Polinaut: November 6, 2008 Archive

The Daily Digest: 11-6-08

Posted at 8:46 AM on November 6, 2008 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

A recount will occur in Minnesota's hard fought Senate race. Two former U.S. Attorneys have been hired. Democrat Al Franken hired David Lillehaug. GOP Sen. Norm Coleman hired Tom Heffelfinger.

MPR, the Pi Press, the Star Tribune, Forum Communications and AP have stories.

The recount will start on November 19th and could linger until December.

The Star Tribune says the Senate seat is bigger than Minnesota.

Democrat Al Franken will appear on MPR's Midday at 11 to talk about the recount.

MPR takes a look at those voters who chose Obama but not Franken.

I-P candidate Dean Barkley says he'll take a breather, perhaps for good.

The Star Tribune reports that there are charges that the Independence Party is a spoiler.

President

The New York Times says President-elect Obama has some tough choices ahead.

Illinois Congressman Rahm Emanuel considers the job as Obama's Chief of Staff.

New Mexico Bill Richardson may also be interviewing.

AP says Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry is seeking the job as Secretary of State.

The Pi Press examines how Obama won Minnesota.

Former Vice President Walter Mondale praises the Obama win.

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar says the victory is historic.

MinnPost ponders some Minnesotans in the Administration.

Congress

Democrats vow to pursue an aggressive agenda.

Automakers and the UAW seek help from Congress.

The Pi Press writes about the victories by Republican Erik Paulsen and GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann.

The Star Tribune said tough talk helped Bachmann win.

AP says Bachmann wants a seat on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.

Paulsen says he'll continue the streak of a moderate representing the 3rd.

Congress may act fast on embryonic stem cell research.

Legislature

House DFLers pick up two more seats. The Pi Press, the Star Tribune and AP have stories.

GOP House Minority Leader Marty Seifert says he may not continue with his leadership post.

Outdoors and Arts Amendment

Funds are still 9 months away. MPR, the Star Tribune and AP say the next challenge is how to spend the money.

The Pi Press said awareness helped deliver the amendment.

Voting

Nearly 78% voted in the election.

Some vote counters in Buhl forgot to call in the results.

GOP

The New York Times says the GOP has an identity crisis.

Gov. Pawlenty says Republcans need to have a "Dr. Phil moment."

Pawlenty is mentioned as a rising star in the party.

The L.A. Times says small government conservatives look to Pawlenty for hope.

Meanwhile, Minnesota Republicans say they're thankful in a tough year.

Economy

Jobless claims hit a 25 year high.

Markets worldwide tumbled.

A survey finds that there is widespread concern about the economy.

State Government

Minnesota gets a federal waiver for insurance.

Heffelfinger no longer with Coleman's recount team

Posted at 10:17 AM on November 6, 2008 by Tom Scheck

The City of St. Paul just released this statement:

Heffelfinger Reaffirms Commitment to Republican National Convention Review

Heffelfinger Declines Post on Recount Effort

(Saint Paul) -- Former U.S. Attorney and RNC Commission Co-Char Tom Heffelfinger released the following statement:

I am committed to a thorough, expeditious, and non-partisan review of the interaction between law enforcement and the community during the RNC. I have realized that taking a leadership role with Senator Coleman's recount team would interfere with my commitment to the City and the RNC inquiry. Therefore I have informed the Coleman campaign I will not be available for the recount effort.

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Why the vote tally is moving

Posted at 11:50 AM on November 6, 2008 by Tom Scheck (4 Comments)

Secretary of State Mark Ritchie said the Senate vote totals will continue to move as county election officials double check their work. He said the numbers will continue to fluctuate until the County Canvassing Boards certify the election. The deadline for the county boards to certify the numbers is Monday, November 10th. The counties are required to submit their election reports by November 14th to the Minnesota Secretary of State.

The State Canvassing Board will then meet on Tuesday, November 18th to certify the election. At that point, the board will order a recount which is required by state law.

Comment on this post

Coleman wants to protect ballots, Franken raises money for recount

Posted at 4:47 PM on November 6, 2008 by Tom Scheck

GOP Sen. Norm Coleman's campaign has sent letters to county election officials requesting that they keep a visual guard over the ballots. Meanwhile, Democrat Al Franken's campaign has sent a fundraising letter to supporters for their recount fund. Here's the letter:

Dear Friend,

What an amazing night! Together, we brought real change to our state and to our country by electing Barack Obama President of the United States.

Here in Minnesota, it was a LONG night, too. And now that all of the precincts have reported in, this race is STILL too close to call. The gap between Al Franken and Norm Coleman? Just ONE ONE-HUNDREDTH of a percentage point.

Under Minnesota law, that triggers an automatic statewide recount. And that means our work isn't done quite yet. We are going to put staff in place in every county in Minnesota to ensure that every vote is properly counted. And we need you to help fund our effort.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO RUSH AN EMERGENCY CONTRIBUTION TO OUR RECOUNT FUND!

Believe it or not, this race isn't over. And it looks like it will be decided by just a few votes. We need every resource we can muster to ensure that Minnesotans' voices are heard - and to make sure that every vote is properly counted.

So please rush your emergency contribution today. And stay tuned for updates.

Thank you for everything,

Stephanie Schriock
Campaign Manager
Al Franken for Senate

NRSC raises money for recount

Posted at 9:38 PM on November 6, 2008 by Tom Scheck

The National Republican Senatorial Committee is also raising money for a recount. Here's the message sent by NRSC Chair John Ensign:

Thanks to your critical support our Senate firewall held up against a tidal wave of liberal attack ads and the Obama Get-Out-The-Vote machine.

But the fight goes on ... as three Senate races have yet to be decided:

Georgia's Senate race is headed for a December 2nd runoff.
Minnesota's Senate race (the race angry, liberal Al Franken is trying to win) is headed for a costly recount. Norm Coleman is leading, but Franken's lawyers are already crying foul.
Votes are still being counted in Alaska.
The liberals are mobilizing an army of lawyers in Minnesota and Alaska to try to steal these seats they could not win outright on Election Day. And MoveOn.org is sure to add to the $217,741 they raised to help elect a Barack Obama rubberstamp.

We need your help to save Republican Senate seats in Minnesota, Alaska and to pay for a costly runoff election in Georgia.