In as much as I understand the sentiment about someone having been in the job too long, Craavack is a terrible replacement. His positions on issues are not the panacea some are hoping for -- if you elect people who think that government doesn't work, don't be surprised when that's what they deliver.

The Supreme Court said Corporations are people and can make unlimited anonymous donations. What we saw on Tue. was the upshot of that. Chip didn't win based on any grand scheme he has to save use from ourself or our government. He won based on huge amounts of outside money coming into our state combined with a bunch of buzz words and catch phrases that sound good but are devoid of much or any real meaning. Funny how you can get people to say we need smaller government but until elected you really can't get them to commit to who's ox they plan on goring.

Funny little cartoon

Gawd, the tools.

"Sorry Tim, the majority in District 8 believe you to be wrong."

@Jim.  Please get a dictionary.  A plurality is not a majority.

Thank you in advance for your attention.

Sincerely;

The English language

To quote W.T.F.

"He won based on huge amounts of outside money coming into our state combined with a bunch of buzz words and catch phrases that sound good but are devoid of much or any real meaning."

Oberstar pulled just as much money from outside the district.  Cravaack raised far more money from people within the 8th district than Oberstar.

Okay, wait. Washington mansion? I went to a right-wing site and they give a google maps link to what appears to be a condo, certainly not a mansion. 

French villa? really? Gimme some facts, or I'm calling "faen til deg."

I think whether or not Jim Oberstar is a wealthy man and whether or not he owns a villa in France is irrelevant. But, in answer to your question, JP, he's 76 years old. On one hand, I'd hope he'd take a break and just rest on his laurels in the twilight of his life. On the other hand, we have Congressman "No Soup for You!" Crack, who basically told the DNT that he's going to focus on the needs of the southern part of his district, and the northern part of the district is SOL. So, it would be great if Oberstar was named Secretary of Transportation, so things like a new airport terminal and the NLX would have a fighting chance.

OGDuluthian, maybe Mayor Ness would rather be big fish in small pond and enjoy his children's childhoods rather than be infinitesimally small fish in ocean. Don's not the only viable candidate out there to take back the seat in two years.

@ Danny, you're my boy.  Thanks to Claire and OG for piping in with some perspective on this, too.  I think it could be fascinating if it happens.  As for the "thanks but no thanks" take on Uncle Barry's comment, I had not thought of that, I took it as, let' give Ray LaH some time to quit first so ... interesting perspective, Danny.

Democrats are the only politicians to ever profit from their positions. No Republican has ever gained personal profit from their position in public office. Republican lawmakers have never taken a dime from outside interests. No Republicans own large manses outside their governing district. Cravaack will be totally immune from the allure of the financial bribery of lobbyists. A common duplex in DC doesn't cost about a million dollars. No one should gain a nice vacation home in Europe after 50 years of labor. It's bizarre that the long-term head of the House Transportation Committee should have support from multiple transportation-related associations and unions. Shall I continue?

You're right Tim, stating that someone doesn't live far enough in a district for their liking isn't petty -- just plain moronic.

Paul, I apologize for not being as clever as Vicaramazed.His/her comment truly is inspired.

And, Jim, you missed my point, which is that CC does not understand the needs and wants of our region, because he doesn't live in northern Minnesota. He lives in a TC outer ring suburb, which is a vastly different world than our region. He doesn't support the new airport terminal at DLH, b/c he doesn't care to educate himself on the importance of updating an airport that serves a great number of people. He doesn't support NLX b/c he doesn't care to educate himself on what it would mean to our region's economy to have a steady stream of people traveling between our region and the Twin Cities.

It's just a different world and he cannot relate to us. It does tell me a lot, that the CC poll watchers I met were all from the Twin Cities/outer suburbs.

For the record... Jean came to her marriage to Jim with her own holdings, and as such should not be criticized for them.   She is a wonderful lady who supports her husband's public service dream.  Get off her back and his.

@Jim
You sully my reputation, sir. I smite you...

And to the rest of you, I love how you have already determined that Mr. Cravaack doesn't understand us Northern folk. That's the attitude that got Mr. Oberstar voted out to begin with. Where do you want to draw the line? Where does it end and where does it begin? When you draw it to your liking, will those on the lunatic fringe then feel as though they are being misrepresented? Please, stop. You do not speak for everyone. There are lots of people who don't want to waste money on a train, or spend outrageous amounts of money putting in bike racks at the Duluth airport. You can continue your name calling and condescending remarks, but it will continue to serve no purpose other than self supporting your own ideology, which proved again to be in the minority.

Jim, when a newly-elected Congressman says about DLH -- a major airport in northern Minny, I know people who drive in from all over the region to fly out of DLH -- that the terminal expansion is not a high priority to him and claims some people working at DLH don't support it, well, yeah, then I'm going to think CC is out of touch. Have you been to DLH lately? The renovation has begun and to stop it now would be incredibly short-sighted.

I predict in a few months CC will be supporting the airport renovations and maybe even NLX too, once the Duluth Chamber sinks their talons into him.

In the meantime, no matter how much you CC apologists rant and rave and insult my intelligence, I am going to maintain my position that the man is a carpetbagger who doesn't understand the northern part of his district and may not care to.

Actual sidewalk chalk seen at UMD today:

"VOAT EMMER"