Minnesota Politics In The 8th District, Democratic Party Memory Loss At Large

There are a some good stories to have a chuckle with in the 8th district this year regarding how politicians change their tune to fit the situation.

First up would be Jeff Anderson's post primary support of Rick Nolan. Here is this story from the Princeton Union Eagle during the democratic primaries.

http://unioneagle.com/2012/06/former-duluth-concilor-in-three-way-primary-race/

Anderson argues that he, among the DFL candidates, best matches up with Cravaack on the issue of mining — Cravaack has become a very pro-mining congressman, Anderson said.
“I know we’ve mined for a 130 years and I want to see us mine for another 130 years,” Anderson said.
“I want to see us do it safely, I want us to do it the right way,” he said.
“And I believe we can,” he said.

Now I like Jeff in general, he is local and has a good understanding of the area. Too bad he didn't win the primary as he was a viable candidate if a person looks at things from the democratic perspective.


Jeff's take on Nolan during the primaries:

Full Article:
http://www.virginiamn.com/news/article_b5f33326-d152-11e1-848b-001a4bcf887a.html

Anderson argues Nolan is out-of-step with the times.
“A very nice man,” Anderson said of Nolan.
But two years ago voters rejected a Democratic congressman, former Congressman James Oberstar, who was first elected in 1974, explained Anderson.


Duluth City Councilor Jeff Anderson last week challenged his two opponents to take a definitive stand on a recently-passed House measure, which he supports, that would accelerate the permitting process and also delay a decision on a permanent sulfate standard until a Minnesota study is completed. An amendment to that bill, the National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act of 2012, to speed up the permitting process was steered through by Cravaack.

On Wednesday, party-endorsed Rick Nolan of the Brainerd area said he would not have voted for the measure. “If the bill was for the purpose of expediting the process I’d be very supportive. But it would gut health and safety standards,” he said.

Anderson said both Nolan and Clark are badly out of touch on the copper/nickel/precious metals issue.

“The question is simple. Do Rick Nolan and/or Tarryl Clark believe that we need to streamline the permitting processes and normalize the allowable sulfate discharge levels, or do they not?

“One answer will create jobs. The other will allow them to continue pandering on this vitally important issue,” Anderson said Wednesday.

Cravaack's take on things?

“The bill only waives federal permitting standards when the state standards for permitting exceed the federal standards, thus eliminating extremely time consuming duplication. If state standards already in place exceed federal standards, a waiver could be granted,” a Cravaack spokesman said on Wednesday. In addition, a news release from Cravaack’s office last week said:

“H.R. 4402 maintains full compliance with existing environmental regulations. The bill gives the lead agency the ability to waive duplication if the agency determines the state and federal safeguards are sufficient. Specifically, all existing environmental regulations must meet current federal standards, although certain state standards currently exceed federal standards. In such instances, the federal permitting process could be waved to avoid duplication.”

So how have things changed for Jeff since: 

He is definitely standing behind his man in his series of Facebook photo shots.

https://www.facebook.com/JeffAndersonMN/photos_stream

https://www.facebook.com/JeffAndersonMN/photos

So who exactly is the man he is standing behind? If his previous words are any indication I'd have to go with Congressman Cravaack on this one as his views seem to align more with him than Rick Nolan. ????? Strangely, that does look like Rick Nolan in those photos though.

Jeff should have stuck to his guns, I can't blame him though being a career democratic politician. Guess he is hoping everyone has a short memory about what he did support and who was in touch on things...

Moving along we have Tom Rukavina:

He stands behind his man with this video: He even uses the good old Packsacker insult to indicate that Congressman Chip just isn't one of us. He seems to conveniently forget all the good things Cravaack has done for economic development in this region it seems.



But how do his ideologies stack up with Chip Cravaack? Have a look at this editorial excerpt:
http://www.letfreedomringblog.com/?p=13865

Chip Cravaack’s legislation mirrored the bill that Gov. Dayton signed into law. In fact, Chip’s legislation includes this language:

“(7) The Legislature of the State of Minnesota, meeting in its 87th Legislative Session, passed (and on April 27, 2012, the Governor of Minnesota approved) S.F No. 1750 (Chapter 236), section 4 of which adds section 92.80 to the Minnesota Statutes to expedite the exchange of a portion of the State trust lands located within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
(b) LAND EXCHANGE REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Agriculture shall consummate a land exchange with the State of Minnesota pursuant to section 4 of S.F No. 1750 (Chapter 236) of the Legislature of the State of Minnesota (section 92.80 of the Minnesota Statutes) to acquire all right, title, and interest of the State in and to certain State trust lands identified as provided in such section in exchange for all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to National Forest System land in the State for inclusion in the State trust lands.

