I met Mark Dayton today

[Lydia Leftcoast]

After my usual water aerobics class in Uptown, I went to that new Indian restaurant on West Lake Street across from Cheapo Records (Darbar Grill, a bit upscale, very good food), and who should be there having lunch but Mark Dayton.

I wasn't sure it was him at first, but as I sat through the meal and occasionally glanced over at his table, I was pretty sure it was him. Before I left, I went over to his table, said I was glad that he had won, and advised him to ask Oregon governor-elect John Kitzhaber for advice on dealing with Republicanite legislatures (something Kitzhaber did well during his previous terms in the 1990s). Dayton said that he had met Kitzhaber at the Democratic Governors' Convention and would definitely keep him in mind as someone to consult. Then he thanked me for my support.

As I walked out of the restaurant, it struck me that someone who would attend the Democratic Governors' Convention before being officially certified probably had enough chutzpah to do what needs to be done.

[myrna minx]

1. I really like Dayton. I'll always respect him for being the only Senator to stay

so Senator Byrd could give his passionate speech decrying the IWR. I'll never forget that.

[dflprincess]

2. Cool!

I used to run into him fairly often at DFL stuff and at least get to say a few words to him. But, as I've backed off on some of that, I haven't had a chance to even say hello to him in at least a couple years.

Bloomington used to have an active DFL group and he would show at that at least once a year. I was chair of the group the first time he ran for the Senate and he called to see if he could come speak to our group. I was so impressed the first time I met him that I'm proud to say I was one of his earliest supporters in that campaign.

[geardaddy]

3. Cool.

And glad you posted it here.

BTW - we tried Darbar and found the food good, too, but I fear it might fail because of its upscale feeling.

[Generic Brad]

4. My wife saw him at lunch last week too

He was eating Japanese food at Sakura.

[geardaddy]

7. Why does he hate America?

Always eating that furrin food!

:sarcasm:

[glinda]

5. I love love love Mark. I met him once also and he asked if I came to Washington, he wanted to have

lunch with me. That was a really nice invite. Especially since he and I enjoy the same foods. And dogs.

[mascarax]

6. That's cool!

I think it's great he's out and about and accessible. Just read on MN Progressive Project he was at an SD meeting last night.

And sounds like great advice too, Lydia.

I hope this is over next week but expect Emmer & Company to file. Something.

[USA_1]

8. Dayton Haters

Dayton haters have already started their hate war on Dayton in the Pioneer Press's Topix forum. I haven't looked at the Strib columns as of yet but will gladly bet that they are already attacking him and attributing Minnesota's woes to him.

For the next four years that is all we will see or hear from the right wingers and you can also bet Dems will accept it in silence as they usually do.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

9. Not I

If you look at my other OP on this page, you will see that one of the regular liberal posters has been calling gatherings of liberal posters to encourage one another.

We need to get in there and call the bullies on their bullshit. For example, Dayton and the Bushboy were at Yale at the same time. Before he was 40, Dayton had been a schoolteacher, chief financial officer of a non-profit, and a Senate candidate. By the time Bush was 40, he had been...a country club layabout.

[USA_1]

10. Start Right Here

http://www.topix.net/forum/source/twincities-pioneer-press/TG5D5IKC322JPS127


Notice all the attacks on Dayton with only muted replies from Dems or others.

I expect more - a lot more - in the next four years.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

11. You take the Pioneer Press, I'll take the Strib

We can each take the newspaper from our respective communities.

[Odin2005]

12. I love this guy!