Capitol View tag:minnesota.publicradio.org,2012:/collections/special/columns/polinaut//49 2012-02-09T21:25:54Z We explore the universe of campaigns and politics. Join us in the search for intelligent life. Movable Type 4.21-en Ellison helps launch Democratic campaign finance push tag:minnesota.publicradio.org,2012:/collections/special/columns/polinaut//49.89454 2012-02-09T21:25:24Z 2012-02-09T21:25:54Z He wants an end to secret campaign donations. Brett Neely ellison pelosi 2.JPG WASHINGTON - House Democrats, including DFL Rep. Keith Ellison, are renewing their initiative to force new, largely unregulated political action committees to disclose their donors. At a Capitol press conference Thursday, Ellison joined Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats to tout a newly reintroduced bill, the DISCLOSE Act, that would ban so-called super PACs from accepting secret donations. "Secret money manipulating outcomes for special interests is repulsive to Americans," said Ellison. "And it doesn't matter what part of the political spectrum they come from, they're upset about it." A previous version of the DISCLOSE Act passed the House in 2010 when it was controlled by Democrats, but the measure failed in the Senate after Republicans filibustered the bill. The move comes the same week President Barack Obama's re-election campaign announced that it reversed its previous policy and would accept the support of super PACs. While super PACs are allowed to raise and spend unlimited sums, technically they're not allowed to coordinate with campaigns. ]]> DFL debt deeper than disclosed in December tag:minnesota.publicradio.org,2012:/collections/special/columns/polinaut//49.89453 2012-02-09T20:10:29Z 2012-02-09T20:21:50Z The debt is $580k not $210k. Tom Scheck told reporters late last year. Martin acknowledged that party's books show a deeper debt than what he disclosed in December. He said his initial figure was aimed at the $750,000 in red ink he's been erasing since he took the top job in February of 2011. Martin said he doesn't consider the additional red ink debt because the party has a plan to pay it off. "It would be unfair to say the party is $581,000 in debt," Martin said. "Some of that has been paid. Some of that is in the process of being paid. The stuff that's old debt, that's been on the books for many years, is about $250,000." Martin said a large part of the debt comes from legal fees for redistricting work. For example, the party owes the Washington D.C. based Perkins Cole law firm $110,000. Martin said they plan to pay that legal bill quickly. The DFL Party is paying its attorneys through the party's campaign account. Republicans set up a separate fund to pay for their redistricting efforts. Officials representing the group called Minnesotans for a Fair Redistricting say they will not disclose their bills or fundraising activity. Minnesota Republican Party officials said in December that the GOP has a debt that could be as high as $2 million. ]]> House passes STOCK Act with near unanimous support tag:minnesota.publicradio.org,2012:/collections/special/columns/polinaut//49.89444 2012-02-09T16:25:51Z 2012-02-09T16:26:32Z Members of Congress won't be able to trade on inside information. Brett Neely WASHINGTON - The U.S. House passed the STOCK Act Thursday that bars members of Congress and their staff from trading stocks based on information they learn from their official duties. The vote was 417-2 with all of Minnesota's delegation voting for the legislation. 1st District DFL Congressman Tim Walz introduced the bill with Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY). It had languished in Congress for six years until a 60 Minutes report on congressional insider trading aired last fall that raised questions about stock transactions made by high-ranking members of Congress. In a speech shortly before the bill passed, Walz said it was a "no-brainer" for Congress. "We're not here to pat ourselves on the back," said Walz. "This might be the only place where doing the right thing gets you kudos, it's expected of everyone else." The Senate has passed a similar bill with some important differences that must be worked out between the two chambers before President Obama can sign it into law. In particular, a provision championed by Slaughter would have required firms which collect information about pending congressional moves and sell it to Wall Street traders to register as lobbyists are required to. Republican Majority Leader Eric Cantor opposed that measure, stripping it from the House bill and replacing it with a study on the so-called political intelligence firms. "I'm disappointed the political intelligence piece isn't in here," said Walz, who added, "We can't wait for the perfect to move something forward so I think this is a good bipartisan compromise." The Daily Digest tag:minnesota.publicradio.org,2012:/collections/special/columns/polinaut//49.89433 2012-02-09T12:30:10Z 2012-02-09T13:05:25Z All of today's political news Catharine Richert Around Minnesota MPR looks at the voter I.D. debate. A new KSTP/SurveyUSA poll shows that 65 percent of Minnesotans disapprove of the state Legislature, while17 percent approve and 18 percent are not sure. The same poll shows that 50 percent of Minnesotans approve of Gov. Mark Dayton; 33 percent disapprove and 17 percent are not sure. Dayton says a state-run hospital needs upgrades and better training. Rick Nolan won the DFL straw-poll caucus in the 8th District. MPR reports Minneapolis is nearly $55 million short on cash for its proposed Vikings stadium. A bill introduced Wednesday would ban former legislators from becoming a MnSCU trustee or University of Minnesota regent for two years after leaving office, MPR writes. The Legislature has sent Datyon a package of bills that would change how civil lawsuits are handled, the Associated Press reports. 