According to a Gallup survey of 170,000 adults nationwide, Minnesota ranks 13th in the nation for Democratic advantage just behind New Jersey and ahead of Washington state. Minnesota dipped sharply in 2010 in Democratic advantage only to rebound a bit in 2011.

According to Gallup, Minnesota currently has a 9-point Democratic advantage. Forty-seven percent of Minnesota respondents identified as Democrats or leaning towards the Democratic Party while 38 percent are Republicans or lean Republican. That’s down from a high of 15 advantage points in 2008 for Democrats and 12 points in 2009, but an improvement from a low of four points in 2010.

That gap in 2010 was similar for many states, but Minnesota appears to have rebounded more quickly than others.

Minnesota is the only Midwestern state in the top 15 outside of reliably Democratic Illinois.

Gallup’s poll only shows a snapshot of where adults surveyed in the state stand during the poll’s timeframe, January through June 2011, and says other factors may influence voters.

“The party affiliation estimates are based on the entire state adult population, and do not necessarily reflect each party’s electoral strength within a state,” the pollster said. “A state’s voting electorate may be tilted slightly more to one party than the basic affiliation figures due to differences in turnout between Republicans and Democrats in the state and perhaps the strength of the respective party organizations in the state.”

Listed as most strongly Democratic: the District of Columbia (with 78 percent of respondents identifying as Dems compared to 10 percent who consider themselves GOPers), Hawaii (52 to 28) and Maryland (54 to 33). The top state for Republicans is Utah, where 58 percent identified as Republicans and 27 percent identified as Democrats.

Two weeks ago, Republican leadership in the Minnesota Senate introduced a bill to ban state funding for abortion, and on Monday, two more bills with identical language were introduced in the Senate and another in the Minnesota House.

The text of all three bills reads, “Funding for state-sponsored health programs shall not be used for funding abortions, except to the extent necessary for continued participation in a federal program.”

The bill also includes language that anticipate a court challenge. A ban on state funding for abortion has already been ruled unconstitutional in Minnesota in the case of Doe v. Gomez in 1995.

When the issue originally came up in late-January, reproductive rights advocates said the bill was a distraction.

“Minnesotans know that we have different views on issues like abortion, and even though we may not agree on all points, our state Constitution has made sure all women have had the right to choose for more than 15 years,” said Linnea House, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota. “The anti-choice lawmakers want to focus on this issue at the expense of our state’s other priorities. They are overstepping in trying to force an anti-choice agenda that weakens our state’s Constitution. The budget crisis is critical, which makes it even more unbelievable that some lawmakers are attacking choice.”

She added, “Making the option of abortion accessible to all women did not create a budget crisis. In fact, this is a distraction from the state’s priorities.”

The bills now have 41 sponsors — all Republicans — in the House and Senate combined.

SF 265 was introduced by Republican Sens. Al DeKruif of Madison Lake, Michelle Benson of Ham Lake, Sean Nienow of Cambridge, Benjamin Kruse of Brooklyn Park and Joe Gimse of Willmar.

SF264 was introduced by Republican Sens. Warren Limmer of Maple Grove, John Carlson of Bemidji, LeRoy Stumpf of Plummer, Julie Rosen of Fairmont, and Paul Gazelka, R-Brainerd.

HF391 was introduced by Republican Reps. Peggy Scott of Andover, Ron Shimanski of Silver Lake, Bob Dettmer of Forest Lake, Greg Davids of Preston, Mike LeMieur of Little Falls, Roger Crawford of Mora, Kathy Lohmer of Lake Elmo, Steve Drazkowski of Mazeppa, Mike Benson of Rochester, Bruce Anderson of Buffalo Township, Doug Wardlow of Eagan, King Banaian of St Cloud, Tony Cornish of Good Thunder, Joyce Peppin of Rogers, Mary Franson of Alexandria, Paul Anderson of Starbuck, Joe McDonald of Delano, David Hancock of Bemidji, Tim Sanders of Blaine, Kurt Daudt of Crown, Debra Kiel of Crookston, Rich Murray of Albert Lea, Paul Torkelson of Nelson Township, Rod Hamilton of Mountain Lake, Gene Pelowski of Winona and Mary Liz Holberg of Lakeville.

