In response to the pain being felt by Americans due to $4-per-gallon gas prices, House Democrats presented the Drill Responsibly in Leased Lands Act, co-sponsored by Rep. Tim Walz (MN-1).

The DRILL Act would require oil companies to use their currently leased lands in Alaska before being able to lease new land for exploration and drilling. In addition, the legislation would protect American interests by requiring that oil from the area would not be exported to other countries.

The Minnesota Independent's Andy Birkey reports:

The vote on the bill failed to get a two-thirds majority at a vote of 244-173 (roll call). Republican Rep. Jim Ramstad joined Democratic Reps. Walz, Ellison, McCollum, and Oberstar (as well as Peterson) in voting for the measure. Bachmann and Kline voted against it.

"Oil companies are leasing 68 million acres of federal land that are just sitting idle," Walz said in a statement after the vote today. "The DRILL Act makes it clear to Big Oil that when it comes to leases, they need to use it or lose it. Just yesterday, the Department of the Interior made 2.6 million acres of potentially oil-rich territory in northern Alaska available for energy exploration." Walz continued. "I applaud this move because it will open up much of the northeast section of the Northeast National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, which holds an estimated 3.7 billion barrels of oil."

Rep. Michele Bachmann, who has called for domestic drilling in Alaska, once again proved that she favors extremist partisanship over moderate compromise. The 6th District doesn't need a representative who demonstrates my-way-or-the-highway leadership that looks out for the pocketbooks of Big Oil over the pocketbooks of Minnesotans.

El Tinklenberg has promoted a comprehensive plan for domestic exploration to increase supply and investment in technology and greater efficiency to lower demand, which will result in lower prices for Minnesotans.

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With both the USA Cup being held at the National Sports Center and the 3M Championship at the Tournament Players Club, Blaine is hosting upward of 60,000 visitors this week and weekend. Blaine City Manager Clark Arneson reports that the tournaments can "bring in $15 million to $20 million in economic benefit to the region" (Star Tribune, 7/18/2008).

As we've reported, El Tinklenberg was instrumental in bringing both the National Sports Center and the Tournament Players Club to Blaine:


A radio ad for the Tinklenberg campaign also featured the National Sports Center and the importance of big ideas to sustain a strong economy and a high quality-of-life. Listen to the ad:


El Tinklenberg has dedicated his life to public service and the idea that when we work together, we can achieve anything. We need that kind of leadership in Washington D.C. With your help, El will represent the 6th District with forward-thinking vision and get our country back on track.

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El Tinklenberg released the following statement regarding the House vote to override President Bush’s veto of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act:

“The House vote to override President Bush’s veto of the Medicare bill is an important victory in the fight to improve health care access for those who need it most, particularly seniors, people living with mental health challenges, and those living on a fixed income. It also ensures that skilled local medical professionals can continue to provide high-quality care with appropriate reimbursement.”

Rep. Michele Bachmann was one of 59 House Republicans who voted against the original Medicare bill (GovTrack, 6/24/2008), but yesterday, she decided to vote in favor of the override, which passed 383-41.

Tinklenberg’s campaign manager Anna Richey said, “Perhaps Representative Bachmann is considering an image makeover in this difficult reelection year for Bush Republicans. Switching her vote on the Medicare bill may be an effort to temper her extreme right-wing voting record. However, I doubt seniors will forget that on the initial Medicare vote, when it mattered most, she voted no.”

Richey added, “We need someone in Congress who’s going to vote consistently for seniors and health care, and not just when it’s politically expedient.”

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After a brief break, the Tinklenberg campaign blog is back in action! As Mother Nature finally delivered on her annual promise of a hot Minnesota summer, the campaign trail has heated up as well.

Read a review of some recent stories from the 6th District after the jump!

• We had a great 4th of July in Forest Lake, where a massive crowd enjoyed the sunny weather and festive parade. El and his supporters were able to connect with voters and had a great time. To view photos from this parade, and the other parades we’ve been in thus far this summer, visit the campaign website.

