Democratic candidate Keith Ellison for the 5th District House of Representatives seat in Minnesota has some areas of his past — both recent and longer term — that he and the Democratic Party would prefer the public not come to the foreground.
 
Frontpage Magazine reports that Ellison has accepted a donation from CAIR and, in the middle of his current run for the House from Minnesota, traveled to Florida for an October 14th closed door meeting with CAIR. That's no press or the general public allowed inside. Just  protesters outside.

Katherine Kersten reports in the Minneapolis Star Tribune that

"In 2000 he spoke at a fundraiser for longtime fugitive Kathleen Soliah, aka Sara Jane Olson. The text of his speech was posted on a website, www.soliah.com, by Minneapolis resident Greg Lang. 

Ellison praised Soliah for 'fighting for freedom.' At the time, she faced charges of planting pipe bombs under two Los Angeles police cars as a member of the Symbionese Liberation Army, a paramilitary organization whose slogan was 'Death to the fascist insect that preys on the life of the people.'"

Ellison's sympathies also extend to the gang members he has defended. The Kersten article further states,

"As a criminal defense attorney, Ellison told the crowd, he saw 'startling similarities' between Soliah and the gang members he represents: Bloods, Vice Lords, Gangster Disciples. He portrayed gang members as misunderstood victims, ordinary folks whose parents 'scrimp, save... maybe sell plates of BBQ chicken so Junior can get an attorney.'

"Gangs are 'stigmatized' and 'vilified,' he explained, just as Soliah's Symbionese Liberation Army was. 'Nobody ever knows what it means to BE a Blood,' he maintained, "because they've already said this is 'just evil.' "

But not to worry, the Lakefront Liberals of Hennepin County (Minneapolis) have given their stamp of approval to Ellison, Kersten states. 

"The establishment is now embracing Ellison. Next week he will be feted at a fundraiser in a tony Lake of the Isles home ('as featured in the October issue of Midwest Home Magazine,' says the invitation), in the company of dignitaries such as Walter Mondale."

And Mr. Ellison ready to work with the Democratic leadership in the House, if elected. In the Minnesota House, he is one of the lead author of bill HR0024, introduced on May 4, 2006, a bill to Impeach President George Bush. The bill was referred to committee where it presumably still sits.

Who knew that a state resolution, totally non—binding, to impeach a US President was so important to the welfare of Twin Cities voters. Something is very wrong here, across the board. This candidacy stinks worse than lutefisk.

Jack Kemp (not the politician)   10 2006