December is a busy travel month for my day job, so I'll be away from my Sunday radio show December 7 and 14. As such, blogging will be (at best) sporadic over the next two weeks.
The good news is I'll be done with my work travel before the Christmas holiday! There have been some years where I scrambled to get home before the New Year rang in.
Anyhow, we'll talk again soon.
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Happy MN Forecast Day to those (read: political nerds) who celebrate!
Minnesota budget analysts project the state will have a surplus of nearly $2.5 billion in the current budget and a deficit of just under $3 billion in the next, a significant shift compared to a more bleak outlook of the state’s fiscal health earlier this year.
Officials released topline figures early Thursday morning and were expected to detail the results at noon. The topline results show more money in the state’s current fiscal biennium and a looming deficit of half the size previously projected.
Essentially we've bought ourselves some time since this significant budget deficit isn't projected to occur until the following budget. But this underscores once again how blowing through an $18 billion surplus 2+ years ago left Minnesota in a more fiscally vulnerable position. And the temptation for progs to shriek their favorite slogan of "tAx ThE rIcH" will be an exercise in futility given the mass exodus of well-to-do individuals over the past five years.
These facts in addition to how there's finally national reporting on the rampant fraud which has occurred under the Tim Walz administration, Minnesota Republicans have a winning message for the 2026 midterms.
But, again, this is contingent upon MN Republicans not reverting to their factory settings of utter dysfunction.
- Hey, speaking of potentially pouring gasoline on what is (for now) a contained dumpster fire.
News - MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell to run for Minnesota governor pic.twitter.com/pUHYYAgi5a
— Political Polls (@PpollingNumbers) December 3, 2025
If Lindell committed to go all the way to a GOP primary, he'd likely lose. If he, by some minor miracle, made it to a general election, he would absolutely lose. But if he actively sought the endorsement of MNGOP delegates? The fact that gives me pause on whether or not he'd be endorsed tells you the party may still be at its default setting.
- Tim Walz logic: Calling your political opposites "fascists" is perfectly appropriate. But Walz himself being labeled as retarded?
BREAKING: Governor Tim Walz asks you to stop calling him "retarded", saying it might "incite vioIence" pic.twitter.com/EFX2HXaNM8
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) December 4, 2025
I'm not a GOP elected official, but I'll say unequivocally that President Donald Trump should not have labeled Walz as retarded. It's neither helpful nor productive.
That said, I'm not certain that Nebraska Fats Walz has any kind of moral authority to be appalled by childish rhetoric.
This guy was literally picked on a national ticket because he said Republicans were "weird" and made a joke about Vance having sex with a couch, so maybe he's not the best person to be indignant. https://t.co/k5JngWza6G
— Philip Klein (@philipaklein) December 4, 2025
I'm seriously wondering if MN DFL power brokers are going to approach Walz in an attempt to dissuade him from seeking a third term. The Democrats are in a solid position to dominate the 2026 midterms, so the fact there's even a question that a two-term incumbent governor from Minnesota can emerge victorious is a bad sign for Walz and down ballot DFLers.
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It's the final Sunday of November, so we'll look to finish the month strong. Today's 2-hour edition of my radio show The Closer will get started at 1:00 PM Central Time.
In the first hour, I'll weigh in on the tragedy involving two National Guard members being targeted for assassination in Washington, D.C. Also, did the Trump administration overreach in targeting Senator (and retired Navy office) Mark Kelly for a possible court martial?
Then in the 2:00 hour, I'll discuss how some MN Democrats are concerned that Gov. Tim Walz running for a third term could adversely impact down ballot races. I'll also divert into a little sports talk, specifically the latest in what has become a lost season for the Minnesota Vikings.
So please call (651) 289-4488 if you'd like to weigh in on any of the topics we plan on addressing.
Just prior to Thanksgiving, two West Virginia families were dealt a horrific blow.
National Guard members Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe, both of whom were stationed in Washington, D.C., were shot by an Afghan national who worked with U.S. forces during the war in Afghanistan. Beckstrom ultimately succumbed to her injuries while Wolfe continues to battle for his life.
Let's call this what it is: a horrible tragedy where two individuals dutifully serving the country they loved were killed in cold blood. And the focus should be on providing all the support necessary to the loved ones of these Guard members, particularly with this incident occurring so close to a holiday focusing on blessings bestowed upon us.
Of course, we're in a time in this country where the folks attempting to score political points wanna shout through their proverbial megaphones, thus attempting to drown out calls for thoughts and prayers.
