Polinaut: June 4, 2009 Archive

The Daily Digest: 6-4-09

Posted at 7:30 AM on June 4, 2009 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

Gov. Pawlenty's exit doesn't mean he'll be a lame duck next session. AP says he has several bargaining chips.

Health care providers are worried about Gov. Pawlenty's plans for unallotment. They say the cuts in law are enough and are thinking about a lawsuit if Pawlenty makes deeper cuts.

Several lawmakers also talked about limiting unallotment powers.

The reins get tighter on Minnesota's charter schools.

The Legacy Act will protect land up north.

The Metrodome expects to lose $2 million a year when the Twins and Gophers leave.

Microsoft picks St. Paul for its software office.

The Pi Press also has a story on how Burnsville's $20 million Arts Center isn't attracting any artists but I can't find the link to the story. I'll post when it's available.

MinnPost wonders whether Pawlenty's decision to not run for a third term will impact a new Vikings stadium.

GOP Rep. Tom Emmer says he is running for House Minority Leader now that Marty Seifert is leaving his leadership post (see below).

D.C.

President Obama calls for a "new beginning" between U.S. and Muslims.

He mentioned the first Muslim was elected to Congress a few years ago but didn't cite DFL Rep. Keith Ellison by name. You can read the speech here. MPR will air Obama's speech at noon today.

DFL Rep. Tim Walz, who just returned from Syria, said he's optimistic about the Middle East.

Obama also outlined his health care for all plan.

Minnesota car dealers went to Washington to make the pitch to keep their dealerships open.

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar tells the chiefs at Chrysler and GM that car dealers want answers.

DFL Rep. Tim Walz is skeptical of more aid for automakers.

The New York Times says Republicans don't have enough votes to filibuster Obama's Supreme Court pick.

Klobuchar will meet with Sonia Sotomayor today.

DFL Rep. Tim Walz says he's open to detaining some Gitmo detainees in Rochester.

The House puts the climate change bill on the fast track. DFL Rep. Collin Peterson, who opposes the bill, is mentioned.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued an ultimatum to Peterson and others that they will move the bill or lose jurisdiction over it.

Vulnerable Democrats are concerned about calls for hiking the gas tax. DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar will roll out a transportation bill that could include a gas tax hike.

2010

GOP House Minority Leader Marty Seifert is giving up his leadership post and is considering a run for governor. The Pi Press, MPR and the Star Tribune cover that and what other GOP candidates are in the mix. The Pi Press, MPR, the Star Tribune, KARE, Forum Communications, WCCO and MinnPost have stories.

State Rep. Morrie Lanning is also considering a run.

Former GOP Congressman Jim Ramstad is noncommittal on a possible run.

DFL Congressman Tim Walz says he's not interested in the gig.

Here's a checklist of the candidates.

The Fix downplays speculation on whether Republican Norm Coleman could run for governor.

Stu Rothenberg rates Minnesota's 3rd (GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen) and 6th (GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann) as "Republican favored."

Bachmann will also face a Republican challenger.

2008 Race for U.S. Senate

Republican Norm Coleman will deliver the keynote speech today at a conservative conference in St. Louis.

The Pi Press said the head of the NRSC isn't so interested in World War 3.

2012

Gov. Pawlenty made a few national TV appearances yesterday but still didn't rule anything in or out about a potential future run. Pawlenty also said Sonia Sotomayor should get a hearing sooner rather than later.

Talking Points Memo also said Pawlenty left a little wiggle room about issuing the election certificate in Minnesota's long-running U.S. Senate race.

House speaker and mayors are considering campaigns

Posted at 10:19 AM on June 4, 2009 by Tim Pugmire (2 Comments)

Three prominent Democrats confirmed today that they're considering a run for governor in 2010.

Two days after Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty announced he would not seek a third term, an event marking solar energy legislation brought St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak to the State Capitol. Following the event, all three said they were weighing campaigns. Kelliher says she's been talking to a lot of people.

"I continue to have experiences like last night where my daughter and I were out for her birthday, and a random person comes up to me and says I hope you run for governor," Kelliher said. "So, I am weighing those inquires that are daily very seriously."

Kelliher says she thinks candidates will have to be in the race by this fall. Both Coleman and Rybak said they're considering their options but are also focused on their current mayoral duties.

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Obama speech on MPR at noon.

Posted at 10:55 AM on June 4, 2009 by Tom Scheck

President Obama's speech to the Muslim world will be on MPR News at noon today.

Pawlenty hits the national circuit

Posted at 11:02 AM on June 4, 2009 by Tom Scheck (2 Comments)

Gov. Pawlenty didn't have any public events on his schedule yesterday or today. But he did appear on two national cable TV outlets. On Fox News, Pawlenty was asked about the auto industry, 2012 and whether he would issue the election certificate in Minnesota's Senate race:

On MSNBC, Pawlenty talked about his political future, the seating of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and the other possible 2012 candidates:

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Schultz in for Ramsey County Attorney

Posted at 12:14 PM on June 4, 2009 by Tom Scheck

MPR's Laura Yuen sent this along:

Another candidate has announced his interest to become the next Ramsey County Attorney.

Attorney David Schultz, a former prosecutor in the state Attorney General's office, joins domestic-violence prosecutor Dave Pinto in the race. St. Paul City Attorney John Choi has assembled an exploratory committee.

Schultz is a partner with the Minneapolis law firm Maslon Edelman Borman & Brand. He has been involved in justice-advocacy organizations such as the Innocence Project of Minnesota and Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights.

He's apparently not this David Schultz, an oft-quoted legal-ethics expert and business professor at Hamline University.

