MN AG to GOP?

I know I've said it over and over and over again how a Republican has not prevailed in a statewide Minnesota election since 2006. However, the dry spell has been even longer for the office of MN Attorney General as there has been exactly one Republican elected to that office since 1954 (Douglas Head in 1966).

While there are strong indications of the 2018 midterms pointing to (for now) Dems making significant gains nationally, Minnesota is garnering the attention of some national GOP groups, one in particular being the Republican Attorneys General Association.

With the GOP putting up a solid legal mind in Doug Wardlow while the Dems counter with the deplorable Keith Ellison, there is a glimmer of hope here. 

Add to that the news shared recently by my friend and veteran political activist Andy Aplikowski. 

I'm excited to announce that I have joined the Doug Wardlow for Attorney General campaign as Political Director.

Please donate and sign up to volunteer today, so we can win this important race this November.

I've said many times before that any campaign which brings Andy on to its staff will be getting an incredibly knowledgeable, dedicated and diligent worker. If I had to pick just one statewide race which has the best opportunity for a GOP pick up, I believe this would be it!

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When two mainstream Twin Cities news stations....

......declare your campaign literature deceitful, you must've really sh*t the bed.

Kudos to WCCO and KSTP for calling out the DFL's lazy slander.

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Quick Hits: Volume CLXX

- With a steady stream of professional athletes becoming openly left wing in the era of President Donald Trump, the expectation by leftists and media (pardon the redundancy) is that the higher profile names join in on the "resistance" to the president.

Ah, but the biggest name in professional golf is taking a pass.

Tiger Woods did his best to stay clear of controversy Sunday when he was asked after the final round of the Northern Trust about his relationship with President Donald Trump.

Woods has played golf with Trump, including after he was elected in 2016 and again last year at Thanksgiving with golfers Dustin Johnson and Brad Faxon.

"Well, I've known Donald for a number of years,'' Woods said during a post-round interview at Ridgewood Country Club. "We've played golf together. We've had dinner together. I've known him pre-presidency and obviously during his presidency.''

When pressed about some people being threatened by Trump "and his policy,'' as well as Woods' seemingly friendly relationship with the president, Woods said:

"Well, he's the president of the United States. You have to respect the office. No matter who is in the office, you may like, dislike personality or the politics, but we all must respect the office.''

The screaming blowhards on ESPN shout-fest First Take pretty much lost their s**t over what appeared to be a reasonable and measured statement.




I'm not a big fan of people telling celebrities to "shut up and {do whatever vocation you're in}." All American citizens, regardless of class or stature, have the right to speak up and be as politically active as they so desire. But the exact opposite is also true in that high profile individuals have every right to abstain from commenting on highly charged topics for fear of alienating a significant portion of their fan base.

The only regret I have about Tiger's comments is that he didn't declare "all lives matter." The collective hissy fits of leftists and media (again, PTR) would've been a legit pay-per-view event.


- I would love to see a Venn diagram of those who just last week lectured people to not politicize the tragic death of Mollie Tibbetts and those who accused Republicans and the NRA of having blood on their hands after a gunman opened fire at a Jacksonville, FL venue, killing two people.


- Say what you want about Minnesota Attorney General candidate Keith Ellison, but the guy sure doesn't lack cojones.

This would be the equivalent of early 2000s Michael Vick saying he is proud to be in the fight to prevent dog owners from smacking their canines on the nose with a newspaper.

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Box Score of the Week

Boston Bees (the franchise which eventually became the Atlanta Braves) at St. Louis Cardinals - August 4, 1937.

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This past Sunday the Cards' Matt Carpenter hit four doubles in a win over the Colorado Rockies. He is the first Cardinals player to pull that off since Joe "Ducky" Medwick in that 1937 game against Boston. 

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Some people they like to go out dancin', and other people they have to work...

It's an annual tradition for the Northern Alliance Radio Network to broadcast live from the MN State Fair. As such, my radio program The Closer will be live from 1:00 until 3:00 PM Central Time.

