Capitol View: August 8, 2008 Archive

Who's it going to be? Everybody knows nobody votes for VP!

Posted at 10:06 AM on August 8, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Politico's James Kotecki (who is becoming comedy relief during the daily grind) has a VP rap.

Among the favorite lines:

"When they going to choose? Who's it going to be? Everybody knows nobody votes for VP!"

"A white guy may be boring but it might be smart because too much change could rip this country apart!"

"Tim Pawlenty's odds are far from remote or Joe Lieberman can bring the Jewish vote."

"That's all the Veepstakes that needs to be said...

...And if they don't pick soon I'm going to wish I was dead!"

Watch the full rap here:

Cheney to speak at RNC

Posted at 10:11 AM on August 8, 2008 by Tom Scheck

WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House says Vice President Dick Cheney will speak at next month's Republican National Convention. Cheney plans to speak on the first night of the convention in St. Paul, Minn., the same Monday night that President Bush will speak. The convention is scheduled for Sept. 1-4, ending with John McCain's nomination. There had been doubts about a speech by Cheney, who remains unpopular with Americans. His spokeswoman, Megan Mitchell, on Friday confirmed his plans to address the delegates. In a statement, the White House said, "The vice president looks forward to participating in the Republican National Convention and continuing to work for the election of Sen. McCain and other Republican candidates in the coming months."

Pawlenty's other events

Posted at 10:22 AM on August 8, 2008 by Tom Scheck

We provided the audio from Gov. Pawlenty's National Press Club speech earlier this week. Here's the video from his speech at GOPAC:

Pawlenty was also on CNN's Glenn Beck show. Here's the CNN transcript.

He also talked with Neil Cavuto at Fox News.

Edwards admits to affair

Posted at 2:32 PM on August 8, 2008 by Tom Scheck

ABC News is reporting that former North Carolina Senator John Edwards has admitted to an affair with a campaign staffer who worked on his presidential campaign. He denied that he was the father of the woman's newborn child.

Mark Olson wins GOP endorsement for Senate

Posted at 2:36 PM on August 8, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Mark Olson, a Republican state house member who was shunned by his party, won the endorsement for a Minnesota Senate seat. House Republcians kicked Olson out of their caucus last summer after he was convicted of domestic assault. He is hoping to replace GOP Sen. Betsy Wergin, who is retiring to take a job with the Public Utilities Commission.

Betty McCollum backs Franken

Posted at 2:50 PM on August 8, 2008 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

DFL Rep. Betty McCollum says she will be backing Democrat Al Franken for Senate (h/t MnPublius). McCollum has been harshly critical of Franken's writings and attempts at comedy because she considered them offensive to women. She also said his candidacy could jeopardize Minnesota House and Senate candidates across the state.

It appears that several female lawmakers and women's groups are coming out in support of Franken this week. DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar sent a fundraising letter on Franken's behalf and Planned Parenthood of Minnesota''s Political Action Fund also backed Franken for the job earlier this week. A member of Planned Parenthood issued a letter to supporters questioning Franken on the eve of the DFL convention.

The Republican Party (who is obviously backing GOP Sen. Norm Coleman) was quick to pounce on McCollum's letter. They released this list of quotes from McCollum:

FLASHBACK: McCollum In Her Own Words:

Rep. Betty McCollum: Franken's Playboy Column "Indefensible." "Senate candidate Al Franken's satirical and explicit take on virtual sex and other topics, published in Playboy magazine eight years ago, is drawing concern instead of laughter from some Minnesota Democrats. Rep. Betty McCollum, who supported the comedian's rival Mike Ciresi until he dropped out of the race for the party's nomination for the Senate, complained Thursday that she and other Minnesota Democrats will be on the same November ballot as a candidate 'who has pornographic writings that are indefensible.'" (Frederic J. Frommer,, "Franken's old Playboy article concerns Democrats," Associated Press, May 30, 2008)

McCollum Concerned About Franken's Pornographic Writings. "'As a parent and an aunt, and talking to other parents, people are very concerned about the type of Internet use that's out there, and how it has a potentially harmful effect on children,' McCollum said. 'Sexually explicit material is one of the things that parents are very concerned about, and want to make sure that they're steering their children away from.'" (Frederic J. Frommer, "Franken's old Playboy article concerns Democrats," Associated Press, May 30, 2008)

McCollum Tells Franken His Pornographic Writings Are "Radioactive." "McCollum said she spoke briefly with Franken on Thursday and that the candidate wanted to speak again. 'I told him this is a serious problem,' she said. 'I told him my cell phone's ringing off the hook. Union leaders call me, state House members are calling, I've had people in the coffee shop approach me, very concerned about this. They really feel this article is politically radioactive.'" (Frederic J. Frommer, "Franken's old Playboy article concerns Democrats," Associated Press, May 30, 2008)

McCollum Questions Franken's "Judgment." "'I'm a woman, I'm a mother, I'm a former teacher, and an elected official,' McCollum told Politico. 'This material makes me question the judgment of someone who would write this. And this person is now a candidate representing Minnesota.'" (Josh Kraushaar, "McCollum expresses concern about Franken candidacy," Politico, May 29, 2008)

McCollum: Franken Rape Sketch "Appalling." "Democratic Senate candidate Al Franken's bad day (read about it here) got worse. Rep. Betty McCollum, a supporter of former Senate candidate Mike Ciresi (who is leaving all options on the table), released a statement: 'Planned Parenthood understands that Minnesotans evaluate our political candidates based on their record, values and character. It is appalling that anyone could characterize rape, a violent and horrible crime, as a joke,' said Congresswoman Betty McCollum" (Rachel Stassen- Berger, "Franken's day got worse," Political Animal Blog http://blogs.twincities.com/politics/2008/06/frankens_day_got_worse.html, June 5, 2008)

Update: DFL House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher also recorded a video message yesterday for Franken.

Question of the day: Does these endorsements repair the damage caused to Franken's campaign?

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A silent, visual counterprotest

Posted at 3:24 PM on August 8, 2008 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

Joe Repya is organizing a counterprotest to the war protesters who will march at the RNC. He is printing signs that call for the U.S. to stay the course in Iraq. Repya, a Republican, also wants those who agree with him to line the streets during the September 1st anti-war march that's scheduled. Here's part of the release:

This time the Coalition, with the help of Minnesota's American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars, are printing thousands of signs that read "VICTORY OVER TERRORISM - LET OUR SOLDIERS WIN!"

At noon on September 1, the anti-war crowd claims they'll have upwards of 50,000 marching from the Minnesota Capitol Building to the Excel Energy Center where the Republican National Convention, at the Excel Energy Center in Saint Paul.

We are asking everyone who supports our men and women in uniform defending America in the War on Terror to line the streets from the Excel Center with our signs. It is our way of being "Minnesota Nice" and wishing these protesters a "nice day in Minnesota." We encourage no discussion or verbal exchange with the demonstrators - only a pleasant "smile!

You can pick up a sign as long as the initial order lasts on Saturday, August 16th, in the parking lot of STEPHANO'S Restaurant, the corner of Highway 13 and Cliff Road (across from Walgreen's) from 12:00 Noon to 3:00 PM. Please arrive early since we are printing a limited number. Your donations will be greatly appreciated and will allow us to print more signs.

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