There’s all sorts of buzz around St. Paul of post-election plans by radical environmentalists to launch an offensive to kill copper-nickel mining in Minnesota. That’s been the stated goal of environmental organizations like the Minnesota Environmental Partnership, Friends of the Boundary Waters, Conservation Minnesota and MCEA. It’s verified fact that Alida Rockefeller, one of the DFL’s biggest contributors and Gov. Dayton’s ex-wife, is responsible for much of the money that goes into these anti-mining organizations while supporting Gov. Dayton’s political activities.
Sources close to organized labor active in northeastern Minnesota say that Ms. Messinger and her allies are now prepared to fund a PR campaign to kill PolyMet. That’s certain to get these miners’ attention. Alida Messinger’s post-election agenda won’t sit well with union workers who would work on the construction of the mine or the union workers who would fill the mining positions once the plant opens. As a result, at least some of the rank-and-file might stop supporting the DFL.
Rumor has it that a prominent, talented DFL strategist is already lined up for this aggressive campaign. This strategist allegedly has been approached by Big Labor. This strategist has allegedly been quite coy about what’s coming.
The biggest question remaining is simple. What, if anything, does Gov. Dayton know about this anti-PolyMet PR offensive? Given his unwillingness to support mining projects like PolyMet even if they meet environmental standards, I think it’s a more than fair question to ask.
I still think that Jeff Johnson will win this race. If Gov. Dayton is re-elected, though, will Iron Rangers trust Gov. Dayton to not be swayed by a massive anti-mining ad campaign? Will blue collar voters in northeastern Minnesota demand answers from Dayton before Tuesday?
Technorati: Mark Dayton, Alida Messinger, Minnesota Environmental Partnership, Friends of the Boundary Waters, Conservation Minnesota, MCEA, PR Campaign, PolyMet Mining, Unions, Mining, DFL, Election 2014
I don’t get it. Republicans argue that unlimited and unfettered political donations are “free speech” but then whine when others use the same loophole to promote their own agendas. And unless PolyMet is telling you things that they aren’t telling the public, there is no indication that the mining jobs will be union jobs. Unions will construct the site, but the workers in the mines (the long term jobs) almost certainly won’t be union. That is why labor (outside the building trades) isn’t putting any real muscle into the fight. PolyMet won’t split the party. When Governor Dayton is re-elected, I imagine republicans will once again lose interest in the mines until the next election.
That’s nice spin but that isn’t what I’m talking about. If she wants to spend her money for that cause, I’ll defend Ms. Messinger’s right to spend her money that way.
The minute after I finish defending that right, though, I’ll start criticizing Ms. Messinger’s attempt to crush PolyMet’s ability to create hundreds of long-lasting middle class jobs. FYI- Whether they’re union jobs or non-union jobs, there’s no doubt that they’ll be better paying jobs than what people up there have now.
What’s interesting is that the DFL pretends to care about blue collar workers…until they hear that the woman that writes the checks to sustain their party tells them to back off. That isn’t about the First Amendment. It’s about the DFL not fighting for the little guy.
Why would the mine jobs not be union? Think the 49er union would stand for that? I don’t think so but regardless, the jobs will pay a lot more than the current unemployment or welfare benefits pay but of course the DFL doesn’t care about that because it’s all about getting people dependent on the government so they continue to vote for those promising more government benefits. If Dayton wins, he’ll forget about the Iron Range like every other DFL politician does until they need their votes again.
Jim:
Just curious are you aware of what the State Auditor Otto did? She was one of the people on the state government board who was to vote to decide to help move forward Polymet. After she voted no she immediately sent campaign fundraisers to friendly environment caring people in the Twin Cities touting her no vote, but didn’t send the emails to people who want Polymet. I mean if it was the right thing to do she would proudly tell those people about her “No” vote and ask for their money.
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN