Polinaut Category Archive: U.S. House

I-P keeps ban on PAC $, ditches cross party endorsement

Posted at 5:43 PM on November 21, 2009 by Tom Scheck (0 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Minnesota Governor, U.S. House

The Independence Party announced today that the party's delegates decided to keep a ban in place that would forbid the party from taking donations from special interests also known as Political Action Committees.

The delegates also voted to ditch a procedure that allowed the I-P to endorse candidates from other parties. The party allowed for such action in 2008, most notably with 6th District DFLer El Tinklenberg. The endorsement at the time didn't mean much since another candidate, Bob Anderson, filed as a member of the I-P and was on the November ballot. Republican Michele Bachmann ended up winning the election.

Here's the release from the Independence Party:

Independence Party Shouts "System Sucks!"

Party definitively differentiates itself from the two entrenched political parties

At its State Party Convention in Brooklyn Park, MN, Independence Party delegates overwhelmingly reaffirmed the Party's ban on accepting special interest money (PAC money) and eliminated cross-endorsement of candidates representing other political parties. State Party Chair, Jack Uldrich, said "Today's actions clarify and amplify the fact that the Independence Party is the only true reform party."

While the ban on accepting special interest money has been a core tenant of the Party since its inception in 1992, Governor Pawlenty's elimination of the popular Political Contribution Refund (PCR) program forced delegates to confront the prospect that all future candidates will now be allowed to accept special interest money. In response, they voted overwhelmingly to "double down" and ban all special interest contributions...period.

"Today's political system sucks and special interest money lies at the heart of so many problems," said Uldrich, adding "Not accepting PAC money won't make our job of electing candidates any easier but it is the right thing to do. Unlike every other political party, the Independence Party is going to live - or die - on principle."

Additionally, delegates voted to eliminate the Party's short-lived experiment in cross-

endorsement that began in 2008. "Our delegates feel that offering endorsement support to candidates of the parties that brought us this systemic mess diluted our message" stated Jack Uldrich, Independence Party Chair, "All levels of government are in need of massive reform that can only be provided by centrist candidates without special interest strings attached as opposed to puppets of the status quo." Added Uldrich, "If other political candidates want our endorsement, they are welcome to have it but they are going to have to leave their current party to get it."

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Quist on the stump...

Posted at 3:42 PM on November 20, 2009 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, U.S. House

Republican Allen Quist announced yesterday that he's challenging DFL Rep. Tim Walz in Minnesota's 1st Congressional District. We had a few problems with our audio so we didn't get Quist's entire stump speech. We did, however, get the q and a. At that point, he bashed the health care overhaul bill being debated in Congress and the proposed cap and trade bill. He said the winners in the health care bill are "big business" and the "government bureaucrats."

You can listen to it here: Listen

Side note: For those wondering, we're hoping to put up stump speeches, news conferences and other campaign related events on the blog so people have as much information as possible to make their decisions at caucuses and at the polling place.

(h/t Tim Nelson)

UPDATE: Politico is reporting that Republicans in D.C. aren't too enthused about Quist's candidacy. Not sure if that helps or hurts Quist in an endorsing convention.

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The Washington Post gauges Minnesota interest on Afghanistan

Posted at 3:24 PM on November 20, 2009 by Tom Scheck (0 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, U.S. House

The Washington Post visited Winona to gauge interest on the war in Afghanistan. DFL Rep. Tim Walz is heavily mentioned.

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Quist gets in

Posted at 10:45 PM on November 18, 2009 by Tom Scheck (2 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, U.S. House

Republican Allen Quist has made his run for Congress official and will challenge DFL Rep. Tim Walz in Minnesota's 1st Congressional District. Quist will be making stops in Mankato, Austin and Rochester on Thursday to announce his campaign. Here's Quist's news release:

(St. Peter, MN) - Former State Representative Allen Quist has announced that he will run against U.S. Representative Tim Walz for the First District Congressional Seat. Quist served three terms in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1982 to 1988, runs a family farm of 1200 acres with his son Andrew in rural St. Peter, and recently retired as a teacher at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato

Quist, a Republican, said his message will be simple and straightforward: "If people like what Congress is doing, they should vote for the incumbent," Quist said. "But if they believe, as I do, that Congress is headed in the wrong direction, then I will be the alternative."

