Aug 15, 2012
Congressman Chip Cravaack: While You Were Sleeping
Minnesotans in the 8th district supported President Obama, Senator Franken, Governor Dayton, Senator Klobuchar, and Senator Kerry. Tonight, Democrats have chosen Rick Nolan, a strong advocate for the middle class who will protect seniors and create jobs. Rick Nolan will hit the ground running with key momentum to win this seat.
What a difference two years makes. Unlikely Congressman Chip Cravaack rode the 2010 Tea Party wave to a surprise win in district far more moderate than he is. Now, the Tea Party is running on fumes with Congressional approval hitting an all-time-low this week, and Congressman Cravaack will have to defend voting to end Medicare and forcing seniors to pay thousands more for health care, while protecting perks for himself and tax breaks for fellow millionaires.
Three Key Points:
- This is a Democratic Seat Unchanged by Redistricting: Jim Oberstar held Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District for 17 terms, winning on average by nearly 65 percent and only narrowly losing in 2010. The district changed by a mere 0.4 percent after redistricting and would have supported President Obama, Senator Kerry and both Democratic Senators.
- Cravaack’s Record: Out for Himself & Out of Touch with Minnesota: Congressman Chip Cravaack has built a record of being on the wrong side of Minnesota’s middle class families and out of touch with the 8th district. He announced his re-election by moving his family out of the state and while biding his time between Washington, New Hampshire, and Minnesota, has drawn harsh criticism for not spending time in Duluth and avoiding constituents. Congressman Cravaack voted to end Medicare, but has voted to protect perks for Members of Congress and tax breaks for millionaires. He doesn’t believe in climate change, would eliminate the Department of Education, and Essential Air Service.
- Momentum for Democrats: Rick Nolan Will Fight for the Middle Class: Democrats are engaged and motivated for the critical days ahead to rally behind Rick Nolan and hold Congressman Cravaack accountable for his Tea Party agenda in Congress. Momentum will be behind Rick Nolan as voters begin to pay attention to the race, and Rick Nolan will quickly shift from full speed in the primary to keep up pace for general election. He has the background as a problem-solver and will focus his campaign on standing up for middle class families, creating good jobs, and protecting Medicare.
The Contrast: Approval for Congress hit a record low this week as Republicans cemented their position as the Party that wants to end Medicare. Tonight Democrats are now one step closer to winning back Minnesota’s 8th district with a strong candidate in Rick Nolan. The choice for Minnesota voters will be clear: After voting for an agenda deeply out of touch with Minnesota middle class families, unlikely Congressman Chip Cravaack faces the blowback of supporting drastic and a deeply unpopular agenda that puts millionaires ahead of the middle class. Rick Nolan is a proven advocate for Minnesota’s middle class families and will fight to protect good jobs, Social Security and Medicare.
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