A bill authored by Rep. Betty McCollum to prevent child marriage abroad was defeated in the House late last week by Republicans who said the bill might fund abortion. The International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act passed the Senate unanimously early last week without Republican objection. McCollum called the GOP’s efforts to kill the bill “blatant phony arguments.”

The bill was created to “provide assistance, including through multilateral, nongovernmental, and faith-based organizations, to prevent the incidence of child marriage in developing countries and to promote the educational, health, economic, social, and legal empowerment of girls and women as part of the strategy established pursuant…to prevent child marriage in developing countries.”

But when the bill reached the House after the Senate, Republican leaders circulated a memo urging members of the party to vote against the bill.

“The bill provides little structure or oversight on how the money may be spent,” the memo read. “The President is authorized under this bill to provide assistance through nongovernmental organizations that are charged with the promotion of ‘health’ of girls and women. It is possible that some of these NGOs may view abortion as health care and promote abortion services as a part of that health care.”

Under House rules, the bill needed a two-thirds majority to pass because the bill was fast-tracked on the chamber’s suspension calendar.

All DFL members of Minnesota’s congressional delegation voted for the bill, as did Republican Rep. Erik Paulsen. Reps. Michele Bachmann and John Kline voted against the International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act.

McCollum was miffed at the failure of the bill which was expected to pass easily in the House. Calling the statements that the bill would fund abortions “completely untrue,” she said, “The International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act failed last night not because of the issue, but because a handful of Republicans chose partisan politics over the basic human rights of young girls. I am truly disappointed in this result, but I’m not giving up on these children.”

She added, “Senate Democrats and Republicans didn’t play partisan politics in this vote; they unanimously recognized that the United States can and should become a leader in the fight against child marriage. Had this legislation contained abortion provisions or authorized new spending, it never would have unanimously passed the Senate.”

Republicans wooing voters by expressing support for gay marriage? While at the top of the ticket GOP candidates have avoided social issues at all costs — gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer has dodged such questions at every debate — Minnesota House candidate Brian Gruber has championed gay marriage as an issue of personal freedom. He’s among seven GOP candidates endorsed by the Minnesota chapter of the Log Cabin Republicans, an LGBT group that favors marriage equality.

In ads placed in the Wedge Neighborhood News, Gruber states that voting for him will “help make it happen” for same-sex marriage. For Gruber, a fiscal moderate, it’s an issue of personal responsibility. In another ad, he says the same about medical marijuana.

Gruber was the only Republican-endorsed candidate in the Twin Cities Pride Parade this summer, and he believes these issues play well in a district like 60A, which covers Minneapolis neighborhoods just south of downtown and in parts of Uptown.

“The medical marijuana ad has been the more effective of the two,” he told the Minnesota Independent. “Within a week of running the ads, about a dozen people contacted me asking how they could help.”

The marriage equality ads have been less effective because the DFL still holds a lock on the issue, Gruber says, but he feels it shouldn’t.

“People like that I support marriage equality, but aren’t quite ready to believe that the DFL is playing political games with the GLBT vote,” he said. “The GOP is so vocally against the GLBT lifestyle that all the DFL has to do is pay lip service to equality issues and they are guaranteed support.”

He provided this analogy: “If I hired someone to paint my house and four years later the guy keeps telling me he supports the right to have me house painted, but it was the same color, I’d be pretty pissed off.”

Gruber has the endorsement of the Log Cabin Republicans, as do six other candidates, almost all of whom reside in Minneapolis or St. Paul. One Log Cabin–endorsed candidate has a shot at making it to the Legislature: Norann Dillon in Senate District 43, which includes parts of Plymouth and Minnetonka in the western Minneapolis suburbs.

The seat is represented by DFLer Teri Bonoff, who won it in 2006 by only 4 points. In an election year where Republicans are expected to do well, Dillon may stand a chance.

