DCCC king making. Contact them.

[Demrock6]

I thought I would post this here as well:

The dccc is king making a Congressional candidate that is a dino in Minnesota's sixth district. Donating and fund raising for Elwyn Tinklenberg while ignoring Scott Mortensen for an OPEN SEAT! Check it out:

From Minnesota Public Radio:
Tinklenberg opposes legalized abortion, favors gun rights and supports a federal ban on gay marriage, provided there are some legal protections in place for gay couples. http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/06/14_scheckt_tinklenberg/ I also heard he supports Bush's handling of the Iraq war.

Contact them at [e-mail] and ask them to at least mention Scotty Mortensen. www.scottymortensen.com

I want to retake the House. No more Republican light! In 2002 Janet Roberts "a Republican light like Tinklenberg" lost to Mark Kennedy 57%-35%.
In 2004 Patty Wetterling a more progressive Democrat lost by only 30,000 votes. 54% to 46% http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/elections/2004/mn/ And that was after Republicans aligned her with Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein in an ugly smear tactic. Overall trends are leaning to Democrats. Learn from Paul Hackett. Trust a local guy who grew up in the sixth district and lived there for 25 years.

Scott is a true progressive that stands for all people.

From Scotty Mortensen's website:
"Politicians want to use controversial issues to divide us. I urge Minnesotans to reject the notion of voting on one or two controversial issues to the detriment of our interests as a people. I ask Minnesotans in the sixth district, to consider the overall platform of our campaign to elevate the rights of people, over playing politics. I am opposed to all forms of discrimination, and will never support writing discriminatory law into the US Constitution" http://www.scottymortensen.com/scottymortensen_014.htm

Please contact the Dccc at [e-mail] now and ask them for at least equal support for both candidates. The people should choose, not the dccc.

[katinmn]

1. Kicked and nominated. Good post.

[scottymortensen]

2. Choking On Them!

I would like to point out something that Mr. Tinklenberg said on
June 14th from National Sports Center in Blaine, when he announced
his candidacy. "We are deciding in this race whether we want to send
another partisan to a Congress that is already choking on them, or
if we want to take a new direction. A direction of progress and
reasonableness and accomplishment,"

Will this man stand up or speak out for Democratic values? No. It
is obvious he will not. He will go along with the Bush plank when
it suits his fancy and play the game? Yes. Would he favor
impeachment proceedings against Bush? I not only do, but make a
campaign promise that I will do everything in my power if elected to
advance impeachment of the Bush administration. Will he nod in
agreement as the right wing nut cases ruin America, and pretend that
with out monstrous dissent, we can hope to change anything? Do
Democrats want to be "centrist-Republicrats" now? If that's the
case, that's where I draw the line. I will leave the Democratic
Party if they refuse to stand up against hate, avoidable war,
discrimination against gay people, degrading women's rights, and powerful dissent to the insane policies that are destroying American liberty and democracy.
Yeah, I'll choke on them, and choke on them, and choke on
them. I will never sacrifice my vote for insidious games. Avoidable
war is WRONG! Weakening America to fight this insane war is WRONG!
Violating people's civil rights to live in a paranoid police state
is WRONG! Sacrificing the rights of minorities to pander to
religious interests is WRONG! Robbing women of their civil rights
is WRONG! Continuing to wink at the disastrous state of our
campaign and election process is CRIMINAL!

While Democrats flood this pseudo-Democrat with thousands and
thousands of dollars, and leaders like Nancy Pelosi, and Rham
Emanuel roll this politician out there like he is any significant
change from the usual failed politics that has our nation drowning
in debt, bogged down in a quagmire war, succumbing to the anti-
people, corporate crony polices of our insane administration. He
won't be "choking on them". That's for sure. He may go along with their devious plans to strive for "consensus". What "consensus?" We have virtually NO common ground with Republicans anymore. They are hell bent on destroying the middle class, enriching the billionaires,
disenfranchising minorities, fighting avoidable wars instead of
exercising all diplomatic options. Will this man have the
fortitude, and humanity to speak up for people over politics? Look
at what he says: "We are deciding in this race whether we want to
send another partisan to a Congress that is already choking on them,
or if we want to take a new direction. A direction of progress and
reasonableness and accomplishment," He is not "partisan". He may
be a "Democrat" in name, but to say he is "progressive" is simply
hogwash. What in Washington today can you call progress or,
reasonable? You cannot reason with them. It should be painfully
obvious, they have no reason! He intends on bargaining with them? Reasoning with them? Force is all they understand.

