U.S. Conservative Politics

MNGOP staffer claims to be Democrat in letter to editor, urges DFLers to vote for write-in candidate [UPDATE]

On October 23, the Brainerd Dispatch published a letter to the editor written by a self-proclaimed Democrat named Stephen Sundquist.SEE ALSO:-- Fargo-Moorhead Forum publishes comically sexist 'war against men' letter to the editor-- Mike Parry falsely claims Faribault Daily News' endorsement; gets s ... More >>

Keith Ellison asks good question about GOP: "Why do they want to become the party of hate?"

SEE ALSO:-- Keith Ellison deletes 'Nothing like coke addicted James Brown to close GOP convention' tweet-- Michele Bachmann's Keith Ellison comments: Media criticized for "unconscionable" headlines-- Keith Ellison on voter ID approval: "Today is a sad day for democracy"Keith Ellison is putting the R ... More >>

Did Rybak lie about I-35W bridge collapse during DNC speech? [VIDEO]

SEE ALSO: -- R.T. Rybak is a finalist for the 2012 World Mayor Prize-- RT Rybak blames pot smokers for Minneapolis murdersSome Republicans are upset by comments Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak made about bridges and infrastructure during his DNC speech... but do they have a legitimate beef?

Zellers calls for Gauthier's resignation while House GOP employs accused child porn possessor

SEE ALSO:-- Rory Koch was busted for child porn possession while running for Ramsey County commissioner-- House Speaker Kurt Zellers wants Vikings stadium bill to pass... but won't vote for it?-- Kurt Zellers apologizes for Bradlee Dean's opening "prayer" [VIDEO]In the wake of Rep. Kerry Gauthier, D ... More >>

Minnesota Republicans recited Pledge of Allegiance to a clown, says Lynne Torgerson

Earlier this month, Minneapolis criminal defense attorney Lynne Torgerson dropped out of the race for the GOP nomination to take on Congressman Keith Ellison this November. It looks like Ellison's opponent with be Chris Fields, who won the party's backing during the 5th District convention on April ... More >>

Michele Bachmann, former presidential candidate, now pumps gas in Lino Lakes

How the mighty have fallen!Less than a year removed from being a leading contender for the Republican presidential nomination, Michele Bachmann is now working at a Lino Lakes gas station. Apparently, demand for Marcus Bachmann's anti-gay therapy ain't what it used to be. Either that or the couple ne ... More >>

MNGOP legislators want to phase out business property tax, pay for it by... well, they aren't sure

​MNGOP lawmakers really, really want to cut taxes. But tax cuts require spending decreases, and that's where the problem lies. On a 72-62 party-line vote, House Republicans yesterday passed a bill that would cut business property taxes by $40 million next year and then reduce the levy annually unt ... More >>

Paul Zunker, ex-Carver County GOP chair, guilty of molesting minor

​Former Carver County Republican Party chairman Paul Zunker pled guilty this week to second-degree criminal sexual conduct. Zunker was charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct with a minor last fall. Zunker allegedly groped his victim's chest and "laughed" when she asked him to stop, w ... More >>

Romney, along with possible running mate T-Paw, will be in Eagan tomorrow

​Attention, one percenters -- Mitt Romney will be in Eagan tomorrow.The GOP presidential frontrunner will appear in the St. Paul suburb Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the headquarters of the Freightmasters trucking company. If that isn't enough to get you excited, perhaps this will --  Romney will be ... More >>

Poll: Obama crushes all GOP candidates in Minnesota [GRAPHIC]

​All signs point toward a blue November in Minnesota, at least as far as the presidential race is concerned.A new Public Policy Polling poll indicates that Barack Obama is on track to cruise to a comfortable win here no matter which Republican contender ultimately emerges as the GOP candidate.In a ... More >>

Poll: Minnesota is Gingrich territory

Somehow, Newt is more popular than Romney even with MN women.​Minnesota is Newt Gingrich territory. That's the conclusion emerging from a new Public Policy Polling poll of likely Republican voters in the state.The poll, conducted last weekend, just over two weeks ahead of the February 7 Minnesota ... More >>

Amy Koch avoids ethics complaint for inappropriate affair

Former Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch won't face an ethics complaint for having an affair with a senate staffer. Koch resigned in December after her fellow Republican legislators confronted her with allegations that she was having an affair with a subordinate staffer widely believed to be GOP powe ... More >>

Thomas Frank

MN GOP Secretary-Treasurer David Sturrock resigns

​The almost-unwatchable train-wreck that is the Minnesotan Republican Party wrecks onward. Last night, Secretary Treasurer David Sturrock tendered his resignation, effective January 19. In his barbed letter to other Republicans, Sturrock seems to indicate that his decision was triggered by today' ... More >>

