Ummmm.......

For purposes of full disclosure, I received the COVID-19 vaccine earlier this year. And I'm glad I did so. 

That said, when I watched this???

I kinda wished the vax had some sort of return policy. 

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Quick Hits: Volume CCLXIII

 - Disgraced former Republican Party of MN Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan will not seek her old job in this weekend's election for interim Chair. Nevertheless, she is still attempting to exert whatever influence she has. 

Innuendos. Personal attacks. Randomly capitalized words. Projection. It's reminiscent of the postings her guy Donald Trump regularly emitted when he was President. 

And do ya ever notice she is constantly invoking her story and/or ethnic background (i.e. a Korean abandoned as a baby, subsequently adopted) in all these interviews and statements? It's almost as if she's using it as a distraction from the fallout of her poor leadership as party chair.

- Pretty much any legislation that "progressives" try to move forward would be unpopular with a majority of voters. And progs know this, which is why they have to fabricate what kind of impact their policy proposals would have. 

Liberal pundits contend that the $3.5 trillion welfare-state expansion “costs perhaps zero” because it is “paid for.” Even if we concede that the reconciliation bill contains the kind of tax hikes that can offset short-term outlays, the expenditure does not change. Simply because you can afford a car (or in this case, your parents can afford to buy you one) doesn’t mean the car doesn’t cost anything. Helpful liberals tried to frame the difference in “gross” and “net” costs. But every penny of the bill is money taken from someone, either today or tomorrow — usually from a more useful part of the economy. (Or, likely, it will be lots more debt spending. That isn’t “zero,” either, even if our political parties act like it.)

I've asked this before and I'll ask again. Which bothers you more, the fact they flat out lie to us or that they believe we're too stupid to draw a distinction between fantasy and reality?

- President Joe Biden received his COVID booster shot on Monday. Health officials approved shots for Americans ages 65 and older as well as adults with co-morbidities. 

Upon receiving his shot, Biden was asked how many Americans need to be vaccinated in order for the U.S. to "get back to normal."

REPORTER: "How many Americans need to be vaccinated for us to get back to normal?"

BIDEN: "97%, 98%. I think we'll get awful close. But I'm not the scientist. I think one thing is for certain. A quarter of the country can't go unvaccinated and us not continue to have a problem." pic.twitter.com/oT0zRXxpJo

— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) September 27, 2021

That is a complete detachment from reality. Medical experts would be hard pressed to name any ailment which needed that high a vax rate to be eradicated. 

Incoherent statements like that is why Biden finds himself underwater in terms of the public's opinion of his handling of the virus. 

For the first time in his presidency, Joe Biden faces a trust deficit among Americans when it comes to COVID-19, according to the latest Axios/Ipsos Coronavirus Index. https://t.co/n5tBtpH7Ef

— Axios (@axios) September 28, 2021

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Box Score of the Week

 Chicago White Sox at New York Yankees - September 25, 1965.

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This was the Yanks' 81st loss of the 1965 season, ensuring they would not finish the year with a winning record. It would be the first time since 1925 that the Yankees would not be above .500.

The 39 consecutive winning seasons (1926-1964) is still a MLB record. 

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The NARN Closer's playlist - 9/26/2021

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Marconi plays the mamba, listen to the radio.....

It's officially Fall, but that doesn't change our routine on the Northern Alliance Radio Network. Today's edition of my radio show The Closer gets started at 1:00 PM Central Time. 

In the first hour I'll discuss former MNGOP Chair Jennifer Carnahan seriously considering running for her old job. Also, Gov. Tim Walz's approval rating dips below 50%.

Then in the second hour, I will weigh in on the crisis on the southern border and the Biden administration's ineptitude in dealing with it. 

So please call (651) 289-4488 if you'd like to weigh in on any of the topics we plan on addressing.

