Capitol View: August 19, 2008 Archive

East then west...

Posted at 10:51 AM on August 19, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Gov. Pawlenty said he is headed to Ohio and Pennsylvania this weekend to campaign for John McCain. He also said he might be in Denver to appear as a McCain surrogate during the DNC.

I'll post the audio soon.

Update: Here's the audio. Nice new nifty embedded player, huh? Thanks for asking.

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Uldrich: My two cents is to eliminate one cent...

Posted at 11:37 AM on August 19, 2008 by Tom Scheck (2 Comments)

Here's the release:

Jack Uldrich Calls for the Elimination of the Penny

Minneapolis, MN, August 19, 2008 - Jack Uldrich, an Independence Party candidate for U.S Senate, today called for the elimination of the penny.

"About the only thing worth less than the penny is the quality of our existing two party political system," said Uldrich. "It is ridiculous that our government is still producing pennies when they cost almost two cents to manufacture."

"I understand that this isn't the biggest issue facing America," continued Uldrich, "but if Republicans and Democrats can't even agree on this simple, common "cents" matter, how are they ever going to address the really big problems - like balancing the budget; breaking America's addiction to oil; or facing up to the looming crises in the Medicare and Social Security programs?"

To press home his point, Uldrich will literally be asking Minnesota citizens for their "two cents" at this year's State Fair. In doing so, he will expose the absurdity of a $50 million senate race and return the focus to what truly matters: individual voters.

In conjunction with the announcement, the campaign also released its third Internet ad, entitled "I Want Your Two Cents" and a "Roadmap to Victory" which outlines how Uldrich will use the penny - and the power of exponential growth -- to defeat the combined $50 million dollars which the Coleman and Franken campaigns will spend in this year's senate race.

"The penny is obsolete," said Uldrich, "but what it can accomplish isn't." Media members interested in interviewing Jack Uldrich can contact him directly at 612-267-1212. His website is www.dotheimpossible08.com. The commercial can be viewed on the "Videos" link.

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Is Pawlenty the One?

Posted at 12:40 PM on August 19, 2008 by Tom Scheck

We're not sure if Pawlenty will be McCain's running mate but we know he's going to sign a Proclamation on Wednesday morning making Minnesota a 'ONE State.' DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar will also be present for the signing.

Pawlenty is sticking around Minnesota over the next few days. He has two public events on his schedule today. He's holding a fundraiser for GOP Sen. Norm Coleman tomorrow morning (closed press -- Grrr!) and is also signing the proclamation. On Thursday night, he's attending the Future Leaders for McCain Reception at the Eagle Street Grille.

Pawlenty will rack up some more of those frequent flyer miles this weekend. He says he'll campaign for McCain in Pennsylvania and Ohio.

NOTE: Thanks to everyone who is sending along fundraising letters, e-mail and other campaign literature. This is a reminder to keep sending the stuff to tscheck@mpr.org or fax them to 651 227 5238.

Paulsen hires Cantor staffer

Posted at 12:49 PM on August 19, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Republican Erik Paulsen has hired Stacy Johnson to coordinate his campaign's media efforts. Johnson is a staffer for Virginia Congressman Eric Cantor (who has been mentioned as a possible running mate to John McCain).

Paulsen is running for Congress in Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District against DFLer Ashwin Madia and I-P candidate David Dillon.

The 25 Most Influential Republicans

Posted at 1:29 PM on August 19, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Newsmax lists the Top 25.

Former GOP Rep. Vin Weber (who is now a lobbyist) made the list.

Who's the guy with the lampshade on his head?

Posted at 2:19 PM on August 19, 2008 by Tom Scheck

The Sunlight Foundation has set up a new blog detailing all of the parties at the DNC and RNC. It's an updated list from the last publication.

The website is appropriately called Party Time!

Klobuchar gets a speaking slot at the DNC

Posted at 2:37 PM on August 19, 2008 by Tom Scheck

She's speaking on Monday. Here's part of the release:

THE 2008 CONVENTION: AMERICANS COMING TOGETHER FOR CHANGE

Democrats Add New Speakers, Announce Gavel Times For Opening Three Nights in Denver

DENVER - The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) and the Obama for America Campaign today announced new speakers and gavel times for the opening three nights of the 2008 Democratic National Convention, to take place August 25th - 28th in Denver.

Joining the program on Monday, August 25th will be Former President Jimmy Carter; Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar; Miami Mayor Manny Diaz; Illinois state leaders Alexi Giannoulis, Dan Hynes, Lisa Madigan, and Tom Balanoff from Illinois SEIU; long-time Barack Obama mentor Jerry Kellman; NEA President Reg Weaver; AFT President Randi Weingarten; and NARAL Pro-Choice America President Nancy Keenan. The theme of Monday's program is One Nation.

