Would you vote for this Republican?

[Ban my account ffs!]

Currently, I am represented by a guy named John Persell in the MN state house.  He is a fairly liberal DFLer (the Taxpayer league gives him a 0... not a bad thing, in my book). 

The guy that has decided to run against him is the mayor of my city.  Since municipal races in Minnesota are non-partisan, nobody even knew he was a Republican (well, I'm sure some did.. but not the public in general).

He has taken a very strong stance against Tim Pawlenty and his style of governing, and in his announcement to Republican delegates, he said he would not make any grand pronouncements that he couldn't keep like "no new taxes". 

He believes that state government should govern where it is representative of each state resident, instead of micromanaging local communities.  I am inclined to agree.  He also believes that while the state shouldn't be able to tell each community exactly how much to spend on police officers instead of new parks or libraries, that the state has a responsibility to ensure that property poor cities and counties aren't left behind.

Part of the "Minnesota Miracle" in 1971, which is well known for pushing education funding to the state level through income tax revenues, was the local government aid program.  This program sets up a fund that sends money to property poor cities and counties so that residents in these communities aren't left paying exorbitant tax rates just to fund bare bones government while wealthy suburban residents pay extremely low rates while enjoying a cornucopia of services.

Some small, rural cities in Minnesota receive nearly 80% of their city budget from local government aid.

This is where my mayor has strongly opposed Tim Pawlenty, who has made cutting local government aid the cornerstone of his budget balancing tactics of the past 8 years.  Basically, he has passed the burden of government spending onto local communities through skyrocketing property taxes so that he can shout to the heavens that he hasn't raised income taxes.

My mayor said that state government should fund things like roads, transit, education, and welfare programs for the needy, because these things are important to the state economy and affect everyone.  He believes that local governments should be in charge of maintaining police forces, fire departments, public libraries, and parks/recreation... but that local government aid should remain a strong program to help disadvantaged communities maintain a good quality of life.

It has been the Minnesotan way for nearly 40 years... that government has a responsibility to every person.. not only those with the means to pay.  My mayor is another in a long line of Republicans who believe in that strongly... that the goal is for government to uphold its responsibility to every citizen and to govern well and efficiently.  And sometimes that doesn't mean small government or cheap government is the best option.

So, he's a Republican I can agree with.  A guy with common sense, a guy who has felt distinctly the impact of a fellow Republican's governing style.

I still don't know that I could vote for him because of his conservative stance on abortion (the only social issue he talked about).. which he basically said was the biggest reason he was a Republican. 

How about you?

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Sure - if he were the more conservative of the 2 (or 3, or whatever) running.

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

Yes.

Why would him being consistent on the life issue bother you?

[Ban my account ffs!]

Yes.

Why would him being consistent on the life issue bother you?

I don't know his stance on the death penalty, war, or euthanasia... so I don't know if he's consistent or just pandering to the "pro-life" crowd.

[Mint]

No but then again I would never want to live in Minnesota.

[Ban my account ffs!]

No but then again I would never want to live in Minnesota.

I think we'll survive without you

[Free Trade is managed by the invisible hand.]

doesn't seem very interesting?

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

Yes.

Why would him being consistent on the life issue bother you?

I don't know his stance on the death penalty, war, or euthanasia... so I don't know if he's consistent or just pandering to the "pro-life" crowd.

But does merely being opposed to abortion really bother you so?

[Franzl]

Definitely

[Bo]

Yes, there are many scenarios where I would see myself voting for him. BTW, I hope his stance on abortion is serious.

[k-onmmunist]

No. I could never bring myself to vote for a pro-lifer for higher office.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

based on that description, absolutely.
maybe he should run for governor.

[Vepres]

As the lesser of evils, yeah

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

No, because anything that puts more power in the hands of the nutjobs leading the GOP caucus in the House is bad. Plus I don't doubt he would vote against and stand in the way of the agenda of a progressive DFL governor.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

I should note that while the odds of the GOP taking the House now are pretty slim, it would put them one step closer and he could be a factor if they can do in a later election. Especially with redistricting coming up making things unpredictable.

[Verily]

Possibly. I don't care at all about abortion, but opposition to it tends to be indicative of other less savory political views. I would have to know more.

[Ban my account ffs!]

No, because anything that puts more power in the hands of the nutjobs leading the GOP caucus in the House is bad. Plus I don't doubt he would vote against and stand in the way of the agenda of a progressive DFL governor.

Yeah... that is another big reason I won't vote for him.  There is a discord developing between the outstate and suburban Republicans, though.  The former Republican rep from Albert Lea wrote an editorial that was printed in our paper that basically took the same stance as our mayor... that Tim Pawlenty and the GOP in the legislature play no small part in the deadlock of government.

I would say the DFL should be more conciliatory and work across the aisle.. except all that does it get the GOP exactly what it wants while accomplishing none of the DFL agenda... because our governor has become a de facto dictator thanks to his (unconstitutional) abuse of unallotment powers.

Also, i agree.. partisan office has a way of changing people.  He has been a successful mayor.  He has encouraged development policies that have brought a lot of jobs and development to the community... but has also played an integral part of keeping our downtown healthy and revamping all of our city parks.

On the abortion issue:  He stated in his interview that he was strongly against abortion, but was very quick to point out that abortion *should* be legal in cases of rape and potential danger to the mother's health.  So he takes a pretty classic pro-life stance on that.

Either way.. abortion is not a big campaign issue here.  The Republicans try to make it an issue every election... yet they never win because of that.  Increasingly, it is the defining difference between the DFL and GOP in northern Minnesota as both parties have recently moved well to the left on economic issues.

[Frodo]

I can easily see myself voting for such a Republican. 

[segwaystyle2012]

No. I could never bring myself to vote for a pro-lifer for higher office.

Lol