 

You can listen live in the Twin Cities at AM 1280 or, if you're near downtown Minneapolis/West Metro area, 107.5 FM on your radio dial. In and out of the Minneapolis-St Paul area you can listen to the program on the Internet by clicking this link, or check us out via iheart radio as well as Amazon Alexa (just say "Alexa, play The Patriot Minneapolis"). If you're unable to tune in live, please check out my podcast page for the latest show post.

And if you're so inclined, follow along on Twitter at #NARNShow or "Like" our Facebook page, where we also conduct a "Live Stream" of the broadcast.

Until then.....

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Quick Hits: Volume CCLXII

 - Ugh. Just.....ugh.

NEW: Former @MNGOP chair Jennifer Carnahan has requested the list of party activists to run for chair again in October. In response to her request, key members of the #MNGOP Executive Committee question whether Carnahan can legally run again. See below. Stay tuned for updates. pic.twitter.com/jgIMlYinwo

— Michael Brodkorb (@mbrodkorb) September 21, 2021

My understanding is Carnahan has until Thursday to file her candidacy. 

In the month since she cast the deciding vote to give herself a $38,000 severance, Carnahan has avoided tough questions about her departure, continually played the victim, and indulged in a lavish one-week vacation to Spain. 

If indeed Carnahan's candidacy is allowed to stand, she needs to be rejected by State Central delegates with extreme prejudice. But if she's reelected, that will be an Extinction Level Event for the state party. The fact that doesn't occur to Carnahan is perhaps the most stupefying aspect to this saga. 

- As much as progs and their media accomplices are attempting dismiss opposition to President Joe Biden's vaccine mandate as attributable to a bunch of disgruntled Donald Trump supporters, the actual numbers tell a different story. 

NEW: The rollout of Biden's COVID-19 vaccine mandate didn't hurt him with the overall electorate but it DID spur a weakening of his standing among Black voters– especially the comparatively large share who are unvaccinated.

The @MorningConsult trend line: https://t.co/XBWjgpH2Ou pic.twitter.com/3b9MImVidC

— Eli Yokley (@eyokley) September 22, 2021

If you look at the demographics by race, the majority of black people in the U.S. are unvaccinated. As such, this shouldn't come as a surprise to those who, y'know, actually studied which citizens were most vaccine hesitant. 

- It was this past Friday when the President was nowhere to be found while this epic news dump unfolded: 

US drone strike massacre confession.

WH booster plan firmly rejected by FDA.

Close EU ally recalls ambassador from DC over perceived major geopolitical snub/blindsiding.

What a Friday.

Hope POTUS is getting his rest at the beach.

— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) September 17, 2021

Not mentioned was an escalating crisis at the Texas/Mexico border. 

So when media members finally got access to Biden this week?  

Biden met with U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the White House, where the two discussed an array of issues. Johnson took several questions, but when Biden was asked questions, White House aides promptly escorted reporters out of the Oval Office…

Several other reporters aired their grievances and called out the White House over its behavior.

Washington Post reporter Seung Min Kim described the situation as “Not good, folks.”

Ari Fleischer, who was George W. Bush's first Press Secretary, hit on a key point. 

Trump called the press the enemy of the people, but he let them do their jobs and ask questions daily. Biden doesn’t use those words to describe the press, but he treats them that way, judging by his refusal to let them do their jobs by asking questions. Which is worse?

— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) September 22, 2021

In the media's eyes? Probably their treatment under Biden given they don't get to play up the martyr role as much as they did with Trump.

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Box Score of the Week

 St. Louis Cardinals at New York Giants - September 23, 1922.

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Cardinals slugger Rogers Hornsby became the first second baseman in MLB history to hit 40 home runs in a season. To this day it's still a rare feat. Over the next 99 years, only four other second basemen have hit 40 or more in a season. 

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The Closer's NARN playlist - 9/19/2021

 

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Everything in moderation, that's the way it's always been......

The calendar says mid September, but today's weather makes it feel like the dog days of August. With that said, enjoy on last day of air conditioning inside while indulging in today's edition of my radio show The Closer. The 2-hour broadcast gets started at 1:00 PM Central Time. 