Also endorsed by the Log Cabins: Patrick Elgin in Senate District 62, Rick Rice in House District 44A, Gary Mazzotta in House District 58B, Wes Whitby in House District 62A and Nathan Atkins in House District 63A.

Gruber said he enjoyed the Log Cabins’ endorsement questionnaire because it focused on a range of issues, not just LGBT issues. “Their endorsement questionnaire was easily the longest of any group I have seen during the campaign,” he said.

For Gruber, spending and responsiveness are also issues in the campaign.

“One of my priorities is lowering spending, but I’m not out to give the axe to worthwhile programs,” he said, adding that if elected he’ll hold weekly meetings in the district to get feedback from residents. “I’ll use these meetings to give people a chance to tell me what is important to them, and where they want me to focus my attention.”

As for the tea party, Gruber said he doesn’t fit the mold.

“Michele Bachmann and Sarah Palin seem to be the favorites of the tea party – I don’t imagine that the people who get excited about those two would get excited about me,” he said. “I don’t consider myself a part of the tea party movement, and I doubt they would as well.”

“My impression of the tea party is that it really isn’t much different than the Republican Party or the DFL; they all seem to share the same message of ‘I’m right, you’re wrong,’” he added. “I really just don’t think people should use politics to tell adults how they should lead their lives.”

The Minnesota Log Cabin Republicans hope to send Republicans to the Capitol who will stay true to the principle of fairness for LGBT Minnesotans, and the group hopes to build a more inclusive GOP.

And above all things, they are Republicans.

“We endorse Republican candidates,” Log Cabins president Mark Knieff recently told MinnPost. “Obama has not been a friend. And a fierce advocate, he’s been anything but. People need to wake up to the fact that just because there’s a ‘D’ after someone’s name [it doesn't mean] they’re supportive of our issues.”

Twin Cities Pride Parade, 2008. Photo: Andy Birkey

Hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans will gather along Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis Sunday for the Ashley Rukes GLBT Pride Parade. Mayor RT Rybak says the parade is the largest in the city, so it’s no wonder dozens of politicians hit the campaign trail there each year. This weekend four of the five major party candidates for governor will be at Pride, and while one important Republican — Tom Emmer — will be missing, a fellow GOPer is taking the opportunity to show that not all Republicans share views with the religious right.

Candidates for governor will have a high profile at the parade. Democrats Mark Dayton and Matt Entenza have their own spots in the parade, and Margaret Anderson Kelliher will be marching with the Stonewall DFL, which endorsed her at the state Democrats’ convention in April. The campaign of Tom Horner, Independence Party gubernatorial candidate, says they’ll be in the parade as well.

GOP-endorsed candidate Tom Emmer won’t be attending. A campaign spokesman tells the Minnesota Independent he’ll be in Lake City for Lake City Water Ski Days on Sunday.

And though Republicans are generally a rarity at the parade, a GOP-endorsed candidate for House District 60A will proudly be marching this year. Brian Gruber, who is looking to replace Kelliher, says in Minneapolis being a Republican and supporting LGBT rights isn’t that out of the ordinary.

“Most people associate Republicans with the religious right, and while that perception may be true of many of the national and state party leaders, it certainly does not describe myself or a number of the Republicans in Minneapolis,” he told the Minnesota Independent.

He said the pride festival and parade are great events.

“I want to show my support for the LGBT community, and ask for their support as well,” he said. “I have a difficult time understanding why the DFL enjoys such high levels of support from the LGBT community, considering that the DFL has controlled the legislature for the past four years without making any progress on equality issues.”

Brian Gruber, via Facebook

On Monday, Gruber tweeted that he’s “100% behind GLBT equality,” but that stance directly conflicts with the GOP platform (pdf), which is opposed to: a repeal of the military’s don’t ask, don’t tell policy; same-sex marriage and civil unions for LGBT people; and schools teaching or providing resources about — or even discussing — “the topic of family structure, human sexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, or transgenderism.” The GOP’s Emmer is the only candidate for governor opposing gay marriage.

Though Gruber acknowledges he’s taken some flak from some people in the state GOP, he said that locally the party has been supportive.

