El Tinklenberg for Congress 2008

Lake Elmo Leader: Tinklenberg stakes out moderate stance

2008-10-13T00:01:00.000-05:00

The Lake Elmo Leader recently published a story covering El Tinklenberg's candidacy for US Congress in the 6th District. The story covered El's resume of non-partisan work for the public interest, as well as his middle-of-the-road, pragmatic approach to politics.

Read the full article after the jump.

Two years ago Democrats passed over Elwyn Tinklenberg and picked child-safety advocate Patty Wetterling for Minnesota’s 6th Congressional District race.

This year, Tinklenberg has two political parties’ support and wants voters to pass over Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann and send him to Congress.

“I thought it was still possible for us to get people working together and make some progress on really important issues that the country is facing,” Tinklenberg said of his second bid in the district that encompasses the eastern and northern Twin Cities suburbs and extends northwest to St. Cloud, including the Stillwater and Lake Elmo area.

Tinklenberg argues that Bachmann has taken such a conservative stand during her first term that her votes actually go against many constituents’ best interests. Tinklenberg said she has voted against transportation spending, veterans’ benefits, agriculture legislation, mental health policies and congressional ethics reform – all Democratic proposals he would have supported.

“She has proven herself to be out of step with the district,” Tinklenberg said.

The Democrat is trying to woo voters by talking about his experience working at various levels of government. Tinklenberg, a former United Methodist minister, is a former Blaine city council member and mayor. He is most recognized for his service as state transportation commissioner to ex-Gov. Jesse Ventura. He also has worked on transportation issues at the federal level.

By putting emphasis on his moderate stance, he got the DFL Party endorsement and the Minnesota Independence Party’s backing earlier this year.

The 6th District is the most conservative of Minnesota’s eight congressional districts, but Tinklenberg said Democrats can be successful. He cites U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s 2006 win there as evidence. Tinklenberg is more conservative than Wetterling, whom Bachmann beat comfortably.

Still, some doubt Tinklenberg has what it takes to win. He has struggled to compete with Bachmann in the fund-raising race; the Republican incumbent had seven times more campaign money on hand in late August.

Bob Anderson, an Independence Party candidate who lost the endorsement to Tinklenberg, said the Democrat just isn’t conservative enough.

“I’ve been trying to convince the Democrats that El isn’t the strongest” challenger, he said. “If he needs two (party endorsements), he’s not the candidate.”

Tinklenberg said his message is resonating with voters. And, he predicted he will benefit from a surge of voter support for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama.

“We think there will be a good turnout, and that will be good for us,” he said.

Tinklenberg joins Progressive Patriots

2008-10-12T13:49:00.002-05:00

The Tinklenberg campaign announced recenty that El Tinklenberg has earned the support of Sen. Russ Feingold’s Progressive Patriots Fund.

Feingold’s PAC supports candidates “who believe we must work to provide health care for all Americans, protect and create jobs, ensure fiscal responsibility, and fight terrorism while also protecting our freedoms.”

The PAC has identified ten House challengers who “have worked hard and made their races competitive, often without much support from traditional Democratic institutions.”

Tinklenberg said, “I’m proud to earn the support of the Progressive Patriots Fund. This group is the latest in a growing coalition of supporters who realize that we have the opportunity, the motivation, and the funds to defeat Representative Bachmann.”

With less than a month until Election Day, campaign manager Anna Richey said Tinklenberg is in a winning position. “We’ve been keeping a lot of our work under the radar, but our momentum is quickly becoming evident in the district. And while it’s fun to surprise people, our strength at this point is no accident. People are seeing the results of months of careful planning and execution, and the dedication of a candidate we are all proud to work for.”

Check out the Progressive Patriots!

New Web Ad: Have you seen her?

2008-10-09T11:03:00.003-05:00

Team Tinklenberg released a new web ad today:

To share via email -

copy and paste this link in the body of your message:

www.tinklenberg08.com/haveyouseenher.html

For the HTML code to embed in your blog or website, visit the campaign's website.

Rep. Bachmann put her political reputation before the needs of Main Street

2008-10-08T19:30:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, El Tinklenberg published a blog post on The Hill. In the post, Tinklenberg exposes Rep. Michele Bachmann's lack of leadership in the face of our current financial crisis.

