Live blog with Bob Olson

Good to be here Thanks to Minnesota Monitor for giving me this opportunity to discuss issues with you. I look forward to taking your questions.

I’ll be with you until 7:15 before heading over to the SD 48 meeting.

Feel free to visit my Web site — http://www.bobolson.org — for more information.

First question Your campaign literature features clean energy as a major theme (with the big windmill in the background)…..are clean and renewable energy still big issues on the campaign trail?  What are you hearing from voters as their major concerns?

Yes Absolutely. Minnesota is leading in this area and it’s time for Congress and the president to follow. Clean energy will create jobs here and throughout the Midwest.

Biodiesel, ethanol and wind can help us break our dangerous addiction to foreign oil — strengthening our national security, jump-starting our economy and improving our environment. There’s a lot of excitement out there about this. 

Michele Bachmann, given the opportunity to vote on this in the recent energy bill, said no to economic development in Minnesota. Rather than empowering farmers and business people in the Midwest, she chose to support dictators in the Middle East. It’s absolutely wrong and people get that.

One odd little distinction… Do you lean closer to *renewable* energy (biodiesel, ethanol, etc), or *clean* energy (solar, wind, hydro) as a solution to the energy crunch?  Mostly one or the other, or an even mix?

A little of both No one will solve all our problems, but a balanced approach moves us where we need to go.

I’ve done a lot of work with wind energy, but there are many pieces to this puzzle.

Question: Bob Olson and independent voters Bob,

How do you feel your campaign will do amongst independent voters? In what ways would a Bob Olson candidacy appeal to those people in the middle?

Social Issues Rep. Bachmann has built her career, in part, on her stance on social issues most notably her opposition to LGBT equality. You’ve taken stances on the side of LGBT equality and are seeking Stonewall DFL endorsement.

Past DFLers in the district have shied away from the issues of reproductive choice and LGBT equality.

Do you think the district is fairly socially conservative and how will the issues play in defeating Bachmann?

Good question Michele Bachmann only received 50.04 percent of the vote in 2006. Hardly a mandate and that was before people outside her old state Senate district knew a lot about her.

I think independent voters are looking for a new direction. This is a change year.

Michele Bachmann has spent the last 8 years trying to scare and divide voters. I’ve been in the business world working on the big issues affecting our economy — home ownership, higher education, health care, energy. I think people will see the distinction.

Have You Seen? Bob,

Did you happen to read or see anything about the new study showing

“switchgrass-derived ethanol produced 540% more energy than was required to manufacture the fuel”

Thanks for the question I’ve been honest about how I feel about these important issues and I think voters respect that. They recognize a fake when they see one.

I support fairness across the board, whether it’s equal rights for the GLBT community, fair taxes for the Middle Class or an exit plan for our troops in Iraq.

To follow up…. Mrs. Bachmann’s record in Congress speaks for itself. I think that’s going to be front and center this fall. She’s not going to get away with trying a misdirection. She’s failed to deliver for people here in the 6th District.

Still… John Binkowski maintained that if he weren’t running on the IP ticket, he would have been a Republican, and Mark Kennedy held the district with pretty decent majorities in 2002 and 2004.  In this campaign, are you finding a need to reach out to more conservative voters, or do you feel a more progressive message is the right way to bring people around to support you?

Current Events in Congress: FISA What are your thoughts on the FISA amendment bill working its way through Congress right now?  Would you support giving telecom companies retroactive immunity from prosecution relating to their role in supporting the Bush administration’s warrantless wiretapping program?  Should the current FISA law be extended?  Expanded?  Rolled back?

Question on Education As an educator I am concerned about the addition of Julie Quist of Edwatch to the Bachmann team. How will you effectively defend public education against this organization? Also, what is the biggest difference between yourself and Michele Bachmann on education issues?

We need to follow the Constitution I think we can protect our country from terrorists while still defending the basic rights that make America great.

Economic stimulus What is your position on the stimulus package that was announced today? How would you do things differently to prevent situations liek the one we currently face?

Thanks Thanks for your work in education. I’ve always said that the Middle Class in this country was built on two things: the labor movement and strong public education.

That Mrs. Bachmann is bringing extreme elements into her office is no surprise to anyone who has studied her career.

I believe local, state and federal government has a vested interest in supporting public education. The best I can tell, Mrs. Bachmann does not.

The reason I’m able to run for Congress today is because of the strong start I got in life as a public school student.

Short-term is short-term I hope it works. I think today’s stimulus package is fine in the short-term, but it doesn’t address the core problems we face.

I think we need to look long-term, as well. I favor strong investment in clean energy as a means for creating new jobs for workers across the 6th District, Minnesota and our country.

