[Mpls] Chris Bonnik

[Earl Netwal]

Chris Bonnik wrote:  "Earl Netwal obviously has a couple personal beefs, I
don't know what they are, but they have nothing to do with the newsletter.
His Senate district web-site continues to push the worn out Commish's
campaign, and he constantly pushes his campaign at all costs. This seems
more about a personal payback and slinging mud."

I do not have a personal beef of any kind with the Mayor.  The 62nd district
newsletter, which I do not directly control, has an article with RT's
announcement in prominent position above the previously posted article
announcing Peter McLaughlin's candidacy.  Peter announced first and got
billing while that was news. RT's subsequent official announcement is more
recent and is currently in "favorable" position.  Chris seems to think I am
pushing Peter McLaughlins candidacy "at all costs."  How does Chris come up
with this?   Is asking the mayor to follow his own commitment to ethical
behavior, mudslinging?   I had hoped from the start that RT would address
this issue on this list, and do what is right and proper. I think Chris is
the one who needs to think about the propriety of his/her posts.  As to how
well I have done as District Chair, I must leave that up for others to
judge. But I would point out that my district had by far the highest turnout
in last year's precinct caucuses.  I think I can rightly take part of the
credit for that. The 62nd district was perhaps the most active and best
organized district in last years election campaign, and I think I can fairly
take part of the credit for that.  This year we have moved well beyond what
most other districts are doing to get people out to caucuses. This despite
my personal belief that these interim caucuses are a mistake.  We are
reaching well beyond the base of people who were delegates in 2004, past
those who attended caucuses in 2004 and out to others who did not caucus but
who participated in last year's campaigns.   I'm proud of my district and
our solid group of experienced and newly emerging leaders.  I fully expect
that many of our leadership will split in their preferences for mayor and in
other endorsement battles.  As I advise readers in our 3500 piece pre-caucus
newsletter, internal endorsement battles are healthy for a party like ours
that so dominates local politics. The contested election helps ensure a
better quality leader to serve both our party and our city.  As the dominant
party providing leadership in Minneapolis, we have a special responsibility
to challenge our endorsees.  When Jessie used his office to paste his image
on official State Web sites, DFL'ers as well as Republicans cried foul.  If
we are to be credible opposing abuses of incumbency by our opponents, we
must be willing to challenge our own when they are wrong. We were right to
cricitze before, and despite what Chris seems to think, we are right to
demand better of our mayor today.  I take exception to Chris's attack on me
and my motives and have addrssed that opinion to him and to the list
moderator. 

 

Earl Netwal
A member of the issues list from Nokomis East with every right to express my
constructive opinion.