Here is the post:

What the financial markets needed from Congress last Monday was a sense of confidence and leadership, to see that somebody was in charge and moving to find a solution. What they got was uncertainty and chaos. The outcome of Monday’s ‘no’ vote was a market freefall, which came as a result of Congress’ failure to solidify an agreement before the vote took place.

No one is pleased that we now have to use taxpayer dollars to help fix this mess. But Rep. Bachmann’s two ‘no’ votes on last week’s economic rescue bills demonstrate an unwillingness to put the needs of Main Street before her own political reputation.

In the wake of this bailout, we need to focus on addressing the underlying problems that contributed to the meltdown. Rep. Bachmann maintained at our debate last week that the mortgage crisis is a result of “too much regulation,” especially from the Community Reinvestment Act, which as she said earlier, forced lenders to make loans “on the basis of race and often on little else.”

As Congressman Keith Ellison from our neighboring Fifth District in Minnesota said, “To suggest that the greatest financial crisis we have faced since the Great Depression was caused by legislation that was created to help prevent low-income individuals from assuming high-cost, subprime loans that have caused the crisis today is absurd.”

At the very least, Bachmann’s response ignores the documented corruption and “boiler room” culture of the lenders who explicitly took advantage of people and profited. I found this Columbia Journalism Review article a bracing reminder. While we can’t reduce the mortgage crisis to a single cause, let’s remember to give credit where credit is due when we’re figuring out how to help keep people in their homes.

Game On: National GOP buys TV to defend Bachmann

2008-10-07T13:46:00.006-05:00

This morning MPR News confirmed that the National Republican Congressional Committee has canceled a week of TV spots for Third District candidate Erik Paulsen and is shifting the funds into an ad buy for Michele Bachmann.

The NRCC has been forced to play defense this year so the money reserved for Paulsen may be going to an incumbent in a tough race. Meanwhile, the NRCC will also run ads on GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann's behalf. The NRCC has reserved time on Bachmann's behalf to run between October 20th and election day (at a cost of about $126k) at WCCO.

We have Michele Bachmann playing defense. The National Republicans know Michele Bachmann is in trouble and they have decided to pour money into the Sixth District race to try and defend her extreme voting record. We need your help now to make sure we can respond to the attacks that will be coming our way. We have asked for your help in the past, but we must raise the funds in order to respond to the coming attacks. Please help us out with a contribution today.

We must be able to respond to the attacks that the National Republicans will be waging against us in these closing weeks. Please help us out with a contribution so we can respond to the attacks and continue to expose the truth about Rep. Bachmann’s voting record. Defend our campaign and help expose the truth about Rep. Bachmann with a contribution today.

Bachmann throws drowning workers an anchor

2008-10-06T17:03:00.001-05:00

El Tinklenberg released the a statement on the House passage of the Unemployment Extension Compensation Act of 2008 (H.R. 6867). Congresswoman Michele Bachmann was one of only 28 House members to vote against the bill, which passed the House Friday by a margin of 368-28.

Read the statement after the jump.

"Congresswoman Bachmann has no idea how tough things are getting for the working class in this economy," Tinklenberg said. "When unemployment was below four percent, she called Minnesota the 'workingest state in the nation' and said proudly that many folks were working two or even three jobs to pay their bills. Now with unemployment over six percent and the credit crisis on Wall Street causing massive layoffs on Main Street, Bachmann and just 27 other House members voted to pull the plug on unemployment benefits."

The bill extends federal unemployment benefits for another seven weeks in every state, plus an additional 13 weeks in states with unemployment rates higher than six percent. Every member of the Minnesota Congressional delegation voted for the bill except Rep. Bachmann.

"The least we can do for workers right now is not kick them while they're down. Friday the vast majority of Congress realized how much harder it was about to get for people who've lost their jobs and whose benefits are running out. Unfortunately, our Congresswoman was not among them. There should be no doubt that when I'm in Congress I will side with Minnesota workers, not the bankers and brokers who helped derail our economy."

