=====================================
[you can read my review of the 8 Congressional Districts of Minnesota here]
=====================================
In the eighth district you have what is turning out to be a lively race, where little or no challenge was expected.
The seat is held by Jim Oberstar. He was born in Chisolm got a B.A. from Saint Thomas and a masters degree in European Studies from the College of Europe in Bruges Belgium.
For twelve years Jim was the chief staff assistant to then 14 term Representative John Blatnic. When he decided to not run again he endorsed Jim and he won.
Jim has been re-elected sixteen times, and conventional wisdom says he is a runaway to win it again this year.
However things have changed a little since his last election.
These changing situations appear to Jim and the voters of the 8th district in the form of one Chip Cravaack.
Chip was born in Charlston West Virginia and received a Bachelor of Science degree from United States Naval Academy and a Masters Degree in Education from University of West Florida.
Chip is offering a real challenge to our longest sitting house member in Minnesota history.
Chip lives in Chisago City with his family.
Jim lives in Potomac Maryland and owns his boyhood home in Chisolm.
I'll put it bluntly.
Jim Oberstar is a rude, arrogant, entrenched, politician prone to berate and bully his way through any challenges he and his hard DFL positions may encounter.
I've dealt with him personally and I think he is a pompous ass.
He is very comfortable in his position.
The 8th district of Minnesota has always been a DFL stronghold.
Yet there has been a generational shift and the results of decades of more and more programs and agencies has not made the standard of living in the rugged north that much better.
The mines are having trouble with the agencies and the programs don't do anything productive.
The economy in the 8th is not good and hasn't been for a while.
Jim and his party are, for the first time in living memory, being asked serious questions.
Jim and his party typically respond with bluster and name calling and thats what we are getting from Jim Oberstar and the DFL party.
Jim and his abrasive ways do not play well live and in debate.
Chip is getting support and is a stand up guy.
I hope he win.
I really, really hope he wins.
The odds are against him because of the unique makeup of the 8th district and the inertia of such a long incumbency, even with a voting record like Jim's.
Yet the people are awake and today they vote.
In the sober light of the morning I think Jim will win by a nose. I give Jim 3 to 2 odds to win.
But if I am wrong and Chip wins, I may move back to the district of my birth.
==========================================================
There you have it.
I expect
the 1st to Randy Demmer. (thats a risky call but I'm making it)
the 2nd to John Kline
the 3rd to Eric Paulsen
the 4th to is 50/50 so it leans to B. Mccullom
the 5th to Kieth Ellison
the 6th to Michele Bachmann
the 7th to Colin Peterson
the 8th to Jim Oberstar
I predict the Governors race is won by Tom Emmer.
---------------
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
A Sure Thing in the Seventh?
=====================================
[you can read my review of the 8 Congressional Districts of Minnesota here]
=====================================
Collin Peterson is the incumbent House member from Minnesotas district 7.
He was born in Fargo and received a B.A. from MN State, Moorhead. He was a State Senator since 1977. He ran for the U.S. House seat three times and finally won, by 121 votes, defeating a seven term republican.
He nearly lost his re-election, the district being less receptive to a classic DFL agenda.
He fancies himself an agriculture man.
Collin has styled himself a "blue-dog" democrat. They say they feel collared by the leadership, or they would vote more the way the "blue-dogs would want.
That position has worked in the past....
He has a republican opponent for the seat, he is named Lee Byberg. Lee is also a nice man but I think he is way underfunded for such a large district.
Unless Collin; who is good at saying little, should say too much, I think he will hold his seat.
I predict Collin stretches out his lead and takes it by five lengths.
[you can read my review of the 8 Congressional Districts of Minnesota here]
=====================================
Collin Peterson is the incumbent House member from Minnesotas district 7.
He was born in Fargo and received a B.A. from MN State, Moorhead. He was a State Senator since 1977. He ran for the U.S. House seat three times and finally won, by 121 votes, defeating a seven term republican.
He nearly lost his re-election, the district being less receptive to a classic DFL agenda.
He fancies himself an agriculture man.
Collin has styled himself a "blue-dog" democrat. They say they feel collared by the leadership, or they would vote more the way the "blue-dogs would want.
That position has worked in the past....
He has a republican opponent for the seat, he is named Lee Byberg. Lee is also a nice man but I think he is way underfunded for such a large district.
Unless Collin; who is good at saying little, should say too much, I think he will hold his seat.
I predict Collin stretches out his lead and takes it by five lengths.
Solid in the Sixth
=====================================
[you can read my review of the 8 Congressional Districts of Minnesota here]
=====================================
The race for the U.S. House Seat in Minnesotas' District Six is one of the hottest and most watched nationwide.
Bets are being waged from coast to coast.
The Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi has stated that she has targeted for defeat, the incumbent; republican Michele Bachmann.
She says she thinks it would be better if I were represented by the DFLer Tarryl Clark.
I think Nanci should mind her own bees wax. Better yet I think her constituents would be better represented by John Dennis.
Michele was born in Waterloo Iowa and moved to Anoka where she graduated high school. She then went to Winnona State and went on to receive a degree in tax law from the College of William and Mary's.
She was a U.S. Treasury Department Attorney in the U.S. Federal Tax Court in Saint Paul.
Her and her husband now own a business in Stillwater.
She first won elective office in a very dramatic fashion. In 2000, she defeated the 18 year incumbent Gary Laidig in their republican primary race for his State Senate seat, dist. 56.
Then she won the general election.
She had taken State Senate seat 56 from the DFLers, "Independents", and the seated weak Republican.
Then, the redistricting fiasco of 2002, [thank you Arne Carlson] forced her to vie for a newly drawn district (52) against a strong DFL'er named Jane Krentz.
She beat her too, and became the State Senator from the newly drawn district 52.
Then, when the U.S. House Dist 6. incumbent Mark Kennedy decided to run for Senate, and leave the seat open, Michele ran for the seat and won.
She took the office in January of 2007, and won re-election in 2008.
She now is facing a well funded opponent.
Tarryl Clark was born in Norfolk Virginia. She attended Drake and graduated with a B.A. in Sociology. She has a masters in education from Arizona state and a law degree from William MItchell in Saint Paul.
She was very involved in "community Action" and when the MN senate dist 15 dave Klies won the election for mayor of Saint Cloud, a special election was held.
Tarryl Clark ran and won. She was re-elected to a full 4 year term in 2006.
She now has supporters nationwide who, don't love her so much as they hate Michele. In so many ways they do.
I love that Michele bugs them so much, I see it as an enduring quality.
I know the State of Minnesota and I know the 6th district. Michele is safe and all that money coming from all over the nation is just wasted cash.