“I do realize that most people are surprised to see a Republican who supports LGBT equality. The two-party system has had a severe polarizing effect among politicians,” he said. “I am fortunate that the Republicans of Minneapolis were reasonable enough to endorse a candidate who wants to reduce spending and bring careers to Minnesota, while not embracing the traditional conservative social stances.”

On his political philosophy, Gruber says it’s a matter of liberty.

“Each one of us are in the best position to make decisions regarding our personal and private lives,” he said. “The more personal and private a decision, the less the government should be involved.”

He added, “Choosing who you will share your life with is just about as personal a decision as there is.”

Along with Gruber, the Minneapolis City Republican Committee and the Log Cabin Republicans will also be participating in Pride this year.

Other politicians making their mark on the parade with their own contingent are Minneapolis City Council member Diane Hofstede, Mayor Rybak, Hennepin County Commissioners Peter McLaughlin and Gail Dorfman, St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, state Sen. Scott Dibble and Minneapolis school board candidate T Williams.

Bachmann released this video on Tuesday announcing the new website:

On Tuesday, Bachmann also appeared on Fox News Happy Hour program, penned a piece for the Fox News website and appeared on Ed Morrissey’s radio program.

“This is all paid for through our ordinary budgets,” said House Minority Leader John Boehner. CBS News said the launch party on Tuesday alone cost taxpayers $8,500.

So far, many of the ideas on Americans Speaking Out include progressive ideas such as legalizing all drugs, legalizing gay marriage, taxing the rich to forcing Latinos to speak English and adding an amendment to the constitution proclaiming America a Christian nation. One commenter even wants Sarah Palin and Levi Johnson to reconcile.

In the Immigration section, one commenter said:

“The crime and chaos at the southern border are not because of migrant workers. It is a result of an out-of-control drug trade. Americans who use those drugs are the root of the problem of crime at the border. Anyone caught using (not selling) illegal drugs must do service by performing labor tasks commonly done by illegal immigrants. This helps solve both problems.”

But from the other side of the issue, several comments decried Latino influence on American culture:

“I oppose the Hispanicization of America, and we should do all we can to resist such an influence on our culture. These are not patriotic people. They celebrate Cinco de Mayo more enthusiastically than the 4th of July! If we do nothing, they will take over. We should also deport pedophiles.”

“Constitutional amendment: English the official language of the United States of America. It will be better off for everyone if Hispanics and Latinos become official citizens and become like the rest of Americans – which includes speaking English like all the rest of the races.”

Some comments in the Strengthening Families section wanted a “Christian nation”:

“I propose a constitutional amendment that solidifies the fact that America is a Christian Nation to counteract the liberals assertation that it is not.”

“I propose we repeal the 19th amendment and replace it with a Constitutional Amendment that proclaims America is a Christian nation.”

While others in the same section favored gay marriage:

“Sarah Palin and Levis Johnson need to get back together for the sakes of Truck and Tractor.”

“Governments at any level should look to remove themselves from the issue of marriage at all. The government has no voice in whether my marriage is legitimate or not, since marriage is fundamentally a religious or cultural issue. Instead of sanctioning one form, two forms, or many forms of marriage, the government should try to distance itself from the idea of marriage and limit itself to enforcement of contracts between individuals.”

“Any member of congress who commits a crime must resign immediately, including adultery, prostitution, and statutory rape. There are several members who admitted to such crimes but continue to serve in congress.”

And one comment urged the former governor of Alaska to reconcile with her daughter’s baby’s father:

“Sarah Palin and Levis Johnson need to get back together for the sakes of Truck and Tractor.”

The bill was introduced by Drazkowski, along with Reps. Ron Shimanski, R-Silver Lake; Bob Dettmer, R-Forest Lake; Peggy Scott, R-Andover; Mark Buesgens, R-Jordan; and Greg Davids, R-Preston.

“We have an illegal immigration problem here in Minnesota,” Drazkowski told Politics in Minnesota. “We’ve had it for years. We’ve tried as Republicans to bring some reforms to immigration policy in Minnesota. We’ve run into roadblocks each and every time.”