Tinklenberg statement on passage of Emergency Economic Stabilization Act

2008-10-04T09:21:00.003-05:00

El Tinklenberg issued the following statement Friday on the House passage of the economic rescue bill (H.R. 1424).

Read the statement after the jump.

No one is pleased that we now have to use taxpayer dollars to fix this mess, but Congresswoman Bachmann's two 'no' votes this week demonstrate an unwillingness to put the needs of Main Street before her own political reputation. You can be sure that when I am in Congress, I will be working to protect people's retirement savings, not my political image.

What the financial markets needed most on Monday was a sense of confidence. They needed to see leadership, to see that somebody was in charge and moving forward to find a solution. Instead, what they got was uncertainty and chaos. The outcome of Monday's 'no' vote was a total market freefall, which came as a result of Congress' failure to solidify an agreement before the vote took place.

In addition, a stronger focus on preventing foreclosures could have helped stem the crisis. We would also have made much more progress by addressing the underlying problems that contributed to the meltdown, particularly by enacting mortgage reforms to help keep people in their homes.

Stillwater Forum Coverage Round-up

2008-10-03T11:58:00.003-05:00

There was standing room only at the Stillwater Gazette Forum on Wednesday night, as concerned constituents and media organizations turned out to hear what the candidates had to say.

Read a round-up of media coverage after the jump.

Minnesota Independent: ‘Drain America First’: CD6 candidates spar over energy, economy and war

MPR: 6th District Debate (complete audio)

The UpTake: MN CD 6 Debate (complete video)

Fox9: 6th Congressional District squares off in Stillwater & Video Re-cap

St. Cloud Times: Bachmann faces House challengers at Stillwater debate

ECM Publishers: Bachmann says at Wednesday night debate that she will not vote for financial intervention bill

Star Tribune: Fiscal crisis looms large in Sixth District debate

Pioneer Press: Bachmann, Tinklenberg disagree on bailout bill in debate

Join us in Stillwater to watch El Tinklenberg debate Michele Bachmann!

2008-10-01T00:07:00.003-05:00

Tonight, in a forum hosted by the Stillwater Gazette, El Tinklenberg is going to debate Michele Bachmann.

As of this moment, Rep. Bachmann is scheduled to show up. Although the Tinklenberg campaign proposed a series of debates to start in August, Rep. Bachmann has avoided open forums in front of constituents.

The debate will start at 7 p.m. at the Stillwater City Hall.

See you there!

Rhetoric vs. Record: Bipartisan claims at Monticello forum

2008-09-30T23:49:00.004-05:00

Last night in Monticello, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann’s campaign was represented by Julie Quist, Rep. Bachmann’s District Director. Ms. Quist read written answers to the questions, one of which asked about the need for bipartisanship in Washington D.C.

Rep. Bachmann’s statement claimed that she has “reached across the aisle on many occasions.” That sounds nice, but as we’ve covered before, what Rep. Bachmann says differs quite a bit from what she does. A look at her voting record reveals quite a different story.

Here are just a few examples of Rep. Bachmann voting in the extreme minority:

Opposed the Taxpayer Protection Act of 2007 (H.R. 1677), which requires the IRS to conduct additional outreach to low-income workers who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, to take further measures to reduce identity theft, to do more to notify taxpayers of unclaimed refunds, and to simplify tax reporting for small, family-owned businesses. This bill passed the House 407-7. (GovTrack, 4/17/07)

Opposed the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (H.R. 2669), the largest increase in student aid since the G.I. Bill, which redirected $20 billion in government subsidies from student loan firms to aid for students and college graduates. It also included $750 million in federal budget deficit reduction, increased federal Pell grants, and capped student loan repayments at 15 percent of discretionary income. The bill passed 292-97. (GovTrack, 9/7/07)

Opposed the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act (H.R. 3648), to lessen the tax burden on struggling homeowners, fixing an unfair anomaly in the tax code. The bill also extended the deduction for private mortgage insurance and slightly broadened the definition of housing cooperatives to allow more people to deduct payments they made to cooperatives as mortgage interest. The bill passed the House 386-27. (GovTrack, 10/04/07)

Opposed the College Student Relief Act (H.R. 5), to cut the interest rate on subsidized student loans for undergraduates from 6.8% today to 3.4% by 2011 – helping 5.5 million students. The bill passed the House 356-71. (GovTrack, 1/17/07)

It’s time to put an end to Rep. Bachmann’s extremist agenda.

