Polinaut: June 26, 2009 Archive

The Daily Digest

Posted at 7:08 AM on June 26, 2009 by Tom Scheck (0 Comments)
Filed under: Daily Digest

Gov. Pawlenty modified his unallotment plan. In a letter to lawmakers, MMB's Commissioner said they're restoring funding for a private facility in Minneapolis that cares for the mentally ill. The letter also said $6 million more in property tax refunds will go out because of cuts in state aid to local government. MPR and AP have stories.

Advocates say budget cuts target the most vulnerable.

Cities say 2010 looks rough.

Newly elected GOP House Minority Leader Kurt Zellers said some of the cuts could be restored if the economy improves.

The state's high court reprimands Dakota County Attorney Jim Backstrom.

Hiawatha Light Rail marks five years. What's next for transit?

Minnesota is seeking federal help for hog farmers.

Minnesota receives energy grants from the federal government.

Republicans gather in Rochester for a fundraiser for legislative candidates.

2008 Race for U.S. Senate

The FEC says Republican Norm Coleman can use some campaign cash for lawsuits. MPR, the Pi Press and the Star Tribune have stories.

D.C.

The House is scheduled to vote on the climate change bill today. It's expected to pass by a small margin.

DFL Rep. Tim Walz says he met with the White House Chief of Staff to discuss the bill. He now says he'll vote for it.

The Washington Post says a deal on the health bill is close.

A federal judge in Minneapolis will take on senior status.

The White House is hunting for $20 billion for highways and transit. DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is mentioned.

Oberstar says he's also "fed up" with complaints about the stimulus.

DFL Rep. Keith Ellison says his trip to Saudi Arabia was within House Ethics Rules.

Ellison also says he will not vote for a health care bill that does not include a public option.

GOP Rep. John Kline will attend a July fundraiser for wounded veterans.

Kline also blogs that states should decide how testing should work under the No Child Left Behind law.

Kline also said the card check bill is stuck in legislative limbo.

The Star Tribune picks up on a story that's been bouncing around for a week. GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann says she'll only fill out part of her census form.

2012

Gov. Pawlenty will speak tonight at a fundraiser for the Arkansas Republican Party in Little Rock.

Gov. Pawlenty opposes the new climate change bill.

NPR's Ken Rudin says Pawlenty is the likeliest of the current governors to reach the White House.

The Star Tribune picks up on the speculation that Pawlenty's chances improved as a result of South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford's affair.

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Arkansas is first stop on Pawlenty summer travel list

Posted at 7:27 AM on June 26, 2009 by Tom Scheck (0 Comments)

Gov. Pawlenty is scheduled to speak tonight at a fundraiser for the Arkansas Republican Party. It's his second out of state trip since he announced earlier this month that he's not seeking a third term (Pawlenty's first stop was in Washington D.C.).

Pawlenty has been brushing aside questions about a possible run for president but said he intends to travel the country to talk about the future of the Republican Party.

Pawlenty has other publicly known trips on his schedule in the coming months. He has an August speech to GOPAC in Chicago, a September speech to a family values conference in Washingon D.C. and an October speech to the Western Conservative Political Action Conference in California.

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Ramstad weighing run for governor

Posted at 2:07 PM on June 26, 2009 by Tom Scheck (0 Comments)

Former Republican Congressman Jim Ramstad said he's had "brainstorming" meetings about a possible run for governor in 2010. Ramstad said he hasn't made a timeline for the decision but said one factor he's weighing is whether he wants to give up a relatively normal life to get back into politics.

"I've been very humbled by all of the encouragement from people in both parties and of all walks of life but I'm not making any decisions at this time. I think it's way too early. People need a rest. They need a breather from politics."

Ramstad's support for legal abortion could make it hard for him to win the GOP endorsement, but his high name recognition from his 18 years in Congress could help him in a Republican primary. There are a handful of Republicans and Democrats who are either running or are considering a run for governor. Governor Pawlenty announced earlier this month that he will not run for a third term.

You can listen to his full interview with reporters here:
Listen

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For your viewing pleasure...

Posted at 3:26 PM on June 26, 2009 by Tom Scheck (0 Comments)

Here's a rundown for the weekend shows. Gov. Pawlenty watchers should take note that Pawlenty is scheduled to appear on CNN's State of the Union

TPT's Almanac:

This week on Almanac, Mary Lahammer gives us a behind-the-scenes look as outgoing Minority Leader Marty Seifert hands over the reins to new Republican House Minority Leader Kurt Zellers, political reporters covering the U.S. Senate trial stop by for a chat and a look at Teach For America's expansion into the Twin Cities.

KSTP's At Issue:

An interview with newly elected GOP House Minority Leader Kurt Zellers.

WCCO's Sunday Morning:

We have David Hill from Twin Cities Pride Festival, Mark Opdahl from St. Paul's Beerfest, Ross Donaldson (author of The Lassa Ward), and Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl from MN Monthly who is going to be speaking about the magazine's pizza survey.