Michele voted very wisely lately; and the newly attentive, no longer silent majority, have noticed.
I give Six to one odds for Michele to keep her seat.
...and then we will watch her establish a caucus of freshmen to help keep their focus.
Garrison Keillor may consider going back to Europe, he said he felt more comfortable there than in Minnesota.
this is going to be good.
[you can read my review of the 8 Congressional Districts of Minnesota here]
=====================================
The race for the U.S. House Seat in Minnesotas' District Six is one of the hottest and most watched nationwide.
Bets are being waged from coast to coast.
The Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi has stated that she has targeted for defeat, the incumbent; republican Michele Bachmann.
She says she thinks it would be better if I were represented by the DFLer Tarryl Clark.
I think Nanci should mind her own bees wax. Better yet I think her constituents would be better represented by John Dennis.
Michele was born in Waterloo Iowa and moved to Anoka where she graduated high school. She then went to Winnona State and went on to receive a degree in tax law from the College of William and Mary's.
She was a U.S. Treasury Department Attorney in the U.S. Federal Tax Court in Saint Paul.
Her and her husband now own a business in Stillwater.
She first won elective office in a very dramatic fashion. In 2000, she defeated the 18 year incumbent Gary Laidig in their republican primary race for his State Senate seat, dist. 56.
Then she won the general election.
She had taken State Senate seat 56 from the DFLers, "Independents", and the seated weak Republican.
Then, the redistricting fiasco of 2002, [thank you Arne Carlson] forced her to vie for a newly drawn district (52) against a strong DFL'er named Jane Krentz.
She beat her too, and became the State Senator from the newly drawn district 52.
Then, when the U.S. House Dist 6. incumbent Mark Kennedy decided to run for Senate, and leave the seat open, Michele ran for the seat and won.
She took the office in January of 2007, and won re-election in 2008.
She now is facing a well funded opponent.
Tarryl Clark was born in Norfolk Virginia. She attended Drake and graduated with a B.A. in Sociology. She has a masters in education from Arizona state and a law degree from William MItchell in Saint Paul.
She was very involved in "community Action" and when the MN senate dist 15 dave Klies won the election for mayor of Saint Cloud, a special election was held.
Tarryl Clark ran and won. She was re-elected to a full 4 year term in 2006.
She now has supporters nationwide who, don't love her so much as they hate Michele. In so many ways they do.
I love that Michele bugs them so much, I see it as an enduring quality.
I know the State of Minnesota and I know the 6th district. Michele is safe and all that money coming from all over the nation is just wasted cash.
Michele voted very wisely lately; and the newly attentive, no longer silent majority, have noticed.
I give Six to one odds for Michele to keep her seat.
...and then we will watch her establish a caucus of freshmen to help keep their focus.
Garrison Keillor may consider going back to Europe, he said he felt more comfortable there than in Minnesota.
this is going to be good.
A Run Away in the Fifth
=====================================
[you can read my review of the 8 Congressional Districts of Minnesota here]
=====================================
Minnesotas' fifth Congressional District is relatively small, it has Minneapolis, our largest city.
One of the basic differences between Minneapolis and Saint Paul is that Saint Paul is a city of the east, Minneapolis is a western city.
Both of our large cities ( like most large cities in America today ) has been run by the DFL/Democrats.
The Fifth District seat has been held by the DFL since 1963.
Today the seat is held by Kieth Ellison. He is from the State of my father, Michigan. His family all became doctors, lawyers, or preachers. He has a B.A in economics, he then came to Minnesota and got a law degree at the U of M. Afterwords he worked at a local law firm specializing in civil rights, employment and criminal defense. He was executive director of the not-for-profit Legal Rights Center defending the indigent. He was a local "public affairs" radio host and eventually elected to the MN House of Representatives in the mid-city district; 55B. He was re-elected and then ran for, and won, the U.S. House seat being vacated by the retiring Martin Olav Sabo (DFL), Dist 5.
The republican candidate is a man named Joel Demos. He is born to missionaries and was raised in greece, his grandmother was mayor of Roseville. He graduated college in California and always worked in finance, now working for TCF.
The DFL party of 1963 and Don Frasier is very different from the DFL party of 2010 and Kieth Ellison
Minneapolis has become, like the party that runs it, a hot bed of "activism".
Groups and organizations and non-profits and all kinds of blog writing and placard waiving "organizations" are out and about defending the disaffected or disrespected or enlightening the uneducated or raising "awareness" to/for/on? the unaware "people".
That is what Kieth is all about and he represents this voting block very well.
Joel is a very nice man who would be great in congress.
He will run a good race.
He will lose.
This is as close to a sure thing as you will get for a DFL'er in a race this year.
Kieth takes it in six lengths.
[you can read my review of the 8 Congressional Districts of Minnesota here]
=====================================
Minnesotas' fifth Congressional District is relatively small, it has Minneapolis, our largest city.
One of the basic differences between Minneapolis and Saint Paul is that Saint Paul is a city of the east, Minneapolis is a western city.
Both of our large cities ( like most large cities in America today ) has been run by the DFL/Democrats.
The Fifth District seat has been held by the DFL since 1963.
Today the seat is held by Kieth Ellison. He is from the State of my father, Michigan. His family all became doctors, lawyers, or preachers. He has a B.A in economics, he then came to Minnesota and got a law degree at the U of M. Afterwords he worked at a local law firm specializing in civil rights, employment and criminal defense. He was executive director of the not-for-profit Legal Rights Center defending the indigent. He was a local "public affairs" radio host and eventually elected to the MN House of Representatives in the mid-city district; 55B. He was re-elected and then ran for, and won, the U.S. House seat being vacated by the retiring Martin Olav Sabo (DFL), Dist 5.
The republican candidate is a man named Joel Demos. He is born to missionaries and was raised in greece, his grandmother was mayor of Roseville. He graduated college in California and always worked in finance, now working for TCF.
The DFL party of 1963 and Don Frasier is very different from the DFL party of 2010 and Kieth Ellison
Minneapolis has become, like the party that runs it, a hot bed of "activism".
Groups and organizations and non-profits and all kinds of blog writing and placard waiving "organizations" are out and about defending the disaffected or disrespected or enlightening the uneducated or raising "awareness" to/for/on? the unaware "people".
That is what Kieth is all about and he represents this voting block very well.
Joel is a very nice man who would be great in congress.
He will run a good race.
He will lose.
This is as close to a sure thing as you will get for a DFL'er in a race this year.
Kieth takes it in six lengths.
A Photo Finish in the Fourth
=====================================
[you can read my review of the 8 Congressional Districts of Minnesota here]
=====================================
First, I want all of my readers to understand I work a busy 7am to 4pm job trimming/dropping trees and working horse barn stuff. I just offloaded some hay after a days tree work.
