Info on Vance Opperman: Here are a few quotes from past local articles. Not much - perhaps enuf to make some points without violating the ban here on complete articles or even long quotes:
City Pages 3/4/98 The Player [Vance Opperman] by Britt Robson >From West Bank radical to White House insider, he's remained the most powerful man you've never heard of. ... He counts Vice President Al Gore among his friends and has enough clout to get President Clinton to return his phone calls. ... Opperman has become known as the ruthless corporate fighter who steered Eagan-based West Publishing Inc. through an industry revolution. He is also recognized as the big-time donor who promised large sums to Democrats at a crucial point in the 1996 campaign--two weeks before the Justice Department cleared the way to a corporate acquisition that would make him fabulously wealthy. One Washington-based advocate of campaign-finance reform considers Opperman "a perfect example of what is wrong with the political process." ... But in Minnesota, it is hard to find people with a discouraging word to say about Opperman. Off the record, people from both ends of the political spectrum say that his wealth and power deter any honest criticism. ... As state Sen. John Marty, Minnesota's self-appointed conscience on matters of campaign finance, puts it: "I am not accusing Vance of being corrupt, but he knows money talks. He's got a lot of money, and it really talks." ----- Kelly, Long take early lead in St. Paul mayoral fundraising Kevin Duchschere / Star Tribune 2/01/01 Randy Kelly and Bob Long, two candidates for St. Paul mayor.... ... Kelly, a DFL state senator from the East Side, reported raising $5,980 in December. Added to previous contributions, that put his total fund-raising results at $25,523, according to his report. Contributors included longtime DFL supporter Vance Opperman and Minnesota Wild CEO Jac Sperling. ... Council Member Jay Benanav, who has been exploring a mayoral run since last summer... On Tue, 3 Aug 2004, Eric Mitchell wrote: > I was scolded a bit for inflicting the line about the Greens loving a > DFL conspiracy around each corner in my first e-mail. As Guy has proven > and now, the chair of the St Paul Green demostrates, fact be damned if > they can show a connection. Just like Rush and Hannity. > 1. Vance is not Kelly supporter. The above shows he was. > 2. Vance is not involved in West Publishing. I didn't say that. I said heir. He was pres till it was sold. He has lots of money, and makes lots of contributions. > 3. Vance is a major Kerry supporter- not a Bush backer. I didn't say Vance is a Bush backer. The question at issue was, who helped Kelly get elected mayor? Vance helped. > 4. If Vance supports a candidate that wins, then isn't that an example > of going against the DFL Industrial Complex(which you rail against > constantly) and winning with the support of the people, since his > candidate obviously got more people to cast a vote in favor? Do you claim that money makes no difference in vote totals? As I recall the Kelly/Benanav race was very close. Might not Vance and Kelly both think Kelly owes his mayorship to Vance's help? I urge readers to Google "Vance Opperman" and learn more. > I wouldn't want these facts to get in the way of your story of the > ruling class vs the masses. > > Eric Mitchell > Eastsider > > --- David Shove <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > 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 > > _____________________________________________ 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/
