Among Minnesota’s Congressional delegation, Rep. Collin Peterson was the only crossover vote and one of only 16 House Democrats voting “no.’ He was joined Republican Reps. Michele Bachmann, John Kline and Erik Paulsen in opposing the legislation.

Reps. Tim Walz and Keith Ellison joined bill cosponsors James Oberstar and Betty McCollum in voting for the bill. Ellison, a co-chair of the House LGBT Caucus, praised the bill’s passage.

“Hate crimes are an especially insidious problem in this country,” Ellison said. “They often are underreported or not reported at all – especially when they are based on sexual orientation. I welcome this long over-due Federal legislation.”

A companion bill has been offered in the Senate. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is a cosponsor along with several Senate Republicans.

Photo: Minnesota Independent

Minnesota’s most outspoken member of Congress, Republican Michele Bachmann, took to the House floor Monday evening to lambaste Democrats on everything from gay marriage and abortion to taxes, immigration and Mountain Dew. At one point she said the State Childrens Health Insurance Program, recently reauthorized by Congress, would be a “magnet” for “illegal aliens.”

Bachmann: “[B]ecause now President Obama even voted for the SCHIP bill, which we all know will now for the first time swing the door wide open for illegal aliens. I know one thing: The people in my district are not interested in paying for the health care for illegal aliens that are coming across our border to be yet one more magnet to bring people in that should come here legally.”

On taxes and Mountain Dew: “Congress just had a sugar high. It’s as though every member of Congress just ingested a 24-pack of Mountain Dew and said, ‘Hallelujah. I’m on a sugar high. We’re going to spend money, and we’re going to rev this economy up.’ Well, I’m telling you, if you had a 24-pack of Mountain Dew, you would not only be on a sugar high, you would be zooming, but you would crash. And that’s about what we are going to be seeing. That crash is called taxes, Mr. Speaker. And the American people haven’t seen anything yet when they open up their tax bills.”

On the French Revolution: “I know these Minnesota accents are a little tough to get through, but I also want to mention, just for point of reference, I am a federal tax attorney. That’s my background. That’s what I do. Taxes are us.

“But the Obama administration has taken a completely different view. They have taken the view of the French Revolution, which is to tax, tax, tax and spend, spend, spend. And now they have even taken another cue from them — off with their heads.

“Because in their budget proposal, by their own language, the evil are the top 1 percent of income earners. And that’s who they want to whack off their heads.”

On social issues: “We are losing freedom by the boatload. That’s the difference between, I think, what the Republican agenda is and the Democrat agenda. We believe in the Constitution. We believe in the First Amendment, religious freedom, freedom of speech. We believe in the Second Amendment, the right to hold and bear arms. We believe in these important values. We believe in bedrock values for our country.

“Marriage should be between a man and a woman; life should be protected from the moment of conception. We believe in these values. We believe in securing our nation. We believe in taking on the enemy and winning and not being ashamed to win.”

Hat tip: Dump Bachmann

“As someone who has been out holding town hall meetings and getting a faceful of that populist rage, I know that it is real, it is a force that needs to be dealt with, and it needs to be given a voice,” Braley told Huffpo on Wednesday.

The caucus principles are:

1. Fighting for working families and the middle class through the establishment of an equitable tax structure, fair wages, proper benefits, a level playing field at the negotiating table, and secure, solvent retirement plans.
2. Providing affordable, accessible, quality health care to all Americans.
3. Ensuring accessible, quality primary education for all American children, and affordable college education for all who want it.
4. Protecting consumers, so that Americans can once again have faith in the safety and effectiveness of the products they purchase.
5. Defending American competitiveness by fighting for fair trade principles.
6. Creating and retaining good-paying jobs in America.