According to Quist there have been three unusually important bills under consideration during this session of Congress: the $787 billion Stimulus bill, Cap and Trade, and the Health Care bill. "Representative Walz has been on the wrong side of all three," said Quist.

Quist emphasizes that government spending is totally out of control. "Just the Stimulus bill by itself added over $10,000 of new government debt for every family of four in our nation," he explained. Quist also said that present Congressional spending trends will almost double our national debt-from 40% of GDP today to 87% of D+GDP by 2020. Quist says this means, "continued high unemployment and burdening the next generation with a level of debt that will substantially reduce their quality of life."

"The Cap and Trade bill will add $6,800 per year of higher energy costs for every family of four and the Health Care bill, which is supposed to reduce medical costs, will actually increase total costs by over $100 billion each year," said Quist.

Quist added that the Health Care bill contains a huge hidden tax on the middle class and will substatnitally reduce the access senior citizens have to needed health care. "In terms of costs," Quist said, "big business is the big winner and the middle class is the big loser. American citizens of the middle class will be forced to pay the bills."

"Southern Minnesota voters have been holding Tea Party rallies and contacting Congressman Walz's office asking him not to support these wasteful government spending bills that force more government control of our lives," said Quist. "Congressman Walz continually shows by his votes that he is out of step with the voters of the First District.

###

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Senate health bill cuts medical device tax

Posted at 9:35 PM on November 18, 2009 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, U.S. House

The Senate health care overhaul bill released today reduces the size of the medical device fee in the bill. DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar's office says the size of the bill has been reduced from $38 billion to $20 billion.

"Right now we must be doing everything we can to promote job growth," said Klobuchar in a news release. "I fought to reduce the fee on medical device companies and am pleased to see that the Senate bill reduces this fee by $18 billion."

Republicans are certain to say that the medical device fee remaining in the bill is still too high. Several, including Gov. Pawlenty and GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen, want the fee completely eliminated. That being said, they don't want the health care bill passed into law either.

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Franken raising money for Clark in 6th district

Posted at 11:18 AM on November 18, 2009 by Tim Pugmire (0 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, U.S. House

U.S. Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., is backing Tarryl Clark in her 6th district congressional campaign. He's also helping the DFL state senator raise some money. Here's the letter Franken sent out on behalf of Clark:

Dear ____ ,

As I traveled across Minnesota over the last few years, I found nothing was better than campaigning with a local state legislator. They were always deeply rooted in their community - knew the owner of every shop we walked in, the family inside every house door we knocked on, and the ins and outs of every neighborhood we visited.

Senator Tarryl Clark was one of those exceptional legislators. Her ability to listen and her common sense, get-it-done attitude have allowed her to not only understand, but stand for the needs of her district. From ensuring Saint Cloud State University has the resources it needs to provide a first class education, to expanding access to early childhood education; from repairing the district's failing roads and bridges, to investing in our transportation future, especially Northstar. Tarryl has always worked with the community to stand up for the residents of her district.

And now I'm standing up for Tarryl. I hope you'll join me in supporting Tarryl's campaign for Congress against Michele Bachmann today.

She's delivered for her district as a State Senator, and she'll do the same for the residents of the 6th District as their representative in Congress.

I can tell you from experience, Tarryl is a tireless campaigner. She wins campaigns by reaching out to people of all parties, from all points of view. She engages them in a discussion about the issues, and wins them over with her ability to turn those conversations into action. Tarryl knows how to get the job done.

That's why Tarryl is the partner we need in Washington to really get things done for the 6th District.

But she needs our help to give her campaign the resources it needs to get her message out. Please join me in supporting Tarryl Clark's campaign today. Your contribution of $250, $100, $50, or whatever you can afford will ensure Tarryl can run an aggressive and winning campaign.

Sincerely,

Senator Al Franken

P.S. The eyes of the nation - and Michele Bachmann's right-wing allies - will be on this race. You can make sure Tarryl gets off to a strong start by joining Franni and me in supporting her today.

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Paulsen tries to end TARP funding

Posted at 4:43 PM on November 17, 2009 by Tom Scheck (0 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, U.S. House

GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen was unsuccessful in his attempts to end federal funding for the Troubled Asset Relief Program. In committee, Paulsen proposed an amendment that would end bailout spending through TARP by the end of 2009. The measure was defeated 37 to 30. Reuters says there is $210 billion remaining in the TARP fund.