In the first hour I will weigh in on local political happenings, including former MNGOP Chair Jennifer Carnahan indicating she may run for her old job in the near future, or perhaps elected office. Also, DFL House leadership expelled Rep. John Thompson from their caucus. 

In the second hour I'll discuss the perpetual ineptitude of the Joe Biden administration. 

Finally at 2:30, John Byrnes of Concerned Veterans for America will join the program to discuss festering issues within the Dept. of Veterans Affairs

So please call (651) 289-4488 if you'd like to weigh in on any of the topics we plan on addressing.

 

You can listen live in the Twin Cities at AM 1280 or, if you're near downtown Minneapolis/West Metro area, 107.5 FM on your radio dial. In and out of the Minneapolis-St Paul area you can listen to the program on the Internet by clicking this link, or check us out via iheart radio as well as Amazon Alexa (just say "Alexa, play The Patriot Minneapolis"). If you're unable to tune in live, please check out my podcast page for the latest show post.

And if you're so inclined, follow along on Twitter at #NARNShow or "Like" our Facebook page, where we also conduct a "Live Stream" of the broadcast.

Until then.....

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Friday afternoon news dump

Yowzers!

 

US drone strike massacre confession.

WH booster plan firmly rejected by FDA.

Close EU ally recalls ambassador from DC over perceived major geopolitical snub/blindsiding.

What a Friday.

Hope POTUS is getting his rest at the beach.

— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) September 17, 2021

Y'know, President Biden has already shown us he's willing to defy the other two coequal branches of government. Any chance he broaches the possibility of going for the trifecta by overriding a bureaucracy (i.e. the FDA) within the Executive branch? 

Sheesh, that alleged momentum the Biden administration had with the passage of a $1.5 trillion infrastructure package certainly didn't last long, eh?

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Quick Hits: Volume CCLXI

 - I can't say I'm surprised that California Gov. Gavin Newsom survived the effort to recall him because....well.....it's California. 

Cali native Ed Morrissey (who wisely fled the state two decades ago) via Hot Air: 

Newsom didn’t survive because he suddenly became a lot more popular. He survived because the alternative became a strong conservative in Larry Elder, who far outstripped the other eleventy-seven candidates on the second question in the recall ballot. Newsom won’t come out and say this for obvious reasons, but the bad polling in this recall up until the end has made it clear that California voters aren’t impressed with his leadership.

You mean the Golden State's residents are growing weary of draconian COVID measures, rampant crime, serial homelessness and an unsustainable cost of living, yet stuck with the status quo? I guess former NYC Mayor Ed Koch's declaration still rings true: The people have spoken.....and they will be punished. 

- I had a sense that when Jennifer Carnahan resigned as Chair of the Republican Party of Minnesota that we hadn't heard the last from her. 

Since resigning Aug. 19, Carhanan said she has been focused on spending time with her husband, U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn (whom she believes will be dead in two years - ed.), decompressing and doing “a lot of soul-searching” about her opportunities. She said that could mean another run for party chair, or for governor or another public office, but she would not get specific.

When she was reelected as Chair of the party earlier this year, Carnahan won with 67% of the vote. If she were to run again, many of those same state delegates who overwhelmingly elected her remain. So is it possible she could get her old job back or are enough delegates disaffected by details which have emerged about her leadership? 

As far as any run for "governor or another public office?" To be charitable, that's an absolute non-starter. 

- Speaking of toxic political figures.......

The Minnesota House DFL caucus voted Tuesday night to expel embattled state Rep. John Thompson from its ranks amid past domestic violence accusations and questions about his residency.

The move isolates Thompson and leaves him without access to DFL legislative staff and resources. House leaders also reiterated calls for Thompson to resign from the Legislature.

"Rep. Thompson's actions, credible reports of abuse and misconduct, and his failure to take responsibility remain unacceptable for a member of the Minnesota House," House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler said in a joint statement.

