THE MARK DAYTON RECORD

Self-Admitted Failure, One of America’s Worst Senators, Big Tax Hikes

SELF-DESCRIBED FAILURE WANTS PROMOTION

Dayton Graded Own Senate Performance An “F.” “If U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton, D-Minn., was to grade himself on his accomplishments in Congress, it would be an ‘F,’ he told students Thursday at the Renville County West High School in Renville.” (Tom Cherveny, "Senator Says He Gives Himself An ‘F,’” West Central Tribune, April 21, 2006)

Time Magazine: Dayton One Of America’s Five “Worst Senators.” "When he was elected in 2000, Minnesota Democrat Mark Dayton seemed well prepared, having worked as an aide to Walter Mondale in the 1970s. But he has exhibited erratic behavior since then: in October 2004 he shut down his office for almost a month, citing an unspecified terrorist threat." ("America's Worst - Mark Dayton: The Blunderer," Time, April 14, 2006)

Time: Dayton “Passed Few Bills,” Tried To Create A Department Of Peace & “Confounded His Colleagues.” “Inside the Senate, Dayton has passed few bills partly because some are too liberal for the Republican-controlled body, including one that would have created a Department of Peace and Nonviolence. He has confounded his colleagues by complaining about basic facts of the job, such as his limited power in a chamber where authority derives from seniority.” ("America's Worst - Mark Dayton: The Blunderer," Time, April 14, 2006)

Associated Press: Dayton Brings Brings A Lot Of Baggage” To Governor’s Race. “But he brings a lot of baggage to the race. With his Senate term set to expire after 2006, Dayton opted against running for re-election amid faltering poll numbers and fundraising difficulties. The department store heir had sunk $12 million into his 2000 campaign, and had no plans to dig that deep again. He left with a jaded view of the Senate and his place in it.” (Brian Bakst, “Ex-Minn. senator seeks revival in governor's race,” Associated Press, December 31, 2009)

• “He called Washington a ‘cesspool’ and told a group of students that Congress, including himself, deserved ‘an F for results.’ Outsiders graded him just as harshly: Time magazine labeled him ‘The Blunderer’ on a list of ineffective senators, citing his widely criticized decision in 2004 to temporarily close his Senate office over fears that terrorism endangered his staff and visitors.” (Brian Bakst, “Ex-Minn. senator seeks revival in governor's race,” Associated Press, December 31, 2009)

Minnesota State University, Mankato Political Science Professor: Dayton Faces “Real Obstacles.” “Yet Dayton could have trouble turning the debate from his senatorial struggles, said Joseph Kunkel, a political science professor at Minnesota State University in Mankato. ‘He's singularly lacking in charisma. By his own admission, his term in the Senate was not too successful. He's not a new face on the scene. He's been around a long time,’ Kunkel said. ‘Those things are going to be real obstacles.’” (Brian Bakst, “Ex-Minn. senator seeks revival in governor's race,” Associated Press, December 31, 2009)

DAYTON’S DISASTROUS SENATE TERM

Dayton Only Member Of Congress To Shut Down Office Over Hypothetical Threat

Dayton Shut Down His Washington Senate Office Over Theoretical Terrorist Threat. “When Senator Mark Dayton shut down his Washington office last week, ostensibly out of concern for his staff's safety, many on Capitol Hill wondered if the Minnesota Democrat knew something everyone else didn't. The answer, it turns out, is far from it. Dayton last month received the same briefing as his fellow Senators about a CIA worst-case scenario involving simultaneous terrorist attacks across the country. Yet he apparently took the hypothetical threat as an imminent one. ‘Most people who heard the briefing,’ sniffs an intelligence official, ‘understood the context. It was theoretical.’” (Elaine Shannon, “Why Didn't 99 Other Senators Close Up Shop Too?” Time, October 25, 2004)

Star Tribune Rebuked Dayton For Shutting Office. “We join the Capitol Hill security chief, the Homeland Security leadership, the mayor of Washington and, apparently, every other member of Congress in scratching our heads at Mark Dayton's preemptive shuttering of his Senate office. What can he really be thinking?” (Editorial, “Dayton's alarm; A self-defeating take on terror,” Star Tribune, October 14, 2004)

• “It's simply impossible to take Dayton's alarm seriously in the absence of any other lawmaker or security official, so far, coming to a similar conclusion. Take it as political theater, it is farcical - and counterproductive. The vulnerability of this nation and its institutions to terrorism is an urgent and vital subject, one that is generating too much sloganeering and too little scrutiny in this election season. If Dayton's purpose was to underscore a legitimate issue of national security - how much remains to be done to ensure Americans' safety from terrorist attack - he could have chosen many a better way of making the point. Indeed, it's difficult to imagine a worse way. Instead of pointing out the emperor's startling nakedness, Dayton has cast himself as the lone little chicken who claims the sky is falling.” (Editorial, “Dayton's alarm; A self-defeating take on terror,” Star Tribune, October 14, 2004)

