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Rudy Takala: Posted on Sunday, May 20, 2012 11:53 AM
For those keeping track, these are the results from Saturday’s national delegate elections. The top twelve contestants were elected. I was unable to record results for the candidates Tracy Ries or Don Evanson, but the other 33 candidates placed as follows. Though Don Huizenga placed in 13th place, his vote total fell below the 50 percent threshold required to win. Rather than going to a second ballot, Don endorsed Rep. Michele Bachmann (who placed 14th), and the delegation elected her by acclamation. |
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Rudy Takala: Posted on Sunday, April 01, 2012 11:57 PM
Former Sen. Arlen Specter experienced a meltdown of Pennsylvanian proportions on a talk radio show Friday while promoting his new book, “Life Among the Cannibals.” The Republican-turned-Democrat hasn’t been particularly welcomed by conservative radio hosts during his promotional book tour. Rusty Humphries, whose show airs on Atlanta’s 640AM-WGST, even mocked Specter a bit during his appearance |
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Rudy Takala: Posted on Friday, March 23, 2012 4:46 AM
 When Minnesota’s Republican Senate Caucus hired Michael Brodkorb as their communications director, they may not have expected it would end witha lawsuitand multiple retirements. Yet while those specific results may have been unpredictable, a person of reasonable judgment could have figured that it would not end well. Even so, it is fortunate that then-Majority Leader Amy Koch was not exercising reasonable judgment when Brodkorb was hired. The incident has been good for the GOP and for democracy. |
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Rudy Takala: Posted on Monday, March 19, 2012 12:24 AM
 I recently finished reading “Confrontational Politics,” authored by former California State Sen. Bill Richardson, who was in office from 1966-88. It is an excellent analysis of the conservative movement and guide to how conservatives may be politically effective. The following are some representative excerpts. “People are surprised, sometimes shocked, by the answer I give when asked about my preference for president. I usually answer, “I don’t pay much attention to who’s running for that office…. |
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Rudy Takala: Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2012 4:14 PM
 This is some bizzare news. The first time I met Rory Koch was in 2007 when he was the chairman of the Republican Party of Minnesota's 4th Congressional District. Between Minnesota Senate Republican Communications Director Michael Brodkorb having an affair with Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch and Rory Koch having child pornography, it seems like all of the most senior GOPers are on their way due to sexual problems. Click here or scroll down to read the story._____________________________________ |
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Rudy Takala: Posted on Thursday, March 08, 2012 4:01 PM
 After redistricting placed both state Sens. Al DeKruif and Julie Rosen in the same legislative district, DeKruifannounced he would step down and allow Rosen to hold the seat without a challenge. That is unfortunate for conservatives. Julie Rosen has been promoting the growth of government since she joined the Senate in 2002. Legislators like Mary Franson who consistently advocate for less government are taking the hits for Republicans while legislators like Julie Rosen spend their time in office actively trying to raise taxes and spending. |
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Rudy Takala: Posted on Monday, March 05, 2012 6:52 PM
 Conservative Rep. Mary Franson hascome under fire for reading aloud an e-mail that has been circulating in Republican circles for some time. At least, I have been receiving it for some time. Rep. Franson's reading went as follows: “I'll read you this little funny clip that we got from a friend. It says, 'Isn't it ironic that the food stamp program, part of the Department of Agriculture, is pleased to be distributing the greatest amount of food stamps, ever. Meanwhile, the Park Service, also part of the Department of Agriculture, asks us to please not feed the animals, because the animals may grow dependent and not learn to take care of themselves. |
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Rudy Takala: Posted on Monday, February 27, 2012 9:39 AM
Parties report caucus results Both Democrats and Republicans turned out on Feb. 7 in Pine County to take part in Minnesota Caucus 2012 Republicans In the race for the Republican nomination for president, Rick Santorum was the nonbinding winner in Pine County. With a total of 277 Republicans voting. Santorum received 126 votes; Ron Paul received 82 votes; Mitt Romney received 40 votes; and Newt Gingrich received 29 votes. The Pine County Republicans reported that there were 52 delegates and 57 |
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Rudy Takala: Posted on Friday, February 24, 2012 4:55 PM
 Compelling piece by Paul Krugman in the New York Times today. Generally I severely dislike Krugman because he is an ideologue over whom faux liberal intellectuals swoon. But his point is worth bearing in mind:"The truth is that Mr. Romney is so deeply committed to insincerity that neither side can trust him to do what it considers to be the right thing."Click hereor scroll down to read.____________________________________________ Speaking in Michigan, Mr. Romney was asked about deficit reduction, and he absent-mindedly said something completely reasonable: “If you just cut, if all you’re thinking about doing is cutting spending, as you cut spending you’ll slow down the economy. |
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Rudy Takala: Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012 9:39 AM
 Two Minnesota Republicans, Sen. Carla Nelson and Rep. Mike Benson, have proposed doubling the state’s excise tax on cigarettes from $1.23 to $2.52 per pack. Nelson suggested that at some point in the future, the revenue could be used to replace some taxes on commercial property. “It’s getting rid of a bad tax for a good tax,” she said. Before using it to lower commercial property taxes, the legislators suggested that the intent would be to pay back $2 billion borrowed from Minnesota’s schools to pay for state spending. |
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