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The Senate Republican Caucus has made a terrible error this week. After the good people in my own Senate District 16 voted in their Republican endorsing convention on August 7th to endorse Mark Olson, the Republican Senate Caucus has decided it knows better. This statement released just 2 days ago states:
“Over the last few years, too many Republican office holders, especially in Washington, were given a free pass for personal misconduct because they “voted right.” We could all recite the names. Well, it’s time we go back to holding people accountable.
While we respect our endorsing process in the Republican Party, some things rise far above process and party in terms of importance. The integrity and character of our candidates and elected officials are two of those things.
In Senate District 16, Mark Olson won the endorsement. That said, we are all well aware that Mark Olson’s criminal conviction caused him to be kicked out of the House Republican Caucus as well as cost him the party’s endorsement for his House seat.
It is our intention that Mark Olson, if elected, would not be welcome as a member of our Senate Republican Caucus. This is not a matter of philosophy; it is a matter of personal conduct.
For the past six years, the Senate Republican Caucus and the State of Minnesota have been the beneficiaries of exceptionally strong legislative leadership provided by former Senator Betsy Wergin. We see in Alison Krueger an outstanding alternative candidate who, like Senator Wergin, combines excellent conservative credentials with a high degree of personal integrity and character. Accordingly, the Senate Republican Caucus will be throwing its full support behind Alison Krueger and encouraging Republicans in SD 16 to vote for her in the September 9th primary.”
I find this statement to be entirely insulting to the Republicans of SD16. The folks who came to the SD16 Endorsing Convention were chosen by their neighbors to represent their neighbors’ desires and concerns at the convention. They came to decide on who would be the better candidate to run for the vacant seat in SD16- a choice between the inexperienced Alison Krueger and the experienced Mark Olson. After Krueger spoke to the convention in her allotted time and addressed question in a Q&A, many delegates saw little substance to back her sharp teeth. In contrast, Olson reminded delegates of his successful career as a conservative member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. Heidi, his wife, was there on stage with him endorsing his run saying to “vote for Mark because he’s cute,” adding a hearty peck on the cheek. The empty remarks of Krueger paled in comparison to Olson’s fresh ideas. In the end, Mark Olson won the endorsement on the second ballot with a strong 2 to 1 victory. The people decided to give Olson a second chance to run as the most conservative, qualified candidate to take Betsy Wergin’s vacant seat.
Then why would these people not endorse Mark Olson? There are three possibilities that I see. First, it may be because these buddy-buddy senators who all get along so well across the aisle are terrified at the thought of an unabashed, bold conservative like Olson walking into the Senate and standing for what is right instead of what the Senate Caucus wants to get done. Mark might actually stand against any tax hikes, against increased light rail spending, against public subsidies for stadiums, against bills aimed at destroying the family, against wasteful education expenditures, against bills that seek to undermine our liberty, against ethanol subsidy expansion, and against anything that he does not believe is right, not the desire of the people he represents, or not in line with our conservative Republican Party platform.
The second possible motive behind this move by the Senate Caucus Republicans is that they, like many inside the MN GOP, desire to gain ever deeper extensions of power and influence in even the most local of elections. These State Senators may well relish the idea of them endorsing the candidates instead of everyday hicks who don’t know what is best for them. Perhaps they despise the thought of a grassroots process where citizens chosen to represent neighbors gather to decide on the candidate best suited for them. What do we know after all? It is only OUR district. State senators who represent folks 300 miles away should decide for us who represents us. What a joke.
It reminds me of a story once where a group of folks on the east coast had to deal with a tyrant a few thousand miles away who believed he had a Divine right to make decisions for these people. After a while, a war broke out in an attempt to secure self determination of government whereby power would come through individual citizens. Yes, I am talking about those crazy Americans with their freedom, liberty, and what not. They even signed a Declaration of Independence to declare that they knew enough to govern themselves. I think these state senators need to hear that story again when they are tucked-in to bed tonight. Maybe they’ll shudder at the thought of themselves becoming a modern day King George.
A third possibility is that of electability. After our successful SD16 convention, at which MN GOP Chair Ron Carey called for a united party to support endorsed candidates, the Senate Caucus states that they are going to endorse Alison Krueger? Is this paranoia over Olson’s electability? No, it can’t be. If these senators were concerned about keeping the SD16 seat in Republican control, then they should have sent a hearty approval to Mark Olson for his victory. Instead, we have infighting over two candidates for a vacant seat previously held by a Republican. Besides, Alison Krueger, who most of these senators have likely never met, is in no way a better candidate. No no, this is not about electability. The statement from the Senate Caucus will only undermine the chances of a Republican victory.
