Tag: Erik Paulsen

Senators right to take time with Stras appointment

The following commentary by Myron Orfield was posted on the Star Tribune website August 29, 2017:

The justice’s record must be evaluated. Specifically, there’s reason for concern over his views on civil-rights precedents.

GLEN STUBBE • Star Tribune Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justice David Stras has been nominated for a seat on the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which would be a lifetime appointment.

In his Aug. 25 commentary “Partisan game-playing blocks an outstanding judge,” U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen criticized U.S. Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar for halting Minnesota Supreme Court Justice David Stras’ appointment to the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

In my view, Klobuchar and Fran-ken are exhibiting appropriate diligence. My own work focuses on civil rights and school integration, and Stras’ previous statements have left me deeply concerned about the impact of his appointment within these areas. Indeed, there is reason to believe that Stras might frustrate ongoing voluntary school integration in Minnesota. Continue reading “Senators right to take time with Stras appointment”

Paulsen needs to step up his game

Congressman Erik Paulsen, as you should be well aware, the many infammatory pronouncements by Donald Trump during the last two years are causing a signifcant increase in hate crimes. The fact that he is now president and commander-in-chief legitimizes his disgusting ideologies in the warped and depraved minds of the collective “alt-right.” Trump is providing them tacit, if not overt, approval to cause terror, violence and murder on our family, friends and neighbors. The cause and effect is clear and unequivocal. The fact that the GOP has not aggressively moved to counter this emerging abomination is inexcusable and unforgivable.

The GOP’s addiction to party over morality and country is disgusting beyond words. It is treasonous. Trump and the GOP have released the alt-right genie from its hellhole and our fellow citizens and country will suffer the violent consequences for decades to come. Congressman Paulsen, you are culpable in this offense. Continue reading “Paulsen needs to step up his game”

State Fair appearance proves we can have accountability, civility

U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen saw what civil discourse looks like during his Star Tribune Stage interview at the State Fair on Friday with editorial writer Patricia Lopez. The newspaper’s Saturday coverage of the event spoke of Paulsen’s request for “civility, discourse, restraint,” which he was given in spades on Friday. The congressman has mentioned on multiple occasions that he believes a town hall would be a spectacle, and Friday’s event proved him wrong. Lopez’s questioning was direct and on point, and thanks to her, for the first time in years, a crowd of unscreened constituents was given the opportunity to hold Paulsen accountable. He was asked directly about his history of public events, about Russia, even about impeachment, and no one chose to talk over him or shout at him before or during his responses. It was the closest thing to a town hall we’ve gotten in six years, and it was respectful and engaging. His “spectacle” excuse no longer stands; if he doesn’t hold a town hall, it will only be to his detriment.

Kayli Schaaf, Coon Rapids
Minneapolis Star Tribune, August 29, 2017

Updated: Protesters in Eden Prairie ask Paulsen to support Mueller’s Russian probe

The following article by Patty Dexter was posted on the Eden Prairie News website August 23, 2017:

Nearly 30 people gathered outside of U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen’s office in Eden Prairie Wednesday, Aug. 23, to ask that he support efforts to protect the probe of Russia’s alleged interference in the 2016 election.

The protest was organized by Mound resident Denise Knights. She said she’s tried sending letters to Paulsen, calling his office, requesting meetings and gone to grocery stores where Paulsen was scheduled to appear but she hasn’t been able to personally speak with him. She decided now was the time to have a gathering with others. Continue reading “Updated: Protesters in Eden Prairie ask Paulsen to support Mueller’s Russian probe”

U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen and judicial nominations

I was left agape with incredulity by U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen’s Aug. 25 commentary criticizing Minnesota’s U.S. senators for delaying Justice David Stras’ nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Paulsen complains that “[s]talling Stras’ nomination is the latest example of partisan game-playing in Washington” and urges Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken “to end their obstructionism and allow [the] nomination to proceed for a confirmation hearing and vote.”