Related: Rep. Ellison signs on as vice-chair of House LGBT Equality Caucus

Paulsen sign, Election Night

Minnesota’s U.S. representative-elect for the Third District, Republican Erik Paulsen, ran one of the best five House campaigns in the country, according to the Washington Post blog The Fix. Paulsen “beat back the anti-Republican trend,” writes Chris Cillizza (citing President-elect Barack Obama’s showing and Al Franken’s apparent success), “by focusing on his own accomplishments in the state legislature.”

The Fix tracked the Third District contest closely throughout the campaign season as one of the nation’s most competitive — and expensive — congressional races, with Democrat Ashwin Madia and David Dillon of the Independence Party vying with Paulsen to replace Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad, who is retiring. And Paulsen’s margin of victory was wider than the recount-tight result that most polls appeared to predict (48 percent of the vote compared to 41 for Madia and 11 for Dillon).

But in several ways Cillizza’s summary this morning doesn’t exactly square with how home-state observers might recall the race:

- It may almost be timely, but it’s still a bit silly to cite a prospective victory by Democrat Franken over incumbent U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman as part of any anti-Republican factor in the Third District, since Madia outperformed Franken there.

- With Dillon pulling down more than 10 percent, this contest was a better example of how Republicans win three-way races than how Paulsen bucked an anti-Republican trend that wasn’t a game-changer in any of Minnesota’s congressional races. Even Republican U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, despite her best efforts, won by 3 percentage points, in another race with an Independence Party candidate topping 10 percent.

- Far from focusing on it, Paulsen ran away from his record as one of the most conservative members of the state Legislature.

- What the Republican campaign did focus on (but Cillizza didn’t mention) was how Paulsen, a white homeowner and father of four, fit the district’s “demographics” better then Madia, a single renter of South Asian descent. That point, made by Paulsen stand-ins at not one but two ham-handed state Capitol press conference appearances, was underscored by a National Republican Congressional Committee ad that made Madia’s skin darker and drew worldwide rebuke.

Here’s the full item on Paulsen from The Fix, followed by a video from one of the press conferences where Paulsen’s “demographics,” not his accomplishments, were the focus.

At first glance, the retirement of Rep. Jim Ramstad (R) presented an ideal pickup opportunity for national Democrats. The suburban Twin Cities seat gave President George W. Bush a narrow 51 percent victory in 2004 and looked to be the epicenter of anti-war movement in the state. And, when Democrats nominated Iraq war veteran Ashwin Madia, it looked like a tailor-made pickup. Enter state Sen. [sic] Erik Paulsen, one of the best (and only) recruits for House Republicans in 2008. Paulsen was able to beat back the anti-Republican trend in the state (Obama won the state by 10 points and it appears as though Al Franken is going to win the Senate seat) by focusing on his own accomplishments in the state legislature. A rare bit of good news for Republicans nationally.

(Hat tip to Political Animal for spotting The Fix’s error in ID’ing Paulsen as a state senator — he’s a state Rep.)

The Minnesota DFL Party put together this highlight reel of remarks by state Republican Party Chair Ron Carey and state Sen. Geoff Michel speaking on behalf of Paulsen:

The recession sees the major dailies’ editorialists cutting back on costly opinions — by either picking favorites without naming the issues they like them for, as both the St. Paul Pioneer Press and the Star Tribune did in the U.S. Senate race, or beating a wholesale retreat from making a pick at all, as the St. Paul Pioneer Press did in the presidential contest.

The right-wing slide of the dailies’ editorial pages drew wide notice — and the Strib’s pick of Republican Sen. Norm Coleman is a milestone in that descent — but the two Twin Cities rags’ simultaneous tilt away from judging candidates on issues is just as remarkable.

In its 2002 endorsement of Sen. Paul Wellstone’s stand-in, former Vice President Walter Mondale, over Coleman and Dean Barkley, the Strib editorial board wrote:

The agenda promoted by President Bush and largely embraced by candidate Coleman looks like this: shortchanging children and skimping on the elderly; committing the nation to endless consumption of fossil fuels; favoring corporate America over working America; bullying U.S. allies and neglecting U.S. neighbors; and mortgaging the federal budget so that Congress can keep a tax cut tilted heavily toward the rich. That’s not much of a future — yet it could become reality if just one Senate seat shifts from Democratic to Republican hands.