The guest-a-palooza includes: 

• Rebekka Paskewitz, who this past Wednesday was crowned the 65th Princess Kay of the Milky Way. 
• MN Republican candidate for governor Jeff Johnson. 
• Bill Budd, who is a manger with AM 1280 The Patriot's fantastic new sponsor AC Nelsen RV World - Shakopee. 

Then starting at 2:30 I will be hosting our second annual edition of the game show Real News or The Onion. What this entails is I will read a headline and a few paragraphs of a story and the on-site contestants will have to tell me if it's real news or something from the satirical web site The Onion. 

If you happen to be out at the Fair today, feel free to stop by and say hello. We're located on Machinery Hill, which is at the north end of the fairgrounds, specifically near the corner of Underwood Street & Murphy Avenue (next door to the big orange Home Depot building; see map here).

You can listen live in the Twin Cities at AM 1280 (or FM 107.5 in the  West Metro) 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.

And if you're so inclined, follow along on Twitter at #NARNShow or "Like" our Facebook page.

Until then.....

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Another tragedy, another politicization

It was utterly heartbreaking to hear that missing 20-year old University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts was found dead after being reported missing more than a month ago. Since this case was so highly publicized, many were awaiting the facts upon learning her body had been recovered. 

As it turns out, the alleged perpetrator of this crime inflamed yet another heated political debate. 

Officials say the suspect, 24-year-old Cristhian Bahena Rivera, is a Mexican national who is in the country illegally. Investigators believe Rivera followed Tibbetts on July 18 and abducted her as she was out for a jog.

Surveillance video showed a car that investigators traced back to Rivera, said Rick Rahn, a special agent in charge with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. Rivera is being being held on a federal immigration detainer.

Sorry, but I will never accept it as normal that any high profile death will immediately be politicized before loved ones have an adequate opportunity to mourn. Nevertheless, America's deeply flawed immigration system was once again brought to the forefront when discussing this case, including by President Trump himself.

While I am not interesting in adding to the melee myself, I can't help but roll my eyes at people who typically politicize certain other tragedies.

The fact is there are already laws on the books addressing the legal possession of a firearm as well as the process of being in the USA legally. Sadly what we've seen all too often are enforcement officials bungling certain aspects of these statutes as well as those already skirting laws not really being deterred by other legalese. 

Regardless, it is my sincere hope that Mollie's family can somehow find peace and comfort which transcends all understanding. 

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Tough Tuesday, Trump

With the verdicts of former Trump for President campaign chair Paul Manafort and ex-lawyer Michael Cohen being handed down Tuesday, it was arguably the lowest point in Trump's 19 months as POTUS (and that's saying something).

While the Manafort verdict (guilty on eight of 18 counts) was largely related to activities predating his association with Trump's presidential run, Cohen's being found guilty of violating campaign finance laws is more damning to the president.

Cohen's attorney said that if Cohen is guilty of violating campaign finance law, so is the president.

"Michael Cohen took this step today so that his family can move on to the next chapter," Cohen attorney Lanny Davis said in a statement. "This is Michael fulfilling his promise made on July 2nd to put his family and country first and tell the truth about Donald Trump. Today he stood up and testified under oath that Donald Trump directed him to commit a crime by making payments to two women for the principal purpose of influencing an election. If those payments were a crime for Michael Cohen, then why wouldn't they be a crime for Donald Trump?"

Andrew McCarthy of National Review provided his perspective.

Let’s split some legal hairs. The media narrative suggests that these payments violate federal law because they were made to influence the outcome of the election. That is not quite accurate. It was not illegal to pay hush money to the two women — Karen McDougal and Stephanie Clifford (a.k.a. “Stormy Daniels”). It was illegal for Michael Cohen to make in-kind contributions (which is what these pay-offs were) in excess of the legal limit.

Specifically, it was illegal for Michael Cohen to make contributions exceeding $2,700 per election to a presidential candidate (including contributions coordinated with the candidate); and illegal for the candidate to accept contributions in excess of that amount. It was also illegal for corporations to contribute to candidates (including expenditures coordinated with the candidate), and for the candidate to accept such contributions. The latter illegality is relevant because Cohen formed corporations to transfer the hush money.

The law does not impose a dollar limit on the candidate himself. Donald Trump could lawfully have made contributions and expenditures in excess of $2,700 per election. Because of that, and because — unlike Cohen — Trump is a non-lawyer who may not have fully appreciated the campaign-finance implications, it would be tough to prove that the president had criminal intent. Nevertheless, that may not get the president off the hook. As noted above, it is illegal for a candidate to accept excessive contributions. It is also illegal to fail to report contributions and expenditures, and to conspire in or aid and abet another person’s excessive contributions. Moreover, we are talking here about hush-money expenditures, so drawing a distinction between the payment and the failure to report is pointless since the intention not to report is implicit in this kind of payment.

As I argued when news of these pay-offs first emerged, the best arguments President Trump has here involve mitigation, not innocence.

I sensed within the past few weeks that the Republicans would lose the U.S. House in the upcoming midterm elections. The Cohen verdict will now only embolden the Democrats' impeachment talk as well as provide more fodder to delay the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation hearings. While I believe Tuesday's news will only fortify the former, the latter is still an exercise in futility.

These verdicts also seem to shed light on another issue. That is, leftists are only concerned about getting Trump. Period. While they shrieked about Russian interference in our elections and raised concerns over cyber security, all of that was secondary to the belief that Trump is unfit as president and thus has to go by any means necessary while still clinging to the utter fantasy that Hillary Clinton can be installed as president

In the end I highly doubt this brings down Trump. However, this further underscores the point that Trump associating with unsavory characters was never going to allow him to go unscathed.

I feel as though Mark Hemingway summed it up best:

Let's face it: If Trump had followed the Pence rule, he wouldn't be in this mess.

Yup.

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Box Score of the Week

Chicago White Sox at Kansas City Royals - April 6, 2002.

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Royals relief pitcher Miguel Asencio made his Major League debut in the eighth inning of this game. To say it was inauspicious would be an understatement. He threw a total of 16 pitches ----- all outside the strike zone. That means he walked all four batters he faced, all of whom eventually came around to score. 

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We all came out to Montreux on the Lake Geneva shoreline.....

MN State Fair time is around the corner, so this will be the final show in the Patriot bunker until the second Sunday in September. Today's edition of The Closer gets started at 1:00 PM Central Time.

At 1:30 I will be joined by Matt Lundin, who is the GOP candidate for MN House in 57A (eastern portion of Lakeville and southern part of Apple Valley). With incumbent representative (and failed DFL Lt. Gov. candidate) Erin Maye-Quade not seeking re-election, this seat is ripe for a Republican pick up.

In the non-guest segments, I'll recap this past Tuesday's MN primary election which includes the DFL's enduring Keith Ellison dilemma. On a national level, the Cuomo brothers had a running competition as to which bro was the most inane.


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. 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.

Until then.....

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Where credit is due

I've never been a fan of Bill Maher's but I have to say that he is one of the few sane Hollywood voices when it comes to the virtues of free speech.

Check out this clip where the barking, clapping seals on Maher's panel and in his audience suddenly don't like the taste of fish they're being tossed. 

This clip from Bill Maher is excellent pic.twitter.com/AYzGbfQZdt

— Ben McDonald (@Bmac0507) August 18, 2018

I too am not a fan of Alex Jones and would shed nary a tear if he chose to live out his days off the grid. But celebrating corporate fascism is not going to lead to the result you ultimately desire if your goal is to completely eradicate an opposing viewpoint. Tread lightly.

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Quick Hits: Volume CLXIX

- Now that Jeff Johnson is officially the GOP candidate for Minnesota governor, it's time for all MN Republicans to coalesce behind him. As such, I noticed a good number of Tim Pawlenty supporters publicly declaring they are now officially on the Johnson bandwagon.

