State Senator Nancy Brataas1928-2014
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Nancy's genius for trans-partisan collegiality

3/28/2018

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NANCY BRATAAS
By John B. Lennes, Jr. 
This post was received shortly after Nancy's death in 2014. We add it here now to celebrate and deepen her memory on the 4th anniversary of her death, in a time of Republican rule she would hardly recognize.
Nancy Brataas was a person of grace, dignity, intelligence, and humor. 

​This is a rare, often undetectable combination of qualities in Minnesota public life in any era, and the 1970’s, ‘80’s and ‘90’s were certainly no exception.


In many ways her philosophy defied conventional categorization.  As soon as people thought they had her pigeonholed, they were often proven wrong. While disquieting to shallower theoreticians, this was merely evidence of a thoughtful, many-faceted, caring and intelligent human being who made up her own mind, and sought out information and wisdom wherever they could be found.  I think it may have been another Minnesotan, Harry Reasoner, who once said (in effect) that he mistrusted party labels and political shorthands, because they all too often bunched him with people with whom he may only have shared one thought in an entire lifetime.  He would have recognized a kindred spirit in Nancy Brataas.  


I worked for and with Senator Brataas in a number of capacities: as legal counsel to the Minnesota Senate, as General Counsel to the state Chamber of Commerce, and as Commissioner of a major state agency, among other assignments.  We worked on many of the same issues, and I was both in support and in alliance, as events dictated.  These were often highly complex and contentious matters, played out not in weeks or months, but in years and decades, at the highest levels of intensity and public attention; you learn a great deal about  people when you serve alongside them in such times and circumstances.  


Senator Brataas was not an easy person to work for.  All too often in public debate, it is “enough” to prevail over your opponent, even if your opponent does a poor advocacy job.  This is particularly the case when you know “you have the votes” no matter what.  Senator Brataas rarely had that luxury ab initio, although she won her battles more often than could reasonably have been expected.  Rather, her successes were attributable to working harder, and being far better prepared than the opposition.  She demanded the highest level of performance from herself and from those around her as well.  I learned that lesson early when, after having prepared a briefing paper for her, I was told, simply, “this is not good enough; you can do better.”  So I did, and I have tried to maintain that standard ever since.  She may not have been an easy person to work for, but there could never have been a better crucible for forging professionalism. Not easy, but instead, the best.


She treated everyone with courtesy, not always a natural thing in the heat of public debate.  She acknowledged points well taken, even when adverse to her own objectives.  I never saw her descend into the pit of personal antagonism when contesting often emotional matters.


She was a genuine and reliable resource for her fellow legislators, even those who opposed her on issues, spending time to explain technicalities and occasionally recommending positions that fit the needs of her colleagues, even if contrary to her own (“If I were you, this is what I would do…”).  I am not sure that this sort of thing happens much anymore.  It was a trait she shared with several other recently departed Senators, such as my friends Win Borden and Jerry Anderson, and with Rep Wayne Simoneau, among others (Simoneau used to have a slogan framed on his wall reading “Wayne’s first law of politics:  Not all the jackasses are on the other side”).


Nancy kept a sense of perspective, and was able to be both an integral part of intense struggles and simultaneously maintain, at least in part, a detached view. For instance, after a puzzling and markedly inept bit of advocacy by a fellow Senator from her own caucus, Brataas muttered to no one in particular, “who did that guy beat?”  And there was a time when she reflected on a similar debacle perpetrated by another colleague by asking herself quietly, “I wonder what the electorate in his district could possibly have had in mind?”   


I was not privileged to have known all the various facets of Nancy Brataas.  But I knew her well enough to know that she was a great person, and that we are unlikely to see her equal again.




John B. Lennes, Jr. 
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Nancy and the nixon years

3/28/2018

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Excerpted from a letter from Tom Fowler, a Rochester friend of Anne’s who worked for Nancy on the Nixon Campaign in 1972. Tom wrote this shortly after Nancy’s death in April 2014. We post it now in tribute as her death-day anniversary approaches.
 
….Nancy was a remarkable and gracious woman, and the greatest organizational genius I've ever known.
 
I should say first-off, that I only knew her as a boss. It was a lot
different for me in that relationship as a staff member, than for you and Mark as children. She was tough but fair, supportive but never micro-managed her staff, smart as a whip, and suffered neither fools nor gamesmanship.

She was the best boss I ever had.
 
For me she was the embodiment of the word "integrity".
It's a word, and a concept, that you don't hear as much nowadays as
in the past.
 
What was her role in Nixon's 1972 re-election campaign?
 
She conceived and organized the telephone voter ID and get-out-the-vote
campaign. Looking back, the amazing thing was that such a
small group of six Republican party workers from a backwater state
in the Midwest could organize such a nation-wide
impact. From the starting line of June 1, 1972, six people
organized a nationwide telephone campaign
in the10 electorally key states, comprising 250 telephone centers, and 40,000 volunteers, who completed 14 million calls by Nov 7.
 
As the election turned out, all those calls didn't really
matter. Nixon won the largest electoral plurality in American
history (up to that point). Voter ID campaigns can swing a close
race by 1-2%, but Nixon beat McGovern in a blow-out, and didn't
really need our efforts to win. As far as I know, nobody ever did a bigger
nation-wide effort than that.
 
