Human Potential-Bob Davis Podcast 821

Every now and then you see something on social media that bugs you for days. These days, for me, it often has to do with Minnesota Politics. We’ll talk about it in Human Potential-Bob Davis Podcast 821.

Rag Tag Protest In Minnesota’s 6th District

On a misty and warm April morning in Minnesota a rag tag group of protesters showed up outside Elk River High School. This was the scene of the 6th Congressional District Republican Convention.

Blaming Somalis

Especially relevant was the target of the protesters; the Somali population of the 6th District.

Emmer and Abeler Sell Outs

Moreover Congressman Tom Emmer and State Senator Jim Abeler were featured in signage as ‘sell outs’ to Somali-American and Democrat interests in the district.

Muslims Running Amok

For republicans in the 6th, a top issue are Muslims running amok. There are two large Somali populations in Minnesota. One in Minneapolis and another slightly smaller group in Saint Cloud, in the heart of the 6th district.

Fear Sharia Law

Above all these voters think Sharia Law will become the law of the land. In Human Potential-Bob Davis Podcast 821 I’ll tell you why this is never likely to happen.

Civil Rights

They cite an outreach by Emmer to former congressman and now State’s Attorney General Keith Ellison as the chief reason Emmer is a sell out. Would their remedy violate the civil rights of American Citizens? Find out in Human Potential-Bob Davis Podcast 821.

Abeler and Emmer Keep Winning

State Senator Jim Abeler is a footnote in this controversy. Republicans here complain constantly about Abeler’s performance in the state legislature, but somehow he keeps getting elected. So does Emmer.

So Do Democrats

Unfortunately for republicans it is most noteworthy that democrats won all the statewide races in last year’s election and gained control of the state house of representatives. Furthermore democrats took two districts which have been in republican hands for years, solidifying their hold on the Minneapolis suburbs.

Big Spending Republicans

Furthermore it is republicans who continue to spend while they demand lower taxes, then blame it on democrats. Finally there are two conditions necessary to unlock Human Potential and guarantee prosperity. Sound Money and Low Taxes. Neither of those are happening even though republicans control the presidency and the US Senate because both sides keep spending, taxing and borrowing.

Individual Human Potential Wasted By Politicians

I think it’s time for new political parties and new politics in this country and in Minnesota. Unfortunately given the incompetence, poor leadership and raw stupidity on the republican side, it probably won’t do much to help anyone’s individual human potential. Or capitalism.

(Editor’s Note: In addition, the centerpiece of the protest at the CD6 convention this weekend are allegations surrounding the state’s Child Care Assistance Program and Somali day care programs. A recent report on KMSP TV alleged ‘suitcases full of money’ were being sent out of MSP among other things. These allegations were investigated by the Minnesota Legislature. A report issued in March of this year found no actual evidence of a connection between terrorists and the CCAP. Here’s a link to a balanced report from MinnPost. As usual with these kinds of issues, once you start unpacking them you learn it’s easy to make charges and not so easy to prove them. Oddly similar to the Mueller report conclusions being touted by Trumpers as we speak.)

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul and by Organo. Change Your Coffee. Change Your Life.

Human Potential-Bob Davis Podcast 821

 

 

Toss Up House Elections 2018-Part 3-Minnesota-Podcast 755

A series of podcasts dedicated to the so called toss up races for the Senate, Governors and House in 2018’s Midterm Election. Most notable in Part 3 are Minnesota’s toss ups. Find out why in Toss Up House Elections 2018-Part 3-Minnesota-Podcast 755.

Dive Deep

These days podcasters can dive deep by doing a series of podcasts on one subject. One of my missions at the Bob Davis Podcasts is to provide the antidote to the prattling and predictions.

So I am diving deep!

What IS a Toss Up?

It’s especially relevant that I am reviewing the data and details about states and districts for this series. One of my takeaways is what political scientists and commentators view as a toss up is entirely up to their judgement.

One man’s toss up is another man’s lean republican, or lean democrat.

Story Lines Are Click Bait and Influence Voters

My issue is these predictions create their own story lines. These ‘predictions’ can influence voters negatively.

This Year’s Story Line

This year the story line is republicans will lose the House and Senate and some Governorships because of the antics of President Donald Trump. Is this true?