So… Are there any specifics you could call out as points of interest (or revulsion) in the FISA (as it currently stands) that you would change?

Catching up with Joe B. You ask — John Binkowski maintained that if he weren’t running on the IP ticket, he would have been a Republican, and Mark Kennedy held the district with pretty decent majorities in 2002 and 2004.  In this campaign, are you finding a need to reach out to more conservative voters, or do you feel a more progressive message is the right way to bring people around to support you?

———

I think the economy and Iraq are the two biggest issues facing the district and the country. It doesn’t matter which candidate you supported in 2006, you’re still feeling the impact of the Bush-Bachmann economy, $2.90 a gallon at the gas pump, higher college tuition, health care costs, etc.

Question: Your DFL Opponent How do you differentiate yourself from your DFL opponent? Why should DFLers in the 6th nominate you over him?

Student Loans As a first year college student, the costs are already looking pretty intimidating, even with scholarships. I can’t imagine how I’m going to feel four years from now. What is your stance on the status of student loans and their interest rates? Or, on the rising cost of education in general?

Good question Elwyn Tinklenberg has had a long career in politics and as a lobbyist. I’ve been working in the business world as a bank owner and tax attorney (a real one, unlike M.B.).

I think voters will have two clear choices over the next few months. I look forward to making my case to them.

Thanks I supported the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007 (MB opposed it) as a good first step toward addressing this crisis — a hidden tax, really, on Middle Class families. But more work needs to be done.

Among other things, we need to expand Pell Grants and create opportunities for students to pay off college debt with service to our country (military or otherwise).

For the record… When I was in college, I was able to work my way through school and graduated with just $250 owed to my parents and $4,000 in student loans — and that covered undergraduate at Bethel, seminary and business school, and a law degree at the U of M.

Students today are buried in debt. That limits opportunities for these 22-year-olds graduating with a small mortgage on their back. IT’s absolutely wrong.

Hypothetically, What’s the first bill Congressman Olson would submit?

Sustainable energy I’ll introduce a bill providing for tax incentives and loan guarantee funds to make sustainable, American-made energy a reality in all parts of our country. Minnesota has done a great job on this issue. Now the federal government needs to lead.

Bachman / volunteering Michelle Bachman is a machine in terms of campaigning, how do you plan to compete with her focus and stamina?
On another note: Can I get in touch with your campaign through your website? I’ve been following your progress for a couple of weeks and I’m quite interested in doing some volunteer work.

Upcoming Events? Are there any upcoming events that you will be attending in which people can meet you and hear you speak or speak with you?

10 More Minutes I’ll be heading out the door at 7:15 for an SD meeting.

I’ve enjoyed taking your questions. Keep sending!

Blue State Ball I’ll be at the Blue State Ball on Saturday night at 7 p.m.

I’ll be in Sherburne County on Monday, Jan 28 at Gily’s Bar at 7 p.m.

And we’ll be updating the calendar on my website soon.

Interesting Study I posted this earlier but it may have been missed:

  Have You Seen?
Bob,

Did you happen to read or see anything about the new study showing

“switchgrass-derived ethanol produced 540% more energy than was required to manufacture the fuel”

Just a note for participants Although it takes a lot for us to restrict comment threads, we do want to make sure we’re talking about substantive issues…..Don’t want to throw the candidate too many softballs, if you know what I mean.  Interested readers can check out the candidate’s website, if the Q+A they read here sparks their interest in attending an event.

oops Sorry, that was my fault.

Good news There’s a lot of potential with switchgrass. That’s why I support tax incentives and loan guarantee funds so farmers can get the equipment they need to take advantage of these exciting advances.

Ethanol economy issues are also linked to farm issues What should a member of Congress representing the 6th be advocating for in terms of farm policy — subsidy payment caps, energy production (ethanol corn), etc?

For TeenDem We’d love to have you join our team. My website is http://www.bobolson.org.

Michele Bachmann is a very good campaigner, but there’s no amount of money or flashy TV commercials that can obscure her out-of-touch record.

I’m confident we’ll be able to compete with her this fall.

follow up? And how do we ensure that these subsidies go to farmers that actually need them rather than big agribusiness?

Good question We need to cap subsidies so they’re going to the farmers who need them, not millionaire urban landowners.

I support tax incentives/loan guarantee funds to encourage sustainable energy production.

And we need to enforce existing anti-trust laws to protect family farmers.

Thanks! I’ve enjoyed this very much. Thanks to Joe and Minnesota Monitor for having me tonight.

If you have any questions, please feel free to visit my website — http://www.bobolson.org.

Thanks again for joining us We’ll be looking forward to having you back for a longer discussion!

nudge nudge wink wink Don’t want to throw the candidate too many softballs, if you know what I mean.