Tonight I heard a Mother Jones commercial on AAR saying "support politicians who refuse to play politics with people's lives" in reference to GLBT marriage, and I thought I've been pounding that and pounding that for months now.
I will not be gagged by DFL leadership in calling a spade, a spade. Even though I have been approached by leadership not attack another Democrat. And I will call em as I see em, regardless of the fallout.
I owe it to the people to fight for them. I will never stop speaking
the truth. Recent comments to me by leadership insinuating I am
attacking another democrat, like I'm not supposed to, like El
Tinklenberg is off limits, all because these people want to slip him
past the rank and file DFL like he represents change? Rham Emanuel has him listed as "candidate for change?" Change to what? Democrats "change" their minds and ban gay marriage Constitutionally, and go along with Republicans to turn their back on women's reproductive rights? Change? Running a "well funded"(from his website) campaign to buy the election. By the way, that's all I'm finding out so far, is you have to buy the election. You don't have to take a stand on issues, just bankroll a bunch of cash, squawk about banning and overturning people's rights, look like a good Republican alternative, and whala, several pro-choice, pro-gay Democrat Leaders from California to Washington DC, line up like drunks,when the bar is giving out free rounds to throw cash at it, because it's a good scheme. Change? Please, don't even try to make the argument.
POPPYCOCK!
BALDERDASH!

Yeah, I'll be choking on them. I get email, after email, after email, saying "I support you" while they flood the "politics as usual" campaign with thousands and thousands. I seriously considered getting a DC consultant myself, as not one Democratic leader has contributed one dime to my campaign. As far as the progressive caucus goes, I've tried to reach them, and still hope to. But every time someone sticks up for little ole Scotty Mortensen, one of the big shot's start piping in with all their blithering statistics, and political double speak, and whala, progressives become strangely conventional.
Gosh, you seem a little upset Mortensen? Yeah I'm upset, I'm upset
that virtually everything happening in politics today in our nation
is merely more of the same, back room deals, big money bribery, and
open disdain for people, spin, and hopeless sell outs to further cronyism, and foolishness, while our fledgling campaign faces huge challenges to buy the election. That's right BUY a win! That's all our process is anymore, and I now realize that more than ever.

Yeah, I'll be choking on them, now more than ever! And I'll keep
fighting even if I only have $1. But you could do something! And if you don't, you get what you get, and you'd better like it. Because if you have no vision, no courage, and refuse to do more than just say "we support you Scott" I stand no chance. But I'll keep fighting. I can't walk away now. I refuse to. It's a matter of principle. I've already been brow beaten with "support El for the good of the party" and 3/4's of the way through a live interview, the host gets a cell call and the next question is "will you abide by the endorsement process?" Please... Change? Face it, the party has all but written off the 6th, and conceded that El's the guy..."Conservacrat" the perfect plan, with a hundred grand.

I've only received a few thousand, and we bought a database system to file reports and track voters etc., as I decided, the DC consultant thing wasn't for us right now. I stand against the way things are. If I cannot get even "progressives" to support my bold, courageous, quest, which I have spent myself and given myself over to (for them.) Then, why should I stay? I get no help from the Party, zero. I have campaigned hard this summer and met thousands, and have done the best I can. I have developed an all volunteer team of wonderful people, have a growing group on the net. Yet we have no professional leadership. I approach Politicians for help, and get called by their staff and lied to. Now I'm mad! Mad that only Dennis Kucinich's campaign even writes me back with advise. God Bless them. Yeah, I can imagine the advise I'll get now. Drop out. Forget it! Now, I'm mad.