The Capitol Report (which airs on PBS stations):

GOP state Sen. David Hann and Parents United for Public Schools Executive Director Mary Cecconi offer their perspectives on the pending $1.7 billion school payment shift.

Gov. Pawlenty explains his line-item veto of the 2011 General Assistance Medical Care appropriation, and DFL state Sen. Linda Berglin offers her view on the cut. Plus, highlights of the recent Legislative Advisory Commission meeting to review the governor's unallotment plan.

CBS's FACE THE NATION WITH BOB SCHIEFFER - Topics: Iran, North Korea, GOP politics, Mark Sanford, with UN Ambassador Susan Rice, and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, new Chairman of the Republican Governors Association.

CNN's STATE OF THE UNION WITH JOHN KING - The 9 a.m. Hour. Topics: U.S. andover to Iraq; Iraqi Troop Readiness; War on Terrorism; Iran. Guest: Gen. Ray Odierno, Commander, Multi-National Force-Iraq. Topics: Health Care Debate; Future of the GOP; Economy. Guest: Gov. Tim Pawlenty, R-Minn. The 11 a.m. Hour. Topics: Topics: Energy. Guest: T. Boone Pickens, chairman and CEO, BP Capital.

FOX NEWS SUNDAY - Topics: Health care, with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, and Sen. Mitch Mcconnell, R-Ky.; Iraq, with Gen. Ray Odierno, Commanding General, Multi-National Force, Iraq.

NBC's MEET THE PRESS - Topic: The Obama agenda -- health care, energy, the troubled economy, and the administration's response on Iran. Guest: Senior White House Adviser David Axelrod. Topics: Leadership challenges facing the Republican Party; the Future of the GOP; and the Obama agenda. Guests: Former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass., 2008 GOP presidential candidate.

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New state GOP chairman reorganizes staff

Posted at 3:33 PM on June 26, 2009 by Tim Pugmire (0 Comments)

Tony Sutton, the newly elected chairman of the state Republican Party, is busy putting together a new leadership team. Sutton takes the reins from Ron Carey on July 1. The GOP detailed the other changes today in this news release:

Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman-elect Tony Sutton today announced he would be appointing Ryan Griffin executive director, Gina Countryman deputy executive director, Mike Tavernier political director, and Jonathan Aanestad as director of communications.

"The 2010 elections are a critical task for our Party and I believe this new team will be able to strengthen our organization from the bottom up. With both private sector and political experience, these individuals will bring a broad array of talents and skills that will give our candidates the edge we need next November," Chairman-elect Tony Sutton said

All positions begin July 1, and coincide with the start of Chairman-elect Sutton's term.

"I am pleased that my successor will be surrounding himself with many talented people. I am confident that Tony Sutton and his team will be able to seize the opportunity to lead the Republican Party to greater success in 2010 and beyond," Chairman Ron Carey said.

Sutton praised the work of Carey and executive director Darren Bearson, who he says will continue to play a role in helping elect Minnesota Republicans.

"I was impressed by Darren's achievements during his tenure as executive director. His considerable skills in decision-making, political strategy and financial management have helped make our Party stronger. I look forward to continuing to work together in the future," Sutton said.

"2010 is going to be an important year for Minnesota Republicans. It will be an incredible opportunity to focus on the future of this great state, and I look forward to working with the new team," Darren Bearson said.

Ryan Griffin previously worked on Gov. Tim Pawlenty's successful 2002 race and has worked with both the House and Senate Republican Caucuses.

Gina Countryman most recently served as communications director and has previously served as research director of the Republican Party of Minnesota.

Mike Tavernier is a long-time political grassroots strategist working with Congressional and statewide campaigns.

Jonathan Aanestad has served as both a grassroots activist and as an executive for numerous companies with extensive work in marketing.

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Ramstad calls for bipartisanship

Posted at 5:05 PM on June 26, 2009 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

I reported earlier that former GOP Congressman Jim Ramstad has met with supporters about a possible run for governor. We caught up with him after he gave a speech to the League of Minnesota Cities.

As I wrote in today's story on Ramstad, the speech was part pep rally, part campaign pitch. He leveled attacks on those who worry more about "the base" than the work of government. There are a few zingers in there as well. The theme of the speech was an increased need for bipartisanship.

You can have a listen to the speech here:

Listen

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Pawlenty hollers Pig Sooie

Posted at 10:53 PM on June 26, 2009 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

Gov. Pawlenty spoke last night to more than 400 Republican activists in Little Rock, Arkansas. Pawlenty spoke about the future of the Republican Party at a fundraiser for the Arkansas Republican Party. Pawlenty, who is mentioned as a potential 2012 candidate for president, said his trip had nothing to do with his political future. Prior to the speech he spoke with reporters about his speech, his out of state travel and whether South Carolina Governor mark Sanford should resign.

You can listen to that audio here:

Listen

(h/t KUAR's Michael Hibblen)

The DFL Party released this web video and a statement by Minnesota DFL Party Associate Chair Donna Cassutt before Pawlenty's trip. Here's part of her statement:

For those wondering, Pig Sooie is the chant done by University of Arkansas Razorbacks fans.

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