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To: Sully- who wrote (20929)	6/27/2006 2:46:51 PM
From: Sully-	Respond to of 35834

What is the Star Tribune? Power Line Over the past three weeks we have run thirteen installments of our "Who is Keith Ellison?" series regarding the endorsed Democratic candidate for Minnesota's Fifth District (Minneapolis) congressional seat. The series is based both on original reporting and on information compiled from the public record, virtually none of which has seen the light of day in Minnesota's newspaper of record since Ellison's endorsement. While the Minneapolis Star Tribune sits on its hands, out-of-towners who are less fearful of offending politically correct sensibilities are taking a look at what is by any reasonable standard an interesting story. Last week I spoke with Roll Call reporter Dan Rasmussen about our Keith Ellison coverage. Today Roll Call runs Rasmussen's story (subscribers only): "Minn. party designee may be in some trouble." All things considered, the Star Tribune would apparently rather be scooped. JOHN adds: I couldn't resist noting this contrast in the Star Tribune's coverage: A DFL-endorsed Congressional candidate has publicly applauded cop-killers: Not a story! Rush Limbaugh takes Viagra: Story! Keep that in mind next time the liberal media self-righteously tell you that they have to blow the cover on the administration's anti-terror efforts because they're so concerned about the privacy rights of Americans. powerlineblog.com rollcall.com rollcall.com startribune.com

To: Sully- who wrote (20929)	6/27/2006 2:51:51 PM
From: Sully-	Respond to of 35834

What's so funny 'bout peace, love and cop-killers? Power Line Roll Call eats the Star Tribune's lunch in its story on Minnesota's Fifth District (Minneapolis) congressional race today. Here are excerpts of Dan Rasmussen's story: <<< A few weeks ago, Minnesota state Rep. Keith Ellison's (D) prospects of becoming the first Muslim ever to serve in Congress looked strong. As he moved toward the Sept. 12 Democratic primary, Ellison had garnered high-profile endorsements from the state Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party as well as from the Minnesota AFL-CIO and other key unions. But that was before two conservative Web logs began to do a little digging on Ellison's background. What they found - Ellison's ties to Louis Farrakhan's Nation of Islam and his public defense of radicals who were later convicted of murder - has made many Democrats in the Minneapolis-based 5th district a bit nervous. *** Ellison said he is increasingly frustrated about the extent to which the allegations about his past have distracted attention from the substance of his campaign. Ellison dismissed the allegations as "not legitimate" and "meaningless." "I've introduced more bills than any other Democrat. Does anyone want to talk about that?" Ellison asked. "I've gotten bills passed while in the minority, that's something that's not supposed to happen. Does anyone want to talk about that? I've worked to increase penalties for people stealing gas. Does anyone want to know about that?" But critics say questions about his past need to be answered, particularly those about his relationship with the Nation of Islam. In law school, Ellison wrote an opinion piece defending Louis Farrakhan and also helped bring a speaker to the campus for a lecture titled: "Zionism: White Supremacy, Imperialism or Both?" Ellison also has been criticized for a speech he made at a fundraiser for Sara Jane Olsen, a member of the radical Symbionese Liberation Army in the 1970s who changed identities and hid out in Minnesota for many years, living as a suburban mom, before pleading guilty to several violent acts. "I think, just like the people who want to come together and lock up Sara, we need to come together and free Sara," Ellison said in 2000. Ellison also spoke in support of Assata Shakur, a former Black Panther who was convicted of murdering a New Jersey state police officer and a fellow activist. Ellison said he was advocating for a fair trial and that he does not and did not support criminal activities. "At the time I was the director of the Legal Rights Center. Indigent defense was what I did every day," he said. "These people were accused of something bad. I didn't know what their actions were, but before the trial, I'm like, 'Hey, let's give them a fair trial.'" Ellison said the scrutiny of his past actions is diverting attention from his liberal message. "It's distracting," he said. "It's forcing me to address issues that don't have anything to do with what's going on [in people's lives] today." *** Ellison, the most liberal of the leading candidates, is running on a platform of peace, universal health care and renewable energy. He said he sees his base as minorities, liberals, labor unions and people who oppose the war in Iraq. "I don't think the DFL endorsement guarantees anything," he said. "But with a hard-working candidate and a hard-working campaign, we're going to energize and electrify the base. Then you've got a winning ticket." >>> Rasmussen's article also discusses the context of these issues in the race among the DFL (Democratic) candidates competing for the endorsement in the September primary, quoting commentators Michael Brodkorb, Sarah Janacek, Doug Grow, and Barry Casselman as well as competing candidates Michael Erlandson and Ember Reichgott Junge. Erlandson expresses the hope that "newspapers and blogs will continue to scrutinize the candidates." We'll take a brief look at Ellison's quotes here in part 14 of our "Who is Keith Ellison?" series, coming soon. powerlineblog.com rollcall.com minnesotademocratsexposed.com