[Spike from MN]

3. This line pretty much sums it up for me.

"I will leave the Democratic Party if they refuse to stand up against hate, avoidable war,discrimination against gay people, degrading women's rights, and powerful dissent to the insane policies that are destroying American liberty and democracy."

That pretty much says it all. I really wonder what has happened to the Democratic Party. I stopped checking the Dem box and started checking the Independent box on my tax returns a few years ago. IMHO, this country doesn't need Dems that are nothing more than Repug-lites. It needs ACTUAL Dems. Dems with spines that will stand up for their beliefs instead of caving in to the right at any sign of opposition. Unfortunately, very few Dems seem to fit this description. We need to get rid of the Repug-lite Dems and replace them with Wellstone Dems and Progressives. I'm pretty fed up with the Dem party in general but I'll contact the DCCC on your behalf and let them know what I think. And I promise to be polite, just so I don't make you look bad. ;)

Welcome to DU Scotty!

[Demrock6]

4. go check out

www.scottymortensen.com

[Spike from MN]

6. Thanks for the link.

I checked it out a few weeks ago. I went to "On the Issues" and even though I only had time to skim through a few of them, from what little I read I could tell that Scott is someone I can definitely get behind. We need a guy like Scott in Congress. Hell, we need a guy like Scott in the White House but first things first. ;)

[bvar22]

5. The DCCC and Chairman Rahm Emanuel

I have been extremely worried about DLC (Corporate) influence in the Democratic Primaries.
Is this the Big Link?

About the DCCC (from their website):

"The DCCC is supported by the contributions of individuals and other groups from throughout the country who are committed to returning the People's House to the People of this country. We are not an affiliate of the Democratic National Committee and do not receive regular funding from the DNC."
http://www2.dccc.org/about/overview/

Who are these "other groups" that fund the DCCC, and are they the same "other groups" that fund the DLC?
Is the DCCC a "Private Organization" directing funds and support to their personal "chosen" candidates?




"The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) serves as the official national Democratic campaign committee charged with recruiting, assisting, funding, and electing Democrats to the U. S. House of Representatives. We provide services ranging from designing and helping execute field operations, to polling, creating radio and television commercials, fund raising, communications, and management consulting."
http://www2.dccc.org/about/overview/

The use of the phrase "serves as the official" bothers me.
It seems to me that this is a way for this organization to avoid accountability to the Democratic Party or Democratic Party members.
It is clear from the above statement that they are a powerful, active influence in Democratic Party Primaries.






The Chairman of the DCCC IS a direct link to the DLC!!!

"The DCCC is now chaired by Congressman Rahm Emanuel from the 5th district of Illinois in Chicago. In the 1980s, Mr. Emanuel held senior staff positions at the DCCC, and helped the Democrats win and maintain their House majorities."

http://www2.dccc.org/about/leadership/emanuel/

Rahm Emanuel IS a proud member of the DLC!
http://www.dlc.org/new_dem_dir_action.cfm

Mr. Emanuel is featured prominently on the NDOL (DLC)Website. He is a regular Featured Speaker on Economic Policy at DLC conventions and conferences. It is clear that he supports the Economic Policies pushed by the DLC and the Corporate Leadership in America.



I am currently websearching for more info on the funding, membership, history, and influence of the DCCC in Democratic Primaries. I am especially interested in DCCC connections to the DLC.

How much REAL POWER is in the hands of the DCCC?
Who are THEY?...and to whom does the DCCC answer?
I may be overly paranoid, but I am suspicious of DLC (Corporate) rigging of Primary elections!



If you can add to the data I have here, please do so!

[katinmn]

7. Connect the dots....Dems for Life

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2094656

[scottymortensen]

8. Issues Don't Matter

Today in discussing our campaign's fund raising challenges with an informed luminary, I was confronted with the hard, cold facts. "Scott, issues don't matter, nothing matters, except money. Money is what the political system is all about, that's it- Perhaps, you should run for lower office, leave the House seat for someone with lot's of money, unless your willing to spend everyday, all day doing nothing but raise money..forget it, then after a month of being told no, then maybe you'll start getting some yes's, then you'll have to spend the rest of your public life raising money, that's what it's ALL about, Scott (period) M-O-N-E-Y nothing else matters N-O-T-H-I-N-G!"