Pelosi to raise money for Walz on Sunday

Posted at 12:40 PM on June 4, 2009 by Tom Scheck

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will hold a fundraiser for DFL Rep. Tim Walz on Sunday morning in Minneapolis. Pelosi's press office said no public events are confirmed but said the office will send out an advisory if that changes.

Pelosi will make a public appearance. See below.

Here's the fundraising letter:

Please join us for a brunch honoring

TIM WALZ FOR U.S. CONGRESS

Along with special guest Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi

Sunday, June 7, 2009 11:30 a.m.

At the home of Tom Borman

The Carlyle • Suite 3701

100 Third Avenue South

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Host Committee
Tom Borman Chairman James Oberstar John & Sage Cowles Chairman Collin Peterson Honorable Mark Dayton Congresswoman Betty McCollum Jim & Pam Deal Congressman Keith Ellison James Dolan Senator Klobuchar Lee Lynch & Terry Saario John Morgan

Co-Hosts Mark Abeln & Monica Little • Patricia Bloodgood • Frances Davis Paula DeCosse • Ronald & Joyce DeHarpporte Adam Duinick & Jamie Tincher • George Flannery • Barbara Forster William George • Richard Kahn • Marin Lueck • Alida Messinger Katherine D. Nielsen • David Potter & Darwin Lookinbill Peter & Patricia Riley • Amy & Mark Rotenberg • Walter Sawicki Judith & Jim Scoville • John Sullivan • Ruth Usem • H. William Walter David & Ruth Waterbury

Host Contribution: $2400
Co-Host Contribution: $1000
Guest: $250

With Questions or to RSVP please call Justin Buoen (612) 378-1300
Paid for by Tim Walz for U.S. Congress P.O Box 938 Mankato, MN 56002

Here's info on Pelosi's public appearance:

Pelosi and DFL Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minneapolis), Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and other elected officials and tribal leaders will tour the American Indian Opportunities Industrialization Center (AIOIC) this Sunday to witness firsthand the economic recovery package at work. The Speaker will meet with students and employers of the American Indian OIC Summer and Year Round Youth Employment Program funded by the economic recovery package passed by the Congress and signed into law by the President.

Add Sullivan and Koering to the GOP list

Posted at 4:41 PM on June 4, 2009 by Tim Pugmire

Two more Republicans say they're considering a run for governor in 2010.

State Sen. Paul Koering, R-Fort Ripley, and businessman Brian Sullivan said today that they're weighing their options. The list of possible candidates has been growing since Governor Tim Pawlenty announced earlier this week that he won't seek a third term. Sullivan, who lost the GOP endorsement to Pawlenty in 2002, says he'll probably make a decision in a month.

"Because it's an open seat, there will be a lot of people who'll hesitate to commit this early in the process," Sullivan said. "And you know I'll be making enough contacts to have people that would be inclined to support me to hold off committing until the race gets farther along."

Sen. Koering says his consideration of the 2010 contest will include the formation of an exploratory committee. In a news release, Koering streesed his ability to work across the aisle.

"In these troubled times, we need a chief executive that can work with both parties," Koering wrote..

Obama appoints Jones as U.S. Attorney

Posted at 5:22 PM on June 4, 2009 by Tom Scheck

President Obama appointed B. Todd Jones to become U.S. Attorney of Minnesota. This will be the second time Jones will hold the position. Here's the release from the White House:

President Obama Nominates B. Todd Jones for US Attorney for the District of Minnesota

WASHINGTON, DC - President Obama today announced the nomination of B. Todd Jones for U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota. Mr. Jones previously held the position from May 1998 through January 2001.

"Todd Jones made the utmost sacrifice for his country and served with honor as a member of the United States Marine Corps who fought in Operation Desert Storm," President Obama said. "And he has served the public in his civilian life, too, with a distinguished career in the US Attorney's office in Minnesota. It is my honor to ask him to serve in this capacity again."

B. Todd Jones: Nominee for U.S. Attorney, District of Minnesota

B. Todd Jones, 52, is currently a partner at Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi, where he has worked since 2001. Mr. Jones graduated from Macalester College in 1979 and University of Minnesota Law School in 1983. He served on active duty with the United States Marine Corps from 1983 to 1989 and with the United States Marine Corps Reserve until January 1991, when he was recalled to active duty for Operation Desert Storm. In June 1991, he returned to the Marine Corps Reserve, earning the rank of Major and serving as the commanding officer of the 4th Marine Division Military Police Company until he received an honorable discharge in 1998. From May 1998 to January 2001, Mr. Jones served as U.S. Attorney in the District of Minnesota. He had served as a First Assistant and an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney's office prior to his appointment.

In addition to nominating Jones, the following nominations will be sent to the Senate today: Preet Bharara, Nominee for U.S. Attorney, Southern District of New York; Tristram Coffin, Nominee for U.S. Attorney, District of Vermont; Jenny Durkan, Nominee for U.S. Attorney, Western District of Washington; Paul Fishman, Nominee for U.S. Attorney, District of New Jersey; John Paul Kacavas, Nominee for U.S. Attorney, District of New Hampshire; Joyce Vance, Nominee for U.S. Attorney, Northern District of Alabama.

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Coleman comments on gov run

Posted at 5:42 PM on June 4, 2009 by Tom Scheck

Republican Norm Coleman sidestepped questions on whether he has any interest in running for governor:

"I'm still waiting to hear from the Supreme Court. remember i just gave a speech about being focused? I'm a very focused guy, and the focus is on keeping my senate seat."

Coleman spoke briefly with reporters after he gave a speech to the Conservative Heartland Institute in St. Louis.

Here's what he said about a potential run for governor, whether he'll appeal on the federal level and reports that he may drop his bid if he loses his appeal. Here's the audio:

Listen