Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Misinformation for we, not for ye

Elon Musk's overhaul of Twitter continues. 


Most notably, Musk is allowing suspended users to return to the platform, specifically those who were kicked off the site for "spreading COVID misinformation." Amazingly (or not), the enforcement on "misinformation" went only one way. That is, those who dared question effectiveness of masks, lockdowns and vaccines were nuked. And while I don't get too worked up over the de-platforming of accounts with no avatar and less than three digit followers, there were reputable medical professionals who were silenced when they dared dissent from the most pervasive source of dubious facts -- government health officials


It's been a long standing tradition in America that the best way to defeat objectionable speech is ...wait for it.....MORE SPEECH. As such, Musk opened the matter up to a poll. 





If you think progs were losing their marbles over that, this editorial decision likely caused their collective heads to spin around and barf green vomit. 

 

Twitter said it will no longer enforce its longstanding Covid misinformation policy, yet another sign of how Elon Musk plans to transform the social media company he bought a month ago.

In 2020, Twitter developed an extensive set of rules that sought to prohibit “harmful misinformation” about the virus and its vaccines.

Between January 2020 and September 2022, Twitter suspended more than 11,000 accounts for breaking Covid misinformation rules and removed almost 100,000 pieces of content that violated those rules, according to statistics published by Twitter. The policy received acclaim from medical professionals: In an advisory to technology platforms, US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy cited Twitter’s rules as an example of what companies should do to combat misinformation.

Twitter did not appear to formally announce the rule change. Instead, some Twitter users Monday night spotted a note added to the page on Twitter’s website that outlines its Covid policy.

“Effective November 23, 2022, Twitter is no longer enforcing the COVID-19 misleading information policy,” the note read.

 

The obvious question here is who gets to decide what is "misinformation?"

This reaction from Jeremy Konyndyk, who once worked as a "COVID lead" in the Joe Biden administration, was pretty telling. 




This would seem to indicate that companies who manufacture and sell medical products would be more inclined to buy ad space on Twitter if the site's predominate users put forth information, ideas, or rumors that aid in selling those companies' products. Hmmmm. If only there was a word for such a concept

As you might expect, those who answered critics of the old Twitter regime's arbitrary enforcement of their terms of service with "iT's A pRiVaTe CoMpAnY" are starting to let their fascist flag fly now that their political allies are no longer in control.


 



The fact of the matter is this is all impotent rage. Twitter is a platform, therefore falling under the protection of Section 230 which precludes them from being held liable for whatever is published on their site. 


I'm all for Musk and his braintrust looking to limit any kind of garbage which gets on the site, specifically vile racism, blatant misinformation, etc. But the government can go suck a brick if they believe it's their duty to ensure he does so. 


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Sunday, November 27, 2022

You can't tell me to stop it, you can't tell me not to quit.....

 No Vikings game today, so flip on your favorite listening device and check my 2-hour radio show The Closer. We'll get started this afternoon at 1:00 Central Time. 


In the first hour, I'll have a mixed bag of news on which to opine, including President Joe Biden circumventing a Federal court's ruling to shoot down his "cancellation" of student loan debt. We'll also extend a warm welcome to some media outlets who summarily dismissed the Hunter Biden laptop saga back in October 2020 but are now conceding that it's real. 


Then in the second hour, I will have a buffet of audio clips featuring the despicable performance by media outlets in their reckless reporting on last weekend's Club Q shooting. 



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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Saturday, November 26, 2022

Let's stop pretending.

Look, it's not misogynistic to say that the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) sucks. If you watch an NBA game and then flip to a WNBA contest, it's like going from watching the Houston Astros to the Toledo Mud Hens. Sorry, not sorry. And I'm obviously not alone in this assessment given the league wouldn't even survive were it not subsidized by the NBA. 


With all that said, I'm glad there are others who are willing to shut down the shaming that is aimed toward those who have zero interest in the WNBA (pardon the language of the attached video clips). 




