Capitol View: September 9, 2010 Archive

Jindal to raise money for Emmer on Monday night

Posted at 11:03 AM on September 9, 2010 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal will raise money for Republican Tom Emmer's campaign for governor on Monday night. The fundraiser will be at the Minneapolis Hilton at 6pm. Donors are being asked to give $500 a person. I'm checking to see if the event is open press. An Emmer spokesman says the fundraisers are closed to the press at this point.

Comment on this post

Humphrey School to feature gov candidates

Posted at 11:07 AM on September 9, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

The U of M's Humphrey School will feature one on one interviews with the three major party candidates for governor.

The Center for the Study of Politics and Governance is sponsoring the forums to "foster informed and substantive discussion of important matters of public policy."

Here's the schedule:

Senator Mark Dayton (DFL) Monday, September 13, 2010 Noon - 1:15pm

Representative Tom Emmer (GOP) Wednesday, September 15, 2010 1:00 - 2:00pm

Tom Horner (IP) Monday, September 20, 2010 Noon - 1:15pm

Ellison warns Muslims not to "take the bait"

Posted at 12:32 PM on September 9, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: U.S. House, U.S. House

DFL Rep. Keith Ellison spoke with MPR's Tom Crann this morning about the controversy over a Florida pastor who wants to hold a Quran book burning on the anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.

Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, says Muslims in this country and elsewhere shouldn't "take the bait." He's worried there will be violence that would just play into the stereotypes that led to the Quran burning in the first place.

Ellison also defended the pastor's right to burn the holy book. He said as a lawyer, an American and a Muslim he has to stand up for the guy's right to be incendiary, but that doesn't mean the guy's right.

You can listen to the full interview here: Listen

Update: AP is reporting that the pastor cancels plan to burn Qurans on Sept. 11, heeding to outcry.

TV debate planned on senior issues

Posted at 3:40 PM on September 9, 2010 by Tim Pugmire
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

The three major candidates for governor are scheduled to discussed issues related to older Minnesotans in a televised debate next week.

Twin Cities Public Television and AARP Minnesota are sponsoring the debate, which will air live Friday, Sept. 17, at 8:00 p.m. An AARP news release today said the hour long broadcast will cover "health care reform, state budget priorities, economic security for older Minnesotans and preparing Minnesota for our aging demographic."

Nader backs Pentel's gov run

Posted at 4:39 PM on September 9, 2010 by Tom Scheck (4 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

Ralph Nader, a former Green Party candidate for President, endorsed Ken Pentel's campaign for governor. Pentel is running as a member of the Ecology Democracy Party. He has run for governor in 1998, 2002 and 2006 as a member of the Green Party.

Here's a statement from Nader (released by Pentel's campaign):

"In a 2000 Business Week poll, over 70% of the people said corporations have too much control over their lives. This was before the corporate outrages, corporate militarism and Wall Street Collapse, recession and bailout of the past decade.

Ken Pentel gets this feeling by a large majority of Americans in an experienced and knowledgeable way. He is a long time Minnesotan, fighter for fairness, justice and wise and healthy use of natural resources - air, water, soil, energy.

Ken Pentel's present run for Governor is for you and your children. Watch him, listen to him, question him, invite him and see if you agree with me that on November 2 you have a real choice for a change.

As he bicycles across the entire state of Minnesota, chances are good that you'll have an opportunity to do these things in person."

Comment on this post

Collett and McCollum camps trade barbs over debates

Posted at 4:58 PM on September 9, 2010 by Tom Scheck (34 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: U.S. House

Republican Teresa Collett is criticizing DFL Rep. Betty McCollum for declining to attend a KSTP-TV/League of Women Voters debate which was scheduled to be taped on September 19th. Collett called on McCollum to explain why she is declining to attend the debate.

"What does Betty McCollum have to hide from the voters besides her record", Collett asked in a news release.

McCollum's political director Will Blauvelt said the campaign declined to attend the debate because KSTP's owner, Stanley Hubbard, has given $2,000 to Collett's campaign.

"We don't do debates where the sponsoring organization has made political contributions to our opponents," Blauvelt said. "We've had the principle for three or four cycles now."

Blauvelt said the McCollum campaign would likely accept a debate request if another TV station offered it. He also said the McCollum campaign has accepted two other debate requests.

The first is scheduled at the White Bear Lake Chamber of Commerce on September 21st. The event will be at Jinny's Conference and Catering. Blauvelt said the other debate will be sponsored by the St. Paul League of Women Voters on October 21st.

Comment on this post