Our Latest Ad: Double Life

For Immediate Release
October 9th, 2008
Contact: Mike Spellings
507.424.2010


Davis Campaign Sets the Record Straight on Walz's Attempt to Distort his Record
Responds to Walz's "Davis ad Watch"

Rochester -- Despite Congressman Walz's effort to paint Brian Davis' campaign ad as "false and misleading," the Walz campaign continues to want to have it both ways. Instead of refuting any of the facts contained in the Davis ad, Walz decided to tout measures that put him on both sides of the issue. This kind of campaigning is in keeping with his desire to have his cake and eat it too, and is what makes citizens so cynical about Washington style politicians.

Davis' ad re-states a point made by the Washington Post: "Timothy Walz has voted with a majority of his Democratic colleagues 96.6% of the time during the current Congress" (http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/w000799/). The Walz campaign released a document attempting to refute this fact, stating Walz was ranked "moderate" by the National Journal, claiming he is "more conservative than 35.7% of congress." Despite the fact that the National Journal rank falls well short of a "moderate" stance, Walz again attempts to distract from the fact that he votes with liberal leadership over 96% of the time.

In spite of Congressman Walz's claim of being a "moderate," by pointing to an arbitrary score that rates him "more conservative than 35.7% of Congress," The American Conservative Union gave Walz a rating of "0" (zero), in 2007. (http://www.acuratings.org/2007all.htm#MN)

Walz goes on to reference an NRA endorsement to point to his "moderate" stance. However, as the Washington Post points out, this is simply the 3.4% of the time he doesn't vote with his liberal leadership, again falling well short of "moderate." Additionally, while the NRA supports a multifaceted list of candidates, it may not be as pleased with Walz's support for Barack Obama, as they lashed out at Obama's Second Amendment stance citing, "His radical record of opposition to our constitutional rights." Walz also claims a VFW endorsement points to a "moderate" stance. However, as Walz is a veteran himself, it seems rather fitting the VFW would endorse the veteran in the race, as opposed to the "moderate" in the race. Nowhere on the VFW website do they claim to support the candidate with the most "moderate" stance, or even signify that as a prerequisite or consideration for an endorsement. (http://www.vfw.state.mn.us/)

When it comes to the statement that Congressman Walz "voted for a ban on drilling," Walz makes a remarkably misleading statement, intimating that he authored a bill for new drilling: "Walz Drilling Bill Expands Drilling and Funding For Renewables" (sic) (Walz "Davis ad Watch" 10/8/08). However, as there is a total absence of legislation in the Library of Congress bearing Walz's name as the author of such legislation, or legislation by that name, this again points to his disappointing tendency to say one thing in Minnesota and do quite another in Washington, and, in so doing, intentionally mislead the public. (http://www.loc.gov/index.html)

The Davis ad cites 7 votes Walz made that would ban or prohibit the lifting of a ban on expanded drilling:
Voted to block consideration of a bill that would allow oil drilling in ANWR, use the revenues to fund alternative energy research, and prohibit the export of ANWR oil to other countries (House Roll Call 526, 7/24/08)
Voted to block consideration of the American Energy Act, an "all of the above" energy bill (House Roll Call 524, 7/24/08)
Voted to block consideration of a bill that would establish new refineries, allow energy exploration in ANWR and the Outer Continental Shelf, and provide incentives for alternative energies (House Roll Call 391, 6/10/08)
Voted to block consideration of amendments that would allow oil drilling in ANWR (House Roll Call 341, 5/21/08)
Voted to block consideration of a bill that would extend many alternative energy and energy efficiency tax credits, and also block consideration of amendments that would permit oil exploration in the Outer Continental Shelf (House Roll Call 340, 5/21/08)
Voted against comprehensive energy legislation that would allow offshore and ANWR drilling and promote energy efficiency and alternative fuels (House Roll Call 831, 8/4/07)
Voted against lifting the ban on offshore oil and gas drilling (House Roll Call 553, 6/26/07)
Davis notes, a vote to block consideration of a bill is not simply a proxy vote against drilling, it is an outright vote against the furthering of legislation to expand domestic drilling by standing in the way of lifting the ban. Either you are for drilling or you are against it. While Walz attempts to hide his disappointing voting record on energy by pointing to recent votes that include "some drilling," Davis points to a headline in an article published in the Rochester Post Bulletin as recently as June stating, "Walz says no to expanded drilling; opponent says yes" (Rochester Post Bulletin, June 20, 2008, By Matthew Stolle). Walz went on to call expanded drilling a "Red Herring" in the very same article. Are we to believe Congressman Walz now supports what he previously called a "Red Herring?"