 




For Minnesota sports fans: How many of the Minnesota Lynx's 4 WNBA titles would you be willing to trade for just one Lombardi trophy for the Minnesota Vikings????

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Tuesday, November 22, 2022

Quick Hits: Volume CCXCIII

Progs went into hyperdrive to exploit last weekend's spree killing at a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs, CO. In addition to the obligatory calls for "gun control" (thus undermining the Second Amendment), they're now openly calling for the stifling of dissent (i.e. undermining the First Amendment). 

While we have yet to ascertain a motive of the gunman who killed five and wounded several others a Club Q, progs still concocted a convenient narrative that the political right's objections to affirming children's desire to change genders via damaging medical procedures is what set the gunman off. Hence they're flooding the zone with the phrase "stochastic terrorism," which is defined as follows: 

The public demonization of a person or group resulting in the incitement of a violent act, which is statistically probable but whose specifics cannot be predicted.


You can see where this is going, right? Now any rhetoric the left finds objectionable, they can claim it must be shut down in the name of defeating "terrorism." That means they'd be more aggressive than ever in moving forward with their loony ideas, and do so unchallenged. Pretty tidy.  



- President Joe Biden attempts to circumvent the judicial branch which shut down his "student debt relief plan."





Again, all matters concerning fiscal policy need to be decided in Congress. Doing so via Executive fiat in flatly unconstitutional. Not sure why Biden feels confident the nation's highest court would rule in his favor. 



- Now this is a legitimately courageous stance against one's country. 





Remember how certain bobbleheads lauded former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick for "sacrificing his NFL career" because he took a knee during the Star Spangled Banner? Well Kap has actually gotten wealthy off of trashing of America, all the while being spared potential brain trauma by not playing the NFL. I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess that these Iranian soccer players aren't going to reap those kinds of benefits given the heavy handed government in their home country. 


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Sunday, November 20, 2022

But the way I see it, the whole wide world has gone crazy......

In case you were wondering, winter has arrived in Minnesota! Thankfully I'll be in the toasty studio in the Patriot bunker for today's edition of my radio show The Closer. The 2-hour extravaganza gets started at 1:00 PM Central Time. 


I'll definitely weigh in on Donald Trump announcing he is running for President in 2024. However, his road to the '24 nomination is going to be dramatically different than 2016.


At 1:30, Erin Norman, who is a Lee Family Fellow and Senior Messaging Strategist at State Policy Network, will join the broadcast to give her perspective on the recent midterm election cycle. She is of the belief that Democrats' rejoicing over the results is a big mistake. 


Then at 2:00, Archway Defense founder Peter Johnson will be on to discuss the tragic shooting of three University of Virginia football players as well as the Club Q shooting in Colorado Springs. Also, what is next for the 2nd Amendment movement now that Dems have full control here in Minnesota? 


 

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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Saturday, November 19, 2022

NARN supershow!

This afternoon I will be part of a special broadcast of The Headliner edition of the Northern Alliance Radio Network! Yes, the show's usual host, Mitch Berg, will be on in his usual 1-3 PM time slot, but he will be joined by myself, NARN colleague King Banaian and NARN alum Ed Morrissey

About once per year we get the band back together to engage in what Mitch refers to as a "pop culture smackdown." In the past, we've ranked the worst songs of the 1970s and worst sitcoms of the 1980s. 

Today, we'll each compile a list of what we believe are the three worst sitcoms of the 1970s! Given Mitch, King and Ed are all at least 6 years older than me, they have the advantage of real time memories of shows pre-dating 1976 (I was only 7 years old in '76). Without giving away too many details, my three submissions are from the 1978-'79 time frame. Think ya know what they are? I guess you'll have to tune in to find out for sure. 


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, November 18, 2022

Stupid is as stupid does

It was made official earlier this week that Republicans limped to a majority in the U.S. House after an underwhelming 2022 midterm election. Regardless, it is a majority, and it was earned due in large part to their....uh....."pouncing" on issues deeply affecting most Americans, specifically economic hardships. 


So before they even officially take control of the House in January, what did some newly elected Republicans declare as their top priority


House Republicans fresh off securing a majority immediately turned their attention to probes into the foreign business dealings of President Biden’s son Hunter Biden and brother James Biden.

The ultimate goal of of the probes is to question whether the president is “compromised” by foreign governments as the GOP shifts its focus from a disappointing midterm to oversight — and the 2024 presidential race.

“We will evaluate the status of Joe Biden’s relationship with his family’s foreign partners and whether he is a president who is compromised or swayed by foreign dollars and influence,” House Oversight Committee ranking member James Comer (R-Ky.) said in a press conference Wednesday morning.

“I want to be clear: This is an investigation of Joe Biden. And that’s where the committee will focus in this next Congress,” Comer said.


Look, I'm not suggesting this isn't a legitimate investigation. Absolutely it is, and the attempts to bury the laptop saga just prior to the 2020 election should also come under scrutiny. But to make this the top priority right out of the gate is mind boggling, particularly given this wasn't even in the top three issues broached by GOP candidates on the campaign trail. 


Conservative commentator Erick Erickson amplified how the GOP earned its reputation as the "stupid party."


Dumbasses.

What a bunch of idiots. The American people just rejected the GOP “own the libs” strategy. They signaled they’d love to have responsible adult Republicans in charge. In fact, from NEW YORK STATE !!!! to Arizona, voters elected Republicans who ran on local issues tied to the economy and crime.

The GOP won the House of Representatives in large part because Lee Zeldin and the New York Republicans focused like a laser on the economy and crime.

So the first big act of the GOP is to investigate a guy who is already being investigated by the feds and headed towards a prosecution. Sure, they say it is about Joe Biden. But here’s a dirty little secret.

All of you mad at me for ridiculing this already love this and if they did not do this, you’d still vote for them. There’s not a single damn independent voter in America who is going to look at this and think, “Oh my gosh, I so regret voting Democrat in November.” In fact, most independent voters think both parties are already corrupt and play the system to their advantage. In 2016, Donald Trump pointed it all out and voters loved him for it. This is just more of that and won’t accomplish anything.

The GOP lost 13% of its own voters in the general election and a majority of independent voters. It is the first election in five where the independents sided with the incumbent president’s party. The areas of the country where the independents sided with the GOP were areas where the GOP did not run poo flinging monkeys intent on making spectacles of themselves while screaming about 2020.

What a stupid, stupid thing to do. This is basically a big middle finger to the independents who just rejected the GOP because these voters were afraid they’d be handing the GOP over to “own the lib” poo flingers instead of responsible adults who actually want to govern.


Given there's a divided Congress, the next two years are really about both parties making the case for 2024. No partisan legislation will get through both chambers, much less President Joe Biden having the opportunity to sign anything into law. And since the economy likely will not improve significantly over the next two years, it can still be a winning issue for the GOP. Unfortunately for them, they're not off to a good start in proving how serious they are in addressing it. 


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Wednesday, November 16, 2022

He's baaaaaack

As expected, former POTUS Donald Trump confirmed his plans for 2024.


"In order to make America great and glorious again, I am tonight announcing my candidacy for president of the United States," Trump said, to cheers from his supporters.


Outside of the "Trump cultists," this news was received with either disdain or apathy by notable right-of-center news/opinion outlets.


 



 

Heck, even Fox News Channel didn't carry the entirety of the live announcement during a show hosted by Trump's top media bobo in Sean Hannity (CNN apparently aired the whole thing, but they shouldn't expect Trump to be a ratings elixir this time around).

Given we're a week removed from an Election Day where GOP Congressional candidates horribly underperformed (specifically the majority of Trump-endorsed candidates), the stink of failure was still emanating from Trump as he announced his run. While he may believe that the majority of Republican supporters will wave off his being twice impeached as President or his unprovoked attacks on successful GOP governors, the fact is his '24 launch is off to an inauspicious beginning with people whom he once considered staunch allies. How inauspicious? Well, Trump's top megadonors and key figures from his presidential administration (including eldest daughter Ivanka) are all taking a pass on being involved with him in any facet of this campaign. 


