Ashwin Madia firing up the insiders
This evening the DFL CD3 Central Committee met at the Minnetonka Community Center. A number of seats went unoccupied, but most of the party leaders were present. I'd received a reminder that Ashwin Madia would be speaking tonight, so I made a point of getting there on time. When (at 7 PM) Marge Hoffa convened the meeting, she announced that Ash wouldn't be addressing the group until 8:15 PM. That provided an opportunity to leave the meeting room and meet Andy LaVigne, Team Madia's new Field Director, fresh to Minnesota from getting Don Cazayoux elected in Louisiana's special election. LaVigne inspires confidence; he noted that Team Madia now has 18 interns--several present this evening--with more likely on the way.
I also ran into a team of four young journalists who were covering the event for MTV News--a bit of a surprise.
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CD3 DFL leaders liked what they saw in
new Madia Field Director Andy LaVigne
At 8:20 or so the Central Committee adjourned and Ashwin addressed the group. One sensed some of the crowd enthusiasm of a few months ago. The candidate was relaxed and self-confident; he spoke for awhile reiterating some popular themes. Then he opened up the floor for questions, of which there were a half dozen or so, all nailed.
Not one to put on the dog: Helen Clark
While door knocking recently on behalf of DFL candidates, a Wayzata German Shepherd bit Helen Clark clear though her jeans, thankfully not requiring stitches. Impressive dedication, Helen! Sixty-eight is the new forty-eight!
10 comments:
Just wanted to give you a little update, but the girl in the picture with the video camera does not work for Rep. Paulsen.
Thanks!
I disagree. Thanks.
She's the GOP minder...not personally on staff at Paulsen's campaign. I asked her.
I didn't say 'she's on Erik Paulsen's staff,' did I? If the MN GOP is filming a Madia event, I think it fair to assume they're doing it for Erik Paulsen's benefit. She is 'working for' Erik Paulsen; her camera is Erik Paulsen's eyeball.
Good to see Madia has the key canine constituency out knocking on doors for him. Hopefully their enthusiasm can be curbed appropriately.
Don't get snippy, Gavin. You do a great job and it is appreciated. I recognized her from several other events I attended that she was video'ing. I simply asked if she was staff now or still working for the GOP. She replied she is still working for the GOP.
News flash: Not everyone is all smiles and applause when Madia speaks. Maybe that picture was taken when he was talking about his "fiscal responsibility", aka raising taxes to cover whatever additional programs are desired by the Dems.
In fact, my prediction is that in November, 51% will be smiling when Paulsen speaks, 46% when Madia is making his points, and about 3% when Dillon is. That is what counts.
You're right anonymous. Republicans have not been willing so far to pay for their "give backs"...i.e., tax breaks for the rich, tax breaks for oil companies, the war in Iraq, educational benefits for our GI's when they return, funding for our schools, health care for anyone. Definitely many Republicans will not be smiling.....unfortunately these are the same Republicans who have failed to pay for what they have given away already. It's time for Americans to have to pay for what we do....no more budgeting bills that don't include the war in Iraq, no more war on the cheap (i.e., not resupplying our National Guard troops with equipment that they leave behind in Iraq when they return home), no more 28% funding of special education mandates, cut off tax breaks to millionaires and oil execs. So, maybe Republicans should stop smiling and start figuring out how they have screwed things up so much. Sober reflection is required....as is adult behavior. You can't keep demanding more and more without paying for it.
Anonymous, the group picture was taken before Madia arrived while going through regular business ["not everyone is all smiles"]. I was sitting in a different location than in the group picture during Madia's speech, and there certainly was a lot of enthusiasm and smiles.
Ashwin Madia is all over the place-- so where is Erik?
Oh-- and I told the cute blonde with the camera that if she kept following Ash around she was going to end up converting. She laughed in the good fun my remark was intended to be!
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