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...

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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.

MN Rep D Betty McCollum Says the Stimulus Worked! Uhm, Epic FAIL!!!

First, challenger Teresa Collett answers.  Clear, concise and articulate, but what else would you expect from a law professor...

and then we have brain dead Betty McCollum, who would be overmatched in a debate with Paris Hilton!

Betty, you start off talking about injecting confidence into the market, and the stimulus was the best way to do so.  Sure...maybe if that was the only thing you did, but you also did auto bailouts, TARP, Obamacare, Cash for Clunkers, Cash for Caulkers and Congress gave themselves a payraise.  Since none of those worked, there was no confidence.  In fact, I don't know of one person who was affected by the stimulus package!  But, there certainly was a lot of government employees hired.

You talk about 9% unemployment, and it would've been 16% if not for the stimulus.  Well genius, get out of Washington DC and talk to your district (which you don't do)!  The Real Unemployment Rate (underemployed and discouraged workers) is around 22%!  Betty, I am not a dummy; I am an educated professional!

To listen to your talking points is nauseating.  We could put any Democrat up there, close our eyes and hear the same talking points your leadership sent with you!

Let's look at some #'s I found here:

In the table below, I’ve calculated the net change in employment by industry from February 2009, when the stimulus bill was passed, to July 2010, using the latest data available from the BLS. (Click row headings for data source.)

		Jobs Created Forecast (Q4-2010)	Jobs Created Actual (2/2009 to 7/2010)
TOTAL		3,675,000	-2,629,700
Mining		26,000	-14,000
Construction		678,000	-862,000
Manufacturing		408,000	-660,000
Wholesale Trade		158,000	-173,900
Retail Trade		604,000	-288,900
Information		50,000	-161,000
Financial Activities		214,000	-321,000
Professional and Business Services		345,000	-246,000
Education and Health Services		240,000	+473,000
Leisure and Hospitality		499,000	-86,000
Other Services		99,000	-71,000
Utilities		11,000	-11,400
Transportation and Warehousing		98,000	-143,500
Government		244,000	-64,000

Oh, and the Central Corridor...so if you were working on that for 20 years, how did that benefit from the stimulus?  Also, the Central Corridor...how will that keep the major corporations?  It connects both downtowns!  People already get to their jobs.

One more thing Betty...your idol, Kenya's Village Idiot admitted the stimulus failed, so why are you defending it?

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, and if you are new to this blog, read how Betty denies God in Congress,supports 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, and what has Betty done for MNCD4?  

MN Rep D Betty McCollum Answers Question Without Answering Question at WBL Debate!

This is from the White Bear Area Chamber of Comm Cand. Forum on 9/21.  Here we have Betty McCollum at it again.  It's obvious they were given the questions in advance, so one would think Betty would be prepared to answer the question...



You can see the hamster spooling up to full power as Betty struggles to start her response.  Betty continues on with DFL rabble-rowser nonsense.  Uhm, sure Betty...tell that to the millions still unemployed, and businesses who see flat revenues as a victory!  Tell that to the businesses that are to nervous to do anything because of the uncertainty of government regulations and taxes.

Betty, you say you talk to businesses?  Sure you do, I read about it in your press releases!  And the ones you talk to (nice businesses, I am familiar with some of them) are getting federal money.  Well, I DO to.  I work with small and mid-size manufacturers and distributors in my real job, and I don't hear the positive spin you are putting on.  I hear how they are nervous, and don't know what is coming next.  I hear how they can't get loans, how they are losing customers because they are going out of business, how they had to let staff go and are concerned about healthcare reform.  It is like you read right from the DFL script.  Gee, why would that be hard to believe?

What was really surprising is, you never answered the question.  "What are you doing in Washington to fix the economy"?

Sputnik?
Then China?
What are you talking about?
Clean technologies?

I agree, we need to get to clean technologies...but, that is a ways down the road, and the government can't be subsidizing clean technologies (which the DFL wants to do, but that is another topic).  In the meantime, we need the government to stay out of business, not a cheerleader for more policies on business.  What was the question Betty?

Teresa Collett, then proceeds to slap Betty down...

Betty, I am optimistic about our future too, that is after Nov. 2nd!

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, and if you are new to this blog, read how Betty denies God in Congress, supports 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, and what has Betty done for MNCD4?  

Rep. Betty McCollum's Town Hall: God, Health Care, and a Chicken

Beautiful insight on a Betty McCollum townhall. Well, townhall is really a misnomer; this was a DFL, pat each other on the back, and pretend things are good kind of party.

Rep. Betty McCollum's Town Hall: God, Health Care, and a Chicken

• September 27th, 2010 1:55 am CT

Chris Conner

• St. Paul Religion & Politics Examiner

Betty McCollum joined a panel of health care experts at Gloria Dei, ELCA, in Saint Paul, MN Sunday night. While the discussion about health care and God ensued inside, a small group of protesters gathered outside.