You would think it would be pretty obvious that those already in Johnson's camp would be welcoming to new supporters. And I daresay that the vast majority were indeed extremely cordial to newcomers. However, I noticed a handful of Johnson's supporters chiding T-Paw faithful for "being late to the party" or even performing a proverbial spiking of the football for knocking out the "establishment choice." For a political party which hasn't won a statewide election in Minnesota since 2006, such an attitude is utterly stupefying.

If we MN Republicans have any aspirations of snapping a 12-year statewide drought, I would strongly suggest tamping down the arrogance posthaste.


- Narrator: The following conversation, while entirely plausible, is fictional even though it's based on actual events. 


CNN's Chris Cuomo: "I'm going to give a commentary so asinine and morally vapid that it's bound to make heads explode."

Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-NY): "Hold my chardonnay, little brother." 


- Yeah, so this was pretty crummy news.

Former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman announced on Facebook Tuesday that his cancer has returned.

Coleman, who served as mayor of St. Paul from 1994 to 2002, had previously battled throat and neck cancer. He said he is two weeks into chemotherapy treatment for stage 4 cancer, where “the prognosis … is typically not optimistic.”

“The beast that is my cancer has returned. It has reasserted itself. The prognosis for metastasized cancer is typically not optimistic.”

“I won’t lie to you. Cancer has shaken my soul. But, it has not broken my spirit,” said Coleman, 68, in the online statement describing his illness. He said he is nonetheless confident the fight is “very winnable.”

 Coleman's future daughter-in law likely echoes the sentiments of the entire family.

Rest assured that the Coleman family will be part of my daily prayers.

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

My obligatory Minnesota primary recap

I'll start off by saying this. If statewide turnout in this year's Minnesota primary elections is any indication, the Republican Party of Minnesota's slogan of "Make MN Red" is pure fantasy. I get that Democrats had competitive primaries in the gubernatorial and Attorney General races and thus their voters were more motivated. But the Republicans also had a very competitive race on the gov side yet DFL turnout was still nearly double.

Speaking of the MNGOP gov race, I'll admit that I was not only surprised that Jeff Johnson emerged victorious but that it was nearly a double digit win over the heavily funded Tim Pawlenty. I hope I'm wrong here but I felt as though T-Paw was the most viable GOP gubernatorial candidate who could win statewide. Johnson has done his best over the past couple of months to assuage concerns of those who doubt he can perform any better than in 2014 when he was defeated by a vulnerable incumbent in what was a Republican wave year. Unfortunately the lack of a Pawlenty candidacy likely means very few national resources pouring into Minnesota. I guess Johnson is going to have to bring out the "scrappy fighter" we were promised would show up in the '14 general election (but rarely emerged), especially against turncoat Tim Walz.

Speaking of Walz, he soundly defeated DFL-endorsed candidate Erin Muprhy for the Democrat nod. This is basically a replay of the 2010 DFL cycle when the endorsed female gov candidate (back then it was Margaret Anderson Kelliher) was defeated by a male candidate (Mark Dayton) in the primary. For all the virtue signaling leftists engage in over the MNGOP not fielding female gov candidates, Dems seem to allow women to touch the proverbial glass ceiling but not actually break through it.


In other noteworthy races:

- Frequent guest and longtime friend of the Northern Alliance Radio Network Karin Housley cruised to the GOP nominee in the special election for the U.S. Senate vacated by Al Franken. She'll oppose interim senator Tina Smith, who easily dispatched five other DFLers.

- Despite serious allegations of domestic abuse swirling around him, Keith Ellison cruised to the DFL nomination for MN Attorney General. I imagine that even if he didn't already have significant early votes banked, he would have won regardless. However, it doesn't appear Ellison's most vocal accuser, Karen Monahan, is going to be silent so we'll see how this plays out over the next few months. If Ellison remains the Dem candidate, will Republican Doug Wardlow put up a formidable enough challenge for an office the GOP hasn't held in about a half century? Now that incumbent AG Lori Swanson is not running again, a prominent national Republican AG group will take a keen interest in this race. No question Wardlow will need all the help he can get.

