Day takes criticism for not abiding by the process
Posted by Edward Felker, P-B Washington Bureau
UPDATED: State Rep. Randy Demmer has issued his own statement on Day's decision, following up on Brian Davis' statement yesterday. Both below. Note, the Post-Bulletin will have a full story with comments from all three plus 1st Congressional Distict Chair Duane Quam, who had hoped, with state party leaders, to sign up the candidates to a formal pledge abiding by the district convention endorsement.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 20, 2008 Contact: Randy Demmer
507-529-1223
State Representative and candidate for Congress Randy Demmer today again pledged to honor the endorsement of March 29th Republican First Congressional District Convention.
In response to Senator Dick Day's decision to bypass the traditional endorsement process and proceed directly to a Republican primary race, Demmer said, "For almost a year now, we have been campaigning throughout the First Congressional District seeking this endorsement. I have enjoyed meeting Republicans that are working hard to make this process work and will honor my declared intention of abiding by their endorsement decision.
"We have carried our message throughout the district and have firmly believed the potential delegates and alternates should be given the opportunity to hear from the candidates and decide which of whom would best represent them in this campaign to replace Tim Walz as our next Congressman. I remain committed this Minnesota Republican Party tradition.
"We feel our message has been enthusiastically received throughout the district and plan to continue our campaign throughout the process," Demmer concluded.
ORIGINAL POST, DETAILING BRIAN DAVIS' REACTION:
State Sen. Dick Day's decision not to abide by the party's endorsement process elicited this critical response from Brian Davis, a Mayo Clinic physician who, along with state Rep. Randy Demmer, is seeking the GOP endorsement and the chance to run against DFL Rep. Tim Walz of Mankato:
"Today, Brian Davis, Republican candidate in Minnesota's First Congressional District, called Senator Day's decision to bypass the long-time established endorsement process of the Republican Party disappointing.
"Senator Day went back on his word that he gave at numerous Republican activists' meetings stating that he would abide by the endorsement process. Clearly Dick Day, just like Hillary Clinton, has seen the writing on the wall. My work traveling across the First District and outlining specific proposals to solve America's problems is working. By our counts, Dick Day was trailing in many parts of the district just as we are beginning to enter the county conventions. I like my odds to win the Republican endorsement."
Davis continued, "If Dick Day wants to ignore our Republican Party's long tradition of the endorsement process, then I'll be happy to have a discussion on the issues that matter to Republicans during a primary."
Brad Biers, Davis campaign manager added, "Dick Day's liberal record in the Legislature as a tax raiser and big spender have written his political fate. Whether it's 200 people voting in the endorsement or 20,000 Republicans voting in the primary, people are tired of "politicians" who say one thing and do another."
Dick Day = Hilary Clinton.
This is more fun than a barrel of--well, anything.
Posted by: Ollie Ox | February 20, 2008 at 08:08 PM