Mark Dayton gives himself an F

[Soxy]

Looks like we need more one term senators. . .

 

In final term, Minn. senator cuts loose

 

By FREDERIC J. FROMMER, Associated Press Writer Mon May 29, 3:39 AM ET

 

WASHINGTON - Asked to describe his attitude in his last few months in office, Sen. Mark Dayton (news, bio, voting record) cited a line from the 1960s song "Me and Bobby McGee." "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose," he says.

 

The first-term Minnesota Democrat is not seeking re-election and, these days, sounds very much like a politician with little to lose.

 

In February, upset about a plan by a South Dakota railroad to run coal trains close to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Dayton said the clinic "is worth a hell of a lot more than the whole state of South Dakota."

 

He later apologized for the remark.

 

The following month, he called fellow Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold (news, bio, voting record)'s proposal to censure

President Bush over a warrantless surveillance program "an overreaching step by someone who is grandstanding and running for president at the expense of his own party and his own country."

 

Dayton did not apologize for that.

 

He even told a Minnesota high school group he'd give himself an "F" if he had to grade his accomplishments in the Senate.

 

"And I would give the entire Congress, of which I'm a member, an F for results," Dayton said in an interview. He pointed out that he also told the students he'd give himself an "A-minus" for effort.

 

Dayton, 59, announced last year that he would not seek re-election, concluding that Democrats could field a stronger candidate.

 

His reputation took a beating months earlier when he temporarily closed his Senate office, citing a secret intelligence report that he said made him fear for his staff's safety.

 

Dayton said he still takes his position seriously, "but the fact that I'm not up for re-election, every word is not going to be politically dissected, gives me a certain freedom that I haven't felt before."

 

"I didn't just say, 'Well, I'm not going to run,' so now this light switch or something turned on," Dayton said. "But it's sort of evolving."

 

He said he's felt more relaxed without the pressures of raising money and having a "political target on my back."

 

"Mark Dayton is in his last months in public office, probably ever," said Larry J. Sabato, director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics. "He hasn't had a particularly successful tenure. So why not speak out as bluntly as possible and have some fun?"

 

Still, said Steve Schier, a political science professor at Carleton College in Northfield, Minn., "giving himself an F — that must be a first in Senate history."

 

"This is a fellow who's issuing a few Bronx cheers on the way out the door," Schier said.

 

The Minnesota Republican Party has noticed Dayton's increased bluntness with approval.

 

"He's certainly let it rip lately," said Mark Drake, the party's spokesman. "We appreciate his candor when he does acknowledge that he does deserve a failing grade for his performance in the Senate. I think he's right when he says he's been ineffective and hasn't accomplished a lot."

 

Dayton stressed that while he's speaking his mind more freely, he's no second-semester senior.

 

"I'm not coasting to the conclusion of this job," he said. "I am fully engaged."

 

Dayton doesn't have to worry about post-Senate employment. He's a multimillionaire, and has been donating his $165,200 Senate salary to the Minnesota Senior Federation.

[kapkomet]

Wow, how refreshing. He's trying, and not succeeding, so, Senator, why? (A serious question... what causes the "F"?)

[Rex Kickass]

He did say he gave himself an A- for effort. He might be talking about the overall result of what the Congress has produced.

[kapkomet]

Right. This goes along with what you've said repeatedly in the past, and I think this is an instance of this. They all have good intentions, their efforts are there, but then in the end, the beauracracy gets to them all.

[Soxy]

Right. This goes along with what you've said repeatedly in the past, and I think this is an instance of this. They all have good intentions, their efforts are there, but then in the end, the beauracracy gets to them all.

I think that MN has had some decent senators in the past. I liked Dayton and I liked Wellstone.

[Rex Kickass]

He tried to kill the bankruptcy bill.

 

He also was a poor fundraiser, and was facing a well-financed challenge. The DFL bench in Minnesota is deep. So this was also Dayton being good to the party and not to his ego. Between him and Wellstone, the State of Minnesota was blessed with excellent Senators in 2001 and 2002.

[Soxy]

I can't even tell you how sad I was when Wellstone died. I think that will be my "Kennedy" moment. I really looked up to him and Sheila.

[Rex Kickass]

Soxy how can you say just the right thing all the time?

 

If I wasn't so gay....

[Soxy]

Soxy how can you say just the right thing all the time?

 

If I wasn't so gay....

It is my gift, it is my curse.

 

[kapkomet]

It is my gift, it is my curse.

 

Priceless.

[Mplssoxfan]

I call him Sen. Enigma. He has a deft enough touch to get elected, despite being from one of the wealthiest families in the State. He's tone deaf on a number of issues, but, as Rex points out, he fought hard against the bankruptcy bill. He was also out in front early on prescription drug reforms, but he really feels that the results on that issue were poor. He's not just a bad fundraiser, he's horrible. He is, unlike most politicos, profoundly uncomfortable asking anyone for money, even though his family has given away so much of it. He spent millions of his own money to get elected six years ago, and he didn't want to go through another campaign in which he'll spend millions.

 

He was ineffective only partly because he was in the minority. I think he would have been ineffective in the majority as well.

 

I was in a laundromat when I heard the Wellstone news. Like most people who voted for him, I was absolutely gutted. He's the only politician I have never regretted voting for. Even when I disagreed with him (often enough), I knew he was following his conscience. Instead we have Norm Coleman. Who makes my skin crawl.

Edited May 30, 2006 by Mplssoxfan

[Rex Kickass]

And to be honest, I think Walter Mondale would have done the same thing - he'd be just too old to care about the political thing to do.