Rochesterfest Turnout

06/24/2006

Paul Munnis

At tonight’s Rochesterfest Parade the DFL exhibited a strong showing. There was a great DFL float, lots of candidate marchers, and a good showing for every DFL candidate on the ballot. That included Amy Klobuchar and Tim Walz.

We couldn’t help but contrast the DFL group to the GOP showing which was smaller and more lackluster in our view.

We appreciated the TV commentator who introduced both Parties as political competitors and neighbors who hold differing views. Nicely put and a good avoidance of partisanship.

When one looks at the number of people who elected to march with the two Parties one could not help but reflect on what would happen if both groups could set aside their partisanship, agree on a Rochester agenda, and then work together to achieve it. Instead of a divided community we would be a united one. Still, Rochester is above average in community accomplishment. We atttribute that to the apolitical aspect of local government with the elimination of Party labels on local ballots. We hope things stay that way.