Another major player in DFL politics in StPaul is Vance Opperman. Wealthy West Publishing heir. He has often intervened in StPaul and MN politics. When he doesn't like who the DFL endorses, he backs someone else, and about half the time has won - overriden popular democracy with money and influence.
I believe for mayor he preferred Kelly to the endorsed Benanav, and helped make DFL aid for Benanav scarce enuf that he lost. Behind many bad decisions and bad politicians are not the supposedly stupid populace, but a manipulating ruling class person or group. The ruling class would like us to not see this, or forget it, and blame it all on the so-called stupid masses, who the ruling class doesn't like and loves to exploit. I'm sure others know much more about the life and times of Vance Opperman re the DFL. Just as support by the StPaul Chamber of Commerce should be the kiss of death, so should support from Vance O. In either case, we want the people to decide - not the rich few. --David Shove roseville On Tue, 3 Aug 2004, Guy Western wrote: Re: [StPaul] Kelly is a Democrat for Life > > The fact remains that Mayor Kelly is a Democrat, he was well-known to > differ with the Democrat party line on a great number of issues, he didn't > support Wellstone in 2002, his potential apostasy has been predicted since > before he became mayor, and the St. Paul voters who supported him in TWO > elections--a primary of questionably value, and a general election--really > have no business claiming to be shocked and betrayed by his failure to toe > the party line in this presidential race. My point was that a lot of > people, including anyone who may be genuinely surprised by Kelly's maverick > endorsement of the incumbent POTUS, voted with their gut instead of their > knowledge of his positions on issues. > > If the DFL wants to be a "big tent" and make room for anti-choice, > anti-gay, anti-liberal members who reserve their right to withold support > from party nominees, then DFLers' complaints about "betrayal" by these > impersonators is going to be met with yawns by those of us who aren't > members of the DFL. Call me what you will (and I've been called plenty > lately by Minnesota-nice DFLers), but I don't have a lot of sympathy for > either side in this intra-party flap. _____________________________________________ To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