So there we have it- a dilemma. Why are these senators interfering in our district. Is it because they fear the thought of a Minnesota version of “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington”? Is it because they despise grassroots in the party and would rather anoint candidates from their High Chamber? Or is it because they somehow think Alison Krueger has a better chance at holding a Republican seat?
I can’t be sure, but if their motivation is number three, they do indeed seem far less mentally competent than the “hicks” at our convention. Alison has no record, no experience, no substance, and who knows what kind of baggage to boot. Mark Olson is competent, qualified, honest, conservative, experienced, and humble. What better senator could we in SD16 ask for? It doesn’t get any better than this guy. It may be that his perceived “unelectability” is why we like him best. We do seem to have an independent streak in us after all.
Mark Olson was only unelectable in the eyes of the media who did all they could to destroy his name and twist his case. Contrary to what is commonly claimed, he was never ever convicted of beating his wife. He was rightfully acquitted of any such charges only to be left with a misdemeanor “intent to cause harm in double jeopardy.” This too would have been thrown-out if appealed as one cannot be both guilty of intent to cause fear in double jeopardy while innocent of intent to cause bodily harm. Any judge would have tossed that out. However, pursuing such a route would have been expensive to say the least, and I think repairing his marriage was at the top of the list of priorities. Now, this charge of “intent to cause fear” would apply to any of us when we yell at a spouse or loved one. How many couples can honestly say they never yelled at each other? Probably none.
I am thankful to God that Mark and Heidi have been able to reconcile their marriage after going through what would be horrible in private, no less in the public eye. Mark Olson fought for his marriage when hosts maliciously encouraged a bitter divorce. I cannot imagine the pain and frustration of working on a marriage in such a public light when lie after lie is hurled at you and those around you. All marriages take work, and Mark has certainly worked hard on his. Understanding the facts of his case and the aftermath clearly show that this man is not any more “unworthy” to hold the office of senator than those who already hold it. Mark’s humility and willingness to cooperate with authorities, even when many lied to his face and stabbed him in the back, is stunning. His apologies and openness about his family tragedy are in sharp contrast to the imperial tone of the Senate Caucus Republicans. I hope everyone reading who has been spoon-fed lies for 2 years will look at the facts and realize their perception of Mark Olson’s case has been polluted by perpetual lies.
Mark Olson is a perfectly electable candidate to run for the SD16 seat, and we, the people of SD16, have decided to give him that opportunity. Senators who do not even represent our district should not be reaching across districts or “across the pond” to rule in our affairs. Just as we defied the British claims of authority in our colonies, so we should now defy this statement of authority from the Senate Caucus Republicans to interfere in our process. We are an independent senate district with independent party leadership and an independently endorsed candidate. We have other levels of government above us, yes, and other levels of the party above us as well, but the Senate Caucus Republicans are not above us. They represent others across the state and should not be challenging our intelligence, our decisions, our liberty.
I encourage everyone in SD16 and outside of it to urge the Senate Republican Caucus to withdraw their endorsement for Krueger and openly endorse Mark Olson, the endorsed Republican candidate. Also contact the MN GOP to pressure them to take action against this bogus move by the Minnesota Senate Caucus Republicans.
Tell King George "NO!" We know how to govern ourselves.
13 comments:
To Norm...
"Consider hd16b a 'foreign' area that you don't know the language of; "conservativism". Please bud out of who we choose to be our elected MN Senator. Lest this foreign land decide warmed over democrats have no place representing us in the US Senate and actively work against your re-election.
Did you hear the boos at the State Convention when your nomination was 'foisted' upon us 'underlings'? Did you notice how the crowd suddenly 'thinned'? The number sitting rather then standing? Those were the real conservatives leaving the area as they are tired of you talking conservative and acting liberal! Many of them where from the HD16b caucaus and the displeasure with RINOs like you and the MNGOP is rising and the numbers are growing!
Have a nice day!
Drill HERE, Drill NOW - including your beloved ANWR!"
