My US Representative told the Star Tribune that in the future he would listen to our military leaders when formulating his opinion on matters relating to the war in Iraq. This is new but hardly encouraging. It is only days ago that he ignored our military leaders, General Petraeus in particular, in voting against  the reinforcement of our soldiers in Iraq, defying our President who had expressly asked for the support of his party in this crisis. He joined 16 other Republicans. Since Senator Coleman did something similar in the Senate I am left unrepresented in my State.
    Ramstad had been mostly silent on matters relating to the war. He rarely seeks the spotlight and this has been one of his strengths. His reputation for hard work is very likely well earned. I have voted for him every time almost reflexively. His previous primary challenges have given him virtually no discomfort and the State Republican Party discourages challenges. Ramstad is a "made man".
    I emailed him before the vote was cast on the non-binding resolution. He did not respond though my email was not provocative in tone or content. I fully expect his mailings to continue. But seriously, on what basis does he expect my vote again. I cannot, will not cast a vote his way again. I will return all his solicitations with comments appropriate to the moment. Representative Ramstad is not the kind of man I deserve. He ought to be opposed vigorously and the State Party ought to begin laying out some markers that suggest that a challenge like this is good for the Party, rather than forming ranks in defense of the indefensible. In time of war this man deserted his President. In a symbolic vote of no confidence which can only give aid and comfort to our enemies he buckled to the anticipated bad news for him in future polls. This is a cowardly act, not an indication of deep conviction. A man opposed to the war opposes it with all his mettle. Paul Wellstone was such a man though I never agreed with his positions I always admired the display of courage with his convictions. Wellstone, though in my view wrong on most things was a man. He is missed because his kind are so rare. Politics is no longer the ground where courage signifies anything constructive at all. God help us when the point of our spear is broken, when we can no longer find men and women ready to stand against mujahideen combatants in the alleys of Fallujah. Today we still have such men. They must be encouraged to prevail, not abandoned. Representative Ramstad's vote of no confidence was wrong. It tells me something important about him. Something I will not forget.