Polinaut: September 25, 2007 Archive

Dispatches from 'cuckoo land'

Posted at 7:18 AM on September 25, 2007 by Bob Collins (3 Comments)

David Brooks, the Republican columnist of the New York Times, pens a particularly strident -- and to a degree, compelling -- dispatch today with more lessons for Democrats on how to win the White House. Building on a theme long held in the dusty and graying (not to mention, empty) newsrooms of mainstream media everywhere, Brooks advises ignoring the bloggers and netizens.

The fact is, many Democratic politicians privately detest the netroots' self-righteousness and bullying. They also know their party has a historic opportunity to pick up disaffected Republicans and moderates, so long as they don't blow it by drifting into cuckoo land. They also know that a Democratic president is going to face challenges from Iran and elsewhere that are going to require hard-line , hawkish responses.

... Both liberals and Republicans have an interest in exaggerating the netroots' influence, but in reality that influence is surprisingly marginal, even among candidates for whom you'd think it would be strong.

Ouch.

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The Daily Digest: 9-25-07

Posted at 8:35 AM on September 25, 2007 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

The Digest leads with the I-35W bridge and the political staredown between Gov. Pawlenty and DFL legislative leaders. Gov. Pawlenty (who didn't call a special session for transportation) now wants spending authority for the I-35W bridge. If he doesn't get it, other projects get shelved. Democrats have to decide whether they want to call his bluff or give him the spending authority. The Star Tribune, AP, the Pi Press and MPR have stories.

A Spanish architect took his concerns to Gov. Pawlenty about the process used to select the bridge.

State Government

Pawlenty starts talking about next year's policy proposals at several news conferences today..

The news release says Pawlenty is proposing a "comprehensive new program to stimulate rural economic development. The initiative - Strategic Entrepreneurial Economic Development (SEED) - is designed to help strengthen communities and expand the small business base throughout Minnesota."

DFL Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller tells the Stillwater Rotary that a tax hike is coming whether Pawlenty likes it or not.

Congress

GOP Sen. Norm Coleman criticizes Columbia University's president for inviting the Iranian President to speak.

He also wants to talk about U.S. Attorney Rachel Paulose with the President Bush's nominee for Attorney General.

Minneapolis gets money for a rail hub. DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar is mentioned.

Politico says GOP SCHIP tactics leave an opening for Democrats. Klobuchar is mentioned.

DFL Rep. Keith Ellison is mentioned in this Star Tribune story on debit card charges.

DFL Rep. Collin Peterson visits Tennessee to get a look at the drought impact.

He also discounts any near term progress on the Doha Global Trade talks.

Prosecutor: Larry Craig is politicking with his appeal and I also told him to get a lawyer. AP and the Star Tribune have stories. Craig has a Wednesday hearing scheduled.

2008

GOP Sen. Norm Coleman takes Al Franken to task for a MoveOn.org. ad. Coleman's action means he now has to answer questions about his DFL opponents. The press corps will no longer stand for "I'm focusing on my duties in Congress."

The DSCC is shopping this MSNBC exchange that says Coleman and other vulnerable GOP Senators are turning down daily requests to appear on cable shows. They say the reason is Iraq.

Republican governors want to wrestle control of the "talking points" of the 2008 election from the GOP in Washington. Gov. Pawlenty is mentioned.

3 candidates are now out for the race for GOP Rep. Jim Ramstad's seat. Hmmm. Maybe it's time for someone to step up and say "I'm running and this is what I stand for..."

It may not matter who runs on the GOP side if they don't have money and help from the national folks. Politico says the NRCC lacks the cash to compete in competitive districts.

If 9/11 had never happened...

Posted at 12:59 PM on September 25, 2007 by Bob Collins

... what would Rudy Giuliani be talking about in his campaign?

(See also: Daily Show video. Select "Have Gun Will Grovel")

The winds of change?

Posted at 2:01 PM on September 25, 2007 by Bob Collins

Brian Lambert suggests in his column today that the editorial department at the Star Tribune is about to undergo some changes that, he figures, makes it more likely to resonate a corporate point of view. What's that got to do with politics? It follows an earlier assertion that the corporate parent of the Star Tribune urged the editorial staff to go easy on the calls for a gas tax increase.

Minnesota's Senate race heats up

Posted at 4:59 PM on September 25, 2007 by Tom Scheck

There's polls, interviews and ads. Let's start with the latest Survey USA poll that says 46% of those polled approve of the job GOP Sen. Norm Coleman is doing. 45% disapprove and 9% are undecided.

The poll comes out on the same day that Coleman goes after Al Franken for refusing to denounce a MoveOn.org ad criticizing Army General David Petreaus. Here's the MPR story with fresh comments from Coleman and Franken.

Franken also sat down with Matthew Cooper with Conde Nast Porfolio. Yes, it's that Matt Cooper.

You can listen to the entire interview here. He talks about Coleman's ad, his stance regarding the war in Iraq and his support for nuclear energy (among other things).