This is so tragic, so unnecessary, these poor guardsmen should never have been deployed. I live in DC and watched as they had virtually nothing to do but pick up trash. It was for political show and at what a cost. https://t.co/ABkOHNHAvG
— Jane Mayer (@JaneMayerNYer) November 26, 2025
Given the rampant crime wave that was affecting D.C. before the Guard was deployed there should tell you how successful they were in alleviating those issues if all they had to do was "pick up trash." But aside from that, Janie's comment here has a similar vibe to blaming a rape victim for wearing a provocative outfit.
Not to be outdone, some MSNBC MS NOW commentator also got a hold of the prog chanting points.
MS NOW's Ken Dilanian just after 3pm Eastern on the shooting of two National Guard troops in Washington D.C...
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) November 26, 2025
"[O]f course, you know, there's so much controversy happening in the United States right now with ice, who are also wearing uniforms and wearing masks. And so there's,… pic.twitter.com/p6IPk6XTWl
Oh, and you thought that because D.C. has perhaps the most draconian gun control laws in the United States that gun grabbers couldn't possibly exploit this for political gain? Heh. Clearly you underestimate their depravity.
Specialist Sarah Beckstrom deserved a long, full life. My heart is with her family, friends, and fellow servicemembers.
— Gabrielle Giffords (@GabbyGiffords) November 28, 2025
Gun violence steals too many futures. We must honor her by fighting for a safer country—one where all Americans are protected from gun violence. https://t.co/yOEQWUIxyk
Never mind these atrocities were committed with a run-of-the-miller revolver, which are very common across the country. And never mind there are already laws in place disallowing a non-citizen from purchasing such an instrument. No, this is just another example of gun grabbers operating as if their target audience is at best woefully ignorant and at worst downright stupid
On the other hand, there is a temptation among the right (including the Trump administration) to use this as a cudgel to rid the country of Afghans who came here after the disastrous U.S. withdrawal in the summer of 2021. But the reality is those who were brought here were allies who assisted America's efforts in that conflict. I'm not really sure how using one bad actor as a rationale for deporting those who are seeking asylum from the evil Taliban is the wisest course of action.
In the end, I pray that the families of Sarah and Andrew not only have a peace that transcends all understanding but also they can be spared from having to hear of their loved ones being used as political pawns. It's a vicious cycle, to be sure.
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- Six Democrat members of Congress really stepped in it with their video message to military members imploring them to ignore "illegal orders" from the Trump administration. It wasn't so much the message (of which soldiers are likely aware given their sworn oaths) as much as it was the implication that President Donald Trump and the U.S. Defense War Department may convey such orders.
But as is usually the case, the Trump administration can't seem to stay out of the way of its political opponents wounding themselves.
The Pentagon launched a misconduct investigation into Senator Mark Kelly (D., Ariz.) after he appeared in a video released online encouraging active service members to ignore and defy what Kelly and fellow participating lawmakers called “illegal orders.”
Kelly previously served as a Navy fighter pilot, as well as an astronaut, before retiring at the rank of captain. Retired service members are still held to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the Pentagon statement clarifies, which means a retired member can be called back to active duty for court-martial proceedings or administrative duties, though it is highly unusual for the Pentagon to investigate a sitting lawmaker for something they said.
The investigation was initiated because federal law “prohibit[s] actions intended to interfere with the loyalty, morale, or good order and discipline of the armed forces,” the Pentagon statement said, in reference to the video.
Kelly, along with five other lawmakers with either military or intelligence backgrounds, urged U.S. troops to ignore and refuse orders from the Trump administration.
Let's be clear: the six members of Congress urged military members to refuse illegal orders. One could argue they were just stating something unequivocally true and obvious. However, there were definite political repercussions for these Dems due to the mere implication that President Donald Trump may well dole out illegal orders any day now. But with Trump and Defense War Secretary Pete Hegseth now aggressively targeting Kelly, the senior Senator from Arizona has seen his stock rise for 2028, whether it's reelection to the U.S. Senate or......the Democrat nomination for President???? If you believe the latter is far-fetched, I'd like to remind you that Trump's 2024 general election prospects were bolstered in no small part of his being targeted in a dubious legal battle. Much like what Sen. Kelly is facing now.
- The 2026 midterm elections are, as of now, shaping up to be very good for Democrats. Given the GOP majority in the U.S. House is already razor thin, Dems are likely to seize control next year. And what looked to be a safe majority in the Senate for Republicans (53-47) is now appearing somewhat fragile.
The one reliable aspect of any midterm cycle over the past 20 years is Democrats sweeping any and all statewide races in Minnesota. And while I'm understandably skeptical the MNGOP can halt their near two decade losing streak next year, some DFLers aren't exactly brimming with confidence.