(Note: I highlighted Klobuchar's name)

Franken to shake money trees at DNC

Posted at 2:53 PM on August 19, 2008 by Tom Scheck

DFL U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken will be raising money from Democratic donors at the DNC in Denver. The Sunlight Foundation's look at DNC convention parties (see page 8) shows that there will be a fundraiser for Franken on Monday evening from 5:00 to 6:30. It's hosted by Foster Graham Millstein Miller Calisher, LLP. The Denver Law firm prominently displays the fundraiser on their website.

Guide to judicial candidates

Posted at 4:56 PM on August 19, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Minnesota Lawyer has posted an elections guide that will give voters information about the judicial candidates who are running in the September primary. You can take a look at it here.

Madia and Paulsen campaigns decry "push-polling"

Posted at 5:02 PM on August 19, 2008 by Mike Mulcahy (3 Comments)

It looks like outside spending and negative campaigning may have begun in Minnesota's highly competitive 3rd District congressional race.

DFL candidate Ashwin Madia's campaign says it has received numerous reports of so-called "push polling" from voters in the district. Push polls masquerade as scientific polls, but are actually telemarketing efforts designed to disseminate negative messages about a candidate.

In a press release the campaign said the calls "distorted Madia's position on Iraq and falsely stated that Madia was impeached when he was the president of the University of Minnesota student body."

Campaign Manager Stu Rosenberg sent a letter to his counterpart at Republican Erik Paulsen's campaign calling on Paulsen to disavow the tactics.

Michael Brodkorb, who's filling in as a spokesman for the Paulsen campaign, said Paulsen is not behind the calls, and countered that he also has heard reports of anti-Paulsen push polling.

"We're both victims of these outside groups," Brodkorb said, adding supporters told the Paulsen campaign that the AFSCME union was behind the anti-Paulsen calls. Brodkorb also noted that AFSCME has endorsed Madia, and called on Madia to "distance himself" from them.

As of this posting, Minnesota AFSCME Council 5 had not responded to an voicemail message seeking comment, and the Madia campaign said it was not aware of any push polling by AFSCME.

Update 6 pm: Eliot Seide, executive director of Minnesota AFSCME Council 5, says his organization is not push-polling in the 3rd Congressional District. He says AFSCME members are calling other AFSCME members, urging them to support Madia, and he says the phone bank script does not even mention Erik Paulsen.

The Madia campaign said Houston-based Promark Research was behind some of the anti-Madia calls, according to supporters who had received the calls. The receptionist who answered the phone at Promark said the public relations representative was out of the office for the day.

Bruce Anderson, campaign manager for Independence Party candidate David Dillon, said as far as he knows Dillon has not been the victim of any push polling, "but we expect to be, because we are going to be successful."

Madia and Paulsen have each said they will need to raise around $3 million in one of the most closely-watched congressional races in the country -- and that doesn't count the money that will be spent by outside groups.

--Curtis Gilbert

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Pawlenty to man GOP war room in Denver

Posted at 6:04 PM on August 19, 2008 by Tom Scheck

The Rocky Mountain News is reporting that Gov. Pawlenty and Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl will be in Denver to offer the GOP response to the DNC. Those reading the VP tea leaves should also know that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will also be in Denver.

Klobuchar does double duty

Posted at 8:49 PM on August 19, 2008 by Tom Scheck

We reported earlier that DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar will be a featured speaker at the DNC on Monday night of the convention. Well, she also gets to speak briefly on Tuesday night. Here's the release:

DENVER - Highlighting the historic and vital role of women in the Democratic Party, the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) and the Obama For America campaign announced today that the Democratic women of the United States Senate will be honored in a special panel Tuesday night of the 2008 Democratic Convention where they will highlight their Checklist for Change.

"Renewing America's Promise starts with leaders who put the needs of the American people first. The women of the United States Senate serve as an inspiration to us all," said DNCC CEO Leah D. Daughtry. "The 2008 Convention is excited to honor these leaders and to highlight their Checklist for Change."

The special segment of Tuesday's Convention program will be opened by Senator Barbara Mikulski of Maryland, the dean of the women senators. Among the other speakers will be Senator Barbara Boxer of California, Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington, Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Senator Blanche Lambert Lincoln of Arkansas, Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri, and Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan.

(Note: I highlighted Klobuchar's name in the release).