Mostlylawabidingcitizen
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There are 80,000 voters in your district and only 97 of them said they wanted Mark Olson. If all you care about are the 97, then it's no wonder the Republican party is in trouble. If the other 80,000 people don't count then let's stop the phone banks, the door knocking, the lit drops, the voter ID programs and just turn out the delegates. Of course, we'll get smoked in the election too.
Moreover, I am ashamed that character and integrity no longer counts in the Republican party. It's pretty amazing that after Mark Foley and Larry Craig, among others, people in our party would even consider endorsing someone who has been involved in domestic assault. I guess it's worse to be gay than to beat your wife -- then again, wife beating isn't in the Republican party platform either. Perhaps we'll have to amend the platform to suit Mark Olson's personal conduct. I am ashamed of the delegates in your district.
In reference to the previous comment:
It is quite obvious that you did not bother reading carefully at all. I clearly stated, as do the legal records, that Mark Olson is not a wife beater by any standard. He was acquitted of all charges of physical abuse. Savvy?
Chris,
It doesn't matter what he pled guilty to. BilL Clinton was never criminally convicted for lying under oath or having sex with an intern, or assaulting Juanita Broderick and Kathleen Willey, or harassing Paula Jones. But we all know that Bill Clinton had no character and was unfit to be in the White House.
Just as Mark Foley was never criminally convicted for harassing young male interns and Larry Craig was never criminally convicted for having sex in a bathroom. But neither of them are fit to hold office. (Foley immediately resigned and I believe voters in Idaho will boot out Craig in a primary since he has refused to go on his own -- even though he has a conservative voting record.)
The Republican party used to stand not only for conservative values but also character and personal integrity. The American people gave President Reagan the benefit of the doubt during various times in his administration because they knew he was a man of character and they believed in him personally. It's sad when people in my party are more interested in electing a strident conservative than electing someone with character and integrity.
P.S. Chris,
We used to talk about the Republican party as being the party of family values. Family values encompassed many things including having a mother and a father, someone around at all times to take care of the children, etc. Heidi Olson indicated the following on MDE: "It is more difficult to stay married in this situation than anyone can imagine, but that is what we are doing. We are trying to work out what happened to cause our problems and with good counseling, are seeing some things that we never knew about each other."
If we're still the party of family values, isn't it time for Mark Olson to leave public life and get his family life in order?
Mark Olson is a man of strong character and steadfast integrity, an honest man who was subjected to a dishonest system. Mark Olson publicly apologized, unlike the scum you have referred to, including Simpson and Foley. Those guys may have lied bold faced, but Mark Olson hasn't because he WAS NOT GUILTY. He has been open and candid since day 1. Even now, citizens can simply dial him up and ask him in person what really happened, and that is precisely what he is doing now. Foley and Simpson are nothing close to Olson, and your post displays the desperation of Mark's enemies. Obviously,they don't have anything of substance to hit Mark with.
Mark Olson's endorsement shows that INTEGRITY COUNTS. No House Representative has been as open and objective as this guy. No one has ever been so oblivious to special interests. No one has ever been as candid and humble as Mark in dealing with this situation or any other.
The active Republicans of SD16 made their choice be known. They were not simply individuals, but DELEGATES who were ELECTED by many neighbors (record numbers at caucuses in the fall). These neighbors CHOSE THESE DELEGATES TO SERVE AND VOTE ON THEIR BEHALF. This is the decision of Republicans across the district. Fair representation was given. Mark was endorsed and SD16 is fed up with outside interference.
We in SD16 have it good both ways with Mark Olson- we get a strong conservative AND unshakable integrity.
"If we're still the party of family values, isn't it time for Mark Olson to leave public life and get his family life in order?"
This is a very good point, I agree. We ARE the party of family values without a doubt. But would Mark's endorsement and/or election to the Minnesota Senate hurt that?
Well, yes and no. Mark's case has been mischaracterized by the media from the local level on up. Keep that in mind. Mark and Heidi were ruthlessly and maliciously pressured throughout their case to get a bitter divorce instead of taking time to work hard on their family and marriage. Well, Mark and Heidi didn't give into the sick liberal pressure and worked very hard with pastors and counselors to reconcile their marriage. They have been doing that for a long time now.
Heidi Olson stood beside Mark at the endorsing convention, giving him full support. I don't think a soul who watched her speak could believe she wasn't madly in love with Mark. It has also been clear that Heidi pushed mark to run for the SD16 seat.