Society and technology have changed, so nobody will ever attempt
to organize a voter ID and get-out-the-vote campaign like it.
In 1972, Nancy could rely on an army of stay-at-home housewives to staff
phone banks. Today, those women's children--like you---all have
jobs, and not much time for polical volunteer work. The IBM mainframe computers we used are now museum pieces; today's political voter ID programs are based on the Internet, mobile devices, and social networking.
 
Nancy was the brains and energy behind it all; it was 100%
her conception, based on the lessons she'd learned through
the years of Republic Party organizing in Minnesota. To use
modern terms, she was a "political entrepreneur".
 
Nancy was the organization genius behind it all. She had a crystal clear idea of how every one of those 40,000 volunteers was supposed to fit in.
We were so busy that summer and fall that we didn't have any
time for the criminal foolishness other parts of the campaign cooked up.
Nancy told us just to focus on our big task ahead, but behind
closed doors she asked the top campaign managers lots of tough
questions. Sadly, they lied to her, just as they tried (for a while) to lie
to the American public.
 
I remember one afternoon President Nixon visited campaign headquarters,
and spent 5 minutes chatting with our department. Neither Richard
Nixon, nor I at age 18, was particularly good at small talk, but Nancy
smoothed everything over. She knew exactly the questions to ask to lead a
pleasant conversation. She was a model for poise, always.
 
 I was glad when Nancy sold her company
and announced she was running for the Minnesota Senate, because I
guessed it would be a lot more rewarding to her personally, than political
consulting. And it turned out that way. She was a lot more motivated by service to others than in making a dollar….
 
 
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first time voter....votes  for NanCY

5/6/2014

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Dear Anne,

Also, I want you to know that the 1st time I was actually able to vote,  I voted for your mom. She was a wonderful person. mm
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273 Pantone Blue: A  friend  and  Co-worker    Remembers  life  lived  at  the  Speed  of  nancy

5/5/2014

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Memories and Nancy’s Last Road Trip

A friend asked me the other day how long I had known Nancy Brataas.  My answer was 32 years. Thirty-two years as a full-time or part-time employee, a volunteer and a friend.

I have lots of good memories of those 32 years.

There was never a dull moment at Nancy’s house.  I went the first day with a good Norwegian work ethic and it served us well  We all worked hard and Nancy was right there working with us, unless she had a meeting.  After I started working at the Mayo Clinic, I would leave early a day in the week and see what projects Nancy had for me.  Often she would bring or pick up projects at the horseshoe of the Mayo Clinic Ozmun parking lot.

It was always good to see her at Homestead enjoying most of her belongings from her beloved SW Rochester home.  She loved the view and told me she felt like she was very close to the country.


These are some of my best memories:
Working on:

  • Constituent concerns
  • Worker’s Comp
  • Unemployment Reform
  • Ethical Practices Reports
  • Dead heading impatiens
  • Learning about hosta plants, and later clematis plants
  • Organizing the second floor in the garage 
  • Flood control
  • Having documents signed at the Mayor’s office
  • Thousands of trips up and down the basement steps
  • Oreos in the Brataas cookie jar
  • GOTV—Nancy’s patented Get Out the Vote program
  • Working on Nancy’s campaigns
  • Working on client’s campaigns
  • Winning elections a good share of the time, but not always
  • Being invited to stay late, or work on the weekend
  • GRAUC
  • Stop the Coal Train
  • Checking out new drawer pulls and  knobs for the upstairs remodel
  • Knowing where the Brataas safe was located
  • 273 Pantone Blue – Nancy’s favorite color for election posters
  • Trips to the printers office
  • Nancy making turkey soup after Thanksgiving
  • The list could go on and on


I want to share a few highlights of Nancy’s Last Road Trip.

Last September, my husband and I had the privilege of seeing that Nancy got to a West Bank Board of Directors meeting.  As always Nancy was in charge.

We had just found out our dog had hip dysplasia, and was not doing very well at the time.

Early on the day we were to leave we took Sadie to my sister and brother-in-laws in Wabasha.  We arrived at Homestead about 9 am, planning to leave about 9:15.  I believe it was 11:15 when we headed south.  The car was full of bags and oxygen machines.

My husband, Jerry, and Nancy were in the front seat and there was room for a large oxygen tank and me in the backseat. 

We stopped at a Subway for Nancy’s favorite chicken sandwich with 12 slices of tomatoes and double cheese.  Nancy had forgotten her curling iron at home and we stopped at Walgreen for a replacement.  It was after 4pm when we received our destination.  We got checked in, and worked to get Nancy settled.  

The hotel staff found about 12 extra pillows and Nancy told us how to fix the bed so it would be comfortable for her to sleep. 

Nancy rested a little and got ready for her evening banquet.  I got her to the restaurant for the meal and a waiter said he would take her back after the events of the evening. She had our number so we could be called at any time.