Tom Rukavina voted for S.F.1750. Chip Cravaack authored legislation that made S.F.1750 federal law.

And then we have this opinion from Tom in the Timberjay, a little paper up north where he straightens out a environmental extremist :http://www.timberjay.com/stories/Rangers-dont-want-to-become-sherpas,10578

Next, let’s talk about this absurd statement in Mr. Carron’s letter claiming the bill is “a giveaway to multinational mining companies.” The 93,000 acres of school and University trust land in the BWCAW will become federal land, and the 93,000 acres of federal land in the Mesabi Purchase portion of the Superior National Forest will become state trust land and will be managed in perpetuity to raise income for public education. What bogeyman do you see under your bed here, Mr. Carron? An acre for acre exchange where state land becomes federal land and federal land becomes state land will result in no net loss of public ownership. Why is this such a hard concept for the environmental community to grasp? It certainly isn’t a giveaway to any mining company.

Ely, tower, Winton, Cook Grand Rapids, and the North Shore couldn’t exist without our taconite industry. And the truth is, we are currently mining in the Superior National Forest, and we haven’t harmed it, have we? Minntac, Arcelor Mittal, North Shore Mining, and Mesabi Nugget are all currently operating in the Superior National Forest and it’s their taconite taxes that keep all our communities, including Duluth, alive.

Tom just doesn't seem to agree with the environmentalists that control the Twin Cities led DFL party and the ideology behind that group. The environmentalists want de facto wilderness in Northern Minnesota whether it is called that or not. No mining at all is their intent even if it can be done safely.
You probably won't see this link on the extremist websites:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/polymet-reports-successful-water-treatment-121101047.html

The NorthMet Project''s potential impact on water quality is a key issue in the environmental review and permitting process. The successful pilot plant test is a significant accomplishment, demonstrating that water with elevated sulfate levels can be treated to meet Minnesota''s 10 parts-per-million sulfate standard for waters used for the production of wild rice.

Here is the environmental statement from Rick Nolan's political website who is a product of the Minnesota democratic party machine:   http://nolanforcongress.org/issues

The Environment

The environment, our air, lakes, rivers and forests, are crucial to our 8th district economy.  The degradation of our air and water, along with global warming, threaten the very survival of our species here on mother earth.  We must protect the environment in order to preserve our way of life and our tourism industry.

This sounds all good and nice doesn't it? It is simply a wink and a nod to the environmental extremists that he will back them in all future legislation. 

So if Rick Nolan is to protect the workers in Minnesota they have to have jobs don't they? Seems he kind of forgot about that simple detail. It seems that we should spend 250$ Million to make up for that lack of understanding and as a sideline note, kill any mining and job projects by studying them to death.

How in the end do Tom Rukavina and Jeff Anderson support Rick Nolan.? Not very well it would seem as it looks as though they agree more with Chip Cravaack on what is important to this region.

Minnesota DFL Politics - 8th District, Rick Nolan Clears Up Obama's EPA And Mining Issues

This video is worth a view and you can make your own conclusions.

Environmentally Responsible Mining In America - Minnesota 8th District Politics

This is an excellent read considering mining in Minnesota and how it relates to the politics of mining and jobs in Minnesota and in particular the 8th District. Environmental extremists such as the "Friends of the Boundary Waters" and Conservation Minnesota would have us believe the world is ending when it is just not the case. Jeff Anderson and Chip Cravaack believe it can be done safely. The article below seems to bear this out.

Environmentally Responsible Mining Operations: The Norm

It is important to emphasize that the sulfide mining operations singled out for discussion in this paper in no way detract from the environmentally responsible operations of the dozens of other metallic mining operations reviewed and, in some cases, visited during this survey. In many instances, the mines not specifically described in this paper display even higher levels of environmental awareness and proaction than those discussed. The vast majority of these mines have been in operation between five and ten years. During their operating periods, many have not exceeded any environmental standards and have maintained sparkling compliance records. Some, while excellent examples of environmentally sensitive operations, have had unexpected, and mostly minor, system upsets causing short-term exceedences of standards for which they were issued regulatory notices. This situation is not atypical for all industries, municipalities, and indeed, even U.S. natural resource regulatory agencies. Without exception, the operators at these sites responded aggressively and effectively to correct the noted problems. In most of these cases, the identified issues created regulatory compliance problems (i.e., an arbitrary standard may have been exceeded) but did not result in significant impairment of environmental resources (e.g. wildlife, air, soil, water, etc.) or jeopardy to public health and safety. 

