Betty McCollum needs to be voted out!!!

If any of this makes you mad, please leave a comment, and let Betty McCollum know how you feel!

25 July 2012

Betty McCollum Votes Against Audit of the Federal Reserve!

Ever since the government started printing money the last few years, there have been cries to audit the Fed.  Since the Fed operates in a black box, American's have to trust they are making good decisions with our money.  Many don't think the Fed is making good decisions, and want transparency into the Fed's operations.

One good thing about Betty McCollum, she wants transparency!  Yes, she does (when it suits her)...

From Betty's statement of record on H.R. 3606:

Moreover, H.R. 3606 would allow large banking institutions with hundreds of billions of dollars in assets to de-register and escape SEC regulations that ensure corporate transparency, integrity, and accountability.


Brilliant, Betty wants transparency in banking...but not of the Fed.

In a press release, Betty describes her role on a board that sought transparency in international financial institutions:


Congresswoman McCollum is the former board chair (2007-2008) of the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank (PNoWB), an international organization of parliamentarians dedicated to increased accountability and transparency in International Financial Institutions and multilateral development financing. 


In a hearing on Medicaid fraud, Betty accuses Governor Pawlenty administration of not being open on negotiated Medicaid contracts, but loves Governor Dayton's transparency:

For eight years, the Republican administration of Governor Tim Pawlenty negotiated Medicaid contracts with health plans with little to no transparency. If the terms of these contracts were negotiated poorly or if they allowed waste and abuse to take place, then this committee has an obligation to investigate. Unfortunately, those members of the Pawlenty administration responsible for negotiating on behalf of taxpayers are not here to testify.
Starting in January 2011, Democratic Governor Mark Dayton's administration took action to increase transparency, accountability, and value for taxpayers. Commissioner Jesson is here to testify and she is to be commended for implementing reforms that should be a guide for every other state – particularly in states where for-profit managed care organizations may be extracting massive taxpayer funded profits.
In Betty's 2010 Newsletter, she brags about the transparency that the Wall Street Reform Act will provide (banks again):


"The time when Wall Street is allowed to gamble with the economic security of the American people is over. With these reforms a new age of financial accountability and transparency is about to begin. This legislation protects taxpayers and their retirement funds, college accounts, and home mortgages from risky decisions by CEOs, lenders, and speculators," said McCollum.


Another statement by Betty on financial system reform, and demonizing banks:


"Rebuilding the American economy and putting people back to work requires a financial sector that is regulated and required to behave responsibly. The era of Wall Street gambling with the economic security of the American people is over, and a new age of financial accountability and transparency is about to begin. The passage of this legislation protects taxpayers and their retirement funds, college accounts, and homes from risky decisions by CEOs, lenders, and speculators. This is an excellent bill which needs to become the law."


So transparency of private financial institutions, domestic and international is good, but auditing the Fed is bad?  Thankfully, the bill to audit the Fed passed 327-98!  If Betty didn't have double-standards, she wouldn't have standards at all!


Keep up the work constituents of MNCD4; every bit helps.  From letters to the editor, tweets, facebook, blogs, Hernandez yard signs, telling your neighbors etc...spread the word on what Betty hasn't done for MNCD4.  

If you are new to this blog, read how Betty McCollum denies God in Congress, supports the terrorist group Hamas and is anti-Israel.  Or just ask yourself, with the recent revelation of voter fraud in St. Paul, why would Betty McCollum deny voter fraud is a problem?  But more importantly, what has Betty done for MNCD4


If you Betty know how you feel, you can let her know on Twitter@BettyMcCollum04 or on her Facebook pages:


28 June 2012

The Partisan Cowardice of Betty McCollum!

Trey Gowdy is a representative from South Carolina, below is his impassioned speech he gave prior to the contempt vote.  Gowdy is a former DOJ prosecutor, and sums up why Eric Holder's contempt vote should be taken seriously, and isn't a partisan witchhunt!




Lets remember why Fast and Furious is a big deal...As a result of Fast and Furious, over 200 Mexicans were killed, and two US law enforcement agents, Brian Terry and Jaime Zapata.  Over 200 people died from weapons that the US Government provided to criminals as part of an investigation.  Again, over 200 people died!  That is why this is a big deal.