Last week, Rep. McCollum was scheduled to debate her opponent, Teresa Collett live on local television. McCollum backed out just a few days before.

Instead, she made time for a town hall at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, attended by about 60 people, where Pastor Lois Pallmeyer opened up with prayer for health care reform.

McCollum praised the “faith community” for their activism saying, “I wish there was a public option in this bill. We need a single payer system. We need your prayers to keep health care reform moving in the right direction.”

McCollum did not allow video recording of the event and appeared uneasy when somebody in a chicken suit came to the door. The protester was quickly escorted away.

The panel framed health care reform as a matter of responsibility. “We all are responsible to contribute to the collective so that everybody has health insurance, so that those who are able to pay can help those who cannot.” The panelists argued that health care is a right, not a privilege, perpetuating a divisive dichotomy around a very complicated and difficult issue.

McCollum bemoaned that there is no dialogue about the bill because of bitter partisanship. Still, only one side was discussed and many questions from the audience were screened out.

While denying “death panels” in the bill, McCollum spoke about requiring health care directives and end of life plans so that people can “die with dignity.” She spoke of her own decision to let her mother die.
The evening was rife with similar contradictions. The low turnout suggests that angry citizens are tuning McCollum out. Her refusal to debate Collett on live television before a larger audience is admittedly a political calculation on her part, albeit a risky one in this political climate. McCollum has a reputation for becoming tongue-tied.

After the event, one man asked the pastor if she would be willing to hold a dialogue between McCollum and Collett. Pallmeyer said, “No. McCollum is our Representative.”

Outside, cars honked at the dancing chicken holding a sign that urges McCollum to put her committment to "dialogue" into action:

“Chicken Betty- Debate”

When asked, the protesters admitted that the Collett campaign was not aware of their activity.

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, and if you are new to this blog, read how Betty denies God in Congress, supports 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, and what has Betty done for MNCD4?  

Betty McCollum MN Rep D Supports Nancy Pelosi 100%!!!

Today was a big day in MNCD4!  Our current congresswoman, the intellectual flyweight, Betty McCollum debated her challenger Teresa Collett.  This wasn't the televised event that Betty McCollum chickened out on, but a debate that was sponsored by the White Bear Area Chamber of Commerce.


There were a couple important things to come out of this debate.  First, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, there is a clear choice for MNCD4.  


Collett, a University of St. Thomas law professor, took shots at McCollum for supporting President Obama's health-care initiative and for backing various approaches, such as the federal stimulus package and last year's "Cash for Clunkers'' rebate program, aimed at reviving the economy.


"The simple fact is that we need new leadership and we will get this country back on track,'' Collett said.

Collett said voters should reject members of Congress who voted for the health-care bill so Congress can repeal it and replace it with something better.

Spot on Teresa!  If you think Health Care Reform the way it stands now is going to deliver the way Betty McCollum, Nancy Pelosi and Obama promised, please read my post.  We were told the following, all of which are disputed by many think tanks.  Rates weren't supposed to increase, but they are.  The uninsured will be put in Medicaid, but Dr.'s are leaving Medicaid in droves; this changes the quality of care.  Taxes will increase (there are 17 new taxes) to pay for Health Care Reform.  The national debt will actually increase.  We were promised we could keep our health insurance, but 17 million people will lose it, and some big companies are considering eliminating their healthcare plans and paying the fine.  


Reader, do you agree Speaker Nancy Pelosi is doing a great job?  Do you think she is taking America down the right track?  Where are the jobs?  What about the increasing national debt?  What about the economy?  These are things Bush can't be blamed for; the Democrats have been in control of Congress since 2006!  Think about where we are at; think long and hard.  Has Nancy Pelosi done a great job?  How about a good job?  I don't think so.


Recently there is talk about whether or not Nancy Pelosi will retain her position as Speaker of the House.  This question leads us to the second important item to come out of this debate, and that is where Betty McCollum stands on Nancy Pelosi.  


According to the Pioneer Press, Teresa Collett said, "The simple fact is that we need new leadership and we will get this country back on track,''  


And then we have Betty who stands behind Pelosi 100%.




Pelosi has a 39% approval rating in MNCD4!  Uhm, that isn't very good, and is lower than Obama, especially when she is half a country away!  But Betty backs Pelosi 100%!  This year, Betty has voted 100% with Pelosi!  Is that good for MNCD4, or is that good for San Francisco?  Isn't this part of the problem in Washington?  There is no disputing Pelosi is one of the most powerful women in Washington, but by voting 100% with Pelosi, isn't that just pushing through her agenda?  Again, how is that good for MNCD4?


As Betty said on Pelosi, "I'm going to support a leader who brings people together to move this country forward.''  