El was endorsed by the Minnesota Nurses’ Association. This is a key endorsement, and the Nurses join the 27 other unions of hardworking men and women that have endorsed El’s candidacy. Read the press release.

• Team Tinklenberg also issued an official challenge: we’ve urged Rep. Bachmann to accept invitations from several local Chambers of Commerce that want to host public candidate forums this summer and fall. El is excited about the opportunity to meet Rep. Bachmann and go in-depth on the issues at several locations around the Sixth District. We will keep you updated on Rep. Bachmann’s response. Read the letter sent to Rep. Bachmann’s office.

• We have a number of parades, door-knocks, and other events coming up. If you want to help spread El’s optimistic message and meet a lot of new people, you should contact one of our field directors. If you have questions about Sherburne, Anoka or Washington County events, please contact Nick Conti-Masanz at nick@tinklenberg08.com. If you have questions about events in Wright, Stearns, or Benton County, contact Rick Miller at rick@tinklenberg08.com.

• And finally, in case you missed it, this morning President George W. Bush recognized the over-whelming evidence against Rep. Michele Bachmann’s false promises for a 50% cut in gas prices in four years. Talking about offshore oil drilling, President Bush said: “I readily concede that it's not going to produce a barrel of oil tomorrow, but it will change psychology" (USA Today, 7/15/2008). Meanwhile, El Tinklenberg continues his push for an all-of-the-above energy policy that will increase use of renewable sources and promote greater efficiency to reduce consumption.

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Tom Cole, Oklahoma Congressman and Chair of the National Republican Campaign Committee, announced Monday that he will be in Minnesota this week to fundraise with his fellow Big Oil beneficiary, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann.

Cole, whose voting record on energy policy is in sync with Bachmann’s, has taken over $50,000 in contributions from oil and gas companies in the current campaign cycle. (Center for Responsive Politics)

Bachmann has taken in more than $40,000 in contributions from gas and oil companies since 2005. (CRP)

Recently Bachmann promised her constituents that if oil companies could drill for domestic oil almost whenever and wherever they want, she would guarantee $2.00-a-gallon gas in four years.

Anna Richey, campaign manager for El Tinklenberg, said, "It is disappointing, but hardly surprising, that Rep. Bachmann is bringing in her friends from Big Oil to help raise money for her campaign. I doubt she will ever vote in a way that jeopardizes her support from the oil and gas industries, since it obviously brings such substantial returns."

Help counter Big Oil's support of Rep. Bachmann with a contribution to El Tinklenberg's campaign:

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El Tinklenberg has issued an invitation to Rep. Michele Bachmann, challenging her to a series of open, voter-centered forums being promoted by local Chambers of Commerce.

Read El's letter after the jump.

Dear Representative Bachmann:

Cordially, I would like to invite you to join me for a series of Sixth District public candidate forums this summer and fall.

It is my understanding that you have already added the September forum at the Monticello Chamber of Commerce to your campaign calendar, and I look forward to participating in that event as well.

Several other Chambers of Commerce across the district have also expressed interest in hosting candidate forums, and I hope you will consider their forthcoming invitations. To my knowledge specific dates have not been established, and if certain dates are preferable we will gladly work to accommodate your schedule.

As I’m sure you’ll agree, it is important that we afford voters the opportunity to learn more about our distinct views on the issues they find most important. That is why I propose that these forums have an open format in which voters may ask us questions directly.

Please contact my campaign office at your convenience to discuss arrangements. I look forward to your response and to beginning a thoughtful, productive campaign season.

Best,
El Tinklenberg

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Today, a St. Cloud Times editorial asks Rep. Michele Bachmann to explain how she can criticize federal subsidies for farms, while at the same time receiving income from a family farm in Wisconsin.

Here are highlights from the editorial:

U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann has two options in the wake of financial disclosure reports that show for two straight years she has received personal income via a family farm that has gotten more than $250,000 in federal subsidies.

Bachmann must either return her share of the money or explain how she can accept it and still portray herself as a champion of ending government waste.