By helping El Tinklenberg win this election, and you’ll be sending sensible, tested leadership to represent you in Washington D.C.

Monticello Chamber debate goes on without Bachmann

2008-09-29T16:09:00.003-05:00

We're being flooded with inquiries regarding the status of the debate tonight in Monticello.

The debate will go on as scheduled (6:30 p.m. at the Monticello Community Center) with a surrogate from Rep. Bachmann's campaign standing in on her behalf. Show up and listen to DFL and Independence Party-endorsed candidate El Tinklenberg talk about the challenges we face today in these uncertain economic times.

As we have during the entire campaign, we will continue to work with non-partisan groups across the 6th District to ensure that voters are given numerous chances to see the candidates debate the issues. We hope that Rep. Bachmann and her campaign join us in this endeavor.

Stay tuned for more information on future debates.

Bachmann’s divisive comments embarrass Minnesotans

2008-09-26T12:32:00.003-05:00

In response to Rep. Michele Bachmann's appalling insinuations that the nation's poor are to blame for today's financial crisis, El Tinklenberg released a statement today.

Read the statement after the jump.

"Already this week our Congresswoman has voted against healthcare for the mentally ill and consumer protections for people with credit card debt. Yesterday she blamed our financial crisis on bank loans made to poor people and people of color. Listening to Rep. Bachmann, it seems like the only people who do not share the blame for America’s economic crisis are the bankers and brokers on Wall Street.

"I began my career as a Methodist minister, and as a person of Christian faith I am appalled at Rep. Bachmann’s claim that ‘the least of these’ – the poor, the vulnerable, and the most marginalized people in our society – are responsible for the downfall of our financial institutions.

"Yesterday, on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Michele Bachmann revealed herself to be the worst kind of partisan. Comments like hers only fuel the divisiveness that dominates our political life. It would be morally and politically wrong to stand by and let these comments go unchallenged. More than ever now, I look forward to engaging her at Monday’s debate in Monticello. It’s time for Rep. Bachmann to answer to her constituents for her polarizing views.

"How can we get back to working toward a common good in this country when we keep pointing fingers at one another?” Tinklenberg asked. “Rep. Bachmann ought to apologize for her thoughtless and hurtful comments."

Bachmann skips Scandia forum, tracker sent instead

2008-09-24T19:06:00.001-05:00

Last night, concerned citizens and voters from northern Washington County gathered at the Scandia Community Center for a candidate forum. El Tinklenberg, DFL and Independence Party-endorsed candidate, was joined by Bob Anderson, Independent candidate.

Rep. Michele Bachmann did not attend. But the Republican Party did send a tracker (a low level staff member paid to video an opponent's public events).

Like her supposed support of veterans, children's healthcare, and public safety, Rep. Bachmann seems more inclined to preach about accountability than actually practice it. While Rep. Bachmann relishes in the glamorous glow of Larry King's spotlight, voters in the 6th District continue to suffer under a faltering economy and stagnant job market.

Our democracy depends on the ability of citizens to talk with their representatives and ask them questions. When Rep. Bachmann avoids open candidate forums, she reinforces the lack of trust people have in our political system. When she falls back on empty talking points, she chooses saying what's easy instead of doing what's right.

But frustration with Rep. Bachmann isn't enough. With less than 6 weeks before Election Day, now is the time to act. By joining the Tinklenberg campaign, you're helping helping elect a Congressman who will represent the entire 6th District, not just those who agree with him.

Take action:

Bachmann opposes Credit Card Holders’ Bill of Rights

2008-09-24T16:58:00.001-05:00

Congressional candidate El Tinklenberg issued a statement today regarding Congresswoman Michele Bachmann’s vote Tuesday against the Credit Card Holders’ Bill of Rights (HR 5224).

Read the statement after the jump.

“With record unemployment, real wages declining, and living expenses and fuel costs strangling budgets, more families than ever are relying on credit cards to make ends meet. The average American family now has nearly $10,000 of credit card debt, and most of their interest rates already seem like highway robbery. It just makes sense to ensure that consumers are protected from abusive rate increases and interest charges.”