You’re hilarious.

Good to be here Thanks to Minnesota Monitor for giving me this opportunity to discuss issues with you. I look forward to taking your questions.

I'll be with you until 7:15 before heading over to the SD 48 meeting.

Feel free to visit my Web site — http://www.bobolson.org — for more information.

First question Your campaign literature features clean energy as a major theme (with the big windmill in the background)…..are clean and renewable energy still big issues on the campaign trail?  What are you hearing from voters as their major concerns?

Yes Absolutely. Minnesota is leading in this area and it's time for Congress and the president to follow. Clean energy will create jobs here and throughout the Midwest.

Biodiesel, ethanol and wind can help us break our dangerous addiction to foreign oil — strengthening our national security, jump-starting our economy and improving our environment. There's a lot of excitement out there about this. 

Michele Bachmann, given the opportunity to vote on this in the recent energy bill, said no to economic development in Minnesota. Rather than empowering farmers and business people in the Midwest, she chose to support dictators in the Middle East. It's absolutely wrong and people get that.

One odd little distinction… Do you lean closer to *renewable* energy (biodiesel, ethanol, etc), or *clean* energy (solar, wind, hydro) as a solution to the energy crunch?  Mostly one or the other, or an even mix?

A little of both No one will solve all our problems, but a balanced approach moves us where we need to go.

I've done a lot of work with wind energy, but there are many pieces to this puzzle.

Question: Bob Olson and independent voters Bob,

How do you feel your campaign will do amongst independent voters? In what ways would a Bob Olson candidacy appeal to those people in the middle?

Social Issues Rep. Bachmann has built her career, in part, on her stance on social issues most notably her opposition to LGBT equality. You've taken stances on the side of LGBT equality and are seeking Stonewall DFL endorsement.

Past DFLers in the district have shied away from the issues of reproductive choice and LGBT equality.

Do you think the district is fairly socially conservative and how will the issues play in defeating Bachmann?

Good question Michele Bachmann only received 50.04 percent of the vote in 2006. Hardly a mandate and that was before people outside her old state Senate district knew a lot about her.

I think independent voters are looking for a new direction. This is a change year.

Michele Bachmann has spent the last 8 years trying to scare and divide voters. I've been in the business world working on the big issues affecting our economy — home ownership, higher education, health care, energy. I think people will see the distinction.

Have You Seen? Bob,

Did you happen to read or see anything about the new study showing

“switchgrass-derived ethanol produced 540% more energy than was required to manufacture the fuel”

Thanks for the question I've been honest about how I feel about these important issues and I think voters respect that. They recognize a fake when they see one.

I support fairness across the board, whether it's equal rights for the GLBT community, fair taxes for the Middle Class or an exit plan for our troops in Iraq.

To follow up…. Mrs. Bachmann's record in Congress speaks for itself. I think that's going to be front and center this fall. She's not going to get away with trying a misdirection. She's failed to deliver for people here in the 6th District.

Still… John Binkowski maintained that if he weren't running on the IP ticket, he would have been a Republican, and Mark Kennedy held the district with pretty decent majorities in 2002 and 2004.  In this campaign, are you finding a need to reach out to more conservative voters, or do you feel a more progressive message is the right way to bring people around to support you?

Current Events in Congress: FISA What are your thoughts on the FISA amendment bill working its way through Congress right now?  Would you support giving telecom companies retroactive immunity from prosecution relating to their role in supporting the Bush administration's warrantless wiretapping program?  Should the current FISA law be extended?  Expanded?  Rolled back?

Question on Education As an educator I am concerned about the addition of Julie Quist of Edwatch to the Bachmann team. How will you effectively defend public education against this organization? Also, what is the biggest difference between yourself and Michele Bachmann on education issues?

We need to follow the Constitution I think we can protect our country from terrorists while still defending the basic rights that make America great.

Economic stimulus What is your position on the stimulus package that was announced today? How would you do things differently to prevent situations liek the one we currently face?

Thanks Thanks for your work in education. I've always said that the Middle Class in this country was built on two things: the labor movement and strong public education.

That Mrs. Bachmann is bringing extreme elements into her office is no surprise to anyone who has studied her career.

I believe local, state and federal government has a vested interest in supporting public education. The best I can tell, Mrs. Bachmann does not.

The reason I'm able to run for Congress today is because of the strong start I got in life as a public school student.

Short-term is short-term I hope it works. I think today's stimulus package is fine in the short-term, but it doesn't address the core problems we face.

I think we need to look long-term, as well. I favor strong investment in clean energy as a means for creating new jobs for workers across the 6th District, Minnesota and our country.

