Polinaut: February 8, 2007 Archive

The Daily Digest: 2-8-07

Posted at 8:22 AM on February 8, 2007 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

AP says the U of M is walking softly on the stem cell issue. The Pi Press and MN Daily write that the bill moved through a House committee.

The Minnesota Senate is set to give final approval to a renewable energy standard. AP and the Star Tribune have stories.

The MAC gives NWA a break on fees. The Strib has the story.

The DFL Party accuses the conservative group that was formed to defeat DFLer Mike Hatch commingled funds.

Forum Communications has a story on the different bills that focus on all day k.

Former GOP Rep. Phil Krinkie is picked to head the Taxpayers League.

The Mesabi Daily News writes about a bill that would give benefits to veterans.

Secretary of State Mark Ritchie proposes easier voter registration.

Congress
McClatchy and the New York Times have stories on the Iraq troop surge. They report that a group of senators want a vote on the troop surge (GOP Senator Norm Coleman is one of them).

Coleman and DFL Senator Amy Klobuchar have concerns about the farm bill. AP and the Star Tribune have stories.

Politico quotes GOP Congresswoman Michele Bachmann complaining about the five day work week in Congress. Well, she complains that they aren't doing anything to merit being there for five days.

The Washington Post's Dana Milbank confirms that Congress doesn't seem to be doing much (the renaming of the Duluth courthouse is mentioned).

The Washington Post also has a story saying railroad firms are bringing on family members of staffers in Congress. It mentions that the majority staff director for the House Transportation Committee (DFL Congressman Jim Oberstar is the chair of that committee) has a father and brother who are now representing the choo-choos.

2008
AP and the Star Tribune say Mike Ciresi will announce next week if he will run for the U.S. Senate.

Blog Watch

Minnesota Monitor says the State Department interviews DFL Congressman Keith Ellison for good pub.

Arizona Senator John McCain starts to court conservative bloggers.

You disagree with my health care policy? Let's settle it at the lanes!

Posted at 12:15 PM on February 8, 2007 by Tom Scheck

Some breaking news developed on the floor of the Minnesota Senate today. Governor Pawlenty and the four caucus leaders are going bowling this afternoon.

And like any good Senate debate, the rhetoric got hot.

Here's GOP Senate Minority Leader Dave Senjem's trash talk to DFL Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller:

"We're pretty good. We have been practicing. I can tell you that. The balls are polished and the shoes are ready and we look forward to this match. I'm not sure what the wager is going to be and we shouldn't wager on the Senate floor but I suspect as this thing unfolds, there will be some contests. 23 members taking on 44 -- today we're going to do it. Today we're going to be the majority so you just need to know that Mr. Majority Leader."

Oh no he didn't!

Here's Pogey's response:

"Well Senate Senjem, the team that's been put together is myself, Senator Clark, Senator Seiben, Saltzman, Metzen, Larsen and Sparks, I believe that on that team we have two that actually own a ball and shoes. And we have four or five who haven't done this for 25 years."

Take that sucka!

Pogey then said that the governor asked for the legislative caucuses to put together a few teams.

"I don't believe this is a media event. It's really meant to be an opportunity for some bonding socially."

It's a media event now.

UPDATE: Tim Pugmire came back from the event. The governor told him that he organized it because "Those who bowl together legislate well together." He also added that "It's hard to be jerks to each other if you hang out a little bit."

The photo shows Pawlenty with Rep. Denny McNamara, R-Hastings, Sen. Katie Sieben, DFL-Newport, and DFL House Speaker Margaret Kelliher. Looks like they're having a good time!

Republican state senator Dick Day says he's running for Congress in Minnesota's 1st District

Posted at 3:03 PM on February 8, 2007 by Tom Scheck

Day says he filed the necessary paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission. Day was just elected to the Minnesota Senate from Owatonna for the sixth time. He was first elected in 1990. Day was the Senate Minority Leader for eight years but withdrew his name from consideration after his party lost seats in the past election. He says he wants to get into a race that is 21 months away because he has to raise money. Day estimates he needs about $1.5 million dollars to defeat first term DFL Congressman Tim Walz.

"I don't have a lot of hobbies. I'm not a golf player. I get up early in the morning. I like politics so I figured, hey, let's take a shot at it."

Day says he's not sure if he will quit the race if he loses the Republican endorsement. He also didn't offer specifics on policy issues. He says he'll release those ideas as the campaign goes on.

"I think I have to spend a year having people get to know me around the district. A year from now we'll probably get into the heavy issues that are out there. They'll either be some of the same issues or some of the issues will be brand new. I think I need to get myself out around so people get to know who I am."

Day says one of his qualities is that he's been a lifelong resident of the district.

Update: Audio of Day's comments is posted here.

He also gave me some campaign lit that had a Web site listed but I'm not linking to it because it hasn't been activated yet.

Mark Meyer, a Lake Crystal-Wellcome School Board member has also formed an exploratory committee to run as a Republican.