Polinaut Category Archive: Tim Pawlenty

House brief on unallotment

Posted at 4:12 PM on November 20, 2009 by Tom Scheck (0 Comments)
Filed under: MN Legislature, Tim Pawlenty

The Minnesota House filed its friend of the court brief in a lawsuit challenging Gov. Pawlenty's unallotment power.

The brief says Pawlenty has no precedent in Minnesota history, exceeded his authority under the statute and unconstitutionally delegates powers to the executive.

You can read it here.

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Breakdown of PCR contributions

Posted at 3:58 PM on November 20, 2009 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, MN Legislature, Tim Pawlenty

The Republican Party and GOP local party units were the biggest user of a campaign program that was cut by Governor Pawlenty. The program gave donors tax refunds for part of their contributions. AP has a story here.

Here's the breakdown in Party contributions:

Republican Party and local party units - 42,469 contributions with $2,895,729 refunded.

DFL Party and local party units - 20,841 contributions with $1,107,660 refunded.

Independence Party and local party units - 175 contributions with $11,376 refunded.

Green Party and local party units- 255 contributions with $10,033 refunded.

Side note: Donors to DFL Rep. Joe Atkins, chair of the House Commerce Committee, relied the heaviest on the PCR. They received $32,960 in refunds. You can read the breakdown on candidate contributions here.

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Pawlenty at RGA

Posted at 5:52 PM on November 19, 2009 by Tom Scheck (0 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Tim Pawlenty

Governor Pawlenty has been in Austin, TX for most of the week attending the Republican Governor's Association meetings. Pawlenty, who is vice-chair of the RGA, attended a news conference this afternoon with Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour and RGA Executive Director Nick Ayers.

The newser focused on why Republicans think they have a good shot at winning governor's races next year. They said the RGA has more cash on hand at this point than they spent on governor's races in 2006 (AP story).

Pawlenty, who has been out of the state all week (except for a Monday fundraiser), hasn't had a Minnesota public event on his schedule since Veterans Day (11/11). He will not be on his weekly radio show on Friday morning.

If you miss his voice, you can listen to the RGA newser here: Listen

Thanks to KUT's Ben Philpott for the audio

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Pawlenty to raise money for MN House GOP

Posted at 12:39 PM on November 18, 2009 by Tom Scheck (0 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, MN Legislature, Tim Pawlenty

Gov. Pawlenty is scheduled to appear at a December fundraiser for Republicans in the Minnesota House. Here's part of the invite:

HRCC Annual Holiday Celebration featuring Gov. Tim Pawlenty

You are cordially invited to join

Governor Tim Pawlenty
House Republican Leader Kurt Zellers
&
House Republican Members

For our annual holiday celebration

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Town & Country Club
2279 Marshall Avenue
St. Paul, Minnesota

Strategy Session with Rep. Kurt Zellers
Get the latest information on our preparations for the 2010 election
4:00-5:00 PM

Private Dinner
Dinner & keynote address by Governor Tim Pawlenty
5:00-6:00 PM

Main Reception with House Republican Members
6:00-9:00 PM

Gold Sponsor: $5000 includes three tickets to the Strategy Session, three tickets for dinner & four tickets to the Main Reception

Silver Sponsor: $2500 includes two tickets for dinner & four tickets to the Main Reception

Bronze Sponsor: $1500 one ticket for dinner & four tickets to the Main Reception

$250 per person for our Main Reception

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Poll shows Obama leading Pawlenty in Minnesota

Posted at 1:24 PM on November 17, 2009 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Tim Pawlenty

A new St. Cloud State University poll says those polled say they would support President Obama over Governor Pawlenty in a head to head matchup. When asked "If the 2012 presidential election was held today with Barack Obama being the Democratic candidate and Tim Pawlenty being the Republican candidate, would you vote for Obama or Pawlenty?"

50 percent of those polled say they would support Obama. 39.7 percent back Pawlenty.

Right track/Wrong track
43 percent of those polled say the state is on the right track. 44 percent say the state is on the wrong track.

Top Issue facing the state of Minnesota
Health care 19%
Budget 14%
Education 13%
Unemployment 13%
Taxes at 10%

Job Approval
50.3 percent of those polled rate President Obama's job approval as excellent or pretty good while 47.4 percent rate Obama's job approval as only fair or poor.