Personal financial disclosure statements filed in 2007 show she received farm income payments of $1,001 to $2,000 in 2007 and $2,001 to $5,000 in 2006. The money came from her stake in a family farm in Independence, Wis. At the time of a June 19 Gannett News Service report, a spokesman said Bachmann was not available to discuss the issue.

Well, it's been almost two weeks, and to our knowledge, the 6th District Republican from Stillwater has not commented publicly.

... The acceptance of subsidies is in direct contradiction to a fundamental principle around which she is wrapping much of her image, not to mention re-election bid.

Having long described herself as a “tax-cutting fiscal conservative," this past year she has ramped up her opposition to wasteful federal spending.

The best example of that was her pledge — in the wake of the DeSoto Bridge closure and eventual reconstruction plan — to avoid using federal “earmarks" to ascertain aid for the new bridge. More recently, she opposed the latest federal farm bill because it was “loaded with unbelievable outrageous pork and subsidies for agricultural business and ethanol growers."

It's time to retire Michele Bachmann's ineffective and contradictory representation and give the 6th District the leadership it deserves from El Tinklenberg. Your support will make that happen:

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El Tinklenberg has released a statement regarding the endorsement of his campaign by the Minnesota Nurses’ Association.

Read the statement after the jump.

The Minnesota Nurses’ Association has added their voice to a strong chorus calling for change in the Sixth District. I’m honored to receive their endorsement in my race to defeat Rep. Michele Bachmann, who has consistently voted to protect big insurance companies rather than patients and hospital staff.

I applaud the commitment and tenacity of Minnesota nurses, who work day in and day out to provide the best possible patient care despite the many obstacles present in our current health care system. Registered nurses will play a key role in reforming this broken system, and I will welcome their input in working to bring down costs and improve access to care.

Jan Rabbers, Communications Director for the Minnesota Nurses’ Association, said “We are pleased to endorse El Tinklenberg in his race for Congress. El he knows that registered nurses will be key to reforming America’s health care system. We will be proud to work side by side with El to bring meaningful reforms that improve access and patient care while limiting costs.”

This endorsement is in addition to the endorsements from the Minnesota DFL Party, the Minnesota Independence Party, the Democratic Blue Dog Coalition, and 27 labor organizations.

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A recent St. Cloud Times editorial covered the importance of transportation in the next election. The editorial noted that El Tinklenberg's campaign platform addresses transportation directly, while Rep. Michele Bachmann's does not.

Here is a highlight from the editorial:

Another reason voters must press candidates on transportation and transit funding is awareness, or perhaps a lack of it.

A quick check of the campaign Web sites of Senate candidates Norm Coleman and Al Franken and House 6th District contenders Michele Bachmann and Elwyn Tinklenberg reveals only one of them (Tinklenberg) lists “transportation" among their featured “Issues."

This despite high gas prices, the Interstate Highway 35 W bridge collapse, the state Legislature raising its gas tax, increasing congestion on area roads and the whole federal “earmarks" debate.

Amid all those events, this board believes federal funding for transportation and transit needs is a top (perhaps even the top) priority for the federal lawmakers who represent us.

It certainly deserves specific statements of what candidates will and won't support if elected.

6th District residents know that maintaining a healthy and diverse transportation system is important to a sustainable economy and high quality-of-life.

Transportation funding was center-stage in March 2008, when the DeSoto Bridge in St. Cloud was closed until a replacement could be built. When the 6th District looked to Rep. Bachmann for help and leadership on the issue, she stood behind a blanket pledge to oppose earmarks, no matter the public value or merit.

Fortunately, the Minnesota Legislature passed increased funding for transportation, allowing MnDOT to pay for the DeSoto replacement. What was Rep. Michele Bachmann's response? She attacked fellow Republicans who had worked across party lines to pass the funding.

The 6th District needs a representative who will work hard to ensure that local needs are met with the help of state and federal resources. With his work at MnDOT, El Tinklenberg understands that Minnesotans care more about having a comprehensive transportation system than political gamesmanship.

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