Minnesota Independent

McCain’s RNC heckler mounts GOP campaign for Congress

By David Weigel | 12.18.09 | 10:30 am

Just as Sen. John McCain was beginning his acceptance speech inside the Xcel Energy Center at the 2008 Republican National Convention, Adam Kokesh unrolled a banner that read, “MCCAIN VOTES AGAINST VETS.” Before he was removed from the site, the Marine and Iraq Vets Against the War leader shouted, “Ask McCain why he votes against veterans!” Today, Kokesh’s relationship to the GOP is quite different: he’s the party’s front-runner for Congress in a Ron Paul-inspired race in New Mexico.

A look back at the Franken-Lieberman ticket

By David Weigel | 12.17.09 | 4:52 pm

As the internet buzzed about this awkward confrontation between Sen. Joe Lieberman and Sen. Al Franken, I remembered Franken’s novel “Why Not Me?” in which he runs for president, wins and resigns in disgrace. In the book, Franken…

Nervous about healthcare, Tea Partiers look to 2010

By David Weigel | 12.16.09 | 10:36 am

WASHINGTON — Around 3,000 conservative activists spent Tuesday on Capitol Hill, jamming into the offices of their senators and crowding outside the Senate for a rally sponsored by numerous Tea Party groups. The crowd was as punchy as it had been during any of the anti-Democratic Party events that have defined 2009 for conservatives. It was home, however, to real pessimism about whether activists could really stop health care reform. Optimism focused instead on the 2010 midterm elections — and the chance conservatives will have to punish the Democrats.

Bachmann catches a break

By David Weigel | 11.24.09 | 2:07 pm

Investigators have determined that Bill Sparkman, the census worker who was found dead with an anti-federal government message scrawled on his body, committed suicide. There’s some political news here: Coming as it did the day of the taxpayer march…

Bachmann and WorldNetDaily, together at last

By David Weigel | 11.18.09 | 8:28 am

My Washington Independent profile of WorldNetDaily made the case that the conservative website, which opinion-makers brush off as a conspiracy hub, is actually incredibly influential on the right. Here’s some evidence for that argument.

GOP sees win-win as Stupak splits Dems

By David Weigel | 11.12.09 | 9:40 am

On Saturday, 64 Democrats backed Rep. Bart Stupak’s (D-Mich.) amendment to prevent abortions from being funded with taxpayer money in the comprehensive House health care bill. On Wednesday morning, House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) attempted to soothe the jangled nerves of pro-abortion rights activists who were lighting up switchboards and issuing not-another-dime fund-raising threats against the party for letting it happen.

Climate change skeptics embrace ‘Freakonomics’ sequel

By David Weigel | 10.23.09 | 3:11 pm

The sequel to Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner’s 2005 smash-hit book “Freakonomics” — particularly the final chapter of “SuperFreakonomics” — is giving global warming skeptics hope that they can continue to shift attitudes toward their cause.

Pawlenty knocks Glenn Beck, oh-so-gently

By David Weigel | 10.22.09 | 8:41 am

Politico’s report on whether Republicans “are being wounded by the flamboyant rhetoric and angry tone of conservative activists and media personalities” is worth reading for the quotes from top Republicans, most of whom

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Bachmann among 53 House Republicans opposing gay Obama adviser

By David Weigel | 10.15.09 | 2:24 pm

WASHINGTON — Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) has brought 52 fellow Republicans together — including Rep. Michele Bachmann — on a letter demanding the resignation of Kevin Jennings, the White House’s “safe schools czar.” Greg Sargent looks at the

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GOP challenger to Wisconsin’s Obey raises $140,000

By David Weigel | 10.14.09 | 1:08 pm

Sean Duffy, the leading Republican candidate challenging Rep. David Obey (D-Wis.), will report a fundraising total of $140,000, with $120,000 cash on hand, for the third quarter of 2009. I talked with the candidate today, keying off NRCC Chairman and…