Polinaut: June 8, 2009 Archive

The Daily Digest: 6-8-09

Posted at 6:57 AM on June 8, 2009 by Tom Scheck (2 Comments)
Filed under: Daily Digest

Gov. Pawlenty ended the first phase of his "I'm not sure what I'm going to do in the future" campaign in Minnesota. After talking with several GOP groups in D.C. on Friday, Pawlenty stayed closer to home on Sunday. He delivered the same message on C-SPAN and WCCO.

The Pi Press, The Hotline and MinnPost examine Gov. Pawlenty's speech to the national College Republicans on Friday.

The Star Tribune wonders whether Gov. Pawlenty is the fresh face that the GOP is seeking.

Under the Dome

The Pawlenty Administration tried to sweeten a deal to get the land to start a new state park on Lake Vermilion.

Document shredding by some Gang Strike Force members puts the future of the unit in doubt.

The president of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (and Wadena's mayor) says Pawlenty's planned cuts to LGA will hurt rural cities.

There will be less financial disclosure from candidates in Minneapolis because of Instant Runoff Voting.

Groups sue over Big Stone II decision.

The Legislative Auditor will release a report on a federal program that tracks the immigration status for businesses.

The new seatbelt law takes effect this week.

D.C.

Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited a Minneapolis center to see how the federal stimulus money is working. She also raised money for DFL Rep. Tim Walz.

USA Today has a story that says about 20 transportation companies and industry groups raised $475k to help underwrite the James L. Oberstar Professorship of Law and Public Policy at the University of St. Thomas.

Republicans fire back at Democrats and say they acted appropriately after talking about an intelligence committee hearing. GOP Rep. John Kline is mentioned because he told The Hill that some enhanced interrogation techniques proved "fruitful."

The Supreme Court is asked to block the Chrysler sale to Fiat.

The New York Times says President Obama will forge a greater role on health care policy.

Iowa's Senator tells off Obama on Twitter.

Roll Call (subscription required) reports that DFL Rep. Collin Peterson has backed off attempts from trying to stop the Climate Change legislation but still wants to resolve all pertinent issues.

CQ says smaller airports rely on political clout to stay aloft. DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is mentioned.

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann blogs about her bill to stop federal funding for ACORN and the federal takeover of GM.

GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen blogs about his efforts to stop child trafficking.

2010

Stu Rothenberg says Pawlenty's decision not to seek a third term means the race for governor is now a toss-up.

DFL state Sen. Tom Bakk is officially running for governor. The Mesabi Daily News has the story.

Former Republican state Rep. Bill Haas says he's in the race.

GOP state Sen. Paul Koering is also thinking about running.

The Star Tribune says Minnesota's race for governor is wide open.

2008 Race for U.S. Senate

Politico talked with three legal experts who said it's over for Republican Norm Coleman.

Finally

Good-bye Rick Kupchella. Good luck in the future.

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Peterson says he has votes to block Climate Change bill

Posted at 11:27 AM on June 8, 2009 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

DFL Rep. Collin Peterson discussed his opposition to the Climate Change legislation that's moving through Congress. He also said he has the votes to block the bill. You can listen to his interview here:

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Legislative caucuses make fundraising push

Posted at 11:31 AM on June 8, 2009 by Tom Scheck

Now that the legislative session has ended, the caucuses are making fundraising pushes to gear up for the 2010 election. House DFLers and Senate Republcans have sent out fundraising soliciations for this month.

House DFLers will hold their fundraiser on June 15th:

Please Join Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher Majority Leader Tony Sertich And the Members of the House DFL Caucus For a Post-Session Reception Monday, June 15, 2009 $2,000 Leadership Reception 3:00 - 4:00pm $250 PAC & Lobbyist Supporter Reception 4:00 - 5:30pm Landmark Center 75 West 5th Street, Saint Paul Please RSVP by Friday, June 12th (651) 251-6341 or liz@housedflcaucus.com Prepared and Paid for by DFL House Caucus 255 East Plato Blvd, Saint Paul, MN 55107

Meanwhile, Senate Republicans will get some help from Gov. Pawlenty to raise some money. Here's that fundraising letter:

Senate Republican Leader David Senjem and Senate Republicans Cordially invite you to join them Thursday, June 18, 2009 SOUTHVIEW COUNTRY CLUB 239 East Mendota Road West Saint Paul, MN Roundtable 4-5pm with Special Guest Governor Pawlenty Contribution $500 per person Reception 5-7pm Contribution $250 per person RSVP by Monday, June 15 by emailing mnsenategop@yahoo.com, or by calling 651-487-0088 Prepared and Paid for by the Senate Victory Fund, 1055 North Dale Street, St. Paul, MN 55117

Please continue to send me any fundraising solicitations, etc. You are a big help in letting me know who's raising money, etc.