Publicly and privately, a number of Democrats are questioning whether (Gov. Tim) Walz’s attempt to become the first Minnesota governor to win three consecutive four-year terms could endanger their party’s hold on the office, as he faces declining support outside the metro and scrutiny for fraud cases during his administration.
Some even worry it could affect other down-ballot races. All four statewide offices, a U.S. Senate seat, control of the Legislature and the state’s eight seats in Congress are on the ballot next fall.
Even before the latest billion dollar fraud was exposed, a majority of Minnesotans surveyed didn't believe Walz should seek a third term. That certainly makes sense given Walz prefers raising his national profile as opposed to rolling up his sleeves and offering solutions to his state's suddenly perilous financial outlook.
Now, if only there were a healthy, stable and competent opposition party in position to take advantage.
- In the 2021, the San Francisco 49ers traded their first round draft pick (12th overall) as well as a 2022 1st and 3rd rounder and 2023 first rounder to move up to #3 overall and select QB Trey Lance.
After getting some playing time in three games (two of them starts) his rookie season, Lance was anointed the starter going into 2022, supplanting veteran QB Jimmy Garoppolo. This was considered a bold move at the time given Garoppolo led the Niners to a berth in the Super Bowl in the 2019 season and were a whisker away from going back in 2021. But after only two starts in '22, Lance went on injured reserve due to a severe lower leg injury. Then Garoppolo came back for ten starts only to get hurt, which forced the 49ers to turn the reins over to a rookie who was taken with the literal final pick in that year's draft. A kid by the name of Brock Purdy.
So how did the kid fare? Eh, he merely went 5-0 as a starter and guided the Niners to the NFC title game, where was dealt his first career defeat. That was good enough for the 49ers front office as they jettisoned the talented (but oft injured) Lance for a future fourth round pick just before the 2023 season. So in his first full season as starter in '23, Purdy went 12-4 and led San Francisco to a Super Bowl berth where they fell in overtime to the Kansas CIty Chiefs.
So why I am bringing all this up? Well, there's potentially a similar scenario unfolding here in Minnesota. My Vikings traded their 2024 first round pick (11th overall) as well as their '24 4th and 5th round choices to the Jets in exchange for their 2024 first rounder (10th overall) and that year's sixth rounder. That move was made so the Vikes could draft QB J.J. McCarthy with the hopes he could be their franchise quarterback. But much like Lance, McCarthy has been ineffective over most of his first two seasons (only six starts) with a larger concern being his inability to stay healthy. And since it's likely that a recently concussed McCarthy will miss this Sunday's tilt in Seattle, the Vikings will give way to undrafted rookie QB (and University of Minnesota alum) Max Brosmer. So what happens if Brosmer pulls a Purdy by showing he can play well at this level? Do the Vikings consider pulling the plug on the McCarthy experiment after this season? I mean, the Niners were willing to cut bait on Lance after giving up a heckuva lot more to acquire his draft rights than what Minnesota surrendered to get McCarthy.
Something to keep an eye on!
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Minnesota is drowning in fraud. Billions in taxpayer dollars have been stolen during the administration of Governor Tim Walz alone. Democratic state officials, overseeing one of the most generous welfare regimes in the country, are asleep at the switch. And the media, duty-bound by progressive pieties, refuse to connect the dots.
In many cases, the fraud has allegedly been perpetrated by members of Minnesota’s sizeable Somali community. Federal counterterrorism sources confirm that millions of dollars in stolen funds have been sent back to Somalia, where they ultimately landed in the hands of the terror group Al-Shabaab. As one confidential source put it: “The largest funder of Al-Shabaab is the Minnesota taxpayer.”
In less than 48 hours after that investigative piece was published, the Trump administration responded heavily.
( @realDonaldTrump - Truth Social Post )
— Fan Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸 TRUTH POSTS (@TruthTrumpPosts) November 22, 2025
( Donald J. Trump - Nov 21, 2025, 8:37 PM ET )
Minnesota, under Governor Waltz, is a hub of fraudulent money laundering activity. I am, as President of the United States, hereby terminating, effective immediately, the Temporary Protected… pic.twitter.com/xSk6as3nKw
It's not difficult to ascertain how this could happen. People (particularly my fellow Minnesotans) are scared to death to be labeled as racist, xenophobic or non-compassionate. As such, there was woefully insufficient oversight for these organizations who perpetrated this fraud.
I'd say Minnesotans deserve better, but re-electing the likes of Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison will render that statement null and void.
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