Today was the day that the House of Representatives voted to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress for refusing to turn over internal documents discussing the Justice Department’s botched Operation Fast and Furious gun-tracking program.  During the investigation, led by Congressman Darrell Issa, Chairman of the House Oversight Committee and Senator Charles Grassley, ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee have been accused by Democrats of racism and conducting a witch hunt. Seriously? Again, over 200 people died.  Brian Terry's family deserves an answer.  Jaime Zapata's family deserves an answer.  200 Mexicans families deserve an answer, and the Mexican government deserves an answer.  The American people deserve answers.


Then we have MN CD 4's very own Betty McCollum.  Remember, Betty is the one who denied God in Congress as she led the Pledge of Allegiance, doesn't believe voter fraud exists, supports Hamas instead of Israel, and doesn't see the value of budgets. As you can see, Betty IS an intellectual lightweight!  


I called Betty's office to ask if she had a statement on the upcoming contempt vote on Eric Holder, and I was told Betty had no statement.  I reminded the young lady who responded, that in 2007, Betty called for Attorney General Alberto Gonzales resignation for firing DOJ attorneys.  She didn't have a response, just thanked me for calling.  


Today, Betty did issue a statement which called the contempt proceedings against Eric Holder "Shameful and Shameless", a "Witchunt" and again blamed the Tea Party.  She also said Fast and Furious was a program from the Bush era; it isn't.  This graphic explains the differences in the two programs, but Betty never lets the facts get in the way when trying to smear anyone who doesn't prescribe to her far left ideology.




As today's events around the contempt proceedings unfolded, one could assume Betty would vote against contempt.  Remember, there are 2 dead law enforcement agents, and over 200 dead Mexicans.  One would think our representatives would put policy above politics, but not Betty.  She joined fellow Minnesota representative, Keith Ellison, and the Congressional Black Caucus in walking out of the vote in protest!




From Betty's Twitter stream!



And, there they go! (pic referred to in Betty's tweet)


The sad part is, Betty McCollum is putting politics ahead of doing the right thing.  Two law enforcement officers dead, 200 Mexicans dead, and Betty, as well as the rest that didn't participate in the contempt vote felt it was more important to make a political statement.  


What a slap in the face to the families of Brian Terry and Jaime Zapata!  The families want answers, and Betty and the others only think of themselves.  Thankfully, the contempt vote passed 255-67 with 109 not voting!  Yep, Betty was among the 109 (as well as Keith Ellison).  Betty McCollum is no Trey Gowdy!!!

If you are disgusted by what Betty did today, you can let her know on Twitter @BettyMcCollum04 or on her Facebook pages:



You can also let Keith Ellison know how you feel:

Twitter - @KeithEllison



FYI...Betty doesn't like free speech, and your comments will more than likely be deleted; she only likes comments from those that agree with her!

Betty, November is coming, and your constituents will remember your actions today!  As your actions represent your district, and I don't think your district would approve of what you did today! If you want Betty ousted, please share this blog with all your friends and neighbors.

This website is a great resource on Fast And Furious - http://sipseystreetirregulars.blogspot.com/
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/06/28/2873339/house-holds-holder-in-contempt.html#storylink=cpy

10 July 2011

Betty McCollum Explains Why Budgets Aren't Important to Democrats

It has been over 800 days since the Democrats have proposed a budget...This video of Betty McCollum in a debate during the 2010 election explains how the Democrats feel about budgets.  Spending continues, and we're still waiting for that budget...


12 April 2011

Why Don't Democrats Acknowledge God?

Why are Democrats afraid to say God? Is there a pattern developing here?

Betty McCollum set the stage, she claims to be Catholic...(see original blog post on this here)




And now Harry Reid, he claims to be Mormon...



harry-reid-finger

29 October 2010

MN Rep D Betty McCollum On Voter Fraud (there isn't any)!



Also see Betty McCollum, Congress's Intellectual Leader!