Tinklenberg said Congresswoman Bachmann’s vote against these common-sense consumer protections yesterday demonstrates “a lack of commitment to Minnesota families on the issues they are really worried about. Bachmann talks a good game about defending family values, but what about defending families’ financial security against greedy credit card companies, or defending families’ ability to pay their bills and keep their homes?”

Tinklenberg added, “You can be sure that when I’m in Congress, I will support legislation that protects consumers against the interests of giant corporations. With this vote, Rep. Bachmann has made it clear whose side she is on, and it’s not ours.”

Bachmann in extreme minority opposing mental health parity

2008-09-24T15:18:00.002-05:00

Congressional candidate El Tinklenberg issued a statement today regarding Congresswoman Michele Bachmann’s vote Tuesday night against the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (H.R. 6983).

Read the statement after the jump.

“The Wellstone Act deserves the overwhelming bipartisan support it earned in last night’s House vote. By ensuring that mental health and addiction get the same insurance coverage as other health concerns, this bill brings hope to millions of Americans who struggle silently and cannot afford to seek help.”

The bill was introduced by Rep. Jim Ramstad and supported by every member of the Minnesota Congressional delegation except Rep. Michele Bachmann. It was endorsed by a long list of groups including the American Medical Association, the American Nurses Association, the American Counseling Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Tuesday night it passed the House by a vote of 367-47.

“Rep. Bachmann’s allegedly ‘pro-business’ stance does not explain her opposition to this bill,” Tinklenberg said. “There’s simply no economic reason to deny people with mental illness the same access to medical treatment as others get for physical ailments.”

The bill is estimated to impact health premiums by just two-tenths of one percent, according to the Congressional Budget Office. It also exempts businesses with 50 or fewer employees and businesses experiencing overall premium increases of 2 percent or more the first year and 1 percent or more in subsequent years.

“Bachmann’s vote is a moral failure to look out for some of our most vulnerable citizens,” Tinklenberg said. “It is this kind of extremism that is preventing real healthcare reform in our country. We need to start prioritizing people’s health and wellness over the profits of the insurance companies. That’s the approach I will take in Congress.”

Bachmann plan focuses on Big Oil, Tinklenberg plan focuses on Main Street

2008-09-23T16:18:00.005-05:00

Rep. Michele Bachmann announced today that any legislation package bailing out Wall Street should include permission to allow major multinational oil companies the ability to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).

Bachmann's announcement came on the heels of an Associated Press story detailing second quarter profits of a record $50 billion for the six major oil companies, her vote in Congress to continue giving oil companies billions in tax breaks, and her campaign's acceptance of over $44,000 in contributions from large energy companies.

El Tinklenberg responded to her plan saying that drilling for oil in a nature preserve is not the answer to our economic crisis.

"With unemployment in Minnesota at a 22-year high and real wages for middle class families on the decline, Michele Bachmann continues to vote against lowering the cost of a college education, repairing our crumbling infrastructure, and creating clean energy jobs in our state. Yet she always finds a way to help the oil companies get what they want," Tinklenberg said.

"Even more incredibly," Tinklenberg added, "she has time to go on Larry King Live and shill for the oil companies, but as a member of the Financial Services Committee was blind to the impending financial services meltdown."

In addition, Tinklenberg said, "Let's face it, giving oil companies permission to drill in ANWR is so controversial that including such a provision in bail-out legislation could have the effect of delaying the administration's ability to act in a timely manner to save our country from a financial collapse worse than anything we've seen since the Thirties."

Tinklenberg pointed to his own plan as a more reasonable approach to creating jobs and economic activity in our communities. His plan, announced earlier this summer, would immediately rescind the estimated $18 billion in tax breaks given to the big oil companies and invest a similar amount in rebuilding the roads, bridges and environmental infrastructure that we depend on to connect the Main Streets of America.

Based on Federal Highway Administration data on the correlation between highway infrastructure investment and employment and economic activity, the Tinklenberg plan would eventually create $93 billion in economic activity and 712,000 jobs--many of them in Minnesota.