Leave aside his boorish & egomaniacal leadership as President, the toxic environment he created in the White House, the undermining of political candidates within his own party and the sheer lack of statesmanship. Trump should not run because he has one indisputable disadvantage among the potential candidates who may challenge him for the GOP nomination: He can only serve one term. Given the likely quagmire that a Republican President would face were he or she elected in 2024, it would require at least eight years to right the proverbial ship. Plus I think we've had enough of the "boomers" (regardless of political party) serving in both the Executive and Legislative branches of government. Time for a fresh perspective. 

As of now, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is looked at as the only formidable candidate to topple Trump. While I believe there are many more candidates who should be given serious consideration, it appears at this point that the base will consider only DeSantis as an alternative to Trump. Obviously a lot can change over the next several months, so I can only hope Trump becomes further irrelevant in that time. 

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Sunday, November 13, 2022

The NARN Closer's playlist - 11/13/2022



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Umm, just a little peace in this world......

With the 2022 election mostly in our rearview mirror, we can start to look forward....by looking back. Today's 2-hour edition of my radio show The Closer will get started at 1:00 PM Central Time. 


In the first hour, I'll review what happened in Minnesota, which leaves many Republicans wondering if the party will ever win a statewide race in MN again. 


Then in the second hour, we'll look back at how the red tsunami turned into a red fizzle nationally. Not only does it appear the GOP will not take control of the U.S. Senate, a majority in the House is not even a sure thing. Also, is the party finally prime to rid itself of crazed loser Donald J. Trump?



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, November 11, 2022

On to 2024

The Dems' media lapdogs are already gearing up for the next election cycle, which also happens to be a presidential election year. 


And MSNBC's Morning Joe is partying like it's 2016.





Remember, it was Morning Joe (and pretty much all of CNN) who in 2016 gave Trump in the neighborhood of multi millions of dollars of in-kind contributions by airing every millisecond of his campaign rallies (including an empty podium minutes before he was scheduled to speak). The belief was that Trump would be the least formidable opponent for Hillary Clinton. We all know how that turned out. 


Today, however, it's a different ballgame. Leftist groups spent eight figures in the 2022 cycle propping up election denying Republicans in Congressional and gubernatorial primaries with many of them advancing to the general election. And given the "red wave" never materialized this past Tuesday, the strategy in advancing crazy GOP candidates (most, if not all, handpicked or endorsed by Trump) was a key factor in stemming the tide since many of them were defeated. Heck, as I write this, there's a non-zero chance the Dems keep both chambers of Congress. 


In the aftermath of Tuesday's underwhelming performance, there were a lot of Republicans ready to move on from the Trump era and focus on the one elected official who actually exceeded the expectations of a "red wave" --- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.


We're seeing it play out already. Leftists (particularly the partisan media) know that DeSantis is a bigger threat to be elected President than the damaged Trump. In fact, Trump is the only potential 2024 entrant who is a certainty to lose to the walking cadaver who currently occupies the White House. So now the left's goal is to prop up Trump and even use a semblance of his maniacal rants to attack DeSantis. 


I've said many times before that I never believed we'd see a Republican POTUS more reviled than George W. Bush. Then Trump emerged, instilling in me that the downright leftist lunacy he endured couldn't come close to being matched. Given how DeSantis is being maligned when he hasn't even given a hint of wanting to run for President in two years tells me that leftists have plenty of invective reserves for whomever shows up on a ballot as a Republican. 


It's gonna be must see TV when Trump and his surrogates appear on MSNBC to join the festivities in blasting DeSantis. 


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Wednesday, November 09, 2022

Meanwhile, Minnesota still sucks

Welp, once again MN Republicans are Charlie Brown to statewide victories' yanked away football. 



via GIPHY



Oh sure, we got close to picking off a statewide race. Attorney General Keith Ellison barely survived Jim Schultz, winning by 0.84%. In the Auditor's race, incumbent Julie Blaha bested Ryan Wilson by a miniscule 0.34%, which will trigger an automatic recount. However, since the margin of victory was about 8,400 votes, I don't suspect Blaha's victory will be overturned. 