If Paulsen believes this is the “latest” example, I anxiously await his upcoming op-ed piece excoriating the Republican Senate majority for the “greatest” example of partisan game-playing in Washington: the failure to hold a hearing or vote on Merrick Garland’s nomination to the Supreme Court. Garland is a judicial moderate (unlike Stras) and undeniably qualified. Continue reading “U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen and judicial nominations”

Federal Taxes: Paulsen ‘touts plan’? Where are the details?

Re: Friday’s subhead “Minnesota Republican touts plan …” — that is, a plan to lower and simplify taxes. What? Where’s the plan? I read the article twice and saw absolutely no detail, none. Sure, there were some vague suggestions, but no plan (“Paulsen pitches lowering, simplifying taxes,” Aug. 18).

What I saw was the Star Tribune running a PR piece for Paulsen. Where are the details? Where is the plan the subhead promised?

We end up with nothing. Come back with a real story when he tells us specifically what he’ll do. Stop being a shill for our elected officials with notions, wishes, slogans, and bumper-sticker sayings.

Without breaking a sweat or doing what the headline implied, Paulsen got what he wanted: a headline someone can place on a piece of campaign literature.

Tom Krueger, Crystal
Minneapolis Star Tribune, August 18, 2017

Why control of the U.S. House could hinge on Minnesota in 2018

The following article by Sam Bordey was posted on the MinnPost website August 10, 2017:

From north to south, woods to prairie, the vast majority of the state of Minnesota will be hotly contested political turf in the 2018 election cycle.

Of the state’s eight U.S. House seats, five are among the handful of races considered legitimately competitive — and a few even rank as top national priorities for both parties.

It’s not a stretch to say that control of the House could be decided in the North Star State: with Republicans commanding a 23-seat majority, and Democrats aiming to chip away, or even reverse, that total, having a slate of five competitive races in one state is a big deal. Continue reading “Why control of the U.S. House could hinge on Minnesota in 2018”

Congress will have 12 working days to prevent a debt default and keep the government open.

The following article by Kelsey Snell filling in for James Hohmann with Breanne Deppisch and Joanie Greve was posted on the Washington Post website August 11, 2017:

THE BIG IDEA today is by Kelsey Snell. James will be back on Monday.

House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) have a lot to do when Congress returns next month. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)

August is supposed to be a time when Washington recharges, relaxes and refreshes. But just beyond that happy hour cocktail or beach blanket is a looming fiscal battle over funding the government and raising the debt limit.

Exciting, right? When Congress returns in September the House will have just 12 legislative days to raise the federal borrowing limit to avoid default — and the same amount of time to approve a spending deal to avert a government shutdown. Those things alone would make for a hefty lift under even the best political circumstances. But the high-stakes deadlines comes as GOP lawmakers are still bruised and angry over the dramatic failure of their most recent push to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Continue reading “Congress will have 12 working days to prevent a debt default and keep the government open.”

Tax Propaganda

The following article was posted on the TrumpAccountable.org website August 10, 2017:

TaxPropaganda2

Republican tax reform advocates and the Trump White House have taken note of the mistakes made during the hapless Obamacare repeal effort that culminated in failure in the Senate. One of the biggest mistakes Republicans made was an inability to make the case to the broader population that their replacement was going to be in any way better.

Tax reform advocates friendly to the Republican agenda have already begun a campaign to help the Republican leadership deliver talking points about the need for tax reform. The American Action Network recently launched a 15 second video across national cable platforms featuring Albert Jones, a laid off metal worker from Ohio, who claims that he lost his job because of the U.S. tax code. Continue reading “Tax Propaganda”

GOP group launches TV ads in Third District

The following article by Jennifer Brooks was posted on the Star Tribune website August 9, 2017:

Brace yourselves, Minnesota voters. Campaign ad season came early this year.

U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen, a Republican who represents a district Hillary Clinton carried in 2016, is getting a boost from a $2.5 million national television ad buy from a deep-pocketed GOP advocacy group.

American Action Network, a political nonprofit helmed by former Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman, announced today it will be airing television ads — featuring an Ohio metalworker who pins the blame for his layoff of the current tax code — in 24 vulnerable Republican districts, including Minnesota’s Third Congressional District. Continue reading “GOP group launches TV ads in Third District”