The Mess in 61B

[Avidor]

I go to my caucus.

I go to my convention.

We endorse a candidate (Jeff Hayden).

I made a video of Jeff's acceptance speech:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjCGFFUS8NI

He may lose the primary because SEIU is going to mail its 1000 or so members in 61B to vote for his opponent Harry Grigsby:

http://www.seiumn.org/Endorsed_Candidates.aspx

Watch this video of 61B candidates from March which includes Grigsby and Hayden:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJxBk-fCnsU

Grigsby has a blog... that ended in June:

http://harrygrigsbyforhouse.com/blog/

Why bother going to caucuses and conventions when some big union can overturn the results in the primary?

[dpbrown]

1. Grigsby was VERY uncompelling at your convention, in my opinion

I don't think he'll be able to beat Hayden.

Good luck.

[Avidor]

2. 61B Debate Tomorrow?

I've heard unofficially that there will be a debate tomorrow at the Urban League on 38th Street South at 6PM.

I haven't been able to find it on any of the candidate's websites:

http://www.farheenhakeem.org/upcoming-events

http://www.jeffhayden.org

http://www.harrygrigsbyforhouse.com/

Why was this debate was scheduled during the DNC week.... strange.

For another take on the 61B election:

http://mplsmirror.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=399&Itemid=1

Farheen Hakeem has all but declared victory in November in his video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weo27MuKQus

I'm seeing a lot of Farheen signs in 61B... my block has 2 Farheen signs and one Hayden sign (mine).

[Lydia Leftcoast]

3. In HER video

actually. :-)

[Avidor]

4. Thanks...Correction... Farheen's video N/T

[ISUGRADIA]

5. There is a debate for sure

From a Hayden e-mail:

From: 08/26/2008 - 6:00pmTo: 8:00pmLocation: Southside Urban League 411 38th St. E. Description and details: Come support Jeff Hayden in the first candidate forum of the Primary/GeneralElection. The forum will be held at the Minneapolis Southside Urban League on Tuesday at6:00.

[Avidor]

6. SEIU Screwed Up Real Bad on Grigsby Endorsement

Grigsby is not ready for prime time.

Watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaMiemyLV7U

Later in the debate, Grigsby thought new ramps off 35W were a good idea (the Excess Project).

The Excess Project was rejected by communities along 35W years ago:

http://www.stride-mn.org/

What was SEIU thinking?

If you live in 61B, please vote for Jeff Hayden in the primary.

[goodhue]

7. Jeff will win

But it is pretty annoying that SEIU would go off the reservation and endorse a not very competent candidate, who has repeatedly dissed the endorsement process, apparently merely because he is a SEIU member. As a result the DFL will be mailing a sample primary ballot in 61B, using money which Jeff does not have and which would better be spent elsewhere.

[Avidor]

8. Thanks

That's money better used to GOTV for Obama and Franken.

Please complain to SEIU:

http://www.seiumn.org/Contact_Us/Default.aspx

[Avidor]

9. Statement of Keith Ellison Regarding Possibly Misleading Literature in 61B MN House Race

http://www.keithellison.org/JeffHaydenStatement.htm

September 4, 2008

Yesterday some voters in Minnesota House District 61B received a literature piece that unfortunately - and incorrectly - may have given the impression that I support Harry Grigsby for 61B State Representative. I want to make it clear that I support Jeff Hayden, the DFL endorsed candidate, not Harry Grigsby, and that I was not consulted about this literature piece.

As a progressive leader and advocate Jeff Hayden is one of the most dedicated and committed members of our community. For years, he has worked tirelessly on the issues that affect all of us. His work with neighborhood associations has decreased crime in the parks and brought us family-oriented events such as Powderhorn Park’s annual Art Fair and 4th of July celebrations. In his work as an aide at city hall, he helped to decrease crime on our streets and clean up problem properties. Jeff has worked on the Community Land Trust to increase access to affordable housing. I applaud his hard work.

I have been impressed by his knowledge of the issues we face, his ability to articulate identified challenges, and his innovative and asset-based approaches to problem solving. I ask that you join me in supporting Jeff Hayden for State Representative. We need Jeff Hayden in the State Legislature to provide progressive leadership on the critical issues. Difficult issues such as home foreclosures and affordable housing, education, economic development, sustainable environment and an expanded transportation system need proven leadership. I urge you to vote for Jeff Hayden in the primary election, September 9.

Keith Ellison

This statement is prepared and paid for by Ellison for Congress. It is an independent expenditure and is not approved by Jeff Hayden, nor is Jeff Hayden responsible for it.

[Avidor]

10. Grigsby: "I would never personally put my name on anything with Keith Ellison"

Grigsby responds in the Mpls Mirror:

http://mplsmirror.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=409&Itemid=1

I understand that you and Keith Ellison, are putting out a false message about me, saying that I put out some false information, indicating that I’m saying Keith Ellison supports me. Let me explain! I would never do that for several reasons:


One- I know who Keith Ellison supports and that’s not me.


Two- I would never personally put my name on anything with Keith Ellison if it were up to me, because I don’t support him.


Three- I think you should consider retracting that message to the Senate 61 leaders or whomever you have sent that message to before this situation gets out of hand. I will need a copy of that retraction.


Thank you. Harry Grigsby

------------

Dear SD61,


Yesterday I forwarded you an email from Congressman Ellison regarding a campaign literature piece. In my email I said that it was in regards to a lit piece distributed by the Harry Grigsby campaign. This is incorrect. The piece was not distributed by the Grigsby campaign; it was distributed by SEIU. I apologize for any confusion this may have caused.


Harry's response below contains valid points, not the least of which was the apparent character assassination on the part of Ellison, meant to erode as many potential voters who are seriously considering Grigsby.


Thank you for clarifying your previous email, as you know if there was harm done to my credibility then it’s been done already and it’s pretty hard to remedy at this point, but thank you anyway.


I do wonder about the sincerity since the degrading piece is still posted on Jeff’s home page. I’m guessing that by now you have seen the lit piece. I still have yet to see the piece! I’m thinking my final question to you would be did you and Mr. Ellison make those degrading statements about me without checking out the info first? You really do not have to answer. I do realize that people in our own party will do almost anything to see that Jeff wins and that saddens me. Will our people ever have a real choice without the dirty politics?


Harry

Why is SEIU supporting this guy?