Ashwin Madia Volunteer Caught On Film Stealing Paulsen for Congress Lawn Signs

[brushyourteethtiger]

I still want to know why she didn't remove the other signs in the public right-of-way, if they are such a danger.

[Bublican1]

Republicans are the ones who have not operated within the law and have not respected the Free Speech rights of others for the past eight years. Where have you been?

[seanarther]

Typical. She even admits that if she called the city, the signs would have been removed from the location. This just proves that she knows that the city has jurisdiction to determine whether the signs are inappropriately placed and the authority to remove them. She is not vested with that authority but decided she would remove the signs anyway. With liberals the "ends" always justifies the "means."

[mlberg1]

Desperate times call for desperate measure and she got busted. That Madia campaign is in a world of hurt, and they need to do whatever they can. The only campaign in MN that is more despicable than the Franken one.

[KnowYourRoleGuy]

You're a conspiracy nut. You people drove me out of the DFL. I carry a camera just so I can photograph instances like this myself. I have seen so many DFL supporters who feel they are always right remove signs that conflict with their own view or even deface property of those who support other view points. The party that is supposed to be open minded is the most close minded and disrespectful group of people I have ever met.

[ElectricBaker]

Why else would they have at least two of Paulsen's "research" team sitting next to the illegally placed signs in the bushes with a video camera! Unless they're just voyeurs and have the hots for this woman. It's creepy, deceitful, and she didn't even take the signs! She gave them to the bastards!

I never said she did the right thing by taking the signs. I'm just saying the Paulsen camp obviously tried to make this happen.

[seanarther]

Yeah, ElectricBaker. Paulsen's campaign had the right to have the legality of the placement of the signs reviewed by the entity with jurisdiction (the city) pursuant to its municipal code before the signs could be removed. This woman just cavalierly took that right away because she personally believes the placement of the signs would violate city ordinances. And what do you do? Blame the victim, of course. That's SO unusual for a Democrat.

[ElectricBaker]

Okay, these bastards obviously put the signs where they weren't supposed to be and then waited with a video camera for someone to take them down so they could say that they were being stolen. Paulsen's campaign is incredibly dirty. And to put up her face and license number all over the internet without her consent? Incredibly unprofessional and creepy.

[KnowYourRoleGuy]

Yeah - like they are going to sit and wait for someone to take them out You are just as stupid as this bitch. If it was illegal then she should have called the police. You have no right to take the law into your own hands. No matter how minor.

[ElectricBaker]

Why else would they have at least two of Paulsen's "research" team sitting next to the illegally placed signs in the bushes with a video camera! Unless they're just voyeurs and have the hots for this woman. It's creepy, deceitful, and she didn't even take the signs! She gave them to the bastards!

I never said she did the right thing by taking the signs. I'm just saying the Paulsen camp obviously tried to make this happen.

[b2tama]

Fuck you Brodkorb. Your involvement in the Paulsen campaign is enough reason to note vote for him. I was formerly undecided but now Ashwin will be getting my vote.

[houseguy]

You were undecided before this? Hah! ROFL!!!1!

[reednm13]

Here's a thought: Campaign managers and the candidates themselves do not have total control over each individual involved in their campaign at all times! People do stupid shit and it comes from both sides.

[brushyourteethtiger]

She's connected to the COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR of the campaign; this shows that the tactics come straight from the heart of their campaign. She's caught red-handed and says they are "a danger"? Yeah, I almost lost control of my car from viewing those DANGEROUS signs by the stoplight today. Thanks for saving me! And nothing has been said about how she left the other DANGEROUS signs intact on those corners, only taking the Paulsen signs. Her intentions are clear, and this was not a "mistake".

[reednm13]

I know exactly how she's connected because I work on the campaign. I also know that their were other campaign members who noticed that the signs were illegally placed and did not remove them because we know that it is WRONG. I don't think anyone has claimed that what she did was a "mistake". I'm quite sure that the Communications Director would not instruct anyone to remove signs that were illegally placed because he knows the PR nightmare that would (and is) ensuing.

