County GOP auctions legislators off to lobbyists
Thursday, August 25, 2011 at 10:08 am
- 8 Comments
The Carver County GOP took heat this week over a fundraiser that featured an auction that guaranteed face-time with legislators for the highest bidder.
According to an email sent to lobbyists, the auction included a chance to go shooting with U.S. Reps. John Kline and Erik Paulsen, and state Reps. Joe Hoppe, Kirk Stensrud and Ernie Leidiger, as well as Sen. Julianne Ortman.
An email, obtained by Common Cause Minnesota, reads, “Tired of the same old golf fundraisers?! Bid, online auction style, for an exclusive opportunity to be one of just five people on a shotgun sporting clays course walk/shoot (shooting is not required to participate) with your favorite legislator.”
The group also took a screen shot of the actual auction, which shows legislators in auction boxes.
“This political fundraiser confirms what many Minnesotans have felt for years: our legislators are being auctioned off to the highest bidder,” wrote Mike Dean of Common Cause. “Auctioning off the Speaker of the House, the chair of the Senate Tax Committee, chair of the House Commerce and Regulatory Reform committee, the Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Education and Workforce Committee gives lobbyists access to directly influence policy.”
Dean said his group would look into legislation to bar these types of activities.
“It’s time we take the ‘for sale’ sign off our government, so that it works for working and middle class Minnesotans,” he said. “That politicians are allowed to auction themselves off to lobbyists shows why the political system is broken.”
City Pages spoke with the organizer of the auction.
“Here’s the problem with the site,” Joe Emmett O’Brien, Vice-Chair of the Carver County GOP. “There wasn’t a way for me to necessarily configure it.”
But, a poster for the event shows the auction was intentional.
The auction website has since been taken down. The event is scheduled for Sept. 1.
Follow Andy Birkey on Twitter8 Comments
Comment posted August 25, 2011 @ 11:04 am
Well, at least for once they’re honest about being for sale.
Comment posted August 25, 2011 @ 11:52 am
My only complaint is auction winners wouldn’t be required to take their purchased politicians away somewhere where they can’t do any more harm.
Comment posted August 26, 2011 @ 8:25 am
This is just beyond the pale. They need to be voted out of office. Tar and feathers would be better but I guess we are past that.
Comment posted August 26, 2011 @ 9:28 am
What next Paulsen? Are you going to auction off dates with your daughters? You are a sleeze bag.
Comment posted August 26, 2011 @ 4:03 pm
When did Minnesota legalize prostitution? This is just another case of politicians selling themselves and access to power for a price. Is this the representation Minnesotans voted for? This is cheap sleazy politics at it’s lowest, which is typical of Republicans and the disrespect to government and the office they hold. Recall anyone?
Comment posted August 26, 2011 @ 8:20 pm
I would be really shocked (yawn) if this were truly news. The only surprise is that for once the sale is public. After watching the purchase of the leadership of Wisconsin by the Koch Brothers, their interference in the elections of a state they don’t even live in, their purchase of school boards, I’m for a complete ban of lobbyists even being able to sent letters or e-mails to members of government. I am for a complete ban on any form of political contributions from major corporations and excessive payments by the wealthy that purchase the votes not only of our representatives, senators and yes, even our supreme court judges. Memorize those names, when they show up on a ballot – find a new box to check.
Comment posted August 30, 2011 @ 2:50 am
i dont blame the politicians,i dont think they new the shoot was set up that way. if any one is to blame ,it should be joe o,brien! a word of warning to the carver co. gop.if this is how your vice chair is allowed to represent the carver co.gop board, you guys have BIG PROBLEMS! clean up your act.
Comment posted September 14, 2011 @ 12:30 pm
I will be looking for the follow-up story on how the DNC is selling $5 raffle tickets for dinner with the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
The email sates “If this sounds a bit familiar to you, it’s because we’ve done this before. In fact, my hope is that I’ll be able to keep doing these dinners throughout the campaign.” I’m sure Common Cause Minnesota is already investigating…..
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