Pawlenty: Rybak "trash talking"

Posted at 1:25 PM on June 8, 2009 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

On Friday, I wrote about Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak saying on Fox Business Network that Gov. Pawlenty (a Republican) would "get his butt kicked by Barack Obama" if Pawlenty decided to run for president.

Pawlenty appeared on Fox Business Network today and was asked about Rybak's comments. You can watch Pawlenty's response here.

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Pat Anderson has H1N1

Posted at 2:19 PM on June 8, 2009 by Tom Scheck

Former State Auditor (and possible GOP candidate for governor) Pat Anderson reports on her Facebook page that she has swine flu. I posted her entries chronologically.

"Pat Anderson Gallwas and her 16 year old daughter (name redacted by me) were diagnosed with "Swine Flu" a few hours ago. Not kidding. Apparently it's going around MN like crazy. The doc said it's a "good thing" because people are recovering just fine in about a five day timeframe. If you follow the 1918 influezna, the "second wave" that came in the fall was the most deadly."

"Adult and kid symptoms are different. Adults have severe body aches, bad count, and may or may not have vomiting, etc. 'I don't, thank god.' The kids have very high fevers, severe cough, sore throat and the inside of their eyelids are all red. The doc at Woodbury HP said he personally had 10 cases yesterday and we were the 5th and 6th on Sunday morning."

"I am hoping the rest of my family catches it as they think you become immune should the virus get worse."

I talked to Anderson this afternoon and she confirmed that she and her daughter have been diagnosed with H1N1. "It isn't any worse than the normal influenza," Anderson said.

When asked, Anderson also said it doesn't change her thoughts about running for governor but joked that she won't be making a decision this week.

"I haven't been thinking that clearly in the last couple of days so I won't be making a decision anytime soon," Anderson joked. She said she would make a decision in the next month or two.

Anderson is one of several Republicans who expressed interest in running for governor now that Gov. Pawlenty has said he won't seek a third term. Here's a checklist of candidates who expressed interest in running.

Start your engines...

Posted at 5:52 PM on June 8, 2009 by Tom Scheck

The Minnesota Environmental Partnership is hosting a gathering of gubernatorial and possible gubernatorial hopefuls on Thursday night. The group invited both GOP and DFL candidates. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman weren't invited since they are running for mayor of their respective cities this year. GOP Rep. Laura Brod is also absent from the list. Here's the release:

Gubernatorial Hopefuls to Answer Questions At Minnesota Environmental Partnership Meeting

WHAT: Gubernatorial hopefuls will answer questions from members of the Minnesota Environmental Partnership (MEP), a statewide coalition of more than 80 nonprofit conservation and environmental organizations working to protect and restore Minnesota's lakes, rivers, streams and Great Outdoors.

WHO: The following individuals, who have publicly identified themselves as potential candidates for Governor of Minnesota from the two major political parties as of June 4, 2009, and are not actively seeking another elected office, been invited to participate:

• Speaker of the House Margaret Anderson Kelliher (confirmed)
• Senator Tom Bakk (invited)
• Former US Senator Mark Dayton (unable to attend - will send letter)
• Former Minnesota House Minority Leader Matt Entenza (confirmed)
• Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner (confirmed)
• Senator David Hann (invited)
• Former State Senator Steve Kelley (confirmed)
• Representative Paul Kohls (invited)
• Representative Morrie Lanning (invited)
• Senator John Marty (confirmed)
• Senator Geoff Michel (invited)
• Minnesota Farmer's Union President Doug Peterson (invited)
• Representative Marty Seifert (unable to attend)
• Senate Majority Leader David Senjem (invited)
• Labor and Industry Commissioner Sviggum (confirmed)
• Representative Paul Thissen (confirmed)
• Minnesota Business Partnership Executive Director Charlie Weaver (invited)

MODERATOR: Lori Sturdevant, editorial writer & columnist, Star Tribune

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. - Thursday, June 11, 2009

WHERE: Town and Country Club
300 Mississippi River Blvd. N.
Saint Paul, MN 55104

MEDIA CREDENTIALS: All members of the news media will be required to present credentials to attend the event.

Bakk on gov's race

Posted at 6:04 PM on June 8, 2009 by Tom Scheck

DFL state Sen Tom Bakk officially entered the race for governor over the weekend. I talked with him about his message to voters, whether he would abide by the endorsement and other campaign matters. You can listen to the interview here:

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