Capitol View: November 25, 2008 Archive

Pawlenty to talk health care next month

Posted at 1:49 PM on November 25, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Gov. Pawlenty will talk health care policy at an event at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey School. It could be a preview of his expectations for the upcoming legislative session. Here's the info:

Market-Based Reforms in Health Care: The Next Step?

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

3:00pm - Conference

5:00pm - Reception

Cowles Auditorium

Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs

301 19th Ave S., Minneapolis

The Center for the Study of Politics and Governance welcomes Governor Pawlenty and Minnesota business and health care leaders to discuss the potential for health reforms that build on private markets and on the implementation of reforms passed during the 2008 legislative session. A reception will follow the conference.

Pawlenty to attend Obama meeting in Philly

Posted at 3:22 PM on November 25, 2008 by Tom Scheck

President-elect Obama is scheduled to meet with a bipartisan group of governors in Philadelphia next Tuesday to talk about how the economic crisis is impacting states. Governor Pawlenty's spokesman, Brian McClung, says Pawlenty will attend the meeting.

Ballot challenge truce?

Posted at 10:09 PM on November 25, 2008 by Tom Scheck

As the number of challenged ballots eclipses 3,500 (which continues to concern SOS Mark Ritchie), Norm Coleman's attorney, Fritz Knaak, calls for a truce.

"It has become apparent that both campaigns are engaged in a mounting game of ballot challenging that serves no useful purpose. This is not the way the recount process was intended to work, and we are trying the patience and goodwill of election officials and volunteers throughout the state. While the Franken Campaign began this morning challenging 25 ballots in one Sherburne County precinct, the vast majority without merit, it's obvious that our campaign volunteers felt the need to match these growing and unnecessary challenges throughout the day. This is an artificial game which has virtually no bearing on the outcome of this recount as we know that the vast majority of these challenges will be rejected before we even get to the Canvassing Board on December 16th. With that in mind, in the spirit of the Holidays, and to give respect to this process that it deserves, we ask you to join us tomorrow morning in standing down in the game of ballot challenge one upsmanship."

Question of the Day: Does it matter since both campaigns say they'll pull many of their challenges before the State Canvassing Board meets on December 16th?