Betty, thanks for clearing that up.  Move this country forward?  I would say you have moved us backwards over the last 4 years!  And you are right, Pelosi has brought people together; Conservatives and Tea Party members!  Seriously Betty, concentrate and think hard...focus Betty.  Over the last year people have become pissed off; me included, thus this blog.  Now here is your test Betty... Over the last year we have heard of...

• people that didn't pay much attention to politics (me), to becoming very informed
• Democrats turning Republican or Tea Party
• Independents turning Tea Party or Republican
• Liberals turning Tea Party or Republican

What is missing Betty?  Let me answer this for you.  What we haven't heard is Republicans, Independents or Tea Party people say, "Hey, things are going great, I like the direction the country is headed in, I am voting Democrat"!

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, and if you are new to this blog, read how Betty denies God in Congress, supports 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, and what has Betty done for MNCD4?  

Betty McCollum Chickens Out on Debate With Teresa Collet

The most anticipated debate since Ross Perot v. Bush v. Clinton was to take place in MNCD4. Yep, who knew! The debate was to be between current incumbent, and intellectual flyweight Betty McCollum vs. Republican challenger Teresa Collett; an attorney and law professor at UST.  But, yesterday Betty chickened out, and cancelled the debate; once again screwing MNCD 4, by denying us a chance to hear her unintelligible ramblings.

This debate was to be a televised debate, which would've shown Betty's minimal intellectual capacity. I'm guessing the DFL leadership (DFL has held this seat for 50 years) recognized Betty's not a mental giant, and that she would be in over her head in a debate with Paris Hilton; so they pulled the plug on the debate. They used the reasoning that KSTP owner gave $2k to Teresa. "We don't do debates where the sponsoring organization has made political contributions to our opponents," Blauvelt said. "We've had the principle for three or four cycles now." 

Uhm, so what!  It is $2k.  Big deal...Don't worry Betty...we are out in force on Twitter, FB and blogs spreading the word of your incompetence.  Below is a posting from another blog, Let Freedom Ring, about Betty pulling out of the debate with Teresa...
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Written by Gary Gross

Friday, 10 September 2010 05:15

Like many Democrats, Rep. Betty McCollum is afraid to face her GOP opponent. I can't blame Rep. McCollum for not wanting to debate Teresa Collett, especially on TV. That isn't a matchup I'd look forward to if I was Rep. McCollum's campaign manager. Still, it's telling that Rep. McCollum has refused to debate Teresa Collett on TV:

Teresa Collett, Republican candidate for Congress in Minnesota’s 4th district today called upon DFL incumbent Congresswoman Betty McCollum to explain why she is denying the voters the chance to see the differences between the candidates on the November ballot. Today, McCollum rejected an invitation to take part in the KSTP-Channel 5 debate to be taped on Sept. 19th. Despite Congress not being in session that day, no reason was given for the snub.

“What does Betty McCollum have to hide from the voters besides her record”, asked Teresa Collett.

America’s prosperity has been derailed by the politicians in Washington and Betty McCollum and Nancy Pelosi are part of the problem. Betty McCollum has been in office for nine and a half years and unemployment is nine and a half percent. Throughout the 4th Congressional district in Minnesota unemployment has doubled or tripled since Betty took office.

“McCollum is a typical politician who does not want to debate on television where voters may be informed of her record and the voters deserve more from her than that,” stated Collett.

Teresa Collett is a law professor at the University of St. Thomas, a wife and mother of three, an author, lecturer and advocate.

Rep. McCollum has voted for the trifecta, aka the stimulus, Pelosicare and Cap and Trade. Nobody in their right mind thinks that the stimulus has worked. Rep. McCollum probably isn't participating in this debate because she doesn't want to have to defend those votes. Even in typically Democratic districts, voters saw the Democrats' radicalism.

Prior to this year, Rep. McCollum could coast, never thinking twice about voting for radical things like Cap and Tax or Pelosicare. This year, she can't be certain that she'll get away with those votes. Standing alongside a competent, intelligent conservative lady like Teresa Collett isn't the image that McCollum wants splashed across a TV screen.

I've heard Collett on the radio a number of times. She's an impressive candidate, easily McCollum's equal, if not better. In this crazy year, Teresa Collett certainly is capable of defeating Rep. McCollum. The people that were identified early as vulnerable now lost for the D's and the next group well on their way to losing, the NRCC should be well on their way of targeting the group that was initially classified as leans Democrat.

McCollum refusing to debate on statewide TV is a sign of weakness. More importantly, it's proof that she's worried. If I was managing the Collett campaign, I'd start running ads similar to the old Wellstone Where's Rudy ads. If McCollum won't debate on TV, then I'd highlight that by ridiculing McCollum.

Comments welcome at LFR.

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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, and if you are new to this blog, read how Betty denies God in Congress, supports 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, and what has Betty done for MNCD4?