Full Article:  http://technology.infomine.com/enviromine/publicat/enviroresponse.html

Full Site: http://www.infomine.com/

Minnesota Politics And 8th District Bicycle Riding, Anderson and Cravaack Lead The Way.

It turned out to be a very nice day today, Aug. 4, 2012. Our family took the trip over to Hibbing to participate in the Great River Energy Mesabi Trail bicycle tour from Hibbing to Virginia. This is not particularly consequential but along the way I did an informal survey of the number of political  and other signs along the route. Many thanks to the volunteers of the Mesabi Trail ride by the way. A very nice job done by everyone and it is very much appreciated!

The number one sign in the 8th district race on this route was Jeff Anderson. Following was Congressman Chip Cravaack. Third was Rick Nolan with a sign on the east end of the range and a few scattered around the Hibbing - Chisholm area. What should really worry Tarryl Clark supporters was that I didn't see a single (not one) sign of hers the whole stretch from Babbitt-Embarrass to Hibbing. At least the TV stations are making some money from her campaign.

It also seems that folks over there support mining as well. I did see a fair number of the "We Support Mining" signs.

The last thing that was interesting besides the beautiful views on the bike ride was the amount of construction happening. Along the trail was what looked to be a Magnetation operation with recycling and reclaiming of old tailings piles for the iron within to say nothing of the jobs generated.

By Mountain Iron, you can see Minntac in operation and the wind generators in operation along the side. These generators use iron and the precious metals involved in upcoming mining projects on the range.
Menard's has recently opened in Virginia supported by the mining dollars the industry provides. There was a lot of traffic in Virginia today.

Another  large building is going up near Virginia. I believe this is the new P&H (Joy Global) facility which assists the mining industry throughout our area and is a worldwide company.

You  can see the signs of change and prosperity all around us if you look close enough. Let's keep the ball rolling in the right direction this election season and elect pro mining candidates. Congressman Cravaack and candidate Jeff Anderson come to mind as the best options for jobs. I'd hate to have to watch this die on the vine with incorrect policy in the future.

Minnesota DFL Primary Politics - Jeff Anderson Support Continues To Grow In The 8th District

 The people of the 8th district in Minnesota are getting the big picture in regards to who will support this region in terms of communities, schools, jobs and the people in it. Jeff Anderson is originally from Ely and understands these issues. He has the support of local mayors and legislators from throughout the region who actually live and work here.The lip service being paid to it by opponents Nolan and Clark just won't help pay the bills. Goals such as improving education are great, I don't think that there is a democrat or republican who would disagree with that. To disregard the opportunity of more jobs that help pay the taxes that fund our schools and communities is nothing more than sitting on our hands with lofty ideals with little in the way of solutions or funding to help after the election promises are over with.The state of educational funding is that inadequate in this district and throughout the state for our schools. Studying mining with a research facility (Rick Nolan) that already exists is wasting that funding and insults the professionalism of our current researchers at NRRI and the University Of Minnesota- Duluth & Twin Cities. It is already world class, how much more improvement do we need? Partnering with the blue green alliance (Tarryl Clark) is nothing more than allowing the environmental extremists in the DFL party to write the future of OUR area. It is not about the science, that process is in place now. It is about overregulating and stalling development to mollify the DFL environmental activists which support Nolan and Clark. The reality on the ground in the 8th district is that we need these mining projects and the Twin Cities DFL doesn't really care about that one way or the other or the people in it. We need to support a candidate who does care and please remember to vote for Jeff Anderson in the primary on August 14th.

For more information on Jeff Anderson please visit: 
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/jeffanderson.org

Candidate Website: 

http://jeffanderson.org/

Some of the many endorsements of Jeff Anderson Below:

Former State Representative and Majority Leader Tony Sertich of Chisholm,
“Jeff Anderson has been my friend for over a decade. He was raised on the Iron Range, was elected to serve one of the largest cities in Minnesota, and proudly served our country in the military. Jeff has focused his campaign on supporting good jobs, education for our children, and standing up for our seniors. That is why I caucused for him this year.  Jeff has both a business and service background.  He knows our region and the opportunities and challenges we face. I am happy to endorse my friend and fellow Ranger Jeff Anderson to represent us in Congress.”
State Representative Tom Rukavina of Pike Twp.,
“I’m proud to support Jeff Anderson. He’s a fourth generation Iron Ranger from Ely. He’s done a great job representing the largest city in our District, Duluth, as President of the City Council. And most importantly, he, at his core, supports jobs in our natural resources economy–jobs that have been essential to our collective well being for over a century. I’m for my neighbor, my friend, and a great young person dedicated to representing us who is tough, smart, honest and who I know will be loyal to all constituents in the Eighth District.”
Duluth Mayor Don Ness,
“Jeff is a friend, but that’s not the reason I’m endorsing him for Congress. I believe Jeff Anderson should be our next Congressman because I know how much he cares about this region and public service. But most importantly, we need a candidate that can win, Jeff is that person – he has the energy and passion needed to win this race. Join me in voting for Jeff Anderson at your DFL Precinct Caucus on Tuesday, February 7th!”
State Senator Roger Reinert of Duluth,
“Jeff is a friend, a peer, and a colleague. His experience in the business world, his service in our country’s armed forces, and his experience as a local elected official are just the combination I want in my next Congressman. Jeff isn’t trying to rekindle the past, or get a fresh start in a new district. Jeff is a Northlander. He understands the challenges and opportunities that we all face, and I know he will use this firsthand knowledge to put northern Minnesota back on track to prosperity. Jeff is a leader in Duluth, and he will be a leader for our district in Congress.”
State Representative Carly Melin of Hibbing,
“Jeff is one of us. Growing up on the Iron Range and being an elected official in Duluth, Jeff has the ability and integrity to bridge this district together. This election is about middle class families, taking care of our senior citizens, and making sure future generations have the same opportunities that Jeff and I enjoyed growing up in Northeastern Minnesota. Jeff has shared with me his vision for economic development and job growth across the Iron Range and the entire 8th district; and I am confident in his ability to fight for the future prosperity of our region. Jeff Anderson is, and will continue to be, a tireless advocate for northern Minnesotans.”
State Representative Tom Huntley of Duluth:
“We need a strong local voice to stand up for us in Washington.  I was impressed with Jeff’s work on the Duluth City Council.  He knows the issues that affect Northern Minnesota.  Jeff is a part of the next generation of leadership that will serve us well for years to come.  He truly is one of us, for us.”
Former State Senator Jerry Janezich of Chisholm,
“Jeff Anderson is one of us.  He’s a 4^th Generation Iron Ranger.  His Father, Grandfather, and Great Grandfather all worked in the mines.  His family still lives in the house his great Grandfather built in Ely in 1880.  He knows the district – the obstacles we face and the opportunities we have because Jeff and his family live them.
Jeff is running the campaign necessary to beat Tea Party Representative Chip Cravaack, and I plan on being apart of that, every step of the way, that’s why Jeff is my guy.”
Former State Senator Ron Dicklich of Pengilly,
“Jeff is the best person to work for us on the problems of today and for our needs of the future!”
Ely Mayor Roger Skraba,
“This is simple, Jeff is the guy who should represent us, because he is one of us. He’s always been here. His family has always been here. He is a 4th generation Ranger. His dad, grandfather and great grandfather all worked in the mines here. We don’t have to worry about Jeff losing sight on the Northland’s priorities because this is the only place he has ever called home. I know him, and I trust him to fight for us. That’s why he’s my guy. That’s why he is our guy!”
Two Harbors Mayor Randy Bolen,
“When it comes to local issues no one is going to be a stronger advocate for Northern Minnesota communities and jobs than Jeff. He knows the opportunities we have and the challenges we must overcome, because he’s one of us. He’s is the leader I want fighting for us in Washington.”
Cloquet Mayor Bruce Ahlgren,
“Jeff Anderson knows the issues communities, families, businesses and seniors face here in the Northland, because he’s one of us. He understands that all of our communities must work together to improve the region. He has been a leader in Duluth and I know he will be that same kind of leader for our region in Washington. Jeff is the leader I want fighting for us in Washington.”
Virginia Mayor Steve Peterson,
Chisholm Mayor Mike Jugovich,
Babbitt Mayor Glenn Anderson
Buhl Mayor Craig Pulford
Hoyt Lakes Mayor Marlene Pospeck ,
Saint Louis County Commissioner Frank Jewell,
“I support Jeff for his solid, no nonsense approach to serving people from all different walks of life. His perspective, having grown up in Ely, served in the military, and worked as part of the business community in Duluth, brings a wide range of experience to the critical issues we face.”
Duluth City Councilor Sharla Gardner,
“Serving with Jeff on the Council, I’ve experienced first hand his collaboration skills and tireless advocacy for the people of Duluth.  I know he will take this commitment to serve the people of the 8th District 200%.”
Duluth City Councilor Tony Cuneo,
“I’m supporting Jeff because I’ve seen Jeff’s strengths as a leader.  Jeff is intelligent, listens, and is always willing and able to communicate with any member of our council.  Jeff’s ability to build friendships with any of his colleagues will help tone down the increasingly bitter, negative atmosphere in Washington, and his willingness to see all sides of an issue can help bring actual solutions to our nations issues.”
Duluth City Councilor President Dan Hartman,
“Having seen first hand the work Jeff has done on the Duluth City Council, as well as a number of boards and commissions within the region, I am confident that he will make a great member of Congress. We need to put a new candidate in that seat who understands the district, and who will fight for all of us, and I know Jeff is that person.”
Duluth City Councilor Patrick Boyle,
“Our city and region are facing 21^st Century challenges and opportunities and we need a 21^st Century leader to work for us in Washington.  Jeff has proven to be that leader here in Duluth and I know he will bring that same attitude, work ethic and know how to represent our region well in Congress.”
Duluth City Councilor Emily Larson,
Duluth City Councilor Jennifer Julsrud,
Former Duluth City Councilor Jackie Halberg,
Former Saint Louis County Commissioner and DFL Executive Director Gary Cerkvenik of Britt,
“I’m for Jeff Anderson because he has the integrity, spirit, and work ethic we all want in Congress.  Most impressively, Jeff respects our history but is also representative of a new generation that needs to take charge of our country.  He is a true gentlemen who listens and has the background as a veteran, businessman, and local official to bring a new perspective to Washington.  I’m proud to support him.”
Virginia School Board Member Kim Stokes,
“Jeff Anderson is the leader we need in Washington. Whether he is doing business across the district, leading countless charitable organizations in the region or standing up for working class families, Jeff is a champion for the Northland. When it comes to our children, our middle class families, and our seniors, no one will fight as hard for us as Jeff. I wholeheartedly support Jeff Anderson for US Congress.”

