Okay, so I'm new here...

[Moriarty]

I'm a recent Minnesota transplant and I'm trying to get the lingo down.

Can someone give me the 2000 foot view of just what the heck the DFL is? Is is a faction of the Democratic party or Minnesota's own name for it?

Thanks!


P.S. I've found Minneapolis radio is miles away better than Chicago radio. That alone made the move worth it :)

[trotsky]

1. Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Created when the parties merged, I think back in the 40s.

Welcome and glad to have you here!

[Moriarty]

2. Thanks!

So would that basically make them *the* Dem party or can one be a Dem without being a DFL'er? If the latter, are you basically out in deep, DEEP right field all by yourself with little to no chance of any meaningful political career?

Thanks again!

[trotsky]

3. The DFL party *is* Minnesota's Democratic Party.

Back at the time of the merger, Minnesota had a large number of vibrant political parties. Made for an interesting political scene, as you can imagine! Once the DFL formed, it wasn't long before the Independent Republicans (IR) followed suit. In the 90s the IRs decided they weren't all that Independent anymore and dropped that part of their name, but the DFL continues to wear its name with pride. I love that.

[Moriarty]

4. Got it!

It seems I came late to the party, just after all the fun, political stuff. Time to make some new fun I suppose :)

[dflprincess]

12. You can call yourself a Democrat

a lot of us don't use the DFLer label all the time. The DFL is part of the national party (and many times it has been a thorn in the side of the DNC). If want to attend your precinct caucus next March as a Democrat, you will be going to the DFL caucus.

In 1944, the Democratic party in Minnesota merged with the Farmer Labor party. The Farmer Labor party had enjoyed some significant success during the Depression but, as the economy improved, the two parties realized they were splitting their votes and more Republicans getting elected. In many way the old Farmer Labor party is alive and well within the DFL. This becomes apparent whenever someone starts making noise about dropping the Farmer Labor from the name.

I've always been inclined to think Wellstone was more of a Farmer Laborite. I like to think I am too.

In the 1970's, the Minnesota Republicans began to call themselves Independent Republicans - this was done as a way of distancing themselves from Nixon and Watergate. They have since dropped the "Independent" from their name.

[jschadl]

16. "I'd Shake that man's hand!!"

In the late 80's I was a reporter I had a chance to interview Willard Munger, the longest serving legislator in Minnesota history, the man who was directly responsible for establishing Minnesota as a leading state in environmental protection and pollution clean up.

Willard Munger also campaigned for and later was employed by Floyd B. Olson, Minnesota's only Farmer Laborer Governor.

As the photographer set up his gear I told Willard about how my high school friend's grandfather would sit down with his old Farmer Laborer friends to drink whiskey and talk politics. "The worst thing every happened to the party was letting the Goddamn Democrats in!!!" they would say.

Willard jumped up from his desk and shouted, "And I would shake that man's hand."

Willard was an amazing person and a stellar legislator, but he was also an example of how much our state has benefited from the Farmer Laborer Party and the legacy of activism it built. If we ever drop the FL from DFL, then we will have abandoned an important part of what we stand for as a party.

John Schadl
Duluth, MN

[trotsky]

18. A big welcome to DU to you as well, John!

Great story. I hope we will forever remain the DFL.

[dflprincess]

19. What a great story!

There are many times I'm inclined to agree with your friend's grandfather. My response when someone says the FL should be dropped. The first one is "Go ahead, drop it. I'll be you'll be surprised how many people would be ready to start a new Farmer Labor party."

[question everything]

20. Hey, there is a bike trail named after him

going all the way from St. Paul to Duluth, I think

[question everything]

21. Interesting that farmers, in other states, are considered conservatives

only in Minnesota would farmers be associated with liberal causes.

[Oreo]

5. Welcome to DU and MN!

:beer:

[Demrock6]

6. Welcome!

The MN fourm is one of the best state fourms on the DU.

www.dfl.org

[whodiedandmadeUSgod]

7. Welcome to MN!

Where are you at if I may ask? I live near Rochester.

[Moriarty]

8. I'm in Minneapolis...

Uptown to be specific. Never before have I seen a more wretched hive of unwashed, enviro-hipster commies...

I LOVE IT.

Thanks for all the welcomes!

[trotsky]

11. Uptown is so fun.

Check out The Independent at Calhoun Square. It's a cocktail lounge (and the drinks are incredible) but surprisingly, the food is also terrific!

[Moriarty]

14. The Independent is on my list

of places to go, however I'm addicted to Figlio's so everytime I go to the Square I wind up there. But I'm always looking for a new swank bar to call my own, so I'll make it upstairs one of these days.

While I have my trendy sports bars in Williams and the Bulldog (any bar that has Roxy Music on the jukebox is automatically mine) to watch the game du jour, toss some darts and drink some good beers, I'm also in the market for the hole in the wall joint where I can enjoy the occasional after-work Pabst. So any recommendations along those lines would be most welcome!

[trotsky]

15. Aw, Uptown's too fancy for a good hole-in-the-wall joint.

Head east on Lake St. to Cedar Ave., turn south and go 5 blocks to 35th. On that magical corner is Matt's Bar, home of the ORIGINAL Jucy Lucy. (The burger with cheese melted inside!) Warning: if you are a vegetarian, STAY AWAY.

[seg4527]

17. Uptown is a great place

I'm currently in Stadium Village, but will be in Dinkytown in a few months, and I can't wait. I know I'm not far from Dinkytown, it's just a 10 minute walk away. But I'll like being able to say "I'm from Dinkytown." It's possibly the only place I like more than Uptown. But it's close.

[MN ChimpH8R]

9. Welcome aboard!

:toast:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

10. Welcome, Moriarty!

I'm not far away from you, a few blocks from one of "the lakes."

:hi:

[MsAnthropy]

13. Welcome to Minnesota!

YAY! Another liberal to fight against the Red Creep that got "people" like Pawlenty and Coleman elected!