She was ready for the meeting, the next morning, in plenty of time and we got her to a good table for the Board of Directors meeting.
Lunch, after the meeting, was a buffet. We checked the food over four times finding many items that she liked. Got Nancy situated with her group, and Jerry and I ate in the dining room.  I went back to check on her three times and she was enjoying the company and the meal. 

Check-out time was at 11, and Nancy’s meeting wasn’t over until nearly noon.  Think it was between 2 and 3 when we got packed up and headed north.  We tried to make check out easy for Nancy, but it was hard work for her to get ready for the trip home.

We had our GPS and a Map Quest plan, and an atlas.  Nancy enjoyed the atlas.  Our visit included observations along the way. Places that Nancy had looked for plants and other treasures. She told us she’d had lessons on what different pieces of farm equipment were when she was running for Congress. We made a necessary pit stop for gas and a bathroom break on the way home.  Our shopping included Cheetos and Quick Star Glazers.

Our home is just two miles west of Highway 63 about 7 miles after entering Minnesota.

We showed Nancy our home and our nice neighborhood.  She was impressed with our big yard.  If Jerry would pick me up at her house, she would often give him a tour of her yard.  So we were glad to show her our farm.

About 35 miles later, we were back at Homestead. We got her things carried in and helped her get settled.  Then we headed to Wabasha to visit with my sister and pick up Sadie, and head home to Ostrander the next morning.

I think Nancy may have eaten Cheetos and Glazers for supper/dinner that evening.

Nancy was so appreciative of us making the trip with her.

We will always remember Nancy’s last Road Trip.

I will miss her.

Margaret and Jerry

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Poet  Laureate  of  Rochester  Jane  Belau  

5/3/2014

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A  POEM  In  Memory  of  Nancy  BRATAAS

PictureThis ornamental garden pot was one of Nancy's garden treasures. It is now planted by Jane with feisty, brawling blooms of begonias worthy of Nancy's impactful spirit!





An admirable, formidable person
With purpose and strength 
Undaunted by goals
Or timelines of length

Energetic, tenacious
Voracious,  loquacious 
Impatient when issues were  stalled
Eager when problems could be resolved 

Unreached goals in higher education
Included statewide campus  consolidation 
But a lifetime goal achieved realization
A university of Minnesota campus-- a model for the nation

A leader, a pioneer, her place in history
Due to her diligence- no mystery here
A remarkable woman, a productive life 
Not without controversy or strife 

She was sometimes charming
Sometimes disarming
But always focused on the goal
Singleminded,  convince or cajole 

A force in local  and national elections
A legend in voter turnout projections 
Presidents, Governors, legislators each mostly a  winner
Always a full blown  professional Never a beginner

Her family remembers a caring mother
Unconventional maybe like no other 
But the  energy and strong focus of her love
For her children and grandchildren
Mountains she'd move 

The delicate and various flowers she'd grow
Nothing simple like row on row
But masses of blooms and rambling
rivers of colors on the hillside
Shared with generosity and rightful pride

Few can claim so many victories
In a lifetime of accomplishments
While the frenetic pace wound down to cease
She has earned the right to rest in peace. 

God bless. 

Jane Belau
Rochester poet laureate 
2014


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Nancy and Her Friend Jane Belau

5/2/2014

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Picture

Nancy and her dear friend, Rochester television personality journalist and poet laureate of Rochester, 2014, Jane Belau. The two were conducting a 1980s interview on civic betterment and Nancy's work in the State Senate. 

For a recap on Nancy's Senate contributions, listen to Sen. Carla Nelson of Rochester--who now holds the seat Nancy once did--in her April 18, 2014 
Senate floor  tribute Nancy. 

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Comfort in the memories, much aloha

4/27/2014

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Dear Anne, Chico, Kip, and Aaron,

My aloha is with you all as you carry on the legacy of strength, independence, and leadership that you received as descendants of Nancy. May you find comfort in each other and good memories together. 

Holly
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Nancy  As  Stronghold 

4/27/2014

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 Nancy, my godmother, always seemed to defy so many of life's strongholds.... Many blessings.
Page Mankin Simpson, Jacksonville, FL
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Grandma Nancy's  Toy  Stash  Rocked  Rochester 

4/27/2014

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Dear Anne,
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your remarkable mother. I know how much my own mother admired her energy and friendship and how my father liked talking all things gardening with her. I smiled as I read about your mother's stash of wonderful toys for her grandkids and remember with fondness the play kitchen you had in your house where we played as kids. She certainly rocked Rochester and inspired others--especially women--with her full-steam-ahead, can-do attitude. My thoughts are with you and your family as you remember and honor her dynamic life and career.
Marsha Hayles, Rochester, NY 
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knowing Nancy first as a... homemaker with great appetizer recipes

4/27/2014

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Dear Anne,

 My condolances to you on the death of your Mother! You won't remember me but I was your babysitter in the summer of 1954, I think. Mark & I would take you for long walks that summer. I admired your Mother and learned how to make some appetizers that I do even now. My thoughts are with you. Elaine Nelson Welliver
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    Memorials

    Memorials may be made to Mayo Clinic, University of Minnesota Rochester; Clearway Minnesota—or any cause of your choosing that needs help. Nancy was here to help; she believed we all are.

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