[Bublican1]

It is a shame that the Republicans will do anything, including setting up a sting and provoking others, to take action against their dirty tricks. I guess they think it is fine to use taxpayers money, and police and MNDOT man-hours, to clean up their illegally placed lawn signs in the public right of way! Guess what, lawn signs don't win elections.

Having a right wing candidate in Erik Paulsen pretending to be a Ramstad moderate Republican is the issue that most voters in CD3 care about.

[ohbibliophile]

You are completely missing the point. The little thief stole the signs. You can talk and talk and talk all you want but stealing is stealing and liberals do it well and often.

[houseguy]

You say lawn signs don't win elections, yet people go to great lengths to get rid of them. And don't even start to tell me you have any affection for Ramstad. You haven't earned enough credibility for me to believe that.

[seanarther]

Republicans are to blame for "setting up a sting and provoking others"? Apparently you agree that Democrats cannot be trusted to operate within the law and respect the Free Speech rights of others. Therefore, (you conclude) it was wrong for the Republicans to expose a Democrat breaking the law. Are you for real?

[brushyourteethtiger]

Couldn't have said it better myself. Thanks seanarther.

[DivineMoments]

I saw Kerry signs all over public areas for a year in 2004. Now I'm seeing Obama signs in public areas in NJ.. Gee.. I should start taking taking them down.. Nah.. I'm not juvenile like the Liberals.

[Feanorsson]

Typical liberal police state fascist tactics.

[reednm13]

Yeah...liberals love police states...?

[Decapoe]

This is the weakest controversey that I've seen so far...

I would've expected better, but I guess thats politics.

[seanarther]

The only reason you see the controversy as weak is because you don't care about the constitutional rights of the Republican candidate that were violated. Not to mention Paulsen's due process rights to be heard before the appropriate city or state authorities with jurisdiction over the legal placement of the signs. If this is treated as no big deal (and that's exactly how Madia's campaign has treated it) it means Paulsen's constitutional rights are no big deal. Typical attitude from the Left.

[Decapoe]

Nah, I just think that it is a weak controversy because, well its just weak. Its not scandalous or mildly entertaining and won't cost anyone an election. It literally is bland, in other words, weak. But thanks for being an asshole.

[brushyourteethtiger]

Paulsen signs have been disappearing frequently in the last few weeks. Now we have a confirmed Madia volunteer, connected to the COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR of that campaign, caught on tape stealing two signs. This was the one episode caught on tape. For the one actually caught you can bet there have been dozens, if not hundreds, not caught on tape by this particular person and other "volunteers" (oh, sorry, "private citizens". Grow up.

[njuhli]

This is great! Maybe she out to call the city and let let them know she is stealing signs. What a prucde - shes a 'real estate attorney' -- probrably chases ambulances, too.

[mattmps]

One of the million funny things about liberals is that they always claim to be "open-minded" and "tolerant," when the opposite is always true. Liberals steal lawn signs and shout people down because

they're afraid of debate and dissent. I'd love to see the look on that sign-stealing, nasally-voiced skank the morning after her candidate loses. If she enjoys picking up lawn signs, maybe she can drive around with a scowl, tears streaming down her intolerant face, and pick up Madia signs Nov. 5

[vitali002]

Typical Paulsen tactics...lies, illegal tactics, and deceptive ads. They must be desperate.

[houseguy]

Desperate enough to steal signs (like the Madia workers), or to protect property that belongs to them?

[vitali002]

Desperate enough to attack Ashwin Media in a commercial because they have nothing to show for Erik Paulsen's record.

And desperate enought to make a story out of something as stupid as lawn signs.

Minnesotans don't care about these stupid lawn signs...they want someone who will stand up for them, not play politics over lawn signs.

[houseguy]

If they didn't care about lawn signs, there would be none. Apparently the Madia campaign is obsessed with them, as this is not the first incident of Paulsen signs being stolen. And spare me the tripe about "standing up" for Minnesotans. Most Minnesotans (and Americans) could not name their congressional representative.