Walz notes he voted recently to allow the drilling ban to expire, in the face of mounting public opposition to his long established favor of a drilling ban. However, Davis again points to Walz being on both sides of the issue. As illustrated above, Davis will not allow Walz to simply talk about whichever vote he cast that is the most politically expedient, and ignore his previous opposition to drilling time and time again, as if he has been for drilling all along.

With relation to Walz supporting higher taxes that hurt the family farm, Davis points out Walz's opposition to the elimination of the Estate Tax and that he is in favor of increasing the Capital Gains Tax, as noted in the Congressional National Political Awareness Test, Nov 7, 2006. Farmers who support Walz would be loathed to know he does not support allowing them to pass their family farm down from generation to generation without suffering a massive tax on the transaction, which in some cases, prohibits a family farm from being passed down at all. Walz also cites an endorsement from the National Farmers Union PAC as evidence of his pro-farmer stance. However, despite his inability to receive the Minnesota Farm Bureau endorsement as a sitting congressman in an agricultural district, the National Farmers Union PAC may be slow to inform their members that Walz voted in favor of the "Employee Free Choice Act." The "Employee Free Choice Act" is a deceptively named bill that strips workers of the right to vote by secret ballot in union formation proceedings.

In their endorsement of Brian Davis, the Associated Builders and Contractors point out: "Mr. Davis opposes the fraudulently-named 'Employee Free Choice Act.' This bill would actually take away rights to a free and private election for unionization drives. His opponent [Walz] supports this abuse, and seems to think that employers and union officials should know who votes for or against the union formation. ABC feels that it is unconscionable for Mr. Walz to sell out American workers this way."

As further evidence that Walz says one thing in Minnesota and does another in Washington, the non-partisan political watchdog website ontheissues.org, rates Congressman Walz as "Left Liberal," (http://house.ontheissues.org/House/Tim_Walz.htm) again justifying the statements in Davis' ad.

Finally, other groups have rated Congressman Walz's voting record in a way that further buttresses Davis' claim that Walz has a liberal voting record. The National Taxpayer's Union assessed Mr. Walz's voting record at 3% out of a possible 100%, tied for the worst record in the Minnesota congressional delegation. Also, the Club for Growth has listed Walz's voting record as being 394th out of 435 of members in the U.S. House of Representatives. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has scored Walz's voting record at 60%, also one of the lowest in the Minnesota congressional delegation. Other groups' ratings can be found here: http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=65443.



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Letter from a Concerned Citizen: Congressman Walz is Bluffing and is Beholden to an Impractical and Extremist Environmental Agenda

The following was sent to our campaign from a concerned citizen:

Dear Mr. R,

Thank you for contacting me regarding domestic oil production. I appreciate hearing from you.

The rapid increase in gas prices is putting a serious strain on all Americans. A number of factors contribute to the high cost of gasoline, including the growing global demand for crude oil, the limited capacity within the United States for refineries, and market uncertainty regarding the threat of supply disruption due to conflicts in the Middle East.

While there are no quick fixes, Congress is currently considering a number of proposals to address rising fuel costs. As part of these proposals, some suggest that by opening up more areas for drilling within the United States we can lower gas prices and reduce our dependence on foreign imports.

Instead of rushing to open new areas for drilling, I believe that oil companies should make use of the land they already have available. Today, oil companies hold leases to about 92 million acres of federally-owned land, both onshore and offshore. Roughly 67 million of those acres-more than 70 percent of the area they own the rights to-are not being used for production. These are areas that oil companies are authorized to start drilling, which have the potential to produce an additional 4.8 million barrels of oil and 44.7 billion cubic feet of natural gas each day, nearly double total US oil production.

I have supported legislation in Congress that tells the oil companies to "use it or lose it," and either make use of the land they have leased, or turn it over to a company that will. Unfortunately, while this should provide some relief in the medium term, most experts agree that we cannot drill our way out of the current energy crisis.