Keep up the work constituents of MNCD4; every bit helps.  From letters to the editor, tweets, facebook, blogs, Collett yard signs, telling your neighbors etc...spread the word on what Betty hasn't done for MNCD4.  

If you are new to this blog, read how Betty McCollum denies God in Congress, supports the terrorist group Hamas and is anti-Israel.  Or just ask yourself, with the recent revelation of voter fraud in St. Paul, why would Betty McCollum deny voter fraud is a problem?  But more importantly, what has Betty done for MNCD4

Remember, if you see me, please honk!  

28 October 2010

Are Betty McCollum Staffers Astroturfing the Internet?

Another blogger pointed out to me that Betty McCollum may have a staffer astroturfing the internet for them!

They are posting as MN04.

On a local blog, True North, an article was written about Betty, and MN04 responded and pointed to Betty's press release on Omitting God from the Pledge of Allegiance.  This prompted the author at True North to write the following...

http://www.looktruenorth.com/elections/us-congress/14378-real-minnesota-congresswoman-of-genius.html

Then they posted on another blog; Here is the post...


MN04 Says:


Congresswoman McCollum has led the Pledge of Allegiance on the House floor several times before. Check out http://mccollum.house.gov/pledge. It’s all there.


from this blog

http://doctorbulldog.wordpress.com/2010/10/25/congresswoman-betty-mccollum-d-from-minnesota-omits-under-god-from-the-pledge-of-allegiance-on-house-floor/comment-page-1/#comment-90708

and the blog owner's response to me...


MadVoterInMN,
Just so you know, MN04 is a government shill for McCollum. The IP address is from Washington DC and the email address for MN04 ends with “@mail.house.gov”
Also, MN04 has left the same exact message on other websites:
Yup, astroturfing the internet, are we Ms. McCollum, err… I mean, MN04?
Cheers
----
Also happened on this blog...
http://www.norcalblogs.com/gate/2010/10/video-of-democrat-omitting-under-god-while-leading-the-pledge-of-allegiance-on-the-house-floor.php

So, here I sit contemplating this...Betty doesn't have her supporters defending her!  She has to resort to her staff to post on blogs?  And they are doing it from government computers?  I can't imagine this doesn't violate some ethics laws, or computer terms of use!  Is a staffer using government computers, to post on blogs, in support of a congresswoman?

I demand an investigation!!!

Keep up the work constituents of MNCD4; every bit helps.  From letters to the editor, tweets, facebook, blogs, Collett yard signs, telling your neighbors etc...spread the word on what Betty hasn't done for MNCD4.  

If you are new to this blog, read how Betty McCollum denies God in Congress, supports the terrorist group Hamas and is anti-Israel.  Or just ask yourself, with the recent revelation of voter fraud in St. Paul, why would Betty McCollum deny voter fraud is a problem?  But more importantly, what has Betty done for MNCD4

Remember, if you see me, please honk!  





27 October 2010

An Open Letter to the St. Paul Pioneer Press

Tonight I received the letter below from @StPaulCD4Voter, which has been submitted to the St. Paul Pioneer Press as a Letter to the Editor.



To Thom Fladung -- Editor of the St. Paul Pioneer Press

Dear Mr. Fladung;

Over the last week its been probably the most interesting race in the 4th Congressional District in over 20 years.  Unfortunately most of the voters of St. Paul would never know it if they relied solely on your paper to get their information.  Luckily the "new media" has done your job for you this campaign, and really shown why the print media is dying in this country.  Let me bring you up to speed.

First there has been a lot of debate about debates.  It started when Rep. Betty McCollum initially did not respond to Republican Teresa Collett's primary night challenge to hold 4 debates.  Collett actually hand delivered a letter to Betty McCollum's office the morning after her primary victory to challenge McCollum face to face.  Betty wasn't there, and apparently neither was the Pioneer Press because no story on Teresa's debate challenge ever appeared in the "newspaper of record" for St. Paul.

Finally, after much goading by local bloggers McCollum agreed to appear in a televised debate on KSTP TV, only to back out at the last minute. You would think the refusal of a sitting Congresswoman to appear on television to debate her Republican opponent would be big news, especially given the current political environment and the issues facing our country.  But, sadly there was no reporting of this slap in the face to the voters of St. Paul by their elected representative in the Pioneer Press.