[seanarther]

Actually, vitali002, lawn signs are a form of political speech protected by the First Amendment. The video makes it clear that it is not Minnesotans who don't care about Free Speech, it's Minnesota Democrats who don't care about the Free Speech of Republicans. Which is hardly a revelation, by the way.

[vitali002]

So according to you, if you are Republican and breaking the law, its free speach, but if you you're a Democrat and break the law, you're guilty as sin. Don't lecture me about free speech...you seem to overexcersize your rights on this comment page. So why is someone from San Diego bothering to tell me what my fellow Minnesotans care about?

[seanarther]

Wrong, vitali002. You missed the point entirely. I don't know if the placement of the signs violated local govt regulations-perhaps they did. But that issue is NOT for a Madia campaign worker to unilaterally decide and enforce because she feels like it. That authority resides with the govt entity that controls the public right of way. Free Speech rights may be limited by local govt provided there is a compelling reason to do so (i.e. public safety, etc.) (cont)

[thedeets]

Hilarious hearing a republican saying that government should deal with something that a volunteer has taken upon themselves to solve.

Here's a hint about whether the signs belonged there or not: If they were in a legal location, Brodkorb would be shouting that from the rooftops.

[seanarther]

(cont) So, no, I DON'T assume the signs and their placement were absolutely protected by the 1st Amendment. Conversely, this woman had no right to decide that they weren't protected and act accordingly. If everyone acted that way, none of us would have any rights because they would either exist or not based on every other individual's subjective opinion (and enforcement) of the laws. And don't YOU lecture me about Free Speech-it's part of my profession. Plus, if you knew anything about...

[seanarther]

(cont)...the law in this area, you wouldn't have made such an ignorant comment about me "overexercising" my rights on this page. The 1st Amendment protects individuals from GOVERNMENT infringement on their free speech rights. Neither you nor I have such rights on a private website like YouTube. And if MN citizens don't care about this, they should. This IS a big deal. If conduct like this is just brushed off as no big deal then all of our rights (Rep and Dem) are cheapened and will ebb away.

[takerdust]

funny lefties

[dgroundhog]

You really can't expect much else from Democrats these days.

They are just low class, vile people.

Watching them turn their backs on our country and troops during wartime has just been sickening. They are willing to spout enemy propaganda and openly root for a US defeat.

They've been cheering for a recession for over a year.

They legislate this mortgage crisis to America and repeatedly ignore calls to fix the problems they created.

...and they steal lawn signs of their opponents.

Nice.

[jstyczin]

Stealing Lawn signs is such a juvenile stunt. Although if you are familiar with Ashwin Madia at all, you wouldnt be surprised his whole campaign has been kind of Juvenile. He forgot to renew his law license earlier in the campaign, and blamed his parents! He said his mail was still going to his parents house, and they forgot to tell him. And this guy wants to be my congressman?  I think he and his campaign needs to grow-up a little first.

[seanarther]

Ashwin could start "growing up" by doing the right thing and informing this woman that she is no longer welcome as a volunteer in his campaign. Instead, he issued a statement saying that volunteers have been "reminded" not to touch Paulsen's signs and apologizing for the volunteer's "mistake." What a joke. This wasn't a mistake and she already knew what she was doing was wrong. They've just sent her and other volunteers a message that if they break the law, there will be no consequences.

[seanarther]

Madia's communications director must be pretty fucking useless if his wife needs to be "reminded" not to touch Paulsen's campaign signs.

[MS3FTW]

Fuck that stupid bitch. Women should not be allowed to vote and this is a perfect example of why. These insane lunatic bitches need to be put in their place, they are mentally inferior when it comes to logic thinking. They think with their emotions rather than clear logic.

[reednm13]

These signs were placed on the corner of Hemlock Lane and 73rd Avenue in (right by the 94 ramps) in Maple Grove, MN.

State law prohibits the placement, painting, printing, or affixing of advertisements on any object within the limits of any highway in Minnesota. This prohibition in Minnesota Statutes, section 160.27, applies to political campaign signs as well as to all other forms of advertising. The law applies to all state, county, city and township roads and highways.

[njuhli]

Then you please come and remove the Obama bumper sticker someone put on a public guard rail at the Metuchen, New Jersey NJ transit rail station?