This year, the Strib editorial board wants to see Coleman stay in the Senate, but it’s silent on the particulars of what he ought to do there.

The leadership qualities that he has developed ought to matter more in this year’s election than at other times, when issues might count for more. The world is changing rapidly. Today’s issues may not be tomorrow’s.

The Pioneer Press wouldn’t go there, either, in its endorsement of Coleman over the weekend. Issues, smissues:

We do not agree with either party’s approach to every issue. We know there are those who will vote based purely on those issues or on party allegiance. You don’t need our help to do that. We try to get away from the scorecard and look at the candidates in full. On that basis, we see Coleman as a gifted politician who could help forge a new national consensus without abandoning his conservative principles.

But in its 2002 endorsement of Coleman, the PiPress didn’t have a problem naming issues:

We also have reservations about Mondale’s abiding faith in big government … an enthusiasm for high taxes and command-and-control economic policies that we cannot fully share. A particular worry grows from the need for Washington to find the political courage to modernize America’s great entitlement programs for the elderly — Social Security and Medicare. … In summary, we believe Coleman’s basic priorities are sound — containing federal spending and taxes, strengthening defense, and facing the challenge of restructuring entititlement programs while adding prudent, affordable prescription drug coverage within Medicare.

The PiPress that year mustered the guts to opine in the midst of the pre-election tumult following Sen. Paul Wellstone’s death; but this time around, taking a side in a presidential contest two years in the making proved too much. So the Strib’s Obama-Coleman picks on Sunday stand out not only for their ticket-splitting but for finding their way to print at all.

Here are some other Minnesota newspapers’ endorsements in federal races, with excerpts to show that most managed to cite issues to back up their picks:

Minnesota Daily for Dean Barkley, Independence Party U.S. Senate candidate:

The Barkley campaign strives to be “issues-based” and runs only positive ads. Among other principled ascetics vowed by Barkley is a refusal to pander. He countered Franken’s $5,000 college student tax credit proposal with discipline: “I’m not going to … promise tax credits and new programs because we’re basically $11 trillion in debt.”

St. Cloud Times for Barkley:

… [H]is stands on many issues, while far from shocking, invoke a sense of realism and moderation missing from the Coleman and Franken campaigns. For example, he supports capping federal spending the next four years to put America on track toward reducing the federal debt.

Marshall Independent for Coleman:

Coleman knows this region of the state, and he’s well-schooled and accessible on issues particular to our area such as the Minnesota Highway 23 corridor. We haven’t always agreed with Coleman’s stances or his votes in the past and it’s likely we won’t in the future, but he’s shown himself to be knowledgeable on energy, transportation and other important rural issues.

Rochester Post-Bulletin for Coleman:

We applaud his opposition to drilling in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge, and we admire the fact that he’s played a key role in creating a new national energy policy.

Mesabi Daily News for Coleman:

Coleman has been a champion of mining initiatives, including his wholehearted support of non-ferrous ventures of PolyMet near Hoyt Lakes and Franconia Minerals on Birch Lake near Babbitt.

The American Jewish World (newspaper of the state’s Jewish community) for Franken:

Franken has proposed a number of initiatives to aid our rural economy, expand educational opportunities and access to health care, and develop sustainable alternative energy options to grow jobs and redress the outflow of dollars to foreign oil producers. If the federal government can come up with $700 billion for Wall Street bankers (the New York Times reported the cost of the bailout at $2.25 trillion), surely we can prioritize money for a bailout of our cities and crumbling infrastructure.

St. Cloud Times for Elwyn Tinklenberg, DFL candidate for U.S. House:

He is an ardent supporter of improving transportation options, … backs reforming No Child Left Behind and … advocates for a responsible withdrawal of U.S forces from Iraq and an increased U.S. presence in Afghanistan. … Incumbent Rep. Michele Bachmann has simply made too many serious errors in judgment to deserve a second term.

