I have been posting these “chronicles” as comments on Republican Congressman Erik Paulsen’s Facebook wall (here)
September 1, 2016 67 days till the election
Today the Wall Street Journal's online edition reported on Trump's side effects on Congressional races, including our District 3. (link) WSJ: "Ms. Bonoff matches her opponent on most fiscal questions but leans to the left on key social issues including abortion and gun control, two issues about which voters across the district raised repeated concerns in over a dozen interviews...Lexi Tripps, a substitute teachern Hopkins, Minn., jumped off her picnic blanket to greet Ms. Bonoff at a Salsa in the Park event where the candidate had come to shake hands. Ms. Tripps, a former Republican and Paulsen supporter, was so put off by Mr. Trump's comments about women that she said she is going to vote for Democrats down the ticket this year...Mr. Paulsen.. has tried to keep a distance from Mr. Trump. In an interview, he said his party¢s presidential nominee had not yet earned his vote"
So what does Paulsen have to offer? His challenger Bonoff has management experience, legislative experience in the Minnesota Senate, understands the role small business plays in a healthy economy and takes a position on social issues consistent with those of our district -- as shown by polls and past election results. Paulsen on the other hand has consistently opposed voting rights, women's rights, equal pay etc. He is carefully ignoring any statement that will pin him down on his views on Trump or Trump's statements. His main selling point apparently is that he is a GOP insider who can (presumably) move levers in DC. This is essentially what he says every time he shows up for a photo-op. Well. Paulsen can move levers all right and as I've mentioned in previous posts, he moves them to favor the Paul Ryan obstructionist agenda.
This November we'll each have a chance to move a lever in the electoral booth. Let's make sure that it puts Erik Paulsen out of office.