Given Thompson represents a heavily Democrat district (which won't change dramatically even after next year's redistricting), the DFL primary is essentially the general election. My question is what if Thompson remains defiant by seeking (and ultimately winning) reelection? What recourse does leadership have then? 

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The equivalent of Smokey the Bear being an arsonist

By now you've heard of the elitism and wokeness on display at Monday evening's Met Gala. 

Of all the vapid celebs in attendance, it was Tide Pod Evita herself who garnered significant attention. 

Yes, that's a gown containing the slogan "Tax the Rich." Y'see, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez touts herself as a woman of the people, a young bartender who ascended to the hall of Congress to fight for the little guy. The irony here is she is basically a pawn for the rich elites she claims are the scourge of our country. I'll come back to that. 

For those who are expressing outrage over how a member of Congress could afford such a fancy gown, you're missing the point. No way did she purchase such a thing, rather it was likely a loaner from the garment's designer. And while a single ticket into this gala costs about $30,000, she was admitted for free. But where AOC is vulnerable for criticism here is the big name designers pay huge money to allow noteworthy figures like the Congresswoman to attend......and then said designers write it off as a business expense. So the very issue Rep. Ocasio-Cortez decries (i.e. unfavorable tax laws) is actually what she enabled on this night, all for an opportunity to demagogue. 

Oh, and another facet to which she's vulnerable? Mockery. 

For my money, this won Twitter. 

 

Who wore it better? pic.twitter.com/IHQkmEn0as

— Noam "MF Blum" (@neontaster) September 13, 2021

To be fair, AOC was far from the only elitist hypocrite who attended this swank gala. In fact, her display wasn't even the most egregious. 

In case you were wondering if we're still "all in this together" in the fight against COVID-19......

 

How come only the help is wearing masks? pic.twitter.com/n8ista1DUn

— e-beth (@ebeth360) September 14, 2021

I can't say I'm familiar with the name Cara Delevingne, but......

I’m pretty sure Cara Delevingne’s family is the patriarchy pic.twitter.com/FzY2f9FJQq

— Cox (@HOLYSMKES) September 14, 2021

Finally, this. I will neither confirm nor deny that I laughed to the point where a squirt of pee emerged. 

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Box Score of the Week

On July 15, 1973, California Angels pitcher Nolan Ryan tosses his second career no-hitter, this one against the Detroit Tigers. 

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

The Tigers starting pitcher this game was Jim Perry. This was the third time in Perry's career where his team was no-hit in a game where he was starting pitcher. That was an all-time record until it was tied this year by Cleveland's Zach Plesac. However, Plesac's feat is more impressive given all three of his starts occurred in the 2021 season. 

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The Closer's NARN playlist - 9/12/2021

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One must put up barriers to keep oneself intact.....

It's the first Sunday of the NFL regular season, but I'll be focused on my radio show The Closer. The 2-hour broadcast gets started at 1:00 PM Central Time. 

Right at 1:00, I will be joined by Niels Jorgensen, who was a member of the NYC Fire Dept. for nearly 22 years (1989-2011). Given yesterday was the 20th anniversary of the 9/11/2001 terrorist attacks on U.S. soil, Niels will give his perspective on the events of that day. 

If time permits I will weigh in on the latest of President Biden's authoritarian measures. In local news, there is another GOP entrant in the race for MN Governor. 

So please call (651) 289-4488 if you'd like to weigh in on any of the topics we plan on addressing.

 

You can listen live in the Twin Cities at AM 1280 or, if you're near downtown Minneapolis/West Metro area, 107.5 FM on your radio dial. In and out of the Minneapolis-St Paul area you can listen to the program on the Internet by clicking this link, or check us out via iheart radio as well as Amazon Alexa (just say "Alexa, play The Patriot Minneapolis"). If you're unable to tune in live, please check out my podcast page for the latest show post.

And if you're so inclined, follow along on Twitter at #NARNShow or "Like" our Facebook page, where we also conduct a "Live Stream" of the broadcast.

