Polinaut: December 6, 2007 Archive

The Daily Digest: 12-6-07

Posted at 10:04 AM on December 6, 2007 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

Two people may get life sentences for committing sex crimes. First time ever in Minnesota. AP has the story.

A fired emergency manager wants her job back. MPR, the Star Tribune, the Pi Press, Forum Communications and AP have stories.

A Climate Change group votes on recommendations. MPR and the Star Tribune have stories.

Republicans in the Minnesota Senate held a news conference this morning saying they want the state to pull out of the federal No Child Left Behind program and want the feds to return Minnesota's education dollars back in the form of a block grant. Gov. Pawlenty says he doesn't support the idea.

The State Capitals for a Day are named. The Star Tribune, the Pi Press and Forum Communications have stories.

Maybe kids should play with sticks and stones. A group says toys contain other dangerous materials. Not just lead.

The Minnesota Investment Board will seek answers on dangerous toys. AP and the Pi Press have stories.

The mortgage meltdown won't directly cost the state's pension funds.

Congress

A Senate panel approves the global warming bill. GOP Sen. Norm Coleman backs the measure.

Coleman's press secretary comments on the Farm Bill in the Minnesota Daily.

GOP Rep. John Kline's son will return to Afghanistan.

DFL Rep. Collin Peterson is one of several who is calling for a strong renewable energy standard in the energy bill.

The newser comes on the eve of a big energy vote.

A high risk of runway collisions is plaguing the U.S. DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is mentioned. AP, the Washington Post and Reuters have stories.

The U.S. pilot retirement age is being discussed again. Oberstar is mentioned.

Other

Norway names former V.P. Walter Mondale its honorary consul general. The Star Tribune and the Pi Press have stories.

The Pi Press says St. Paul Police Chief John Harrington is the target of two complaints and a lawsuit.

2006

Those who live in glasses houses... Minneapolis City Council member (and former congressional candidate) Paul Ostrow didn't file his campaign finances info on time. Ostrow criticized DFL Rep. Keith Ellison for failing to file the necessary information during the 2006 campaign. The Pi Press has the story.

2008

Republicans in Senate District 25 endorsed former Rep. Ray Cox for the January 3rd Special election. DFLers endorsed Kevin Dahle, a Northfield teacher.

The Rochester Post-Bulletin says a DFL win in the district makes the Senate veto proof.

DFL U.S. Senate candidate Jim Cohen appeared on MPR's Midday yesterday.

Calling all smart people!

Posted at 10:40 AM on December 6, 2007 by Tom Scheck (3 Comments)

I knew that would get your attention. I'm gathering a list of the top political quotes and top political stories of the year. But I need your help! Please post a comment on what tops your list. If it's a quote, please include the source. It can come from anyone as long as it relates to Minnesota politics. The same for the top political stories.

You can also send me an e-mail (if you're really shy) at tscheck@mpr.org ...

I'm interested to see what people come up with. We'll post the finalists at the end of the year.

Comment on this post

What do you get when a used car dealer, a broadcaster, an heir to a massive baking company and a well known businessman walk into a bar?

Posted at 1:15 PM on December 6, 2007 by Tom Scheck

Rudy Giuliani's fundraising team in Minnesota.

The former NYC Mayor released his Minnesota leadership team today. There are some heavy hitting fundraisers on this list. Here's the info:

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Announces Minnesota Leadership

New York City - The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced its Minnesota campaign leadership on the state and local levels. Leading the Minnesota team as State Chairman is U.S. Senator Norm Coleman.

"As a former mayor myself, I admire Mayor Giuliani's achievements in reducing crime, cutting taxes and turning a deficit into a surplus in New York City," said Senator Coleman. "Rudy is a true leader, and I am proud to have a strong team of supporters rallying behind him all across Minnesota."

Rudy's Minnesota State Leadership Team:
Rob Hewitt, Minnesota Grassroots Chair
Arlan Stangeland, Former U.S. Representative
Ian Alexander, Minnesota Surrogate Chair
Carol Liege, Minnesota Women for Rudy Co-Chair
Jean Simon, Minnesota Women for Rudy Co-Chair
Teresa Hewitt, Minnesota Catholics for Rudy Chair
Sheriff Rich Stanek, Minnesota Law Enforcement for Rudy Chair*

Minnesota State Fundraising Team:
Wheelock Whitney, Minnesota Finance Chair
Bonnie Spear McGrath, Fundraiser
Dennis E. Hecker, Fundraiser
George W. Pillsbury, Fundraiser
Sally W. Pillsbury, Fundraiser
Lesley Schlegel, Fundraiser
Stanley S. Hubbard, Fundraiser
Timothy P. Owens, Fundraiser

(note - I cut off the county, city and town chairs from the news release b/c I didn't want this post to go on forever).

A possible presidential hopeful in town on Monday

Posted at 5:29 PM on December 6, 2007 by Tom Scheck

Cynthia McKinney, a former Democratic Congresswoman from Georgia, will be in Minneapolis on Monday to garner support for a possible campaign for President. McKinney left the Democratic Party after she lost in a primary to a fellow Democrat in 2006. She then moved to California and started raising money to drum up support for a possible presidential run with the Green Party. For those who don't know, McKinney is the Congresswoman who got in a tussle with a Capitol Police officer. Here's the info of McKinney's event in Minneapolis:

Presidential Candidate Cynthia McKinney Visits Minnesota

For Immediate Release

A press conference will be held to introduce Cynthia McKinney to Minnesotans as a Presidential Candidate seeking Green Party endorsement.

The press conference will be at 10:30AM Monday December 10th at Midway Exchange Building in the Greenway Level Conference Room.

As a former Democratic congresswoman from Georgia, Cynthia McKinney is known for her integrity on many issues including exposing the systematic disenfranchisement of African American voters in the 2000 and 2004 elections. McKinney, who withdrew her membership from Democratic Party in March 2007, is now a member of the Green Party.

Cynthia McKinney is hoping to rally support for her candidacy and has got a new website up -- www. runcynthiarun.org -- which seeks campaign contributions "so we can get on with the business of getting Cynthia on fifty-one ballots and reaching out to the voters of this nation who are ready for a Green alternative to the wars being waged both at home and abroad by the War Parties and their candidates."

The Green Party has minor party status, where many endorsed candidates have elected positions throughout the state of Minnesota. In Minneapolis, there are currently one City Council member and one Park Board member that are Green Party endorsed elected officials.

Many individuals from all political spectrums are excited of Cynthia McKinney's candidacy and are looking forward to supporting her in this upcoming election year. McKinney will be here to have several campaign fund raising events in Minneapolis on December 9th and 10th.

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