Perhaps, this person is right. Well, in today's climate he probably is right. After all this person is intimately acquainted with Congressional campaigns. If all the athletes are doing steroids, you better do them too. You must become what you detest, to have any chance of changing it, but by then you'll have become so addicted to the money, you won't want to change it. Right? Ever wonder why these politicians are so weak, and filled with doublespeak, THAT'S ALL THEY DO IS RAISE MONEY. No wonder our nation is in such poor shape, our politicians only care about money. I know just from my brief exposure to this, that immense pressure is there to just care about money. The main reason that every law, every area today favors the wealthiest of us, over the rest of us, is the money scourge. It's the thing I detest the most. Now, in order to succeed, the consensus is that I must lock myself in a room for the better part of each day and beg for cash, or we stand no chance. Hey! how about I run a discount campaign? More bang for buck! Hey folks, we've got a special today: A politician who cares about the interests of everyday people (btw- they're all stealing my line now too) on a budget. More for your money with Mortensen! Look what he did with NOTHING! At Mortensen for Congress, we are always finding ways to get our message out for less!

Re: anti-choice Dems, it's all the rage these days. Use popular repub catch phrases and ideology to transform the Democratic Party into an anti-choice, discriminatory, lock step bunch of message framers. Why? to beat Republicans. If you can' beat em... Join em. Not Me. I'll be satisfied with being the rebel. The outsider. The one who stands against all this. And if I have to stand alone. I'll stand alone. Somehow, I think I'm not alone. What always blows me away though is my experience with anti-choice Dems is they are the most ruthless nasty bunch we have in the party. I believe their religious fanaticism drives their politics to the extent that they are driven to squelch voices of reason in the end. Very scary people because they try to pretend they are "progressive". When in fact they long for the day when they can drive their religious doctrines so far into the party, that the Democratic Party will no longer be the protector of seperation of church and state, but just another arm of the Anti-choice, bigoted, American Taliban. Wolves in sheep's clothing. Preach it Brother!

[bvar22]

9. Go on, Scotty! You remind me of someone.

Yeah, his name was Paul Wellstone.
You have my vote.

[hermetic]

10. Scotty, you are a real hero.

I think I'll move, just so I can be in your district!

[Oreo]

11. I've disliked Tinklenberg since he was head of MNDOT

The ramp meter and 62 shutdown were ridiculously incompetent.
He must be good friends with Janet Roberts with his stand on abortion. Surprised he doesn't have his own show.

[scottymortensen]

