DFL in bitter clash with Senate candidate Richard Painter

[question everything]

Leaders of Minnesota’s DFL Party are in a heated feud with U.S. Senate candidate Richard Painter, a former Republican and ethics lawyer in President George W. Bush’s White House who is challenging Sen. Tina Smith in the upcoming DFL primary.

Party Chair Ken Martin called Painter “a wolf in sheep’s clothing” who refuses to say he is a Democrat. In an interview, Martin described Painter’s decision to run as “a craven act of desperation because [he doesn’t] fit in the Republican Party anymore.”

Painter said that he “won’t swear allegiance to a party” but would caucus with Senate Democrats if he’s elected and would vote for Smith if she beats him in the Aug. 14 primary.

(snip)

His campaign criticized Smith’s support for a land swap for the PolyMet copper-nickel mine, Trump’s steel tariffs and the repeal of a medical device tax.

Smith’s financial disclosure filing shows that she owns med-tech company stocks.

More..

http://www.startribune.com/dfl-in-bitter-clash-with-senate-candidate-richard-painter/489664251/

[Me.]

1. We Don't Need Another Person Using Dem Banner For Political Advantage

Been there, done that.

[awesomerwb1]

2. Sorry Richard, but you're wrong

and I honestly wouldn't vote for someone who just a a year or so ago was calling himself a republican.

He's being an opportunist and saying ALL the right things (duh) but if it's too hard to call yourself a Dem while running as a Dem....maybe if it were Alabama or West Virginia, but not Minnesota?

No thanks.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

3. He knew he couldn't beat Smith as a Republican so this is the path he takes. He can fuck right off.

[geardaddy]

6. That's also happening in the CD 5 primary race

The jackass (Frank Drake) that challenged Ellison last time as a Repuke is running as a DFLer this time. We need closed primaries.

[Gothmog]

4. I support the real Democrat in this race-Tina Smith

[geardaddy]

5. Me too.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. My general attitude this time is that I'll vote for whomever is most likely to win,

ideological niceties be damned, but if Painter can't straight-up promise to BE a Democrat he isn't likely to win in this state. While I would never reject a genuine convert, he hasn't demonstrated the genuineness of his alleged conversion. Furthermore, if his whole platform is basically just that he loathes and opposes Trump, it's not enough to get the support of people who want to know what he's for and what he'll do for them and the state. And I just don't see him "playing" well outstate because of his simultaneously lawyerish and bombastic speaking style (and slight speech impediment). I am very unhappy with Smith's position on PolyMet but I think she can win so I'll vote for her anyhow.