The bill says, “For any lawful stop, detention, or arrest made by a law enforcement official… where reasonable suspicion exists that the person is an alien and is unlawfully present in the United States, a reasonable attempt shall be made… to determine the immigration status of the person.”

It also includes punishment when “a person is guilty of willful failure to complete or carry an alien registration document.”

Related: Cops, church group oppose GOP’s Arizona-style immigration bill

Photo: Hagedorn for Congress

As the Republican’s April 17 convention to nominate Rep. Tim Walz’s opponent approaches, southern Minnesota Republicans are jockeying for position and throwing some barbs. Jim Hagedorn, who sparked controversy late last year when he scrubbed incendiary posts from his blog, is criticizing Allen Quist for his “allegiance” to Rep. Michele Bachmann and his penchant for making over-the-top political statements. Hagedorn levied the charges in an email to Republican activists obtained by Bluestem Prairie.

“Mr. Quist’s allegiance to Congresswoman Michele Bachmann is understandable, and I would expect nothing less as Mrs. Quist serves as the congresswoman’s district director,” wrote Hagedorn. “Congresswoman Bachmann has impeccable conservative credentials and serves the 6th District with distinction. But tying one’s candidacy to another campaign is politically risky and offers the media a free pass to issue stories about Bachmann-Quist, rather than Tim Walz and his liberal voting record.”

Hagedorn then attacked Quist for his statement in December saying that the battle against Democrats is more important than the battle against terrorists.

“Despite being a solid conservative, Quist campaigns are known for making provocative statements that often generate sympathy for opponents and undermine our conservative cause,” said Hagedorn. “Even during this relatively short campaign, counter-productive attacks made by Mr. Quist concerning Tim Walz and the Democratic Party provided Walz with a national media platform as well as a national fundraising base.”

Quist’s history of provocative statements goes back to his early campaigns. In his 1994 bid for the governor’s mansion, Quist said that men are “genetically predisposed” to be the head of the household and that soundbite appeared in most major newspaper across the country.

But Hagedorn isn’t without his own provocative statements. Earlier this month he said Walz policies are a “plague” on America and that liberals ‘carpet bombing’ the nation.

Event organizer Corinda Horton introduced Bachmann: “I am so excited to have her here. This is our boxing ring and [we are excited] to have her here to fight for our country in our boxing ring.”

To that Bachmann said, “It doesn’t get better than speaking inside a boxing ring.” She later added, “We gotta duke it out between now and November and we will turn this country around in November.”

She chastised Democrats for passing health care reform and put moderate Republicans on notice.

“On the Republican side, there is no time and no patience for pantywaist Republicans. No pantywaist Republicans. No wussie Republicans,” she said. “We need Republicans with a spine who will tell it like it is.”

She insinuated that Democrats made up stories of racial invectives and spitting in order to paint the Tea Party movement as racists.

“They were smeared by the Democrats this week. You may have heard where Democrats said they were called the n-word — which of course would be wrong — but nobody has any record of it,” she said. “They said they were spat upon, no one saw it. I walked right through the gauntlet of where they were; no one saw it.”

(Even Fox News admits that people saw it.)

“We need to call this for what it is. They want to say that you are the ones that are wrong because you don’t love and appreciate the government takeover of health care,” she added.

Here’s full video of the Duluth event:

These 15 Republican lawmakers appear to have forgotten their promises of limited government and fiscal responsibility. Minnesota is in the midst of a financial crisis that threatens to bankrupt our state. But this did not stop these lawmakers from voting to add an additional $1 billion in debt to the state’s balance sheet, thereby exceeding the state’s credit limit. What could possibly be so important that we need to borrow a billion dollars in the midst of a fiscal crisis? How about volleyball courts, gorilla cages, bike trails, a women’s hockey center and campgrounds? These are just some of the many pork-barrel spending projects to be funded by the bonding bill.

It is behavior like this that is leading many Republicans to question whether these lawmakers deserve to be re-endorsed by their party. Delegates must decide if this is the type of representation they want in our state legislature.