Lourey outraged over continued Republican 'Swift-Boating' tactics

[katinmn]

She isn't alone. It was reported today that two Republican governors - Pawlenty and Arne Carlson, the previous governor -- have called on the radical right wingers to stop. Pawlenty called on them to have some "grace," and Carlson called the attacks "personal, political and vindictive." He said the partison attack may jeopardize the session. http://www.startribune.com/587/story/323507.html

While Gov. Tim Pawlenty said on Tuesday that the time had come to forgive Johnson and move on, McGinn and Robling said in their statement: "If we do nothing, we are giving tacit approval to unethical conduct. ... If it was one of our Senate Republican caucus members, we would be obliged to set aside partisan differences and seek the facts."

Said Pawlenty: "All of us have made mistakes. There should be room in this process for people to have a little grace."

snip

Former Gov. Arne Carlson, who appointed Blatz, said on Wednesday that he considered the ethics complaint to be "personal, political and vindictive." The last Republican governor before Pawlenty, Carlson said that "if every politician who exaggerates is put on trial, we'll have very, very few who won't be in a courtroom, on either side of the aisle."

Pursuing the complaint, Carlson said, jeopardized a session that could now erupt in a partisan war just as legislators prepare for the election.

Message from Lourey

March 22, 2006

Dear Friends,

This past week we have witnessed a horrid display of the politics of personal destruction. The Minnesota Republican party leadership and their radical fringe supporters have coordinated a smear campaign against Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson to advance their radical right wing agenda. These relentless and vicious attacks have become a frequent tactic of far-right Republican groups.

I was outraged as I watched these attacks take place, especially the advertisement in the Star Tribune on Sunday, March 19. Then I remembered a poem I keep in my purse, crinkled and faded now, as a personal reminder to stand up and speak out on injustice. This poem was written in a much different time, however, it poem speaks eloquently to our personal responsibility to stand up against hate.

First they came for Governor Ann Richards and I did not speak out-- because I was not a Texan.

Then they came for Senator John McCain and I did not speak out -- because I was not a Republican.

Then they came for Senator Max Cleland, a decorated Vietnam veteran, and challenged his military honors, but I did not speak out -- because I was not a Georgian.

Then the "swift boaters" came after John Kerry, but because I wasn't on the campaign, I sat back and waited for someone else to respond.

The list goes on, from Carol Moseley Brown to Bill and Hillary Clinton. The right wing extremists have become masters of the politics of personal destruction. I am deeply troubled by this kind of hateful politics.

Like many of you, far too often, I am frustrated by the lack of strong and principled response from Democrats. We have watched for too long as good public servants have been attacked without equally strong and coordinated responses coming from their friends and allies.

That is why I decided to stand up and speak out. Today, I purchased an advertisement in the Star Tribune for publication on Thursday, March 23, 2006, that calls on the radical right wing of the Republican party and Republican leadership to stop the politics of personal destruction.

My campaign has also launched a website, www.LoureyRepublicanWatch.org, intended to offer Democrats talking points with which to respond to the attacks of the radical right wing.

Today, I need you to stand up with me. What can you do?

1. Visit LoureyRepublicanWatch.org, download the ad, and send it to friends. Also, add comments to our blog.

2. Sign up to receive our RepublicanWatch Newsletter, a regular newsletter of opportunities for you to join me in taking a stand for our values.

3. Donate Now. Advertisements cost money. Communicating an alternative vision based on our values must be done on the airwaves, in the mail, and door to door. I urge you to donate to our campaign today.

As your candidate for Governor, I am committed to being the leader of a DFL party that does not stand silent as the right wing extremists attack our beliefs and values. I will be a leader who makes a stand and speaks the truth – no matter how uncomfortable.

Please join us and reject the politics of personal destruction. Please join my campaign to bring new leadership and vision to Minnesota.

Thank you,

Becky Lourey

[CatholicEdHead]

1. Pawlenty is probably playing "good cop" to the current GOP's "bad cop"

Though I do believe Carlson at face value. Pawlenty knows he has to stay on the moderate side through November. Remember the current GOP Party pretty much kicked out Carlson before he won his last term.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

2. Carlson is a remnant of the old-style Republicans, from the days when

Republicans and Democrats pretty much alternated occupying the governor's mansion, but you knew that the state would be well-run either way.

The Pawlenty crew is a whole new breed, and an invasive species.

[northernsoul]

3. Correct. This is coordinated at the highest levels.

Governor Gimmick needs to appear to be above the fray just long enough to trick suburban moderates into thinking that he's one of them. Then he can get back to licking David Strom's boots and working out sweetheart deals for his buddies.