MN GOP is $2 million in debt

Former GOP Party Chair Tony Sutton is batting 2 million.​According to new figures released today by the Republican Party's own Internal Finance Review Committee, the GOP is up to its neck in debt -- about $2 million worth. "The debt number is honestly higher than any of us wants it to be," said c ... More >>

A Year in Review: Bang the Dumb Slowly

Michael Brodkorb leaves Mike Parry congressional campaign

Michael Brodkorb's fall continues​More bad news for Minnesota Republicans: Michael Brodkorb has left state senator Mike Parry's campaign for congress. Brodkorb had been a powerful figure in the state GOP until leaving his position as a senate staffer yesterday in the midst of a huge scandal i ... More >>

Michael Brodkorb steps down from Minnesota Republican Party to volunteer on Mike Parry's campaign

​Michael Brodkorb is resigning as deputy chairman of the Republican Party in Minnesota to volunteer on state Sen. Mike Parry's run for U.S. Congress. Parry announced Friday that he would run against Congressman Tim Walz in the First Congressional District, a major move on the part of Republicans ... More >>

Paul Zunker ordered not to have contact with victim, skip church after party elects new chairman

Paul Zunker: not welcome at church.​Paul Zunker, the former Carver County Republican Chairman, made his first court appearance this morning to face molestation charges. Zunker was ordered booked and released under the following conditions: That he not have contact with the victim, avoid the famil ... More >>

Carver County Republican Party not very good at this whole "fundraiser" business

Carver County Republican Party: Not very good at politics.​There won't be a Carver County Republican Party fundraiser this evening. The GOP's original plan was to auction off access to state legislators and US congressmen this afternoon at the Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club. City Pages reported on ... More >>

Everybody hates Nick Ayers

If you hate this man, you are not alone.​Nick Ayers, the super-flack wunderkind running Tim Pawlenty's campaign, is making enemies fast. Ayers was rumored to be leaving the Pawlenty campaign in favor of Texas haircut Rick Perry, if Perry announced he was in the race. Pawlenty's spokesman Alex Cona ... More >>

Michele Bachmann takes the lead in national poll

Bachmann's ahead of Romney when Palin's not in the game.​Oh, God, it's really happening. Michele Bachmann is the leading Republican presidential candidate, according to a poll released this morning by Public Policy Polling.  Bachmann took a tiny lead -- 21 percent to 20 percent -- over Mitt R ... More >>

Dayton, GOP agree to end shutdown

The shutdown ended not with a bang, but with a shrug.​After two weeks of gridlock and three hours locked in his office, Mark Dayton and Republican leaders emerged yesterday with a deal to end the state shutdown. The governor forced a tight grin as he stepped to the microphone, announcing the deal ... More >>

Dayton complains about GOP using shutdown to raise money

Minnesota's shut down, but the state GOP isn't.​Mark Dayton says Minnesota Republicans are trying to mine the state shutdown for campaign money. The governor criticized the GOP for hitting up contributors while Minnesota can't pay for highway repairs and state parks. In a response to City Pages th ... More >>

Bachmann carpetbags in Iowa for presidential announcement

She's serious.​Michele Bachmann has announced that she's going home in June to announce her White House intentions. Not her home in the 6th congressional district. No, she's going "home" to Waterloo, Iowa. She hasn't lived there since she was small child (and she's faked her own family's root ... More >>

Jon Stewart dominates O'Reilly in debate over Common's White House appearance

Jon Stewart says to himself: "Wow."​This past week, the White House "came under fire" - another word for the national conversation being dominated by our very loud conservative media, led by the Fox News machine - for inviting the world's least-controversial (oftentimes boring!) rapper, Common, to ... More >>

Republican House redistricting map means more safe seats, "isn't about politics"

Rep. Sarah Anderson: It's not about politics. Seriously. It isn't.​Few people seriously believe Republican Rep. Sarah Anderson when she insists that the GOP's congressional redistricting plan "isn't about politics." The Republicans' proposed map unveiled in St. Paul yesterday is clearly redra ... More >>

Mighty Clouds of Joy

"Michelle Bachmann" is our comment of the day

​Sooner or later, we thought we'd hear from Michele Bachmann in our comments section, thanks to our never ending documentation to show why she's easily the most qualified Republican to run against President Barack Obama in 2012. And we were so close.

Jeff Larson used RNC piggy bank to pay friends

Did use of charitable donations violate federal election law?

