Often biased, always thoughtful.

Ritchie appoints Republican judges to recount panel

Mark Ritchie appointed his recount panel yesterday, which consists of two judges appointed by Republican Tim Pawlenty, one appointed by Independent Jesse Ventura, and one elected in a nonpartisan election.

I have an announcement about these appointments. For those of you who have followed this recount, which has been just as disgusting as the actual campaign, it might be somewhat surprising. I will not be attacking the character, competence, or motivations of these Republican-appointed judges. In fact, I will respect their decisions as arbiters of Minnesota’s top-notch election process.

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Charges that the election has been “fixed” are pure disinformation

Even prominent conservatives are now admitting that the Coleman campaign has been involved in disinformation over the canvassing process in Minnesota. The Coleman campaign has complained about “[m]ysterious and unexplained reporting discrepancies, as well as statistically imponderable results from various precincts in the state” in places like Mountain Iron, MN. But even prominent conservative voice John Hinderaker writes that these votes have been legitimate. This is just another example of Coleman improperly trying to cast doubt on the election.

Here’s Hinderaker, admitting that the ballots in places like Mountain Iron have been legitimate, in an aside on a post at Power Line:

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Coleman to “go positive”

Norm Coleman’s negative advertising has been doing him more harm than good for a long time. Now, in recognition of that fact, and perhaps in light of the Barkley campaign’s surge, he announced a big change in his strategy at a press conference today:

“As of today I am suspending all negative campaign ads and am calling on those who support me to do the same,” Coleman said. “I’m doing this for two reasons. First of all, this is a terrible time for so many people with the financial crisis – with real concerns and fear about people’s jobs – about their life savings – and their children’s future and education — when we are all bombarded with negative messages of real consequence. At times like this, politics should not add to negativity – it should lift people up with hope and a confident vision for the future. And second, I decided that I was not all that interested in returning to Washington for six years based on the judgment of voters that I was not as bad as the other two guys. I want folks to vote for me, not against the other guys.

I have a few reactions to this. First: the obligatory partisanship. It’s a bit late to be deciding he wants folks to vote for him, instead of against Franken, less than four weeks before the election. Clearly, this is being driven by his dismal polling in the last week. Coleman’s been forced to change his strategy with very little time left.

Nevertheless, I think this move is admirable. We desperately needed a thaw to this disgusting race, and Coleman has provided it. I’m not entirely sure how sincere he is, but I agree with Coleman’s sentiment: politicians should tell us why we should vote FOR them, not AGAINST their opponent. I’ve discussed why I think Al Franken would make a good senator here.

I have one caveat here, which I’ve been making for a long time. I’m glad personal attacks are out, but I think issues are still fair game. I’ve written extensively on Norm Coleman’s record, which clearly must be taken into account by the voters. Similarly, I think the GOP’s attacks on Franken’s positions are fair game. Actually, I feel like I’ve been in the twilight zone lately as Minnesota Democrats Exposed continues to hit Franken on the issues. I still disagree with everything Michael Brodkorb posts, but I appreciate the changing rhetoric in this campaign.

It’s Positive Politics Day on the Daily Liberal

Today, in the spirit of the unity we once had after 9/11, the Obama and McCain are taking a break for politics and pulling their ads for one day. The campaigns jointly released the following statement:

On Thursday, we will put aside politics and come together to renew that unity, to honor the memory of each and every American who died, and to grieve with the families and friends who lost loved ones.

First, I have to say that I’m glad for the break. I’ve had enough mudslinging and personal attacks to last me a lifetime. I suspect the majority of Americans join me in their disgust over our political system today. Second, though, I’d like to say that one day is not enough; here’s to hoping against hope that the cease fire will stick.

