Polinaut: August 27, 2007 Archive

Thompson scheduled to be at the fair

Posted at 6:33 AM on August 27, 2007 by Mike Mulcahy

The man who just can't seem to make up his mind about running for president will be at the Minnesota State Fair Monday.

Former senator and actor Fred Thompson is due to make an appearance at the GOP booth at 11:45. It's just a guess, but I'm thinking he may also eat something on a stick. However, it's highly unlikely he'll announce today that he's actually running.

The Daily Digest: 8-27-07

Posted at 8:50 AM on August 27, 2007 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

Gov. Pawlenty said on Saturday that a special session is nearly certain.

MPR has a story saying quick action by politicians doesn't guarantee a quick check in the mail.

The Star Tribune says a path to a special session could be a tricky one.

Forum Communications says a transportation tax is likely if a special session is called.

The Star Tribune says Gov. Pawlenty and other politicians have to walk a dangerous line when it comes to disasters.

The Rochester Post Bulletin has numbers from the flooding. Gov. Pawlenty is mentioned.

Pawlenty also wants insurance companies to disclose flood insurance policies.

State ag groups want to hear about the impact of severe weather.

Pawlenty and DFL Rep. Collin Peterson say thanks to some Minnesota National Guard troops.

The NY Times writes a story on allowing 16 year olds to vote. DFL Rep. Phyillis Kahn is mentioned.

A Blue Stem Prairie says MPCA officials are searching an ethanol plant for possible pollution problems. The story was first reported in the Faribault County Register.

Congress

Congress has stalled on flood insurance.

GOP Sen. Norm Coleman will be in St. Cloud on Tuesday morning.

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar talks with KSTP.

Klobuchar's push for a regional primary is being discussed as states jockey to be one of the first.

The ranchers and the meatpacking industry are going at it over the consolidation of the meat industry. DFL Rep. Collin Peterson is mentioned.

Peterson is also mentioned in a story dissecting the dispute over sugar costs and in a story saying southern farms are facing funding cuts.

The Star Tribune has a q and a with DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar.

2008

Former Senator and possible Presidential candidate Fred Thompson will be at the MN State Fair today. GOP House Minority Leader Marty Seifert will join him. The Marshall Independent has a story. This blog also mentions the visit.

Some of the DFL candidates for U.S. Senate hold a casual debate on TPT's Almanac. The Star Tribune and Forum Communications have stories. You can watch the debate here.

Some Silicon Valley tech companies are giving to Coleman despite the fact that more tech cash is headed to Democrats.

Robert Novak says Minnesota won't be seeing President Bush anymore this election cycle.

Other

WCCO interviews people at the State Fair on politics.

Finally

Some school districts are taking action against perfume.

Select A Candidate update

Posted at 4:33 PM on August 27, 2007 by Bob Collins

With it being obvious that Fred Thompson is getting into the race for president, he's now been added to the Select A Candidate series. As with just about every other candidate, I couldn't find any substantive position on ethanol/biofuels. It's an issue that simply isn't a campaign issue for most candidates, I guess. Although, most candidates -- and most writers -- don't seem to be all that interested in issues anyway. But if you happen to see a citation from Fred on the subject, kindly send it along.

I'll probably reset all the current results to "zero" in the next day or so.

I'm planning on adding a few more issues. The "mortgage crisis" will make an appearance in one form or another soon. And I still lack an "education" question. I'm trying to avoid the "vouchers," question in favor of something a little more, here's the word again, substantive.

And we're still hoping to have an SAC for the U.S. Senate race soon.

Fred at the Fair

Posted at 5:11 PM on August 27, 2007 by Tom Scheck

Former Republican Senator (and TV actor) Fred Thompson made an appearance at the Minnesota State Fair today. He sat down with hosts from two commercial radio stations, ate a foot long hotdog and talked with supporters. He also held a media availability with the press corps -- you can listen here. Thompson will attend a fundraiser in Eden Prairie tonight.

Thompson was telling supporters that he'll make his official announcement in a few weeks. He's been doing a little hokey pokey dance about getting into the race. One liberal blogger filed a complaint after questions came up that Thompson was no longer "testing the waters" but was acting like an official candidate.

We were joking around the newsroom about our favorite Fred Thompson the actor quote.

One that is recited every week on Law and Order is "If you think you have enough to charge him then charge him. If you don't, don't."

There is also "This will cost me a lot of votes" during the Law and Order discussing an extra-marital affair had by a Connecticut Governor.

There's also my favorite from "The Hunt for Red October" where Thompson says "This business will get out of control. It will get out of control and we'll be lucky to live through it."

NPR actually takes a look at statements from "Law and Order" Fred vs. Fred Thompson the candidate.

Do you have a favorite quote?

There's politickin' at the Fair and then there's POLITICKIN' at the Fair

Posted at 6:19 PM on August 27, 2007 by Tom Scheck (4 Comments)

As you know, politicians love the Minnesota State Fair. Former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-TN) was making the rounds with GOP House Minority Leader Marty Seifert today (see above). Thompson was working the rounds, getting some coverage and shaking hands.

Here's where the politickin' got interesting.

I was recording Seifert and Thompson with my shotgun mic as they walked from the Hotdog vendor to the WCCO Radio booth. Seifert told Thompson that he'll put his political machine behind a Thompson candidacy. No surprise there. Seifert then asked Thompson if he had any questions about Minnesota. Thompson said no but mentioned that Gov. Pawlenty was backing Arizona Senator John McCain (Pawlenty is co-chair to McCain's presidential committee).

Seifert then told Thompson "I'm going to try to work on him (Pawlenty) for you. I'm the next one down on the state level so I'm happy to put my machinery behind you. McCain isn't doing real well. Romney has been courting him (Pawlenty) so I'm trying to keep him at bay."

That's former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. So even though Pawlenty has not distanced himself from McCain (who has not caught on with conservatives), it appears that the national candidates are lobbying Pawlenty to back another horse once McCain is out. The Romney news shouldn't come as too big of a surprise. Former MN Rep. Vin Weber is on Romney's campaign. Politico also quoted Pawlenty saying some kind words about Romney.

I asked Seifert later about his comments. He said "I'd Like him (Thompson) to be a second choice for Governor Pawlenty. We know how things go. If Senator McCain makes it through then God bless him. If he ends up falling by the wayside then I'd like Governor Pawlenty to consider him."

Comment on this post