48.5 percent of those polled rate Gov. Pawlenty's job approval as excellent or pretty good while 48.4 percent rate Pawlenty's job approval as only fair or poor.

Party breakdown
36% of those polled self identify as Democrats
26% of those polled self identify as Republicans
11% of those polled self identify as not belonging to any party..

You can read the entire poll here.

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Romney floods Pawlenty's zone

Posted at 12:04 PM on November 17, 2009 by Tom Scheck (0 Comments)
Filed under: Tim Pawlenty

The Hotline is reporting that Mitt Romney's Political Action has purchased Google ad space so people who type in Tim Pawlenty's name in Google see an ad for Romney in the Google ad boxes.

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More details on Palin's book signing

Posted at 7:20 AM on November 16, 2009 by Tom Scheck (5 Comments)
Filed under: Tim Pawlenty

Barnes and Noble released a little bit more detail about Sarah Palin's book signing at the Mall of America. Barnes and Noble said the former governor of Alaska will sign books at the Bloomington, MN store at noon on December 7th. Books will be signed on a first come, first serve basis. Here's what B and N said on its website:

Author Signing Sarah Palin is signing Going Rogue at this event. No other books or memorabilia. A limited number of wristbands for entry into this book signing will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis at the store beginning at 7:00 am on December 7.

Monday December 07, 2009 12:00 PM

Mall of America
118 E. Broadway Suite 238, Bloomington, MN 55425, 952-854-1455

Special Instructions

An original Barnes & Noble or bn.com sales receipt for Going Rogue by Sarah Palin must be presented in order to receive a wristband. Must be present in person to receive wristband. Maximum two copies of Going Rogue per person will be signed at event. Please call store for additional event details.

Update: A new Washington Post/ABC News poll says a majority of Americans "would definitely not vote" for Palin for president.

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House GOP wants Kelliher at Rules Committee meeting.

Posted at 3:20 PM on November 13, 2009 by Tom Scheck (0 Comments)
Filed under: Tim Pawlenty

Republicans in the Minnesota House say they want DFL House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher at a Monday morning Rules Committee hearing that will discuss whether the House should join a lawsuit challenging Gov. Pawlenty's unallotment authority. GOP House Minority Leader Kurt Zellers issued a news release and a letter to DFL House Majority Leader Tony Sertich saying he has concerns about the resolution and wants Kelliher, who is also running for governor, there to discuss why the House is taking the action.

Here's the news release:

ST. PAUL, November 13, 2009 - Concerned about the politicization of traditionally nonpartisan House Research staff, Republican members of the House Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration today sent a letter to House Majority Leader Tony Sertich requesting that House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher be at Monday's hastily-scheduled Rules Committee meeting.

Sertich, who chairs the committee, announced late Thursday that the committee will consider whether the House should file a brief of amicus curiae in support of a pending lawsuit challenging Governor Pawlenty's use of unallotment to balance the state's budget.

"We have serious concerns about the wisdom of this proposed action and the way in which it came about that only the Speaker of the House can address," said House Republican Minority Leader Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Grove. "We know from media reports that the Speaker was in meetings on the topic of potential lawsuits against unallotment, and the public deserves to know if, at any time, she promised or suggested the use of House resources in support of a lawsuit."

"In no situation should the nonpartisan legal counsel be ordered to take a position on anything. Their job is to provide objective, unbiased analysis to House members and the public. They are absolutely not a political tool for the majority to dispense in support of a political agenda." If the Speaker cannot attend, Republicans asked that the meeting be postponed until a time that allows her attendance.

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House to consider helping with unallotment suit, Senate declines

Posted at 1:56 PM on November 13, 2009 by Tom Scheck (0 Comments)
Filed under: Tim Pawlenty

As I reported earlier, the Minnesota House Rules Committee has scheduled a Monday morning hearing to discuss whether the House should file a friend of the court brief in a lawsuit that challenges Gov. Pawlenty's unallotment authority.

DFL Rep. Ryan Winkler of Golden Valley says he thinks the House should support the people who are suing because Pawlenty misused his authority (full interview here Listen ).

