North Star Politics

[Ed. Note: This post is going to inflate a certain someone's ego, but it needs to be written anyways.]

Lets face it: we're all a little bit envious of the attention Minnesota Democrats Exposed gets. When he links to North Star Politics, my traffic more than doubles. He has done some work that has made major newspapers, something that this blogger doesn't ever dare to dream of. He has managed (at least until now?) to maintain his anonymity, a fairly impressive feat. All the while, he has consistently stirred up trouble for the DFL and been one of the centerpieces of the Minnesota blogosphere.

We don't have an answer for him. We need one. It is an article of faith for me that Republicans have more dirt under their nails than Democrats do, that fighting against corruption and scandal is a battle that we can win at. While a few blogs such as Minnesota Republican Watch do some investigative work, it's not really anybody's focus.

Thus, I'm proposing a new group site, which I've just begun building. It will be devoted to uncovering the Republican dirt, scandal, and subterfuge that exists in Minnesota. We've seen bits and pieces of it, here and there, but with a Republican U.S. Senator, Governor, State Auditor, Secretary of State, 99 Republican legislators and 4 Republican members of Congress, there's far more to be uncovered. Together, we can do it.

I'll have more of an announcement when the site's almost ready to come online. For now, if you have any comments, I'd welcome them, and if you have any desire to get involved, send me an email. This is the first public announcement of the site, and thus there isn't anybody working with me yet, so please do send that email if you're interested at all.

Just picked up a writing gig at a new blog called Knowledge. Check it out - haven't posted yet, but will be doing so shortly.

Also, there is a new, NSP-affiliated blog in the pipeline. We're not sure how soon it will be ready, but visit often for updates.

When I started this blog back in May, I would read some of the high-traffic Minnesota blogs like Minnesota Democrats Exposed and say "Gosh, I wish I could do that kind of stuff." After all, as a full-time student with many responsibilities, I figured that some of the heavy-duty investigating was a bit out of my reach.

It has shaken me to my core to learn that Minnesota Democrats Exposed is little more than a tool of the Republican Party of Minnesota.

After all, as the author of North Star Politics, I'm completely anonymous. Not even my family or my closest friends know that I write this blog. Alternatively, it appears that MDE is known to and an associate of the GOP. I'm sure that NSP could have some good dirt if I had DFL operatives holding my hand as I investigated all the crap that Republicans pull on a daily basis. I don't. NSP is not associated with the Democrat-Farmer-Labor party of Minnesota. Period.

MDE does some good work. I'm just very upset to know that MDE has been working hand-in-hand with the GOP. I feel betrayed by one of my idols.

Minnesota Republican Watch notices what NSP should have: a certain blogger in the wingnuttosphere seems to have been colluding with Republican operatives. This might or might not go against that blogger's "disclaimer for liberals," which states:

Minnesota Democrats Exposed is not created, endorsed, sponsored, or authorized by any political party, candidate, or candidate's committee.

I'd say that being assisted by an employee of a political party might be an implicit endorsement or authorization. Has a certain member of the wingnuttosphere been lying to us?

[Editor's Note: North Star Politics is not created, endorsed, sponsored, or authorized by any political party, candidate, or candidate's committee. NSP's author is not currently on the payroll of any political party, candidate, or candidate's committee.]

Is this right? Is it just?

Also, how Christian is the man saying this? How pro-life?

The dynamics of the U.S. Senate race here in Minnesota continue to interest. A story in today's Star Tribune details the fundraising efforts by the three leading DFL candidates. The differences in style are striking: Amy Klobuchar hits the DFL loyalists, Patty Wetterling gets it from the grassroots, and Kelly Doran simply takes out his own checkbook.

I'm surprised Wetterling is doing so well, as I can't say I understand her strategy here. Raising money and support among the grassroots is all well and good, but her goals are foggy at best. Her support seems to be on the margins, while Klobuchar has more mainstream appeal to the left. Wetterling hasn't moved much towards the middle, but if she does she'll also be squeezed by Doran, who presents himself as a centrist.

I see this race as coming down to Klobuchar, who I'd say has the best shot at this point, versus Doran. Mainstream vs. Money. I have serious doubts about Doran, mostly due to his lack of experience. His strategy also seems suspect: rather than competing with Klobuchar on message or broad appeal, he's building a campaign by throwing a lot of money at the problem. Also, being a strip mall developer is not a career that lends itself to strongly believing in some of the things that a DFL candidate needs to. It may not lend itself to being a good senator for Minnesota, either.

At this point, NSP's endorsement goes to Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar. While we've been fortunate to have a very solid slate of candidates for our Senate seat, Klobuchar is the best candidate with the best shot to win.