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Dean Barkley
Former U.S. Sen. Dean Barkley
Dean Barkley, a founder of Minnesota's Independence Party, was its most prominent member until a guy named Jesse Ventura came along. Barkley made two runs for the Senate in the 1990s, and although he didn't come close to winning, he did well enough to gain official major status for the party. That, in turn, helped Ventura to his stunning 1998 gubernatorial victory.
Barkley served as Minnesota's planning director during the Ventura administration. After Sen. Paul Wellstone's death in a plane crash in October 2002, Ventura appointed Barkley to fill the final two months of Wellstone's term.
This year, when Ventura decided not to enter the U.S. Senate race, Barkley got in. He topped a field of seven IP candidates in the Sept. 9 primary to win the party's nomination.
Age: 58; born Aug. 31, 1950
Birthplace: Annandale
Home: Plymouth
Family: Three children
Career: U.S. senator, November 2002-January 2003 (appointed by Gov. Jesse Ventura to complete the late Paul Wellstone's term); director of Minnesota Planning, 1999-2002; attorney; small-business man; U.S. Senate candidate, 1994 and 1996; U.S. House candidate, 1992.
Education: Bachelor's degree, law degree, University of Minnesota.
Website: www.senatorbarkley.com
Dean Barkley on the issues
What he's said:
On the Wall St. bailout deal, before the House voted it down: "This is a bitter, $700-billion pill for American taxpayers to swallow. The deal reached by Congress this weekend appears to be a small step in the right direction because it addresses some of the problems facing our economy. But in the rush to complete a bill before recess, lawmakers have failed so far to confront one of the biggest reasons we're in this mess today: a complete abdication of oversight authority by the Legislative Branch.
"For the past decade, Wall Street has run amok while Washington looked the other way with a wink and a nod. The deal now before us provides only nominal oversight authority in the form of a panel comprised almost entirely of members of the Executive Branch—the same disastrous formula that helped bring us the Iraq War.
"Until we get a handle on election financing, it's going to be awfully hard for Congress to look the finance industry in the eye and say 'change your reckless ways.' “
Statement issued Sept. 28, 2008
The federal debt - now at $9.65 trillion, or $31,000 for every man, woman and child in America-is crushing our economy and threatening our children's future. ... I will introduce legislation to cap federal spending at current levels for four years. If we want to fund something new, we'll have to de-fund something old. It's called living within your means."
On his website: http://www.deanbarkley.info/issues.htm
What he's said:
We need to return to the Bracero Program immigration policy (1942-1964), which allowed Mexican labor to enter our country to seek employment. They would then be paying taxes and would be able to freely go to and from Mexico without being criminals. Furthermore, I would substantially increase the fines and penalties imposed on businesses that employ illegal aliens."
On his website: http://www.deanbarkley.info/issues.htm
What he's said:
The Iraq War has cost us thousands of lives, billions of dollars and our credibility on the world stage. We were misled into war—against a country that never attacked us—by a scheming administration and a spineless Congress. Now it's time for Iraqis to take control of their own destiny so we can refocus the War on Terrorism to Afghanistan, where the groups that actually attacked us seven years ago still operate with impunity."
On his website: http://www.deanbarkley.info/issues.htm
Campaign finance information
|
Money raised: Jan. 1, 2007 - Oct 15, 2008 |
Money raised: | $78,516 |
| Money spent: | $69,294 | |
| Cash on hand: | $9,221 | |
| Minnesota contributions: | $0 | |
Dean Barkley stories from Star Tribune
- Eliminating refund program will hit third parties hardestThen-candidate for the U.S. House Dean Barkley pointed out in 1992, and continues to make his point, that the government cannot continue to spend money it doesn't have without bringing in the revenue to back it up.
- Who's in and who's out for governor?A day after Gov. Pawlenty said no to a bid for a third term, the field of potential candidates grew, while other familiar names said they're not in the hunt.
- Saints to counter recount with humorThe St. Paul Saints and the Minnesota Independence Party have joined forces to make hay out of the state's never-ending U.S. Senate race.
- Independence Party names Uldrich chairman, elects party director
- Independence Party expected to pick leaders Saturday
- GOP, DFL add dueling websites to the recount rhetoric
- Coleman team vows to appeal tally
- Coleman's case shrinks to 1,360 ballots
- Inspired by Franken, Kinky Friedman may run again
- Barkley cited for careless driving after his car slides into another
Dean Barkley stories from other sources
Blog Posts Featuring Dean Barkley
- Putting a Bow on the 2008 Minnesota US Senate Contest (A ...
- Prensalibresur: La Prensa de Minnesota Political Endorsements II
- Michael Cavlan: A Minnesota Voice On Senator Al Franken ...
- Dean Barkley outpolls the national Green Party | Independent ...
- Dean Barkley to throw first pitch at Saints Recount Night
- GOP May Have the Last Laugh on Sen. Al Franken Whether Al Franken ...
- Vote for the independent! Dean Barkley for Senate #votefordean ...
- Al Franken's Swearing In
- The Senate race aftermath: A Washington Post online Q&A with Sarah ...
- To Mr. Barkley: The IP is Not a Party - It's a Side Show