"For them to make that argument on our behalf and for the Legislature not to make a statement that we agree, I think would hurt their cause. So the fact that we're willing to come forward and tell the court that the Legislature agrees that the governor's action was illegal is an important statement for us to make."

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Minnesota Senate says there are no plans for the Senate to get involved in the court case. Gov. Pawlenty has said he believes he will win any legal challenge.

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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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Pawlenty to speak in Alabama in February

Posted at 2:14 PM on November 12, 2009 by Tom Scheck (0 Comments)
Filed under: Tim Pawlenty

Gov. Pawlenty will speak before the Alabama Republican Party dinner on February 5th. We also added next week's trip to Austin, TX. He's scheduled to speak at the Republican Governors Association meeting next Wednesday through Friday. Pawlenty is also scheduled to speak in Florida tomorrow. The Atlantic says Democrats in that state want to know who Pawlenty is backing for U.S. Senate.

Here's the updated map.

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What comes after Iowa?

Posted at 1:44 PM on November 11, 2009 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: Tim Pawlenty, U.S. MN CD3

Gov. Pawlenty has scheduled a December trip to New Hampshire. Political consultant Michael Dennehy, who was a senior adviser to John McCain in 2008, confirmed that Pawlenty will be the keynote speaker a fund-raiser for the Republican Senate Majority Committee on December 16th.

"His presence in New Hampshire will help support the State Senate Republican Party in their effort to retake the New Hampshire Senate," Dennehy said.

Dennehy said he wasn't aware of any other events scheduled. When asked if we should read anything into Pawlenty's visit to the critical presidential state Dennehy said "That's not for me to say."

The news was first reported by The Union Leader.

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"This state is too small for him..."

Posted at 10:54 AM on November 11, 2009 by Tom Scheck (0 Comments)
Filed under: Tim Pawlenty

Those were the comments from Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, President of the National Council of Churches. He was made the tongue in cheek comments (Listen) about Gov. Pawlenty after Pawlenty addressed the 2009 General Assembly of The Churches of Christ in Minneapolis this morning. The comments may have caught the governor off guard since he sat down to hide himself when Aykazian was making the comments. Pawlenty hasn't ruled out a run for president in 2012.

You can listen to Pawlenty's full speech to the group here: Listen

By the way, a Minnesotan is set to take the helm of the National Council of Churches. Peg Chemberlin, with the Minnesota Council of Churches, will lead the organization over the next two years.

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Dan Balz says Pawlenty has been "Romneyesque" in recent months

Posted at 9:55 AM on November 11, 2009 by Tom Scheck (0 Comments)
Filed under: Tim Pawlenty

Washington Post political reporter Dan Balz says Gov. Pawlenty has been a bit "Romneyesque" in recent months. In particular, Balz mentioned Pawlenty's endorsement in NY-23, his comments about Maine Senator Olympia Snowe and Pawlenty's criticicism of President Obama's school speech. Here's the story.

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Welcome to Iowa.

Posted at 9:01 PM on November 7, 2009 by Tom Scheck (0 Comments)
Filed under: Tim Pawlenty

Gov. Pawlenty delivered a 23 minute speech to Iowa Republican activists in Des Moines tonight. He criticized President Obama and Democrats in Congress for the health care bill, spending and the deficit. He also tried to turn Obama's famous line "Fired up and ready to go" back on Obama by saying ""Are you fired up and ready to fight back?"

You can listen to Pawlenty's speech here:

Listen

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Come se dice "postponed" en Espanol?

Posted at 4:16 PM on November 6, 2009 by Tom Scheck (3 Comments)
Filed under: Tim Pawlenty

Governor Pawlenty's office says Pawlenty's business development trip to Mexico has been postponed "due to a conflict with Mexican President Felipe Calderon's schedule."

Pawlenty was scheduled to go to Mexico on Monday and return to Minnesota on Tuesday.

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Fact Check: Pawlenty on flu vaccine

Posted at 12:47 PM on November 6, 2009 by Tom Scheck (3 Comments)
Filed under: Tim Pawlenty

This morning on his weekly radio show, a caller asked Gov. Tim Pawlenty about the health care bill moving through Congress. Pawlenty blamed the federal government for the slow production of the flu vaccine.

