Newly sworn-in Gov. Mark Dayton (D-MN) did something amazing Wednesday, at a public event where he signed an executive order to opt the state in to expanded federal health care funding. In addition to the typical accompaniment by supporters, he allowed Tea Partiers and other activists opposed to it to come right into the formal room of the Capitol — and to speak at the podium, too.
In addition to Dayton’s remarks, four five other people got an opportunity to speak — two in favor of the policy, and three against it — with Dayton maintaining order and civility among the crowd.
As MinnPost reports:
Nobody had seen anything like this at the Capitol before.
Yes, there have always been protests — sometimes loud, but not in this formal room. In this room, governors traditionally have held news conferences in front of the media and with only invited guests. Security people traditionally had kept all others out.
Here’s a full video of the event, from our old friends at The Uptake:
