Capitol View: January 4, 2008 Archive

The Daily Digest: 1-4-08

Posted at 9:06 AM on January 4, 2008 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2008: MN Legislature, Campaign 2008: President, Daily Digest

Which is more shocking: A convincing Mike Huckabee win in Iowa, a convincing Barack Obama win in Iowa or a convincing win by DFLer Kevin Dahle in Senate District 25?

The Digest is still in Iowa where the amount of oxygen increased significantly now that the press corps is headed to New Hampshire. Here's an interesting tidbit - someone on the radio said that the Des Moines airport expects several thousand rental cars to be returned today. Just ship them on up to St. Paul for the RNC Convention but make sure you clean the fast food stains off the upholstery.

Was it good for you, Iowa?

The Iowa caucuses are now over. Obama and Huckabee now get the bounce as they head to New Hampshire for Tuesday's primary. Some are calling the victories "an earthquake in the Midwest." Which one of these fine gentlemen came up with earthquake term first - Brooks or Broder?

MPR wonders whether Iowa will effect Minnesota voters. Gov. Pawlenty tells KIMT that it will. Pawlenty was in Mason City last night speaking on behalf of Arizona Senator John at a caucus.

I'm told that was Pawlenty's last campaign related activity between now and Tuesday's New Hampshire primary.

The Obama organizers in Minnesota and the co-chairs for Mitt Romney's Minnesota steering committee will be talking this afternoon about their preparations for the February 5th Caucuses.

Moving on to other earthquakes (or mild tremors)

DFLer Kevin Dahle also won convincingly over former GOP Rep. Ray Cox in Senate District 25. The Senate (controlled by DFLers) is now veto proof. Don't get all crazy about overrides, DFLers. GOP House Minority Leader Marty Seifert has made it his mission to sustain vetoes.

Cox told the Star Tribune that DFL Rep. Tim Walz and DFL U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken helped turn out the vote on Dahle's behalf.

State government

Gov. Pawlenty and Will Steger hold a forum on climate change today in Ely.

The Star Tribune chases the Pi Press on the new Ventura book. Why all the hate in your heart, Gov. Ventura?:

"I won't put myself in front of them again. I will talk to any other media in America, but not the ones from Minnesota. When I go on tour for this book, it won't happen in my home state. I'm not going to put them in a position to make money off me anymore. When I give a quote, they're going to have to give credit to someone else that I said it to. It's the only way I can strike back at them."

MPR chases as well but says the CIA confirms that a meeting with former Gov. Jesse Ventura did occur.

The Pi Press has a story saying the smoking ban is harming a club.

The former director of state and local government affairs at Northwest Airlines will now be working on transportation issues for a lobbying firm. Transportation -- Hmm? Is that going to be a big issue at the Capitol this session? That's a joke for the more serious folks out there. If you can't tell, I'm sleep deprived and over caffeinated. Not a good sign for a long drive home.

Congress

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Magill has been chosen as the acting U.S. Attorney for the district of Minnesota. He replaces Rachel Paulose. MPR and the Star Tribune have stories.

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar opens an office on the Iron Range.

She's also working to replace the 148th jets in Duluth. GOP Sen. Norm Coleman is mentioned as well.

2008

Brian Davis, a Republican hoping to challenge DFL Rep. Tim Walz in Minnesota's 1st, reports raising $80 thousand.