Rep McCollum ultimately agreed to appear in two live candidate forums, and one radio forum on MPR.  The first forum in front of the White Bear Lake Chamber of Commerce, wasn't open to the public.  At this debate Rep McCollum proclaimed that she "supports Nancy Pelosi 100% and would vote to reelect her as Speaker."   She also called Speaker Pelosi "a consensus builder" despite the fact that she led a unilateral effort on the part of the Democratic Party to pass the hugely unpopular stimulus, cash for clunkers, and health care reform -- that has spawned the voter anger that is driving what could be an historic wave election in just a few days.  The story that appeared in the Pioneer Press reporting on this debate has actually been taken down off your website!  You would think this story would stay up at least until after the election as a service to your readers who are trying to educate themselves on the issues.

Last week at the Wilder Foundation, Rep McCollum and Teresa Collett again met face to face in front of a live public audience.  Anyone who was there would agree that Collett clearly won the debate.  She articulately laid out the case for limited government, tax cuts and spending reductions in order to get the economy back on track. The overwhelming consensus from anyone in the room was that Collett came off polished, aware, and in command of the issues.  If someone from outside the district had attended the debate, they would have thought Collett actually was the incumbent.   Rep McCollum on the other hand, made bizzare statements like:

"Health care reform is not a government takeover"
"The budget is just a piece of paper..its totally non binding"
"AlQaeda is no longer a threat to the United States"

During this debate, many of  McCollum's answers drew scorn if not outright laughter from the audience.  She showed a remarkable inability to speak without prepared notes, and really didn't seem that well prepared. This story deserved front page news, as it was in front of a packed audience of actual voters attending a Congressional election in a highly contentious national election.  Instead St. Paul voters received a bland article, buried in the paper that failed to capture the spirit of the debate or the atmosphere in the room.

Finally the events of the last 72 hours have failed to even make the paper at all.  In case you weren't aware the Congresswoman from St. Paul has become a viral sensation on the Internet.  A video of her leading Congress in the Pledge of Allegiance, and clearly omitting the words "Under God" is now all over the Internet.  The video was featured on the Hannity television show on Monday night and on Glenn Beck's national radio show on Tuesday morning.  It is newsworthy because it surfaced at the same time another video of a League of Women Voters debate where the audience demanded that the debate open with the Pledge despite the resistance of the LWV moderator made national news and also went viral. 

Today another video of Rep McCollum saying that "Al Qaeda no longer is a threat to the US" appeared on the front page of the National Review, Foxnation.comHotair.com, and The Blaze on the same day that a suspect with Al Qaeda connections was arrested in Washington DC, casing possible bombing sites. (I'm hopeful to see a reporting of this in tomorrow's paper, but I'm not holding my breath!)  McCollum's statement flies in the face of testimony by Homeland Security Director Janet Napolitano and FBI Director Robert Mueller before Congress last month.  This statement by McCollum is shocking coming from a sitting Congresswoman, for either she released classified information in the debate at the Wilder Center or she revealed a fundamental lack of understanding of the threats facing our country! 

This is an important election.  The St. Paul Pioneer Press has failed the voters of St. Paul in its duty to report on the public debate and the events surrounding this campaign.  This campaign has clearly shown to those who care to inform themselves which candidate is most qualified to represent the 4th District.  Teresa Collett is a former small business owner, an appellate attorney who has tried cases before the Supreme Court, testified before Congress, and is a constitutional law professor at St. Thomas.  Betty McCollum has a remarkably undistinguished career in Congress, passing only one bill into law -- renaming a post office!  McCollum has been a 100% reliable vote for Nancy Pelosi and the extreme left wing of the Democratic Party her entire career. When Pelosi's approval rate is less than 30%, McCollum's support for her shows that she represents the values of San Francisco, not St. Paul.

In order to maintain any credibility I am calling upon you today to endorse Teresa Collett for Congress. Collett represents the opinion of the majority of the country who are afraid about the growth of government, the growing tax burden on the job creators in this country and the debt the Democrats have levied on our children and grandchildren.  McCollum is the poster child for everything that is being rejected by voters across the country!  


