Polinaut: November 11, 2008 Archive

Thissen running for governor

Posted at 1:08 PM on November 11, 2008 by Tom Scheck

DFL Rep. Paul Thissen is running for governor. Here's his release:

State Rep. Paul Thissen, who yesterday filed the papers to run for Governor of Minnesota in 2010, launched his new Web site today at www.paulthissen.com. A key feature of the Web site is the "Idea Board," a forum for Minnesotans of all walks of life to share ideas and discuss how we can move Minnesota forward together.

"Minnesota faces serious challenges ahead. We all know that. We must meet those challenges the way Minnesota always has -- with innovative leadership that offers fresh solutions and new ways of doing things," said Rep. Thissen. "That kind of openness to innovation and fresh thinking will be a central part of this campaign."

Experts from various fields will post short articles to the Idea Board outlining practical solutions to the problems we confront as a state. Visitors to the site can comment on or challenge the idea. More important, ordinary citizens can offer their own ideas for consideration.

"I have traveled to all corners of Minnesota in the last several months and I witnessed first hand the wealth of great ideas and insights that there is out there. If we really want to rebuild this state and restore our citizens trust in government and its leaders, we need to trust Minnesotans and take their ideas seriously," commented Rep. Thissen. "We can no longer operate government as a top-down institution. The world has changed. People rightly demand that government listen to and respect their insight. The Idea Board is an important step in that direction."

The initial posts on the Idea Board include Kathryn Roberts of Ecumen writing on transforming how we pay for long-term care; Jay Kiedrowski on Minnesota's unstable budget; Jill Wolf, Economic Development Director for Luverne, Minnesota, describing collaborative partnerships in rural Minnesota and Amy Dawson on health coverage for children with autism.

Emmer to challenge Seifert for House GOP leader

Posted at 2:50 PM on November 11, 2008 by Tim Pugmire (1 Comments)

Republicans in the Minnesota House will pick a caucus leader this weekend, and at least two legislators say they want the job.

Rep. Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, announced earlier this week that he'll seek re-election to the leadership post he's held for two years. But Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Delano, says he's also running for House Minority Leader. House Republicans lost two seats in last week's election. Emmer says he thinks the caucus could use new leadership.

"There's always room for improvement," Emmer said. "There's always room for fresh ideas in a party that's been losing ground for the last decade. We really do need to look at ourselves, a look at the solutions that we're providing and what we're trying to communicate to the public."

House Republicans meet Saturday in Oakdale to elect their caucus leader.

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Just 721 more days to go!

Posted at 3:38 PM on November 11, 2008 by Tim Nelson

If you thought the 2008 elections had to be finished before the 2010 campaigns got going, meet Cory Tennison. He dropped by today to announce that he's formed an exploratory committee to run for Ramsey County Attorney. Again.

He's the second candidate to kick off his campaign in as many days, following DFL state Rep. Paul Thissen, of Minneapolis, who filed to run for governor yesterday. Tennison is running to succeed four-term DFL incumbent Susan Gaertner, who's said she's going to run for governor instead of seeking a fifth term.

Tennison took her on in 2006, and led the incumbent at a DFL endorsement convention, but couldn't hit the mandatory 60 percent mark. He bowed out, although he was seen sitting outside the Ramsey County elections office on July 20, 2006, in the off chance Gaertner might file for the suddenly wide-open Attorney General race that summer and leave the county attorney's office open.

Hope does indeed spring eternally.

Tennison is a prosecutor in the Scott County Attorney's office and lives in St. Paul.

Romney helps with Coleman recount

Posted at 7:53 PM on November 11, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Earlier in the day, MPR reported that the campaigns for GOP Sen. Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken are planning to raise $1 million or more for their recount funds.

The New York Times is reporting that Coleman is getting some help from former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. The one time presidential candidate (who may be another time presidential candidate) directed $5,000 from his PAC to Coleman's recount fund.