I apologize for being tardy, we will fit it all in by Tuesday I promise.
This is truly a most dramatic election cycle after a long crescendo of years of being told that "this election matters more than most".
I think this one is a biggie.
I haven't done much to describe the electorate because if you are alive here today you know who is voting for whom and why. It is like when a cell divides and all of a sudden you see what was invisible just moments ago, the DNA separate and go to separate sides of the cell.
However, for those not here now, I hope to describe the electorate in Minnesotas' fourth district and by extension, the rest of the state in general.
The seat is now held by the DFL incumbent Betty McCollum. She won the seat after the death of leftist, and "environmental" champion, Bruce Vento.
Betty grew up in Minneapolis and was a high school social science teacher and sales manager. She served three terms on the Minneapolis City Council, then moved up to the Minnesota State House of Representatives where she held office for four terms.
She was a lock step DFL vote and represented the majority of State House District 55B well.
Then she was the DFLs candidate for the U.S. House Dist 4 seat being vacated by the ill Vento.
Minnesotas' District 4 , which includes the bureaucrats city; Saint Paul, has been a DFL held seat for decades.
She has had a safe seat and was relatively quiet and happy as a back-bencher, with hopes of moving up of course.
Betty is not the most dynamic or feisty of candidates. I think she does poorly face to face, at interviews or in debates. Honestly, I don't think she is very bright.
She now, as opposed to the last three elections cycles, has a real contender opposing her for what has been a sure thing.
She is being challenged by the Republican endorsed Teresa Collett. She is from out of state, had a business in Oklahoma, and has been for some time now a law professor at the University of Saint Thomas.
She represents a different kind of candidate than what has been offered by either party for generations. Teresa, like many first time candidates showing up in races all across the state and the nation, might be described as an: "enough is enough" candidate.
She and many other people are not pleased with the operations in Washington D.C. and more of the same is not what they are seeking in a representative. There are many new voters, and new candidates, and "new" ideas challenging the old.
The election is just around the corner. Unlike years in the past; today there is more than just a dissatisfied majority, grummblingly accepting the progressive march of the politically connected, and ever more expensive and intrusive machinery of government.
There is a new batch of people who've chosen to stand up and be heard, and the political class are more than a little shaken up at this turn of events.
All can see that they, the political class, are in fact a minority. But they and their organized, and amplified, efforts represent a strong voting block.
The unions, the non-independent farmers, most school workers, social workers, city and county workers. Non-profit corporation workers, government contractors.
Anyone employed by any government supported entity.
And with the budget amounts we are talking about that is a lot of entities.
The fourth district of Minnesota has a high percentage of these, what with the Capitol; Saint Paul and all its government workers, and organizations, and"Non-Governmental Units" NGO's. Now there's a euphemism for you.
But now the majority of people who have been quietly going about there daily lives; which by the way doesn't revolve around grants or bills or legislators, have seen there burden get bigger and there future prospects smaller.
And they see a direct relationship between the government burden and their future prospects.
The larger the former, the smaller the latter, for them and their children.
[and you and yours by the way.]
These day to day, normal working Minnesotans, are greatly dissatisfied with the direction the National and State governments have been going for years.
They do not see more of the same as a solution. As a matter of fact they see very much less of the same as the solution.
With the rapid budget growth and sweeping legislative mandates, the electorate has had the blinders removed. They now know what is the real subject of these elections.
And these have been itemized in easily digestible form to aid the newly, but greatly interested, voter.
And this year, the usual incumbent bonus is only available if they voted wisely. Betty did not vote wisely according to this new, and very active, voter block.
She voted for the "stimulus", and for the new "health care bill", and for the new "cap and trade" [or as I call it: tax and ration].
True to her nature and her DFL base constituency, but not wise in the gale of the new political winds blowing, Betty may fail to win this race.
Now I call the odds at 50/50. I hope Teresa wins.
So in three days we will see if the old entrenched, politically connected power-base can hold the line against a growing number of dissatisfied taxpayers, some of which will be voting for Teresa next Tuesday.
It is neck and neck as they come in to the finish line....
[you can read my review of the 8 Congressional Districts of Minnesota here]
=====================================
First, I want all of my readers to understand I work a busy 7am to 4pm job trimming/dropping trees and working horse barn stuff. I just offloaded some hay after a days tree work.
I apologize for being tardy, we will fit it all in by Tuesday I promise.
This is truly a most dramatic election cycle after a long crescendo of years of being told that "this election matters more than most".
I think this one is a biggie.
I haven't done much to describe the electorate because if you are alive here today you know who is voting for whom and why. It is like when a cell divides and all of a sudden you see what was invisible just moments ago, the DNA separate and go to separate sides of the cell.
However, for those not here now, I hope to describe the electorate in Minnesotas' fourth district and by extension, the rest of the state in general.
The seat is now held by the DFL incumbent Betty McCollum. She won the seat after the death of leftist, and "environmental" champion, Bruce Vento.
Betty grew up in Minneapolis and was a high school social science teacher and sales manager. She served three terms on the Minneapolis City Council, then moved up to the Minnesota State House of Representatives where she held office for four terms.
She was a lock step DFL vote and represented the majority of State House District 55B well.
Then she was the DFLs candidate for the U.S. House Dist 4 seat being vacated by the ill Vento.
Minnesotas' District 4 , which includes the bureaucrats city; Saint Paul, has been a DFL held seat for decades.
She has had a safe seat and was relatively quiet and happy as a back-bencher, with hopes of moving up of course.
Betty is not the most dynamic or feisty of candidates. I think she does poorly face to face, at interviews or in debates. Honestly, I don't think she is very bright.
She now, as opposed to the last three elections cycles, has a real contender opposing her for what has been a sure thing.
She is being challenged by the Republican endorsed Teresa Collett. She is from out of state, had a business in Oklahoma, and has been for some time now a law professor at the University of Saint Thomas.
She represents a different kind of candidate than what has been offered by either party for generations. Teresa, like many first time candidates showing up in races all across the state and the nation, might be described as an: "enough is enough" candidate.
She and many other people are not pleased with the operations in Washington D.C. and more of the same is not what they are seeking in a representative. There are many new voters, and new candidates, and "new" ideas challenging the old.
The election is just around the corner. Unlike years in the past; today there is more than just a dissatisfied majority, grummblingly accepting the progressive march of the politically connected, and ever more expensive and intrusive machinery of government.
There is a new batch of people who've chosen to stand up and be heard, and the political class are more than a little shaken up at this turn of events.
All can see that they, the political class, are in fact a minority. But they and their organized, and amplified, efforts represent a strong voting block.