In order to save your reputation as the clear thinking paper in town -- please endorseTeresa Collett!

Sincerely,


@StPaulCD4Voter


--------------------------------------------
Keep up the work constituents of MNCD4; every bit helps.  From letters to the editor, tweets, facebook, blogs, Collett yard signs, telling your neighbors etc...spread the word on what Betty hasn't done for MNCD4.  

If you are new to this blog, read how Betty McCollum denies God in Congress, supports the terrorist group Hamas and is anti-Israel.  Or just ask yourself, with the recent revelation of voter fraud in St. Paul, why would Betty McCollum deny voter fraud is a problem?  But more importantly, what has Betty done for MNCD4

Remember, if you see me, please honk!  



Why is 10 year Incumbent Betty McCollum Smiling?

Betty McCollum has been in Congress for 10 years; this video is from Betty's 8th year.  So why is Betty smiling...well, this day is a big day for the intellectual flyweight from St. Paul.  After 8 years in Congress, and lots of hard work; I mean lots of hardwork, like waking up, breathing etc.  Yes, this hardwork pays off, and Betty McCollum passes her first bill!  Yes, her first and ONLY BILL in her 10 years in office that is enacted by the President! (for Betty devotee's, a bill can be passed in the House, but means nothing till the President enacts it (signs into law)).


Bill Sandberg sounds like a helluva guy, he was a veteran!  Cheers Bill!

Congratulations Betty!  Have a drink on me!



You can check here at Govtrack; select the Congress, Betty McCollum and make sure Signed By the President is selected.

So Betty, 10 years, and 1 bill passed...OTHER THAN VOTING TO SPEND OUR MONEY, what have you been doing?

Keep up the work constituents of MNCD4; every bit helps.  From letters to the editor, tweets, facebook, blogs, Collett yard signs, telling your neighbors etc...spread the word on what Betty hasn't done for MNCD4.  

If you are new to this blog, read how Betty McCollum denies God in Congress, supports the terrorist group Hamas and is anti-Israel.  Or just ask yourself, with the recent revelation of voter fraud in St. Paul, why would Betty McCollum deny voter fraud is a problem?  But more importantly, what has Betty done for MNCD4

Remember, if you see me, please honk!  

26 October 2010

Did Betty McCollum Release Classified Information During 21 Oct 2010 Debate?

Betty adamantly claims Al Qaeda no longer poses a threat to the United States!  As you will see in the video, this information directly contradicts the testimony of Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security, and Robert Mueller, FBI Director and Michael Leiter, Director of US National Counter Terrorism Center.

The question is, did Betty release classified information...


Or is Betty just dense...











I will go with the latter...there is no way the government would entrust with her matters of national security.  Heck, Betty couldn't even get a budget done (and you saw how important she feels a budget is), and she is on the budget committee!


Keep up the work constituents of MNCD4; every bit helps.  From letters to the editor, tweets, facebook, blogs, Collett yard signs, telling your neighbors etc...spread the word on what Betty hasn't done for MNCD4.  

If you are new to this blog, read how Betty McCollum denies God in Congress, supports the terrorist group Hamas and is anti-Israel.  Or just ask yourself, with the recent revelation of voter fraud in St. Paul, why would Betty McCollum deny voter fraud is a problem?  But more importantly, what has Betty done for MNCD4

Remember, if you see me, please honk!  

22 October 2010

Post Game Wrap Up of MNCD4 Debate with Teresa Collett and Betty McCollum!!!

This post was written by @StPaulCD4Voter; my comments are at the end.  



I'm writing this about an hour after the League of Women Voters Forum in St. Paul let out tonight. I wanted to get this out on social media before the Pioneer Press (who's reporter I'm certain was sitting next to me) has a chance to frame the narrative about what happened tonight.  I attended the debate, sat in the second row and tried my best to live tweet the events that I saw.  You can follow my tweets on the #mncd4  hashtag.  I'm certain the Collett campaign will have the debate up on their www.collettforcongress.com YouTube Channel very soon.