That's why I believe that we should be harnessing American ingenuity and innovation to develop long term solutions to our current energy crisis. By developing renewable resources such as wind and solar power, biofuels, and geothermal heat, we can move beyond fossil fuels to an energy policy which is sustainable, renewable and produced in America by American workers. Rest assured that as Congress continues to debate these issues, I will keep your views in mind.

Thank you again for sharing your views with me, and I look forward to hearing from you again in the future. For more information about my activities representing southern Minnesota in Congress, please visit http://walz.house.gov and sign up for my e-newsletter.

Sincerely,

Tim Walz
Member of Congress

***************************************************************


Nice bluff Congresmen Walz. No wonder Congressional approval ratings are in the upper teens.

Your (or maybe Nancy Pelosi's) paragraph on having oil companies make use of the land that they already have available is very misleading. To come up with this statistic, you assume that roughly 23 million acres of federal land are producing 1.6 million barrels each day. Since roughly three times as many federal acres are leased to oil companies you assume that the US could be producing three times as much oil, which is the 4.8 million barrels of oil that you get.

However, oil and gas are not going to be found under each and every acre. Also, oil production in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska has been stalled by groups like the Sierra Club.

Don't count on bluffing the residents of the 1st Congressional District too long!

Stewartville Star: Davis says U.S. should drill for more oil offshore, in ANWR

Candidate for U.S. House visits Stewartville
Mark Peterson Editor

Monday, July 07, 2008

The United States can become much more energy independent by drilling for oil in areas Congress has deemed off limits, Republican First Congressional District U.S. Rep. candidate Brian Davis said last week.

Davis will face Republican state Sen. Dick Day in a Sept. 9 primary to determine who will run against Democratic incumbent Tim Walz in this November's general election. Davis spoke about his energy policy differences with Walz during a visit to the offices of the Stewartville STAR last week.

Up to 100 billion barrels of oil are available in offshore areas near the United States, and many billion barrels more could be found in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), Davis said.

Drilling for more oil at home would decrease America's dependence on foreign oil and improve the U.S. economy, Davis said. However, Democrats in Congress have blocked proposed increases in domestic oil production, voting down proposals to drill for oil in offshore areas and in ANWR, Davis said.

"It's environmental radicalism that we're paying for at the gas pump," he said.

Davis criticized Walz's record of taxing and spending, saying that Walz ranks 394th among the 435 members of Congress on the Club For Growth Scale, which rates each lawmaker's votes on economic growth issues."Washington taxes too much and spends it all and then some," Davis said.

Davis, a physician at the Mayo Clinic since 1996, has called for a national policy to address the overabundance of malpractice lawsuits against doctors."Malpractice is driving doctors and hospitals out of business, which hurts our access to quality care," he said.

He is also calling for health care reform, saying that healthy individuals should be allowed to take their health insurance policies with them from job to job, across state lines or into retirement.

Also, people who make choices to live healthier lifestyles should be rewarded with lower insurance premiums, he said.

Davis said he believes the U.S. must stay on the offense against radical Islam in Iraq and Afghanistan, but he said he would favor allowing the Iraqi and Afghan people the opportunity to vote in referendums to determine whether they want American soldiers to stay.

"It's apparent that the surge has worked," he said. "It has given the government of Iraq a chance to become more stable."Davis describes himself as pro-life, stating in a campaign brochure that he will always vote in Congress to protect life and emphasizing that he will never backtrack from that position.

"We need to respect life and protect life," he said. More than 1 million babies are aborted each year in the United States, Davis said. Even so, some candidates look at abortion as just another political issue to the polled, spun and used in an election campaign, he said."It was once said that a civilization will be judged by how it treats those in the dawn of life and the sunset of life," he wrote in a campaign brochure. "I agree."

Davis said he is against embryonic stem cell research, saying that scientists can move closer to finding cures for various diseases without destroying human embryos in the process.

He defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Marriage, he said, is a fundamental building block of society."If civil unions are same-sex marriages by another name, then I am opposed to them," he said.

The California Supreme Court's recent decision to overturn the vote of the people and allow same-sex marriage is "a travesty," he said."If given the opportunity to vote on a constitutional amendment on this subject, I would vote in favor of defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman," he said.

Davis has put more than 40,000 miles on his car since he began campaigning for Walz's seat. As of last week, he had marched in 21 parades and planned to take part in Stewartville's Fourth of July Summerfest parade.

