Marty Seifert Sinks to New Low with Desperate April Surprise

Breaks his own code of ethics with personal smear

Wednesday, April 21, 2010 · Saint Paul

Saint Paul — Eight days before the start of the Minnesota Republican State Convention, after falling behind in the straw poll vote, Marty Seifert sunk to a new low in dirty campaigning today by attacking Tom Emmer for his two DWIs from 20 and 30 years ago. Seifert used the story of a woman whose husband and son were injured by a drunk driver to help deliver his cynical personal attack.

“We’re all used to October surprises by the Democrats, but we never thought Marty would sink so low to launch this April surprise against a fellow Republican at the last minute before the convention,” said Rep. Mark Buesgens, Chairman of the Emmer for Governor Campaign. “The fact is that Tom has been upfront with delegates about this issue. They were the subject of a newspaper article last year and Tom has been very forthcoming about his actions to anyone who asked.”

The Emmer for Governor campaign added information rebutting these claims to its EmmerTruth.com website.

The Seifert campaign has been consistently attacking Emmer for his voting record and public statements, but this personal attack coming directly after more straw poll losses indicates a significant change in strategy. Political science professor Steven Schier already called out Seifert’s negative campaign in a recent article in MinnPost:

In Schier’s eyes and those of other political observers, Seifert has seemed to be more of the attacker, which fits with the general belief that, for the moment, Emmer has momentum on his side. “If you’re seen as being negative in a two-person race in your own party, it’s a sign of weakness," Schier said. "You’re doing it because you have to.”

“Marty Seifert will do anything to win this nomination and he’s clearly more concerned about his own political future than he is about the well being of the Republican Party and our ticket,” added Buesgens. “We are confident delegates will see this desperate attack for what it is and join the Emmer campaign as we take the high road to victory.”

“Perhaps Marty should read his own published code of ethics: ‘Any member of the Seifert for Governor team that engages in negative campaign tactics of a personal nature … will be fired.’”

Lobbyists do not belong at the head of the table

ST. PAUL The head of a committee table in the Minnesota Legislature is no place for a registered lobbyist, according to State Representative Mark Buesgens, R-Jordan. Buesgens, who formerly chaired the House Education Policy and Reform Committee, criticized Democrat legislators for allowing Education Minnesota President and registered lobbyist Tom Dooher to sit at the table with legislators during Tuesdays hearing on Minnesotas Race to the Top application.

Special interests have absolutely no place at the committee table, no matter who they represent, Buesgens said. This one in particular has consistently stood in the way of education reform and spent millions upon millions of dollars over the years to elect reform-averse legislators. Putting him at the head of the table for all to see sent a clear message, like having Vito Corleone watching over his foot soldiers.

According to Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board records, Dooher is registered lobbyist number 2005, having first registered on June 18, 2007. Board documents also show that the EdMinn PAC gave $155,700 to the Minnesota DFL House Caucus in 2008, the most recent election year.

Special interests do not run the Legislature, or at least thats what we are told. But apparently if you are willing to fork over enough cash, Democrats can find room for you at the head of the table. Its a disgrace, Buesgens said.

EdMinn PAC and Education Minnesota are technically separate entities, but the PACs 2008 year-end report shows $691,320 in income from Education Minnesota coming in monthly installments of $57,610. The report also shows the union giving the PAC miscellaneous income totaling $93,946 that was used to record staff time.

They are one and the same in every way that matters, and today they got to lord over the Legislature, Buesgens said.