- One silver lining for the GOP is that Republican turnout in Congressional Districts One and Eight (both held by Dems who are not seeking reelection) at least rivaled that of Democrats. Both CDs were dominated by Donald Trump in 2016, so both GOP candidates (Jim Hagedorn in One, Pete Stauber in Eight) better hope for similar Republican turnout in November. It will definitely be a much taller task given that Trump is not on the ballot and Dems definitely have the motivation to get to the polls.

- The six-way DFL primary in CD5 basically determines who the next representative will be. As expected, current MN state representative Ilhan Omar emerged victorious, which means she will be the first female Muslim member of Congress come January 2019.


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Box Score of the Week

Oakland Athletics at Detroit Tigers - June 30, 2014.

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This past Sunday evening, the Chicago Cubs' David Bote hit a "Ultimate Grand Slam" (a grand slam when trailing by three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning (or in an extra inning), thus winning the game) to give his team a 4-3 victory over the Washington Nationals. 

This week's featured game was the last time an Ultimate Grand Slam had taken place when Rajai Davis hit one for the Tigers

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Keith's quamire

If you follow Minnesota politics at all, you've undoubtedly heard by now that Congressman Keith Ellison (who is also vying to be the Democrat nominee in the MN Atty General race) was hit with some serious allegations of domestic abuse.

Austin Monahan, who is the son of Ellison's former girlfriend Karen Monahan, laid out the allegations in a long Facebook post (apologies for the strong language). 

Ms. Monahan backed up her son's claims via Twitter on Sunday afternoon.

A few thoughts: 

- With Primary Day in Minnesota taking place this Tuesday, it's quite possible Ellison will have already wrapped up the DFL nomination for AG given that early voting began June 29. I have a feeling that since many "metrocrats" share Ellison's campaign strategy of fervent anti-Trumpism, they were motivated to cast their votes ASAP. Chalk this up as another reason why voting early for reasons outside of knowing you will absolutely not be able to physically go to the polls on Election Day is a bad idea. 

- Ms. Monahan's son claimed there's video evidence of Ellison's physical abuse. Ellison denies its existence. Seems to me this would be an easy dilemma to solve. 

- Even if Ms. Monahan declines to offer up the video evidence, the proggie mantra of "Every woman deserves to be believed" means there should be pressure applied on Ellison to resign from Congress and drop out of the AG race, right? Personally I'm all for letting the legal process play out (a courtesy which leftists and the media would not extend to Republicans). However, going after the mere accused with proverbial torches and pitchforks is the standard which leftists have set. Let's see if they stick to their "principles."

- And finally, you know it's a bizarro world when the deplorable Ryan Winkler throws Ellison under the bus. 

Of course, the cynic in me believes this is part of a long-term ploy by Winkler to tear down an Attorney General candidate as well as current/former AGs in an effort to position himself for a future election to an office he covets. 

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You feel alright when you hear the music ring.....

The dog days of August are among us but the Northern Alliance Radio Network rolls along. Today's edition of my radio program The Closer begins at 1:00 PM Central Time.

At 1:15 I will be joined by Santa Fe (TX) High School alum Grace Johnson. This past May, SFHS endured a deadly school shooting which left ten people dead. Grace was a student at the time, so she'll be on the show to discuss why the tragedy at Sante Fe doesn't receive near the coverage as the Stoneman Douglas HS shooting in Parkland, FL. 

In the non-guest segments, we'll discuss "progressives" attempting to squelch speech using big business and big government.  

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. 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.

Until then.....

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Close to home

When it comes to my political activism, outings with friends, etc., living in a northwestern Twin Cities suburb like Ramsey often means significant travel to most venues.

With this Saturday being chock full of places to go/people to see, it would stand to reason that I will be putting some serious mileage on the vehicle. Ah, but amazingly enough the proverbial stars aligned in my favor for the day's agenda.

