Capitol View: October 8, 2009 Archive

DNC targets Bachmann

Posted at 10:36 AM on October 8, 2009 by Tom Scheck

The DNC is "calling Michele Bachmann out" for her recent comments on the health reform legislation that's moving through Congress.

The DNC released a web video criticizing Bachmann for a variety of comments including death panels, school health care clinics providing abortions and illegal immigratns getting health coverage under the plan.

Bachmann is the second Minnesota politician to be targeted by the DNC. The DNC released a web video in September criticizing Gov. Pawlenty's comments on the health bill.

I contacted Congresswoman Bachmann's office for a comment but haven't heard back from them.

Here's a statement from Bachmann's spokesman Dave Dziok:

"Congresswoman Bachmann is used to the Democrats' name-calling. It's what they do when they can't connect with the people on their policies. And all year long they've been promoting ideas that are flat-out rejected by the American people."

Chris Coleman to announce 2010 intentions later this afternoon

Posted at 1:05 PM on October 8, 2009 by Tom Scheck

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman's office sent out a news release today saying he'll announce his 2010 intentions at a 3 pm news conference.

An official with the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board just said there have been no new candidate filings for governor.

Chris Coleman is not running for governor.

Posted at 3:06 PM on October 8, 2009 by Tom Scheck

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman just announced that he's not running for governor in 2010. MPR's Tim Pugmire reports that Coleman said the work of the city is not done.

More later....

Update:

At the start of the news conference, Coleman recapped his accomplishments during his first term as mayor and had to ask himslef if the work of the city is done. He said he also had to ask himself if he could balance the job of mayor with the campaign schedule of a candidate for governor and "the answer to both questions is no," Coleman said.

Coleman said he made the decision this morning...

Franken pushes for the public option

Posted at 4:36 PM on October 8, 2009 by Tom Scheck

DFL Sen. Al Franken is one of several members of the U.S. Senate who is urging Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to make sure the final health care bill include a public health insurance option. The letter, which was signed by thirty Senators, said the public option is critical. Here's a portion of the letter:

As it stands, the health insurance market is dominated by a handful of for-profit health insurers that are exempt from the anti-trust laws that ensure robust competition in other markets across the United States. Without a not-for-profit public insurance alternative that competes with these insurers based on premium rates and quality, insurers will have free rein to increase insurance premiums and drive up the cost of federal subsidies tied to those premiums. This is simply not fiscally sustainable.

We recognize that the two Committees with jurisdiction over health reform - the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee - have taken two very different approaches with respect to this issue. However, a strong public option has resounding support among Senate Democrats - every Democrat on HELP, three quarters of those on Finance, and what we believe is a majority of the caucus.

Minnesota's Senior U.S. Senator, Amy Klobuchar, did not sign the letter.

Pawlenty in Atlanta today

Posted at 5:18 PM on October 8, 2009 by Tom Scheck

Gov. Pawlenty is in Atlanta today attending meetings for the Republican Governor's Association. A search of Pawlenty's name on Twitter showed that he was in Atlanta with RGA executive director Nick Ayers. Pawlenty's spokesman Brian McClung said Pawlenty was in Minnesota this morning and will return to the state this evening.

For those keeping track, Pawlenty is also scheduled to appear on this Washington D.C. based radio station at 8 pm Central.

Pawlenty's public events schedule says he has a speaking engagement Friday morning at 8:30 and the governor's radio show at 9 AM.

You can keep track of Gov. Pawlenty's out of state travel by viewing this map.

Ellison documents costs behind Saudi Arabia trip

Posted at 5:28 PM on October 8, 2009 by Tom Scheck

DFL Rep. Keith Ellison has amended his financial disclosure statement to show that he has accepted $13,350 from the Muslim American Society of Minnesota for his Hajj. Ellison, one of two Muslims currently in Congress, made the trip to Mecca last December.

Several conservative groups called on Ellison to disclose who paid for the trip.

Chris Coleman's newser

Posted at 6:06 PM on October 8, 2009 by Tom Scheck

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman announced today that he won't run for governor. It's safe to say that the news is a bit of a surprise since Coleman wasn't bashful about running for governor in 2010. Coleman said he made his decision this morning. You can listen to the entire announcment here:

Listen