Rochester Post-Bulletin for Tim Walz, DFL -1st District:

The Post-Bulletin endorses Tim Walz for a second term in the First District, because after less than 22 months in office, we’re impressed by his level of involvement in significant, meaningful legislation. His fingerprints are all over the new Farm Bill, and he was the driving force behind an increase in the mileage reimbursement rate for veterans who must travel to receive medical care. He’s also been a staunch advocate for wind energy and other renewable fuels that already are bringing jobs to the First District.

Star Tribune for Walz and U.S. Rep. John Kline, R – 2nd District:

Democratic incumbent Tim Walz has earned a return trip to the U.S. House after an energetic first term focused on high-profile issues in his southern Minnesota district — agriculture, veterans’ affairs and renewable energy. … Kline has stressed the role of diplomacy and the power of economic sanctions.

And as posted here last week, the Eden Prairie News and Coon Rapids Herald for Erik Paulsen (R) and Ashwin Madia (DFL) in the U.S. House, respectively.

That was the list on which Minnesota’s 3rd District race to replace U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad used to appear, but now it’s at No. 29, one notch behind that upstart competitive contest next door in the 6th District made famous by U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann’s funny comments and DFL challenger Elwyn “Cash Magnet” Tinklenberg’s funny name. The relevant quote, with links, after the jump.

29. Minnesota’s 3rd district (R): Democrat Ashwin Madia appears to have edged ahead of state Sen. Erik Paulsen (R) in this race in the suburbs of the Twin Cities. In a neutral year, Paulsen would likely win. But Madia’s grassroots campaign, his service in Iraq and the strong year shaping up for Democrats in the state make him a slight favorite.

28. Minnesota’s 6th district (R): Note to vulnerable incumbents: Don’t go on national TV two weeks before an election. Just don’t do it.

WCCO’s Esme Murphy: There were Republicans going around this week talking about the fact that Ashwin Madia is not married and doesn’t own a home. What do you think about those kinds of comments?

State Rep. Erik Paulsen: I can only speak to my own personal experience. As someone, again, who’s been a lifelong resident of the area and pays property taxes and understands the real difficulties that families are going through right now, I’m focused on how we’re going to help solve the difficulties that are facing Minnesota families and small businesses. We’ve got to keep things on track right now –

Murphy: Do you condemn that kind of criticism?

Paulsen: I think it’s inappropriate to have harsh attack ads that mischaracterize candidates’ positions or votes. And I’m sure we’re going to continue to see additional mudslinging. I hope that’s not the case because I expect to get vastly outspent by some significant special interest groups.

That exchange didn’t illuminate the question of whether Paulsen takes responsibility for his allies’ slams on Madia’s personal life at press conferences last week. But Paulsen’s dodging of Murphy’s questions suggests he doesn’t condemn them — a likelihood reinforced by the presence of his campaign staff at a Sept. 30 news conference called by state Sen. Geoff Michel (R-Edina) at which Michel called Madia a “carpetbagger.” At the end of his prepared comments that day, Michel referred reporters to Paulsen campaign staffers at the press conference.

State Sen. Geoff Michel: So that’s our main message today. There are Paulsen campaign staffers here for additional follow-up or questions.

While taking reporters’ questions, Michel asserted that Madia is the only current candidate for congress to have filed for office using his or her parents’ address.

Reporter: Do you know that for a fact? Or, how do you know that?

Michel: There are people in this room, including the Paulsen campaign, who know that as a fact.

When Michel couldn’t answer reporters’ questions about the details behind his charge that Madia is a “carpetbagger,” he again appeared to defer to Paulsen staffers in the room.

Michel: There are others here who can dive deeper into the details [of Madia's residential history].

On WCCO Sunday, Madia repeated his condemnation of ads by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) attacking Paulsen — “to the extent that they’re inaccurate” — but said federal law against candidates coordinating with outside groups prohibited him from communicating with the DCCC about the ads.