[reednm13]

I'm sorry that someone placed an Obama bumper sticker on a public guard rail in New Jersey. Seeing as how I am in Minnesota it would be impossible for me to remove it, nor would I want to because I do not condone this behavior from either party.

[brushyourteethtiger]

Got it. One vote for vigilante justice. Or did I misunderstand, and you are only saying that an attorney has the right to act as a police officer?

[seanarther]

Terrific, reednm13. So you agree that the right thing to do was to call the state authorities to report a violation of section 160.27 and allow state agents to take action to enforce it, correct?

[reednm13]

Actually, these signs were placed directly down the road from the Madia campaign offices as a trap. The Paulsen campaign knew that someone affiliated with the campaign would notice that the signs were placed in an illegal area and staked out the area to see if they could catch someone taking the signs. While I agree this could have been taken care of by the police it is obviously a ridiculous and desperate attempt by the Paulsen campaign to set-up the Madia campaign and its supporters.

[houseguy]

Obviously you are a psycho- I mean psychic. Apparently Madia needs more law-abiding volunteers. Tell me, if the signs were such a temptation, why did she wait until it was dark out? Maybe because she didn't want to be seen taking the signs down. I still have not heard of any Democrat signs being taken by Republicans, because those would be all over the news.

[kippolinus]

What a Shame. Like incompetent leader and his followers. Good Job, now go tell you mom.

~ Hillary supporters for McCain.

[RedNebulaStudios]

I've been saying for years.

YOU LIBERALS DON'T BELIEVE IN FREEDOM OF SPEECH YOU ONLY BELIEVE IN FREEDOM OF YOUR SPEECH! You want to SILENCE those who disagree with you. Hear leftists all the time saying, "We should TAKE DOWN FOX NEWS, TALK RADIO AND CONSERVATIVE WEBSITES!"

Yeah isn't that another word for Fascism?

You liberals use the "F" bomb on conservatives all the time YET HERE YOU ARE TAKING YOUR OPPONENTS SIGNS DOWN!

"I'm a Private Citizen" What happened to World Citizen?

[ResearcherMom]

Unbelievable! Great video catch! To quote Madia's own ads that he ripped from Franken... Madia's "gotta go... he's gotta go!"

We need a congressman of INTEGRITY! Thank you, Erik, for running a positive campaign.

[houseguy]

Public right of way? Call the cops! Real estate agents put open house signs up in the public right of way every weekend, as do garage salers, and she's concerned about the distraction at night? Priceless!

[lakestatefishing]

I live in Coon Rapids and my McCain sign was stolen from my yard today. Rat bastards.

[brushyourteethtiger]

scottmkeen: Yeah, right, a set up. And even if it was, what does that matter? She was stealing a sign from the opposing campaign, and she is connected to that opposing campaign. You would think an attorney would know better than to take the law into her own hands. She needs to get back to the books and clean up her act. My goodness.

[brushyourteethtiger]

Precious and shameful at the same time.

[scottmkeen]

I think this is a setup. There's a bad dub at the end, where she's talking about being a real estate lawyer again.

[SweetCaroline1971]

Soooooooooooooooo Busted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I bet she works for the Obama campaign as well. It is the kind of tactics being taught the young that are being brain-washed CHEAT to WIN is the motto!

[jfree1998]

If she were actually worried about 'public right of way' she would have put it in the property owners yard instead of trying to put it in the trash. Those signs cost money honey, its called theft...

[kybosshog420]

Cheat to win....win to cheat, always been that way.......Glad I am not on welfare, so my vote isn't bought with tax payers money

McCain 08

[michy321]

I bet she works for the obama campaign as well. This shit happened during the primaries against hillary. You can tell shes trying to stay firm when their questioning her.

"their in the public right of way" right, like she was just driving along and noticed that and was being a good citizen. Bullshit. Its another dirty campaign tactic. thats all it is.

[LVhatersofh8rs]

hahhahahahaahahahahahah!!!!! SHE GOT PWNED!!!!

Im foing to laugh when da Obamajama looses

C U next tuesday!!!!!!!!!!

