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Minnesota Republicans subject of another soul-searching session

By Joe Kimball | 02/14/13

In the wake of the November defeats in Minnesota and around the nation, Republicans will discuss the future of their party next week during an event organized by the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

"Which Future: The Minnesota Republican Party" will be Feb. 19, noon to 1:15 p.m., at the Cowles Auditorium in the Humphrey Center, 301 19th Av. S., Mpls.

Organizers note the:

"...vigorous debate among Republicans and conservatives about the Party's political strategies and policy positions moving forward. Should the Party change its message or 'soften' its positions on immigration reform, the debt ceiling, and fiscal issues as a pragmatic step toward broadening its appeal among voters? Or, should the Party strengthen its principled commitments to liberty and minimal government because they will earn the respect of voters and are necessary to protect the Constitution?

Speakers will be:

  • Marianne Stebbins, a Ron Paul supporter and chair of the state's delegation to the 2012 RNC
  • Cullen Sheehan, former Norm Coleman aide

Moderator will be Larry Jacobs, Humphrey School professor.

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About the Author:

Joe Kimball

Joe Kimball, formerly of the Star Tribune, reports on state politics and St. Paul City Hall.

Comments (3)

Let us know

Submitted by Paul Brandon on February 14, 2013 - 8:11pm.

when the Republicans find their soul.

This will take

Submitted by Logan Foreman on February 15, 2013 - 2:42am.

10 years not 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Don't Expect Meaningful Changes

Submitted by Tom Christensen on February 18, 2013 - 9:01am.

The Republican changes they come up with will be nothing more than the equivalent of rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. It will be a word game trying to make you believe they have made changes, but they haven't. There won't be any meaningful changes because they are still trying to defend their positions. There hasn't been one mention of the word compromise, stopping the war on women, minorities, and commonsense. How can they make changes when they don't even know who they are yet? Their tea party brethren have taken the party right to its knees. While on their knees they better do some praying that they can find commonsense and the word compromise again. Don't expect meaningful changes.