A fast-paced game of shinny, an informal game of ice or street hockey, is a common site on Minnesota's Iron Range. For many children, it is a rite of passage. While they do frequently keep score, the main objective is to hone one's skills and see how they match those of other players. In that sense, the 8th Congressional District Democratic - Farmer - Labor party straw poll handily won by former 6th District congressman Rick Nolan is similar to this classic northern Minnesota game.
Last July 16th, members of the 8th Congressional District Central Committee wanted to get an idea of how the congressional race is shaping up and decided a straw poll would be a useful tool. The date of our annual fall dinner (then 3 months away) was chosen for the next meeting, at which time it was agreed that the members would be polled for their candidate preference, if any. The only candidates who attended the 16 July meeting were Jeff Anderson and Rick Nolan (who, despite the fact he had entered the race on 13 July, never voiced opposition to the poll). Tarryl Clark, who has made a habit of not attending party events, never even bothered to respond to the invitation. Daniel Fanning had not yet announced, but there is speculation that Nolan's momentum going into the straw poll is what prompted Fanning to jump in when he did. Based on the outcome of the poll conducted on 15 October, it seems obvious that Anderson, Clark and Fanning opposed it because they can all count. Politics 101. Any controversy surrounding the straw poll is contrived, nothing more than sour grapes being tasted by candidates who are disappointed with the outcome and dismayed by Nolan's rapidly growing list of endorsements from key labor leaders, community activists and former and current elected officials.
The central committee is comprised of the executive board and county unit/senate district officers. The straw poll taken at the Saturday afternoon meeting is not binding, but it is a good indicator of who has the support of the party activists who do the lion's share of campaign work and are dedicated enough to regularly give up their Saturdays in order to attend DFL meetings. And this is the group any DFL candidate will need in order to defeat Chip Cravaack and the Tea Party.
The strong statements and contrived controversy coming from candidates who lost this non-binding straw poll they dismiss as insignificant is likely coming from their fear that Nolan is developing a large lead in the endorsement race. Unfortunately, rather than seeing this as a measure of support and reevaluating their game, they are instead playing the role of pouting children, crying 'not fair', taking their pucks and going home. Worse, they are discounting the very people whose support they claim to value, and presumably need, if they are in fact going to pursue and honor the DFL endorsement. Only one candidate, Rick Nolan, has said he will abide by the endorsement.
This Minneapolis Star-Tribune quote from Clark's hired gun out-of-state campaign manager Brandon Pinette declaring that the opinions of our DFL party activists, labor leaders and community leaders are irrelevant is particularly insulting:
We have always been against having a straw poll and believe the process should begin with the precinct caucuses in February not with a straw poll of 38 people in October
So, the 8th Congressional District DFL Central Committee doesn't matter? Or perhaps he is referring to many of our most respected and influential labor and community leaders - people like former State Representative and steelworker Joe Begich and Iron Range publishing legend and champion of iron miners Veda Ponikvar - who have already endorsed Nolan? I'd like Pinnette to haul his arrogant packsacker guzica up to Eveleth and Chisholm and make that claim.
GOP party chair Tony Sutton wasted no time attacking Nolan last July, dismissing his candidacy on the very day the Cuyuna Range native announced. Nolan's growing list of endorsements and support from throughout the 8th district has the Republicans terrified because they know he can defeat Chip Cravaack and the Tea Party. A DFL primary will divert resources and attention away from that effort. As we go forward, let's keep our eye on the prize: taking back the 8th district and sending Tea Party Chip back to New Hampshire.