To: Sully- who wrote (20929)	6/28/2006 4:30:32 PM
From: Sully-	Respond to of 35834

Who is Keith Ellison? (14) Power Line Over the past three weeks we have run thirteen installments of our "Who is Keith Ellison?" series regarding the endorsed Democratic candidate for Minnesota's Fifth District (Minneapolis) congressional seat. The series is based both on original reporting and on information compiled from the public record. While the Minneapolis Star Tribune sat on its hands, out-of-towners took a look at what is by any reasonable standard an interesting story. Yesterday the inside-the-beltway publication Roll Call ran a story by Dan Rasmussen on the issues raised by Ellison's background; we quoted the Roll Call story at length in "What's so funny 'bout peace, love and cop-killers?" Over the weeekend the Star Tribune held a story on Ellison's background by Rochelle Olson and Mark Brunswick that was slated to run in the newspaper this past Sunday. Today that story sees the light of day: "Ellison's past views drawing scrutiny." The story runs with a sidebar: "The words of Keith Ellison." I pieced together Ellison's long involvement with the Nation of Islam in detail in "Who is Keith Ellison? (2)" (linked below). As late as 1997, as reported at the time by Jim Parsons in the Star Tribune itself, Ellison appeared as a "supporter of Farrakhan" at a public hearing supporting the veracity of the anti-Semitic diatribe of Joanne Jackson. Ellison read the statement that was subsequently published in the Minneapolis Spokesman-Recorder as the statement of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Study Group of the Nation of Islam. Today the Star Tribune finds no space for this illuminating incident. It is an incident that belies Ellison's statement in today's article that he <<< "has never been a member of the Nation of Islam, has never met or talked to Farrakhan, and only worked occasionally with representatives of the Nation of Islam on economic issues of mutual interest." >>> In the 1990's, Ellison was a radical agitator against the Minneapolis police together with convicted murderer and Minneapolis gang leader Sharif Willis. In September 1992, Minneapolis police officer Jerry Haaf was the victim of a cold-blooded assassination by four of Willis's gangbangers. In October 1992, Ellison led a demonstration against the Minneapolis police together with Willis in support of Willis's United for Justice gang front. In February 1993 Ellison spoke at a demonstration in support of one of the Haaf murder defendants during the defendant's trial. Ellison led the crowd assembled at the courthouse in a chant: "We don't get no justice, you don't get no peace." Four of Willis's Vice Lords gangbangers were subsequently convicted of Haaf's murder, and within a couple of years federal authorities succeeded in sending Willis himself back to the big house. Today the Star Tribune finds no space for these illuminating events, recounted in greater detail in "Who is Keith Ellison?(9)" (linked below). In 1995 Ellison led a demonstration against the the FBI in Minneapolis on behalf of Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam, accusing the FBI itself of conspiring to assassinate Farrakhan when the FBI apprehended Qubilah Shabazz for attempting to arrange a hit on Farrakhan. Today the Star Tribune somehow misses this interesting episode. In Februay 2000, Ellison spoke at a fundraiser on behalf of Symbionese Liberation Army murderer and cop-killer wannabe Kathleen Soliah/Sara Jane Olson. He demanded Soliah/Olson's freedom. He praised convicted cop-killer Assata Shakur, on the lam in the sheltering arms of Fidel Castro in Havana, now named to the FBI's most wanted domestic terrorist list. Ellison also had kind words for convicted cop-killer Mumia Abu-Jamal. Today the Star Tribune mentions Ellison's speech and omits his demand for Soliah/Olson's freedom, though it mentions his description of the prosecution of Assata Shakur as politically motivated. Unfortunately, Olson and Bruswick don't bother to ask Ellison about his advocacy of convicted cop-killers or about his demand for the freedom of Soliah/Olson. The Star Tribune's story is nevertheless a start. Today the Star Tribune has broken the ice. Perhaps others, if not the Star Tribune itself, will follow up. powerlineblog.com powerlineblog.com startribune.com startribune.com powerlineblog.com powerlineblog.com

To: Sully- who wrote (20929)	9/14/2006 3:40:52 PM
From: Sully-	Respond to of 35834