It was great to see a lot of fantastic patriotic people that I've met over social media the last few months. @madvoterinmn @douglasbass and @suejeffersktlk all sat next to me.  We had a great time talking before hand and exchanging notes during the debate.  The great thing was that the audience seemed to be overwhelmingly pro Collett!  This is in St. Paul! The city that hasn't elected a Republican to Congress since WWII!   I fully expected to see busloads of SEIU members shipped in to give Betty a friendly environment.  Either the busses got caught in traffic, or the DFL machine isn't working for Betty anymore.  I'm now more convinced than ever that Teresa Collett can win in MNCD4!  She's a great candidate, she articulates her positions clearly and intelligently and she's on the right side of the issues that matter to MN and the US right now.

It should be clear to anyone that was at the debate why Betty McCollum backed out of a live televised debate on KSTP earlier in the campaign.  She does not debate well, she has trouble speaking without prepared notes (which she can't even read clearly), and when she does have to speak off the cuff she is prone to saying dumb things.  She said some doozies tonight, to which the crowd responded negatively, with gasps, if not outright laughter.  Clearly she couldn't take the risk of having such a performance televised.  What Betty McCollum doesn't realize is that with new media, that message will get through despite her best efforts. Follow @madvoterinmn and myself at @stpaulcd4voter on Twitter and go tohttp://www.mncdneedschange.blogspot.com/ for more information on Betty McCollum. 

I thought it was comical that the League of Women Voters actually called themselves a non partisan organization. This is despite the fact that the MN Voters Alliance has filed an IRS complaint against the League due to the fact that they are also a lobbying organization.http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=872135 

The opening statement Betty read from her note cards was full of the typical DFL platitudes. I heard a lot of "keep moving forward" and "not going back to the failed policies of the past" but very little substance of what she actually stood for.  She clearly was not prepared to defend her votes on health care, the stimulus, running up the debt or the bailouts to the auto industry.

On the other hand, Teresa Collett, spoke without notes about her life as a mother, a business owner, a successful lawyer, professor and recent grandmother.  She said she decided to run for Congress because she's concerned about the country that her newborn granddaughter would one day inherit.  She spoke clearly, confidently and sounded polished.  She's a great speaker.  To anyone from outside MNCD4 that happened to stumble into the Wilder Auditorium, they would have thought Teresa was the incumbant.

The first question of the night was about the recent Don't Ask, Don't Tell judicial ruling issuing an injunction telling the military to quit enforcing the policy.  McCollum said that she "has voted to repeal the ban...and would do so again."  Collett said that "She trusts the opinion of the professional leadership of the military on this issue.  They should make the decision, not judges." As an Army veteran, who still is concerned about our country's ability to effectively defend itself, I know thisto be the right answer.  The role of the military is to "kill people and break things" -- it's not a social laboratory, and the leadership's opinion on readiness should be valued, not dismissed by politicians with no military experience such as Rep. McCollum.

The second question was on health care, specifically "Can you discuss the benefits of the health care legislation?"  Teresa Collett said firmly the "health care bill is a disaster and that she would vote to repeal it." When she said this the crowd roared in approval, much to the chagrin of Betty McCollum and the LWV moderator, who reminded the crowd to hold their applause. 

McCollum went back to the same stale Democratic talking points; "I'm proud of my vote for health care!" she said.  She tried to argue that the health care bill was going to save money and make health care more affordable. She also said that "health care reform is not a government takeover..."  This drew outright laughter from the audience.  The Independence Party Candidate, who is clearly not ready for prime time, tried to say that Teresa Collett was not in favor of an immediate repeal.  Collett answered him by saying "When we have a 2/3 majority in both the House and Senate, we will override a Presidential veto and repeal the bill.." She commented that wth the political winds across the country its looking more likely that that could happen.

When questioned about what can be done about the federal debt, McCollum made the most laughable answer of the night.  It was all talking points and no substance.  She said "all options need to be on the table" four times in one two minute answer but didn't say anything that specifically answered the question.

