Has Michele Bachmann finally met her match?
Read Time:3 Minute, 57 Second
Jim Graves was born and raised in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He remembers when Minnesota was undivided, when people were open and politicians were transparent. Jim Graves remembers the Minnesota I remember. And he wants to bring it back.
Jim Graves was generous enough to speak to me Tuesday afternoon on the phone. From the moment I heard his voice, I knew, this is a good guy. He asked me about my family, about our town, and was genuinely interested in not only my questions but my comments. It really was an honor to speak with him, and I am equally honored to introduce Jim Graves, congressional candidate, to Mad Mike’s readers.
One has to wonder what propels someone, anyone, into the political arena, but especially in our current environment. Anger, divisiveness, misinformation and rhetoric are the norm, and it takes a special person to leap into that fray. Jim told me he is running specifically because of this political environment. He wants to unite people, not divide them. Jim Graves wants to bring Minnesotans together, not drive them further apart. He wants to end the incivility, the gridlock and bring back a spirit of togetherness that we seem to have misplaced. Jim sees the future and he recognizes that the fastest way to achieve it is to give the middle class, give families, back their dignity.
I asked Jim what he feels he brings to this race, what sets him apart. He told me he truly believes in uniting people, Democrats and Republicans. There is an “integrity” missing in politics right now, and Jim sees this campaign as an opportunity to end the gridlock, to refocus on what’s important and to find leaders who will stand up for what’s right and true for everyone.
Jim Graves started his professional life as a teacher at a small Catholic elementary school. He had married his wife of 38 years, Julie, a woman he describes as his “best friend, she’s everything,” and with her support, he began his own business, running it out of his basement. That business founded the AmericInn Motel brand. Jim Graves built businesses literally from the ground up. He learned to unite the bankers and the union reps and the tradesmen and the staff, and he was successful.
When you choose to run for office, you almost cease being a person, and you become a marketable item. Jim Graves isn’t interested in being “marketed.” He said he wants his campaign to be transparent and focused on issues important to Minnesotans, not outside interest groups. Jim told me his properties are consistently given number one ratings in guest service, and that is due in large part to his ability to find the right people, unite them toward a common goal and give them dignity in the workplace. Jim will bring all those qualities to Minnesota’s 6th District.
When we spoke about marriage equality, Jim shared his beliefs, which are the beliefs of the majority of people in America. He and his wonderful wife have been together almost 40 years. They are each other’s best friend, and Jim Graves believes everyone should have that opportunity. He believes in the separation of church and state, and understands that separation must be respected. In the end, Jim Graves believes that consenting adults should have the right to marry the person they love.
Speaking about women’s rights, Jim told me he is firm supporter of equal pay for equal work, and that women can “make their own decisions.” He serves on the board of trustees for St. Benedict’s College, a well-respected women’s college in St. Joseph, Minnesota. Jim understands how important women are to society and believes in our abilities to thrive and succeed.
Jim Graves will run a very interesting campaign, one I believe many Minnesotans are excited to watch. It will be a refreshing change to have a candidate who walks the walk, who is a champion of the middle class, who recognizes women are strong allies, and who believes that marriage is not about politics.
To learn more about Jim Graves for Congress, please visit the campaign Facebook page, follow the campaign on Twitter or go to Jim Graves for Congress. Thank you to Jim Graves and Don McFarland for making this interview possible.
Follow MadMike’sAmerica on Facebook and Twitter, and don’t forget to visit our HOME PAGE.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0
[…] Source: https://madmikesamerica.com/2012/04/has-michele-bachmann-finally-met-her-match/ This post was written by admin […]
finally a breath of fresh air, thank you james .
I would love to see that looney woman taken down, politically of course, but one has to keep in mind she has been elected time and again by a constituency that has to be equally crazy, either that or they just love her antics.