Tim Pawlenty is National Review's cover boy

Former Governor Hockey Puck?​National Review, the gold standard of conservative opinion magazines, features Tim Pawlenty on its March 7 cover -- in skates and a green T-Paw jersey. "Pawlenty's Shot: The former Minnesota governor is a strong contender" the 2012 Republican presidential nominati ... More >>

Michele Bachmann concentrates on district work ... in Hawaii

Apparently speaking in Hawaii is part of Bachmann's "district work"​Michele Bachmann has apparently been inundated this week with calls from reporters wanting her take on the freedom-loving protesters in Cairo. But our most famous congresswoman just isn't picking up the line. She's busy with " ... More >>

Minneapolis Fire Department would lay off eight under GOP plan

Years of cuts have already left the department below industry standards.​If Minnesota Senate and House Republicans get their way, the Minneapolis Fire Department is in for even more bad news. Republicans announced a budget proposal yesterday that recommends cutting Local Government Aid to hel ... More >>

Raucous Caucus: Box Wine Theatre's 10-Minute Political Play Festival

Tom Emmer's recount ship is sinking

Arranging deck chairs on the Titanic?​Tom Emmer's Team Frivolous did the right thing Saturday, withdrawing almost 2,600 frivolous challenges to recounted ballots in Hennepin County. On Sunday, the Great Withdrawal continued as they took similar action on the work of their overzealous troops i ... More >>

Tom Emmer's predicament is Michael Steele's fault?

Hey, lets blame this guy.​First we were told that Republican Tom Emmer hasn't yet won the governor's race outright because Secretary of State Mark Ritchie was an evil, evil man. Now it sounds like one big-deal Repub is pinning the blame on national party chairman Michael Steele.

Republicans take control of state Senate, possibly House

Republicans sweep the legislature?​In all the talk of a GOP surge in congress and a close governor's race, there wasn't a whole lot of consideration that Republicans might actually take control of both chambers of the legislature. Surprise! That's now looking like a serious possibility.

Michele Bachmann wants No. 4 GOP post

Everything's comin' up Bachmann.​A newly reelected Michele Bachmann has just announced, via Facebook, that she is running for Chairman of the House Republican Conference, the No. 4 spot in the GOP power structure. It's just the latest development in the "Grizzly Mama ascension" narrative. Unl ... More >>

Betty McCollum coasts to sixth House term [UPDATED]

Ready, steady Betty -- no surprises in District 4.​Rep. Betty McCollum has won a decisive victory in the 4th Congressional District against Republican Teresa Collett with 99 percent of the precincts reporting. Since this outcome was so unsurprising we figured we'd ask -- did anything about th ... More >>

James O'Keefe's dildo prank on CNN's Abbie Boudreau falls limp

Maybe documenting the whole plan in writing wasn't the best idea.​The latest bizzaro hidden camera stunt orchestrated by conservative filmmakers James O'Keefe and Ben Wetmore has, by all accounts, epically failed.

GOP trackers: "I'm with stupid"

Not a doctored photoArtist's representation of proposed GOP tracker t-shirts​Minnesota Republicans unveiled a very odd response to DFL gubernatorial candidate Mark Dayton's recent whining about "trackers" showing up at his rallies brandishing Flip videos.The Grand Old Party is using Ye Olde Gag T- ... More >>

Illiterate Tea Party Caucus slogan nominations [PHOTOS]

Michele Bachmann invented herself a Tea Party Caucus, put herself in charge, and she's trumpeting who's in -- and who's not. We believe that it's our patriotic duty to help her spread the word with the help of a new slogan. Our nominees: Tea Party Caucus: Impeah Obama! Photo via Pargon/Teabonics/ ... More >>

Pioneer Press poll raises surprising ethics questions

Did the paper get suckered by candidate Tom Horner's press machine?

Tarryl Clark boasts $2M in bank to throw at Michele Bachmann

Clark's hauling cash, but Bachmann has become a fund-raising behemoth​Democrat Tarryl Clark almost doubled her fund-raising bottom line in the second quarter of the year compared to the first, raking in $910,000 the last three months, compared to about $500,000 the three previous months. Taken ... More >>

Republican campaign complaint against Tom Horner tossed

The poll that piqued Republicans showed their candidate for governor losing ground​The Republican Party of Minnesota has failed in its effort to nail IP-endorsed gubernatorial candidate -- and former Republican -- Tom Horner for shady politicking. An administrative law judge ruled yesterday t ... More >>

Cyndy Brucato giving up KSTP anchor chair

​Add Cyndy Brucato to the list of prominent Twin Cities television news anchors relinquishing their anchor duties this year. As noted earlier, WCCO's Don Shelby is retiring, and Fox 9's Robyne Robinson is running for lieutenant governor. Brucato says she's staying at her post through the Stat ... More >>

Targeted Victory apologizes over Michele Bachmann for Senate "typo"

Is "Bachmann for Senate " a typo, or a message that jumped the gun?​Rep. Michele Bachmann's office has insisted that an e-mail auto-reply message from an organization called "Bachmann for Senate" was merely a typo. But the "Bachmann for Senate" message came from a top-flight Republican campa ... More >>

GOP complaint against Tom Horner nixed by board. (That was fast)

​Who says the government isn't efficient? It took the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board just a day to consign a Republican complaint against IP gubernatorial candidate Tom Horner to the "out" box. The complaint alleges that former Republican Horner received an illegal cam ... More >>