12. Someone has to say it!

Speaking strictly from my heart as a person who became so disgusted
with what I saw from the politicians (whom supposedly represented my
interests as a citizen), that ultimately caused me to seek public
office myself (holding none of the usual crudentials- except being
completely fed up), I cannot say that the Democratic Party has made
much progress. Instead we are still very conventional, more of an
impersonator of lock-step Republicanism, more accepting of anti-
choice, and bigoted religious pandering even to the extent that we
are now calling it "progressive?", all to make the party more
palatable to a "centrist" "conservative" element? We sacrifice our
true feelings about this insane war and playing politics with
people's lives to play politics? The progressive caucus won't
endorse progressive candidates? But watch them all swarm when they
smell some "big money" and "mainstream" appeal. Please. This is
just more politics as usual, commandeered by party bosses who
live for their moment in the sun to institute their elaborate
schemes. You are not making progress as long as you refuse to take
controversial stands in areas where the luminaries say "it can't be
done". As a middle aged white male, I can tell you deep racism, and
discrimination is alive and well in Minnesota. I cannot tell you
how many times I hear racist, and discriminatory remarks when
white men feel they are only surrounded by white men. The "progress"
we have made is when people have been willing to take risks, to take
a stand, instead of continually gaging whether or not it will be
palatable to a discriminatory,gun toting, bunch of religious
fanatics, hell bent on warmongering, and are said to be so stupid
they don't realize the no-new tax pledges are just smoke and mirrors,
because they do pay, either way. What an insult to the intelligence
of anybody who has an ounce of humanity in the 6th district. This
asinine war is a scourge on our nation which will take decades and
decades to live down. Unfortunately, war, racism, discrimination,
and irresponsible fiscal policies have us mired in political hackery
seemingly forever. I re-iterate, "Barbie and Ken" candidates
waving gloriously, touting their grand achievements, which in
reality amounts to a hill of beans, will do nothing but be fund
raisers, to continue the insidious game of what has become of
American politics today. (Just a sadistic game of "Let's Make a
Deal"). It's a cruel joke played on the populace, that
is becoming increasingly more desperate for true answers, every
single day. Now, we may have a "special session" in the Minnesota
State Legislature to fund more stadiums for billionaires, while we
face gargantuan fiscal problems at a time when our nation is bogged
down in a quagmire illegal war, and now have to undertake the
rebuilding of the entire southern gulf coast, and these
conventional thinkers will tell me I have no chance to win, so you
shouldn't support me. Why? You are being hijacked friend. By more
big money schemes, with the usual religious overtones. The right
finds my campaign so refreshing they actually enjoy taking pot shots
at me, while Democrats are finding new ways everyday to
appear "progressive" while remaining non-committal and
floundering in doublespeak and touting noble bills which have
exactly no chance of going anywhere, unless we change the political
landscape of Congress, yet they refuse to support the candidates who
could make a difference? Why? To make you feel we are actually
getting somewhere? POPPYCOCK! As long as we refuse to march
headlong into what is perceived as Minnesota's "red state" and
support a candidate who would demand real change, demand equality
for all, an end to war, and put forth real solutions, instead of
endless cajoling and maneuvering, no progress is possible. The only
reason we have to settle for small, incremental change, is because
we refuse to be bold enough to demand real change. I am looking not
only to upset the applecart, but blow the wheels clean off of it.
And now some have been bold enough to join us in our anti-war
demands, because it has become politically palatable to a degree.
Cast off conventional politics! Demand a new approach. Be bold and
strong, instead of weak and calculating. Forget about all their
stinking money...
That's the problem. Politicians are so concerned with raising money
to play this insane game that everyday people will always lose in
the end. Everyday people will always lose in the end, because our
system has been bought and sold by the power barons, to support
their interests-ie corporate interests. But they like my "everyday
people" theme, as I see it popping up all over now. If you
wonder why the almighty corporation always wins. it wins because you
let it win. And now the Democratic party in Minnesota is being
hijacked by anti-choice, discriminatory religious fanatics. So,
don't be surprised if they won't stand up for people, they have
other priorties. The same insidious "personal responsibility"
arguments, the same "run government like a business" arguments,
and the same merging of state and religion, so apparent in the
opposition party, and it's always big money behind it all. Always
calculating and gaging what is or is not politically palatable,
regardless of if it's the right thing to do. I am the rogue
Democrat, the rebel Democrat, and I refuse to stop
speaking my mind, even to my own demise. That's what "progressive"
is to me. Standing up for what I believe and not backing down. And
to those of you who hope I step aside. Forget it. Scott

[scottymortensen]

13. Just to clarify myself

I know I'm fed up and I'm surely going to make some Dems mad. I've worked so hard to push this campaign forward and only because I care so deeply about what I perceive as the entirely lost direction our nation is headed. Feeling so powerless after the election, I decided to do this as a protest, and while I understood the monumental task at hand was virtually impossible, kept pushing it forward until today we are filed, and are beginning to raise money. I am not an experienced candidate. I'm sure I'll make some mistakes, as maybe my incendiary posts would be considered mistakes by the careful political plotters. Shoot, my whole team are still volunteers. But this war just has incensed me, and the fact that we allowed it to happen. Democrats allowed it to happen. Democrats continue to undermine people on many issues like bankruptcy, or CAFTA. It is not just important to elect any Democrat. It is important to elect the right Democrat. So, I am sorry if my pointed comments seem tough on Democrats, as I have always been a Democrat and hate to see the Party become like the Republican Party. If I didn't care about the Party, I would leave. But I believe a strong Progressive Democratic Party is what our nation needs now more than ever, and if we allow them to continue to force the party to the right, we are only succumbing to the very evil that is destroying our nation, the continual sell out of our freedoms and open democracy, fighting baseless wars, uncaring greed based policies that leave our nation so vulnerable.