Mark and Heidi HAVE put their family life in order. If they didn't, would Heidi be voting for him at the convention? Would Heidi be endorsing and voting for him on stage?
Mark and Heidi have put heir family life in order, and the corrupt system that caught Mark has caught numerous others. Mark Olson will change a system designed to shred apart families and encourage bitter divorce. Mark cares about family values, and it is one of the biggest reasons he received his support for endorsement in SD16. Now isn't that ironic?
If you are concerned about issues affecting the family in MN and the US, you should be thrilled to death that mark is going to the Senate. Finally a man not afraid to stand for what is right and stop the degradation of the family unit.
To answer your question pointedly:
Yes Mark Olson needs to get his family life in order, but he has already done that.
Chris,
With all due respect, you seem to be completely out of touch. You say that Mark has gotten his family life back together but his wife doesn't say that. She said on MDE that it's extremely difficult for her to stay with Mark under the circumstances but they are going (present and future tense) through counseling together. It would be a different story if the counseling were over and the parties were healed.
I cannot agree with you that Mark Olson is a man of character or integrity. Domestic abuse and violence is never acceptable. We as Republicans feign outrage over the fact that Al Franken told jokes about rape and abuse. We have a candidate running who actually got violent with his wife. If a tragedy happens and Mark is elected to the Senate, he will not strengthen families in Minnesota. He will degrade them by his very presence. Olson is as unfit to serve in elected office as Bill Clinton was. Could you imagine being a victim of domestic abuse and having your state senator who perpetrated domestic abuse?
I'm telling you that if the delegates in your district support this guy, there will not only be a stain on your local BPOU, but the stain will affect every Republican running for office in Minnesota. Again, please stop being an elitist. Let the voters decide, not just 97 party insiders.
Let me just emphasize one point. You said that if Olson goes to the senate, he will lead the charge to protect family values. The problem is that Mark Olson has no moral authority to make such a run in the legislature. Just as Larry Craig, Mark Foley, Bill Clinton and a whole host of others have lost any moral authority they once had.
Wouldn't it be better to elect a person who doesn't have the personal baggage and has the moral authority to raise the arguments you care about???
“You say that Mark has gotten his family life back together but his wife doesn't say that. She said on MDE that it's extremely difficult for her to stay with Mark under the circumstances but they are going (present and future tense) through counseling together. It would be a different story if the counseling were over and the parties were healed.”
I am very glad you pointed this out. I am not sure if you are very familiar with marriage counseling (I don’t mean that as a slam FYI), but even years after the main “hurdle” is crossed, the focal issue resolved, follow-up counseling is typical to keep folks on-track and moving on to stronger relationships than before the initial rift, problem, issue, what have you. Just because Mark and Heidi are still seeking counseling doesn’t mean things aren’t together with their family. It just means that they take the time and effort to ensure they never get into the sort of misunderstanding that caused so much embarrassment again. Their family went through a lot of pain with what happened (pain inflamed by media lies, by the way). They value their marriage above gold- that’s why they are still counseling. I understand that it raises a red flag for you, but if you lived in SD16, you’d know as well as I that they are way beyond the troubles of last year. Thank God they were able to get to this point.
You did mention how Heidi mentioned how difficult it is to stay together. Well, that is certainly true. Heidi and Mark both need to put work into their marriage, and it’s not easy work, as in all marriages. Yet all the while, spiteful folks continue to encourage bitter divorce. Taking a stand against the urges to do so is no doubt exhausting for Heidi- I’m sure it’s very hard. I am certain she draws a lot of strength from Mark and their love for each other along with their relationship with God. Heidi says she is ready to do this run, which surprised even me. Their marriage was even more resilient than I had expected.
“We have a candidate running who actually got violent with his wife.”
Again, check the facts a tad bit more thoroughly and understand the legal implications of what you are saying. Mark did not physically attack Heidi. Your phrase is an oversimplification which only causes fruitless confusion. Re-check what I wrote. If you are still unclear, let me know.
“If a tragedy happens and Mark is elected to the Senate, he will not strengthen families in Minnesota. He will degrade them by his very presence. Olson is as unfit to serve in elected office as Bill Clinton was. Could you imagine being a victim of domestic abuse and having your state senator who perpetrated domestic abuse?”