Even worse news is the DFL will have complete control of state government the next two legislative sessions. In addition to Gov. Tim Walz handily winning reelection, the DFL will hang onto the House with at least 69 members (they had 70 going in) whereas the Senate flipped to the Dems by a razor thin 34-33 margin. And if you want a clue as to what the DFL has planned as soon as they take complete control, here's a quote from House Speaker Melissa Hortman late Tuesday evening. 





As my friend and NARN colleague Jack Tomczak said on Facebook Monday morning, "Upside to the DFL having total control: We are finally going to get a dollar amount for “fully funded.”"


I also texted Rob Doar, Political Director of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, asking him if any of the new 34 DFL Senators got passing grades on their candidate surveys. His reply? "Nope."


Are you happy about the prospects of paying for the DFL version of a "better Minnesota?" Because you're going to, regardless. 


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

Choke job

So much for that "red wave."


As I write this, national Republicans appear to have lost a golden opportunity to seize the U.S. Senate. Even if they do, best case scenario is a scant 51-49 majority. 


On the House side, there was talk of upwards of 250 seats for the GOP, which would be a solid 37-seat gain. However, it's appearing as though 10-15 is the best they'll do, which gets them barely past the 218 threshold for a majority (223 to 228 range, to be exact). 


The silver lining of course is this makes Donald Trump damaged goods. Outside of JD Vance in the Ohio Senate race, all of Trump's handpicked candidates for U.S. Senate and Governor have vastly underperformed. While he's likely to announce soon that he'll run for President in 2024, there's no question he's now vulnerable in the race for the GOP presidential nominee. As such, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is the favorite for the Republican nod after a thorough ass-kicking of Charlie Crist Tuesday evening. The only question now is if DeSantis is even interested in running for POTUS. 


In a bizarre twist, I feel as though I have to give some kudos to Democrats. They spent eight figures to prop up "election deniers" in GOP Congressional primaries with the thought they'd be easier to defeat in a general election. It appears to have been a sound strategy in spite of their utter hypocrisy in suggesting the GOP woefully lacks respect for democracy. 


The high anticipation I had for Republicans this night only to have those hopes inexplicably dashed must've been how Dems felt on Election Night 2016. I totally get it now. 


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Tuesday, November 08, 2022

Election Night broadcast

As is tradition, the Northern Alliance Radio Network will be broadcasting live from MNGOP victory headquarters on election night, which is...uh....TONIGHT!





Starting at 8:00 PM Central Time, Mitch Berg, Jack Tomczak and myself will be poring over results from local and national races on what looks to be a potentially huge night for Republicans. The plan is to go until at least Midnight, but I suspect we may stay on air another hour or two beyond that. Regardless, I have yet to preside over an election night broadcast where a Republican won a statewide race in Minnesota, so this particular broadcast is more highly anticipated than normal.



Listen on AM1280, online at AM1280ThePatriot.com, or download our FREE mobile app.

Until then...............


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Election 2022 prediction

I absolutely love Election Day because it means I get to exercise perhaps the greatest privilege as an American citizen -- making my voice heard at the ballot box. Also, it means an end to those insufferable political advertisements. 

As is tradition in this space, I'm going to attempt to predict the outcome of Tuesday's festivities. 


Minnesota Governor: I've made no secret of the fact that our personal friend Michelle Benson was mine and Mrs. Carlson's preferred candidate for the GOP nomination in this race. Alas, Dr. Scott Jensen got the nod. While I have had my beefs with Jensen's candidacy, there's no doubt he's putting forth the supreme effort it requires for a Republican to win statewide in Minnesota (which ---- stop me if you've heard this before --- hasn't happened since 2006). 

While Jensen has trailed Gov. Tim Walz from the outset, there are some polls which show him with a slight lead. 

