Capitol View: April 30, 2008 Archive

Midday discusses legislative issues

Posted at 9:31 AM on April 30, 2008 by Tom Scheck

DFL House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher and DFL Sen. Tarryl Clark will be on MPR's Midday at 11 AM. For the record, Gov. Pawlenty has been repeatedly asked to appear on the show.

Blue Dog's back Tinklenberg

Posted at 11:32 AM on April 30, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Here's the release:

Centrist Blue Dog Coalition Endorses El Tinklenberg

Tinklenberg will bring commonsense, fiscal responsibility to government

Blaine,MN - Today El Tinklenberg, Democratic candidate for Congress in Minnesota's 6th District, announced that he has received the endorsement of the centrist Blue Dog Coalition, a group of conservative Democrats in the House of Representatives who advocate responsible fiscal policies and commonsense government.

Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN), a long-standing member of the Blue Dog Democrats, said support for Tinklenberg is important because "the Sixth Congressional District needs a responsible and reasonable voice in Washington, and El has the professional background and focus on important issues like the economy, health care and education--issues the people of the Sixth District care most about."

Tinklenberg, a former United Methodist minister and Mayor of Blaine in the central part of the district, pointed to Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar's race in 2006 when she captured over 53% of the vote over Mark Kennedy, who was the current Republican Congressman from Minnesota's Sixth District. "Senator Klobuchar proved that a moderate can win over an extreme agenda in this district and that's exactly what we intend to do," Tinklenberg said.

"El Tinklenberg's background in business and public service, combined with his dedication to the economic stability and national security of the United States, make him a perfect fit for the Blue Dogs, and we are proud to give him our endorsement today," said Rep. Mike Ross (AR-04), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications. "We look forward to working alongside Elwyn next year as he fights to advance commonsense policies in Congress as Minnesota's 6th District Congressman."

The fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition was formed in 1995 with the goal of representing the center of the House of Representatives and appealing to the mainstream values of the American public. The Blue Dogs are dedicated to a core set of beliefs that transcend partisan politics, including a deep commitment to the financial stability and national security of the United States.

# # #

No Pinocchios!

Posted at 3:20 PM on April 30, 2008 by Tom Scheck

DFL Rep. Alice Hausman of St. Paul has been wearing a button that has a picture of Pinocchio with a circle and a red line through it.

Hausman said she was wearing the button with the hopes that everyone negotiates in good faith over the final weeks of the session. She wouldn't say when asked if the button was directed at the University of Minnesota and Governor Pawlenty.

The U of M has been raising some hackles in recent weeks because of its shifting stance on the Central Corridor Light Rail Line. Governor Pawlenty vetoed funding for Central Corridor in the bonding bill but included the proposal in his latest budget offer.

Robert Novak: Romney in the lead for VP

Posted at 5:06 PM on April 30, 2008 by Tom Scheck (2 Comments)

Here's what he wrote:

Will McCain name a vice presidential candidate in mid-July to step up fund-raising before the national convention, or will he wait until Democrats make their choice in late August? A rumor running through the political community now puts former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in the lead for VP. But Romney has many critics in the McCain inner circle, and we don't think the decision has been made.

Meanwhile, the Washington Post's McCain reporter said in this discussion that Pawlenty and Romney are mentioned as possible VP choices.

Comment on this post

Molnau sighting!

Posted at 5:28 PM on April 30, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau will make a public appearance on Thursday at the National Day of Prayer:

12:00 p.m. - Saint Paul

Governor Pawlenty and Lieutenant Governor Molnau speak at the 57th Annual National Day of Prayer celebration.

The National Day of Prayer was established by an act of Congress as a day to encourage Americans to pray for our nation, leaders, education systems, and places of worship.

Capitol Steps
State Capitol Building
Saint Paul

The Lt. Governor has not made too many appearance since the Senate removed her from her post as Transportation Commissioner. The Political Animal wrote about her lack of public appearances a few weeks ago.