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Minnesota fraud scandal poses danger for Democrats in Senate race

The massive statewide fraud scandal in Minnesota is threatening to become a liability for Democrats in the state’s closely watched Senate race this year.

In particular, some Democrats think the widespread money laundering scheme, which is estimated to have stolen as much as roughly $9 billion, could be a problem for Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, the second-in-command to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D). Flanagan is running against Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) for the party’s nomination to replace Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.).

Others in the party worry the issue could be a challenge for the party as a whole in the North Star State, as President Trump, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) and other Republicans seek to make it a major issue, especially in the wake of a viral video from conservative YouTuber Nick Shirley alleging fraud by federally funded daycare centers in the state.

Minnesota fraud scandal poses danger for Democrats in Senate race

I gotta say this...how do we know anything the media tells us is true? Are we sure about anything at all?

This morning, the New York Times ran an op-ed titled, “Minnesota’s Fraud Should Be a Wake-Up Call for Democrats.” It’s an entertaining read. It reminded progressive readers how the Democrats wandered into the political wilderness for years after Reagan revealed all the welfare fraud— until Clinton rescued them with his historic welfare reform initiatives. Here’s the best paragraph from the editorial:

Democrats may be inclined to dismiss the potential political effects
of the fraud issue because of their recent success in wielding
affordability concerns against Republicans. The theory is that
voters are so dissatisfied with their personal financial situations
and the failure of the Trump administration to improve them that
people won't really care about a problem like program fraud. But
people who are financially pressed are especially likely to be
incensed at others gaming the system. This is a longstanding
dynamic of American politics, and there is little reason to believe it
doesn't apply today.

The next best paragraph reacted to the new Democrat Socialist Mayor of New York City’s recent and widely shared comments. He recently promised his followers he would “govern as a democratic socialist” and would “replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism.” Yesterday’s op-ed recoiled in horror:

One can scarcely imagine an approach less likely to resonate with
the average American, particularly the average working-class
American, who tends to be suspicious of big government, hostile to
collectivism and completely OK with rugged individualism. It's
unlikely to convince such voters that Democrats will eliminate
fraud in government programs and ensure that only those who
work hard and play by the rules benefit.

Yesterday, ABC reported that, “RNC moves ahead with efforts to have midterms convention.” Political parties hold big political conventions during presidential election years to fire up the base, coordinate a national strategy, capture a news cycle, publish a party platform, and frolic like over-caffeinated beavers. Yesterday, the GOP confirmed a convention for the midterm elections. It’s never been done before. “An RNC midterms convention,” ABC said, “would mark the first time the party has hosted such an event in modern history.”

One reason it has never been done before is because conventions are fabulously expensive, so they usually only happen in peak fundraising years. That should tell you something about how serious Republicans are treating the upcoming midterms.

ABC failed to mention some critical context. This wasn’t some late-breaking idea to shore up sagging poll numbers. It is part of a plan. Trump teased the midterm convention last summer. The New York Times, September 16, 2025:

Trump Says Republicans Will Host a Midterm Convention Next Year
The event could be an opportunity to energize the party, which
will be playing defense as it seeks to retain control of Congress.