[Mpls] "Where's RT?" Not in the House!

[Dennis Plante]

Jim Graham Writes:

Dennis Plante and a couple of RT supporters are completely wrong  when they 
say that this is the same as what occured when RT ran against Sharon. 
Rybak's greatest lead over Sharon was only 1.4%! Rybak was overjoyed to get 
that virtual tie.  Some of us begged him to hold on for several more rounds 
to get an endorsement, but he refused because of fear that the another vote 
would put him back trailing Sharon. But do not be mistaken, RT Rybak never 
received 50% of the vote in that convention.

There was no tie yesterday, Peter McLaughlin won every ballot and had more 
than a majority of the Democrats present voting for him. At the conclusion 
of voting Saturday Peter McLaughlin lead by nearly 10% and was on his way to 
endorsement. The shame was to allow someone who had no respect for the DFL 
and the endorsement process to prevent the one candidate who respected and 
desired that endorsement from getting it.


Dennis Plante Responds:

I don't believe I ever stated that I felt it was the same thing Jim.  In 
fact, I believe I concisely pointed-out where I felt the events were 
different.  It is perfectly fine that you and I have differing views as to 
who would make a better mayor this time around.  Please make note of the 
fact that I have never said anything dispsaraging about Peter, as it isn't 
so much about Peter would make a poor choice (in my mind) for mayor, as it 
is that I feel RT would make a good one.

The truth of the matter.  There are some (and it is a small group) of 
dyed-in-the-wool DFL'ers hat were offended by RT's actions on Saturday and 
will not vote for him this fall.  But the events of Saturday will be largely 
forgotten come this fall and it will boil down-to the everyday, average 
citizen to determine who our next Mayor will be.

Some facts:

RT ran against a seated (and DFL endorsed) mayor last time and publicly 
stated that he would run even if he lost the DFL endorsement

RT publicly supported an oppnent of an endorsed DFL candidate in the special 
3rd ward election

RT publicly stated that he would run (this year) even if he did not receive 
the DFL endorsement

Is this a case of not listening to the voters?  Or is it a case of listening 
more closely than the party to the voters?

I guess we will all have to wait until this fall to find-out who is 
out-of-touch.

dennis plante
lind-bohanon