Polinaut: July 31, 2008 Archive

Godfather of no?

Posted at 8:21 AM on July 31, 2008 by Tom Scheck

The New York Sun has an interesting story on how the parties are gearing up to rip the VP picks for John McCain and Barack Obama. Here's the dossier on Pawlenty:

The perception battle would take hold in earnest if Mr. McCain choose one of several lesser-known senators and governors reportedly under serious consideration. Governor Pawlenty of Minnesota, a 47-year-old in his second term, could help Mr. McCain carry the Gopher State, which has voted blue in recent elections. Democrats are likely to argue that the selection of Mr. Pawlenty, an ally of the Christian right, indicates that Mr. McCain is worried about his standing with conservatives. Democrats may also point to Mr. Pawlenty's frequent vetoes of bills passed by the state legislature, which caused the Minnesota Star-Tribune to label him the "Godfather of No" in a headline. The governor has also attracted the ire of fiscal conservatives, who accuse him of reneging on a pledge not to raise taxes. Mr. Pawlenty and his supporters say taxes were not raised, merely fees -- an argument that mirrors one made by Mr. Romney against criticism by Mr. McCain and others to defend his efforts to close a budget gap in Massachusetts.

The Daily Digest: 7-31-08

Posted at 8:51 AM on July 31, 2008 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: Daily Digest

The 35W bridge collapse leads the digest today.

AP says two out of three problem bridges in each state have received no work except for maintenance. The analysis comes one year after the bridge collapse.

Sonia Pitt, the emergency manager who was fired from MnDOT for not promptly returning to Minnesota after the bridge collapse, is now working for the TSA.

Here's a rundown of Friday's memorial events.

2008 Race for Senate

GOP Sen. Norm Coleman gives back cash that was contributed by Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens. MPR, AP and the Pi Press have stories.

Democrat Al Franken calls for Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices. MPR, the Pi Press and the Star Tribune have stories.

WCCO Reality Checks Coleman's bowling buddies ad.

MinnPost asks whether voters really care about Franken's jokes and Coleman's digs.

Coleman's wife, Laurie, makes The Hill's 50 most beautiful people list.

2008 Race for Congress

The Pi Press and AP have stories on the energy debate going on in Minnesota's 6th Congressional District.

It comes on the day when DFLer Elwyn Tinklenberg took an energy tour.

DFL Rep. Tim Walz releases an energy plan with a bipartisan group. It calls for limited drilling but not in ANWR. The Rochester Post-Bulletin and the Mankato Free Press have stories.

The Independence Party backs DFLer Steve Sarvi in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District.

2008 Race for President

Republican John McCain hits Democrat Barack Obama's celebrity status in a new ad.

Obama hits back with an ad called "low road."

He said the GOP is trying to scare voters.

Both candidates will be in the Upper Midwest today. McCain is in Wisconsin today. Obama is in Iowa.

The Washington Post says McCain has trouble staying on message.

Ron Paul could cause McCain some problems in the West.

Pawlenty for VP Watch

The Fix says the potential VP list may be getting larger.

Gov. Pawlenty delivered his Sam's Club remarks in Chicago on Wednesday. He's in Washington DC today for an education event.

Rivals are ready to attack the VP picks. Pawlenty will be "The godfather of no."

ABC looks at McCain's options. Pawlenty is mentioned as a potential "change agent."

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney said "I don't expect to be a part of it" when asked about the VP job.

State Government

New laws take effect tomorrow.

Congress

The MAC Chair says it's in Delta's best interest to inform the NAC and the state of Minnesota about their post merger plans.

The House passes a bill that would ban lead and other chemicals in toys.

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar's work to save research money on a deadly wheat fungus is mentioned in USA Today.

Politico says Congress will leave without a fuel price fix. DFL Rep. Collin Peterson is mentioned.

Peterson's bill to reign in oil speculators failed after Republicans complained it didn't include measures for offshore drilling.

2008 RNC

The Pi Press takes a look at who's coming to the big bash.

The feds give St. Paul $50 million for security.

St. Paul works to showcase the city.

St. Paul will provide the soapbox for protesters.

Some protesters are walking from Chicago to St. Paul.

Bars are slow to sign up for the 4AM bar time.

2008 DNC

New York Senator Hillary Clinton will speak on the Tuesday of the convention.

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McCain mum on Favre

Posted at 12:37 PM on July 31, 2008 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

RACINE, Wis. (AP) - He'll talk about the Iraq war, gas prices and fighting terrorism.

But don't look to Republican presidential candidate John McCain to weigh in on the Brett Favre saga.

The first question at McCain's town hall meeting Thursday in Racine focused on Favre, who wants to come out of retirement but may not play for the beloved Green Bay Packers.
The questioner said McCain would carry Wisconsin in the election if he could resolve the Favre controversy.

McCain laughed, saying there are a lot of controversies he has eagerly leapt into in his lifetime.

But he says, "I'm not so dumb that I'm going to jump into that one."

McCain went on to say that no matter what happens, everyone agrees that Favre has provided America and the state of Wisconsin with some of its greatest memories.

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Jesse hitting Ron Paul's rally

Posted at 3:05 PM on July 31, 2008 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

Ron Paul's Campaign for Liberty announced that former Gov. Jesse Ventura will attend Paul's Rally for the Republic. The event, which will be held at the Target Center, coincides as the Republican National Convention goes on in St. Paul. Here's what Paul said about Ventura during his video pitch to supporters:

"He's not a Republican and he's not a Democrat. He's independent minded. He also wrote a book recently with the title 'Don't start the revolution without me' and that's Jesse Ventura. He's going to be a good draw because he's been governor of Minnesota. He's anxious to come because he supports our views and he's against this war and he's for civil liberties. So that is going to help us..."

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Portman not being vetted

Posted at 3:26 PM on July 31, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Former White House Budget director Rob Portman (who was also an Ohio Congressman) just said on CNN that John McCain's campaign has not asked him to turn over any documents (which means he's not being vetted as a possible running mate).

Meanwhile, former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge is slated to raise money for McCain tonight in Washington D.C.

Update: CNN's Leslie Sanchez writes that McCain should keep his VP choice close to his vest.

Schwarzenegger on Pawlenty's show

Posted at 4:17 PM on July 31, 2008 by Tom Scheck (2 Comments)

Gov. Pawlenty's office just announced that California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will be a call-in guest on the governor's weekly radio show.

What was your favorite Arnold movie? Commando? Kindergarten Cop? Twins? Jingle All the Way? My favorite was Conan the Barbarian because it included Wilt the Stilt.

Update: I wonder if Pawlenty will ask about the 22,000 job cuts in California.

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