Letter: U.S. Rep. Bachmann, why don’t you come home?

2008-09-23T15:33:00.003-05:00

A recent letter to the St. Cloud Times highlights and shows the concern across the 6th District: Rep. Bachmann is out-of-touch and prefers talking with Larry King to talking with her constituents. In addition to not holding any open town hall meetings to the public, she has declined many of the forums proposed by non-partisan groups.

Read the St. Cloud Times letter after the jump.

Dear U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann,

During the past few months I have watched intently as you have attended forums in Washington, D.C. and Texas while coming home to the 6th District only to ride atop floats in a number of parades.

I have watched as you make appearances on national television shows such as Bill O’Reilly and Larry King while coming home to the 6th District only for river cruise fundraisers involving a select few individuals.

I have watched as you avoid and ignore offers to debate or discuss issues from your opponent.

I have watched as you avoided Farmfest and opted to send low level staffers in your place.

My question is what will it take for you to pay attention to the people of your district?

It seems even in an election year and at the height of election season you are displaying an attitude of ownership over this area and thus feel no need to be in personal contact with the people living here. Granted, you and I don’t agree on much and I support Elwyn Tinklenberg but how can you and more importantly, how can your supporters justify a 20-month tenure in office with nary a single open forum or constituent meeting in the district?

Are you simply too busy? If so, perhaps you could talk to Rep. Tim Walz in the 1st District and ask him how he juggles three times more committees than you and has still found time to meet on numerous occasions and in numerous places with his constituents.

This is a reliably conservative area and the chances for any Democrat to win it are long, but I have to wonder if you aren’t taking advantage of that inherent conservatism by assuming you don’t even have to show up to win.

Eric Austin
St. Cloud

Tinklenberg statement on Elk River apartment fire

2008-09-23T13:13:00.003-05:00

El Tinklenberg, former Mayor of Blaine, issued the following statement today regarding Saturday’s fire at Lions Park Apartments in Elk River:

Our thoughts and prayers remain with the many families displaced by Saturday’s fire in Elk River. While we are thankful that no lives were lost, our hearts go out to those who lost most or all of their belongings and now face the difficulties of relocating and trying to rebuild their lives.

At the same time, the response of the Elk River community has provided great hope in the wake of this disaster. Local first responders deserve our sincere gratitude for ensuring the safety of Lions Park residents and limiting their property losses as much as possible. Further, the outpouring of support from local churches, businesses, and community groups has been nothing short of inspiring.

Today I urge Minnesotans to continue to support the relief effort in Elk River. Donations of household items and furniture are being accepted at the Red Cross relief station at Elk River’s Alliance Community Church, 763-441-3368, between 12:30 PM and 8 PM this week. Monetary donations can be made by calling Hope Filled Hands at 763-262-4673. Please join us in contributing what you can.

Bachmann plays politics while economy in turmoil

2008-09-21T23:59:00.003-05:00

The St. Cloud Times recently covered the crisis facing our nation's economy. The article noted Rep. Michele Bachmann's opposition to government intervention. While Rep. Bachmann falls back on empty talking points with Larry King, she fails to provide the leadership our nation needs. She also seems unable to find the time between talk show appearances and big-name political rallies to visit with residents of the 6th District and address their concerns.

To weather the current financial storm, elected officials will need to make tough decisions. El Tinklenberg, through his years of public service, has shown he has the leadership to work beyond partisan rancor and move the United States forward.

Here are the highlights from the article:

At a campaign rally in her district for John McCain on Friday, U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann hinted she shared his opposition to a proposed financial bailout Bush administration officials say is necessary to stabilize a teetering economy.

The 6th Congressional District Republican did not address the bailout at the rally inside a hangar at the Anoka County Airport Friday, but issued a statement and went on cable television to express skepticism.

... Bachmann’s DFL- and Independence Party-endorsed opponent, Elwyn Tinklenberg, said Bachmann had done nothing to help avoid crisis in her term serving on the committee that oversees the financial industry.

“Bachmann has done little or nothing for Blaine residents during her time in Congress and has failed to engage citizens in order to understand the difficultly they face as our economic crisis deepens,” he said in a statement. “Clearly people here are tired of her political grandstanding and are wondering when she will come down off the rally platform and move away from her extreme agenda so that our Congress can take measures to move the country out of this crisis.”