I’ve already made a pledge not to engage in personal attacks or to post personal attacks of others to this blog. Today I reaffirm that pledge, and I promise a day of positive politics. I will discuss how our political system has gotten so nasty today, as well as why I support Democratic candidates. I think it’s a fitting tribute to 9/11 and the spirit of unity we once had.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to challenge other bloggers to shift toward more positive politics. In particular, I challenge Minnesota Democrats Exposed to avoid negative attacks all day today. I can’t help but feel that this site is one of the largest contributors to the tone of politics in Minnesota. It is geared not toward promoting Republicans, not toward discussing the issues from a conservative perspective, but solely toward personal attacks against Democrats. When a site like that has one of the largest readerships of any conservative blog, it’s a sign of how poisoned our political system is. I’d like to ask its writer, Michael Brodkorb, to stick to the issues for a day; he might enjoy it! I’ve already emailed him and haven’t heard back, but I’m hoping he’ll agree.

I’m sick and tired of politics as usual, and I hope you are, too. Maybe we can turn a one-day cease fire into a renewal of intelligent debate in our nation.

UPDATE (7:00 AM): Flash at Centrisity has joined Positive Politics day.

UPDATE (12:55 PM): Michael Brodkorb is upset that this post went up before he responded to my email to him. I can understand that. His lack of participation today shouldn’t be construed as him refusing to participate in “positive politics.” However, I stand by my sentiments about his site; I wish he would take a positive — or at least issues-based — approach to politics.

UPDATE: After most recent poll, Republican spinmeisters going crazy

I noted yesterday that Minnesota Democrats Exposed was furiously spinning the good news for the Franken campaign from the latest poll. I didn’t think the situation was so bad for them that they needed to start breaking out the lies already. Apparently, though, they’re getting that worried about the state of this race.

Norm “W” Coleman was never going to be able to win this race on his record. The fact is, he hasn’t voted in the interests of most Minnesotans, although over the past two years, he’s tried to lay claim to being a moderate. The only way his campaign could win was through personal attacks, and now that Franken has managed to climb out of the muck, Coleman’s in serious trouble. How much trouble? Enough that conservative bloggers are distorting his poll numbers to shore up the base.

Yesterday, MDE made the following claim:

In a three-way race, Coleman still holds a statistically significant lead over Franken, while Franken still can’t break 40% of the vote. [emphasis added]

The fact is, because of the poll’s margin of error, the Senate race is now a statistical tie! Coleman’s lead is statistically insignificant, despite Brodkorb’s claims to the contrary. I know that scares the heck out of the conservatives, but the numbers don’t lie.

A more detailed explanation of why this is a statistical tie follows after the break [WARNING: boring technical stuff ahead].

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No spin required: It’s the beginning of the end for Coleman

The numbers are finally starting to shift in the Senate race, and this could mean serious trouble for Norm Coleman. Franken has finally turned around a campaign that had some trouble in the beginning, with plenty of time remaining for the sprint to the finish.

Here’s an excerpt from the article at KSTP:

Coleman’s lead on Franken shrinking

Most political analysts have long thought Minnesota’s U.S. Senate race would be a close one. Norm Coleman has had a comfortable lead in many recent polls, but there’s evidence things are tightening up.

Republican incumbent Norm Coleman leads DFL challenger Al Franken by seven points, 46 to 39. Eleven percent chose “other,” possibly whomever emerges as the independence party candidate.

Coleman’s lead has shrunk by six points in the last month. This is great news for the Franken campaign, and I think we will start to see steady movement in the right direction. Franken is steadily gaining support from Democrats, but there is still a lot of room for growth. As his numbers continue to improve, more and more Democrats will fall in line. Where he still needs to improve is in support from independents. But Norm “W” Coleman can’t hide from his record, and now that Franken has begun to play offense, I believe he’ll start picking up independents.

In related news, I laughed and laughed and laughed at a late-night post on Minnesota Democrats Exposed. Republican shill/press-release-poster Michael Brodkorb, spinning like crazy, wrote:

Team Franken will have some furious spinning to do tonight after the new Survey USA/KSTP poll was released. In a three-way race, Coleman still holds a statistically significant lead over Franken, while Franken still can’t break 40% of the vote.

This is my favorite conservative tactic: to hide your spin, claim that the other side will be spinning. There’s no spin required from an article entitled “Coleman’s lead over Franken shrinking.” Sorry Mikey, but Norm “W” Coleman is now in serious trouble.