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Sturdevant asks big questions about Range demographics
The Star Tribune’s Lori Sturdevant pens a column in Sunday’s edition about the MN-8 race, including the political tradition and waning influence of the Iron Range. It’s worth a read. She echoes a lot of what we talk about here. On the Range, as is true anywhere, demographics is destiny. Shrinking senior classes at our…
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MN-8 analysis pours in; more to come as Tuesday approaches
I’ll have my own analysis of the MN-8 DFL primary tomorrow, but to hold you over there have been some great write-ups around the state so far. Mark Zdechlik at Minnesota Public Radio put together a comprehensive review. I’d recommend reading or listening to that. I was honored to be a part of that story,…
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COLUMN: Tuesday primary a signpost for region’s political future
This is my Sunday column for the Aug. 12, 2012 edition of the Hibbing Daily Tribune. Tuesday primary a signpost for region’s political futureBy Aaron J. Brown Another election is approaching. No, not just the big one in November: I’m talking about Tuesday. Yes, this Tuesday! Minnesota’s primary election moved to August. For many in…
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Paul Ryan’s past littered with screeds on flatulence
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney has selected U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) as his running mate. Ryan, the author of the “Ryan Plan,” is a widely regarded fiscal hawk, whose controversial budget proposal included deep cuts to Medicare and other popular entitlements. Romney’s selection ensures that this central tenant of the modern GOP will…
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Actual congressional candidate challenges opponents to watch "The Campaign" with him
In a sign that life imitates satire of life imitating art (with all politics being local), MN-8 DFL candidate Jeff Anderson has invited his opponents Rick Nolan and Tarryl Clark to watch “The Campaign” with him tonight in Duluth. “The Campaign” is the Will Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis comedy spoofing a congressional race between a clueless…
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What to watch: MN House 6B DFL/GOP primaries
I’ve already written about the implications in the House 6B legislative race here on northern Minnesota’s Iron Range. Some big changes are in store for this post-industrial industrial/mining/woodsy region regardless of the outcome. I’ll be watching the DFL and GOP primaries in 6B along with the MN-8 DFL primary on Tuesday night. Meantime, I’m going…
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Clark, Nolan spar over negative ad in MN-8
I was prepared to say that the MN-8 DFL primary next week was shaping up to be less confrontational than one would have expected. That was before yesterday, when Tarryl Clark went up with a negative ad against perceived front-runner Rick Nolan. Clark attacks Nolan over his business background and involvement in the World Trade…
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On the air talking House 6B primary Thursday morning
I’ll be on KAXE/KBXE Northern Community Radio Thursday morning at 7:20 talking about the House 6B primary in the heart of northern Minnesota’s Iron Range. Every Thursday host Scott Hall and contributors Colleen Nardone, a liberal, and Chuck Marohn, a conservative, discuss Minnesota and local politics on a segment called “Making Sausage.” I’m excited to…
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FInal MN-8 DFL debate in Brainerd sets stage for Aug. 14 primary
The Uptake covered the debate last night in Brainerd between Jeff Anderson, Tarryl Clark and Rick Nolan. This was likely the last debate before next week’s DFL primary in Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District and one of the best chances for undecided voters to see fresh video on the three candidates next to each other. Watch…
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Duluth News Tribune endorses Anderson in MN-8
Today the Duluth News Tribune endorsed Jeff Anderson in the MN-8 DFL primary. I’ve added this to this morning’s lengthy post about the beginning of the final week of campaigning before next Tuesday’s primary election. While his nationally known opponents have been raking in cash and collecting endorsements from all over, Duluth’s Jeff Anderson has…
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NY Times profiles politics in the ‘State of Superior’
The New York Times profiles two congressional seats, Minnesota’s Eighth District and Wisconsin’s Seventh, to highlight the impact and implications of GOP wins in the historically DFL region of northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-MN8) and Sean Duffy (R-WI7) rode the Tea Party wave in 2010 to unlikely victories and now attempt…
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Final week of MN-8 DFL primary brings the paper chase
So we’re about a week away from the MN-8 DFL primary, which I’m contractually obligated to refer to as “hotly contested.” Is it hotly contested? Hard to tell, what with all this liquid hot magma pouring over the northern Minnesota landscape. Oh woe, why must so much of our land be highly flammable! I jest.…
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MN-8 DFLers to debate in Brainerd Monday night
Readers in the Brainerd area can catch another MN-8 DFL debate Monday night at 7 at Central Lakes College. This might be the last one before the Aug. 14 DFL primary. Rick Nolan, Tarryl Clark and Jeff Anderson are competing for the nomination to challenge freshman incumbent U.S. Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-MN8). Related posts: No…
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Closing TV ad salvo begins in MN-8 DFL primary
The closing ads are rolling out in the hotly contested MN-8 DFL primary campaign. Endorsed candidate Rick Nolan put out his campaign’s first ad this week, following one put out by the DFL on his behalf. Nolan’s ad is a distillation of a fiery speech Nolan gave to the State DFL Convention last spring. It…
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Candidates to debate in race to succeed Rukavina
Candidates for the State House seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Tom Rukavina (DFL-Pike Township) will debate Aug. 7 in Virginia, Minnesota. All three DFLers, including Lorrie Janatopoulos, Jason Metsa and Dave Meyer, and both GOPers, including Jesse Colangelo and Dan Darbo, will participate in the debate. This will probably be the last and best…