Here's part of the release:

"Taxpayers are tired of the revolving door of bailouts and deficit spending in Washington," Paulsen said. "The inspector general overseeing the TARP program recently said it will 'almost certainly' result in a loss for taxpayers, and yet it is likely the program will extend well into next year. TARP funding is simply becoming walking-around money for the government, and today my colleagues missed an important opportunity to bring this program to a close."

Under the legislation Congress approved in the fall of 2008, the Troubled Asset Relief Program is set to expire on December 31st of this year. However, the legislation also grants the Administration the right to extend the program until October of 2010, which can be triggered by the Secretary of the Treasury sending a notification letter to Congress. Paulsen's amendment would have removed the trigger for extending TARP, officially ending the program on December 31st, 2009, and committed the remaining TARP funds to reducing the national debt.

Paulsen also announced he intends to soon introduce stand-alone legislation in the House that will mirror this amendment. Senator John Thune (R-SD) has offered a similar measure in the Senate.

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Powers turns on congressional campaign in 2nd district

Posted at 11:18 AM on November 17, 2009 by Tim Pugmire (0 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, U.S. House

A roofing contractor from Burnsville says he wants to unseat Republican Congressman John Kline next year in Minnesota's 2nd district.

Dan Powers announced today that he will seek the DFL endorsement in 2010 to run against the incumbent, and he will abide by that decision. Powers considered a run against Kline in 2008, but dropped out early in the race to support Steve Sarvi. Kline is firmly opposed to budget earmarks for local projects. During a news conference, Powers said he'd take a different approach.

"First thing is I'd redefine it," Powers said. "An earmark is just an appropriation. And I think he's being very disingenuous in not representing his district by not doing everything he can. That's the straight forward part to it. He's not listening to the people in his district. He's not paying attention to their needs."

Kline spokesman Troy Young said with a year before the next election, the congressman remains focused on efforts to create jobs and reform health care.

Here's the audio from Powers' news conference: Listen

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Hackett gets in the race

Posted at 11:05 AM on November 17, 2009 by Tom Scheck (0 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, U.S. House

Maureen Hackett, a DFLer, has announced that she's running for Congress in Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District. Hackett said she got in the race because she doesn't think first-term Republican Erik Paulsen fits the district.

On the issues, Hackett said her top concern is the economy. She said she would support some sort of second stimulus bill. Hackett also said she would have voted for the health care overhaul bill that the House recently passed.

Hackett said she would abide by the DFL Party endorsement, and she has been a frequent contributor to DFL candidates. But Hackett has also donated money to independents and Republicans. Specifically, she gave to the NRCC, Independence Party candidate Dave Dillon (who ran for Congress in 2008) and Ralph Nader. Hackett said she gave primarily to DFL candidates like DFL Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, President Obama and Ashwin Madia but also likes to "reward good ideas."

Hackett was, however, a bit murky about her donations to Ralph Nader. She said she gave to Nader in 2000 but had issues with the Florida recount.

When I noted that she gave to Nader after 2000, she said "he was paying off his debts" and "I like Ralph Naders' ideas." But it looks like he may have been contributing to his 2004 campaign.

You can listen to her entire interview here: Listen

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DNC to target Paulsen

Posted at 1:01 PM on November 16, 2009 by Tom Scheck (0 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, U.S. House

The Democratic National Committee will run radio ads this week criticizing GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen for voting against the health care overhaul bill. The DNC is targeting Republican lawmakers who represent districts that voted for President Obama in the 2008 election.

You can listen to the ad here. I'm trying to determine the size of the ad buy, where the ad will run and for how long.

Update:
I'm told the ad will run on KEEY-FM (K102) this week. They won't release the size of the buy.

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Rasmussen figures on Pawlenty, Bachmann, Klobuchar and Franken

Posted at 11:12 AM on November 13, 2009 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Tim Pawlenty, U.S. House

A new Rasmussen Poll says 58 percent of likely voters polled at least somewhat approve of the job DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar is doing while 38 percent disapprove. 50 percent approve of the job DFL Sen. Al Franken is doing while 45 percent disapprove. The poll also said 51 percent of those polled approve of the job GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann is doing while 45 percent disapprove.

