Capitol View: December 20, 2009 Archive

Klobuchar: "We had to get something done here."

Posted at 8:54 AM on December 20, 2009 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2008: U.S. Senate, Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: U.S. House

Democratic U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar defended the Senate health care bill on an early Sunday morning national talk show. Senate Democratic leadership announced a deal Saturday on a sweeping health care overhaul bill that would extend coverage to thirty million Americans and impose tougher regulations on health care companies to curb abusive practices. During an appearance on Fox News Sunday, Klobuchar responded to liberal critics, like Howard Dean, who want to kill the bill because it doesn't do enough.

"I disagree with him. I don't have that ability to just leave my Christmas presents and go home. We had to get something done here."

Klobuchar also said her focus was always on reducing costs.
Klobuchar was also asked to defend an abortion provision in the Senate bill that would allow states to prohibit abortion coverage in plans offered by insurance companies in the proposed exchange (More from AP here). Klobuchar was asked, as a pro-choice Senator, if she's "offended" by the provision. Here's her response:

"I am offended that so many people don't have insurance in this country. I'm offended that kids get sick and their parents are running around trying to get treatment for them because their parents are kicked off of their insurance. I am offended by that. Would I have preferred the original Senate language? Of course I would."

The Senate is expected to pass the bill early tomorrow morning. It will then have to be reconciled with a bill that already passed the House. Republicans argue that both bills spend too much and don't contain health care costs.

On the stump...

Posted at 2:34 PM on December 20, 2009 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

It's a light week for the candidates who are running for governor. Here's the campaign schedule.

Pat Anderson (GOP):
Sunday, 12/20, Minneapolis City Republican Committee Christmas Party, MCRC/CD Headquarters, 800 North 3rd Street, Mpls. 2PM
Monday, 12/21, Benton County BPOU Meeting, St. Cloud Regional Airport 7PM

Tom Bakk (DFL):
No public events.

Leslie Davis (GOP):
Sunday, 12/20, 2-7pm, Minneapolis City Republican Committee, 800 North 3rd Street, Minneapolis

Mark Dayton (DFL):
The campaign did not provide me with a schedule.

Tom Emmer, (GOP):
Sunday, 12/20, Watch the Vikings with Tom, 6:30, O'Garas, 164 Snelling Ave. N, St. Paul, MN

Matt Entenza (DFL):
Sunday, 12/20, , 2pm, Wilde Roast, 518 E Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis; 2:30pm Minneapolis Hmong New Year, Metrodome

Susan Gaertner (DFL):
The campaign did not provide me with a campaign schedule.

Bill Haas (GOP):
The campaign did not provide me with a campaign schedule.

David Hann (GOP):
The campaign did not provide me with a campaign schedule.

Phil Herwig (GOP):
The campaign did not provide me with a campaign schedule.

Margaret Anderson Kelliher (DFL):
The campaign did not provide me with a campaign schedule.
No public events scheduled.

Steve Kelley (DFL):
No public events scheduled.

John Marty (DFL):
The campaign did not provide me with a campaign schedule.

Tom Rukavina (DFL):
The campaign did not provide me with a campaign schedule.

R.T. Rybak (DFL):
No public events scheduled.

Marty Seifert (GOP):
The campaign did not provide me with a campaign schedule.
Monday, 12/21, 9:00 am,Seifert live-chat; 6:30 pm Monday 12/21: Guest speaker for Redwood Falls Joint Rotary & Lions Clubs. Valley Supper Club in Redwood Falls.
Tuesday, 12/22: Seifert for Governor Christmas Party at Forpaugh's 3rd floor in St. Paul.6:30 pm $20.10 minimum suggested donation.
Wednesday, 12/23: Guest speaker at Minneota, Minnesota High School, 8:05 am
Thursday, 12/24: Christmas Eve Mass. St Eloi's Catholic Church in Ghent, Minnesota, 4:00 pm
Friday, 12/25: Host DeSutter side for Christmas at Marty & Traci Seifert's home in Marshall
Saturday, 12/26: Host Seifert side for Christmas at Marty & Traci Seifert's home in Marshall

Paul Thissen (DFL):
Sunday, 12/21 - 1:30-3p, Owatonna Meet and Greet, 1200 Interstate 35, Owatonna

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