Until then.....

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They told me.....

 ......that if I voted to re-elect President Donald Trump that America would be subject to authoritarian type rule like we haven't seen in a nearly a century. 

And they were right. 

In his most forceful pandemic actions and words, President Joe Biden on Thursday ordered sweeping new federal vaccine requirements for as many as 100 million Americans — private-sector employees as well as health care workers and federal contractors — in an all-out effort to curb the surging COVID-19 delta variant.

Speaking at the White House, Biden sharply criticized the tens of millions of Americans who are not yet vaccinated, despite months of availability and incentives.

“We’ve been patient. But our patience is wearing thin, and your refusal has cost all of us,” he said, all but biting off his words. The unvaccinated minority “can cause a lot of damage, and they are.”

Given Biden's tone, he is directing his anger toward unvaccinated Trump supporters. However, a look at the demographics of Americans who have yet to get the "jab" would indicate that supporters of the previous POTUS aren't the substantial portion of the "unvaccinated minority."

Reminder to all White House reporters:

When Biden speaks down and sneers at the unvaccinated, he's talking to Americans who are disproportionately lower-income and minorities https://t.co/ArQvPvN2Rk pic.twitter.com/YufEqSXfT4

— Zach Parkinson (@AZachParkinson) September 9, 2021

Like the extension of the eviction moratorium, this likely has no standing from a Constitutional perspective. I wouldn't be shocked if Biden knows this given he conceded that his E.O. on the eviction moratorium likely didn't pass Constitutional muster (the U.S. Supreme Court ultimately confirmed that). 

Along those lines, conservative commentator Erick Erickson floated an interesting theory as to why the President issued a ruling he likely knows will not survive legal challenges. 

He knows this is most likely unconstitutional, but he needed to do something to appear strong for progressives. As a result, he will rely on the courts to strike down his mandate and then blame the Trump-appointed judges. He can claim he tried something, but Trump….

Given how Trump continues to live rent free in progs' heads, can we really dismiss this as a possibility? 

Here's perhaps the most accurate depiction of today's discourse surrounding hot button issues. 

  

Watching the evening news. Two biggest stories are Biden’s new vaccine mandate & Texas’ new abortion law.

The villains in the first story? The people saying “hands off my body.”

The heroes in second story? The people saying “hands off my body.”

— Drew (@drewdyck) September 10, 2021

Americans need to resist this mandate with every fiber of their being. And while I concur that social media is not the best gauge for such things, the majority of posts I've seen question the legality of this order, whether the person posting such content is vaccinated or not. 

One final thought: Biden's mandate impacts private sector employers with more than 100 employees. So if you work for a company with about 100-110 employees, it might not be a bad idea to update your resume given employers may now broach the possibility of getting below 100 in order to avoid this mess. 

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

Paul in

Another GOP entrant into the 2022 race for Minnesota Governor.

Former Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka is jumping into the Republican field for Minnesota governor, hoping his role as the lone conservative blockade to Democrats in state government during the pandemic is enough to unseat DFL Gov. Tim Walz next fall.

Gazelka, a four-term senator from East Gull Lake, announced his run on Wednesday surrounded by supporters at the Minnesota Capitol, where he's spent the last five years leading the Republican caucus in the Senate.

Since I've already signaled my support for Michelle Benson, there's no chance I'd even consider Gazelka unless he's the GOP candidate come November 2022. 

Sure, Gazelka's been 100% on Second Amendment issues and yes he's held the line against tax increases when he was the lone Republican negotiating a state budget with a DFL Governor and House Speaker. But, unfortunately, he's made some high profile blunders which I can't get past. One was holding a postelection celebration of the GOP holding the majority in the MN Senate. The gathering wound up being a "super spreader" event as several attendees contracted COVID-19, including Gazelka himself. This was especially embarrassing for him considering his attitude towards the virus had often appeared dismissive. Worse than that, Sen. Jerry Relph of St. Cloud ended up dying due to complications from COVID. Another unforced error was Gazelka's milquetoast statement in regards to the arrest of GOP mega donor Anton Lazzaro on sex trafficking charges. Many surmised that awful reaction effectively ended his political career. 