The poll also apparently asked questions about Gov. Pawlenty but the figures aren't included in the latest data set. Fox9 News has a contract with Rasmussen so they may be waiting to release the figures until a story runs on the figures. Talking Points Memo, however, got the figures and a majority of those polled say they wouldn't vote for him for president:

Respondents were asked: "Suppose Governor Tim Pawlenty runs for President in 2012 and wins the Republican nomination. If Pawlenty was the Republican Presidential candidate, would you vote for him?"

The numbers: Yes 42%, No 46%, with a ±3% margin of error. The poll also has Pawlenty's approval rating as governor at 52%, with 47% disapproval.

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Did Bachmann break House rules?

Posted at 11:11 AM on November 11, 2009 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, U.S. House

Politico's Glenn Thrush posted an item wondering if GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann broke House Rules by promoting her rally on her official government site. Here's the story.

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Clark hires campaign staff

Posted at 11:15 AM on November 10, 2009 by Tim Pugmire (0 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, U.S. House

State Sen. Tarryl Clark, DFL-St.Cloud, has named the campaign team for her congressional bid in the 6th district.

In a news release today, Clark announced that she hired Zach Rodvold as her campaign Manager. Rodvold was state director for U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar. Rodvold also led Klobuchar's campaign field operation in 2006 and was GOTV Director for the Obama-Biden campaign in Minnesota.

Clark named Lauren Beecham as her finance director. Her other campaign staff hires were Nicole Wittig-Geske and Stacey Springer.

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Politico: keep an eye on Minnesota's 6th district

Posted at 10:30 AM on November 10, 2009 by Tim Pugmire (0 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, U.S. House

There are a lot of big contests in 2010. And the race in Minnesota's 6th Congressional District is already getting national attention. Politico lists Rep. Michele Bachmann's bid for a third term as one of 10 contests to keep an eye on. Here's what Charles Mahtesian had to say about the 6th:

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann drives Democrats batty with her in-your-face conservatism, yet no matter what they throw at her, she still seems to end up on top. In 2008, Democrats thought she wouldn't be able to recover from her sensational October cable-television comment that Obama "may have anti-American views." Almost $2 million poured into her Democratic rival's campaign as a result. Still, Bachmann managed to pull off a narrow victory. This time around, bolstered by progressive online activists who detest Bachmann, Democrats are hoping to mount an even more aggressive effort to dislodge the two-term congresswoman. But that hasn't stopped Bachmann, who recently described Democrats' health care plan as the "crown jewel of socialism." And Bachmann won't be an easy mark - she's amassed an army of small donors and attained rock-star status on the right, which is just as eager to return her to Congress as the left is to send her back home to Minnesota.

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House passes health care overhaul bill

Posted at 2:08 AM on November 8, 2009 by Tom Scheck (4 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, U.S. House

The U.S. House passed the health care overhaul bill.

Democrats Tim Walz, Betty McCollum, Keith Ellison and Jim Oberstar voted for the bill.

Democrat Collin Peterson and Republicans John Kline, Erik Paulsen and Michele Bachmann voted against the bill.

Here's the roll call.

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Peterson to vote No on health care bill

Posted at 4:42 PM on November 6, 2009 by Tom Scheck (2 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, U.S. House

DFL 7th District congressman Collin Peterson says he will vote no on the health care bill that is scheduled for a weekend vote in the U.S. House. Peterson says the bill doesn't do enough to control health care costs, and that it continues unfair Medicare reimbursements that penalize Minnesota doctors and hospitals. Peterson says his biggest concern is the federal budget:

"We've got over a $70 trillion unfunded liablity in this over the next 75 years and we're just going to make it worse. And I don't see how that's sustainable. The govenment's running a $1.5 trillion deficit the way it is. So that's my big problem with this."

Peterson says he likes some elements of the Senate health care bill better than the House bill. He said he hopes he can support a bill if and when the House and Senate compromise.

