Oxymoron: DFL Leadership

By Christopher Truscott

Anyone who thinks elections matter and public opinion is relevant should take a long look at the Minnesota Legislature.

On the biggest issue of this session, a small tax hike on the super rich, DFL leadership folded. They had Tim Pawlenty on the ropes and then chickened out and let the governor off the hook.

So desperate were they to launch their “Blame Pawlenty” tour, DFLers failed to fight the battle that needed fighting. If you’re not going to stand by it, a strong plan for property tax relief and education funding really doesn’t mean anything.

This governor has made it abundantly clear that he’ll stand with the wealthiest at the expense of everyone else. DFLers should’ve bludgeoned him with it rather than caving after the first round of vetoes. It was a stunningly gutless display from a newly empowered majority.

The party’s big names will crow about ending the session on time, but they failed. They failed to lead, deliver and, even worse, they failed to launch a convincing fight.

Christopher Truscott can be reached at chris.truscott@gmail.com. He’s taking a summer vacation from politics.