Gazelka also showed a woeful lack of professional courtesy when Benson announced her candidacy last week. On that very same day, he stepped on her announcement by indicating he would resign from his leadership post and also not seek reelection for his Senate seat, thus fueling speculation of his gubernatorial run.

Long story short, Gazelka has no chance to win a statewide race. That's not to say Benson or Dr. Scott Jensen are shoe-ins to snap the MNGOP's long dry spell, but either of those two would be better suited for the task. 

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Quick Hits: Volume CCLX

 - Most rational thinking humans (which would eliminate a significant number of political "progressives") had a sense that a story of an Oklahoma hospital being overwhelmed due to "ivermectin overdoses" was complete bull pucky. Further compounding the skepticism was how patients with "gunshot wounds" were unable to be promptly treated. Like the Jussie Smollett "hate crime," this story fit just a little too perfectly into progs' favorite narratives about the political right.

As Robby Soave at Reason points out, some basic journalism would have easily debunked the initial story. 

Rolling Stone's version of the story, for instance, quoted from McElyea's interview with KFOR and did not provide any additional reporting or independently verified information. The image that accompanied the article on Twitter featured people waiting in long lines while wearing winter coats—which does not inspire great confidence that Rolling Stone knows what season it is in Oklahoma at present—and was summarized thusly: "Gunshot victims left waiting as horse dewormer overdoses overwhelm Oklahoma hospitals, doctor says."

Rolling Stone has now appended an update at the top of the story, clarifying that there were 459 cases of ivermectin overdoses in the U.S. during the month of August, and though a state-by-state breakdown is not available, it would be surprising if this was straining the Oklahoma medical system. That's because the state is currently experiencing a seven-day average of 1,528 hospitalizations due to COVID-19. If they're running out of beds and ambulances, it's because of the virus, not ivermectin. This was something Rolling Stone could have figured out on its own had the magazine bothered to contact any hospitals in Oklahoma, but alas.

I believe I'm well past the point where I'm going to defend the media from the "Enemy of the People" label. It's become crystal clear that certain TV and print outlets are firmly entrenched on a specific side to the point where they'll engage in outright fabrication. 

- Closed circuit to the "hEaLtH cArE iS a RiGhT" crowd: How do you rationalize this?

 

Florida doctor says she will no longer accept in-person visits from unvaccinated patients https://t.co/nywLDARRiD pic.twitter.com/peG90val10

— The Hill (@thehill) September 6, 2021

For the record, I have no issue with this Florida doctor's stance, in much the same way I am fine with doctors who decline to perform abortions and "gender reassignment" surgeries.  

- The Minneapolis City Council seems desperate to rid its city of the police department. As such, voters will have the opportunity to vote on a ballot measure to determine the fate of the MPD.

However, how the ballot question will be worded is still up in the air. 

A Hennepin County judge on Tuesday tossed out the current ballot language for a proposal that would clear the way for city officials to replace the Minneapolis Police Department.

The current language "is insufficient to identify the amendment clearly, it does not assist the voter in easily and accurately identifying what is being voted on, and it is vague and ambiguous to the point of misleading voters, all of which make it unjust," wrote Hennepin County Judge Jamie Anderson.

I'm gonna guess that was indeed the point. 

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

Box Score of the Week

The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants renewed their intense rivalry this past weekend. 

Here's a memorable game from October 5, 2001. 

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

Giants slugger Barry Bonds hit his 71st* and 72nd* home runs this game, usurping Mark McGwire's previous single season record of 70*, which was set just three seasons earlier. 

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The Closer's NARN playlist - 9/5/2021

 

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The microphone explodes, shattering the molds.....