Davis earned a bachelor of science degree in nuclear engineering at the University of Illinois and worked for three years as an engineer in the electric power industry.

He and his wife Lori, an emergency medicine physician at the Mayo Clinic, have four children.

(Posted 7/13)

Posted on 'Let Freedom Ring'

Where’s the Proof, Rep. Walz???

Last week, Rep. Tim Walz came out against expanding oil exploration. That isn’t shocking in the least bit. What it is, though, is proof that Rep. Walz consistently buys into the liberal line. that’s why MN-1 needs to retire him this November.

U.S. Rep. Tim Walz said President Bush’s efforts to pressure Congress to lift a federal ban on some offshore oil drilling would do nothing to move the United States in the direction of a sensible energy policy or substantially lower gas prices.

Calling the issue a red herring, the first-term Democrat also said he was prepared to call oil companies’ bluff. He said federal law should be changed to penalize oil companies for not using the leases they already have.

Federal law already stipulates that an oil company must sink a producing well within 10 years or lose the lease. The legislation Walz supports would deprive oil companies of the ability to lease new federal offshore areas until they’ve drilled on all their existing leases, an aide said.

“This idea, this red herring, that all of a sudden you’re going to drill and everything is going to be better, as if the market fundamentals are at work here, that’s not happening,” Walz said. “These are the same people that are (getting) $40 billion in profit.”

First of all, what proof is Rep. Walz using in saying that increasing oil production won’t affect gas prices at the pump? Is he basing his opinion on market principles or is he basing this off the talking points the Environmental lobby has given him to speak from?

One thing that I know is that his opinion isn’t based on this study:
These restrictions effectively banned new offshore energy production off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, parts of offshore Alaska, and the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Recent DOI estimates put the amount of energy in these off-limits areas at 19.1 billion barrels of oil and 83.9 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, approximately 30 years’ worth of imports from Saudi Arabia and enough natural gas to power America’s homes for 17 years. It should also be noted that these initial estimates tend to be low.

OCS restrictions are a relic of the past. They were put in place at a time when energy was cheap, the need for additional domestic supplies was not seen as dire, and the political path of least resistance was to give in to environmentalists. All that has changed, with more than a quadrupling of oil and natural gas prices since the restrictions were first imposed. Extra energy is badly needed, and the risk of producing it has been reduced. All new drilling would be subject to strict safeguards and would require state-of-the-art technology with a proven track record for limiting the risk of spills.

Conclusion

The President can bring America one step closer to accessing promising sources of domestic oil and natural gas for decades to come. He should lift the existing executive moratorium against OCS exploration. More important, Congress must show the nation that it is serious about meeting our energy needs by supporting the production of American energy from American waters.

Is Rep. Walz willing to argue that tapping into the equivalent of 30 years worth of imported Saudi oil and enough natural gas to power America’s homes for 17 years won’t have a serious impact on home heating and gas prices? If he’s willing to argue against this study, then that’s grounds for questioning his objectivity and his competence to serve Minnesota’s First District. Minnesota’s First District can’t afford that type of irresponsible behavior from its representative. No legislative district should be forced to suffer through such irresponsible behavior.

This is why policies matter. That’s why voters do themselves a disservice in not vetting the candidates enough on the issues. Tim Walz never was qualified to represent anyone in the Unite States House of Representatives. The proof is in how uninformed he is and irresponsibly he’s acting on the most important issue of this election cycle.

Fortunately, the First District has a choice this time because Brian Davis takes this issue seriously:

Davis said gas prices might not automatically drop if the country drills for more oil domestically. But they almost certainly will go up if the country does nothing to further develop its domestic oil reserves, he maintains.

“I repeatedly hear from Congressman Walz that markets fail. He has an adversarial relationship, it appears, with corporate America. It doesn’t seem as if he understands the free market and supply and demand,” Davis said.

Residents of Minnesota’s first district owe it to themselves and to each other whether they want someone who believes in capitalism or if they want someone who doesn’t understand or is ambivalent towards capitalism.

I seriously doubt that people think highly of a legisltor who is indifferent to the principles of capitalism. That means there’s only one real choice. That means voting for Brian Davis.
letfreedomringblog.com Categories: Economy, Energy, Environmental Extremism, Election 2008, Tim Walz

Why isn't Congressman Walz Providing Real Solutions to our Transporation Needs?