Roll Call: Dayton’s Actions “Irresponsible.” “Sen. Mark Dayton (D-Minn.) has done himself, his staff and Congress no good by shutting down his Senate office through the election period because he fears a terrorist attack. His action seems panicky and based more on speculation than information. Thankfully, not one other Member of Congress has followed Dayton's example.” (Editorial, “Irresponsible,” Roll Call, October 21, 2004)

Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D- D.C.) Blasted Dayton Decision To Close Office. ‘I regret that any office in the Capitol would be closed today,’ Norton said. ‘Such action is particularly perplexing,’ she said, ‘in light of the briefing of House and Senate Members that occurred two weeks ago. I have been unequivocally assured by security officials this evening that there was no specific intelligence concerning a risk at the Capitol two weeks ago and there is none today. Like every Member of Congress, I would never put any of my staff or constituents in danger. The Capitol is in a residential neighborhood where I also reside. At the same time, we have an obligation to avoid signals of alarm to the public when there is no evidence to support increased danger.’” (Press release from Eleanor Holmes Norton, “Del. Norton Says No Evidence or Inlelligence Of Risk To Personnel At Capitol,” October 12, 2004)

Other Minnesota Democrats Kept Offices Open. “Mary Kerr, a spokeswoman for Rep. James L. Oberstar, D-Minn., said that her office had checked with the office of the House Sergeant at Arms , and was advised not to do anything differently…’My staff and I rely on the sound professional judgment of U.S. Capitol Police to keep us informed and safe. At this time, our office has not received any notice of a heightened threat,’ said a written statement from Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn. ‘My congressional offices in Washington and St. Paul will remain open for business.’” (Allison Stevens, “Sen. Dayton Closes Washington Office, Citing Security Concerns,” Congressional Quarterly Today, October 12, 2004)

D.C.’s Democrat Mayor Puzzled By Dayton’s Decision. “‘I'm literally scratching my head, trying to figure out what frequency he's on,’ Anthony Williams, Washington's Democratic mayor, told reporters. ‘This is a safe city. I just think this is a very strange aberration.’ (Fred Frommer, “Dayton defends decision to close office,” The Associated Press, October 13, 2004)

D.C. Residents Questioned Dayton’s Move. “In addition to mocking responses from city leaders and congressmen, Mr. Dayton's decision was greeted with outrage yesterday from D.C. residents, including hot dog vendor Imam Lete. ‘I think he's selfish,’ said Miss Lete, 49, at her hot dog cart on C Street NW near Capitol Hill. ‘He's rich, he can afford to stay home. If I stayed home, I wouldn't eat. I'd be broke and I'd be homeless.’” (Tarron Lively and Charles Hurt, “Leaders in D.C. mock Dayton,” The Washington Times, October 14, 2004)

Dayton Attacked South Dakota

Dayton: Mayo Clinic “Worth A Hell Of A Lot More Than The Whole State Of South Dakota.” “The Mayo Clinic, which is in Rochester, Minn., was opposed to a South Dakota--based company's plan to expand its railroads into Rochester because it would mean dozens of trains passing by the clinic each day. Dayton told FORTUNE magazine the Mayo Clinic is ‘worth a hell of a lot more than the whole state of South Dakota.’" ("America's Worst - Mark Dayton: The Blunderer," Time, April 14, 2006)

• “Thune, R-S.D., who lobbied for the railroad while campaigning for the Senate in 2004, condemned the comments Tuesday, calling them ‘unconscionable, offensive and wholly unbecoming of a United States senator.’ ‘Unlike Senator Dayton, we may not all be millionaires in South Dakota, but we understand the value of hard work and appreciate real-world experience,’ he said.” (Aaron Blake, “Dayton apologizes for dig at S. Dakota,” Star Tribune, March 1, 2006)

Dayton Sued By Former Staffer

Former Dayton Staffer: I Was Fired Staff Because Of Medical Condition. “Sen. Mark Dayton, D-Minn., has been sued by a former aide who alleges he was illegally fired after developing a heart condition. Brad Hanson, who served as Dayton's Minnesota office manager until last September, said Dayton fired him after he met with the senator to discuss the need for an operation to correct his cardiac arrhythmia. In the lawsuit, filed last week in U.S. District Court in Washington, Hanson claims the dismissal violated the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans With Disabilities Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act. He is seeking his old job back, with back pay, and unspecified monetary damages.” (Staff Report, “Dayton faces suit by a fired aide”, Pioneer Press, June 4, 2003)

