Another great day at the MN State Fair

So I got the chance to spend the last two days at the MN State Fair with Tom Rukavina, talking to the people there about his run for Governor of Minnesota, and I have to say, it has been an eye opening experience for me. I've always known what a great legislator Tom is, but I never realized how well known he is in other parts of the state. So many people from around Minnesota have come up to our table in the last few days and recognized Tom and struck up a conversation. And another encouraging note is the number of those fine people that are supportive of Tom's run for Governor. It really makes me proud to be an Iron Ranger!!


Today was particularly fun. Between the wind, the tracker from the other party filming the candidates, and running into Secretary of State Mark Ritchie and finding out about the amazing "I Will Vote" temporary tattoos his booth was giving out, it was definitely filled with a level of excitement and entertainment worthy of the Great Minnesota Get Together.


The wind has been pretty fierce at times the last couple days at the fair grounds. Yesterday, one of our ace volunteers, Jacque Clinton, and I were completely doused with glitter from one of the other candidate's table. He has a nice craft station set up where kids can do some coloring and some different little projects. I noticed today that the glitter wasn't out anymore. Probably a good call considering the swirling breezes again today. In fact, the breezes today caused another attack on my person, this time by literature from another candidate's table. A rack card came flying at me so fast, I was afraid I might lose a limb. Thank goodness I was able to use my Matrix-like reflexes to dodge that trouble.


Later in the day, I noticed a nice young gentleman waiting around with a tripod and video camera hanging about, so I went over to say hello. He was a volunteer for a different political party, and he was there to get some footage of the goings on at the old DFL booth. I guess it's all a part of the way we do this thing called democracy. Kinda like sausage, I suppose. You may not like the process, but the end product is pretty darn tasty. Anyway, we chatted for a bit and shared some good laughs over the weird dance of the political campaign. He seemed like a very nice guy. I hope some good Democratic ideals will wear off on him while he hangs about lol.


Mark Ritchie was running all over the fair today trying to get people registered to vote and just generally enjoying himself at the fair. He caught Tom's speech at the Farmers' Union booth today, and he made a point of catching me after to let me know how great he thought Tom's speech was. It's always good to hear praise for the candidate you support, and I gotta say Mark was right. Tommy really hit it out of the park. As a long-time organic gardener who grew food to support his family over the years, Tom really understands the work that goes into sustaining a good crop. He also knows that farming families have it tough here in Minnesota and throughout the country. From the Minnesota Grown program to funding for agricultural research that family farms need to be productive and efficient, Tom knows how to help and wants to do it.


Oh for sure, it was a great day at the ol' Minnesota State Fair today. We'll be back down there on Monday for the day. Also, make sure you come see Tom and the other DFL candidates in the AM 950 gubernatorial debate on Tuesday, Sept. 1st at 5:00 pm. You can watch it live at the fair or you can listen to it online. I'm sure it will be a great time.


That's about all for now. It has been a long day, and I am ready for a little bit of sleep. Enjoy the lovely fall weather.... (frost advisory in Northern Minnesota tonight... that's right, on August 29th).

A great day at the Great Minnesota Get Together

Today, Tom and I headed off to the MN State Fair to set up our table and talk to the people of Minnesota. If there's one thing I've already picked up on in this campaign, it's that Tom is always interested in your story and wants to know what he can do to help you out. Just on Wednesday night, we were at a DFL picnic and Tom was talking to a guy who had been riding his bike by and stopped to see what was going on. At the end of the conversation, the guy said, "you know, I've been over hear watching this thing for a little while now, and you're the only one who has come up and talked to me."  Well, that's Tom Rukavina in a nutshell. He seeks out the common folks in the crowd because he is one of the common folks in the crowd.


I guess it's just one more reason for me to like the guy. It's not that he's been standing up for working Minnesotans for 23 years at the state legislature. Not that he's worked harder to help college students in these murky economic times more than anyone in Minnesota. Not that he speaks with a passion, conviction and honesty so rare these days, a "short, passionate orator reminiscent of the late Sen. Paul Wellstone" as the St. Paul Pioneer Press called him. No it's the fact that when I talk to Tom Rukavina, I feel like I'm talking to a member of my family, someone who knows me and cares if I am successful or not. That's what I want from my Governor, and that's why I'm working to get Tommy elected.


Anyway, this is just going to be a space where I can update Tom's friends and supporters about his campaign activities and let my friends and family know what I'm up to during this long race. There will be pictures, interviews with the candidate and his supporters and friends, and all sorts of event details in the coming months. Stay tuned!!!