Polinaut: July 27, 2009 Archive

Daily Digest

Posted at 6:30 AM on July 27, 2009 by Tim Pugmire (0 Comments)
Filed under: Daily Digest

The Republican Governors Association will reportedly name Gov. Tim Pawlenty as its vice-chair today.

Union officials say Gov. Pawlenty still hasn't responded to their money-saving proposal.

School districts are preparing for cash-flow shortfalls.

The Minnesota Vikings will have tough time pushing a new stadium in the 2010 Legisaltive session.

Sen. Larry Pogemiller is proposing a bipartisan leadership summit.

Minnesota district courts handled more cases in 2008 than the year before.

DC

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., is warning first-time home buyers that a tax credit will expire in November.

Congressman James Oberstar Rep. James Oberstar has a plan to pass his highway bill.

2010

Ten DFLers who want to be governor made their pitch at a weekend event near Austin.

2012

Gov. Pawlenty is logging a lot of miles and testing a national message.

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Pawlenty's new duties include getting GOP governors elected

Posted at 10:46 AM on July 27, 2009 by Tim Pugmire (1 Comments)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty will be in the thick of efforts to elect Republican governors in 2010. Pawlenty, who is not seekinga third term, was selected as the new vice chairman of the Republican Governor's Association. Here's today's RGA news release:

The Republican Governors Association announced today that Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty has been elected vice-chairman of the organization. Governor Pawlenty will work closely with RGA Chairman Haley Barbour to ensure that Republicans running in the 39 upcoming governor elections will have the resources and support they need to win.

"Governor Pawlenty has been a leader in the effort to grow the Republican Party beyond our traditional base while remaining true to our principles," said RGA Chairman Haley Barbour. "His firsthand knowledge of how to win in a so-called purple state will be a major asset to the RGA. I look forward to working closely with Governor Pawlenty to win back the majority of governorships for the GOP."

As states around the country face historic budget deficits, Governor Pawlenty was selected for the post because of his successful record of controlling taxes and spending in Minnesota over his two terms as governor. As vice chair, Governor Pawlenty will work with the RGA's donors and campaign on the behalf of Republican candidates.

"Electing fiscally responsible governors is the most important task facing our party between now and the end of 2010," Governor Pawlenty said. "Winning these races is key to rebuilding the GOP and strengthening our economy. I'm especially excited to work with Governor Barbour, who helped rebuild our party in the 1990s. We have a tremendous opportunity to transform the political map."

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State GOP irked by Peterson quote, wants apology

Posted at 2:06 PM on July 27, 2009 by Tim Pugmire (2 Comments)

Today's Politico story on the Obama birth certificate flap and other political conspiracy theories included a quote from Minnesota Congressman Collin Peterson:

"Twenty-five percent of my people believe the Pentagon and Rumsfeld were responsible for taking the twin towers down," said Rep. Collin Peterson, a Democrat who represents a conservative Republican district in Minnesota. "That's why I don't do town meetings."

Peterson was not quoted again in the story.

Minnesota Republicans jumped on the comment, calling on Peterson to apologize. In a news release, Republican Party of Minnesota Chair Tony Sutton described Peterson's remarks as "outrageous and offensive." Sutton also said Peterson revealed just how out of touch and disconnected he has become in Washington.

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Peterson apologizes for conspiracy comment

Posted at 4:59 PM on July 27, 2009 by Tim Pugmire (2 Comments)

Congressman Collin Peterson is triying to clarify the point he wanted to make in a Politico story (see previous post) after Minnesota Republicans accused him of insulting his constituents. Here's the written statement Peterson sent out this afternoon:

"If anyone was offended by my off-handed comment I sincerely apologize - I certainly wasn't trying to make fun of anyone. What I was talking about was simply that there are the people in Minnesota's 7th District who have called me and talked to me about this question. The other point I was trying to make is that there are people in the 7th District who freely identify themselves as outside the mainstream - on the left and on the right - who try to hijack public forums like town hall meetings. That's why I do my district meetings on specific topics and in a variety of forums. People in my district know me and they know they can reach me at meetings that happen all around the 7th District."

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