Collett on the other hand pointed out that Betty McCollum sits on the House Budget committees, and that committee didn't even submit a budget this year.  "If you can't even submit a budget, how can you balance a budget?" She asked. Collett said she supports the Pence Ammendment limiting federal spending to 20% of GDP, and that in order to restore fiscal sanity we have to look at entitlement spending.  McCollum, speaking off the cuff, made a bizzarre comment that "the budget that committee submits is non binding, it doesn't mean anything."  This seems to reflect the current thinking of the Democratic Party.

On the question about what will it take to get the economy moving again, Collett said that "the first order of business in the new Congress in January has to be extending the tax cuts to everyone." She said the problem with the current Congress is that very few of the members have any business experience at all, and that they don't know how jobs get created.  Betty McCollum clearly was in this group, because she argued that while she's for "middle class tax cuts" (which is code for tax credits to people who don't pay taxes), we can't afford a tax cut for the top 3% of earners.  Collett countered that the top 3% include small business owners whose business income as S Corporations are passed onto their personal income tax statements.  Massive tax increases on business owners will hurt, not stimulate job creation. 

The stupidest comment of the night came on the defense question, when Betty McCollum said: "Al Qaeda no longer poses a threat to the United States.." Wow, I've been so involved in following the campaign, I must have missed that news!  She also said that there are "less than 100 Al Qaeda left in Afghanistan..."  McCollum did say, however that the military was drawing up contingency plans for global warming.  That's a relief!  I guess in Betty McCollum's world Global Warming is a bigger threat to the US than Al Qaeda.

There was a question about which founding father you admired the most.  Teresa Collett answered that James Madison was her favorite, because he believed in limited government and that he wrote the Constituion.  Betty McCollum gave some lame answer about Ben Franklin because he was such a renaissance man, free thinker, etc...I guess Betty forgot that Ben Franklin was also a big proponent for term limits!

At the end of the debate, and during closing statments, Betty McCollum basically repeated her opening statement.  The main reason she could come up with for voting for her was that she was born in South St Paul, was raised in North St Paul and lives in St. Paul now. She also tried to call for civility in discourse and that we shouldn't use hate speech.  I was left wondering, "what hate speech?"  This reminded me of her comments earlier this year comparing Michelle Bachmann and the Tea Party to Tim McVeigh. Simply insulting Betty!  People who disagree with you aren't terrorists, and differing opinion is not hate speech.

Teresa Collett on the other hand, summarized her candidacy by saying "I'm for freedom and fiscal sanity!"  She said that accumulating debt is morally irresponsible and that if elected she would work to bring sanity back to government.  Her closing statement drew thunderous applause from the audience, and contrary to what the Pioneer Press will say tomorrow morning -- the applause was for Teresa, not ALL of the candidates!

I left energized and motivated that contrary to what the media will report, there is a race in MNCD4.  There has been no polling in this district, but the same dynamics that are putting Jim Oberstar in trouble in Duluth can also swamp Betty McCollum in St. Paul.  We have to stay motivated, talk to your neighbors and make sure everyone gets out and votes for Teresa Collett.  My recent post Electoral Math How Teresa Collett can Beat Betty http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=155203901176998 outlines how the math can break in our favor!

This can be an historic election, and I hope that St. Paul voters can come out and make our state proud for a change.  I'm tired of being a laughingstock for the rest of the US...

__________________________________________________________________________________


Thank you for the outstanding recap of this debate @StPaulCD4Voter!  I just need to add a few of my notes, which I can't do in the comment section because I can't put HTML in the comments.


St. Paul, for 5 decades you have been ruled by the DFL, this is the year the pendulum swings to the other side!  The room at the Wilder Foundation holds 285 people; there was at least that many there, as people were standing along the walls around the entire room!  This morning news came out that SEIU would be sending people to the event.  Yes, there were a few SEIU folks there; they stuck out in their dress and mannerisms. The significant portion of the crowd was either professionals or retired.


The format for this debate was questions from the audience.  We had to write our questions down, and turn them in.  The LWV then filtered the questions.  As the questions were asked, they appeared to be written from a liberal perspective.  I know that none of the questions asked of the candidates were submitted by people I know.