It's Labor Day weekend but we'll still be puttin' in work on today's edition of The Closer. Today's 2-hour blitz begins at 1:00 PM Central Time. 

At 1:30, MN State Senator (and longtime friend of the broadcast) Michelle Benson will join us via phone to discuss her recently announced candidacy for Governor of Minnesota. 

For the 2:00 hour, fellow NFL fan Mark Heuring will be in studio for our annual preview of the NFC North division. Since I am a Vikings fans and Mark a Packers enthusiast, it's the only division which matters to us. 

So please call (651) 289-4488 if you'd like to weigh in on any of the topics we plan on addressing.

 

You can listen live in the Twin Cities at AM 1280 or, if you're near downtown Minneapolis/West Metro area, 107.5 FM on your radio dial. In and out of the Minneapolis-St Paul area you can listen to the program on the Internet by clicking this link, or check us out via iheart radio as well as Amazon Alexa (just say "Alexa, play The Patriot Minneapolis"). If you're unable to tune in live, please check out my podcast page for the latest show post.

And if you're so inclined, follow along on Twitter at #NARNShow or "Like" our Facebook page, where we also conduct a "Live Stream" of the broadcast.

Until then.....

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

Joe Biden does not care about black people

Isn't that how it goes? I mean, when Hurricane Katrina decimated the New Orleans area in 2005, the then President of the United States was declared a racist. 

Many around New Orleans are still without power, running water, gas, and food.

One resident: "Where's the President? Where's FEMA?" pic.twitter.com/jOc7pDsHBq

— America Rising (@AmericaRising) September 3, 2021

Again, I don't make the rules. 

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Quick Hits: Volume CCLIX

 - It's been a while since I've been excited about a MNGOP gubernatorial candidate. 

State Sen. Michelle Benson officially joined the race for Minnesota governor on Wednesday, joining a growing field of Republican candidates angling to challenge Gov. Tim Walz next fall.

Benson, a four-term senator from suburban Ham Lake, is the first woman to jump into the race in either party, aiming to become the first woman to be elected governor in Minnesota.

"Tim Walz and the Democrats just don't get it. Their extreme agenda is dividing us with radical, leftist policies, trying to defund the police, shutting down schools and crippling neighborhood businesses," Benson said in a YouTube video announcing her run. "I've seen enough, it's time to get to work."

Benson and her husband Craig are personal friends of my wife and me, so it's impossible for us to be unbiased about this candidacy. That said, current Republican candidate Scott Jensen has been on the campaign trail for months and has gotten significant traction, including from a national standpoint in his outspokenness against draconian COVID restrictions. While that will play well with the GOP base here in Minnesota, I don't believe Jensen has a realistic shot to defeat Gov. Tim Walz in the general election. But Benson's no-nonsense and more refined approach would make her much more formidable in a head-to-head with the Governor.

FYI, Michelle will appear on my radio program this Sunday afternoon at 1:30 on AM 1280 The Parriot.

-  President Joe Biden continually says the buck stops with him on the disaster that was the U.S. military's withdrawal from Afghanistan while also attempting to blame others. It ain't workin'.

“I am absolutely appalled and literally horrified we left Americans there,” one (Biden) administration official told POLITICO. “It was a hostage rescue of thousands of Americans in the guise of a NEO [noncombatant evacuation operations], and we have failed that no-fail mission.”

Perhaps this underscores more than anything how confidence in Biden has waned. 

This is extremely difficult for me to say:

I once thought I truly knew Joe Biden and he helped me through pain and grief, for which I am grateful.

This man on tv giving this speech, I do not recognize this man. God help our country. God help the Americans we have abandoned.

— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) August 31, 2021

As much as the mainstream media will attempt to pivot to other topics, the aftermath of this debacle isn't going away anytime soon. 

-  So this sucks. 

Vikings’ TE Irv Smith underwent surgery to repair his meniscus this morning. With a 4-5 month recovery timetable, it is most likely to end his season, per sources.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 1, 2021

Once again, this graphic is still relevant. 

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