"Right now, they can't even reasonably and efficiently live up to their promises for the manufacturing and distribution of vaccine for the flu. Doesn't that foreshadow problems with them try to take over even more of your health care decision making? If you can't even manufacture and distribute flu vaccine in the manner that you promised, do you really think they should take over more of the system?" Listen

Pawlenty is correct that the federal government did promise as many as 120 million doses of the H1N1 flu vaccine. But he's incorrect in suggesting that the federal government is responsible for manufacturing the vaccine. That falls on private drug companies. Michael Osterholm, an infectious disease expert for the University of Minnesota, said on MPR's Midday on Thursday that no one should be blamed for the shortage because vaccine production is different from making prescription medicine.

"Making influenza vaccine is a lot like planting corn in Iowa in early May, comparable in time when we first found this virus. That farmer can go into the bar that night after he or she gets done planting and proclaim wide and loudly that they know what the yield is going to be in mid-October. But no one knows. It's all about floods and droughts and hail and pests and all kinds of things. We still use a 1950s technology to make influenza vaccine. We have to introduce the virus into chicken eggs and they have to be embryonated chicken eggs. And then we wait to see how this virus would grow over weeks in that chicken egg and that's what we then harvest and make the vaccine from.

Unfortunately, this virus did not grow well. It wasn't until you got further down the pike that you saw 'Wait a minute, we're not getting the doses out of each egg that we thought we were going to get' so we had to revise the numbers.

It's no one's fault. Not the manufacturers, the government. No one blew that. It speaks to a point we raised many times, we need better flu vaccine." Listen

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Pawlenty wants statewide vote on spending cap

Posted at 2:24 PM on November 5, 2009 by Tim Pugmire (3 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, MN Legislature, Minnesota Governor, Tim Pawlenty

Gov. Tim Pawlenty is calling for constitutional amendment to cap state spending. His proposal would limit spending to the amount of revenue the state collected in the last two year budget period. Pawlenty says his proposal would force future governors and state lawmakers to set spending priorities.

"We need to change the way that we budget in the state of Minnesota from what we want to spend to what we have brought in the door," Pawlenty said. "Our proposal does exactly that. It is budgeting based on what is in the checkbook rather than what we hope is in the checkbook in the future."

You can listen to his full news conference here:

Listen

Here's some of the reaction to the proposal:

"At first blush, it does seem odd, that on your way out the door, with a pending $5 to $7 billion deficit, you would now recommend something that you haven't even proposed to the Legislature." - Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller, DFL-Minneapolis

"If the Governor thinks this idiotic approach to budgeting is such a great idea, I challenge him to prove it by spending in his campaign for President during the next two years (2010 & 2011), only what he has raised for that purpose during the past two years (2008 & 2009)." - Mark Dayton, DFL candidate for governor

"I think there's some serious questions about if we do this how do we then account for all of the gimmicks (K12 shift, June accelerated sales tax) that have been used to keep the state's budget in balance during the most recent difficult times." - Sen. Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, candidate for governor

"Today, Governor Pawlenty once again put his national political ambitions above the people of Minnesota. Pawlenty walked away from negotiations with the Legislature last year and now he is proposing a constitutional amendment that would allow him to walk away from the ongoing budget problem that was created by his failed "no-new-taxes" agenda." - House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kellier, DFL-Minneapolis, candidate for governor

"I stand firmly behind Governor Tim Pawlenty's announcement today and his bold effort to bring common sense to Minnesota's budgeting process. This proposed constitutional amendment requiring that state government spending be tied to actual general fund revenue is government at its best - one that is both responsive to the concerns of the public and responsible with the hard-earned tax dollars that we are entrusted with." - Senate Minority Leader David Senjem, R-Rochester

"Gov. Pawlenty is proposing that we govern the state by looking in the rearview mirror instead of looking to the future. This is a simplistic approach to tackling Minnesota's challenges coming from a governor who has taken little interest in actually managing the state budget to meet our needs." - Rep. Paul Thissen, DFL-Minneapolis, candidate for governor

"Gov. Pawlenty's bold proposal for a constitutional amendment capping government spending is to be commended by all Minnesotans who value sensible government and fiscal sanity. While this idea will no doubt face fierce opposition from Democrats intent on hiking taxes and making government bigger, it will benefit taxpayers who must foot the bill for the state's spending. The Republican Party of Minnesota will do its part to make sure this reform measure goes to the voters in 2010." - State GOP Chairman Tony Sutton