Let's face it. Walz does not deserve reelection, but Dems in Minnesota have the benefit of endless financial resources to distort Republicans' stances on policy, thus swaying the non engaged voter. Will it be enough? I desperately wanna believe Jensen can pull this off, and he is indeed within striking distance. 

I hope I'm wrong but I see Walz surviving with a 3-5 point win. 


MN Secretary of State: I like GOP candidate Kim Crockett personally and believe she has some good ideas for this office, but she's made far too many unforced errors on the campaign trail. Incumbent Steve Simon wins comfortably. 


MN Auditor: Incumbent Julie Blaha has received a serious challenge from her GOP opponent Ryan Wilson. Despite being the only Republican to vie for this office in 2022 (and a late entrant at that), Wilson has run a no-nonsense, substantive campaign which seems to have resonated with voters. Also, Wilson had effectively "pounced" on the lack of oversight in the Feeding our Future scandal. 

Dare I go out on a limb and declare a statewide victory for a Minnesota Republican? Yes. Yes I do. Wilson by about 2. 


MN Attorney General: I've said from the beginning that this office is the MNGOPs' best opportunity for a statewide win. Given incumbent AG Keith Ellison barely defeated a flawed Republican candidate in the Democrat wave year election of 2018, it was a given he'd have to fight harder for reelection (provided the GOP didn't put forth Doug Wardlow again). Thankfully, Jim Schultz is the noncontroversial, competent candidate we've long sought in races like this. Schultz has also benefited from significant law enforcement support, including nods from many county Sheriffs. 

Within the past week or two, Schultz has surged ahead of Ellison in most polls. How bad is it for AG Ellison? On Monday, there were DFL volunteers out door knocking on his behalf in northeast Minneapolis!!!! 

For the first time since 2002, the MNGOP will win multiple statewide races as Schultz emerges victorious by about 5 points. 


MN House: The DFL holds a scant 70-64 majority, which means the GOP has to flip four seats to take control of that chamber. While the DFL has been taking over the suburban areas the last two cycles, Republicans have an opportunity to turn some of those districts red. Combine that with the GOP continuing their dominance outstate, I believe they'll get just enough flips to take a slight majority. Call it a net gain of 5. 


MN Senate: The Senate currently sits at 34 GOP, 31 DFL and 2 Independents (Tom Bakk, who is not seeking reelection, and David Tomassoni, who passed away in August). Speaking of Bakk, he endorsed Republican Andrea Zupancich in the new SD3 (northwest MN), which is a huge boost. Also, Republican Rob Farnsworth has a legit chance to prevail in Tomassoni's former district (the new SD7, which is the Iron Range area). 

With redistricting, one of the GOP's best prospects for a suburban pickup comes courtesy of my personal friend Karen Attia in the new SD34 (Champlin, western Brooklyn Park, southwest Coon Rapids, Dayton and Rogers) taking on incumbent Sen. John Hoffman. The public safety issue has also resonated in southwest suburban areas, making incumbent DFLer Lindsey Port vulnerable against Republican Pam Myhra in the new SD55 (Burnsville, Savage). 

As far as vulnerable incumbent Republicans, Roger Chamberlain (Lino Lakes, Vadnais Heights, White Bear Lake) and Warren Limmer (Maple Grove) have had some serious money pouring into their respective districts in an effort to oust them.

If I had to guess, I say the GOP hangs on to the majority with, at best, a 37-30 advantage and at worst 34-33.


US House delegation from Minnesota: Republican held seats in MN Congressional Districts 1, 6, 7 and 8 will remain in GOP hands. 

Democrat held seats in CDs 3, 4 and 5 will remain Democrat. 

The only seat in question is CD2 where incumbent Dem Angie Craig is receiving a serious challenge from Tyler Kistner in a rematch of 2020. In the '20 race, Craig prevailed by just over 2 points. In one of the most evenly split districts in the country (Cook Political Report labels it D+1), I say Kistner rides the red wave to a narrow victory. 


U.S. House of Representatives: Right now, the Dems have 220 seats to 212 for the Republicans, with three seats being vacant (2 Dems, 1 GOP). 