Organizations:
The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)
“We chose to get behind Jeff now, because he is a life-long resident of the district who truly understands the challenges and opportunities we all face.  We need someone who will fight for us, not just on fire issues but on all issues that are important to residents of this district, and I am confident that Jeff is the right person to lead this charge.
- Duluth Local 101 President Erik Simonson.
“The International Association of Fire Fighters has a long history of supporting candidates that support fire fighters and their families.  Your commitment to first responders, public safety and core services will transcend into a positive and consistent voice for the constituents of northern Minnesota.”
- IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger

The International Association of Boilermakers
“Jeff is behind us 100% in our fight for progress in the always changing labor movement and his belief in mining and energy job creation goes hand in hand with our philosophy as a labor organization,”
-  John Weinhandl, Jr., Political Action Committee Chairman.
United Transportation Union Alumni Endorse Anderson 
“We have chosen to support your candidacy for Congress because you have proven time and again that you stand with labor and working families.  We need new homegrown leadership to fight for our region and workers interests for the long haul.  Most importantly you understand the 21^st Century opportunities and challenges our region and workers face.
Even though Congressman Cravaack is Vice Chair of the Sub-committee on Aviation it is clear he has no vision for the future of transportation or our region. Your plan to connect Northeastern Minnesota to larger markets will not only benefit us immediately, but will improve our region far into the future.  As president of the Duluth City Council, you led the effort for Duluth’s support of the Northern Lights Express.  You have been a leader in Duluth for constituents and we are confident you will be the same strong leader for our region in Washington D.C.”
-  President Paul Fish

Duluth Law Enforcement Union Local 807
“We are endorsing Jeff today because we have worked closely with him in the past and we know that he is a young, energetic, smart and passionate leader who will look out for the best interests of all the people in the district. As a native of Ely and a current resident of Duluth, Jeff knows what life is like in northern Minnesota and will represent our region well.
- Local 807 President Tim Maida


http://jeffanderson.org/slider/what-people-are-saying-about-jeff-around-the-district/

Does the DFL need a reality check in Congressional District 8?

A good read from Examiner.com for those of you voting.

The DFL's actions suggest that the DFL has written off destinations like Barnum, Bigfork and other parts of the district. Is it because they know that they only control Duluth and the North Shore. The DFL's actions suggest that the DFL understands that their fidelity to the anti-mining, anti-logging environmentalists is hurting them with Iron Range voters.

Chip Cravaack stays in touch with his constituents

Full Article Link Here:
http://www.examiner.com/article/chip-cravaack-stays-touch-with-his-constituents