"The Legislature has shown, regardless of who is in the majority, that it cannot control itself when it comes to spending the taxpayers' money. I dispute the assertion that limiting spending would mean less money for schools, public safety or other core services of government. We can fund what we need to, we will just have to get serious about setting priorities." - Rep. Paul Kohls, R-Victoria, who plans to carry the amendment

"Tim Pawlenty has once again proved that he is interested in gimmicks, not governing. Pawlenty has specialized in shifts, hiding costs, and calling taxes fees for his entire administration. His newest ploy is simply more of the same diverting Minnesotans from a real conversation about the challenges that we face. Everything Pawlenty has done this year is about his own political future, not whats best for Minnesotans. The timing of this proposal on the heels of his PAC fundraiser could not be more politically cynical." - Steve Kelley, DFL candidate for governor

"Issues like this have failed in other states and really what it does is it forces cuts to quality education, health care and we could see more property tax increases." House Majority Leader Tony Sertich, DFL-Chisholm

"I'm not going to hold back job growth and shackle our economy. This is nothing more than a gimmick, and when I'm governor, I'm going to end governance by gimmick." Matt Entenza, DFL candidate for governor

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Bakk wants bonding bill special session

Posted at 11:19 AM on November 5, 2009 by Tim Pugmire
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Minnesota Governor, Tim Pawlenty

A key state senator is urging Gov. Tim Pawlenty to call a special legislative session to pass a job-creating bonding bill.

Sen.Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, the chair of the Senate tax committee and a 2010 candidate for governor, released a letter today that he sent to Pawlenty. Bakk says the capital investment committees in the House and Senate have been traveling the state, looking at proposed public works projects for a bonding bill in the 2010 session. With unemployment especially high in the construction trades, Bakk says lawmakers should take action on that borrowing package before the end of the year.

"I see no reason that we sit around and wait with an economy that is badly failing, 500 people every week getting their last unemployment check," Bakk said. "There just is no reason that we wait around for the session to start in February before we move on a bonding bill."

Bakk is also proposing tax credits and other incentives aimed at boosting Minnesota's economy. He says he's been meeting recently with state business group leaders to get their input on additional ideas.

Democrats oppose Pawlenty plan, whatever it might be

Posted at 10:31 AM on November 5, 2009 by Tim Pugmire (3 Comments)
Filed under: MN Legislature, Tim Pawlenty

Gov. Tim Pawlenty had not yet held his news conference this morning to announce a proposed constitutional amendment, but Democrats got an early jump on criticizing the proposal, whatever it is.

House Majority Leader Tony Sertich, DFL-Chisholm, issued the following all-purpose, negative news release:

Statement from House Majority Leader Tony Sertich on the Governor's upcoming press conference:

"While we do not yet have all the details about the Governor's upcoming announcement, we fully expect it will have nothing to do with strengthening schools, improving health care or creating jobs for struggling Minnesotans.

This is much more about grabbing headlines than it is about addressing the immediate needs of Minnesota families. Ideas like the one he's proposing have been tried in other states and have failed.

The real killer for Minnesota families is the $2 billion more in property taxes they've paid since Governor Pawlenty took office.

Clearly, this proposal is not for Minnesota."

House Majority Leader Tony Sertich

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Pawlenty trails other '12 contenders in poll

Posted at 9:23 AM on November 5, 2009 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Tim Pawlenty

A new Gallup 2012 poll finds Pawlenty at the back of the pack.

48 percent of the Republicans polled say they would not seriously consider Pawlenty for president. 32 percent say they would consider it. When you include Democrats and Independents, 60 percent of those polled say they would not seriously consider Pawlenty for president.

51 percent of those polled (this includes Republicans, Independents and Democrats) say they do not think Pawlenty is qualified to be president. 25 percent think he is qualified for the job.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin had the highest negatives among those polled. 62 percent say they don't think Palin is qualified to be president.

