Cravaack likely leaving Minnesota, politics

Minneapolis Star Tribune ^ | 12/22/2012 | Kevin Diaz

[DManA]

After unseating Minnesota’s longest-serving congressman and interrupting 63 years of DFL dominance on the working-class Iron Range, political newcomer Chip Cravaack is moving on. . . .

“It really depends on Traci,” he said in an interview Thursday. “I’ve got a feeling I’ll probably be heading back there, unless some huge opportunity opens up in Minnesota, I’ve got two small kids who need their dad.”

The family’s move to New Hampshire last year became a political liability in a district that already skewed heavily Democratic. The move came about after one of his boys, who is autistic, suffered a seizure while both parents were away. Cravaack and his wife decided that while he was in Washington, she and the two boys needed to be closer to her job as a pharmaceutical executive in Boston.

[DManA]

If you are looking for an example of the Opraization of America look no farther than Chip Cravaac.

Two years ago he pulled off a political miracle by defeating an entrenched politician in a safe blue congressional district.

A week later his wife packed up their kids and moved 2000 miles away from the district to advance her "career". Absolutely she sabotaged his political career. He lost his second election, in large part because he obviously has no connection with his district.

So what's he going to do now?

Yup, chippy is going to be a stay at home dad and devote himself to tending the kids and supporting her wife in her career.

Liberal Fairie tales can come true it can happen to you....

[JLS]

That is one way to look at it. Another way to look at it is to see a family following the market and making their money in business and not in politics.

[mj1234]

He is NOT a politcal animal- like the Rino’s and
Demoncrats- like Michelle Bachmann- attacked incessantly
by BOTH parties- Duluth RED star News- (pravda of the north)
hated him for defeating a 30YEAR! demonrat

I feel sorry for his childs illness- looks like the
little tyke has taken a turn for the worse-

[SaraJohnson]

A sad family Christmas story. : (

[x]

Poor guy couldn’t even finish a speech without cravaacking up ...

[DIRTYSECRET]

It’s sad that money just may have had a lot to do with it. Anyone capable of taking out an incumbent or advance a cause should not lack for money. I’d like to give more to those like him but there are too many Lincoln Chaffees that end up with other people’s money-money that could be spent better. Am I smarter than those decision makers? Just look at the results and then decide if they are doing their jobs.

[Reo]

"He lost his second election, in large part because he obviously has no connection with his district"

Absolutely true. I live in his district and contributed to both of his campaigns. The only, repeat: ONLY, communications I had from him during his entire two years in office were boilerplate requests for more money. No news, no policy statements, no suggestions or platforms for the future......just send $$$$ or Pelosi might be Speaker again. Yes, he's a conservative, but was also ineffective and out of his league.

[Fireone]

I have the exact opposite impression of Chip. I also live in his district, and spoke with him a few times on the phone. He did more in two years for small businesses, and the mining industry in northern Mn., than Oberstar did in
35, or however long that bozo was there. Chip kept his Facebook followers well informed weekly. Just sayin’.

[Reo]

I>"I have the exact opposite impression of Chip"

I'm glad to hear a contrary and positive opinion. Mine was based solely on telephone and fund-raising contacts from staff, involving no direct contact with Chip himself. Not being a Facebook follower, perhaps I missed his primary communication tool.

[Colonel_Flagg]

I sure hope you’re missing a sarcasm tag.

What a horrible post. Trace Craavack’s career is well documented for anyone with the willingness to look, and their son’s autism was shamelessly demogogued by the man about to become one of the biggest horse’s asses in the United States Congress, Rick Nolan.

Part of the reason for Craavack’s downfall was redistricting. I believe that he could, and probably would, have won the 8th CD of 2010.

I too live in the 8th CD and Craavack has been an outstanding representative for me.

Reo, I met him personally on three occasions during his term, received weekly e-mail communication from him (not on Facebook) and took part in his electronic town halls. He did a magnificent job communicating with constituents, especially those who wanted to communicate with him.

[DManA]

I haven’t a single criticism of Congressman Cravaac. It is my opinion that his wife’s career decision to move 2000 miles from his district doomed his political career.

If you live in the district than you remember for 20 years republicans criticized Oberstar for not living in his district.

[Reo]

See Post #9, Colonel. I’m glad to hear he was effective using some of the communication methods available to him. That said, the direct mail and telephone contacts we received in our home were all, with the sole exception of this year’s post-loss Christmas card , all fundraising oriented. I’m sure he is a decent family man and certainly a better representative than Oberstar was and Nolan will be. His communications, however, were limited and ultimately insufficient.