Bubble wrap, the Boss, breweries and Brodkorb
By Rochelle Olson
Before we commence, allow me to extend an invitation to come chat with us. Bring your ideas, comments, criticisms and queries directly to us. Free soft drinks and munchies with beer to purchase for those of age. It’s at a Lakeville brewery. Get your free ticket here. I’m serious. Mayor Luke Hellier will be there after his daughter’s flag football game. Don’t leave the poor guy alone with us.
I suppose it’s too late for this year, but after seeing the Michigan “I voted” sticker design contest winner featuring an “unhinged werewolf,” I can’t help but think the Laser Loon must be incorporated into the Minnesota design ASAP. Paging, Secretary of State Steve Simon. I have to believe Minnesotans would strut around on Election Day like four-star generals with those stickers on their chests, driving up voter turnout. (Disturbing development for Minnesota exceptionalists: Another winning Michigan design reads, “Ope, I voted.”)
The New York Times did its version of a sweeping summary of the governor’s debate performance and the writers had more than a few withering words, saying that Walz has a “habit of misstating facts and otherwise getting over his skis.” They also posed the (ouch) question of how well he had been vetted by the Harris camp. That’s a polite version of, “What were they thinking when they picked this guy?”
The story questioned the Harris campaign strategy of keeping Walz off national television since he joined the ticket. Mr. Walz — a veteran politician who has participated in many debates — has effectively been kept in “Bubble Wrap” and off the national media, “negating what was seen as one of his greatest strengths.”
There’s lots more where that came from, including that “Democrats see him as a walking permission structure for white working-class men in particular, who often view the Democratic Party as a bastion of coastal elitism.” (Our story here.)
REPUBLICAN CROSSOVER: While Vice President Kamala Harris was in Ripon, Wis., receiving the endorsement of former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, some Minnesota Republicans announced their support for the Democratic ticket.
Led by former Gov. Arne Carlson, the Minnesotans say they are part of Republicans for Harris, a coalition seeking to reach out to GOP voters who “reject the chaos, division, and violence of Donald Trump and his Project 2025 agenda.” Joining Carlson in the coalition are public affairs pro Tom Horner, and former state GOP deputy chair Michael Brodkorb, whose name I like to put in the headline to freak him out, hoping he gets a call from his sister asking what he’s done now.