The unions, the non-independent farmers, most school workers, social workers, city and county workers. Non-profit corporation workers, government contractors.
Anyone employed by any government supported entity.
And with the budget amounts we are talking about that is a lot of entities.
The fourth district of Minnesota has a high percentage of these, what with the Capitol; Saint Paul and all its government workers, and organizations, and"Non-Governmental Units" NGO's. Now there's a euphemism for you.
But now the majority of people who have been quietly going about there daily lives; which by the way doesn't revolve around grants or bills or legislators, have seen there burden get bigger and there future prospects smaller.
And they see a direct relationship between the government burden and their future prospects.
The larger the former, the smaller the latter, for them and their children.
[and you and yours by the way.]
These day to day, normal working Minnesotans, are greatly dissatisfied with the direction the National and State governments have been going for years.
They do not see more of the same as a solution. As a matter of fact they see very much less of the same as the solution.
With the rapid budget growth and sweeping legislative mandates, the electorate has had the blinders removed. They now know what is the real subject of these elections.
And these have been itemized in easily digestible form to aid the newly, but greatly interested, voter.
And this year, the usual incumbent bonus is only available if they voted wisely. Betty did not vote wisely according to this new, and very active, voter block.
She voted for the "stimulus", and for the new "health care bill", and for the new "cap and trade" [or as I call it: tax and ration].
True to her nature and her DFL base constituency, but not wise in the gale of the new political winds blowing, Betty may fail to win this race.
Now I call the odds at 50/50. I hope Teresa wins.
So in three days we will see if the old entrenched, politically connected power-base can hold the line against a growing number of dissatisfied taxpayers, some of which will be voting for Teresa next Tuesday.
It is neck and neck as they come in to the finish line....
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
It Looks Like a Knock-Out in the Third
=====================================
[you can read my review of the 8 Congressional Districts of Minnesota here]
=====================================
In the third Congressional District of Minnesota you will find the incumbent is Erik Paulsen. He is a Republican first termer.
He won the open election in 2008 for the House seat that was vacated by the retiring Jim Ramstad [R]. He grew up in Minneapolis, graduated from Chaska High and Saint Olaf college, majoring in mathematics. Erik was in the Minnesota House of Representatives for some time, and became the House Minority Speaker after Tim Pawlenty left that post when he was elected Governor.
[Tim opened up the Governors race when he announced last year he was not seeking re-election.]
The DFL has chosen, in their primary race, a candidate named Jim Meffert. He grew up in Marshall graduating high school there, and also went to Saint Oaf college, majoring in political science. Jim is executive director of the Minnesota Optometric Association and the past president of the Minnesota Parent Teacher Association.
This race, like the one in the second district, also could have been more exciting.
Jim has all the typical issue statements you might expect.
For the economy Jim wants WPA type jobs, increased unemployment extensions and tax hikes.
Jims' energy plan calls for fighting global warming {read: phantom menace}, promoting green jobs[?], insuring greater government oversight in the energy industry, and a carbon-tax or, cap-and-trade; or both.
Jims' education plan calls for fighting the "teaching to tests", promoting energy efficient and retrofitted schools, and insuring much less government oversight in the education industry.
Jim says, concerning the recent health care bill; "...this bill is a first step towards achieving universal and affordable health care as a right, not a privilege."
These are all classic DFL positions, and you can see more lock-step DFL issue statements at his website.
For me Erik is way too willing to couch his positions to appease the sensibilities of the cynical leftists in the press.
[you can read my review of the 8 Congressional Districts of Minnesota here]
=====================================
In the third Congressional District of Minnesota you will find the incumbent is Erik Paulsen. He is a Republican first termer.
He won the open election in 2008 for the House seat that was vacated by the retiring Jim Ramstad [R]. He grew up in Minneapolis, graduated from Chaska High and Saint Olaf college, majoring in mathematics. Erik was in the Minnesota House of Representatives for some time, and became the House Minority Speaker after Tim Pawlenty left that post when he was elected Governor.
[Tim opened up the Governors race when he announced last year he was not seeking re-election.]
The DFL has chosen, in their primary race, a candidate named Jim Meffert. He grew up in Marshall graduating high school there, and also went to Saint Oaf college, majoring in political science. Jim is executive director of the Minnesota Optometric Association and the past president of the Minnesota Parent Teacher Association.
This race, like the one in the second district, also could have been more exciting.
Jim has all the typical issue statements you might expect.
For the economy Jim wants WPA type jobs, increased unemployment extensions and tax hikes.
Jims' energy plan calls for fighting global warming {read: phantom menace}, promoting green jobs[?], insuring greater government oversight in the energy industry, and a carbon-tax or, cap-and-trade; or both.
Jims' education plan calls for fighting the "teaching to tests", promoting energy efficient and retrofitted schools, and insuring much less government oversight in the education industry.
Jim says, concerning the recent health care bill; "...this bill is a first step towards achieving universal and affordable health care as a right, not a privilege."
These are all classic DFL positions, and you can see more lock-step DFL issue statements at his website.
For me Erik is way too willing to couch his positions to appease the sensibilities of the cynical leftists in the press.
However, he has voted wisely in the last Congress and therefor receives the incumbent bonus. He has said straight forward that we should repeal the recently passed "Health Care Bill".
This is a very hot, pivot point issue, during an extremely polarized election.
Here, as in other issues and most other races; there is a clear distinction that is easily understood by an increasingly attentive electorate.
Jim is for the new law and Erik is against it.
The new political blood that is reflected in the "tea party" movement has made it easier for the Republicans to sound more Constitutional in their discussions.
This can be witnessed in Erik.
He too can tell which way the wind is blowing.
I think that Erik has at least ten-to-one odds of holding his House seat against Jims' challenge.
For Erik however, this election may prove to be an easier battle than the one he will find himself in after the election.
It is difficult for a soft Republican, in a hail-storm of special interest groups fighting each and every budget cut, to remain strong.
The Democrats favorite Republican, [and one of my least favorites...] Teddy Roosevelt said; "Cowardice is the only unpardonable sin".
Bully For You.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Down to the Wire in District Two
=====================================
[you can read my review of the 8 Congressional Districts of Minnesota here]
=====================================
In the Second Congressional District of Minnesota you have one of the least exciting races. The incumbent John Kline [R] seems very likely to keep the seat from the DFL candidate; Shelley Madore.
John is a Retired Marine Colonel who after several runs finally won the seat from the incumbent on 2002. He maintained his third term in 2006 by defeating one of "Times" persons of the year FBI agent "Collen Rowley [DFL]".
Now he faces Shelley, the perfectly groomed DFL candidate from solid Boston stock with local non-profit training. She looks good, and speaks well that circular, platitude laden, double speak that is used to support "programs".
