Polinaut: June 3, 2009 Archive

The Daily Digest: 6-3-09

Posted at 7:49 AM on June 3, 2009 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

Choose your own adventure time!

Which campaign trail are you more interested in following? The campaign for president, which could include Gov. Pawlenty, or the campaign for governor, which won't include him?

Gov. Pawlenty announced he won't run for a third term and said "I'm not ruling anything in or out" when asked about a potential run for president. MPR, the Star Tribune, the Pi Press, Forum Communications and AP have stories.

The Star Tribune and the Pi Press wonder what's next for Pawlenty.

The Pi Press says Pawlenty has little time left to make his mark as governor.

Pawlenty's decision means there will be a crowded field of Republicans and Democrats running for his job. MPR, the Star Tribune, AP, the Pi Press and MinnPost have stories.

The House Ethics Committee recommends DFL Rep. Paul Gardner apologize from the House floor over his controversial tweets.

The Minnesota Department of Health will track effectiveness of health care reforms.

Minnesota's overseas voters are happy with the process.

D.C.

President Obama's Supreme Court pick, Sonia Sotomayor, paid a visit to lawmakers.

DFL Rep. Collin Peterson talked with Democratic leadership about the Climate Change bill.

DFL Rep. Tim Walz says the caseload has increased in light of the vacant Senate seat.

U.S. Highway fund is low on cash again. DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is mentioned.

Seifert stepping as Minority Leader, "considering" run for gov.

Posted at 10:58 AM on June 3, 2009 by Tom Scheck

GOP House Minority Leader Marty Seifert said he's stepping down MN House Minority Leader. In a news release, Seifert said "I am grateful and appreicative to my fellow Republicans for trusting me with the opportunity to lead such a wonderful group of public servants."

When asked about his political future, Seifert said "I am considering a run for governor."

He said he's already spoken with about a dozen county chairs and other party activists and said he was encouraged to run for governor.

Seifert said MN House Republicans will meet to elect a new leader on June 24th.

Walz not interested in gov run

Posted at 11:34 AM on June 3, 2009 by Tom Scheck

Even though he said he wasn't interested, speculation has surfaced again that DFL Rep. Tim Walz may be interested in running for governor. Walz said he's not interested:

"I am content and honored to represent the people of the first district and that's exactly where I would like to stay as long as they'll have me."

Here's the audio from his conference call:

Listen

Thanks to MPR's Tim Nelson for providing me with the audio.

Two more Republicans express interest

Posted at 1:47 PM on June 3, 2009 by Tim Pugmire

Two more Republicans have confirmed they are at least considering a run for governor.

Rep. Laura Brod, R-New Prague, said Gov. Tim Pawlenty is a model of reform to build upon. With Pawlenty not seeking a third term, Brod said the open seat is a rare opportunity.

"I'm sure that there's going to be many, many people looking at the lay of the land as we move forward, Brod said. "And we'll have to give some consideration to that myself."

Former House Speaker Steve Sviggum is also giving the contest a look. Sviggum, who now serves as commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry, said he certainly would have some interest in running for governor.

"I'll do a little exploration, talk to some friends and some family over the next few days or a couple of weeks and see where it leads us," Sviggum said.

Ramstad noncommittal on run for governor

Posted at 3:11 PM on June 3, 2009 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

Former Republican Congressman Jim Ramstad was noncommittal when asked if he's exploring a possible run for governor.

"This is not the week to talk about my future plans. This is the week to praise and thank Gov. Pawlenty for his outstanding leadership during these challenging times and I appreciate, just like most Minnesotans, the great job he's done."

Ramstad said he's had over 100 calls from friends and supporters suggesting he run, which he called very gratifying and humbling. When asked what attributes a Republican candidate should have, Ramstad said this:

"I'm sure it's going to be a crowded field and a lot of qualified people have been mentioned and I'm sure the Republicans will nominate another winner..."

"...I hope it's somebody who takes a bipartisan approach to governing. We really need that. People are sick and tired the base politics and they want a governor. they want all public officials to work in a bipartisan way to address the problems facing our state and nation."

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Norm Coleman to speak in St. Louis on Thursday

Posted at 3:30 PM on June 3, 2009 by Tom Scheck

AP says Republican Norm Coleman is scheduled to speak at a conservative group's convention in St. Louis:

Minnesota Republican Norm Coleman will be the keynote speaker for the Conservative Heartland Leadership Conference, which began Wednesday and concludes Thursday at the Millennium Hotel in St. Louis.

Coleman's U.S. Senate term expired in January but he is still contesting the results that tipped the race to Democrat Al Franken by a few hundred votes.

Coleman is scheduled to speak Thursday at a luncheon with an introduction by political commentator and author David Limbaugh, brother of talk radio host Rush Limbaugh.