ECM Newspapers: Sixth District DFL candidate Bob Olson is confident of chances for endorsement
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Asked whether he was concerned that the DFL 6th District congressional endorsement convention was being held in Andover — within a few miles of the city where rival Elwyn Tinklenberg served as mayor for years — Olson waved away the geographical proximity.
“We could have it in his backyard if we want,” said Olson.
Olson, 62, easily looks ahead beyond the April 26 convention at Bunker Hills Activity Center to the November election where Olson, assuming his confidence is well placed, will be matched against first-term Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann.
“Incumbency has not been good to Mrs. Bachmann,” said Olson, envisioning a collation of DFLers, independents, and even evangelicals merging to send Bachmann back to Stillwater and Bob Olson to Congress.
Olson views the dismal approval rating the American people currently assign Congress in part misplaced, in part deserved.
“Democrats elected Democrats to go to Congress to make some changes,” said Olson.
“And the Democrats have not made those changes — every Iraq funding bill George Bush wanted the Democratic Congress gave to him,” he said.
“Since we had a Democratic Congress there is not one less uninsured child because of people like Mrs. Bachmann and because our Democrats in Congress need more spine,” Olson said.