• The monthly meet-up of MN Gun Owners is happening at a cafe in Anoka late morning, a mere 15 minutes away. 
• The wildly popular Game Fair takes place this weekend and next. It's held annually at Armstrong Ranch, which I can practically see from my backyard. 
• Then to wrap up the evening, cover band Elephant In The Room (fronted by my friend & NARN colleague Mitch Berg and featuring former NARN board op Tommy Huynh on lead vocals) will be performing at Outpost Bar & Grill, about 5 miles east of our humble abode. 

Yes, it'll be a rare Saturday where I won't even have to venture out of Anoka County!

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Not getting a lot of play

Seems to me this ought to be a bigger story.

Three of the adults arrested after a raid on a northern New Mexico compound are accused of training children to commit school shootings, according to court documents.

The claim was made by a foster parent to one of the 11 rescued children.

I guess leftists and the national media (pardon the redundancy) are only interested in school shootings when there are casualties, thus allowing them to blame (without merit of course) the NRA and Republicans.

As usual, Michelle Malkin completely eschews political correctness to bring you more of the story.





I'd say this is worth keeping an eye upon, but that's a huuuuge leap of faith to assume it would receive MSM coverage. I guess you can never go wrong following Michelle Malkin, so that may be your best bet in this case.

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Quick Hits: Volume CLXVIII

- It's one thing for social media giants like Facebook, YouTube, Apple and Twitter to ban the loony Alex Jones and Infowars. While hypocritical given that the aforementioned companies preach diversity but then ban speech they find objectionable, they are private enterprises and thus are free to associate (or not) with whomever they desire.

However, when a state's executive branch of government utilizes tactics to undermine an organization committed to firearms safety? That would appear to be a legit First Amendment issue. 

New York’s governor has made it clear that he’s on a witch hunt to put a private organization out of business.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, has been in a protracted battle with the National Rifle Association. Now he’s using a state agency to hound the pro-Second Amendment organization with costly regulatory threats, as well as to convince financial institutions not to do business with the NRA.

The NRA filed a lawsuit against Cuomo and the New York State Department of Financial Services, saying, according to NPR, that the state officials are trying to “deprive the NRA and its constituents of their First Amendment rights to speak freely about gun-related issues and defend the Second Amendment.”

The financial services agency specifically targeted an NRA insurance program. Called Carry Guard, it was created to help gun owners and concealed-carry permit holders pay legal bills if they use their firearms in self-defense.

When Cuomo says things like he would have put the NRA out of business 20 years if possible, that seems to leave very little wiggle room as to his motivation here. One would hope this would be a slam dunk win for the NRA.


- Speaking of insufferable government actions.

On the same day the City of West Hollywood voted to ask for President Donald Trump's Walk of Fame star to be removed, the person who'd most recently vandalized it was charged.

The resolution to request the removal of Trump's star's was unanimously adopted by the West Hollywood City Council but is not legally binding as the city has no jurisdiction over the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Mayor John Duran said the vote was symbolic. "The West Hollywood City Council did not pass the resolution because Donald Trump is a conservative or a Republican. Earning a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is an honor. When one belittles and attacks minorities, immigrants, Muslims, people with disabilities or women -- the honor no longer exists," he told CNN.

Uh huh. Say, don't the nearby Walk of Fame stars of Bill Cosby and Kevin Spacey remain intact?

Pretty much.

- I am very excited for my friend/former Miss Minneapolis/former Northern Alliance Radio Network contributor/future Mrs. Jake Coleman/fellow politico Julia Schliesing entering the fray of electoral politics!

I know she has already knocked on doors, walked in parades, etc. in an effort to get to know the folks in Chanhassen. No question she has the knowledge, passion and work ethic. Please feel free to check out her campaign web site as well as her Facebook page for more details.

You got this, Julia!!

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Not the coup you think it is

With Primary Day a little more than a week away in Minnesota, candidates are doing all they can to shore up support.