Unfortunately for her, she has little support. The DFL has been sending resources to other fronts. Sure, she gets the endorsements of the Mondales, and "news"papers. But the real Democrat money is going to other races, like the sixth for example. [were i think it is being unwisely spent.]
The reason she gets little help is because John is almost a shoe in. He is just about the picture perfect version of the quintessential republican.
He seems a little stiff to me, but I suppose that is really what we need, so I am all for him.
I feel a need to disclose that he, in his early campaigns, booked a table at the celebration of Freedom Day on May 1; I think in 1998, I was managing. So, I give him bonus points for that. Also, while he was carrying the nuclear "football" for Uncle Ronnie in the eighties I was playing "receiver" on the blue crew of the U.S.S.Nathan Hale.
John, with all that, and the incumbent bonus, [available this year only to those who voted wisely] is the odds on favorite
I think he will cross the finish line at least two lengths ahead of Shelly. I put the odds at five to one for John.
[you can read my review of the 8 Congressional Districts of Minnesota here]
=====================================
In the Second Congressional District of Minnesota you have one of the least exciting races. The incumbent John Kline [R] seems very likely to keep the seat from the DFL candidate; Shelley Madore.
John is a Retired Marine Colonel who after several runs finally won the seat from the incumbent on 2002. He maintained his third term in 2006 by defeating one of "Times" persons of the year FBI agent "Collen Rowley [DFL]".
Now he faces Shelley, the perfectly groomed DFL candidate from solid Boston stock with local non-profit training. She looks good, and speaks well that circular, platitude laden, double speak that is used to support "programs".
Unfortunately for her, she has little support. The DFL has been sending resources to other fronts. Sure, she gets the endorsements of the Mondales, and "news"papers. But the real Democrat money is going to other races, like the sixth for example. [were i think it is being unwisely spent.]
The reason she gets little help is because John is almost a shoe in. He is just about the picture perfect version of the quintessential republican.
He seems a little stiff to me, but I suppose that is really what we need, so I am all for him.
I feel a need to disclose that he, in his early campaigns, booked a table at the celebration of Freedom Day on May 1; I think in 1998, I was managing. So, I give him bonus points for that. Also, while he was carrying the nuclear "football" for Uncle Ronnie in the eighties I was playing "receiver" on the blue crew of the U.S.S.Nathan Hale.
John, with all that, and the incumbent bonus, [available this year only to those who voted wisely] is the odds on favorite
I think he will cross the finish line at least two lengths ahead of Shelly. I put the odds at five to one for John.
A Fight to the Finish in the First
=====================================
[you can read my review of the 8 Congressional Districts of Minnesota here]
=====================================
There is a hotly contested struggle in the First Congressional District of Minnesota. The campaign to maintain power, or gain it; is now at fever pitch.
The seat is now held by the second-termer; Representative Tim Waltz [DFL]. He was born in Nebraska and is the son of a school administrator and a community activist. He retired from the National Guard and received his doctorate in education at Saint Mary's in Winona. He is a teacher in Mankato, on the Blue Earth River.
He is challenged for the seat by Randy Demmer [R]. He is a lifelong resident of Hayfield and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.A in Ag. Business Administration. He has built up and sold several business, including a software company and three NAPA stores.
I hope he beats the incumbent.
Tim Waltz is a nice man, and he is probably an excellent school teacher; but he is the last thing the 1st District needs now.
He entered the house when the chips were down for the opposing party, and Tim was enough of "someone else" without being off-putting by having political positions.
He is the latest version of what is called a "blue-dog" democrat. That phrase came from a painter whos' scenes sometimes centered around a blue dog that often had a collar and a leash.
The implication is that they are rogue democrats who are unfortunately leashed to their leaders, or they would be voting more to their liking. (and by implication yours, no matter what that means.)
I prefer the term "milquetoast".
Tim is the kind of candidate that gets the endorsement of ole Governor Arne Carlson [R], who also endorsed Barrack Obama for president, as well as "independent" candidate Tom Horner for Governor.
Arne is just another guy who wants the books to line up and sees no problem with another little tax hike. He also likes people to listen to him as if he has something wise to say, and he really likes to be on TV.
He is washed up and should sit down.
Arne, your political days are behind you, take up stamp collecting or something.
That wishy-washy, meaningless, mush-mouth talk is a great strategy; designed to please everyone without turning off anyone.
But these are different times, and I don't think it will work in today's educated, electric, and politically charged atmosphere.
It will probably work for Colin Peterson in the 7th, as it has for years... maybe, but that's about it.
Here in the first district, full of farm fields, farm towns and farmers; and dotted with some sizable towns with their special interests, like Mankato and Winona and their colleges, or Rochester with the Mayo Clinic; there is no more room, or patience for fence sitting.
The, "well... on the one hand we have this, but on the other we have that" kind of talk has lost its luster.
We cannot afford that kind of nonsense anymore Arne.
There seems to be a general desire for plain speaking.
For clear answers to basic questions.
Don't expect any clear answers from any Democrat candidate.
They know that their ideas are not popular. They will shade their answers, divert the conversation, or more likely do as they usually do; call the opponent names, or his/her friends names.
Unfortunately the only people who seem to ask these basic questions are constituents; the press seems too preoccupied with other things to ask these good questions.
Questions like... "you say you are for this or that, yet you keep voting to the contrary, or support leadership with strong opposing views...how do your reconcile that to your constituents?"
Right now the polls have it a statistical tie, which makes me think it is leaning away from the incumbent. But we shall see.
The only poll that matters is in November.
Tim may hold on to his seat, but right now I see the odds are three-to-two agianst him.
=======================================
PS: Saturday the President Of The United States [POTUS] was in town stumping for the DFL Governor candidate Mark Dayton. Dayton is a horrible candidate with no stage presence or speaking ability, or fresh ideas.
This makes him an excellent standard bearer for his party.
He looks like a goggle eyed loon.
You will not see much or hear much from him leading up to the election.
His handlers, the best Dayton money can buy, knows that every time he is seen he loses 300 votes and every time he is heard he loses 640 more votes. He looks and sounds like a Prozac loaded stiff.
If you ever want to see a DFL drone, drone...go to a Mark Dayton speech. If you make it to the end, you will need a double, I'll buy; you've earned it.
Tarryl Clark in the 6th district had Bill Clinton in town stumping to defeat Michelle Bachmann in the 6th. He was scheduled to speak at 7:30 he arrived at 11.
In any case, politically Bill Clinton is the kiss of death. Just look at his endorsement record. Tarryl Clark is just about done, I think.
