Polinaut: May 2, 2007 Archive

Reaction to war funding bill veto

Posted at 7:13 AM on May 2, 2007 by Mike Mulcahy (1 Comments)

MPR has been trying for several days to interview Sen. Norm Coleman about the latest developments in the debate over the war in Iraq. For several days Coleman has declined. His office put out this statement after the president vetoed the $124 billion war spending bill Tuesday:

With today’s veto of the supplemental funding bill, we will have another opportunity to send a bill to the President’s desk that will provide our troops with the funding they desperately need. While I agree we need to continue pressuring the Iraqi government to take over more responsibility of Iraq’s security, I am opposed to arbitrary deadlines for surrender. I sincerely hope that my colleagues will stop playing politics with our troops’ resources and work together to pass a bill that does not condition critical funding for our forces on a timeline for withdrawal.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar talked to MPR this morning. Among other things she said this about the president:

We will see what he has to say, but I truly believe the ball is in his court now. We have pushed and we will continue to push. We’ve had 58 oversight hearings in the first 100 days, and I personally asked him to bring the Minnesota National Guard and Reserve home when they’re supposed to get home. They were supposed to get home in January, now it’s August—these troops are doing everything they’re supposed to do for us. They deposed an evil dictator and they have guaranteed free elections in Iraq and now it’s time in a thoughtful way to and a careful way to start bringing them home.

Comment on this post

Questions? Ask my aide

Posted at 8:47 AM on May 2, 2007 by Mike Mulcahy

The Pioneer Press has a story today about Matt Entenza taking an interest in the St. Paul school board seat vacated by Al Oertwig. I was struck by this:

Former House Minority Leader Matt Entenza's name has been mentioned in connection with the position. His aide confirmed Tuesday Entenza's thinking about it.

"Matt plans to have conversations with school officials but has yet to decide if he will apply for the position," Glen Fladeboe said.

I don't remember Matt Entenza ever having a problem talking to the press. Why does he have Glen do his talking now? The last I heard Entenza was forming a think tank. Maybe he was too busy thinking to talk to a reporter. If you have any questions or comments about this post, I'll have my aide get back to you.

The Daily Digest:5-2-07

Posted at 10:17 AM on May 2, 2007 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: Daily Digest

The legislative press corps looked at each other at 6 pm on Tuesday night and proclaimed "Wha Happened?" It was one of those days that the news kept on coming. So let's start with the basics. There are 19 days left in the session. Governor Pawlenty has signed 27 bills into law and has vetoed two. He vetoed the entire bonding bill on Tuesday. AP, the Star Tribune, the Pi Press, KARE 11, Forum Communications and the Rochester Post Bulletin have stories.

Gov. Pawlenty will be on Almanac At the Capitol this evening. He was on MPR's Midmorning show on Tuesday.

The House and Senate passed the Ag and Vets budget bill and it may be signed into law.

The Minnesota Senate passed a bill allowing doctors to prescribe marijuana to sick patients. MPR, the strib, the pi press, AP, ECM and Forum Communications have stories.

Mike Hatch quits. MPR, the Star Tribune, the Pi Press, AP and Forum Communications have stories.

Hatch and his boss, Attorney General Lori Swanson did not answer questions. Swanson released a two sentence statement praising Hatch. Here's the text from Hatch's resignation letter.

The Star Tribune details someof the highlights of Mike Hatch's career.

Some legislators discuss JOBZ's usefulness.

Pawlenty to speak in Nisswa on Memorial Day.

Congress

GOP Sen. Norm Coleman and DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar are split on the Iraq war vote.

The Rush Line Corridor gets some good news in Washington.

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle testifies on farm bill. Klobuchar is mentioned.

Coleman wants to withhold payments for doctors who don't pay their taxes.

Tainted feed may have been used at farms that feed people. DFL Rep. Collin Peterson is mentioned.

Corn demand puts the squeeze on CRP. DFL Rep. Collin Peterson is mentioned.

2008

Al Franken and Mike Ciresi are on the hunt for DFL delegates.

Ciresi is also entangled (as an attorney) in the Carlson family dispute.

The NRSC is having trouble raising money. Coleman isn't mentioned in the story but he reads it with great interest.

Other

Former House Minority Leader Matt Entenza is interested in the St. Paul school board slot.

Blog Watch

Powerline has a GOP Presidential Candidate forum created on their page.

MN Campaign Report wants to know how many times Pawlenty uses his veto pen.

Comment on this post

Pawlenty on Almanac At the Capitol tonight

Posted at 4:46 PM on May 2, 2007 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

Gov. Pawlenty will be on TPT's Almanac at the Capitol tonight. One blogger on TPT's Brain Trust blog says the public may like Pawlenty more if he uses that veto pen a lot this session. What do you think? Does it show leadership? Obstruction? Common Sense? Partisanship?

Comment on this post