Barney Frank Filed Friend Of The Court Brief On Behalf Of Former Dayton Employee. “Retired Sen. Mark Dayton has been trying to shield himself from a lawsuit by a former congressional aide by using a legal defense so unusual that it has alienated his former colleagues and been scorned by the courts…After the senator left office last year, he changed legal tactics by arguing he could no longer be sued for conduct that occurred when he was an elected official. That argument was rejected by a federal court last month, but not before Reps. Barney Frank, Massachusetts Democrat, and Christopher Shays, Connecticut Republican, filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of the former employee. Granting Mr. Dayton immunity because he had left office ‘would render the protections [granted by the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995] wholly illusory and defeat the goals of the [law],’ the two lawmakers argued. The Senate Legal Counsel's Office also filed a brief in the case, saying Mr. Dayton should not be allowed to escape liability just because he had left office.” (Tom Ramstack, “Ex-senator’s legal tactics spurned”, The Washington Times, March 6, 2008)

Other Lowlights From Dayton’s Senate Term

Dayton Boycotted Visiting Foreign Leader. “Sen. Mark Dayton boycotted the congressional address of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki Wednesday, saying the visiting leader had unfairly blamed Israel in its standoff with Hezbollah in Lebanon…’I further believe that addressing Congress should be a rare honor, one accorded to historic international leaders, such as Winston Churchill or Nelson Mandela,’ Dayton added.” (Fred Frommer, “Dayton boycotting Iraqi Prime Minister’s speech,” The Associated Press, July 26 2006)

Dayton: “Giving A Bible To A Politician Is Akin To Giving A Blowtorch To A Pyromaniac.” “In addition to being un-American, this amendment is also Un-Christian. I hesitate to bring religion into this debate. I am highly skeptical of politicians who do so. Giving a Bible to a politician is akin to giving a blowtorch to a pyromaniac.” (Mark Dayton, Congressional Record – Senate, S5467, June 6, 2006)

IS DAYTON READY TO EMPTY THE TRUST FUND?

After Spending $12 Million On 2000 Senate Run, Dayton Promised He Wouldn’t Self Finance Another Campaign. “Sen. Mark Dayton, D-Minn., who spent nearly $12 million of his personal fortune on his 2000 campaign, said Wednesday that he is not planning to finance his 2006 reelection bid out of his own pocket. ‘I can not either politically or financially afford to finance my campaigns in the future the way I have in the past,’ Dayton said… In financial records disclosed last year, Dayton listed assets of between $14.4 million and $65 million, with a checkbook balance in the range of $5 million to $25 million. He also has millions in a blind trust.” (Todd Milbourn, “Dayton says he won’t finance reelection bid”, Star Tribune, February 28, 2002)

Dayton Will Spend Own Cash On Gubernatorial Campaign. “It took Mark Dayton two tries and many millions from his personal fortune to win one of Minnesota's U.S. Senate seats...Mark Dayton's name recognition and personal wealth make him a legitimate contender for the Democratic nomination. Dayton has said he will contribute to his own campaign, though he hasn't said how much. He plans to run in the summer primary even if party activists endorse another candidate at their April convention; most in the race say they'll drop out without that earlier seal of approval.” (Brian Bakst, “Ex-Minn. senator seeks revival in governor’s race”, The Associated Press, January 1, 2010)

DAYTON PROMISES TAX HIKES

Hard Left Dayton Attacked Governor Pawlenty For Refusing To Tax Raises. “That Pawlenty won't raise taxes ‘even one penny,’ Dayton said, ‘is a disgrace.’” (Brad Swenson, “Beltrami County DFL fundraiser: Gubernatorial candidates blast budget,” The Bemidji Pioneer, February 17, 2009)

Dayton: “The Foundation Of My Platform Is That We Will Raise Taxes On The Wealthiest 10 Percent Of People In The State.” “Former Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton said he would tax the wealthiest Minnesotans. ‘The foundation of my platform is that we will raise taxes on the wealthiest 10 percent of people in the state,’ Dayton said.” (Jason Hoppin, “In first bipartisan debate, gubernatorial candidates offer their solutions to hunger, poverty,” Pioneer Press, October 14, 2009)

Dayton’s Number One Priority: Raise Taxes. “Asked what bill they would want passed first if they were elected governor, Gaertner said the main thing is to balance the state's budget. Former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton said he would increase funding for public education and ‘link it to progressive tax increases on the wealthiest people, who can afford it.’" (Bill Salisbury, “700 turn out to hear 11 DFL governor hopefuls make case,” Pioneer Press, November 24, 2009)

