Pro-gay marriage 22-year State Rep in Minnesota fails to break 30% in primary

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

http://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2012/08/tea-party-leader-ousts-longtime-gop-rep-steve-smith

I'm sure the supporters of her will argue there are other issues he was too moderate on, which might be true, but the guy was in office for 22 years, and no one cared until OMG GAY MARRIAGE came up and he voted against the amendment. It's a safe R seat so this isn't an idiotically suicidal Christine O'Donnell type action, but I fail to see how in events like this people can argue the GOP is growing less anti-gay.

[Donerail]

I'm sure the supporters of her will argue there are other issues he was too moderate on, which might be true, but the guy was in office for 22 years, and no one cared until OMG GAY MARRIAGE came up and he voted against the amendment. It's a safe R seat so this isn't an idiotically suicidal Christine O'Donnell type action, but I fail to see how in events like this people can argue the GOP is growing less anti-gay.

Safe R seat means they don't have to care about things like undecideds and independents and can go for ideological purity and that kinda thing.

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

THE HOMOSEXUALS ARE COMING TO GET YOU, STEVE!

[BigSkyBob]

http://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2012/08/tea-party-leader-ousts-longtime-gop-rep-steve-smith

I'm sure the supporters of her will argue there are other issues he was too moderate on, which might be true, but the guy was in office for 22 years, and no one cared until OMG GAY MARRIAGE came up and he voted against the amendment. It's a safe R seat so this isn't an idiotically suicidal Christine O'Donnell type action, but I fail to see how in events like this people can argue the GOP is growing less anti-gay.

Too bad enough Republican primary voters didn't "care" 22 years ago.

[muon2]

I think there were a number of other factors that also came into play. Fiscal issues and union support for the incumbent were clearly important. Pugh also had extensive endorsement support including all three of the GOP Congressmen who represent the suburbs.

[smoltchanov]

http://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2012/08/tea-party-leader-ousts-longtime-gop-rep-steve-smith

I'm sure the supporters of her will argue there are other issues he was too moderate on, which might be true, but the guy was in office for 22 years, and no one cared until OMG GAY MARRIAGE came up and he voted against the amendment. It's a safe R seat so this isn't an idiotically suicidal Christine O'Donnell type action, but I fail to see how in events like this people can argue the GOP is growing less anti-gay.

Too bad enough Republican primary voters didn't "care" 22 years ago.

22 years ago Republican voters (and candidates) in Minnesota were mostly reasonable and respected people like Frenzel or Durenberger. Now - they are mostly right-wing fanatics and intolerant zealots. Feel the difference

[ilikeverin]

Aww, I know Doepke's daughter.  Bummer.

[Tricky Dickie]

Sad

[Svensson]

Right. And I should join you why, GOP?

[smoltchanov]

Right. And I should join you why, GOP?

The question i repeatedly asked myself, after being repeatedly asked by other to join party in my "US period". Yes, i have some (moderate) fiscal conservative streak, and while i am not "automaticlly anti-tax" in all cases, i am generally ok with reasonable fiscal conservatism. But to be in one party with such "social zealots" - no, thanks)))) (the same is true for other party too, but with somewhat different logic))))

[Torie]

http://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2012/08/tea-party-leader-ousts-longtime-gop-rep-steve-smith

I'm sure the supporters of her will argue there are other issues he was too moderate on, which might be true, but the guy was in office for 22 years, and no one cared until OMG GAY MARRIAGE came up and he voted against the amendment. It's a safe R seat so this isn't an idiotically suicidal Christine O'Donnell type action, but I fail to see how in events like this people can argue the GOP is growing less anti-gay.

What town is this district in? This would not happen in my district. Yes, even if it is somewhere in Wright County, with mega fundamentalist churches around, or in deeply German Catholic somewhat stuck in a time warp Stearns County,  or whatever, it is ... disappointing.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

http://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2012/08/tea-party-leader-ousts-longtime-gop-rep-steve-smith

I'm sure the supporters of her will argue there are other issues he was too moderate on, which might be true, but the guy was in office for 22 years, and no one cared until OMG GAY MARRIAGE came up and he voted against the amendment. It's a safe R seat so this isn't an idiotically suicidal Christine O'Donnell type action, but I fail to see how in events like this people can argue the GOP is growing less anti-gay.

What town is this district in? This would not happen in my district. Yes, even if it is somewhere in Wright County, with mega fundamentalist churches around, or in deeply German Catholic somewhat stuck in a time warp Stearns County,  or whatever, it is ... disappointing.

It's the Mound/Shorewood area around Lake Minnetonka, in southwest Hennepin County.

[muon2]

http://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2012/08/tea-party-leader-ousts-longtime-gop-rep-steve-smith

I'm sure the supporters of her will argue there are other issues he was too moderate on, which might be true, but the guy was in office for 22 years, and no one cared until OMG GAY MARRIAGE came up and he voted against the amendment. It's a safe R seat so this isn't an idiotically suicidal Christine O'Donnell type action, but I fail to see how in events like this people can argue the GOP is growing less anti-gay.

What town is this district in? This would not happen in my district. Yes, even if it is somewhere in Wright County, with mega fundamentalist churches around, or in deeply German Catholic somewhat stuck in a time warp Stearns County,  or whatever, it is ... disappointing.

I contend this was more about whether the incumbent was willing to support a Scott Walker-type agenda. His support of union positions was a big factor to sway GOP endorsements to the challenger. That may not be a factor in your area of CA, but I see it a lot in safe GOP Midwestern races.

[Torie]

http://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2012/08/tea-party-leader-ousts-longtime-gop-rep-steve-smith

I'm sure the supporters of her will argue there are other issues he was too moderate on, which might be true, but the guy was in office for 22 years, and no one cared until OMG GAY MARRIAGE came up and he voted against the amendment. It's a safe R seat so this isn't an idiotically suicidal Christine O'Donnell type action, but I fail to see how in events like this people can argue the GOP is growing less anti-gay.

What town is this district in? This would not happen in my district. Yes, even if it is somewhere in Wright County, with mega fundamentalist churches around, or in deeply German Catholic somewhat stuck in a time warp Stearns County,  or whatever, it is ... disappointing.

I contend this was more about whether the incumbent was willing to support a Scott Walker-type agenda. His support of union positions was a big factor to sway GOP endorsements to the challenger. That may not be a factor in your area of CA, but I see it a lot in safe GOP Midwestern races.

That makes more sense, particularly since I assume that the area BRTD describes has a pretty high SES quotient, and is not even that exurban to boot.