In the last two years, a lot has changed in this country. In 2008, moderate Republicans were the only Republicans who stood a chance of winning. The Republican Party made a calculation that they weren't being conservative enough, and the congressional Republicans decided to toe the party line in opposition to anything the Democrats proposed to move our country forward. Erik Paulsen (R, MN-03) was one of those Republicans.
Today, the Jim Meffert for Congress campaign is proud to announce that we've launched a website, HowDidPaulsenVote.com, to make Erik Paulsen answer for his extreme record. Paulsen has voted with the Republican leadership 93% of the time. Minnesota's 3rd District has a proud history as a moderate district, and Paulsen lied to the people of the district when he said he would be a moderate voice that represented their interests. After he got elected, he ran off to Washington with Michele Bachmann and hoped his constituents weren't paying attention to his votes. Well, that's what we're here for.
Paulsen voted against the hate crimes prevention bill, voted againstfunding for local banks to provide credit to small businesses, voted to keep cops off the streets and teachers out of schools, voted against health care for 9/11 first responders, voted against Wall Street and credit card reform, and voted against a Pell Grant program expansion that helped thousands of students finish their education during a tough economic time.
Remind me which of these positions is one that a pragmatic, moderate politician would have. Voting against 9/11 first responders health care because you "thought it was too much?" Voting against helping students afford a decent education? Voting against any meaningful Wall Street reform while letting corporate lobbyists dump thousands of dollars into your campaign account?
It's become clear over the last two years that Erik Paulsen is another typical Washington Republican, racing his fellow Republicans to the fringe of the political spectrum with a woeful disregard for the best interests of his constituents.
Rhetoric is important, but facts speak for themselves, and the facts here paint a picture of someone who is understandably afraid to talk about the votes he took. Paulsen has refused to debate Jim Meffert, and he cut short his town hall in August after the questions were getting too hostile for him. This district has a PVI of 0, and word is starting to spread that this is a great pickup opportunity for the Democrats in a year where there aren't many others. Let's be clear: This seat can be won, but we need everyone's help. Check out How Did Paulsen Vote, help us spread the word about the site, learn a little more about Jim, or help us out with a donation. It's tough fights like these that we have to engage in if we want to have any chance of getting anything done the next two years.