Sen Geoff Michel at Edina's Independence Day Parade, 2008
Joe Bodell's charge of racism, against Erik Paulsen, isn't well-argued:Paulsen held a press conference today to snicker with the press about how Ash Madia isn't married and doesn't own a home. The underlying charge is OMG CARPETBAGGER LOLZ, and it's as insidious and ridiculous now as it ever has
been. Hell, why not just hold a press conference to criticize him for being brown?
I mean, build your argument, Joe. But that's quite a leap. And the press conference didn't feature the candidate, did it? The MNCR post is titled Madia highlighting actual issues; Paulsen stuck in personal attack mode. Does Bodell seriously mean to argue that Paulsen alone is slinging mud these days?
Bodell's stablemate Jeff Rosenberg is also arguing that Erik Paulsen says: Be afraid of people who are different than you!:
What in the world has happened to Erik Paulsen? In the last week, he's gone completely off the deep end with negative attacks. The most bizarre was the recent attack on Madia as a "carpet-bagging, childless, apartment-dwelling un-suburban bachelor," as reported by Chris Steller in the Minnesota Independent.
But the statement above doesn't make clear the speaker is Geoff Michel, not Paulsen.
That said, Geoff Michel's rambling homily is amazingly stupid, granted, and is filthily coded--a must-listen. (Indeed, Erik Paulsen should disavow Michel's talk.) Also: It's quite surprising Michel never learned the origin of the word carpetbagger in high school; he is not even clear what historical era gave us the word. (Geoff regurgitates the standard credibility-enhancing Ramstad shoe-licking for good measure.)
**
In 1982, when Arizona's First Congressional District's seat opened up, John and Cindy McCain resided in Phoenix--outside the district. On the day he decided to run for Arizona's CD1 seat, McCain had never owned or rented in the district he would go on to represent. The McCains purchased a house in Mesa, AZ (within AZ's CD1) on the day the incumbent made his announcement.
(Marry a zillionaire, Ash--then Geoff Michel will respect you.)
Meanwhile, will Michel lead the charge against John McCain's carpetbagging?