Mark will strengthen families by showing that marriages do not need to cede victory and end in divorce whenever difficulties arise. Marriages take work, and they can be repaired. Mark Olson has seen the gruesome ins and outs of a system which has destroyed many an innocent man. Mark Olson will fight hard to make sure Minnesota State law is not used as a hammer with which to carelessly tear families apart and shatter marriages. Corrupt people in the system have been benefitting from using the law to crush relationships recklessly to reap the legal bills, taxes, etc. This is a corrupt system Olson is going to fight. You bet your buttons Minnesota families will be strengthened by his presence in the Minnesota Senate. He may be their only hope to fix this gigantic problem in our state.
“ Again, please stop being an elitist. Let the voters decide, not just 97 party insiders.”
I am now an “elitist?” Have you read anything here? If I was an elitist, I would be dancing to Senjem’s or Carey’s tune. I’m not. I’m not even dancing to Olson’s tune. In fact, I am speaking out against a huge segment of the GOP here, against the real elitists. I am stand alone on the truth and facts. I am not an elitist because I value the input of the people in my community. I respect the will of the delegates elected by friends and neighbors instead of imposing my own views, candidates, or ideas on them. I believe that down to my bones. I am no more an elitist than you. I stand with the grassroots, with the people of SD16, my fellow citizens for which I feel a deep responsibility to defend and inform.
These delegates are not “insiders” either; they are everyday people who happen to care. They couldn’t be more “outside” of the loop quite frankly, especially when you encourage the total disenfranchisement of them.
All the same, very good points and concerns.
“The problem is that Mark Olson has no moral authority to make such a run in the legislature. Just as Larry Craig, Mark Foley, Bill Clinton and a whole host of others have lost any moral authority they once had.
Wouldn't it be better to elect a person who doesn't have the personal baggage and has the moral authority to raise the arguments you care about???"
Very good question. This is a struggle that a lot of people coming out to our convention had to ask themselves.
There is a presumption by many that if Mark Olson wasn’t the “perfect” choice, then this Alison Krueger must have been a much better choice. A lot of folks who talked to me felt that way when they went to the convention. The problem was that she was no such thing. Instead of getting substantive experience and politically suicidal integrity with Olson (well, what should be politically suicidal in the world of political correctness), folks saw an alternative with no experience, no substance, no ideas, and a status as a total unknown. After she spoke for her 12 minutes, some really were questioning what baggage she might have. I don’t mean that as a slam against her necessarily, but that is what folks told me. They didn’t see a senator standing in front of them.
Mark Olson’s baggage was well-known to everyone in SD16. They know his case, they know what happened, and they have read articles about it for well over a year and a half. Many talked personally with Mark and Heidi personally to get things “straight from the horse’s mouth.” Mark Olson appeared on stage with the support of many dozens willing to stand with him despite the distorted media portrait. In the end, folks saw Olson’s solid record for HD16B and a very conservative record which many in our district regard very highly. 2 to 1 they said to give Mark Olson the chance to make a difference in the senate.
SD16 is a district that cares very, very deeply about family issues. A 2 to 1 landslide would not have taken place if they thought the assault charges thrown at him had any merit. That is the key. Unlike Clinton, Mark Olson still has his moral authority in tact as he moves forward… at least inside SD16. I understand that most everyone outside has read the articles misquoting and misleading folks to think that which was not true. We are trying to get the truth about Mark Olson out there. I think that like the folks here in SD16, once people see the facts in front of them, they will see what a champion of the family Mark Olson has been and will continue to be in the senate. His moral authority is only gone in the eyes of a media bent on crushing family values. Those who watch his battle through their lens will not understand who he is or what he is really about. His moral authority may be gone in your eyes, but in the eyes of people in SD16, the people he is being sent to represent, he has more moral authority on issues of the family than nearly any other person in the Minnesota House or Senate. We know the candidate we endorsed.
Does that adequately answer the question?
Chris,
I never suggested that the Olsons get a divorce. What I said was that Mark Olson should put his family before his ambitions. Heidi Olson said that it's very difficult for them to stay together and that the family is going through counseling. Counseling doesn't happen overnight. Between the rigors of session where days start before 8 am and end often after midnight, and the rigors of a political campaign which goes from morning to night and seven days a week, Mark Olson hasn't had the time to work on putting his family life back together. If he were a man of character and integrity, he would put his personal ambition aside for the good of his family, his party and his state.
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