Capitol View

Capitol View: August 29, 2012 Archive

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The Daily Digest

Posted at 6:01 AM on August 29, 2012 by Catharine Richert
Filed under: Daily Digest

Welcome to the Daily Digest, where a GOP House employee facing child porn charges is still on the payroll, the 4th CD candidates debated, and Ann Romney gave a rousing speech in Tampa.

At the State Fair

MPR hosts a second debate at noon today between 5th Congressional District Rep. Keith Ellison and his GOP opponent Chris Fields.

Tomorrow DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Republican Rep. Kurt Bills face off, same time, same place.

And on Friday at noon, MPR's Tom Crann will interview Gov. Mark Dayton.

See the entire schedule here.

Around Minnesota

A House GOP employee facing felony charges for possession of child pornography is still on the Legislature's payroll.

The Roseville City Council has voted against the proposed marriage amendment.

Fewer school districts are seeking a levy referendum this year.

The Race for Congress

Fiscal concerns dominated the 4th Congressional District State Fair debate.

Rep. Chip Cravaack won the endorsement of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation Political Action Committee.

The Republican Metropolitan Victory Committee will hold a fundraiser for GOP candidates Chris Fields, who is running against Rep. Keith Ellison, and Rep. Chip Cravaack on Thursday.

In Washington

The Obama administration has finalized new gas mileage rules.

At the RNC

Paul Ryan gives his speech this evening.

Before Ryan takes the podium, Tim Pawlenty will speak.

Mitt Romney arrived in Tampa yesterday.

Republicans nominated Romney as their candidate, and blasted President Barack Obama.

Ann Romney gave a speech last night. By many accounts, it was a good one.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie spoke as well.

The New York Times notes that House Republicans have been given little air-time at the RNC.

Ron Paul supporters raised a ruckus on the convention hall floor.

But Paul supporters weren't able prevent party rule changes they opposed.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker told Minnesota's delegation that this election will be nasty, the Star Tribune reports.

The Star Tribune writes that the GOP wants to turn Minnesota red with Paul Ryan on the ticket.

Rep. Michele Bachmann has a celebrity-like status at the convention.

As Hurricane Isaac heads to the Gulf coast, there's renewed focus on VP candidate Paul Ryan's opposition to disaster relief, the Associated Press reports.

Video: Miller pulls back the curtain on the RNC

Posted at 11:40 AM on August 29, 2012 by Michael Olson
Filed under: Campaign 2012, Campaign 2012: Presidential Race

Ann Romney overshadows Chris Christie and other observations from behind the scenes at the Republic National Convention in Tampa from The Daily Circuit's Kerri Miller.

Related
Daily Circuit: RNC location puts focus on Latino issues, political figures
Neither Obama nor Romney can say who will win in November
Univision: "The undecided vote, and Hispanics, will tip the balance on Tuesday, November 6."

Other notable stories from Tampa
Mystery guest on the roster
National Journal: Buried deep in the convention schedule released Monday is a vague reference to a mystery speaker scheduled for the event's final evening. "To Be Announced" has a prime speaking slot late in the Thursday program.

Five takeaways from Tuesday at The Republican Convention
"Republicans set the tone for their convention with lots of talk about why their ideas are better for the nation than those of President Obama and the Democrats. But they also showed a lot of love for some stars, including Ann Romney and several governors," NPR. View all the speeches from Tuesday night here on the NewsHour blog.

Team Obama launches preemptive attack on Paul Ryan
Politico: "The Obama campaign is out with a new video attacking Paul Ryan ahead of his convention speech in Tampa on Wednesday."

More good reads on Campaign 2012 from MN Today

Minnesotans "deeply involved" in Romney foreign policy

Posted at 10:23 AM on August 29, 2012 by Mark Zdechlik
Filed under: Campaign 2012: Presidential Race

A trio of former Minnesota lawmakers regularly advise Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney on foreign policy, according to former Sen. Norm Coleman.

After meeting with Minnesota's delegation at the Republican National Convention, Coleman told reporters that he, former Minnesota Congressman Vin Weber and former Gov. Tim Pawlenty are part of a small group that meets regularly to analyze international affairs offer their take to the Romney campaign.

There are "probably more Minnesotans involved in that process, certainly, than any other state, so we're deeply involved," Coleman said.

Coleman cited the situation in Syria as an example. He called the Obama administration's approach to Syria a "disaster" as he explained how he and the others provide counsel to Romney.

"We'll look at what's going on and say, what's a better course of action and advise the candidate," said Coleman.

"One of the great things about working with Mitt Romney is he's really smart and so you can, you know, take a complex issue in the world, something that's going on that's challenging and you give him information and he'll make the choice ultimately," said Coleman. "So we simply provide analysis and options and the candidate says, 'here's where I'm going.'"

Dayton rejects GOP request for meeting on employee contracts

Posted at 3:34 PM on August 29, 2012 by Tim Pugmire
Filed under: MN Legislature, Mark Dayton

The day before a Minnesota House and Senate panel is expected to reject a contract agreement for state employees, DFL Gov. Mark Dayton blasted the meeting as "political theatrics."

Several Republicans have criticized the deal, saying it's out of line with what private employers are offering their workers. The GOP chair and vice chair of the Legislative Subcommittee on Employee Relations, Sen. Mike Parry and Rep. Steve Drazkowski, had asked for a meeting with Dayton prior to the 8:30 a.m., Thursday subcommittee meeting.

"As we have looked at those two negotiated contracts, we have concerns that both are lacking in any reforms that limit automatic cost increases or embrace performance incentives," Parry and Drazkowski wrote.

Dayton declined the request today in a letter to the two lawmakers. He also took exception to their criticism of the agreement his administration recently negotiated.

"It is a responsible agreement and one that is well within the financial parameters established in the four, two-year contracts negotiated by the previous Republican administration, all of which were approved by the Legislature," Dayton wrote. "We can find no evidence that either of you publicly criticized the previous governor for his four agreements."

Dayton was just getting warmed up. Later in the three-page letter, he criticized Parry and Drazkowski for their support of GOP "attacks" on public employees and collective bargaining.

"Unfortunately, you and other Republican politicians continue trying to drive a wedge between public and private sector employees. The repeated claims that state employee unions are ripping off Minnesota taxpayers are designed for political gain, not constructive reforms. And they are wrong."

The 2013 Legislature will have to vote on the contract proposal if the subcommittee rejects it.

Here's the governor's letter:

08.29.2012.Parry.drazkowski

Here's the Parry/Drazkowski letter:

Parry Draz Dayton 120828

August 2012
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The feature examines statements made by Minnesota politicians and checks them for accuracy. Based on data analysis, document reviews and interviews with non-partisan analysts, statements are rated true, misleading, false or inconclusive. More

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