[bvar22]

14. The majority here agree with you.

Most (like myself) are furious with the establishment Dems who have been remiss (I'm being kind) in providing an OPPOSITION to the radical NeoCon agenda. Some seem to be working FOR the bush* admn. I'm terribly concerned that the Democratic Party has lost touch with The People, and unless the grassroots can catalyze a radical reformation within The Party, Nader will be proved right.

What has the Democratic Party done for the Working American lately?

Concerned citizens willing to take the risks that you have are our best hope. There are some other Democrats that have my respect.
Most of the CBC, and the Democrats that can be found at Progressive Democrats of America. They are depressingly few.

Keep the Faith.
I'm not in your district, but may have some time I can donate to the cause.

Thanks for posting your concerns here.
Please continue to do so.


I love the Democratic Party.
That is why I am so concerned.
FDR, LBJ (warts and all), and JFK would puke to see what passes for the Democratic Party of today.

[Demrock6]

15. I got a reply from the DCCC!

Dear

Our inclusion of Mr. Tinklenberg on our Candidate's for Change website is not meant to be an endorsement, but more of a way to show that we are working hard to recruit candidates nationwide. We encourage you to continue supporting the candidate that you would like to see elected, and we will certainly throw our weight behind whoever emerges victorious in the primary, because in the end the most important thing is to elect a Democrat to the seat who will help secure a majority and vote for Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House.

Sincerely,

DCCC Action Team

[bvar22]

16. Question.

In the reply, the DCCC says:
"we will certainly throw our weight behind whoever emerges victorious in the primary,"

Isn't the DCCC throwing their weight behind their particular candidate in OUR primary?

[scottymortensen]

17. We are not the only ones

http://www.opednews.com/kall_041905_pennacchio.htm

[scottymortensen]

18. Explaination

I feel the need to explain myself. As of late, I have been quite incendiary. I will say it's hard not to be, when you look at the depth of the right wing ransacking of our great nation. But what has also driven this is the overwhelming pressure I have been feeling regarding the money and the perceptions of some that that's really all this is about. What has happened to our political system in America is not only a tragedy, but a shame. We are going to raise money, and have set some goals, but I'm not going to let that be the sole factor which determines our success. No way. That's not right!
Today, because of the dangerous, greed-based, anti-people, right wing ideology and agenda, we are fighting a war that was avoidable, and based on outright deception. That's not right! We've mortgaged our children's future to play a wicked game of economic roulette, which only benefits the few, over the many. That's not right!
Inflation is now a problem, because of these failed policies, with ever higher fuel costs, housing costs, food costs, education costs, and billions and billions and billions of war costs, so that our ability to deal with a major disaster is questionable. Across the board everyday people pay the price for not merely failed agendas, but outright idealistic SABOTAGE! That's not right! The good people in the Christian right (not the plotters) have been unwittingly duped in to the right's program of greed and deception. They have used abortion and Gay-Lesbian rights as "code words" to further racist, discriminatory, and elitist practices driving society into an ultra-nationalist, racist, plutocracy. That's not right! Minnesotans need good paying jobs protected by trade policies that make sense, not outsourcing even more good American Jobs to foreign lands. That's not right! I said "if I go down, I would go down swinging". Permit me to re-phrase that: "I'll take on all comers!"

The more I think about it, the more resolute and determined I am to return our nation back to its rightful owners...you. We must take this campaign to the good people of Minnesota in the 6th district, and fly it right in the face of big money bribery, making a statement to the big money cronies, that our votes are not for sale! Our freedom is not for sale! The lives of kids are not for sale! Because that's not right! Scott

[safi0]

19. In defense of Rahm

A bit. I know a lot of people who live in his district and what they say is that while he himself is very centrist and moderate, but in his job as DCCC chariman his only objective will be too get Dems elected pretty much regardless of ideology.