Tom Emmer: NOW is the Time!

From an email received from 15A Representative, Steve Gottwalt:

Dear Friends:

Now is the time! With the primary behind us, and a clear field ahead, it is time for common sense conservatives to take back Minnesota and America. Democrats have been making promises we cannot keep with money we do not have, bankrupting our nation, killing jobs, and placing our and our children's economic security in jeopardy.

The Democrats' annointed candidate for governor, Mark Dayton, has pledged to take $4 billion out of our economy to feed more state government. He has pledged to "tax the rich," most of whom are actually small businesses filing their taxes on individual returns -- the same small businesses on which we rely to create the majority of new jobs. This is the same Mark Dayton whose goofy antics in Washington made him the laughing stock of the nation and embarassed Minnesota. This is the same Mark Dayton who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, and uses his unearned millions to "buy" his way into politics. Mark Dayton may be able to afford Minnesota, but it's clear Minnesota cannot afford Mark Dayton!

Our candidate for governor, Tom Emmer, has pledged to rein-in state government, set good priorities, and make sure state government lives within its means, and enact real reforms. That's exactly what Minnesota needs! Fiscal restraint will help boost sustainable job growth, jump start Minnesota's economy, and stabilize state revenues. Do not be distracted by the ridiculous attack ads of the Democrats bent on preserving their entitlements and stranglehold on Minnesota taxpayers! Tom Emmer is the only candidate who has the determination and conviction to reduce and reform state government.

Let there be no doubt: Minnesota must elect Tom Emmer! So, let's each dedicate ourselves to that end, and win back this state for the people of Minnesota!

It's time for real jobs, real prosperity, real government reform, and a brighter future for Minnesota -- It's time for Tom Emmer!

- Rep. Steve Gottwalt

Can I hear an "AMEN!??"

Well, the Star Tribune has Made My Decision...

As much as the neo-socialists could bring themselves to endorse a Republican candidate, the Star Tribune has as much as endorsed Marty Seifert for the GOP Governor's race:

Seifert has studiously built his reputation as a fiscal and social conservative bill by bill, year by year, since he was first elected to the House in 1996. He rose to House minority leader, disciplined his caucus to uphold Republican gubernatorial vetoes and parlayed his nearly unblemished record into what at first appeared an unstoppable bid for the party's gubernatorial endorsement.

Granted, in and of itself, this is not a ringing endorsement of Seifert. That is, until you compare this to their description of Tom Emmer:

Enter Tom Emmer, a fiery trial attorney from Delano who stormed into the House in 2004. A chest-thumping, constitutional conservative, Emmer has become a Tea Party favorite, whose impassioned, freedom-loving message has wrestled many of the state's biggest Republicans into his camp.

There it is. The Strib, in so many words, has made its choice, painting Seifert as a measured, even-keeled milquetoast candidate, and Emmer as just another knuckle-dragging, "chest-thumping, constitutional-conservative" neanderthal from a Tea Party convention.

Having held their nose in their pseudo-endorsment of Marty Seifert, the Star Tribune has made my decision tomorrow at the Minnesota GOP State convention very easy for me.

This delegate's gonna vote for Tom Emmer.

***UPDATE*****

***Close-circuit to John LaPlante***

(the above-post was made in a tongue-in-cheek manner--I've been an Emmer guy all along) :o)

Regarding The Caucus...

I attended our SD-15 BPOU caucus last night, and I was kind of sorry that my first choice, Tom Emmer, did not finish first.

But I was heartened by Emmer campaign manager, David Fitzsimmons who had this to say in an email:

We are very pleased with the results - they matched our expectations and show we clearly have the momentum heading into the next phase of the campaign. Here are some notes on the straw poll results that you can share with other Emmer supporters:

• Tom Emmer has the momentum, both in endorsements and now in the balloting. We closed the gap from 14 points to 10 points and we're the only campaign moving in a positive direction.

• Although we lost the non-binding straw poll, we did win in key delegate-rich areas. Remember, the next round is winner-take-all as we elect delegates to the state convention.

• In fact, Emmer won four of the eight Congressional Districts, but more importantly, he won the districts with the most delegate strength. If you add the delegate strength from districts won by Emmer (2, 3, 5, and 6) you get 1080 delegates. That is more than Seifert's total of 920 delegates from districts 1, 4, 7 and 8.

• Our strong second place finish has made this a two person race - no one else has a legitimate shot at endorsement from this point forward.

• Seifert's edge was in Greater Minnesota where name recognition is key, and his 3 years as a minority spokesman was a huge advantage. Tom's overwhelming success came in the metro area where it was possible to meet and speak with folks. We must now ensure that our outstate friends have an opportunity to get to know Tom on a personal level.

• In order to win the general election, the Republican candidate needs to connect with voters in the swing districts in the suburbs. The numbers don't lie - Tom is clearly stronger here and there is no reason to believe he won't also do well in traditional Republican strongholds like the 7th Congressional District.

The numbers behind the numbers look really positive for the Emmer campaign, but it's going to take a lot of hard work to win this endorsement. Thanks you very much for the support you've shown so far and please keep it up as we head into the next phase of this election.

Don't get me wrong--I won't shed any tears if Seifert eventually gets the nod. But it seems to me that Tom has the rare gift to be able to connect with voters on a gut level. Spend just five minutes with Mr. Emmer, and you feel that he's not some lofty politician, he's one of us, a guy who can connect with you on a personal level, not just in an ideological sense.

Not that Marty Seifert is a slouch, but for the reasons outlined above, I think Tom Emmer is an even more electable candidate, and I believe he will be more effective in driving the grass roots GOP agenda to fruition.