Capitol View: October 24, 2010 Archive

Duluth News Tribune backs Cravaack

Posted at 4:58 PM on October 24, 2010 by Tom Scheck (6 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: U.S. House, Campaign 2010: U.S. MN CD8

The Duluth News Tribune announced today that it was endorsing Republican Chip Cravaack over DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar. The reason, the paper says, is because of the stance the candidates have made on fiscal matters:

The brake pedal of fiscal responsibility is needed in Washington now as much as ever. Although Oberstar voted in 1993 for the biggest debt reduction in post-World War II history, the 17-term incumbent is hardly the embodiment of financial restraint and new direction.

His opponent, on the other hand, Republican Chip Cravaack, represents what Congress, including Minnesota's 8th Congressional District, needs at this critical crossroads in American history. A pro-business, fiscally conservative, former Navy captain, with a master's degree in education, Cravaack has smarts. He is articulate, reasoned and composed. More critically, he has specific and promising strategies to pull the nation out of its financial funk.

Oberstar told the AP that he's "disappointed but not surprised," given what he says is the News Tribune's conservative editorial trend since its purchase by Fargo. N.D.-based Forum Communications.

Comment on this post

Arne Carlson backs Walz

Posted at 5:04 PM on October 24, 2010 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: U.S. House, Campaign 2010: U.S. MN CD1

Former GOP Gov. Arne Carlson announced today that he's backing DFL Rep. Tim Walz's campaign for Congress. Carlson announced that he believes Walz is better suited to serve Minnesota's 1st District than Republican challenger Randy Demmer:

"In this election, Tim Walz is the clear choice," said Carlson in a news release. "I'm continually impressed with Tim's leadership and his ability to bring people together in southern Minnesota communities. It is clear that people identify with Tim's experience as a teacher, veteran and football coach and I think that helps them lay aside partisan predispositions and join with Tim to solve problems."

Comment on this post

Pawlenty says his legacy in threat if Dayton wins

Posted at 7:21 PM on October 24, 2010 by Tom Scheck (8 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor, Tim Pawlenty

Gov. Tim Pawlenty hit the campaign trail today for Republican Tom Emmer's gubernatorial campaign. Pawlenty and Emmer appeared at a GOP Rally today in St. Louis Park.

Pawlenty told the audience that his work to keep taxes low, to improve the state's education system and his efforts to improve the state's business climate.

Pawlenty said he thought about a Governor Dayton and told the audience of 200 people "Are you kidding me."

Both Pawlenty and Emmer used the event as a way to encourage Republicans to turn out the vote by making phone calls on behalf of Republican candidates.

Here's the audio: Listen

Comment on this post

Horner goes on offense

Posted at 8:19 PM on October 24, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

KSTP-TV and the League of Women Voters held a live televised debate tonight on the Campus of Metro State University in St. Paul. Democrat Mark Dayton, Republican Tom Emmer and the IP's Mark Dayton offered their different visions on the state budget, education spending and health care.

The most aggressive candidate was Horner. Part of the reason may be that he appears to be losing steam as Election Day gets closer.

Today's Minnesota poll showed Horner with 13% support. That's down from a high of 18%.

Horner took time to criticize Emmer and Dayton with the hopes that he stands out among undecided voters and those who are soft in their support of Emmer and Dayton.

Horner took a shot at Dayton's record:

"I think if they know anything about you Senator, it's that in 35 years you've never met a promise that you won't make if it satisfies a special interest group."

And Emmer for mischaracterizing his positions:

"It's this listening problem that you have where you pretend that you know more than anybody else and then you talk to the rest of the public as if what you're saying is the gospel. That's where you get stuck by putting your stake in the ground and you won't move. that's not what we need right now."

After the debate, Horner said he wasn't ramping up his criticism too dramatically but indicated that he has serious work to do in the final days of the campaign:

"There are so many Dayton supporters who aren't enamored with Senator Dayton but are so fearful of a Governor Emmer and there are so many Emmer supporters who are fearful of a Governor Dayton. Those are Horner supporters if I can get them over the fear and get them to vote the future."

You can listen to the full debate here: Listen