As @StPaulCD4Voter pointed out, Betty was laughed at a number of times for her comments; what is equally important, Teresa Collett was never laughed at.  When Teresa spoke, the audience was riveted to her answers, and often erupted in loud cheers.


I was pretty disappointed in Betty McCollum's ability to address a crowd.  She literally read her statements, and when she would take her eyes off her paper to look at the audience, she would get off track and lose her focus.  For someone who has been in Congress for 10 years, I expected more.  One would think the DFL would've recognized this a long time ago, and sent her to Toastmasters...


Many of Betty's gaffe's are noted above, but a couple notables to address. When asked about reducing the deficit, Betty said all options are on the table.  Uhm, Betty hasn't met a spending bill she hasn't liked. When budget cutting ideas are presented, Betty votes against them.  For example, Youcut has been introduced a number of times, and Betty has voted against it every time.  Each one would save billions over 10 years.  Also, H.R. 4720, the Taking Responsibility for Congressional Pay Act, which would give Congress a 5% paycut (starting salary for Congress is $179,000).  This is still stuck in committee.  So it is hard to take Betty at face value when she says "All options are on the table".  Betty was laughed at loudly for her response.


Other laughs from the audience (mind you, there were around 285 people there, and every time, a significant portion of the room laughed...

  • When Betty said President Bush signed a law last week, people got a good laugh out of that!
  • Al Qaeda isn't a threat!
  • Freddie and Fannie aren't part of the government (technically not, but we are bailing them out)
  • It was also pretty funny to hear Betty explain she admired Benjamin Franklin because he had original thought.  Betty hasn't had an original thought since Nancy Pelosi told her to have one!
Watch the debates on TV when they are televised, there are more...

As noted by @StPaulCD4Voter, I too am flummoxed by Betty saying there is hate speech.  I am not sure what she is referring to, but I know Betty and liberals don't like it when you disagree with them.  In fact, Betty defriended me on Facebook because I asked questions on her Facebook page.  Read my post on it here.

If you were at the debate, you would've seen Betty often looked confused, frustrated, mad and stumbled over her words without answering the questions.  This was in diametric opposition to Teresa Collett, who commanded the room; she was articulate, informed and spoke to a point with passion.  That is leadership!

The best was at the end of the debate.  We went up to tell Teresa Collett she did a great job, but there were people already queued up, so we waited.  I thought it was a line going to Betty and Teresa, until I realized...the long line was to get to Teresa!!!  Betty had only a few people standing around her!!!  We waited 10 minutes to get to Teresa, and by that time, Betty had left the building!  Bye, Bye Betty!!!

MNCD4, smile tomorrow, the pendulum is swinging in a different direction!  The enthusiasm for Teresa Collett tonight was overwhelming, and the disdain towards Betty McCollum was evident!  We see this happening in other parts of the country; incumbents being taken down by newcomers.  It is happening  in the 8th, where Chip Craavack is neck and neck with 36 year incumbent Jim Oberstar MNCD4, it's happening in our district too.  There is enthusiasm, and Teresa Collett is an awesome, and well qualified candidate (Law professor and small business owner).   


...and finally, for the last couple weekends, I have been going out searching for Teresa Collett and Vote Betty signs in Inver Grove Heights, S. and W. St. Paul, White Bear Lake and St. Paul.  I see a roughly 10:1 ratio of Teresa signs vs. Betty signs!

I almost felt sorry for Betty, till I realized Nancy Pelosi can comfort her.

Keep up the work constituents of MNCD4; every bit helps.  From letters to the editor, tweets, facebook, blogs, Collett yard signs, telling your neighbors etc...spread the word on what Betty hasn't done for MNCD4.  

If you are new to this blog, read how Betty McCollum denies God in Congress, supports the terrorist group Hamas and is anti-Israel.  Or just ask yourself, with the recent revelation of voter fraud in St. Paul, why would Betty McCollum deny voter fraud is a problem?  But more importantly, what has Betty done for MNCD4

Remember, if you see me, please honk!  Except for you lady; yes, you, in the black Audi A8.  While I was getting in my vehicle after the debate, you glared at me.