For Immediate Release
Contact: Brad Biers
651.261.2182
June 6, 2008

(Winona, MN) - Despite appearing at the closed Highway 43 Bridge in Winona near the Mississippi river, Congressman Tim Walz has failed to propose any real solutions to our transportation needs, especially as it concerns finding relief for working families in southern Minnesota and the burden of high gas prices.

As residents of southern Minnesota continue to empty their wallets trying to pay for gasoline that is nearing $4 per gallon, Rep. Walz continues to vote against proposals to address America's energy crisis.

"Tim Walz' speaking about the needs of the people of southern Minnesota while using the Highway 43 bridge as a backdrop does nothing to solve our transportation and energy crisis," said First Congressional District Republican candidate Brian Davis. "He is ignoring the fact that the price of gas has risen over 70% since he was sworn into office and he continues to do nothing to address this unfortunate situation."

"There are solutions to our energy needs," continued Davis. "We must develop more domestic oil supplies and increase our refinery capacity because southern Minnesota residents demand action now."

# # #

From the Star Tribune

By Chao Xiong 4/22/08

From 'Madam Speaker Listens to Vets'

Excerpt

Mayo Clinic cancer doctor Brian Davis won the Republican endorsement to challenge Walz.

Davis issued a statement criticizing Pelosi for voting against a resolution that would have required universities to allow Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) instruction and military recruiters on campus or risk losing federal funding.

Davis: Speaker Pelosi and Congressman Walz should deny funding for universities that restrict ROTC programs

Davis notes that Pelosi's voting record has been consistently against the military and the ROTC

For Immediate Release
April 21, 2008
Contact: Brad Biers
651.261.2182

(Rochester, MN) - Today, Brian Davis, the endorsed Republican candidate for the First District of Minnesota, called upon House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and First District freshman Congressman Tim Walz to move forward with legislation that would remove the authority that universities exercise in banning Reserve Officers' Training Corp (ROTC) instruction from their campuses. Universities that fail to comply with the proposed ban would be denied all federal research funding and student financial aid. Speaker Pelosi is scheduled to meet Congressman Walz today at a veterans hospital in Minneapolis.

"In 1996, Congress passed the Solomon amendment which requires universities to allow ROTC and military recruiters on campus or risk losing federal funding. As recently as 2005, Speaker Pelosi was among only 20% of Congress to vote against a similar house resolution granting military recruiters equal access to institutions of higher education. When I was a graduate student, I was appalled to learn that ROTC students from a nearby campus had to meet, drill and receive instruction at our university because their school didn't allow a ROTC program even though they were well-funded in every other respect. I thought this was absolutely outrageous, and I still do," said Davis.

Davis continued, "Speaker Pelosi and Congressman Walz are meeting with First District veterans today. If they really want to help the military, Pelosi and Walz should ensure our military receives the respect it deserves on our college campuses. Any university that forbids ROTC instruction on campus should lose all federal funding, plain and simple. This will be one of the first bills I introduce in Congress."

Brad Biers, campaign manager and a National Guard veteran, remarked, "Tim Walz continues to cozy up to the anti-military leftists in Congress. This just doesn't sit well with the overwhelming majority of people in southern Minnesota who respect and honor our military."


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Davis: DFL and Walz Putting Politics Ahead of our Troops

Davis Calls for Eventual Referendum in Iraq


For Immediate Release
April 16, 2008
Contact: Brad Biers
651.261.2182

(Rochester, MN) - The Minnesota Democratic-Farm-Labor (DFL) released a statement on April 10, presumably with the approval of Congressman Walz, criticizing President Bush for taking the recommendation of General David Petraeus to temporarily halt troop withdrawals in July after the 'surge' troops have been withdrawn. The statement also leveled criticism at Brian Davis, the endorsed Republican Party candidate for the congressional seat held by Walz, for some of his views on this topic."General Petraeus asked the President to give him some time to analyze the situation in July to determine the best way to proceed in light of the safety of U.S. troops and stability in Iraq. What the DFL-Walz release seems to convey is that they would disregard the request of General Petraeus and ignore the safety of our troops on the ground. This is irresponsible and puts politics ahead of our men and women in uniform," said Davis.

"The surge has Al Qaeda on the run, there's consensus on that issue. The DFL-Walz position seems to be that we should let terrorists regain their strategic position in Iraq and squander all that our military has sacrificed so much to gain" added Davis.

