Before this debate, State Representative Bobby “Target Center Funding” Joe Champion told community members and organizers that he didn’t want to debate Troy Parker because he didn’t think Parker was a leader. That brings up the question, “Who are the political leaders in the Black community and why haven’t they addressed the needs of the many?”  If Champion thinks Parker is not a leader, why has Champion not led the residents of 58B to the promise land? If candidate Parker can do more than Rep. Champion has since he’s been in office, I say – let’s give Parker a spin.

"Parker, Champion: Organizers...no questions to the candidates. You don't have a voice in this room."

by Donald W.R. Allen, II – Editor in Chief/IBNN NEWS and Black Politics in Minnesota

Minneapolis, MN (IBNN NEWS/Political Opinion/February 1, 2012)… “All I can say is oh crap!” The Senate District 58 debate held on Tuesday night was a disgusting show of political favoritism fueled by a corrupt process that silences the voice of the community.

The minute you walk through the door and debate coordinators tell you that no “verbal” questions may be asked of the candidates and point persons want to “write down your question,” you know this will be a one-sided debate from the start.

The “write down your questions” is a “protection” mechanism for State Representative Champion. If the audience were allowed to ask direct questions to Rep. Champion, the whole district would see just what the representative has not done.

This was the seen last night at Fowell Park in north Minneapolis where a hand-full of concerned community members gathered to hear candidates Troy Parker and State Representative Bobby “Nicollet Mall” Champion talk about the issues. This one-sided, bias mess of favoritism reeked of collusion corruption with no fair questions and answers that could gauge the ongoing competence of Rep. Champion, nor see the up and coming rise of candidate Troy Parker.

While it’s true, Champion might have the grip on 58B, he definitely does not have grip on the whole SD58 or in this case, most of the participants in the audience.   There has been skepticism on Champion’s performance in the House of Representatives on behalf of 58B as it pertains to the solo authored bills that don’t reach the residents of 58B. Secondly, Champion, who’s campaign promotion shows him in a photo standing next to current District 58 senator Linda Higgins – Higgins has not publically endorsed Champion – but the Target Center “money-giver” is attempting to some kind of tainted collaboration with Senator Higgins.

This early in the year, Senator Higgins would do a disservice to the people of 58 by locking arms with Champion.

Troy Parker on the other hand seems quiet, skittish, subdued and not very conversational at the beginning of the debate.  This could be attributed to Parker understanding this was a set-up from the start, with political hacks leaning in the favor of candidate Champion – mind you I said, “candidate,” Champion is not the incumbent for Senate 58 seat, he would like to think that – but it’s not fact.

In closing, north Minneapolis’ senate district 58 needs a change. This change will not happen unless new people are brought in to washout the old, tired, sell-out DFL “Black-Hacks.”

Before this debate, State Representative Bobby “Target Center Funding” Joe Champion told community members and organizers that he didn’t want to debate Troy Parker because he didn’t think Parker was a leader. That brings up the question, “Who are the political leaders in the Black community and why haven’t they addressed the needs of the many?” If candidate Parker can do more than Rep. Champion has since he’s been in office, I say – let’s give Parker a spin.