With MNGOP endorsed candidate Jeff Johnson in a tough battle with Tim Pawlenty for the Republican nod for governor, Johnson is obviously attempting to shore up as much statewide appeal as possible.

I'm not sure this is helpful though:

Let's see. In seeking reelection to a fourth term in Congress back in 2012, Michele Bachmann's campaign and other Independent Expenditures cumulatively spent approximately $12 million to eek out a 1.2% margin of victory in the most conservative Congressional District (the Sixth) in the state of Minnesota. Sensing that she was wearing out her welcome, Bachmann chose not to run in 2014, thus ending her career in electoral politics.

If Bachmann is indeed persona non grata in a venue such as Minnesota's 6th CD, I'm highly skeptical that she has much appeal to GOP primary voters statewide. Again, Johnson touting this endorsement does little to nothing if the goal is to sway support away from Pawlenty or "Undecided." Sorry.

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Box Score of the Week

Let's look back at a game from less than a week ago when the Washington Nationals hosted the New York Mets.

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

In this game, the Mets' second baseman Jose Reyes hit two home runs. In the previous game, Reyes entered as a relief pitcher in the eighth inning with his club down 18 runs. He allowed two home runs. As such, Reyes became the first player in MLB history to surrender multiple home runs one game and then hit multiple homers the very next contest. 

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

Don't step out of this house if that's the clothes you're gonna wear.....

We're into the dog days of August but the Northern Alliance Radio Network presses on. My two-hour show The Closer gets started at 1:00 PM Central Time.

We'll discuss President Trump's personal attack on NBA star LeBron James and, while not racist, how it's woefully misguided. Also, is disgraced former U.S. Senator from MN Al Franken looking to get back in to electoral politics?

Speaking of the U.S. Senate, I'll be joined by Minnesota GOP candidate (and longtime friend of the broadcast) Karin Housley at 1:30 PM. MN Primary Day is a little more than a week away as Karin looks to secure the Republican nomination for the seat formerly occupied by Franken.

At 2:00 we'll hear from Archway Defense founder Peter Johnson, who will discuss the body cam footage of the Minneapolis Police shooting of Thurman Blevins. I'll also get Peter's perspective on the nonsensical debate over "3-D guns."


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. 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.

Until then.....

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

Happy Birthday, Barack Obama!

Is he 50 or 57 years old today?????

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On a Mission

I will be filling in on Lee Michaels Live this afternoon from 4:00 PM until 6:00 Central Time on The Patriot's sister station AM 980 The Mission

At 4:30 I will be chatting with author Ericka Andersen Sylvester about her new book Leaving Cloud 9. It's a biography about her husband Rick growing up in impoverished conditions (one stint was in a trailer park ironically named Cloud 9) with a dysfunctional, alcoholic and drug-abusing mother raising he and his sister. Ericka's book discusses how Rick was delivered from that life and its aftermath by turning his life over to Jesus.

Then at 5:00 I will be joined by Dr. Everett Piper, who is the President of Oklahoma Wesleyan University. Dr. Piper is himself an author as well as a prolific commentator on issues of where faith, culture and politics intersect. 

You can listen via good ol' fashioned AM radio by tuning in to 980. You can also listen via the station web site by clicking here or on iHeartRADIO (click here).  

Until then.....

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The lack of self-awareness is strong with this one

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

30 years of Excellence In Broadcasting

It was 30 years ago today when conservative radio titan Rush Limbaugh began his national talk show. I commemorated on his 20th anniversary what he meant to me in my political conversion from left to right at age 23 in 1992.

While I dreamed of being a radio host since before I knew Rush existed, his show only fortified that desire as I listened to him on a regular basis. And now that I've had my own weekly radio show for just over 7 years, I'll be eternally grateful that a regular guy like Rush set the standard in the industry.

Oh, and you know Rush is still a huge deal when the sitting President of the United States takes time out of his day to chat with him on this milestone anniversary.

Thank you again, Rush. For everything.

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