Mark Dayton, Neanderthal Hunter

Today, at a campaign event headlined by former President Bill Clinton, Democrat Governor Mark Dayton reportedly referred to his political opponents as “Neanderthals.”

It’s not the first time Gov. Dayton has used the word to describe his political opponents.  As Minnesota Public Radio’s Tim Pugmire documented back during the 2013 State Fair,

Dayton said Minnesota is far ahead on such issues.  He described those who do not believe in the threat of climate change as having a “Neanderthal view.”

I have no idea what Dayton’s problem is with the differently evolved, but it does seem to be his insult of choice.

Speaking of MPR, today they restored access to the audio from an infamous appearance by Dayton at the University of Minnesota in 2012.

I listened to all 67 minutes (25 minutes of speech, followed by 42 minutes of Q&A).  At no point does Mark Dayton attribute any humanity—much less good faith or good will—to his political opponents (hence the Neanderthal slur).  He seems to actually believe that his opponents are less evolved than he and his allies are.

Having listened to the tape, I have a much better understanding as to why his first two years in office unfolded in the manner they did.