Pawlenty makes a call to New Hampshire

Posted at 7:22 AM on November 5, 2009 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Tim Pawlenty

Gov. Pawlenty is headed to Iowa this weekend to speak to GOP activists. ABC News says he also made a congratulatory phone call to the new mayor of Manchester, New Hampshire. Iowa and New Hampshire are the first two critical tests for any presidential candidate.

Pawlenty wasn't the only one. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and New York Gov. George Pataki also made calls. The new mayor isn't backing a candidate.

Update: A new Gallup 2012 poll finds Pawlenty at the back of the pack. About half of those polled say they would not seriously consider Pawlenty for president.

Pawlenty's PAC speech

Posted at 9:29 PM on November 4, 2009 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Tim Pawlenty

About 300 people attended last night's kickoff fundraiser for Governor Pawlenty's national political action committee. The guests got to listen to speeches by Pawlenty, former Congressman Vin Weber and actors Jon Voight and John Ratzenberger. Pawlenty told the audience that he's launching his Freedom First PAC to build on Tuesday night's victories in New Jersey and Virginia

"We have a great country that's built on tremendous values and principles, but we're adrift and we need to launch this comeback and we know that if we have individuals in leadership positions who don't appreciate that when you expand government, you crowd out other activities and then you begin to stifle some important elements of the American economy and the American spirit."

You can listen to Pawlenty's entire speech to donors here:

Listen

Pawlenty talks with Iowa reporters before trip

Posted at 2:52 PM on November 4, 2009 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: Tim Pawlenty

Gov. Pawlenty spoke with Iowa reporters this afternoon about his Saturday trip to Des Moines. It's standard stuff. He thinks the GOP needs to do better, he sidesteps whether he's running for president and he loves the Iowa caucuses, etc.:

"Well, I think it's a terrific tradition and, you know, we have caucuses in Minnesota. They're not as large or, you know, monitored as the Iowa Caucuses, but I've had a chance to experience the Iowa Caucuses a little bit as a surrogate speaker.

"I think it's a wonderful demonstration of democracy at the grassroots level. I think the people of Iowa, you know, take it seriously. They take time to learn the candidates and their positions. There's a great fidelity that they attach to the process and I think it's a terrific and helpful tradition. I have great respect for it and I think Iowa should retain that status."

You can read the transcript here.

The key question is whether Pawlenty will speak with Minnesota reporters tonight before or after what he calls the "inaugural event tonight, a kick-off event in Minneapolis which is kind of our first significant event relating to the PAC."

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Palin will reportedly visit MN

Posted at 12:34 PM on November 4, 2009 by Tom Scheck (2 Comments)
Filed under: Tim Pawlenty

The Pi Press is reporting that former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will sign books at the Mall of America's Barnes and Noble store in Bloomington on December 7th. An official with the store could not confirm the details to MPR. She said she was instructed by her corporate office to tell reporters that there will be more information available on November 16th.

Palin, who was John McCain's running mate in 2009, is set to release her biography Going Rogue on Nov. 17th. The Pi Press said details of the visit are still being worked out.

The news of the event comes on the same day that Gov. Pawlenty is scheduled to hold the first major fundraiser for his PAC in Minnesota. Both Palin and Pawlenty are considered GOP contenders for the White House in 2012.

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Pawlenty's star turn

Posted at 7:52 PM on November 3, 2009 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Tim Pawlenty

Gov. Pawlenty will get a little bit of Hollywood at his fundraiser tomorrow night. Actors John Voight and Kelsey Grammer will speak on Pawlenty's behalf. Variety has the story:

"Voight is expected to speak about a simple message about Pawlenty in that the country "is at a clear crossroads." Grammer cannot attend the event, but will call in to address the crowd by speaker phone."

Snowe's response to Pawlenty

Posted at 4:56 PM on November 3, 2009 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Tim Pawlenty

Maine Senator Olympia Snowe responded to Gov. Pawlenty's comments on MSNBC this morning about her. Pawlenty was repeatedly questioned on the Morning Joe program on his thoughts about the moderate Republican. Pawlenty said this:

"We want Olympia Snowe in the big tent but she can't say she's a Republican and vote against the Republican position much of the time."