[you can read my review of the 8 Congressional Districts of Minnesota here]
=====================================
There is a hotly contested struggle in the First Congressional District of Minnesota. The campaign to maintain power, or gain it; is now at fever pitch.
The seat is now held by the second-termer; Representative Tim Waltz [DFL]. He was born in Nebraska and is the son of a school administrator and a community activist. He retired from the National Guard and received his doctorate in education at Saint Mary's in Winona. He is a teacher in Mankato, on the Blue Earth River.
He is challenged for the seat by Randy Demmer [R]. He is a lifelong resident of Hayfield and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.A in Ag. Business Administration. He has built up and sold several business, including a software company and three NAPA stores.
I hope he beats the incumbent.
Tim Waltz is a nice man, and he is probably an excellent school teacher; but he is the last thing the 1st District needs now.
He entered the house when the chips were down for the opposing party, and Tim was enough of "someone else" without being off-putting by having political positions.
He is the latest version of what is called a "blue-dog" democrat. That phrase came from a painter whos' scenes sometimes centered around a blue dog that often had a collar and a leash.
The implication is that they are rogue democrats who are unfortunately leashed to their leaders, or they would be voting more to their liking. (and by implication yours, no matter what that means.)
I prefer the term "milquetoast".
Tim is the kind of candidate that gets the endorsement of ole Governor Arne Carlson [R], who also endorsed Barrack Obama for president, as well as "independent" candidate Tom Horner for Governor.
Arne is just another guy who wants the books to line up and sees no problem with another little tax hike. He also likes people to listen to him as if he has something wise to say, and he really likes to be on TV.
He is washed up and should sit down.
Arne, your political days are behind you, take up stamp collecting or something.
That wishy-washy, meaningless, mush-mouth talk is a great strategy; designed to please everyone without turning off anyone.
But these are different times, and I don't think it will work in today's educated, electric, and politically charged atmosphere.
It will probably work for Colin Peterson in the 7th, as it has for years... maybe, but that's about it.
Here in the first district, full of farm fields, farm towns and farmers; and dotted with some sizable towns with their special interests, like Mankato and Winona and their colleges, or Rochester with the Mayo Clinic; there is no more room, or patience for fence sitting.
The, "well... on the one hand we have this, but on the other we have that" kind of talk has lost its luster.
We cannot afford that kind of nonsense anymore Arne.
There seems to be a general desire for plain speaking.
For clear answers to basic questions.
Don't expect any clear answers from any Democrat candidate.
They know that their ideas are not popular. They will shade their answers, divert the conversation, or more likely do as they usually do; call the opponent names, or his/her friends names.
Unfortunately the only people who seem to ask these basic questions are constituents; the press seems too preoccupied with other things to ask these good questions.
Questions like... "you say you are for this or that, yet you keep voting to the contrary, or support leadership with strong opposing views...how do your reconcile that to your constituents?"
Right now the polls have it a statistical tie, which makes me think it is leaning away from the incumbent. But we shall see.
The only poll that matters is in November.
Tim may hold on to his seat, but right now I see the odds are three-to-two agianst him.
=======================================
PS: Saturday the President Of The United States [POTUS] was in town stumping for the DFL Governor candidate Mark Dayton. Dayton is a horrible candidate with no stage presence or speaking ability, or fresh ideas.
This makes him an excellent standard bearer for his party.
He looks like a goggle eyed loon.
You will not see much or hear much from him leading up to the election.
His handlers, the best Dayton money can buy, knows that every time he is seen he loses 300 votes and every time he is heard he loses 640 more votes. He looks and sounds like a Prozac loaded stiff.
If you ever want to see a DFL drone, drone...go to a Mark Dayton speech. If you make it to the end, you will need a double, I'll buy; you've earned it.
Tarryl Clark in the 6th district had Bill Clinton in town stumping to defeat Michelle Bachmann in the 6th. He was scheduled to speak at 7:30 he arrived at 11.
In any case, politically Bill Clinton is the kiss of death. Just look at his endorsement record. Tarryl Clark is just about done, I think.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Minnesota by District.
Minnesota is a large State geographically with a small population, half of which is concentrated in the Twin cities metropolitan region.
The congressional districts, of which we have eight, are apportioned around people and therefore are relatively small in the metropolitan region and quite large as you go out state.
The first congressional district covers extreme southern Minnesota, from Wisconsin to South Dakota.
The second is smaller and covers the southern part of the metropolitan area.
The third is smaller still and encompasses the suburban region south, west, and north of Minneapolis.
The fourth congressional district has one of the twins, the Capitol city; Saint Paul and with it most of Ramsey county.
The fifth is very small and covers the east half of Hennepin county, and the other twin, Minneapolis.
The sixth district (the one I live in now) is north of the Metro following the Mississippi north a piece and also stretches east to the Saint Croix River bordering Wisconsin.
The seventh is is the largest district and covers most of western Minnesota, from the Canadian border to Marshall south of the Minnesota river.
And the eight district, also very large, covers the north and northeastern region to the Canadian border and to lake superior.
I have ties and interests in all these districts, I have lived and voted in the sixth for decades and I have deep emotional bonds to the eighth.
Keep in mind Congressional Districts encompass people first and geography by necessity.
But the geography has greatly shaped the people.
The folks along the wide flat planes in south-west Minnesota are different than the people in the hustle and bustle of the fifth, or the rugged northern eighth.
Each of these districts are apportioned by population, and these people will elect it's representative to our Republic by democratic means.
This is to be done ten days from today, on November 2.
There are some long standing assumptions being questioned and many an old guard is more than a little nervous.
I intend to do a district by district break down soon.
The congressional districts, of which we have eight, are apportioned around people and therefore are relatively small in the metropolitan region and quite large as you go out state.
The first congressional district covers extreme southern Minnesota, from Wisconsin to South Dakota.
The second is smaller and covers the southern part of the metropolitan area.
The third is smaller still and encompasses the suburban region south, west, and north of Minneapolis.
The fourth congressional district has one of the twins, the Capitol city; Saint Paul and with it most of Ramsey county.
The fifth is very small and covers the east half of Hennepin county, and the other twin, Minneapolis.
The sixth district (the one I live in now) is north of the Metro following the Mississippi north a piece and also stretches east to the Saint Croix River bordering Wisconsin.
The seventh is is the largest district and covers most of western Minnesota, from the Canadian border to Marshall south of the Minnesota river.
And the eight district, also very large, covers the north and northeastern region to the Canadian border and to lake superior.
I have ties and interests in all these districts, I have lived and voted in the sixth for decades and I have deep emotional bonds to the eighth.
Keep in mind Congressional Districts encompass people first and geography by necessity.
But the geography has greatly shaped the people.