Dayton Wants Rich Taxed More. “During a state AFL-CIO forum in Bloomington attended by 11 announced or potential 2010 Democratic-Farmer-Labor gubernatorial candidates, former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton called for increasing income taxes on the wealthiest 10 percent of Minnesotans to pay for more state aid to schools. ‘Read my lips: Tax the rich; they can afford it. I know that,’ said Dayton, the wealthy heir to a department store fortune.” (Bill Salisbury, “DFL gubernatorial hopefuls call for tax hikes to fund education,” Pioneer Press, October 1, 2009)

Dayton “Vocal” About Raising Taxes. “Dayton and Marty were the most vocal about increasing taxes on Minnesota's wealthiest people. At one point, Dayton addressed the GOP camera and said he would increase taxes on 10 percent of the wealthiest earners in Minnesota.” (Charley Shaw, “DFL candidates seek the competitive edge for 2010 Minn. gov race,” The Legal Ledger, August 31, 2009)

Dayton: Tax The Rich. “Mark Dayton has a simple foundation for his campaign to be Minnesota's next governor -- tax the rich.” (Linda Vanderwerf, “Dayton talks gov. run during Willmar visit, says richest pay more taxes under his plan,” West Central Tribune, December 17, 2009)

Revenue Department And Other DFL Candidates Call Dayton’s Plan Unrealistic. “[Tom] Bakk, the chairman of the Senate Tax Committee, says Minnesota can't realistically tax the rich enough to erase the state's projected $5.4 billion deficit in the next biennium and can't afford to pump a boatload of new money into schools when the state is awash in red ink… The Revenue Department's [Paul] Wilson told Minnesota Public Radio that Dayton's proposal would require a 40 percent income tax increase on those top earners, raising their rate from 7.85 percent to around 13 percent. That would be by far the highest income tax rate in the nation… Bakk called Dayton's plan unrealistic… Bakk said he isn't trying to pick a fight with… Dayton. But he said all the candidates should stop suggesting easy but out-of-reach solutions to the state's budget problems. He said it's going to be ‘really tough medicine’ to take. ‘But we should tell them the truth.’" (Bill Salisbury, “Tax the Rich? Is it that simple?”, Pioneer Press, December 12, 2009)

Dayton Suggested Taxing Emails. “Sen. Mark Dayton (D-Minn.) believes lawmakers ought to go after spammers' wallets… ‘I think it's worth looking at some very, very small charge for every e-mail sent’.” (John Goff, “Re: That Spam I Sent You”, The Economist, June 12, 2003)

Dayton: Senate Might Need To Consider Taxing Emails. “If Congress is going to stop unsolicited commercial e-mail from swamping computer users, Sen. Mark Dayton says legislators might need to consider ‘a minuscule tax’ on e-mail. ‘It's difficult to prevent the use of spam when there's no cost associated with sending thousands, tens of thousands or even millions of e-mails,’ Dayton, D-Minn., said in a recent conference call with reporters.” (Elizabeth Dunbar, “Dayton: Tax may be spam remedy”, Star Tribune, November 19, 2003)

Dayton Voted Against Repealing Death Tax. (Congressional Record – Senate, Page S5434, Roll Call #151, June 12, 2002)

DAYTON’S LEFT-WING RECORD

Dayton Used Fortune To Donate To Radical Causes. ”Between government jobs, Dayton managed his fortune, dabbled in civic activities and became legendary as a generous donor of his department-store family fortune to charitable and political causes. He gave hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Democratic Party, its candidates and many liberal and even radical causes, including the Black Panthers legal defense fund.” (Bill Salisbury, “Dayton again picks up thread of life of public service,” Pioneer Press, November 1, 2000)

Dayton Supports Gay Marriage. "’I'll vote against it, speak against it, do everything I can to convince people that this is one of the fundamental tests of a democracy: the ability of people to accept individual differences,’ said Democratic Sen. Mark Dayton. He said the amendment is not necessary because Congress in 1996 passed a law banning gay marriage.” (Rob Hotakainen, “Bush ignites new fight to try to ban gay marriage”, Star Tribune, June 6, 2006)

Dayton Voted Against Ban On Partial Birth Abortion. “Marking a milestone in the nation's abortion wars, the Senate approved a bill that prohibits doctors from performing the procedure, which opponents call partial-birth abortion. The bill bars doctors from committing an "overt act" designed to kill a partially delivered fetus…"Does it appear that we're avoiding something? Well, we are," Sen. Mark Dayton, D-Minn., said on the Senate floor. He voted against the ban…Public opinion polls show 70 percent support for a ban on the procedure.” (Rob Hotakainen, “Senate votes to ban late-term abortion method”, Star Tribune, March 14, 2003)