Snowe responded to Pawlenty's comments to Politico:

"I've been a lifelong Republican -- I haven't changed, I don't know what the problem is -- I really don't," said Snowe, speaking to POLITICO at the Capitol. "I know Gov. Pawlenty to be a thoughtful person and i know if he could have rephrased it or re characterized it he would."

But Snowe, who is pro-abortion rights, took serious issue with Pawlenty's underlying argument that some members of the GOP's fast shrinking left flank, including one-time NY-23 candidate Dede Scozzafava, are so far out of the party's anti-abortion, anti-gay rights mainstream they are a "joke."

"All I know is that I've been a life-long Republican, I [spent] 16 years toiling in the minority in the House of Representatives and [was part of] the effort to get us the majority in 1994 -- now were in the minority and I'm still here," she added, with a laugh.

"So, i don't know -- I think they could probably borrow more from me in that sense, in terms of being in touch with your constituents..."

Defending the party's Yankee roots, Snowe went on to deliver an expansive, impassioned defense of Republican moderation, arguing that no central party apparatus -- or any candidate -- has the right to dictate a specific programs to any state party.

"I don't expect the national party organization to be a substitute for the people in Maine," she added.

"We're a states' rights approach party and we should leave it at that... I think we've got to be inclusive in in the model of President Reagan... the Lee Atwater approach, the big tent, I think that's what we have to be all about. I always think that we have to be flexible in accommodating a variety of views if we want to be a majority party in reflecting the spectrum across America."

Pawlenty punts on Olympia Snowe

Posted at 7:23 AM on November 3, 2009 by Tom Scheck (2 Comments)
Filed under: Tim Pawlenty

Gov. Pawlenty was on MSNBC's Morning Joe this morning to talk about his endorsement of conservative Doug Hoffman in NY-23. Things got interesting, however, when the interviewers started asking Pawlenty who he would consider a moderate Republican. He said GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen and former GOP Rep. Jim Ramstad were examples.

But the interviewers then asked whether Pawlenty supported Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine. At first he sidestepped the question. On a follow up, he said "We want Olympia Snowe in the big tent but she can't say she's a Republican and vote against the Republican position much of the time."

When pressed further, Pawlenty said "I'd much rather have a Republican than a Democrat in Maine." He didn't say a positive thing about Snowe during the interview.

What makes this interesting is that Pawlenty has repeatedly said on the stump that Republicans need to do a better job of attracting independents and conservative Democrats to the Republican Party.

Update: Here's the video:

Update: NBC's Chuck Todd said any doubt that Pawlenty is running in 2012 should be erased. It's an interesting analysis that does not do Pawlenty any favors.

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Lawsuit filed challenging unallotment

Posted at 6:01 PM on October 29, 2009 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: MN Legislature, Tim Pawlenty

A lawsuit filed in Ramsey County District Court is challenging Governor Pawlenty's decision to balance the budget on his own. The suit is asking the court to restore money for two programs -- one that funds low income Minnesotans who have special diet needs and another that provided a renter's property tax credit. In July, Pawlenty balanced the budget on his own after he failed to reach agreement with the Legislature on the best way to erase a multi-billion deficit. Galen Robinson, with Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance, said Pawlenty exceeded his authority.

"The two branches of government --the legislative and executive --have a responsibility to work together to resolve problems. The governor can call the Legislature back into special session to resolve disputes and finish legislation. He chose not to do this although there was time to do it."

This is the second lawsuit filed challenging Pawlenty's use of unallotment. A Ramsey County judge is currently considering a suit over Pawlenty's cut to the political contribution refund. Brian McClung, a spokesman for Pawlenty, said the governor is confident in his legal authority to use unallotment to balance the state budget.

(h/t MinnPost)

Pawlenty supports earlier primary

Posted at 10:44 AM on October 29, 2009 by Tim Pugmire
Filed under: Tim Pawlenty

Gov.Tim Pawlenty said today he supports moving up Minnesota's primary elections next year in response to a new federal mandate.

A defense spending bill signed into law by President Obama this week includes a requirement that U.S. Military personnel and other overseas voters get at least 45-days to receive and return their absentee ballots for the general election. Minnesota's September primary currently allows only 30 days. Pawlenty said he'll support legislation next session to move the primary to August. But the Republican governor doesn't want it lumped in with other election reforms.

"We don't want to get in entangled in other things that may be controversial," Pawlenty said. "So, I would ask the Legislature just pass it as a free standing item, or put it in a bill with other non-controversial items."

DFL Secretary of State Mark Ritchie is also recommending quick passage of a primary change next session.

Pawlenty headed to Mexico

Posted at 10:35 AM on October 29, 2009 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Tim Pawlenty

Gov. Pawlenty is traveling to Mexico on November 9th to boost Minneosta's exports to that country. The news release said it will be a one day trip:

Governor Pawlenty will meet with Mexican President Felipe Calderon on Monday, November 9. The Governor will also meet with Minnesota business owners at a roundtable discussion and speak to the American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico. He will return to Minnesota on Tuesday, November 10.

"Over the past ten years, Mexico grew from Minnesota's 13th largest export market to 6th largest," Governor Pawlenty said. "By sharing Minnesota's successes with business and political leaders in Mexico, we hope to expand an already strong relationship."

It will be a busy couple of days for Pawlenty. He will attend the governor's deer hunting opener in Thief River Falls on November 6th and 7th. He is also scheduled to speak on November 7th to GOP activists in Des Moines, Iowa.

The Mexico trip is in addition to his trade mission to South America. The Minnesota Trade Office says the December trip will include forty business professionals and consultants.

Pawlenty trails in another 2012 poll

Posted at 9:06 AM on October 28, 2009 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Tim Pawlenty

A CNN poll of more than 1,000 Americans found that Gov. Pawlenty has some work to do if he wants to win the GOP nomination for president in 2012:

In a very early look at the next race for the White House, the survey indicates that nearly one in three Republican voters, 32 percent, say they would be most likely to support former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee in a hypothetical battle for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination, with Palin seven points back at 25 percent, and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney at 21 percent. Five percent said they would back Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, with one in ten suggesting they would support some one else.

The CNN poll comes two weeks after a Rasmussen Poll also found that Pawlenty was trailing the other potential GOP candidates.

Pawlenty will try to ramp up his approval ratings when he visits Iowa next month. The only problem for Pawlenty is that the rest of the field is also eying Iowa. The Des Moines Register says Huckabee scheduled a book signing one day after Pawlenty's visit and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is being courted by a conservative group.

Pawlenty headed to DC in mid November

Posted at 8:29 PM on October 27, 2009 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Tim Pawlenty

Gov. Pawlenty is headed to Washington D.C. will appear at the National Republican Senatorial Committee meetings Fall meetings on November 16th and 17th. In an e-mail to supporters, Pawlenty urged donations to the political arm of Senate Republicans:

A few weeks ago, I launched Freedom First PAC, an organization dedicated to turning back the growth of the federal government and renewing the promise of freedom. America is successful in large part because we are the freest people the world has ever known. These freedoms are now being threatened by the rapid expansion of our government led by liberal Democrats in Washington.

The NRSC is committed to electing more Republicans to the Senate to stem this encroachment on our liberties, and that's why I'm pleased to be speaking at their Fall Meeting held in Washington, D.C. November 16th and 17th. I look forward to sharing the message of Freedom First with supporters from across America who are helping us rebuild our conservative ranks in 2010.

This is Pawlenty's latest out of state trip on the schedule. Here's a map of where he's been since he announced he wasn't running for third term on June first.

Pawlenty backs Hoffman in New York

Posted at 2:13 PM on October 26, 2009 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Tim Pawlenty

The conservative blog RedState is reporting that Gov. Pawlenty is backing conservative candidate Doug Hoffman over GOP endorsed Dede Scozzafava. Pawlenty sent a statement to the blog citing his reason for the endorsement:

"We cannot send more politicians to Washington who wear the Republican jersey on the campaign trail, but then vote like Democrats in Congress on issues like card check and taxes. After reviewing the candidates' positions, I'm endorsing Doug Hoffman in New York's special election. Doug understands the federal government needs to quit spending so much, will vote against tax increases, and protect key values like the right to vote in private in union elections."

Pawlenty's endorsement comes a few days after he was roundly criticized by RedState for staying on the sidelines in the race. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann are just two of the candidates who announced last week that they're backing Hoffman. Former GOP House Speaker Newt Gingrich is backing Scozzafava.