Polinaut: August 11, 2006 Archive

More reaction

Posted at 6:07 AM on August 11, 2006 by Mike Mulcahy (2 Comments)

From Amy Klobuchar:

Amy Klobuchar, candidate for U.S. Senate and Hennepin County Attorney, made the following statement:

"Today's reports of a thwarted attempt to smuggle explosives on to airplanes in London are a sobering reminder of the continued threats that we face as a nation.

"As a member of the law enforcement community, I want to commend the work of all of the agencies involved in shutting down this terrorist plot. To end these deadly terrorist networks we must have detailed coordination of law enforcement, intelligence and security personnel at all levels of government.

"A year after the bombings in the London subway and five years after 9/11, we must continue work tirelessly with our allies, like the United Kingdom to close down the dangerous terrorist networks that threaten our nation's security. Protecting the security and safety of the American people is our first priority."

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Great minds think (almost exactly) alike

Posted at 7:04 AM on August 11, 2006 by Mike Mulcahy (1 Comments)

I took note of these releases yesterday. First from RNC chairman Ken Mehlman:

Earlier today, Senator Harry Reid and Senator John Kerry attacked the administration’s efforts in the War on Terror. Below is a response from RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman.

“On a day when American authorities are working with our allies to stop a global terror plot, instead of focusing on political attacks, we should focus on the fact that we are at war and need every tool to win the War on Terror. If Harry Reid had his way and killed the Patriot Act and ended the Terrorist Surveillance Program, authorities would be less able to uncover terror plots. If John Kerry had his way and we surrendered Iraq to the terrorists, Islamic jihadists would be strengthened and even more dangerous in the future. The main lesson of today is America needs to continue working with our allies and stay on the offense in the Global War on Terror.”

Now read this one from Minnesota GOP chair Ron Carey:

Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Ron Carey today issued the following statement after liberal Democrats John Kerry and Harry Reid attacked the Administration’s handling of the Global War on Terror.

“Liberal Democrats John Kerry and Harry Reid have long records playing politics with America’s national security and today’s attacks are no exception.

“If Harry Reid had been successful in killing the Patriot Act and ending the Terrorist Surveillance Program, authorities would be handcuffed in their attempts to uncover terror plots. If we followed John Kerry’s lead by surrendering Iraq to the terrorists, Islamic jihadists would be emboldened and bolstered. As today’s events make clear, America needs to continue working with our allies and stay on the offense in the Global War on Terror. Minnesotans deserve to know if Amy Klobuchar and Patty Wetterling believe killing the Patriot Act, ending the Terrorist Surveillance Program and surrendering in Iraq are the kind of national security goals they share with their party’s leaders.”

Man, are those guys on the same page, or what?

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AP poll bad news for Bush, GOP

Posted at 11:45 AM on August 11, 2006 by Mike Mulcahy

Here's the lead from the wire:

WASHINGTON (AP) - Republicans determined to win in November are up against a troublesome trend - growing opposition to President Bush.

An Associated Press-Ipsos poll conducted this week found the president's approval rating has dropped to 33 percent, matching his low in May. His handling of nearly every issue, from the Iraq war to foreign policy, contributed to the president's decline around the nation, even in the Republican-friendly South.

More sobering for the GOP are the number of voters who backed Bush in 2004 who are ready to vote Democratic in the fall's congressional elections - 19 percent. These one-time Bush voters are more likely to be female, self-described moderates, low- to middle-income and from the Northeast and Midwest.

Hutchinson health plan

Posted at 11:53 AM on August 11, 2006 by Mike Mulcahy

IP gubernatorial candidate Peter Hutchinson released his health plan today.

He says he wants a Massachusetts-style mandate so that everyone in the state has health insurance either through an employer or a subsidized plan. Key elements of the plan include: a statewide smoking ban in public places, emphasizing prevention by rewarding people who exercise or quit smoking, raising the cigarette tax and cutting administrative costs.

He says the whole thing would save state and local governments $1.2 billion a year. He wants to make 2007 the health care session.

Down on Hutchinson

Posted at 1:48 PM on August 11, 2006 by Mike Mulcahy (2 Comments)

This blog says it's not affiliated with any party, but the DFL is shopping it around.

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