Peterson also said he is waiting to see President Obama's Afghanistan war strategy before he makes a decision on troop increase. He said he's skeptical, however, of just sending in more troops without a good idea of what is needed in the region:

"At the end of the day, if anybody thinks you're going to have any democracy in Afghanistan anytime soon is kidding themselves. For a lot less money, you could enlist the support of these warlords by just basically giving them to work with them in their areas. In my opinion, they would take care of the Taliban. If it's in the context of supporting some kind of a system like that then I think more troops are something I would consider. Bit if you're not going to have a realistic understanding of how things are in Afghanistan and that the fact that you have to make a deal with these tribal leaders and warlords if you're get this under control. If you don't understand that, then I think it's a misguided mission to put troops in there."

Peterson also said he's inclined to run for reelection but won't make a final decision until January or February.

You can listen to the entire interview here:

Listen

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Bachmann at rally, Ellison on TV

Posted at 3:44 PM on November 5, 2009 by Tim Pugmire
Filed under: Campaign 2010, U.S. House

Thousands rallied at the U.S. Capitol today against the health care overhaul plan that Democrats hope to pass on Saturday.

The protesters chanted, "Kill the bill," and several Republicans addressed the crowd, including U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn.

"As the clock is ticking at 11:59 on this health care reform, Speaker Pelosi is poised with her health care bill to takeover 18 percent of the American economy," Bachmann said.

Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., outlined his support for the bill during an interview on MSNBC, calling the measure a good thing.

Asked about public opinion polls that show only 50 percent of American support the so-called public option, Ellison said people have jitters before a big change. He compared the health care measure to other legislative milestones.

"If you went back and did polls on the 1964 Civil Rights Act, there'd be a lot of people who'd be fearful of what might happen next," Ellison said. "But the truth is, it made our country better. So did Social Security. So did medicare. This change we're looking at right now is of that magnitude."

Voight to speak at Bachmann's health care rally.

Posted at 10:28 PM on November 4, 2009 by Tom Scheck (4 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, U.S. House

Actor Jon Voight is helping out two well known Minnesota Republicans this week. He spoke at a a fundraiser for Gov. Pawlenty's national political action committee tonight.

Tomorrow, he says he'll speak at GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann's health care rally in Washington D.C. Bachmann is urging the public to storm the Capitol to protest the health care bill that's being considered. Voight told reporters he doesn't like the bill:

"If this thing passes, it's disastrous to our country. Both economicallly and health care. It's going to diminish everyone's health care and it's going to be a huge beuracracy that people are going to suffer under."

Voight isn't the only actor getting involved in the health care debate. MoveOn dot Org filmed ads featuring Heather Graham and Will Ferrell.

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Meffert running in the 3rd.

Posted at 9:15 PM on November 4, 2009 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, U.S. House

DFLer Jim Meffert is throwing his hat into the ring in the contest to unseat Republican Erik Paulsen in Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District in 2010. Paulsen is in his first term in Congress.

Meffert, a lobbyist for the Optometric Association from Edina, filed his official campaign paperwork earlier yesterday. Meffert says people in the 3rd district are frustrated by partisanship and politics as usual on both sides of the aisle.

"This district as we have seen from Congressman Ramstad and Congressman Frenzel looks for people who are conscientious paticipants in the system. They are not safe votes, they were not safe Republican votes. They want people who are good public servants and understand public policy that is what we are missing right now."

Meffert will have at least one challenger for the DFL endorsement -- Dr. Maureen Hackett, a physician and forensic psychiastrist from Minnetonka. DFL State Sen. Terri Bonoff is also considering a run.

(h/t MPR's Jess Mador)

Keith Ellison is one of the poorest members of Congress

Posted at 4:18 PM on November 4, 2009 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, U.S. House

The Center for Responsive Politics analyzed the financial disclosure forms for all of the members of Congress and ranked them by wealth. The analysis found that DFL Rep. Keith Ellison is ranked 514th of the 538 members of Congress in terms of wealth. The report says his average net worth -$-21,497. The maximum net worth is $5,999. The minimum net worth is $-48,993. The Center has to create high. low and average assets/liabilities because the disclosure reports deal with broad ranges.

Here's the analysis of the poorest members and Ellison's profile page .

Dave Levinthal, with The Center for Responsive Politics, said the organization tries to get the best estimate of wealth that they can from the disclosure forms. He said they add up the listed assets that a lawmaker has and subtracts the liabilities from that.