The folks along the wide flat planes in south-west Minnesota are different than the people in the hustle and bustle of the fifth, or the rugged northern eighth.
Each of these districts are apportioned by population, and these people will elect it's representative to our Republic by democratic means.
This is to be done ten days from today, on November 2.
There are some long standing assumptions being questioned and many an old guard is more than a little nervous.
I intend to do a district by district break down soon.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Rounding The Far Turn...
I have been busy working the tree end of things. I got to do another crane job in White Bear Lake. It went well, but with a little gutter work needed afterwords, nothing horrible though.
The tree biz is busy now, but it will slow some and I will probably slide back to the stables during winter time.
Which makes me think of horses, and races.
And things are more than warming up on the race for the votes.
The race to get the votes for Governor here in Minnesota is getting interesting. The primaries led to the unlikeliests taking the endorsement for both the Republicans and the DFL.
The DFL, surprisingly, did not chose to run the mare; Margaret Anderson Kelliher. Instead they went with the gelding; Mark Dayton who had a Dam and Sire with name, and came from a farm with money.
The Republicans, instead of running the winner of the last race, Tim Pawlanty, or the next groomed contender from the House stable; they picked a hot, dark horse named Tom Emmer. [hot to them, I think he's warm... on some days.]
Mark Dayton has paid much of his own money to fund many of his own races in the past. Eventually he won the race for the State Auditor in 1990 and then finally the race for the U.S. Senate in 2001.
As they round the bend and enter the home stretch, they are evening up. Although Dayton looks a little wobbly and Emmer has a good stride the end is where it matters.
The book makers are calling Dayton the favorite, but I smell an upset. I've seen Dayton race before and his record is not so good. Just because you can afford the entrance fee doesn't mean you can race.
But Emmer has yet to race past the crowd cramming the rail on the home stretch, many of whom have bet, and bet big against him. Things can happen.
Pay very close attention now; for it is in that last stretch, and in the photo booth, that "winners" are made.
I may be just a hard bitten old track writer, but I'll always have a soft spot for the underdog.
I think the dark horse has it in him, and can win too big to cheat it out of him.
The tree biz is busy now, but it will slow some and I will probably slide back to the stables during winter time.
Which makes me think of horses, and races.
And things are more than warming up on the race for the votes.
The race to get the votes for Governor here in Minnesota is getting interesting. The primaries led to the unlikeliests taking the endorsement for both the Republicans and the DFL.
The DFL, surprisingly, did not chose to run the mare; Margaret Anderson Kelliher. Instead they went with the gelding; Mark Dayton who had a Dam and Sire with name, and came from a farm with money.
The Republicans, instead of running the winner of the last race, Tim Pawlanty, or the next groomed contender from the House stable; they picked a hot, dark horse named Tom Emmer. [hot to them, I think he's warm... on some days.]
Mark Dayton has paid much of his own money to fund many of his own races in the past. Eventually he won the race for the State Auditor in 1990 and then finally the race for the U.S. Senate in 2001.
As they round the bend and enter the home stretch, they are evening up. Although Dayton looks a little wobbly and Emmer has a good stride the end is where it matters.
The book makers are calling Dayton the favorite, but I smell an upset. I've seen Dayton race before and his record is not so good. Just because you can afford the entrance fee doesn't mean you can race.
But Emmer has yet to race past the crowd cramming the rail on the home stretch, many of whom have bet, and bet big against him. Things can happen.
Pay very close attention now; for it is in that last stretch, and in the photo booth, that "winners" are made.
I may be just a hard bitten old track writer, but I'll always have a soft spot for the underdog.
I think the dark horse has it in him, and can win too big to cheat it out of him.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Two Weeks To The Earthquake.
I initially started writing this journal primarily as a means to billboard my products.
My intent is to write professionally for a (most probably political) issue oriented organization.
I have lots of interests. Many seem to have attracted the attention of politicians whom seem to want to tell me how to go about my business.
In my ideal world I would live and work in outstate Minnesota, minding my own business. Making and doing things that are productive. I would not be spending much time or energy on things political.
It is not I who has gone out of my way to seek them out, rather it is the politician; and quite often the legislation they propose, that seeks out me.
Here I am, one man living in the State of his birth, Minnesota. I love my family, my friends, my work. I love Minnesota and Minnesotan's through and through.
[7 winters makes you a Minnesotan]
I could give tours of the State based on time, interests, money, health... I like the concept of the four corners tour. It would be way cool.
I am still working on the order. I think scheduling matters, season-wise. It is a big State, and touching all four corners of the State of Minnesota is no small thing.
I happen to live in one of the most political states in the union, in one of the most political counties, in one of the most political congressional district, in one of the most political elections in generations.
I live in Forest Lake, in Washington County, in Minnesotas' 6th district, with incumbent Republican Michelle Bachmann facing the Democrat Farmer Labor [DFL] candidate and present State Senator' Tarryl Clark.
They both have been in the Minnesota Senate. Tarryl now is in the MN Senate seat 15.
The Speaker of U.S The House of Representatives; Nancy Pelosi, has labeled that U.S. House seat now helb by Bachmann as a "top target".
There is much to be said past, present, and future; concerning this moment in human history.
I will comment on some of these things during the crescendo to the November 2 cataclysm.
For starts I will let you know my inclinations.
I like the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights. [although I agree with the "redundancy" argument made at the time.]
I like the Minnesota Constitution, the fact it was signed on two documents because the differences at the time were hot.
{one blue and one pink, guess which was signed by the Democrats.}
I like the Minnesota Constitution with its' definition of property rights as being Allodial property rights.
I am in the wood business. I love Minnesota, and boats, and food, and people and animals and geography and power. Real power, the ability to do work.
Being an old submariner I like quiet power.
I do not like any ideas proposed by the DFL since I left the service in 1987.
In fact, I have watched that organization and its' products, go steadily downhill since they started rattling my cage, and brought my naive gaze on their operation decades ago.
I find it hard to imagine ever voting DFL.
That is not to say I am impressed by the Republicans long suffering courageous stand for freedom. (not)
I have been waiting for a long time for real change.
For power to return to its proper place.
Most of what the Feds do the States should be doing, or better yet the people. What the States now do, the counties should; what the counties are doing quite often the individuals should be doing.
The cost is often unseen, yet people are encumbered by hidden burdens.
There is a remote, foggy but pleasant dream; it has been offered by many, many, many over the eons.
"We will remove individual struggle by collectivization."
No one will go without. It can be done.
No, it cannot.
To try is to deny the human spirit.
To claw from the working all, to give to a supplicant some, by an anointment few; I find revolting.
I know Minnesota from its rivers, arts, industries, history, land, people, seasons and our way of life.