Tinklenberg also dinged Bachmann for coming to the district for a campaign rally while avoiding debates, including one scheduled in Elk River today.

Bachmann turns down Saturday Elk River candidate forum

2008-09-19T17:35:00.003-05:00

El Tinklenberg will join candidate Bob Anderson for a forum on economic issues this Saturday. The event, sponsored by the Elk River Citizens’ League and the Elk River Chamber of Commerce, will take place Saturday, September 20 at 11:45 AM at the Elk River City Hall.

Congresswoman Michele Bachmann will not attend.

Tinklenberg said, “I look forward to talking with folks in Elk River about what we can do to lower the deficit and create new jobs, so we can get our economy moving forward again. But mainly I’ll be there to learn more about what people in Elk River see as our biggest economic challenges.”

Campaign manager Anna Richey said, “We sent Rep. Bachmann an open invitation to debate and did not get a response. Despite attempts from several groups to schedule debates, the Congresswoman has not agreed to any more public forums in her district. It seems she has plenty of time to go on Larry King Live, but not to answer her constituents’ questions.”

So far Bachmann has agreed to only one public forum scheduled for September 29 in Monticello. Bachmann has also agreed to one radio debate on MPR on October 29, from 11:00-11:30 AM.

Tinklenberg spokesman John Wodele said an eleventh-hour radio debate is not a substitute for answering voters’ questions at public forums in the district. “Unless something changes quickly, it appears Rep. Bachmann’s plan is to avoid situations that result in uncontrolled direct contact with voters. This strategy of avoidance is an insult to hardworking Sixth District voters who can't take off work to listen to a radio debate. Bachmann should agree to debate El Tinklenberg in the district on weekends and evenings. Only then can district voters get access to ask questions about the issues that matter to them.”

Bachmann votes against comprehensive energy bill, opposes bipartisanship

2008-09-17T17:23:00.003-05:00

In a move that further cements her reputation as an extremist who values partisan politics over common-sense solutions, Rep. Michele Bachmann has voted against a comprehensive energy bill. (GovTrack, 9/16/08)

Fortunately, the bill passed with bipartisan support from House Democrats and moderate Republicans (like Minnesota’s Rep. Jim Ramstad). The legislation provides for expanded domestic exploration, tax incentives for renewable energy, and development of alternative energy resources.

Unlike Rep. Bachmann, El Tinklenberg knows that a democratic government functions only through compromise. He also knows that our energy crisis can’t be solved with a silver bullet, it has to be a silver buckshot.

While Rep. Bachmann promotes polarizing politics, El Tinklenberg has a resume defined by common-sense policies and coalition building. With his style of leadership in Congress, we can finally move past the gridlock and start tackling the challenges of the 21st Century.

But for El to win over Rep. Bachmann’s divisive politics, he needs your help:

Minnesota Independent reports on Bachmann's habitual hypocrisy

2008-09-16T17:32:00.004-05:00

The Minnesota Independent reports today on Rep. Michele Bachmann's continued hypocrisy, as she attempts to mask her lack of support and work for the 6th District with staged photo opportunities and press releases.

Honest disagreement on the issues is expected in politics, but blatant dishonesty taints our political process and promotes distrust in government. Time and again, Rep. Bachmann has attempted to cover her abysmal record with glossy public relations stunts.

Read the MN Independent's article:

For the second time in as many weeks, Rep. Michele Bachmann has manufactured media events to tout her congressional support for local causes, when in fact, she has voted against funding for those causes.

On September 4, the Stillwater Republican was joined by Interior Department and U.S. Fish & Wildlife officials at the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge in Zimmerman where, her newsletter reported, “Congresswoman Bachmann and local volunteers from Friends of Sherburne NWR will present plans for a Discovery Center at the refuge.” Bachmann presented herself as an ardent supporter of the proposed $6 million center, posing for pictures out in the refuge alongside officials and a volunteer.

