MINNESOTA FOCUS: Blogs, The Minnesota Project, Drinking Liberally

MINNESOTA 2010: I now have my Minnesota 2010 Act Blue Page up. Act Blue is a way for many small political contributions to add up to some serious political impact. For 2010 I am highlighting several Minnesota Democratic Party organizations, and highlighting the Minnesota secretary of state (to prevent election fraud!), as well as several potentially close House races, including some we need to defend (MN-1 and MN-5) as well as two very possible Dem pickups from absolutely horrible right wing extremist Republicans (MN-3 and MN-6). I particularly want to see Democrats do well in Minnesota because, in genral, I have found Minnesota Democrats (like Al Franken!) to be among the best in the country and Minnesota actually tends to be among the most progressive states when push comes to shove. Give a donation or two to keep momentum going.


Mark Ritchie for Secretary of State in Minnesota

Incumbent Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie was one of the main factors that allowed a fair and accurate recount of Minnesota's Senate race that allowed the real winner, Al Franken, to take office. His honesty and careful attention to accuracy means he is a major target of the right wing who are angry that they couldn't stop the recount.

The Secretary of State Project has endorsed Mark Ritchie for Minnesota Secretary of State. Here's what they have to say about Ritchie:

Mark Ritchie is a true progressive champion. In 2006, the long-time community organizer defeated Republican incumbent Mary Kiffmeyer to take the reins of the election process in Minnesota. Since taking office, Secretary Ritchie has campaigned tirelessly for instituting universal or automatic registration in his state. He has also been instrumental in the fight to expand Election Day Registration in other states, including a successful campaign in Iowa. Secretary Ritchie is perhaps best known for running a scrupulously fair and transparent election recount in the Franken/Coleman 2008 Senate race. Senator Al Franken was certified as the winner of that race by a mere 312 votes.

Mark Ritchie has also been endorsed by AFSCME Council 5, Minnesota AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education, IBEW Minnesota State Council, Minnesota Farmers Union PAC, SEIU Minnesota State Council, and Teamsters Joint Council 32.

Mark Ritchie was named Most Valuable State Official by The Nation:

When this veteran activist ran for Minnesota Secretary of State, he argued that putting honest players in charge of counting votes was necessary to restore credibility to an electoral process that had been battered by Republican gaming of the 2000 presidential vote in Florida and the 2004 vote in Ohio. Ritchie won and two years later found himself managing the recount of one of the closest and most bitter Senate contests in American history. Attacked by right-wing media and faced with massive spending by national Republicans who did not want Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party nominee Al Franken seated in a Senate where he would provide a critical sixtieth vote, Ritchie kept his cool. He ran a clean recount, emphasizing transparency and accountability, and delivered a credible result that survived legal challenges and gave the seat to the candidate who actually won the most vote

Let's help Ritchie continue his excellent work keeping Minnesota's elections fair and accurate. Volunteer for Mark Ritchie's campaign.


Blogging Minnesota:

Lefty Blogs Minnesota: Liberal News Roundup in Minnesota

Minnesota Progressive Project. : Updates on campaigns in Minnesota. The combined efforts of the Minnesota Campaign Report and MN Blue.

MNDem.com brings commonsense, family-oriented, and slightly left leaning observations to Minnesota voters. "The future will belong to those who have passion and are willing to work hard to make our country better." -- Paul Wellstone

Change We Must Fight For


PROGRESSIVE GROUPS IN MINNESOTA:

The Minnesota Project is a nonprofit organization that connects people with policy to nurture collaborations that build strong local economies, vibrant communities and a healthy environment.

Our programs are focused on clean renewable energy and efficient use of energy; farm practice and policy that promote profitable farms that protect the environment; and the production and consumption of local and sustainably-produced foods.

The Minnesota Project works in ways that emphasize collaboration, community building, and capacity building. For over twenty-five years we have fostered local empowerment, bridged diverse interests, encouraged shared values, and initiated working dialogues that create positive action and policy.

Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agricultre Newsletter: A Partnership between the University of Minnesota and the Sustainer's Coalition.

Alternative Energy Resources in Minnesota: a short summary of alternative energy resources for Minnesota. For more information on each technology, visit the State Energy Alternatives Technology Options page.


And for those who like mixing fun and politics, here are a couple of Drinking Liberally groups in Minnesota:

Minneapolis
Every Thursday of each month, 6:00 pm
331 Club, 331 13th Ave NE (13th and University in Northeast Minneapolis)
Hosted by Robin Marty

Morris
First and Third Thursday of each month, 8:00 pm
Old #1, 412 Atlantic Avenue
Hosted by Jeff Lamberty


Continuing the Fight for Healthcare reform in Minnesota: sign up here to volunteer for the Health Care for America Now campaign in Minnesota. About Health Care for America Now:

Health Care for America Now (HCAN) is a national grassroots campaign of more than 1,000 organizations in 46 states representing 30 million people dedicated to winning quality, affordable health care we all can count on in 2009. Our organization and principles are supported by President Obama, Vice President Biden, and more than 190 Members of Congress.

We are building a national movement to win comprehensive health care reform by helping mobilize people in their communities to lobby their U.S. Senators and Representatives in Congress to stand up to the insurance companies and other special interest groups to achieve quality, affordable health care in 2009.

Sign up to fight for health care reform in Minnesota now. or contract Dan McGrath, Take Action Minnesota (USAction): dan@takeactionminnesota.org