Mitch Berg on Republican and Minnesota Politics

Everyone enjoyed hearing from Mitch Berg today following the State Republican convention. Berg has been opining on Minnesota politics since the early 2000’s on the Salem Radio Network (AM1280). His first message today referenced the Ingrid Bergman 1948 movie “Gaslight” where a husband constantly tells his wife that what she thinks isn’t true. The analogy is that the DFL wants Republicans to believe that the “DFL is inevitable – give up and go away”, it’s NOT inevitable. The first time in MN history where Republicans had legislative control was in 2010.

Berg made the case that there are at least 3 very vulnerable MN Senate seats where the DFL won by very small margins that we could pick up (Seeberger in Lake Elmo/Afton, Kupec in Moorehead and Hauschild in Hermantown). We have razor thin margins in these districts and wins are doable. Having even thin majority control in the Legislature would give Republicans the ability to stop bad legislation, such as the DFL’s desire to take away peoples’ guns and freedom.

Another theme was that Republican factions need to work together to win instead of fighting like the mob families in the Godfather. Don’t feel it’s futile just because the DFL is like an abusive spouse. Vote for the most conservative candidate who can win in a particular district. The Q & A brought an interesting discussion of the party reliance on volunteers to compete with the DFL professional staffers that puts us at a disadvantage. It makes the party reliant on a “consultant class” which doesn’t have to prove itself by winning.

We appreciate Mitch Berg’s seasoned knowledge and viewpoints that are helpful in understanding the state of MN politics in a very important election year. Thank you!

Next meeting – Sat. Sept 12. See you then!