Thread by @aaronklemz

Let me explain what's happening in the #mnleg Senate, how it works, and why it's important for @GovTimWalz and the DFL to stand strong for the policies that Minnesotans care about even in the face of the Senate GOP threats 🧵

This is more than a tantrum or a waste of time, and messaging in that vein is only hand waving. The whole goal of the GOP strategy is to deprive DFLers of wins, thereby causing their base to stay home, while scoring emotional wins that fire up their base. (2/17)

In the past, GOP messaging on the budget was totally focused on the top line number and shrinking government (remember 2011?) Post-Trump GOP messaging is about owning the libs. There's no policy they want. (3/17)

So there's nothing in the recently passed budget to fire up their base, though they effectively blocked police reform, climate action & a whole host of priorities for the DFL base (4/17)

This disconfirmation thing is next part - unable to block COVID action, Clean Cars and other exec actions though budgetary blackmail (the blowback for a shutdown would be fierce) they now want some heads on pikes to show their frustrated base (5/17)

Caving to this pressure will not work either - in fact, that would be even better for the GOP. And triangulating as Walz has done throughout his term did not forestall this moment. It won't work now. (6/17)

If Gov. Walz wants to be re-elected, he cannot shrink from this moment. He needs to clearly defend his actions, but more than that, needs to lean into this moment to deliver what the budget did not for his base. (7/17)

That means defending your commissioners and making it clear that the choice for the Senate GOP is to work with the commissioners he has or face even more aggressive executive actions that advance DFL priorities. (8/17)

Take this moment to refocus on your core priorities. 3 days into Gov. Walz's term, he met with young people and promised bold climate action. It's time to deliver on that promise. (9/17)

After George Floyd was murdered, Gov. Walz promised transformative change in policing so that similar murders would not occur. The budget didn't do that. It's time to deliver on that promise. (10/17)

The absolute worst thing would be to give the Senate GOP a veto on legislation and executive actions. Walz has always been suspicious of executive action. Don't snicker - COVID was a unique moment & Walz disappointed many on the left there too. (11/ 17)

This is the critical moment for Walz to repair his relationship with voters he needs to win in 2022. Shrinking from this moment or allowing the GOP to drive his administration won't work and will almost certainly doom him. This requires offense, not defense. (12/17)

Be ready to appoint commissioners and take direct executive action that move us further toward needed action. If the GOP doesn't like DNR Commissioner Strommen, they'll love DNR Commissioner Winona LaDuke. (Okay, okay, but you get the point) (13/ 17)

Agreeing to take away executive tools like rulemaking for a modest clean cars initiative is not an answer to this nihilistic strategy. Instead, roll out actual bold executive action on climate and fight for it. (14/17)

Use the POST board and make clear and bold changes on policing that show Minnesotans that we will never tolerate another murder like George Floyd (and many, many more) (15/17)

You can campaign on your bipartisan work on the budget, and that's a good place to start. But if the Senate GOP wants to start a partisan war from a position of weakness, you should end it from a position of strength. (16/17)

The late great Richard Teske (a Republican btw) once said "All other things being equal, a well organized executive should always beat the legislative branch." He's right. The Senate GOP play is a weak one but it requires a muscular response that solidifies the DFL base (end)