrity?
Well, I’m Scott Mortensen and I believe that’s exactly why you should support my candidacy! I am one of you. I don’t have to tell you my fellow Minnesotans about the consistent daily attacks on everything from Social Security to Gay rights, to freedom of speech, to the unbelievable attack upon our intelligence by the Administration and the GOP and what they expect us to believe every single day. The lies! The hate! The corporate conspiracies! The discrimination! The secret meetings that Democrats are locked out of! The WAR based on LIES! Using Christians to justify their plots against average people based on one or two controversial issues. And I refuse to play politics with peoples lives.
I believe from the depths of my soul that nothing will change, we will continue to lose our rights, our voice, our democracy, and more importantly our spirit of hope and freedom. Until, we fight them head on. Issue by Issue. They hope to break our spirit and turn us against each other, in a grand diversion from what’s really at stake. The very fabric of our Great Nation. Our Constitutional rights.
There are those who believe we can dance around the issues to be politically palatable to swing voters, while denying rights to our citizens, fighting baseless wars, and enabling the further destruction of open government, and the brazen sale of government to the highest bidder in America today. I for one will not stand for it. And I intend on taking this fight straight to the good people of Minnesota. There are those among us who are willing to give up 70 years of social progress since President Roosevelt announced "a new deal for the American people". They want to strike a deal with the devil, in hopes of staving off the relentless attacks on common citizens, to kiss and make up with these very same people. I believe in consensus and compromise, but not at the expense of the rights and freedom our citizens.
I believe that avoidable war is wrong. And after the election of 2004, the gloater's enjoyed waving their finger at us, saying “Just get over it.” Well I have something to say about that… I will never get over it. I will never get over “no weapons of mass destruction” I will never get over “no ties to terror” I will never get over sending our brave troops in unprepared. I will never get over prisoner abuse and torture. I will never get over stirring up massive levels of hatred for our Great Nation world wide, all because of a premeditated agenda of greed and fear, planned years ago in their think tanks. I think they ought to call them “stink tanks”
And so my friends, here we are today, we stand at a crossroad. You have a choice. Send in the usual dealmakers to hack and parse what’s left of our freedom and democracy, making grand concessions and deals, under the cover of darkness and secrecy. Bargaining away the rights of common citizens to gain a chair at the table, to do what? Nod in agreement of their evil agenda? Or become “Republican Light?”
You do have a choice… real choice. send me, Scott Mortensen, a common man, an average citizen, who’s just plain fed up with the endless rhetoric of fear.


I am completely committed to peace and open government “by the people, and for the people.” That’s why I’m running for Congress in the United States of America from the 6th District in Minnesota.
What I lack in experience, I’ll make up for with counsel, and passion. What I lack in funds, I’ll make up for with hard work and building friendships. I don’t believe Democrats need to shrink back from the issues to win moderate voters. Let me say it like this… I don’t believe Democrats should turn their back on individual rights and freedoms, promote baseless war, and continue to cave in towards the Republican agenda of greed, fear, and misinformation, to win back the 6th District Seat! On the contrary, I believe we must take the issues to the voters, explain our passion, what we believe, and let them see the real, caring, hopeful people that we really are. Never forget, it was only some 14-15 years ago now that a little green bus rolled through Minnesota with messege of compassion and care for the common man. He was labeled "embarrassingly liberal" by the Republicans. He was given little chance to beat the well funded corporate greed machine. Nobody can replace Paul. He defined progressive politics in Minnesota and for that matter our Nation. But let us never, never, ever turn our back on his politics! That’s why I’m running for Congress in the United States of America from the 6th District in Minnesota.

[goodhue]

13. Welcome to DU!

Good luck with your campaign!

[Demrock6]

15. Have you offically filed you papers?

Only reason I ask is your not listed on the mpr.org page. Perhaps a press release, website???

I would love to see the 6th go blue. I lived there my whole life, moving to the 3rd July 1st. But I still spend time in the 6th.

Welcome to the DU!

[scottymortensen]

18. filing

No candidates can file yet. Filing is between July 3rd and the 18th I believe and yes I fully intend on filing and winning! I believe Minnesotans want a Representative who's not afraid to stand up for what we progressives have believed for so long, and will stand up to big business and the GOP barbarians and overlords! Peace Scott

[katinmn]

16. Hooray for you, Scotty!

Thanks for taking a strong stand on issues important to progressives.

Since you are new on DU and can't start a thread, I'll start a new one here for you in the Minnesota forum.

I'm sure folks will have a lot of suggestions and recommendations for you.

Let's network!

Good luck.

[CatholicEdHead]

17. Websites with sound are counterproductive

You will drive away many people with background sounds. I suggest losing the MIDI sound file so people will not get annoyed by it and actually take the time to read the website.

[Minnesota Raindog]

14. Need any more reasons to give Tinklenberg the boot?

From his press conference:

He would have voted for the Iraq War, Tinklenberg explained, based on the information provided at the time.

Screw this bastard.

[scottymortensen]

19. Messege from Scott Mortensen

Greetings DFL'ers!

I want to thank you for the opportunity to speak to you at the picnic in Lake Elmo. Having just returned from a family vacation yesterday, where I was able to reflect on the initial stages of our campaign, which has encompassed a large part of my time over the last several months, I believe I have gained fresh insight and renewed vigor.
I firmly believe that Minnesotans are tired of the same old tired talkingpoints, regurgetated day after day after day, by the GOP noise machine. You see, they can only respond to our passion with tired old rhetoric. They are getting increasingly desparate and bitter. I think they know "the gig is up". You can only hide behind tired rhetoric for so long. Eventually, the sunshine of truth reveals the utter failure of their agenda on every front, when weighed against the stark realities of a shameful war spiraling out of control, an economy raked with the uncertainty of high oil prices, soaring housing costs, medical costs, food costs, and so on. Not to mention, the constant insidious attacks on civil liberties, always putting the inhumane will of the corporate greed machine over the interests of the average, everyday American. Using the extremist Christian right to attempt to legitimize their anti-freedom p! lots in the minds of their "Christian base". They can tell you all day that the numbers are not really that bad, and the economy is fine. But go to the supermarket and ask normal Minnesotans how they're finances look lately. I know my family is spending quite a bit more. Of course we all know about the recent problems with the airline industry, reniging on pensions, and outsourcing jobs.
Of course, most of us are acutely aware of the most recent in a long line of decisions and laws robbing average citizens, namely the Supreme Court decision regarding the ability of government to declare eminant domaign over private property to benefit who? Once again, the almighty corporation... the shopping mall moguls over the little guy. Once again we are to praise the grand developers of sports complexes, shopping malls, for their grand experience and professionalism in ROBBING the little guy.
In their quest of streamlined, unrestrained, and blatantly irresponsible capitalism, they simply have mowed over the interests of normal Americans.
I propose some healthy re-regulation of industry! That's right RE-REGULATION! Protecting Americans from the vicious attacks, and pollutions of corporate barbarians and overlords.
I propose a clear exit strategy from Iraq NOW! They argue that this will undermine the war on terror. I say our current policy of imperialistic war based on lies, undermines the war on terror far more than an exit strategy ever could. In fact, we would gain worldwide respect for a more reasonable, humane strategy, than the insane, reckless, warmongering of the current Administration and majority party.
I propose Health Care for ALL Americans!
I propose strong new laws limiting and challenging the latest property grab debacle in the Supreme Court.
I propose rolling back the tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans, and rolling back the sinister bankruptcy reform plot recenty made into law by the corporate lackeys in Congress today.
I propose a federal law guaranteeing the right of marraige of any two individuals of legal age, wiping out state law bans, similar to the bans against interracial marraige as recent as the mid sixties, which robbed individuals of their civil rights.
I propose tough new campaign and election reform, guaranteeing a paper trail, with strict limits on financing. Partisian abuses should result in lengthy prison terms! You mess with our elections... you go to jail!
I propose only minor adjustments to Social Security. No privatization.
I propose the appointment of a "Special Prosecuter" immediatly to uncover the lies and crimes that led us to war in Iraq.
I stand against the insane extremist attacks on women's reproductive rights and the dangerous abstinance misinformation campaigns vs. intelligent contraceptive access and information. As in all the neo-right's attacks, they use theological propaganda instead of reason and real science to support their freedom robbing agenda, to replace individual civil rights with a theocratic dictatorship.
And I will propose much much more.
I guarantee Minnesotans in the 6th disrtrict one thing, I will never stop fighting the neo-right's inhumane agenda. I won't by flying all over on questionable special interest money. I will be on the House floor fighting for your rights!
They may out spend us, smear us, attack us... but they will never, ever out passion us.

As Always,

Scott Mortensen

"The Clear Choice for Peace, and Open Government"
Candidate for Congress, 6th District Minnesota
PO Box 25192
Woodbury, MN 55125
651-485-3886
www.scottymortensen.com