[lowerpower]

Typical, Here in marin they steal or deface republican signs all the time.

Of course not one in marin county was born here (except the republicans), their all from boston and bought there property with lawyer or stolen bank money.

[sodie77]

Typical

[Strawbalegirl]

She ought to have the courtesy to at least act sheepist.

[ToddonCapeCod]

her tone is so condescending. It's the same tone, every time she opens here mouth!

IS she real or a robot?

[nickj077]

I swear to God, all the liberals drive Subaru's.

[ToddonCapeCod]

but not all Subaru drivers are liberals

[lakestatefishing]

Says who? lol

[ToddonCapeCod]

LOL.

Says this Subaru driving conservative, that's who!

[Wobgoblin]

Ahhhh, liberals. Always looking out for us...whether we like it or not.

[MrSnuggleBunny]

If she could ahve called the city to ahve them removed for blocking the public right of way she should have called the city. Is Madia's campaign claiming to have the right to be the impropmtu decider and executor of public ordinances?

[ALLAN00GT]

She is a loon with a loon on her license plate..lol

[schizrade]

Lovely. Not a surprise.

Liberals tolerate only their opinion.

[HKTackDriver]

Fucking liberals.  The "tolerant" group.

[stoneagearcher]

Guys she was just looking out for your well being! Some could have tripped over those signs and blown up or something! Also you should have asked her out on a date!

[Radislav001]

ohh the libtard stupidity,this crap happened in Seattle she has no right to remove signs unless she is a city employee..therefore just a thief must work with acorn as well..

[Minn555]

Oh the right-wing rage... typical. You people were obviously dumped by a democrat at some point. That woman did the right/legal thing - get over it.

[kilo3batt]

The volunteer happens to also be the spouse of one of Ashwin Madia campaign staffers

[kilo3batt]

I am a private citizen

they were in the public right-of-way

in the business of disinformation, this is known as boilerplatethe response to being confronted when doing something nakedly wrong is pre-digested and spit down between the upturned halves of your gaping beak sos you can spit them out on cue.

[jfree1998]

Wow, what an idiot for getting caught, lol, and a laywer to boot. Typical dirty tactics of the desperate left.

[thedeets]

jfree1998, she got "caught" doing something legal.

[jfree1998]

the deets, I am curious how you 'know' for sure it was even in the public right of way? the video is unclear as to that issue, it is simply what the woman claimed. Of course it could be that you believe her because she is a democrat and you are biased?

[thedeets]

Look up the location.

[blogegog]

That's what I was wondering too. She keeps saying 'public right-of-way' like she was taught to say that if she got caught.

[thedeets]

OMG, this is hilarious. Michael, don't you realize that she was RIGHT and you were WRONG?

[easein]

Criminals. Every last dem is nothing but a filty criminal.

[JayAreDubya]

Any fall-out on this? Can we expect a follow up?

[emersonushc13]

Liberals only lie, cheat, steal and destroy things because evil republicans do it ten times worse! Also, because Liberals are hypocritical rich-kid assholes, but that's not the point. It's all the Conservatives fault!

[chromeguy2008]

Mmmm... looks like typical dem / lib campaign tactics in action.

So much for the 1st amendment.

[KidCharlamagne]

Busted! What a snotty witch.

[mikepatr]

This is going to make a great campaign commercial for Paulsen. Someone should thank that young lady for being stupid enough to get caught. Are there any criminal charges against her or the Madia campaign in the works? This at least should warrant that and a complaint to the local election commission.

[HelmerandRawlins]

GREAT VIDEO. Totally red-handed owned. "Sure you can have them back." Nice try. Hella shady attempt to silence opposition in the dark of night. Shameless. Shouldn't you be registering new fraudulent voters right about now? Get back to work.

[teton99]

BUSTED!!!  LOSER!!!

[blubbermouth]

Awesome, and she fits the 2 bumper sticker rule too!

[blubbermouth]

It's not her job to remove signs in the public right of way, and she knows that.

[thedeets]

Are you suggesting that you'd rather having tax payer money spent doing things that private citizens are volunteering to do?