I've known many of the "tea Party" people here in Minnesota for years. I think they are great and offer a taste of what is needed in Washington and Saint Paul.
I believe that Michelle Bachmann is going to have greater leadership positions after her re-election this November.
I intend to have an especially festive birthday this November 7.
I hope to post nearly daily till then.
My intent is to write professionally for a (most probably political) issue oriented organization.
I have lots of interests. Many seem to have attracted the attention of politicians whom seem to want to tell me how to go about my business.
In my ideal world I would live and work in outstate Minnesota, minding my own business. Making and doing things that are productive. I would not be spending much time or energy on things political.
It is not I who has gone out of my way to seek them out, rather it is the politician; and quite often the legislation they propose, that seeks out me.
Here I am, one man living in the State of his birth, Minnesota. I love my family, my friends, my work. I love Minnesota and Minnesotan's through and through.
[7 winters makes you a Minnesotan]
I could give tours of the State based on time, interests, money, health... I like the concept of the four corners tour. It would be way cool.
I am still working on the order. I think scheduling matters, season-wise. It is a big State, and touching all four corners of the State of Minnesota is no small thing.
I happen to live in one of the most political states in the union, in one of the most political counties, in one of the most political congressional district, in one of the most political elections in generations.
I live in Forest Lake, in Washington County, in Minnesotas' 6th district, with incumbent Republican Michelle Bachmann facing the Democrat Farmer Labor [DFL] candidate and present State Senator' Tarryl Clark.
They both have been in the Minnesota Senate. Tarryl now is in the MN Senate seat 15.
The Speaker of U.S The House of Representatives; Nancy Pelosi, has labeled that U.S. House seat now helb by Bachmann as a "top target".
There is much to be said past, present, and future; concerning this moment in human history.
I will comment on some of these things during the crescendo to the November 2 cataclysm.
For starts I will let you know my inclinations.
I like the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights. [although I agree with the "redundancy" argument made at the time.]
I like the Minnesota Constitution, the fact it was signed on two documents because the differences at the time were hot.
{one blue and one pink, guess which was signed by the Democrats.}
I like the Minnesota Constitution with its' definition of property rights as being Allodial property rights.
I am in the wood business. I love Minnesota, and boats, and food, and people and animals and geography and power. Real power, the ability to do work.
Being an old submariner I like quiet power.
I do not like any ideas proposed by the DFL since I left the service in 1987.
In fact, I have watched that organization and its' products, go steadily downhill since they started rattling my cage, and brought my naive gaze on their operation decades ago.
I find it hard to imagine ever voting DFL.
That is not to say I am impressed by the Republicans long suffering courageous stand for freedom. (not)
I have been waiting for a long time for real change.
For power to return to its proper place.
Most of what the Feds do the States should be doing, or better yet the people. What the States now do, the counties should; what the counties are doing quite often the individuals should be doing.
The cost is often unseen, yet people are encumbered by hidden burdens.
There is a remote, foggy but pleasant dream; it has been offered by many, many, many over the eons.
"We will remove individual struggle by collectivization."
No one will go without. It can be done.
No, it cannot.
To try is to deny the human spirit.
To claw from the working all, to give to a supplicant some, by an anointment few; I find revolting.
I know Minnesota from its rivers, arts, industries, history, land, people, seasons and our way of life.
I've known many of the "tea Party" people here in Minnesota for years. I think they are great and offer a taste of what is needed in Washington and Saint Paul.
I believe that Michelle Bachmann is going to have greater leadership positions after her re-election this November.
I intend to have an especially festive birthday this November 7.
I hope to post nearly daily till then.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Vast Vibrant Vistas.
There was a two week stretch of chill weather that shocked the systems. The plants, animals, and people of Minnesota were given a reminder of where they live. The first hard frost has come and gone.
It has passed and now the days are into the 70's again. Work is hot. Yet you know it will not be that way for long. We feel fortunate for every warm day in October.
These are days to get things done. Winter is coming.
Last week was interesting; on Friday we left the in town stump-grinding grind and moved to a spot in Stillwater.
Some guy sold a successful business and purchased some rolling wooded acreage on the high ground.
He had already had his "garage" built, and we were there to clear trees from the drive and future house. We also where to do some cleaning up of the general area.
On Friday, day 1 of this multi-day adventure, Joe had brought in a crane.
It was a picture perfect autumn day on the uplands of Stillwater along the Saint Croix river valley.
We were taking out some big trees. We had a real climber, and me to help setting chokers.
The routine was for me to ride the ball of the crane up to the top of the oak or maple, set a choker or two around a strong enough limb to take a large weight. Then hook the choker onto the ball of the crane.
Then I rappel down to the ground and pull my line through the hook.
That's when the climber cuts it off, and the crane lifts the "Big Broccoli" up. It then turns to set it on the ground where it's bucked up and the brush separated from the logs.
It was a picture perfect day with a view clear to Wisconsin. The whole region was ablaze in the billowing autumn colors; of reds, yellows, orange, burgundies...
It was a stunning view seen in a spectacular way. I will probably never see it again, I am a very fortunate Minnesotan to have seen it at all.
The rest of the work on the site has been drop and buck. And I have been climbing and doing some trimming here and there.
There is at least another days work for five people.
It has passed and now the days are into the 70's again. Work is hot. Yet you know it will not be that way for long. We feel fortunate for every warm day in October.
These are days to get things done. Winter is coming.
Last week was interesting; on Friday we left the in town stump-grinding grind and moved to a spot in Stillwater.
Some guy sold a successful business and purchased some rolling wooded acreage on the high ground.
He had already had his "garage" built, and we were there to clear trees from the drive and future house. We also where to do some cleaning up of the general area.
On Friday, day 1 of this multi-day adventure, Joe had brought in a crane.
It was a picture perfect autumn day on the uplands of Stillwater along the Saint Croix river valley.
We were taking out some big trees. We had a real climber, and me to help setting chokers.
The routine was for me to ride the ball of the crane up to the top of the oak or maple, set a choker or two around a strong enough limb to take a large weight. Then hook the choker onto the ball of the crane.
Then I rappel down to the ground and pull my line through the hook.
That's when the climber cuts it off, and the crane lifts the "Big Broccoli" up. It then turns to set it on the ground where it's bucked up and the brush separated from the logs.
It was a picture perfect day with a view clear to Wisconsin. The whole region was ablaze in the billowing autumn colors; of reds, yellows, orange, burgundies...
It was a stunning view seen in a spectacular way. I will probably never see it again, I am a very fortunate Minnesotan to have seen it at all.
The rest of the work on the site has been drop and buck. And I have been climbing and doing some trimming here and there.
There is at least another days work for five people.
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