The Minnesota DFL sent out a press release bashing state Rep. Marty Seifert, a Republican candidate for governor, for flip-flopping on General Assistance Medical Care because he voted for the measure last month, against it when the House attempted to override Gov. Tim Pawlenty's veto and for it Wednesday when it passed as a compromise measure.
"Seifert, who voted for GAMC last month, then against GAMC a few weeks ago, flip-flopped again today to vote for the compromise bill," the release said. DFL chair Brian Melendez said: "Rep. Marty Seifert has reversed himself twice now on GAMC in less than a month....His flip-flopping votes reveal him as a crafty politician playing follow-the-leader, instead of voting for the people of Minnesota based on what's best for our state."
Pretty standard fare, right?
Right. Except that all 12 members who voted against measure Wednesday -- including two DFL gubernatorial candidates -- were Democrats.
Rep. Paul Thissen and Rep. Tom Rukavina both voted for the original measure and for the override, then voted against the compromise measure, the result of negotiation with Gov. Tim Pawlenty, passed 121-12 Wednesday.
Thissen spoke against it on the House floor.
"Now we are left with an unworkable bill and we all know it...starvation is not a path to meaningful and lasting reform," Thissen said, who urged the Legislature not to "cave in" to the governor.
Rep. Tom Emmer, another Republican running for governor, also rose to his feet to speak about the measure Wednesday. He voted against the original measure, against veto override and for the final bill.