"Is it more likely than not that he's [Ellison] in the red, based on the assets and liabilities? Yes," Levinthal said. "Is it possible that he's a shade above? Yes."

Levinthal also said that the financial disclosure forms do not include government salary or personal residence, which can either be an asset or a liability.

DFL Sen. Al Franken is the wealthiest member of the delegation. His average range is $6,213, 028. The low end of his assets is $3,793,056. The upper end is $8,633,000.

DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is the wealthiest House member of the delegation. His average wealth is $5,479,538. The range is $3,202,076 on the low end and the upper hand is $7,757,000.

For the record, GOP Rep. Darrell Issa of California is the richest member of Congress. He has a maximum net worth of $337,400,002

Top Bachmann aide quits

Posted at 3:09 PM on November 4, 2009 by Tom Scheck (4 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, U.S. House

Michelle Marston, who had roles as GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann's Chief of Staff and her campaign manager, has quit, a spokesman confirms. Bachmann spokesman Dave Dziok declined further comment about Marston's departure. Politico, which first reported the story, said Marston declined to say why she was leaving:

"I'm just not talking about it, and frankly I don't think there's a story here," Marston wrote. "Now, the thousands of people calling our office to tell us [they're] coming to Capitol Hill tomorrow - that's a story."

Bachmann has scheduled a Thursday Capitol rally to protest the health care bill that is moving through Congress. The House will reportedly take up the bill on Saturday.

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Quist getting ready to run in the first?

Posted at 7:51 AM on November 4, 2009 by Tom Scheck (2 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, U.S. House

Allen Quist, a former state lawmaker and candidate for governor, has scheduled several health care forums in Rochester, Worthington and Mankato in November. The move increases speculation that Quist will run for Congress in Minnesota's 1st District (all of those cities are in the 1st). Quist's news release said he was holding the forums to discuss the health care bills being considered in Congress:

Former State Representative Allen Quist will be sponsoring a series of forums in Southern Minnesota dealing with the health care bills now in Congress. "The purpose of the forums," said Quist, "is to provide the public with accurate information about the health care proposals and to encourage the public to contact their elected officials and ask them to 'just say no' when they vote on the bills now on the floor." Quist will be joined at the forums by Dr. Brian Davis in Rochester and by Citizens Council on Health Care President, Twila Brase, R.N., in Mankato and Worthington.

A spokesman who sent out the release said Quist is considering "a run for Congress" with it being a likely possibility. He added more news will come next week.

UPDATE:
Quist sent me this e-mail when I asked if he was in the race or filed paperwork with the FEC:

"The paperwork is in process. I have formed an exploratory committee, but that is on hold for the time being because I want to try to make a difference on the health care Bill (somewhat of a moving target to be sure) that Speaker Pelosi is attempting to pass."

Quist has already created a Quist for Congress website and Facebook page.

Quist won the GOP endorsement in 1994 but lost the primary to Arne Carlson.

DFL Rep. Tim Walz is running for a third term.

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DFLer Hackett poised to run for Congress

Posted at 12:06 PM on November 3, 2009 by Tim Pugmire (4 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, U.S. House, U.S. MN CD3

A DFL challenger to Republican Congressman Erik Paulsen is getting ready to enter the 2010 race in Minnesota's 3rd District.

Dr. Maureen Hackett, a physician and forensic psychiatrist from Minnetonka, has filed federal campaign paperwork and has a campaign web site ready to launch. Hackett confirmed her plans today, and said she will seek the DFL endorsement. But she said professional obligations have delayed her announcement.

"I'm planning to run," Hackett said. "And I'm planning to make a announcement very soon."

Hackett declined to go on tape or talk further about her campaign until she makes it official, sometime later this month.

An online biography says Hackett is an Air Force veteran with a private practice in Minneapolis. In addition, she's an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota and teaches the Psychiatry and the Law Clinic at the William Mitchell College of Law.

Hackett has made significant financial contributions to several DFL candidates, including Al Franken, Amy Klobuchar, Ashwin Madia, Colleen Rowley, Elwyn Tinklenberg, Tim Walz and Patty Wetterling. She also donated to the presidential campaigns of Barack Obama and Ralph Nader.

State Sen. Terri Bonoff, DFL-Minnetonka, said recently that she's open to running again in the 3rd District. Jim Meffert of Edina is also considering a campaign.