The Republicans are going to win a majority (need to get to at least 218), the only question is by how much. I don't anticipate a bloodbath like 1994 where the GOP gained 54 seats or 2010 when they flipped a whopping 63. I'm predicting an estimate of 25-30 pickups for Republicans, which will give them 238-243 members. 


U.S. Senate: Just two months ago I was just hoping the GOP could keep the Senate at its current status of 50-50. However, the tide has definitely turned for Republicans as all but one GOP-held seat look to be safe. 

The only GOP held seat that is particularly vulnerable is Pennsylvania where Republican candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz has consistently trailed Dem John Fetterman. If indeed Fetterman flips this to the Democrats, the GOP needs to flip two Dem held seats for a majority. It appears as though Adam Laxalt is in good shape to oust incumbent Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto in Nevada. 

So where can we find just one more Dem held seat to turn? Amazingly, Herschel Walker has overtaken Sen. Raphael Warnock in Georgia in the latest polling, though the race is still very tight. If no candidate gets to 50% +1 on election night, the race goes to a December 6 runoff between the top two vote getters, which will be Walker and Warnock. However, Walker is in decent position to win this race outright on Tuesday. 

The next tier has Republicans Blake Masters (AZ) and Don Bolduc (NH) within striking distance of Sens. Mark Kelly and Maggie Hassan, respectively. The way momentum has surged towards the GOP in recent weeks, don't be shocked if both seats flip. 

And finally, two seemingly long shot races are suddenly not completely out of reach as Sens. Patty Murray (WA) and Michael Bennet (CO) look to hold off their GOP challengers (Tiffany Smiley and Joe O'Dea). If this truly is a wave election, the Republicans could well turn one of these seats. 

In the end, I say Republicans win back a majority with a minimum 51 seats (net gain of 1) with 54 (net gain of 4) not out of the question. 


Have a great Election Day and God bless America!!

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Sunday, November 06, 2022

I feel like new sunglasses, like a brand new pair of jeans.......

 Welp.....we're down to two days until Election Day. One final broadcast before the big day, so more candidates to tout on today's 2-hour edition of my radio show The Closer. We'll get started at 1:00 PM Central Time. 


The Republicans have a scant majority in the MN Senate, so we'll have on three candidates who look to increase that advantage. 


- Tom Dippel, the GOP candidate in SD 41 (Lake Elmo, Afton, Cottage Grove and Hastings) on at 1:00.


- Paul Hillen, GOP candidate in SD 42 (Plymouth), and Jackie Schroeder, GOP candidate in HD 42B, both on at 1:30. 


- Pam Wolf, GOP candidate in SD 39 (Spring Lake Park, Fridley, Columbia Heights, New Brighton and St. Anthony) on at 2:00. 



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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Saturday, November 05, 2022

Yes, this is real

I follow exactly zero series on network television, so I'm not at all familiar with the NBC medical drama New Amsterdam


The caption on the tweet gives away the latest episode's content, yet I still found myself saying "No way is that real!!!!" It is though.





I actually showed the clip to my wife without her seeing Tim Graham's description. As she watched it, she guessed the following scenarios to which cast was reacting: 


  • Nuclear War
  • The President of the United States being assassinated
  • The terrorist attacks on 9/11/2001 

My understanding is this show is set in New York City, a veritable abortion sanctuary. I'm guessing the next episode will feature one of the enterprising hospital staff starting a foundation to raise money in an effort to fly in pregnant girls from, say, Alabama or Mississippi due to their oppressive Christian families ostracizing them. Start warming up those Emmy speeches, folks. 

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Thursday, November 03, 2022

Tightening those narratives

Leftist political candidates and their media allies are doing all they can to shift focus from voters' top concerns (i.e. inflation and the economy) to "our democracy being at stake." 


On a national level, President Joe Biden all but said that if you don't vote for his side in the upcoming midterm elections that you're basically putting our democracy at risk by voting in "election denying GOP candidates." Funny, but Biden et al didn't seem at all concerned about said deniers being propped up by leftist independent expenditure dollars during primary season. But now that those same Republicans are in a position to win, it's a danger to democracy. 