So… Are there any specifics you could call out as points of interest (or revulsion) in the FISA (as it currently stands) that you would change?

Catching up with Joe B. You ask — John Binkowski maintained that if he weren't running on the IP ticket, he would have been a Republican, and Mark Kennedy held the district with pretty decent majorities in 2002 and 2004.  In this campaign, are you finding a need to reach out to more conservative voters, or do you feel a more progressive message is the right way to bring people around to support you?

———

I think the economy and Iraq are the two biggest issues facing the district and the country. It doesn't matter which candidate you supported in 2006, you're still feeling the impact of the Bush-Bachmann economy, $2.90 a gallon at the gas pump, higher college tuition, health care costs, etc.

Question: Your DFL Opponent How do you differentiate yourself from your DFL opponent? Why should DFLers in the 6th nominate you over him?

Student Loans As a first year college student, the costs are already looking pretty intimidating, even with scholarships. I can't imagine how I'm going to feel four years from now. What is your stance on the status of student loans and their interest rates? Or, on the rising cost of education in general?

Good question Elwyn Tinklenberg has had a long career in politics and as a lobbyist. I've been working in the business world as a bank owner and tax attorney (a real one, unlike M.B.).

I think voters will have two clear choices over the next few months. I look forward to making my case to them.

Thanks I supported the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007 (MB opposed it) as a good first step toward addressing this crisis — a hidden tax, really, on Middle Class families. But more work needs to be done.

Among other things, we need to expand Pell Grants and create opportunities for students to pay off college debt with service to our country (military or otherwise).

For the record… When I was in college, I was able to work my way through school and graduated with just $250 owed to my parents and $4,000 in student loans — and that covered undergraduate at Bethel, seminary and business school, and a law degree at the U of M.

Students today are buried in debt. That limits opportunities for these 22-year-olds graduating with a small mortgage on their back. IT's absolutely wrong.

Hypothetically, What's the first bill Congressman Olson would submit?

Sustainable energy I'll introduce a bill providing for tax incentives and loan guarantee funds to make sustainable, American-made energy a reality in all parts of our country. Minnesota has done a great job on this issue. Now the federal government needs to lead.

Bachman / volunteering Michelle Bachman is a machine in terms of campaigning, how do you plan to compete with her focus and stamina?

On another note: Can I get in touch with your campaign through your website? I've been following your progress for a couple of weeks and I'm quite interested in doing some volunteer work.

Upcoming Events? Are there any upcoming events that you will be attending in which people can meet you and hear you speak or speak with you?

10 More Minutes I'll be heading out the door at 7:15 for an SD meeting.

I've enjoyed taking your questions. Keep sending!

Blue State Ball I'll be at the Blue State Ball on Saturday night at 7 p.m.

I'll be in Sherburne County on Monday, Jan 28 at Gily's Bar at 7 p.m.

And we'll be updating the calendar on my website soon.

Interesting Study I posted this earlier but it may have been missed:

  Have You Seen?

Bob,

Did you happen to read or see anything about the new study showing

“switchgrass-derived ethanol produced 540% more energy than was required to manufacture the fuel”

Just a note for participants Although it takes a lot for us to restrict comment threads, we do want to make sure we're talking about substantive issues…..Don't want to throw the candidate too many softballs, if you know what I mean.  Interested readers can check out the candidate's website, if the Q+A they read here sparks their interest in attending an event.

oops Sorry, that was my fault.

Good news There's a lot of potential with switchgrass. That's why I support tax incentives and loan guarantee funds so farmers can get the equipment they need to take advantage of these exciting advances.

Ethanol economy issues are also linked to farm issues What should a member of Congress representing the 6th be advocating for in terms of farm policy — subsidy payment caps, energy production (ethanol corn), etc?

For TeenDem We'd love to have you join our team. My website is http://www.bobolson.org.

Michele Bachmann is a very good campaigner, but there's no amount of money or flashy TV commercials that can obscure her out-of-touch record.

I'm confident we'll be able to compete with her this fall.

follow up? And how do we ensure that these subsidies go to farmers that actually need them rather than big agribusiness?

Good question We need to cap subsidies so they're going to the farmers who need them, not millionaire urban landowners.

I support tax incentives/loan guarantee funds to encourage sustainable energy production.

And we need to enforce existing anti-trust laws to protect family farmers.

Thanks! I've enjoyed this very much. Thanks to Joe and Minnesota Monitor for having me tonight.

If you have any questions, please feel free to visit my website — http://www.bobolson.org.</p>

Thanks again for joining us We'll be looking forward to having you back for a longer discussion!

nudge nudge wink wink Don't want to throw the candidate too many softballs, if you know what I mean.

You're hilarious.