What Bachmann didn’t mention in her newsletter or to reporters covering the event was that last year she voted against the FY 2008 Appropriations Bill for the Interior Department, the funding bill for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, which manages Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge. She went even further and voted three times to cut funding for the agency. And Bachmann voted to strip funding for 11 individual projects in the bill—projects not unlike the refuge Discovery Center.

In addition to Bachmann’s antipathy toward funding the very agency that manages Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, Bachmann’s self-imposed pledge against seeking budget earmarks would appear to rule out that source for funding of the visitor center as well.

... Bachmann also paid a visit to the HealthEast Woodwinds Health Campus in Woodbury recently where, according to the Woodbury Bulletin, “HealthEast wanted to thank the congresswoman for her support on the appropriations award funded through the Labor Health and Human Services and Education bill.”

But once again, Bachmann’s voting record belies her public statements of support. She repeatedly voted against the FY 2008 appropriations bill for the departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and related agencies. She voted to eliminate funding for a wide variety of individual items in that bill also. The appropriations bill passed but was vetoed by President Bush. Then Bachmann stood with the President and voted against the veto override attempt, which failed.

Enough is enough. Join El Tinklenberg's campaign to rebuild optimism in America and honesty in government:

Tinklenberg: Bachmann blurs her votes on 35W funding

2008-09-15T15:18:00.003-05:00

El Tinklenberg released a statement today regarding the reopening of the 35W Bridge in Minneapolis.

Read the statement after the jump.

Today we honor those who lost their lives or suffered injury in the tragic 35W bridge collapse on August 1, 2007. We are thankful to the dedicated responders who so bravely participated in the recovery and those who have since worked to ensure the future safety of the 35W Bridge. This efficient rebuilding effort would not have been possible without the help of many people, including the Minnesota Congressional delegation.

But let's not forget that not all of our representatives were united on this effort. While today Congresswoman Michele Bachmann took credit for supporting the 35W bridge bill, the facts tell us that she voted twice to keep it from coming to a vote.

First, she voted to adjourn Congress before the bill could be voted on; and subsequently, voted against allowing the bill to come to the House floor. These votes clearly demonstrate the extent Representative Bachmann will go to put party loyalty before Minnesotaâ€'s interests.

Add to this her "no earmarks" pledge against replacing the structurally disabled DeSoto Bridge in St. Cloud and her votes against funding local first responders, and you start to see a pattern of neglecting the emergency needs of the citizens of the 6th District.

Clearly, we cannot afford two more years of Representative Bachmann putting political gain before the needs of Minnesotans. As a former mayor and former Minnesota Commissioner of Transportation I can assure you that I understand that when it comes to the safety of our citizens there should be no such thing as partisan politics.

Students organizing to vote Tinklenberg

2008-09-12T16:37:00.003-05:00

Across the 6th District, students on college campuses are getting organized to support El Tinklenberg. Unlike Rep. Michele Bachmann's dismal record on education, El supports expanding access to higher education through restoring the federal Pell Grant program, funding national service-for-tuition and other debt-forgiveness initiatives, and curbing college tuition increases.

A college education and the opportunities it provides should be available for anyone who is willing to work hard and help America face the challenges of the 21st Century.

To get involved on your campus, contact:

College of St. Benedict
Jessica Nelson
jnnelson@csbsju.edu

St. John's University
Zach Shaheen
zrshaheen@csbsju.edu

St. Cloud State University
Chris Miller
chris@tinklenberg08.com

If you're on another campus and want to start your college's Students for Tinklenberg organization, contact Chris Miller at 320-237-3454 or chris@tinklenberg08.com.

To download and print specialized signs for your dorm, click here.

NRA gives Tinklenberg "A" rating

2008-09-10T15:00:00.003-05:00

El Tinklenberg announced today that he has received an "A" rating from the National Rifle Association in his race to unseat first-term Rep. Michele Bachmann in Minnesota's 6th District.

Read Tinklenberg's statement after the jump.

"As a lifelong hunter, my strong concern for Second Amendment rights stands alongside my commitment to preserving habitat, protecting clean air and clean water, and promoting outdoor recreation in our state. We must work together to protect our hunting and fishing heritage, and make sure our children also have the opportunity to share in these great Minnesota traditions. The NRA is an important partner in this effort, and I am proud to have earned their top grade."