Murphy interviewed each candidate separately, including the Independence Party’s David Dillon, who disputed Madia’s version of his options: “You can pick up the phone and say that’s a bald-faced lie.” Dillon roundly criticized negative campaigning, particularly the DCCC’s, as a “new low” for the district. But he said that in any case his campaign — which he figures is now drawing support from around 20 percent of voters — would benefit from the other two candidates tearing each other down.

All three candidates said they supported the financial sector bailout bill signed into law at the end of the week, but not its earlier version — which Paulsen pointedly identified as the Bush administration’s, saying it amounted to a “blank check.” (Madia has said he would have supported the first bailout proposal only if it was the only alternative to inaction.)

Several questions went only to the two leading candidates. On Iraq, Madia said he would set withdrawal goals that would bring U.S. troops home within two years. Paulsen said he would go along with time horizons set by the Iraqi government. On energy, Paulsen endorsed domestic drilling for oil off the continental shelf, while Madia called for a comprehensive energy strategy that would include domestic drilling alongside exploration of alternative sources.

Dillon interview:

Paulsen interview:

Madia interview:

Calmes, “Clinton’s Win Brings Little Reward”: “Hillary Clinton trounced Barack Obama in West Virginia’s Democratic presidential primary, as expected. But her negligible payback in convention delegates illustrates why her rival and her party are turning away from her candidacy to begin the fight against Republican John McCain.”

Milbank, “This is an Ex-candidate”: Customer: “Look, matey, I know a dead parrot when I see one, and I’m looking at one right now.”
Pet-shop owner: “No, no he’s not dead, he’s — he’s resting! Remarkable bird, the Norwegian blue, isn’t it, aye? Beautiful plumage!”
– From Monty Python’s Flying Circus

That’s right; the Washington Post is now comparing the Clinton campaign to a dead parrot.

But the more consequential story of the night was Democrat Travis Childers’ win in a special US House election in Mississippi’s very conservative First District. (He’s pictured above.) It’s the third special Congressional election the GOP has lost of late; they also lost one in Illinois in March and another in Louisiana in April.

Good analysis of the GOP’s dawning panic at The Carpetbagger Report and The Hill.

Here’s video of Clinton beating a dead parrot in her post-West Virginia speech.

Props to Minnesota’s own Blue Stem Prairie for noticing that the House Republican caucus’s campaign slogan for the fall — The Change You Deserve — also happens to be a trademarked marketing slogan for the anti-depressant Effexor.

Incidentally, the drug’s manufacturer, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, reports that “In clinical studies, the most common side effects with EFFEXOR XR (reported in at least 10 percent of patients and at least twice as often as with placebo) were constipation, dizziness, dry mouth, insomnia, loss of appetite, nausea, nervousness, sexual side effects, sleepiness, sweating, and weakness.”

So it’s back to the drawing board. May we suggest What happens in the House Republican caucus stays in the House Republican caucus?

In this video excerpt of a US House floor debate from Tuesday, Rep. Michele Bachmann spends nearly five minutes discoursing on the Second Amendment. The occasion was a bill that included the prohibition of guns in facilities owned by the federal Public Housing Authority. With Bachmann playing point, GOP firearm enthusiasts forced Democratic leaders to pull the entire bill over the gun provision.

The fireworks commence around the 4:45 mark, when California Rep. Maxine Waters fires a fusillade of her own in response to Bachmann’s speech.

Excerpt:

“Madame Speaker, I rise almost in disbelief that my friends on the opposite side of the aisle, led by Ms. Bachmann, would dare bring to this floor a motion that basically would say to us that the federal government cannot direct this issue on federal property. We own these public housing authorities… We are confronted with a problem in America. And that problem is, unfortunately and painfully, we have poor people who are isolated and they find their power and their strength in the gun. There are far too many guns raging every night in America in public housing authorities.”