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Oberstar to raise money for Clark

Posted at 11:15 AM on November 3, 2009 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, U.S. House

DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is the latest well-known Minnesota Democrat to raise money for state Sen. Tarryl Clark's campaign for congress. A fundraiser says Oberstar and the 2008 DFL endorsed candidate, El Tinklenberg, will host a fundraiser for Clark on November 12th in Woodbury.

This fundraiser comes one day after DFL Sen. Al Franken, MN House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak will hold a fundraiser for Clark.

Clark is seeking the DFL endorsement against Dr. Maureen Reed.

Whoever wins the nomination will face GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann. Meanwhile, Bachmann is urging opponents of the health care bills to rally at the Capitol on Thursday.

Paulsen denounces plan to give H1N1 vaccine to Guantanamo Detainees

Posted at 9:24 AM on November 3, 2009 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, U.S. House

GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen sent letters to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Secretary of the Army John McHugh complaining that Guantanamo Bay detainees should not receive the H1N1 vaccine before American citizens. Here's part of the letter:

I certainly understand the underlying problem being an overall lack of available vaccines nationwide, but I was extremely disappointed to learn that detainees currently being held at Guantanamo Bay will soon be offered H1N1 vaccination, while high-risk priority groups such as pregnant women and children in Minnesota and across the nation continue to wait for this vaccine. While it is appropriate to offer the vaccine to guards and service members stationed at Guantanamo, it is entirely unacceptable to make this vaccine available to detainees while millions of law-abiding Americans are forced to wait in line.

The Pentagon made the decision to give the vaccine to the prisoners because they are at high risk for infection:

The Pentagon made the decision based on U.S. government assessments that people held in detention facilities are at high risk for the pandemic, said Maj. Diana R. Haynie, a spokeswoman for Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay, which is in charge of holding the suspected terrorists.

"Detainees at JTF Guantanamo are considered to be at higher risk and therefore they will be offered the H1N1 vaccination," Haynie said.

"JTF Guantanamo conducts safe, humane, legal and transparent care and custody of detainees. As such, we must provide detainees the medical care necessary to maintain their health," she said.

Update: A spokesman for Paulsen says Paulsen and his family did not get H1N1 shots.

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Paulsen delivers health care bill to local libraries

Posted at 5:07 PM on November 2, 2009 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, U.S. House

GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen sent the complete health care bill to libraries in Edina, Minnetonka and Eden Prairie so his constituents can read the hard copy. Paulsen, who opposes the legislation, said he wants everyone to have a chance to review the legislation:

"With the U.S. House of Representatives expected to debate the bill and possibly vote on it as early as this week, every member of Congress needs to carefully review this bill - and I want to ensure my constituents have the same opportunity."

You can also read the bills online.

Side note: There were several hundred page Health and Human Services bills that were rushed through the Legislature during Paulsen's time as GOP House Majority Leader.

Bachmann urges health care foes to storm D.C.

Posted at 6:24 AM on November 2, 2009 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, U.S. House

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann is urging the public to storm Washington D.C. this week to take a stand against the health care legislation moving through the U.S. House. Bachmann and four others have scheduled a Thursday news conference on the steps of the Capitol and is hoping that the public joins here. Here's part of the press release:

"The American people spoke loud and clear at town hall meetings all across the country throughout August. But, it would appear that Congress didn't hear a word they had to say. The Democrats' latest health care proposal unveiled late last week may be packaged a little differently, but it's the same old bad bill as before.

"This bill is a trillion-dollar, budget-busting, government takeover of our health care system. It will put bureaucrats between people and their health care. It will lead to rationed care, hurting the most vulnerable amongst us first. It will break the bank, leaving our children to pay the bill with diminished freedoms and dwindling prosperity.

"The American people need to stand up again and make sure that Congress hears them this time. Speaker Pelosi is putting her bill on fast track to a vote - and it remains to be seen if the House will even get a chance to vote on the commonsense Republican alternatives. The people need to make a House Call on Washington this week and tell their Representatives to vote no to a government take-over of one-fifth of our economy. This is gangster government at its worst.

"I urge all Americans to come to Washington this Thursday. Come and meet up with your Representative and tell them that you want to control your health care."

