[Mpls] Federation endorsement not about public safety

[BLACKSHAWJ at aol.com]

Before anyone gets too excited about the Police Federation endorsement of  
Peter McLaughlin, let me set the record straight.  The "endorsement" is not only 
old news  but reeks of political payback. Back in July when Mayor Rybak 
announced his 2006  budget that included placing 71 more police officers on the 
street within the  next year, John Delmonico was supportive of the plan. He even 
talked to the  Mayor about Federation endorsement.  However, when the Mayor 
said no to Delmonico's request for a budget  busting salary increase in the next 
Union contract, Delmonico changed his tune  and launched a negative attack 
campaign during the primary distorting the  Mayor's public safety record. 
Further, Delmonico is on record in the Star  Tribune threatening the Mayor with more 
negative attacks during the general  election.  
So this endorsement has nothing to do with public safety and everything  to 
do with political payback.   
John Blackshaw  
Linden Hills 
Rybak Campaign Manager