Capitol View: May 24, 2006 Archive

Recommended reading

Posted at 1:39 PM on May 24, 2006 by Bob Collins

Afton columnist and blogger Craig Westover had an interesting piece on labels -- most of the political type -- a few days ago and a follow-up today on response.

The Carpetbagger Report has a blurb or two on the impact of the president's efforts regarding the constitutional amendment on marriage. It's based on an article in Insight Magazine. I think you have to take this one lightly because I'm not sure President Bush was ever the fervent supporter of this amendment that his party may want to suggest. If memory serves -- and it frequently doesn't -- he never came out with a firm "yes" or "no" answer to the question of whether there should be an amendment, until January 2004.

The Marshall Independent is giving at least a little nod to the rumor that Rep. Marty Seifert may not run for re-election. This was, and this is all I'm going to say on it, an "interesting" session for Seifert. I found him to be one of the more fascinating speakers on the floor of the House during several debates, and always wanted to know more about what he was really thinking and why he was thinking it. I'd find myself saying, "there's a strategy he's using here," and then later listen to more and say "no there's not." I still don't know.

And this one has almost nothing to do with politics but for the sheer joy of the "ahhhhh factor," you really need to stop by the blog, 56572, on a regular basis.

Retirees

Posted at 2:18 PM on May 24, 2006 by Bob Collins (8 Comments)

Someone asked in the comments section for a list of people giving up seats in the House and Senate. Here's the latest list I have.

Republicans
Sen. Bob Kierlin - Winona
Sen Michele Bachmann
Rep. Jeff Johnson - Plymouth
Rep. Jerry Dempsey
Rep.Barb Sykora
Rep.Fran Bradley
Rep. Ron Abrams
Rep. Scott Newman
Rep. Char Samuelson
Rep. Jim Knoblach
Rep. Andy Westerberg
Rep. Ray Vandeveer

Democrats
Sen. Becky Lourey
Sen. John Hottinger
Sen. Sharon Marko
Sen. Jane Ranum
Sen. Wes Skoglund
Sen. Sheila Kiscaden
Rep. Ruth Johnson
Rep. Barb Goodwin
Rep. Keith Ellison
Rep. Katie Sieben
Rep. Dan Larson
Rep. Matt Entenza - St. Paul

Ones that haven't announced anyway but there seem to be enough rumors to at least watch:

Rep. Irv Anderson
Rep. Marty Seifert
Rep. Maxine Penas

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No shock, just curiosity

Posted at 5:49 PM on May 24, 2006 by Bob Collins (4 Comments)

Not being a party member, insider or -- in some recent years -- a voter... I have no clue what took Mike Erlandson so long to announce officially that he's in the primary battle for the 5th District. Doesn't seem like a surprise to me so I don't know what's been going on in that campaign for the last 3 weeks.

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