Minnesota Republicans And That Old Egyptian River

“It’s not that Republicans have the wrong message…” – Amy Koch, GOP Former Senate Majority Leader

“As I read you some state spending cuts being considered to fix the budget deficit, please tell me which one would be most acceptable to you.

8%:  Reducing health care assistance for lower income people, the elderly and disabled
13%: Reducing aid to cities and counties
15%: Reducing aid to colleges and universities”

Star Tribune Minnesota Poll

“…it is how we are delivering the message…” – Koch

“By a whopping 2-1 margin, Minnesotans blame the Republicans who control both houses of the Legislature for the recent government shutdown more than they blame Gov. Mark Dayton, according to a poll taken this week for MinnPost.

Among independents, 46 percent “blamed” the Republicans, 18 percent blamed Dayton and 25 percent both.” – MinnPost/Daves Poll

“…and who is delivering the message.” – Koch

A KSTP/USA poll released last week showed that just 17 percent of those polled approve of the work of the Legislature. By contrast, both polls showed Gov. Mark Dayton’s approval rating above 50 percent and rising.  The overall approval rating of state legislatures (nationally) was 35 percent, but currently the Minnesota Legislature is running half of that.”  – MinnPost

“This time the October surprise was a hurricane,” Kiffmeyer said, blaming Hurricane Sandy for sapping the momentum of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.”- Minnesota Representative Mary Kiffmeyer (R-Big Lake), Elk River Star News

“The day of the hurricane, President Obama at 48%, mitt romney at 47%. Look at the five days after the storm hit. Hey, again, President Obama ahead by the exact same 1%. Before Hurricane Sandy, President Obama ahead 1 or 2 points, afterwards, ahead by 1 or 2 points. This is the poll we know in retrospect was totally right. If we believe the polls which we all do now in America and the Ipsos-Reuters poll was the most accurate one in this presidential election proves there was no Romney momentum going into Hurricane Sandy that was moved by the storm. It just didn’t happen and is checkable.”  MSNBC

“For many, the reassessment starts with the message. Few Minnesota Republicans are willing to toss aside their smaller government, lower taxes ideals…”  – Star Tribune on GOP officials’ reactions

“Only 23 percent of respondents said that they favor a cuts-only approach (to balancing Minnesota’s state budget). A strong majority — 66 percent — say a combination of spending cuts and tax increases is the way to go. And the key swing group — Minnesotans who do not identify strongly with either major party — were closer to the DFL views. Among independents, it was 22 percent for no new taxes, 2 percent for no spending cuts and 72 percent for a combination of cuts and tax increases.” – MinnPost/Daves Poll

“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” – Albert Einstein

– Loveland

Note:  This post was also featured as a “Best of the Blogs” by Politics in Minnesota.