Polinaut: August 21, 2007 Archive

The Real Liberal

Posted at 8:36 AM on August 21, 2007 by Bob Collins (3 Comments)

Tim Dickinson, writing in the latest Rolling Stone, takes a look at the campaign of John Edwards (The Real Liberal, 8/10).

The Mrs. got a lot of heat a few weeks ago, lamenting -- sort of -- that Edwards isn't black and isn't a woman. Dickinson makes the point that Democrats appear to be in the mood to "make history," and electing pretty boy liberals isn't making history, even if he is -- the article suggests -- more in line politically with the people who won't vote for him.

This isn't a new phenomenon, however. People base their vote on electability as much as they do on the positions of the candidates; perhaps more so.

Proof? Easy. Look at Select A Candidate over the years. Now, keep in mind, SAC doesn't tell you who you should vote for, it tells you who you're most closely aligned with politically.

Predictably, this year -- like 2004 -- Dennis Kucinich aligns more closely to those who've taken the "quiz" so far than anyone else. Likewise, for Republicans, Tommy Tancredo and Duncan Hunter are tops.

But few people are actually going to vote -- given the chance, of course -- for these folks. Why? Because we make concessions with our votes. We don't want to "waste" them, as the cliche goes.

So Democrats want someone with the liberal positions of Dennis Kucinich, they just don't want that person to be named Dennis Kucinich.

This phenomenon, it seems to me, is the underpinning of our dissatisfaction with politicians. We think the problem is with them. But the problem is with the voter the minute he/she/it concedes his/her/its own position in favor of electability.

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The Daily Digest: 8-21-07

Posted at 9:54 AM on August 21, 2007 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

President Bush will be in Minnesota today. Not to survey the flood damage in southeaster Minnesota or to tour the I-35W bridge collapse. He's here to raise money for GOP Senator Norm Coleman. Bush will be briefed on the two disasters. Here's a question for the White House: Does Coleman's campaign get a discount on the trip (security costs, etc.) since President Bush is getting a briefing on the disasters?

Bush's visit helps the Austin's become GOP movers and shakers.

One of Coleman's DFL opponents (Mike Ciresi) starts running ads criticizing him and President Bush.

The search ends for those missing from the I-35W bridge collapse. Governor Pawlenty will ask President Bush to declare the state a major disaster area.

Maybe Governor Pawlenty will talk to him about the president's decision on SCHIP.

Patience wears thin in southeastern Minnesota and Pawlenty hears about it at a town meeting.

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar tours the flooding.

DFL Rep. Tim Walz postpones his trip to Iraq to help with the flooding.

The special session list just got a little longer.

Congress

Reuters says U.S. lawmakers (like Norm Coleman) get no respite from the Iraq war debate.

The father of someone who died in the 9/11 attacks doesn't like the proposed memorial. GOP Rep. Jim Ramstad is mentioned.

An Israeli newspaper says Ellison leaves the country "unscathed." He also does an interview with the Jerusalem Post.

Americans United for Change starts running tv ads criticizing GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann.

Sugar growers could get a piece of the ethanol action. DFL Rep. Collin Peterson is mentioned.

2008

A Mayo doctor says he'll challenge Walz in Minnesota's 1st Congressional District.

Pawlenty's gas tax dance

Posted at 3:59 PM on August 21, 2007 by Tom Scheck (3 Comments)

In the days after the I-35W bridge collapse, Governor Pawlenty said he was willing to accept a gas tax increase. AP, the Star Tribune and the Pi Press had initial stories.

Pawlenty talked about the gas tax several times. When asked how difficult it was to take this new position said: "It wasn't difficult at all" during an August 6th news conference on the subject. He elaborated on it more during an August 7th news conference and said "It needs to be done for the good of the state." Listen here (check it at 32:30).

But now...

Pawlenty said earlier today that he wanted lawmakers to "consider some or all of it to be temporary or some or all of it offset by some tax cuts or relief for low or moderate income people."

In addition to the statement, Pawlenty's campaign manager sent out an e-mail blast this morning to supporters on the topic:

Also, you may have read that the Governor has put a possible gas tax increase on the table. What had not been reported until Saturday's St. Cloud Times is that the Governor has made it clear to legislative leaders that he would like to see this gas tax increase as only temporary and offset by an income tax cut.

Here's why it hadn't been reported: He never put any qualifications on the gas tax increase until now. At one point, Pawlenty said that he talked to the Senate Transportation Chair in June about a tax swap but said it didn't go anywhere. His spokesman even said those discussions cooled on the subject (check this AP story on August 7th).

So what changed between Pawlenty's statement on August 7th ("The gas tax has never been popular but we have needs that have to be addressed") and today? Did he get too far from his base? Is he poll watching?

Discuss....

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Mandernach quits

Posted at 6:24 PM on August 21, 2007 by Tom Scheck

Diane Mandernach, Minnesota's Commissioner of Health has resigned. MPR has the story.