As part of a longer-term solution, Davis has called for an eventual popular referendum in Iraq which poses the question whether the citizens of Iraq want the United States military to remain in their country. Some Americans have called the United States presence an 'illegal occupation'. Davis disagrees with this view and believes that a referendum would establish if the presence of the United States military is welcomed, not just by the government, but by the Iraqi people as well. A 'thumbs up' vote would provide further legitimacy for our presence there.

Davis stated, "Many doubted that elections could be held in Iraq in the past. They were clearly wrong. The people of Iraq should hold another election which will help us determine a productive long-term relationship with their country. If Iraqis want American troops to leave, then we should begin redeploying outside of Iraq in a way that is safe for our troops.

On the other hand, if Iraqis wish our military to stay and assist them in further stabilizing their country, then we should also discuss sharing the basing costs by implementing agreements similar to the ones we have with other countries where American military presence is considered mutually beneficial."
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Davis Questions Congressman Walz's Support of Senator Obama

Davis: Obama's statements about Midwest values are demeaning

For Immediate Release
Contact: Brad Biers
April 13, 2008
651.261.2182

April 13, 2008 (Rochester, MN) - Today, Brian Davis, Republican candidate in Minnesota's First Congressional District, called upon Congressman Walz to withdraw his pledge to support Senator Obama in the Democratic Presidential Primary. Congressman Walz, a superdelegate to this year's Democratic Convention, announced his support of Obama on February 6, one day following the Minnesota caucuses.

Davis, who was recently endorsed by the Republican Party to challenge Walz this Fall, stated, "We have learned a great deal more about Senator Obama in the past two months that is cause for concern. I find it deeply troubling that Senator Obama's stated views on many topics are so out-of-step with mainstream American values. It is shocking, if not implausible, that a Congressman representing this District could support him."

"Senator Obama has had a twenty year association with Reverend Jeremiah Wright of Chicago, someone who has made numerous documented anti-American, racist, and anti-semitic comments from the pulpit. We now see a similarly disturbing pattern in Senator Obama's recent speeches which mirror Reverend Wright's radical views. Senator Obama's statement that giving birth is a form of punishment similar to contracting a sexually transmitted disease is simply outrageous. Moreover, Obama's recent characterization of small towns in the Midwest as a collection of individuals who 'cling to guns or religion' out of helplessness and desperation reveals the elitist attitude of someone who neither respects the roots and faith traditions of our nation nor understands the freedoms afforded us by our Constitution," Davis said.

Davis concluded, "My wife and I are the proud parents of four healthy children and we consider them a blessing, not a punishment. It is clear that the right path for Congressman Walz is to denounce Senator Obama's offensive and divisive statements. Does Tim Walz believe that someone who has repeatedly voiced such offensive views should lead our nation? Congressman Walz should either publicly withdraw his support for Mr. Obama or explain how the extreme views of the junior Senator from Illinois reflect those of the First Congressional District. At present, his silence is deafening."


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Letter from Grace Patterson of Rochester

The following is a letter to the editor I sent to the Post Bulletin on March 31st. They chose not to print it. Therefore, I am actively using the internet to help make up for the void. I have sent fax after fax to Walz, begging him to support the SAVE Act. (HR4088). He won’t. In fact, he is nothing but a Pelosi rubber stamp.

He has to be defeated.

My best wishes.

Grace Patterson, Rochester, MN



Walz Can Spin Like a Top.

Representative Tim Walz column, Saturday, March 29th Post Bulletin, contained more SPIN than a whirlpool. I refer to his comments on the subject of Earmarks.

His appalling account of the function of “Earmarks” is so blatantly false I am surprised he had the gall to put it in print. We know that the practice of using earmarks to fund pet projects, in order to avoid having to defend the expenditure in a vote, has become a most outrageous waste of taxpayer’s money. The reason earmarks have been stopped is: Taxpayer’s are demanding an end to this “under the table” practice. Walz‘s comment that bureaucrats are now charged with spending our tax dollars without direction from the elected is also untrue. Very few in the House of Representatives ever knew what earmark money was being spent on and could care less. Now they will have to vote to spend your money. That means we can check on how they vote. Walz won’t like that one bit.

Rep. Walz‘s views himself an “advocate” for Minnesota’s first District, only if it fits his agenda. He is not an advocate for a fair up or down vote, not on immigration, nor on protecting our country from terrorists, and not on spending your tax dollars. We don’t need him.

