an action in search of a problem ? i just don't believe any politician will
be at risk because of this vote. if the doepke/osmek race eliminates doepke, i
am guessing it's because of other issues including doepke not being an
incumbent for the senate seat.
i haven't heard or read of primary challenges for st. paul's cohen and pappas
based on their stadium votes. nothing in the pi press. checked the opposition
websites and it doesn't seem to be a hot button issue if it's even mentioned
(only found a slight reference on one twitter acct).
anyone know if the challenges are stadium related....or did they just ask the
vikings for help because there are opponents ? from what i see, it doesn't
look that either is in trouble over their vote .... any one know ?
their general election gop and independent opponents have not made an issue of
it yet.
same question with the other minnesotans being helped by the viking fan base.
do outstate forum members have any insight in their districts ?
the doepke vs osmek race quoted in the article seems to have alot of hot
button issues with the stadium being only one of 12.
the dist. 33 Senate seat is open. Representative doepke is running against
another republican who has the gop senate endorsement. is it possible that the
vikings didn't vet this race and are giving their support to overcome the lack
of the gop endorsement ?
maybe the vikings issue isn't key in this race ?
but calling in the purple people eaters people's stadium fans certainly can't
hurt.
maybe roger goodell should have flown in.
best wishes,
cheryl luger
nokomis east/ minnehaha mpls.
" Vikings try to help legislators who supported them
Posted by: Jim Ragsdale
The Minnesota Vikings succeeded in passing a stadium bill this year and now
want to help those politicians who took difficult votes on their behalf.
Lester Bagley, vice president of public affairs for the team, said the team has
been encouraging members of its grass-roots fan organization, MInnesota
Momentum, to support legislators and a county commissioner in Tuesday's primary
elections. Emails have gone to members of the group in the home districts of
legislators facing primary challenges.
Ramsey County Commissioner Tony Bennett, who promoted a plan to build a stadium
at the old Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant in Shoreview, is among those on
the receiving end, Bagley said. Bennett faces three challengers in the primary,
incuding former Sheriff Bob Fletcher.
"It's important that our organization stands with those elected officials who
took a hard vote and stood with us," Bagley said in an interview.
He said email messages of support for the politicians will go out to "as many
Vikings fans as possible," both now and before the general election on Nov. 6.
These are independent political expenditures by the team on behalf of the
candidates, sent to constituents known to be Vikings fans.
An email message on behalf of Rep. Connie Doepke, R-Orono, who is in a tough
primary for an open Senate seat with Mound City Council member Dave Osmek, says
her "opponents are highlighting her stadium support as a reason to vote against
her," and encourages Vikings fans "to stand with her during the campaign."
Bagley said these senators are also receiving email support from the team for
their primary challenges: Sens. Dick Cohen and Sandra Pappas, both St. Paul
DFLers; Sen. Michele Fischbach, R-Paynesville; Sen. Lyle Koenen, DFL-Clara
City; and Sen. Tom Saxhaug, DFL-Grand Rapids.
House members are Rep. Tom Huntley, DFL-Duluth; Rep. Steve Smith, R-Mound; and
Rep. Tim Sanders, R-Blaine. "