The Hill reports that Bachmann first raised this idea on Fox News on Friday.

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Collin Peterson a firm no on health care bill

Posted at 10:13 PM on October 30, 2009 by Tom Scheck (6 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, U.S. House

DFL Rep. Collin Peterson has come out firmly against the health care proposal in the U.S. House. He told the McLeod County Chronicle that he has issues with the proposal:

"I wish people would quit asking about the public option because it's not what the issue is. This is complete ideology run amuck. The issue is we are not reforming Medicare. We are adding more entitlements without being able to pay for the entitlements we have now."

On the Medicare-payment reform studies in the House bill, Peterson added, "There are not reforms there, it's a study."

"I mean. I have so many problems with this bill I don't even know where to start - too much government bureaucracy, not making the reforms that we need to make in the health care system overall.

"I don't think there's any way that I could support what they're doing unless they start over. That's how bad it is."

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Where the delegation stands on a troop increase in Afghanistan.

Posted at 10:12 AM on October 30, 2009 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, U.S. House

MPR aired a story this morning that looked at where Minneosta's congressional delegation stood on sending more troops to Afghanistan. GOP Rep. John Kline will discuss the situation on MPR's Midday at 11 AM.

Here's where the delegation stands on the issue:

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar says she's waiting to see President Obama's plan before she commits to sending more troops to the region. Listen

DFL Sen. Al Franken says he's gathering more information on the issue and is waiting to see President Obama's plan. Listen

DFL Rep. Tim Walz says he's gathering more information and is waiting to see President Obama's plan. He said he may support a troop increase if Obama recommends one. Listen

GOP Rep. John Kline says President Obama should listen to Gen. Stanley McChrystal and send 40,000 troops to the region. Listen

GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen said he wants to see President Obama's plan and hear from McChrystal. Listen

DFL Rep. Betty McCollum said she could support a troop increase if certain conditions are met. They include a stronger police force and a more stabilized central government. McCollum said she would not support an increase of 40,000 troops. Listen

DFL Rep. Keith Ellison said he doesn't support a troop increase and wants to see a greater commitment to rebuilding the country. Listen

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann said she supports McChrystal's plan to send 40,000 troops to the region. (we had a problem with the audio. I'll post soon). Listen

DFL Rep. Collin Peterson did not return repeated calls for comment.

DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar said he wants to know specifics before he supports an increase. He wants to know how much a troop increase would cost, how long the troops would be there and if there's an international concensus on the matter. Listen

Franken, Kelliher and Rybak to raise money for Clark

Posted at 5:48 PM on October 28, 2009 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, U.S. House

I just got my hands on a fundraiser that says U.S. Sen. Al Franken, MN House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, MN Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak will host a fundraiser for state Sen. Tarryl Clark's campaign for Congress.

The fundraiser comes on the heels of a campaign finance report that showed DFL Congressmen Jim Oberstar, Keith Ellison and Collin Peterson donated to Clark's campaign.

Clark is seeking the DFL nomination against Maureen Reed. Whoever wins the nomination will face off against GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann.

FYI:

MPR's Tim Pugmire takes a look at the contest between Clark and Reed.

DFLer set to take on Kline

Posted at 10:06 PM on October 25, 2009 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, U.S. House

Dan Powers is scheduled to officially announce his campaign to take on GOP Rep. John Kline in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District. Powers has an invite already scheduled on Facebook and also set up a campaign website.

The sites don't provide a lot of detail on Powers but the Facebook page takes a shot at Kline:

Congressman Kline has consistently been a roadblock to every measure of President Obama's plan to get our country on the right track. While the American people want to see health care reform, an end to the influence of special interests and Washington insiders, and the safe and rapid return of our troops, Kline stands with his bosses in the Republican Party to extend the failed policies of the Bush administration.

Dan Powers, when elected, will stand with President Obama and enact the priorities voters overwhelmingly approved nationwide last year. Dan will fight for the first-class health care system we so desperately need, give teachers the power they need to allow our next generation to achieve in the classroom, and turn our economy around towards prosperity.

Powers could have his hands full. Kline is in his fourth term in Congress and won by wide margins in each race. He won by 15 percentage points in 2008, 16 points in 2006 and 2004 and 11 points in 2002.

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