Grace Patterson

Davis gets nod for 1st Congressional District run

St. James Plaindealer
April 2, 2008

By Mike Ricci, Editor

It did not take long for 1st Congressional District delegates to endorse a candidate to run against incumbent Rep. Tim Walz.

On the first ballot at the District 1 GOP endorsing convention Saturday, March 29, in Albert Lea, delegates voted 160 to 100 in favor of Brian Davis over Randy Demmer (R-Hayfield).

The fact that the needed 60 percent of the vote was acquired on the first ballot came as a surprise to Klarice Rinne, Watonwan County Republican Party chair.

Rinne said that many in the party thought the balloting could go a dozen or more times before either candidate received the 60 percent required for the GOP endorsement.

The quick endorsement also surprised Davis, a doctor at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

“Yes it was somewhat of a surprise that it went that quickly,” he said. “Although, we expected to have a small lead.”

Before Davis can go on and battle incumbent Tim Walz, a Mankato Democrat, he first must overcome one more obstacle - a battle in the primary against state Sen. Dick Day (R-Owatonna).

In February, Day said he would skip the Republican endorsing convention and in the process create a primary battle against the Republican endorsed candidate.

Day's view is in contrast with Davis and Demmer's as they both agreed to abide by the endorsement. Davis said he has faith in Demmer that he will follow through on his word.

On the issues, Davis said he and Demmer differ only on a couple. He added, however, that the endorsing convention focused more on the electability of both men.

“A number of delegates stated that I am the electable and conservative candidate,” Davis said referring to why he was endorsed by the delegates.

Should Davis defeat Day in the Sept. 9 primary, it will then be a concentrated effort on November's general election.

Davis said Walz' voting record does not reflect the views of those in the 1st District.

“Tim Walz votes with liberal Democrats and Speaker Pelosi 95 percent of the time,” he said. “Those aren't southern Minnesota values.”

Regardless of who will win the primary and contend for his seat, Walz said neither man offers anything of substance.

“Republicans Brian Davis and Dick Day offer nothing more than the same failed politics that have led America into recession, debt and insecurity,” a state DFL Party press release said.

Following Davis' win against Demmer, Ron Carey, state Republican Party chairman issued a statement.

"Brian Davis is a great choice for the people of southern Minnesota and I look forward to working with him to retire Tim Walz from Congress. On issue after issue, Dr. Davis represents a sharp contrast to a far-left liberal like Walz,” it said in part.

An Indivisible Nation

The letter below is abridged from one sent on December 5, 2007 to Republican Activists in the First District. Please also see the Letter to the Editor from John Adams of Mazeppa.


Dear Friends:

On October 24, 2007, the U.S. Congress passed legislation which would create a separate class of citizen with rights differing from the rest of Americans. This legislation is known as the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act and was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives by 261-153.

Among those voting in favor of this onerous legislation was Congressman Walz.

This bill would allow natives to negotiate with the state of Hawaii and the United States concerning 'lands, natural resources, assets, criminal and civil jurisdiction, and historical grievances.' This Act is designed to create a separate, independent, race-based government for Native Hawaiians. In the words of its two sponsors, 'the purpose of the bill is to allow the Native Hawaiian people to decide on the organization of an entity to represent them in government-to-government relations with the United States.'

When asked if this could lead to reparations, secession or independence one of the bills sponsors, Senator Akaka, stated, 'could be - it all depends on my grandchildren and great grandchildren.'

In 1868, shortly after the Civil War, the Supreme Court stated that we have 'an indestructible Union, composed of indestructible states.' In 1959, Hawaii became our 50th state when 94 percent of inhabitants, including a large majority of Native Hawaiians, voted for statehood. In 1963, I began reciting the Pledge of Allegiance every day I attended public school. We all know the words 'One Nation under God, indivisible..' My four children know this pledge and recite it in school as well.

The only thing standing in the way of this Act is a presidential veto and the Supreme Court. As your Congressman to the U.S. House of Representatives, I vow to represent our values and vision for America, not to cast votes which serve to divide us as Congressman Walz has done. We are Americans first. If we forget that our nation starts down a slippery slope.

Sincerely,

Brian Davis
Candidate for the Republican Endorsement
U.S. House of Representatives, MN-01