Capitol View: September 11, 2006 Archive

"I want to be a better brother"

Posted at 10:30 AM on September 11, 2006 by Bob Collins

I can't explain it, but politics seems as irrelevant to me today as it did five years ago. I watched the documentary on CBS (the one produced by the two brothers from France) last night even though I've seen it before and found it even more compelling this time because this time I didn't miss an important ingredient. The final words after all the stuff the brothers went through that day were: "I want to be a better brother." Granted politics is important, I guess, in the big wordly scheme of things but today also seems like a good day to reflect on whether we've become better brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, colleagues, friends etc.

And if you don't want to do that (here comes the required political content) then listen to Amy Walter of the Cook Report and Stephen Schier Carleton talk about the midterms.

The Daily Digest: 9-11-06

Posted at 12:06 PM on September 11, 2006 by Tom Scheck

The Daily Digest - 9-11-06

The five year anniversary of the September eleventh terrorist attacks leads the digest. Here are some stories from MPR, the Star Tribune, AP and the PI Press have stories.

MPR has a story saying enlistment is down at a time when more Minnesota troops head over to Iraq.

Tuesday is also primary day so candidates who face primary challenges are busy pounding the pavement to make their last pitch to voters. But the AP and the Pi Press say those candidates should expect a low turnout.

MPR's Midmorning Program has a look at the political landscape of the midterms.

Minnesota's Fifth Congressional District is getting the most attention. The Washington Post weighs in on the historical ramifications of a Keith Ellison victory and the criticism he's received over the past few months.

Political analyst Stephen Schier talks with WCCO about the race.

The DFL candidates for attorney general are also focused on Tuesday's primary. AP had a story over the weekend saying Steve Kelley has a plan for organized crime.

The Bemidji Pioneer says Bill Luther is focused on gas prices and the Blog, MNCampaign Report, says Lori Swanson is running tv ads.

One of the closely watched legislative races is the contest between GOP Senator Paul Koering and challenger Kevin Goedker. Koering is openly gay and opponents of gay marriage are targeting him. The Brainderd Dispatch has profiles of both Koering and Goedker.

DFL Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson is in a competitive primary contest with Michael Cruze. The AP's Martiga Lohn has an interesting look.

WCCO's Pat Kessler and the Star Tribune take looks at the other names on the primary ballot.

The Washington Post had a story over the weekend saying the GOP will make this campaign personal. In other words it could get nasty.

Since it's primary day tomorrow the digest will be dark. If you need any other information on the candidates, etc, please check out MPR's Campaign 2006 site.

A reminder that you can listen to live coverage of the returns Tuesday night on MPR. MPR's Gary Eichten will host a show starting around 9 pm. The blog, Minnesota Monitor, says they will have reporters providing live updates. I'm sure other bloggers will be active as well.

Oh, yeah, THAT war...

Posted at 3:21 PM on September 11, 2006 by Bob Collins (7 Comments)

I've been watching and reading a lot of September 11th stuff in the last few days. I have to admit I consume September 11 material like crazy. If there's a documentary on -- emphasis on the factual part -- I watch it. And no, I didn't watch the ABC thing. But I didn't go see Farenheit 911 either.

As the day winds down, I'm actually struck -- dumbstruck I guess you could say -- that nobody in political circles seems to be talking about that other war -- Afghanistan.

Iraq, we talk about. Iran, we talk about. Afghanistan, we don't talk about, which is curious since it appears the Taliban is regrouping there.

There's a little less than a couple of months left to talk about it. Anybody?

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The conservative voice(s)

Posted at 4:53 PM on September 11, 2006 by Bob Collins (12 Comments)

I went to the Minnesota Organizationo of Bloggers get-together Saturday night at Keegan's and had a great time. I had a chance to put faces to the names of a dozen or so blogs, but didn't get a chance to meet everyone. I spent much of my time talking to Gary Miller from Kennedy vs. the Machine and John Swon, who blogs (formerly of First Ring and occasional contributor to KvM) , and is also chair of the Clear View PAC, and Robin Marty of Power Liberal and, now, Minnesota Monitor. I also enjoyed meeeting and talking with Michael Brodkorb of Minnesota Democrats Exposed, and it's always good to see political columnist Barry Casselman who, it seems to me, could do the political version of those old E.F. Hutton TV spots.

I knew it was pretty much a den of conservatives and I work for an organization that some people think is, well, you know. And, truth be told, I did shake hands with a few people who, once they realized I was Polinaut, immediately seemed to take on a "nice to meet you" tone that really meant, "you should die." But, again truth be told, I like conservatives. I like liberals. I like most people who are likable.

So I was a bit disappointed to come up empty in getting some of them to join us on election night in November. See, we actually want to know what conservative bloggers think about things, especially with moderate and liberal ones in the room too, hopefully blogging.

OK, it's a crazy little idea, perhaps. But when I was listening to John and Robin talk the other night, I thought this is exactly what I want to hear on election night.

Trouble is, I'm having a hard time convincing the best and the brightest conservative bloggers to join us. Michael Brodkorb said he'd like to do it. And Jeff at Bachmann vs. Wetterling is coming. But so far, nothing else.

Kinda puts me in a bad spot because Power Liberal, Minnesota Campaign Report, Across the Great Divide, MNSpeak, and Lloydletta have all given a "yes" or "maybe."

So we're full up, I think on the one side of the spectrum, but we're on a low tank on the right side. And I'm guessing if we went with the lineup as constituted, we'd be providing fodder for...well... you know.

So if you're a bigtime conservative blogger -- or even a little-time conservative blogger -- and aren't completely afraid of the possibility that someone might put you on the radio and the Web video and audio would be beamed to the corners of the earth, drop me a note.

Don't make me beg.

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