Ah, but it isn't just on a national level where leftists are feverishly trying to shift the election conversation. It's happening here in Minnesota, too.





If a non-politico were to read those words, they would ascertain that MPR writer Dana Ferguson is legitimately concerned about "election denialism" in general. And I certainly couldn't blame one for harboring that viewpoint. Heck, I would even go along with the notion that unless these GOP candidates produce some hard evidence of fraud, they need to pipe down and focus on winning in 2022. But here's where we run into a thorny issue. How many MPR stories were dedicated to MN lefty politicos screeching over Donald Trump being an illegitimate President due to his either losing the popular vote in 2016 (irrelevant, due to America electing a POTUS via the Electoral College) or working with Russia to meddle in the election itself, a notion that was ultimately debunked


To be clear, I'm not playing "what-about-ism" here. My point is I don't take your concern or outrage over Election 2020 denialism seriously if you completely ignored what occurred in the aftermath of the election in 2016. Or 2004. Or 2000.


Anyhow, that MPR piece is little more than an attempt to save the DFL from losing control of the MN Legislature as well as losing statewide races for the first time since 2006. The quasi message in that essay? Vote for one-party rule to....uh...save democracy. 


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Tuesday, November 01, 2022

Quick Hits: Volume CCXCII

 - The only mystery remaining over next week's Election Day results for the U.S. House is by how big a margin Republicans will win control of that body. 


Jim Geraghty of National Review shares some very harrowing numbers for Democrats. 


Campaign expenditures are a useful indicator, because a national party committee or like-minded super PAC isn’t going to spend $275,000 unless it feels like it really needs to do so. When Democrats and allied groups are spending six-figure sums in late October in districts where the incumbent Democrat usually wins by 20 points, that is a sign of a giant wave coming.

This doesn’t mean that Republicans will necessarily win those Biden-by-20-point districts; GOP candidates may well fall short in all of them. But if the national political environment is so bad for Democratic incumbents that Republicans have a shot in D+20 districts, then the GOP is in position to pull upsets in D+10 districts, and it should win a whole lot of D+5 and sweep the even districts.


The GOP also got an assist in their quest to seize control of the U.S. Senate. 


The Libertarian candidate in Arizona's Senate race has dropped out and endorsed his Republican opponent. Libertarian Senate candidate Marc Victor, who was polling at 1% in a New York Times/Siena College poll released Monday, dropped out of the race Tuesday, throwing his weight behind Republican nominee Blake Masters. Masters is facing Democratic incumbent Sen. Mark Kelly in the midterm election.

"I've said from the very beginning that the reason I'm running for Senate is to promote and get us in the direction of freedom and peace and civility," Victor said in a YouTube video announcing his endorsement.


If this seat flips, it clinches the majority for Republicans given that Adam Laxalt is all but certain to defeat incumbent Dem Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto in Nevada. As such, this would give the GOP a margin for error if Democrat John Fetterman flips the Republican held seat in Pennsylvania. 


I'm going to hold off on my official predictions until Election Day, but I'm betting there will be at least one other GOP flip that hasn't been on many people's radar until literally this week. 



- I haven't spent a lot of energy on the horrific incident involving Paul Pelosi, husband of U.S. House Speaker Nance Pelosi. This story, like a lot of other high profile sagas where a person is violently attacked or even killed, had so many things being reported that it was hard to follow what was factual and what was pure conjecture. 


That said, this is one perspective I'd like to think we should all agree upon: 





Well that, and our sincerest hopes that Mr. Pelosi makes a full recovery and that the loon who attacked him never sees the light of day again.  



- How much are statewide Minnesota Dem candidates worried about losing an election for the first time since 2006? They're appealing to everyday, workaday folks in the entertainment industry. 





What is it about Ellison and coddling up to 9/11 truthers for endorsements? Last week it was Jesse Ventura. Now it's the vapid Ruffalo. 


 




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