Trump’s Long Shadow Over Minnesota Politics

Minnesota keeps suffering abuse at the hands of Donald Trump. In ways obvious and subtle (but no less important), President Trump keeps delivering on his promise to Minnesotans of a “day of reckoning and retribution.”

Since his January pledge, Trump has swarmed the state with masked federal agents who showed little respect for the rule of law or even common decency. He has demonized a large population of mostly American citizens, Somalis, denigrating all of them as criminals and “garbage.” And, he has directed federal agencies to withhold critical funds owed the state.

This summer, Trump’s dark shadow looms large over Minnesota’s politics. In the Republican primary to chose the party’s gubernatorial candidate, fealty to the MAGA leader has pushed aside any discussion of how to make Minnesota a better state in which to live and work. Instead, recent polls show Mike Lindell leading the race with a platform that largely echoes Trump’s petty grievances and false conspiracies.

In the U.S. Senate race, both the Democratic and Republican campaigns feature smart, credible candidates, all of whom are spending most of their time trying to convince voters of their Trumpian loyalty (Republican candidates) or their aggressive and unequivocal opposition (Democrats).

Consider Republican candidate Michelle Tafoya. She is an articulate and smart person who enjoyed a successful and high-profile career in the male-dominated field of sports journalism. While Tafoya has little experience in government or public policy, one would think she could draw from her professional career and life experiences to offer proposals on workplace issues or economic opportunities for everyone. Instead, the issues she highlights on her website are little more than Trumpian attacks on immigrants, crime and fraud.

The Senate candidate endorsed by the state GOP, Adam Schwarze, has had little impact on the race or the issues. Even there, though, Trump’s influence was felt. Schwarze won the endorsement over Tafoya largely because of the influence of the state’s MAGA Republicans.

On the Democratic side, both U.S. Rep. Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan offer substantive ideas on their campaign websites. But voters wouldn’t know that by the flood of campaign ads as the two battle for voters in the Aug. 11 primary. Many of the ads – and the candidates are flooding the airwaves – are attacks on the money pouring into each campaign. The reality is that in one way or another, both candidates are well-funded by special interests. While corporate donations dominate the attacks by the DFL Senate hopefuls, every candidate running for statewide office takes money from special interests, directly or from the executives running the businesses, labor unions and advocacy groups.

And when they aren’t arguing over the sources of campaign funds, they are defining themselves vis à vis Donald Trump. Flanagan says she is running to “avenge Minnesota” for the president’s attacks on the state while Craig touts her efforts to impeach members of the Administration who no longer are members of the Administration.

Where are the ideas for solving big problems? Republicans attack immigrants, Democrats speak to the abuses of ICE. Where is the debate over solutions – the comprehensive reforms to secure the borders, make the visa process fair and transparent, deport undocumented immigrants convicted of serious crimes and create a pathway to legal residency for the millions of immigrants who have lived in Minnesota for years, pay their taxes and contribute greatly to the state’s economy and culture?

What about tax policy? States like Minnesota can’t go it alone in imposing wealth taxes on the ultra-rich without sending deep-pocketed residents fleeing to other states. But what is the federal alternative? Are Republicans content with a tax system that increasingly advantages the wealthy? Can Democrats structure a tax system that requires more of the very rich (and, perhaps, their heirs) and can be implemented without detracting from investments and entrepreneurial activities?

And so it goes, from issue to issue. Trump says “affordability” is a Democratic hoax and sits on a bipartisan housing bill to gain leverage for a truly abysmal (and probably unconstitutional) bill to restrict voting access. Does Tafoya agree with the President’s characterization and strong arm tactics?

Democrats want to expand access to health care, but what’s the path forward? “Medicare for All” is a catchy slogan; the policies needed to transform one-fifth of the economy require many more details.

Then there is Social Security and Medicare, both on the ledge of financial catastrophe. Without legislative changes, the Social Security trust fund will be sufficient to pay only 78% of promised benefits six years from now. Both Republicans and Democrats should have that on their “A lists” of issues, yet little has been said by any candidate.

Whoever is elected in November will join a Senate almost certain to be closely divided, maybe a seat or two to the Democrats’ advantage or perhaps Republicans maintain the majority. Making the Senate functional should be a top priority in the last two years of Trump and his increasingly autocratic ways. What do the candidates offer that could give voters hope that Congress can regain its vital position as an equal third branch of government? Do the candidates have ideas on how to restore confidence in Congress or do they value ideological rigidity over collaboration with the other party?

Political campaigns long ago became defined by vague promises and negative attack ads. Trump’s influence, though, has exacerbated and accelerated the deterioration of political campaigns and voters are the losers no matter who wins the election.

We voters should just concede today’s political reality and accept that support for Trump is sufficient among all Republican candidates and Democrats will oppose his policies vigorously and in equal measure.

And once it’s agreed what the candidates will do for and to Trump, please, candidates, tell Minnesotans what you will do for us. That is the campaign we are waiting to embrace.