Capitol View: April 7, 2010 Archive

College union to host five gubernatorial candidates

Posted at 10:07 AM on April 7, 2010 by Tim Pugmire (1 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

Five candidates for governor are scheduled to discuss higher education issues Friday in Roseville.

The candidates, representing three political parties, will speak individually to the Inter Faculty Organization Delegate Assembly. An IFO media advisory lists the participants as Tom Horner of the Independence Party (2:45 p.m.), Republican Marty Seifert (3:00 p.m.) and DFLers Tom Rukavina (3:15 p.m.), John Marty (3:30 p.m.) and Mark Dayton (3:45 p.m.). The event is at the Radisson Roseville.

The advisory says each candidate will give their positions on issues related to higher education and state finances, and then answer audience questions.

The IFO union represents 3,800 faculty members at Minnesota's seven state universities.

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DNC takes preemptive shot at Bachmann, Palin

Posted at 10:29 AM on April 7, 2010 by Tim Pugmire (3 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: U.S. House

In advance of today's GOP rally in Minneapolis, featuring Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, the Democratic National Committee released a new web ad.

A DNC news release accuses Bachmann and Palin of inciting fear and anger.

"Like peas in a pod, these two darlings of the extreme right wing fringe not only spout the most hateful and incendiary rhetoric in the public discourse today, but are also the faces of the new Republican Party," said DNC National Press Secretary Hari Sevugan.

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Magnus to retire from House, run for Senate

Posted at 11:41 AM on April 7, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, MN Legislature

The Worthington Daily Globe reports today that GOP Rep. Doug Magnus is retiring from the Minnesota House and will run for the Minnesota Senate. He's seeking the seat being vacated by DFL Sen. Jim Vickerman.

Magnus is now the 15th lawmaker to announce their retirement.

Here's the full list of retirements:

Minnesota House
DFL House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher (running for governor)
DFL Rep. Karla Bigham
DFL Rep. Jeremy Kalin
DFL Rep. Cy Thao
GOP Rep. Rob Eastlund
GOP Rep. Randy Demmer (running for Congress)
GOP Rep. Marty Seifert (running for governor)
GOP Rep. Dan Severson (running for Secretary of State)
GOP Rep. Doug Magnus (running for state senate)

Minnesota Senate
DFL Sen. Steve Murphy
DFL Sen. Jim Vickerman
DFL Sen. Tarryl Clark (running for Congress)
GOP Sen. Steve Dille
GOP Sen. Pat Pariseau
GOP Sen. Dennis Frederickson

Bachmann and Palin draw praise, criticism

Posted at 11:33 AM on April 7, 2010 by Mike Mulcahy (1 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: U.S. House, Tim Pawlenty, U.S. House

Apparently there's nothing like a Michele Bachmann-Sarah Palin get-together to fire up people on both sides of the political debate.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who is scheduled to attend Bachmann and Palin's rally in Minneapolis this afternoon, is defending the 6th District GOP congresswoman and trying to raise a little money for his federal PAC.

He sent out this e-mail:

Michele Bachmann is under attack from extreme liberal activists for standing up for her Constitutional conservative principles. Michele has a proven record of promoting free markets, questioning the encroachment of the federal government, and refusing to accept that government officials in Washington should make decisions for everyday Americans.

I founded Freedom First PAC in order to support candidates who will promote these conservative principles to ensure a strong America for future generations. Michele Bachmann is one of these proven conservative candidates.

DFL U.S. Reps Keith Ellison and Betty McCollum will be at a noontime rally at the Capitol sponsored by the AFL-CIO to counter Bachmann's events. As we noted here earlier this week Ellison is also trying to raise campaign money around the Palin visit.

Bachmann's potential November opponents are also taking note of Palin's visit. Maureen Reed, who intends to run in the DFL primary in August, let her campaign manager do the talking:

"Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann's 'let them eat cake' mentality is just out of touch with the district and does not serve the interests of the people," Jason Isaacson, Campaign Manager for the Reed Campaign said.

"Assembled in Minneapolis today are two of the authors of many of the worst deceptions from the past year's health care debate. Not only are they unrepentant, but they have been emboldened by the national coverage and the year of delays before comprehensive health care reform was past."

And state Sen. Tarryl Clark, who won the DFL endorsement to run against Bachmann, spent some time in Stillwater this morning to note that Bachmann has been spending a lot of time outside the 6th District. Here's part of what her campaign said:

While Clark works for the people of the 6th District, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann continues to pursue her own agenda - at the expense of the people she was elected to represent. Instead of working for her constituents, Michele Bachmann will take the stage in Minneapolis for a rally and big-ticket fundraiser with her friend Sarah Palin.

This rounds out a Congressional recess which Bachmann has spent traveling the state and the nation - with stops in Iowa, Florida, and Duluth, Moorhead and Rochester, Minnesota - promoting her own personal agenda while virtually ignoring her District and the constituents she represents.

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Immelman will make second bid to unseat Bachmann

Posted at 1:25 PM on April 7, 2010 by Tim Pugmire (1 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: U.S. House

A college professor who unsuccessfully challenged Congresswoman Michele Bachmann in the Republican primary two years ago says he'll try again this year.

Aubrey Immelman of Sartell announced his plans today on his Web site.

Today, I announce a second challenge to incumbent Rep. Michele Bachmann for the U.S. House of Representatives seat in Minnesota's 6th Congressional District, on a platform of national security, law and order, fiscal responsibility, and uncompromising opposition to political extremism.

The announcement comes the same day as Bachmann's high profile rally in Minneapolis with former Alaska governor Sarah Palin. Immelman teaches at St. John's University and the College of St. Benedict. He has not yet decided whether to run as a Republican or independent.

"The reason that I've decided to run again is because I want to provide voters with an alternative to our incumbent congresswoman," Immelman said. "I'm especially concerned about the revolution that's in the air. I do not think that is good for our country."

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Emmer puts record above pledge card

Posted at 4:31 PM on April 7, 2010 by Tim Pugmire (5 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

State Rep. Tom Emmer, a Republican candidate for governor, is firing back at his chief rival on the issues of taxes.

When it comes to signing pledges to oppose tax increases, Emmer is telling his supporters that his word is his pledge. He posted information on his campaign Web site today in response to Rep. Marty Seifert, who appeared at a news conference Tuesday to sign a Taxpayers League of Minnesota Pledge.

Emmer did not sign the pledge. But he pointed to his six years in office voting against tax increases serves as his pledge to the taxpayers of Minnesota. Emmer also accused Seifert of inconsistency on the issue of signing such pledges.

Emmer and Seifert are widely viewed as the frontrunners for the GOP endorsement, which will be decided at the Republican state convention April 29-May, in Minneapolis.

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Speeches!

Posted at 5:51 PM on April 7, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: U.S. House, Tim Pawlenty

Here's the audio from a few of today's speeches.

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann: Listen

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin: Listen

Governor Tim Pawlenty: Listen

DFL Rep. Betty McCollum and DFL Rep. Keith Ellison: Listen