Capitol View: January 18, 2010 Archive

Coleman not running....

Posted at 12:06 AM on January 18, 2010 by Tom Scheck (3 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

Former GOP Sen. Norm Coleman announced that he will not run for governor. He released this statement on his Facebook page:

I love Minnesota and I love public service, but this is not the right time for me and my family to conduct a campaign for Governor.

Timing is everything. The timing on this race is both a bit too soon and a bit too late. It is too soon after my last race and too late to do a proper job of seeking the support of delegates who will decide in which direction our party should go. The commitments I have to my family and the work I am currently engaged in do not allow me to now go forward.

At the moment, I am tremendously energized by the work I am currently involved in to create a positive, center right agenda for this country. Anger on the left and anger on the right will get us nowhere. In Minnesota, we face a jobs deficit, a budget deficit and a bipartisanship deficit. We must all put aside the bitterness and sniping and remember that behind every job loss and every home foreclosure is a Minnesota family losing hope and confidence.

I think I can be part of recreating a more civil and respectful politics, a politics that better expresses the will of the vast majority of people. I will continue my efforts to work with Republicans, Independents and moderate, common sense Democrats across the country to advance the values of fiscal responsibility, entrepreneurship, effective government change, national security and respect for life. That's where America is philosophically and we need well-thought-out policies that express it.

My thanks to the many folks who encouraged me to run, but I've learned there are lots of ways to serve without an official position. Dr. King said everyone can be great because everyone can serve. We all need to seek out how our service can do the most good, and at this moment in my life, I've found mine.

Thanks. God bless you.

GOP Rep. Marty Seifert, who is running, released this statement after Coleman made his announcement:

"Norm Coleman has served the people of Minnesota with great distinction for over three decades. Our state is stronger because of Norm's selfless dedication to public service. It is clear that Norm will continue to make great contributions to Minnesota and the country with his new endeavor. I look forward to working with Norm on addressing the challenges facing our great state. I wish Norm, Laurie, and his children all the best in the future."

Update; Here's a statement from GOP Rep. Tom Emmer of Delano (who is running):

As I reflect on Norm Coleman's decision today, I am reminded of Teddy Roosevelt's famous Man in the Arena speech - a speech often quoted by Senator Coleman. As Mayor of Saint Paul, U.S. Senator and leader of our party, Norm Coleman has been that man in the arena on behalf of Minnesota.

As Roosevelt said:

"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena ... who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly."

Norm Coleman was an effective member of the U.S. Senate during a very difficult period in our nation and he has earned our respect and gratitude. I look forward to working with Norm "in the arena" in the future and I pledge to meet his challenge today to work for a more civil and respectful political environment.

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Coleman discusses why he's not running

Posted at 12:08 PM on January 18, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

Former GOP Sen. Norm Coleman talked with reporters today on why he decided against a run for governor. Like he said on his Facebook page, timing was everything.

Coleman said he won't back another candidate at this time but argued that it's important to keep the governor's office in GOP hands. Coleman also thought he could have won a primary and won't rule out a future run for office.

Here's the q and a with reporters: Listen

Thanks to MPR's Tim Nelson for supplying me with the audio.

On the stump...

Posted at 2:18 PM on January 18, 2010 by Tom Scheck (2 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

Sorry this is a bit late. A Facebook friend kept me busy today.

Here's where the candidates for governor will campaign this week.

Tom Bakk (DFL):
Tuesday, Jan. 19, Edina Rotary, 7:30 a.m., Edina Country Club, 5100 Wooddale Ave., Edina; Olmstead County DFL meeting, 7 p.m., Rochester DFL Office, 401 16th Ave. NW, Rochester
Wednesday, Jan. 20, North Metro Area Chamber of Commerce, 5 p.m., Infinite Campus, 4321 109th Avenue NE, Blaine
Thursday, Jan. 21, Minnesota Pork Congress, 10 a.m., Minneapolis Convention Center; Meet and greet, 3:30 p.m., Caribou Coffee, 8320 City Centre Dr., Woodbury
Friday, Jan. 22 - Schools in Equity Education, 10:30 a.m., Ramada Plaza Hotel, Minneapolis; Meet and greet, 3:30 p.m., Edina Public Library, 5280 Grandview Lane, Edina; Mankato State University Dems/SD 23 gubernatorial forum, 7 p.m., MSU
Saturday, MYDFL Convention, 12:30 p.m., South High School, Minneapolis; Beltrami and Cass County DFL Dinner, Walker American Legion, 407 Front St., Walker

Leslie Davis (GOP):
Monday, January 18, Minneapolis City Republicans, 7pm, 800 North 3rd Street, Minneapolis
Tuesday, January 19, Money Plan Meeting, 12pm, State Office Building, St. Paul; SD 46, 8pm, Brooklyn Park
Wednesday, January 20, May Day Books, 7pm, Colobmia discussion Minneapolis
Thursday, January 21, Belle Plain BPOU, 6pm, Belle Plain
Friday, January 22, Elephant Club, 12 noon, Hilton Hotel, Minneapolis
Saturday, January 23, 6pm, President's Day Forum

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

Tom Emmer, (GOP):
The campaign did not provide me with a schedule.

Matt Entenza (DFL):
Monday, January 18, Martin Luther King Jr. Day Breakfast, Minneapolis Convention Center, Ballroom A, 1301 Second Ave S, Minneapolis; Meeting with Rochester Young DFL Club
Tuesday, Jan 19, 6 - 6:30 p.m, Century High School Forum Room, 2525 Viola Road Northeast, Rochester;,Olmsted County DFL Central Committee Meeting, 7 - 8 p.m DFL Office, 401 16th Ave NW, Rochester
Wednesday, Jan. 20, Don P. Smith Meet and Greet, 7 - 8 p.m._11417 Louisiana Avenue, Bloomington
Thursday, Jan. 21, Chris McHugh Meet and Greet, 7 - 8:30 p.m., 50 12th St NW, Pine City,
Friday, Jan. 22, Mankato Forum, - 9 p.m, Minnesota State University, Centennial Student Union, Rooms 253-55
Saturday, Jan. 23, TakeAction MN/Second Chance Forum, 10 - Noon_Coffman Union, University of Minnesota, 300 Washington Ave SE, Minneapolis; MYDFL Convention, Noon - 1:30 p.m._South High School, 3131 19th Ave S, Minneapolis
Sunday, Jan. 24th, D38 DFL Winter Party, 2 - 4 p.m._Jim and Ellen Johnson's house, 594 Huron Court, Eagan

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):
Monday, Jan. 18, Senate District 45 Meet & Greet, hosted by Rep. Lynn Carlson, Shep Harris, Carole Carlson and Andrea Wiley, Crystal Community Center, Crystal, 7:00PM
Tuesday, January 19, Maplewood Meet & Greet hosted by Peter Fisher and Scott Wasiluk, Home of Scott Wasiluk - 1400 Currie St N, Maplewood, 7:30PM
Wednesday, Jan. 20, Minneapolis Meet & Greet hosted by Representatives Dianne Loeffler, Representative Phyllis Kahn, Bill Richardson and Joline Gitis, Home of Joline Gitis, 1517 E. River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN, 7:00PM
Friday, Jan. 22, Mankato Candidate Forum hosted by Minnesota State University - Mankato and CD 1 DFL, Minnesota State University - Mankato, 7:00PM
Saturday, Jan. 23, Second Chance Gubernatorial Candidate Forum, Coffman Union 3rd Floor, U of M, 300 Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55455, 10:00AM; Minnesota Young DFL Annual Convention, South High School, 3131 19th Ave S., Convention begins at 9:00AM

Steve Kelley (DFL):
Monday, Jan 18th, 6:00-7:00PM - Steve Kelley Urban Issues Roundtable, Victory 44 2203 44th Ave N. 55412
Tuesday, Jan 19th, 6:30PM - SD 61 meeting, meeting Hosmer Library, 347 E 36th St, Mpls
Thursday, Jan 21st, 5:00PM-6:00PM - Purple to Blue SD 38 Coffee with Steve Kelley
Caribou Coffee (1380 Duckwood Drive, #101)_6:30PM - SD39 True Blue Coffee&Dinner at Khoury's Restaurant and Bakery (5660 Bishop Ave. Inver Grove Heights), 8:30PM - Red to Purple SD35 Social Hour at O'Malley's Bar and Grill
(16211 Main Ave, Prior Lake)
Friday, Jan. 22nd, 6:30PM, SD23/Mankato State Dems. Gubernatorial Forum Mankato State Centennial Student Union, Rooms 253-5
Saturday, Jan. 23rd, 10:00AM - Minnesota 2nd Change Coalition/Take Action Candidate Forum Coffman Union; 1:00PM - MYDFL convention South High School 3131 19th Ave S_Minneapolis, MN; 5:00PM - Beltrami/Cass County Fundraiser MN Beltrami/Cass County DFL fundraiser, Walker American Legion 407 Front Street
Sunday, Jan.24th, 2:15PM - SD38 True Blue/True Purple party

John Marty (DFL):
Tuesday, 1/19 5:30-7:30pm FairVote Celebration, 215 Otis, Saint Paul, MN
Thursday, 1/21 6-8pm MN NOW Roe Anniversary Event, Azia, 26th & Nicollet, Mpls; 6:30-7:30pm SD54 Central Committee Meeting
Friday, 1/22 7-9pm MSU-Mankato College Dems & SD23 Candidate Forum, MSU-Mankato, Centennial Student Union, Rooms 253-5
Saturday, 1/23 10:15-12pm Second Chance Forum, Coffman Union, University of Minnesota; 1-2pm MYDFL Convention, South High School; 7-11 Blue State Bash, Minneapolis Convention Center, Room 200
Sunday, 1/24 1-2:30 Mindy Greiling & Bev Scalze Coffee Party, 2495 Marion St, Roseville; 2-5 SD38 Winter Party, 594 Huron Court, Eagan, MN 55123; 6:30-8:30 Forum on Jobs, Health Care, and Housing; Temple Israel

Tom Rukavina (DFL):
Tuesday, 1/19, 7:00pm- Take Action MN Candidate Forum, Minneapolis
Thursday, 1/21, 9:00-10:00am- Farm Media Interviews, Minneapolis; 3:00-4:00pm -Faegre & Benson Fundraiser, Minneapolis; 7:00- Lints Meet & Greet, Coon Rapids
Friday, 1/22, 7:00-8:00 Mankato State Governor Forum, Mankato

R.T. Rybak (DFL):
Monday, Jan 18th, Monday, Council on Black Minnesotans MLK Jr. Youth Rally, 9:30- 10:30 AM, Central High School Auditorium, 275 N. Lexington Ave, St. Paul, MN 55104
Tuesday, Jan 19th, Hemingway Forum, 12:00-1:00 PM, Prom Center, 484 Inwood Avenue North, Oakdale, MN 55128; SD 58 Meeting, 6:00-7:00 PM, North Regional Library, 1315 Lowry Avenue Northeast Minneapolis, MN 55411
Wednesday, R.T. Rybak appears at the Monthly Meeting of Senate District 58; Meet and Greet with Metro College Students for R.T., 7:30-8:00 PM, Campaign Office
Thursday, Jan 21st, University of Minnesota Law School Democrats, 12:00 - 1:20 PM, University of Minnesota Law School, 229 19th Ave S., Minneapolis, MN 55455; Congressional District #3 Activist's Meeting, 6:30-7:00 PM, Paddy's Wagon, 133 Coon Rapids Blvd. NW, Minneapolis, MN, 55433
Friday, January 22, SD 23 - MSU-Mankato Governor Candidate Forum, 7:00- 8:00 PM, Where: Minnesota State University- Mankato, Centennial Student Union, Rooms 253-55, 228 Wiecking CTR, Mankato, MN 56001
Saturday, January 23, My DFL Convention, 10:00- 3:00, South High School, 3131 19th Avenue S, Minneapolis, 55407, 12:30pm; AM950 5th Anniversary Blue State Bash, 7:00-9:00, Minneapolis Convention Center, Room 200, 1301 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Sunday, Jan. 24th, SD 26 Rally for Jason Englebrecht, 1:00 PM- 1:30 PM, Steel Workers Union, 16 3rd St, NE, Faribault, MN; SD 38 True Blue Winter Party, 3:00-5:00, Jim and Ellen Johnson Residence, 594 Huron Ct., Eagan, MN,

Marty Seifert (GOP):
Monday, 1/18 - 9am - Live Chat, www.seifertforgovernor.com/livechat
Tuesday, 1/19 - 6:30pm Forest Lake Meet and Greet with Representative Bob Dettmer, Forest Lake Legion, 355 West Broadway Avenue, Forest Lake, MN
Wednesday, 1/20 - 1pm, Door Knocking With Mike Parry in Waseca
Thursday, 1/21 - 6:30pm, Belle Plaine GOP Forum, Kingsway Retirement Facility, 815 W. Main Street, Belle Plaine, 56011
Friday, 1/22 - 6:30pm, Perham Tea Party, Perham Area Community Center 620 3rd Ave SE Perham, MN
Saturday, 1/23 - 6:00pm Wright County GOP Presidents Dinner, Reichel"s Event Center 725 Norway Drive East, Annandale, MN

Paul Thissen (DFL):
Monday, 1/18, 11am, Powderhorn Park MLK Jr. Celebration, 3400 15th Ave. S., Mpls.; 2pm, Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration, Westonka Community Library, 2079 Commerce Blvd. Mound, MN
Tuesday, 1/19, 5:30pm, FairVote Victory Celebration, Shadow Falls Condominiums Street, 215 Otis Avenue, St. Paul
Wednesday, 1/20, 7pm, SD45 DFL meeting, Crystal City Hall, 4141 Douglas Drive, Crystal, MN 55422
Friday, 1/22, 8:30am, MN Association of Health Underwriters, 6155 Earle Brown Drive, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430-2138; 7pm, MSU-Mankato / SD23 Candidate Debate, MSU-Mankato, Centennial Student Union, Rooms 253-5
Saturday, 1/23, 10am, MN 2nd Chance Coalition Forum, Coffman Union 3rd Fl., U of M, 300 Washington Ave SE, Mpls, MN 55455; 1pm, MyDFL Convention, South High School, 3131 19th Ave S Minneapolis, MN
Sunday, 1/24, 2pm, SD38 DFL Winter Party, 594 Huron Court, Eagan, MN 55123

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Teamsters back Dayton for governor

Posted at 2:35 PM on January 18, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

Democrat Mark Dayton secured his second union endorsement today when the Teamsters Joint Council 32 announced it was backing him for governor. AFSCME Council 5 announced last year it was backing Dayton as well.

In a news release, Teamsters Joint Council 32 President Sue Mauren said "Dayton is the right choice for the Teamsters Union and for all Minnesotans." The release said the union has 62,000 active and retired members.

You can read the release here.

Who are the unions backing? A checklist.

Posted at 2:42 PM on January 18, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

Here's a rundown of which unions are backing the candidates for governor.

Tom Bakk - Northern Central State Regional Carpenters Council, The Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council, Duluth Building and Construction Trades Council

Mark Dayton - The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 5, Teamsters Joint Council 32

Margaret Anderson Kelliher - Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49, Greater Minnesota AFSCME Council 65, IBEW Minnesota

Tom Rukavina - Four local steelworkers unions

R.T. Rybak - Local 120, Teamsters

Paul Thissen - Minnesota Nurses Association

SEIU