Ellison Gets The 10-Foot Pole Treatment From Democrats By Captain Ed on State/Local Captain's Quarters After Keith Ellison won the primary for the nomination for Minnesota's heavily-Democratic Fifth Congressional district, one would have expected a hail of congratulatory statements from fellow party members. However, Minnesota Democrats appeared very cautious about associating with the former Nation of Islam officer as only a handful of his peers endorsed his candidacy in the election's aftermath: <<< Usually, everybody loves a winner. But some Democrats had little to say Wednesday about DFL primary winner Keith Ellison, who seems to have a good chance to become Minnesota's first black congressman, and the first Muslim in Congress. Among those who maintained their silence: Rep. Martin Sabo, D-Minn., who has had a 28-year hold on the seat Ellison is seeking. Sabo was backing his chief of staff, Mike Erlandson, who finished second. ... Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., like Sabo, declined to comment on Ellison's victory in the overwhelmingly Democratic district, which is anchored by the city of Minneapolis. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi did not respond to requests for comment, although the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee put out a statement calling Ellison a "strong voice" to continue Sabo's work in Congress. >>> Mel Watt attempted to run some interference for Ellison and cast Ellison's connections to Louis Farrakhan as innuendo. He told the press that Ellison is Muslim, he's Presbyterian, and none of it makes any difference. However, if Ellison has ties to Farrakhan's group, and it appears he does, then that history becomes very apposite indeed. Racial and religious bigotry should disqualify candidates for high political office among voters who want to endorse tolerance, regardless of the politician's party affiliation. Being an organizer for Farrakhan's Million Man March and then trying to disclaim any connection to the notorious anti-Semite and segregationist is simply not credible. In fact, as NPR points out, Ellison himself spent time arguing for separatist policies, writing a column for the University of Minnesota's newspaper while attending law school favoring Farrakhan's approach to race relations. The Republicans will have a field day with Ellison's background. Power Line wrote a series of posts about Ellison and continue to add to that archive. The Star Tribune has Senator Norm Coleman, Minnesota's leading Jewish politician and a former Democrat, aghast at the spectacle of Ellison's primary win in MN-05: <<< Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., who is Jewish, said Ellison "clearly brings a troubled background" to the race and that "voters will have to judge that." It's not old stuff -- - it is who Mr. Ellison has been," said Coleman. "And I think folks in the Jewish community are going to have to look closely at that, with his associations with Farrakhan. The DFL is going to choose their candidate. But the people of Minneapolis, I hope in the end that they simply don't pull a lever because they're born and raised in a single-party." >>> National efforts to build a Democratic majority in the House will, in all likelihood, pass over MN-05. Nancy Pelosi has wisely remained silent on Ellison's candidacy, because it's a no-win situation for her. The district itself will probably not need national help to remain in Democratic hands, not unless Ellison's past politics and his penchant for ignoring parking tickets and tax bills start to take a toll in this normally secure district. The party will want to keep Ellison at arm's length while they count on him to hold the seat. It's duplicitous and it's hypocritical, but it will almost certainly succeed. captainsquartersblog.com startribune.com minnesota.publicradio.org powerlineblog.com

To: Sully- who wrote (20929)	11/10/2006 5:58:02 AM
From: Sully-	Respond to of 35834

Allahu Akbar, y'all Power Line Tuesday night Keith Ellison celbrated his victory in Minnesota's Fifth District congressional race before a crowd that chanted "Allahu Akbar." Watch a video clip of it at the link below. Next week Ellison celebrates with CAIR and a few other of its Democratic friends at CAIR's annual banquet. Here is CAIR's press release: <<< In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FIRST MUSLIM IN CONGRESS TO SPEAK AT CAIR EVENT IN VA Keith Ellison will join other elected officials at annual banquet (WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/9/06) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) announced today that Keith Ellison, the first Muslim in Congress, will join other elected officials as a keynote speaker November 18th at the Washington-based civil rights group's 12th Annual Banquet in Arlington, Va. CAIR's dinner, which in past years had sold-out crowds of more than 1,000, will feature addresses by Representative-elect Ellison (D-MN) and Reps. Elijah Cummings (D-MD), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) and Albert Wynn (D-MD). Other speakers at the event include a representative of the FBI and Amy Goodman of Democracy Now. Attendees will include many Muslim and interfaith leaders, diplomats from Muslim nations and American Muslim community activists. To learn more about CAIR's dinner, or to register online, go to: cair.com Ellison won Tuesday's election in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District by a more than two-to-one margin. He will be the first American Muslim to hold elected office at the national level. "We are honored to have the first American Muslim elected to Congress offer his first major address during our annual banquet," said CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad. CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 32 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding. >>> For the full story that neither the local nor the national press bothered to dig up about Ellison, check out "Keith Ellison for dummies" and "Louis Farrakhan's first congressman", all linked below powerlineblog.com myfoxtwincities.com powerlineblog.com weeklystandard.com