Learn more in Toss Up House Elections 2018-Part 3-Minnesota-Podcast 755.

Minnesota Center Stage

In 2018 Minnesotans elect a Governor, two Senators and eight Congressman. There are also contested statewide races like Attorney General and State Auditor. Moreover Senator Tina Smith is running in her first election after Governor Dayton appointed her to the Senate. We have a lot going on in our state.

Finally so called experts say there are four toss up races in Minnesota this year. Two democrat and two traditionally republican House districts.

Find out if I think it is true in Toss Up House Elections 2018-Part 3-Minnesota-Podcast 755.

No Predictions No Partisanship

In conclusion I don’t make predictions or try to make the data ‘lean’ on way or another. I don’t make judgements based on rumors in these districts. I give you the existing data on the district and let you make your own prediction.

Listen To This Series. Know What To Watch For On Election Night

Bottom line, if you listen to this series of podcasts on election night, you’ll know where to look and what races to watch to make an informed prediction about the election’s outcome and what it may or may not mean.

(Editor’s Note: Heads up if you’re using Ballotpedia to check presidential voting stats for individual house districts. One set of data in particular has caused problems for me. A drop down chart purporting to show house election results by HOUSE district is in fact by STATE HOUSE district, In the case of the second district this showed a huge advantage for Trump. It is only in state HOUSE districts, apparently and not overall. A similar chart from the Daily Koz, ON the Daily Koz shows actual house districts and a much closer result. Still a win for Trump in the 2nd in 2016. Despite this update, I still feel the toss up race in 2018 will be in Minnesota’s 3rd district. I did not use this data set for every house race. I don’t think it changes whether a district leans one way or another or is a toss up since I based my analysis on other factors.)

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Toss Up House Elections 2018-Part 3-Minnesota-Podcast 755

2018 House Toss Up Races-Story Lines-Predictions-Part 2-Podcast 717

Continuing to run down the toss up races in the 2018 midterm elections for the US House. The big story line? A democrat wave will wrest control of the house from the republicans. In 2018 House Toss Up Races-Story Lines-Predictions-Part 2-Podcast 717.

From The Midwest Across To The Atlantic Coast

Kansas and Nebraska. East of the Mississippi to Iowa. Minnesota which has some of the closest House races in the country. Illinois in the northern suburbs, and the Land of Lincoln’s southern tip. Across to New York, Georgia, New Hampshire and more.

All About Political Junkies

The second of two parts of a mega podcasting effort for political junkies and subscribers who just want someone to objectively run down all the races in one spot. We’ll challenge some of the myths and tell you why some pundits say this year is a game changer. In 2018 House Toss Up Races-Story Lines-Predictions-Part 2-Podcast 717.

These days the biggest problem with the media is its penchant for trying to predict the future. Americans are ill served because of this problem. Expectations become truth. Final outcomes turn out to be much harder to predict. Democrats learned this the hard way in 2016’s presidential race.

Republicans Defending The Most Toss Up Seats

Especially relevant is the fact that as a political agnostic, I’m not afraid to tell you there is almost no polling to speak of, despite all the efforts to predict the outcome of 435 House Races. To be sure, the republicans are defending most of the toss up seats.

Why Democrats Believe This Will Be A Wave

Moreover after spending two days poring over election data and reading about local issues and personalties, I can tell you why democrats believe this will be a ‘wave’ election. Do their hopes have any basis in reality? Well. Listen and find out. In 2018 House Toss Up Races-Story Lines-Predictions-Part 2-Podcast 717.

With the Midterms 7 months away, anything can happen. Moreover primaries in some races will determine the tactical situation in many of the House districts in question. Both parties are furiously trying to raise enough money to compete. Will they be able to commit the resources they’re famous for in the special elections that grabbed all the headlines lately?

All Politics Is Local

That’s the old saying. What are the local issues, personalties and unique characteristics of places we don’t think very much about unless its our home? How many of those out of the way places may have an election that determines the future of our country? Check out 2018 House Toss Up Races-Story Lines-Predictions-Part 2-Podcast 717 and let’s talk. For the same kind of analysis on the US Senate Toss Up races, go here.

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2018 House Toss Up Races-Story Lines-Predictions-Part 2-Podcast 717