Dec 19 The Power of Misunderstanding

Awhile back, people started speculating that Chip Cravaack opposed the new terminal project at Duluth International Airport, most likely because special interest groups speculated that he'd oppose that project because he opposes the proposed Northern Lights Express passenger train.

Thanks to this Duluth News Tribune article, we now know that Chip Cravaack thinks that the Duluth International Airport terminal project should be funded:

“When I met him at the front door of the terminal, he walked in and he said, ‘Brian, we need a strong airport and the terminal is a big part of it and this is a good project,’ ” Ryks said.

Ryks noted that the terminal received no funding through congressional earmarks.

“It was a project that was justified based on the merits of the project,” Ryks said. “I think once Congressman-elect Cravaack found more out about it, he certainly felt it was a very viable project.”

I've talked with Chip Cravaack multiple times over the past few months. I was the first media person that predicted he'd defeat Rep. Oberstar, before Tom Scheck, Esme Murphy, Pat Kessler, Mary Lahammer or Tom Hauser made that prediction.

When Congressman-Elect Cravaack asked questions about the need for that terminal project, it was simply to show he'd evaluate projects on the merits. It wasn't an indication that he opposed that specific project.

During his interview with Eric Eskola and Cathy Wurzer on Almanac last night, Congressman-Elect Cravaack reaffirmed his commitment to getting that project funded, saying that it's important for airport security purposes, among other considerations.

For people who haven't gotten a fix on Congressman-Elect Cravaack, I'll simply tell them that it's wise to not hear what he didn't say. Some people on the DNT's editorial page speculated that he opposed the airport project because he opposed the passenger train project. Besides being faulty logic, it's supposing something that wasn't said or even hinted at.

Congressman-Elect Cravaack opposes the passenger train project because a) it isn't a need in his opinion, b) it's something that won't sustain itself financially and c) it'd require substantial government subsidies to keep it in operation.

That's foolish prioritizing, especially at a time when the federal government is drowning in red ink.

Chip Cravaack is different from Jim Oberstar in a positive way. Congressman-Elect Cravaack will protect taxpayers' pocketbooks whereas Oberstar was most concerned with bringing home the bacon, especially for projects of questionable importance. (Think bike trails.)

It's already apparent that Cravaack is paying more attention to PolyMet's needs than Oberstar did over the past 4 years. The people of CD-8 will notice the difference between Chip Cravaack and Jim Oberstar.

In fact, I suspect that they'll appreciate Chip's willingness to listen to them and his protecting their wallets.

Comments welcome at LFR.