Election afterthoughts on Hatch, Walz, Bachmann

It was really pleasant to observe some political discussion this past week without having to take notes. After the election ends there is one giant sigh of relief. Yet there is still one group that doesn't get to slow down, and that's the winning candidates. For they begin a new cycle, the cycle that in fact all the campaign hoopla has been leading to all along — and that's governing. Some observations:

On Mike Hatch

Mike Hatch appears to suffer from Bob Dole and Al Gore-itis. That is, on the campaign trail he looked stiff and serious, often coming across as a funeral director who's wandered into a circus and someone's told him he's the ringmaster. Shiny dark suits and perfectly placed, Alberto VO5ed hair is hardly what Minnesotans relate to.

It was refreshing to see him post-election, looking more relaxed and showing a sense of humor even in the wake of defeat. If this aspect of Mr. Hatch's personality had come through before election day, who knows? A grin, a joke, a light-colored sweater — could these have been enough to overcome E85 ignorance and a caustic remark?

Tim Walz on MPR

On Friday Gary Eichten interviewed Tim Walz.

On what propelled Walz to run:

We saw a system in Congress that seemed to not be working, especially working for the average American.... I always lived my like as a teacher, talking to my students that it was not good enough just to complain about things. You need to have yourself in the mix. You need to participate in your communities and in your society. I thought it was a golden opportunity for me to try to live that mantra.

On his victory:

They call this a wave, just like it's some sort of natural phenomenon. It's not. It's the people that created this wave.

On his political philosophy:

Government can be an extension of the best we do together.

In this district, 47% of the people did not vote for me, and I have a sacred obligation to represent their needs as well as the 53% who did vote for me.

I don't think Tuesday night was a Democratic mandate. I think it was an American mandate. It was the American public saying, "Clean up the mess."

The strength of this system has been that the minority has always had a voice.

On the proposed DM&E expansion:

To threaten one of the premier medical institution [the Mayo Clinic] not only in southern Minnesota but in the entire country seems to me to be government gone totally wrong.

On Iraq:

We need a robust diplomacy. We need to stabilize Iraq for the world's good, not just for America's good.

Tim Walz and Michele Bachmann on TPT's Almanac

What a contrast.... A grinning Mrs. Bachmann looking prim and fit, black hair piled on top of her head like a shiny, swirling crown; black liner silhouetting her eyes; a double string of pearls around a delicately thin neck; black pantsuit, black stiletto heels with a black strap around the ankle.

Mr. Walz appearing a bit uncomfortable, a bit overweight like a would-be marshmallow man inside a gray suit.

When they open their mouths....

Mrs. Bachmann sounding like a parrot on speed: Cut taxes! No taxes! Taxes! Taxes! (Squawk!) Taxes!

Mr. Walz, loosening up, saying that the message the American people sent with this election was that a broken Congress needs to be fixed. That the minority voice has not been allowed to be heard. That he supports Nancy Pelosi's advocacy for ethics reform. That in the new Congress he "absolutely" wants his colleague, Congresswoman Bachmann, to have a say.

On Iraq....

Walz: We need to have a debate in Congress

Bachmann: We've been having a debate all along. We need to defeat the terrorists. "I will stand strong on making sure the people of Minnesota stay safe."

On what they want to accomplish....

Walz: Renewable energy and energy independence are the future.

Bachmann: Cut taxes. Extend the tax cuts. Get rid of the alternative minimum tax and the "death tax". Taxes! (Squawk!) Taxes!