General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsRichard Painter running for Franken's seat as a DEM...how cool is this?
very very cool...he is magnificent.
JNelson6563
(28,151 posts)He was in W's admin. #JustSayNo
hlthe2b
(102,343 posts)that he has had a sincere conversion, sufficient to support even those DEM policies that would have been unlikely under Bush.
grantcart
(53,061 posts)hlthe2b
(102,343 posts)Beyond his vigorous attacks on Trump's corruption, I appreciate that Painter stood up for Franken...
I don't know enough about Tina Smith, who was appointed to replace Franken, or how she personally felt about Franken's "semi-forced ousting", given that she was benefiting from it, but I say let the best candidate prevail. Quite frankly I will continue to believe that BEST candidate is Franken, himself, but maybe we will see his second act soon in whatever context.
Lunabell
(6,105 posts)Or maybe his views on governing have "evolved".?
tblue37
(65,483 posts)Last edited Mon Apr 30, 2018, 05:43 PM - Edit history (1)
welfare issues. I do think he is a more dynamic and courageous defender of those policies than Tina Smith has been. I also think he has a better chance of being elected than she does.
His Twitter feed is one I read daily.
Smith is in a caretaker role essentially. A reliable vote for the agenda of Senate Dems, but not a lot of upside politically in the near and long term.
sellitman
(11,607 posts)This guy is a republican through and through. He just has more common sense than most of his peers. Pass!
Arkansas Granny
(31,525 posts)Painter's political views. He doesn't seem to be a typical right winger, but I don't know if he's very progressive. From his statements and interviews I've seen, he appears to be intelligent and ethical.
Exotica
(1,461 posts)Especially in Minnesota. Minnesota isn't Alabama or West Virginia (2018 WV, not 20 years ago WV).
only
OnDoutside
(19,969 posts)malaise
(269,157 posts)Sunlei
(22,651 posts)demmiblue
(36,875 posts)riversedge
(70,285 posts)betsuni
(25,598 posts)Could you please give a little context for those who don't know who Painter is?
Deb
(3,742 posts)Painter is a delight when dissing the con but hell no on the Dem ticket.
Sounds like they want to siphon $$$$ from the Dems trying to keep that seat.
Trumpocalypse
(6,143 posts)I think it is good that Republicans are switching to the Democratic party. That's how the GOP took over the South.
retread
(3,763 posts)enough
(13,262 posts)Nanjeanne
(4,974 posts)Etc. etc. etc.
Leith
(7,813 posts)The enemy of my enemy is not necessarily my friend.
What are his stances on all the other issues? Abortion, economics, education, etc., and how he evolved to being Democratic after willingly worked in the Bush administration.
superpatriotman
(6,252 posts)No tweets
dsc
(52,166 posts)I think that matters.
WhiskeyGrinder
(22,403 posts)romana
(765 posts)kentuck
(111,110 posts)Is the Democratic tent not big enough for him or does he need to find another office to run for? He shouldn't expect Democrats to desert an incumbent Democrat to vote for him, although he may be perfectly fine running for another position.
wellst0nev0ter
(7,509 posts)Painter's got a lot to answer for before I'll even consider looking at him.
Amimnoch
(4,558 posts)Hopefully they will retain the "D" that will win come November. Without this "D" there is no path to downgrading McTurtle from Majority leader to minority leader. Any "D" is better than any "R".
(heh, edited to show the correct state acronym.. proof that I have no business here!)
Michigan.
SharonClark
(10,014 posts)Amimnoch
(4,558 posts)LOL, kinda reinforces my position that it's up to their people.. didn't even get their state acronym right!
snowybirdie
(5,233 posts)Until recently he was a Republican. A good Democratic now holds that position. Let her continue if she wishes. No primary fights
PLEASE!!
Gothmog
(145,489 posts)imanamerican63
(13,811 posts)But he is not going to win in Minnesota! We need him to take on Trump in the media and Smith fight from her seat in the Senate!
BannonsLiver
(16,439 posts)But I wouldn't dismiss him out of hand, or reflexively based on his past. If he's willing to embrace Dem values on social issues and other things, I don't see what the big problem is. At least he's interesting, and not putting people to sleep, or a total non-factor.
Retrograde
(10,151 posts)as is Manchin and Heitkamp. None of them seem to have or have had a problem voting against the Democratic position.
MineralMan
(146,325 posts)I know he dislikes Trump, due to his unethical behavior. But, I know nothing about his other positions on issues important to me. I'm sure I'll learn them, but I do know Tina Smith's positions. Do you?
I want Al Franken to still be in office. Failing that, I want someone who has the same progressive goals he had. Tina comes close, despite not being as outspoken and as much of a leader. Richard Painter is an unknown quantity.
For that reason, I'm not celebrating his entry into the primary race for that seat. We have a good candidate already, in Tina Smith, although she's no Al Franken.
Why are we so quick to embrace Republicans who call themselves Democrats so they can run in the Democratic primary? We shouldn't be. That path leads to dilution of our positions and possibly even to the loss of a Senate seat to the Republican who is on the ballot in November.
We need to think carefully about these things, rather than simply having a knee-jerk reaction to someone simply because that someone has criticized Trump.
Let's be careful, shall we?
Owl
(3,643 posts)Me.
(35,454 posts)but he's not a Dem and further troubling, he's being endorsed by Nina Turner who has expressed her willingness to support Cons.
maveric
(16,445 posts)What side of the aisle?
Kirk Lover
(3,608 posts)nowadays ...and I can't say I blame him.
He is utterly ashamed of the Republican party. Is this how we treat folks who want to flip or who want to reconsider?
I'm glad I'm open minded, objective and not a partisan.
Glad to have you aboard Mr. Painter !
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)even though he's running against a woman with a legacy of fighting for Democratic values.
Greybnk48
(10,171 posts)rather than as a right leaning Democrat (and he is right leaning, he's a Bushie) pulling us more to the right. Wrong direction!
I like Richard Painter, but he's a neo-con at heart (who happens to hate Trump). NOT a Dem.
Ace Rothstein
(3,183 posts)I don't want Republicans running as Democrats and pulling the party further to the right.
MurrayDelph
(5,300 posts)I believe Richard Painter is a decent man, and if he were to get the nomination I would support him over anyone the Republicans would put forward.
But since there is already a Democratic incumbent in that seat, I would rather have her than someone who as recently as a month ago was still announcing his expectations that "real Republicans" would rise up against the crazies. If he wants to bring back the fictional "Center Right," I'd rather he not try to do it as a Democrat.