3M has a new president. In Washington The STOCK Act is expected to passthe U.S. House of Representatives today. Minnesota will be among the first 10 states to get a No Child Left Behind waiver. Rep. Chip Cravaack called an administration rule that would require all health insurance plans to cover birth control "an act of federal aggression." The U.S. House leadership will fight the rule, too. The House passed legislation that would allow the President to veto specific parts of spending bills. Around the Nation Washington State is poised to legalize same-sex marriage. The New York Times reports that banks have reached a $26 billion settlement with the states that could help those who owe more on the mortgages than their houses are worth. On the Campaign Trail Rick Santorum's wins in Minnesota, Missouri and Colorado may not have scored him delegates but the victories did help him raise $250,000 overnight. Low turnout at the Minnesota caucuses helped Santorum and hindered Romney, MPR reports. His victory may be just as much a sign that conservatives are wary of Mitt Romney, the New York Times reports. Wednesday, Santorum was in Texas talking to a group of pastors. Social issues have reappeared in the political debate along with Santorum's surge, the Washington Post reports. So far, it looks like the GOP will do well when it comes to keeping seats in the Senate. Money and Politics Politico has a good primer on how super PACs make their money. Minnesota's Stan Hubbard, who gave $100,000 to the conservative American Crossroads PAC, is quoted. Obama is beating his own record for small dollar donations. The New York Times profiles Foster Friess, a wealthy donor who will support Santorum. ]]> Cravaack calls HHS birth control order "an act of federal aggression" tag:minnesota.publicradio.org,2012:/collections/special/columns/polinaut//49.89425 2012-02-08T19:41:11Z 2012-02-08T20:05:12Z He called the new policy "a direct attack on religious liberty." Brett Neely WASHINGTON - A new Obama administration rule that would require all health insurance plans to provide birth control has been dubbed "an act of federal aggression" by first-term Republican Rep. Chip Cravaack. Republicans have seized on the new requirement as a potent political issue in what's likely to be a closely-fought election. They're particularly incensed that the rule would apply to religious organizations that have previously not offered contraception as part of their health insurance policies. Cravaack, who is Catholic, gave a brief floor speech in the U.S. House on Wednesday morning to protest the new policy. "This is a direct attack against on religious liberty for all religions," said Cravaack. His remarks follow a similar speech by House Speaker John Boehner, who's also Catholic, who also gave a blistering speech opposing the policy. Nolan wins DFL Straw Poll in Minnesota's 8th District tag:minnesota.publicradio.org,2012:/collections/special/columns/polinaut//49.89420 2012-02-08T19:09:01Z 2012-02-08T20:25:53Z Nolan picks up key support. Tom Scheck NOTE: This story was updated with new vote totals. Former DFL Congressman Rick Nolan won a straw poll of DFL caucus-goers in Minnesota's 8th Congressional District. Districts are still reporting results, but Nolan has so far picked up 1531 votes. Duluth City Council member Jeff Anderson received 991 votes. Former state Sen. Tarryl Clark received 406 votes. At least 262 voters said they were uncommitted. I'll update with final results when they come in (Itasca County and five precincts in Chisago County are still out). (All but roughly six precincts have reported) "If the straw poll is any indication, and I believe it is, we are on the road to the endorsement and to victory in November," Nolan said in a statement. The three DFL candidates are vying to win the DFL nomination and challenge GOP incumbent Rep. Chip Cravaack. Nolan is the only candidate who says he will abide by the endorsement. Anderson hasn't said whether he'll abide by the endorsement, and Clark, who lost her first bid for Congress to GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann, said she'll abide by the endorsement but only if the process is "fair." Though it appears she will take third place in the DFL's straw poll, Clark has raised more money than the other Democrats. In this cycle, she raised $530,000 and has $275,000 in the bank. Nolan raised $125,000 thousand, and has $35,000 in the bank. Anderson raised $74,000 for the cycle and has $13,000 thousand in the bank. Redistricting is complicating the DFL endorsement process. A five-judge panel has been tasked with releasing a set of congressional and legislative boundaries as a result of the once-a-decade redistricting process, and the new map could change the makeup of the race. Here's Nolan's statement:
Our campaign made a strong statement last night with a convincing win. Our message is obviously resonating because people want to matter again in Washington, and they know I will fight for them everyday. That's why people across northern Minnesota are embracing our campaign and giving us the clear momentum in this race. As DFL'ers, we're uniting on the issues. We are determined to end wars of choice, establish universal single payer health care, protect Medicare and Social Security, re-invest in infrastructure and rebuild our economy to generate the good paying jobs we need in northern Minnesota and across the country. For those things to happen, we now need to unite behind one Congressional candidate to defeat Chip Cravaack and take back the 8th for progressive values. If the straw poll is any indication, and I believe it is, we are on the road to the endorsement and to victory in November. Moving forward, I am determined to unite our party and marshal the resources we're going to need to defeat Mr. Cravaack and make working families, seniors, students, small businesses and all of us in the 99 percent matter again in Washington.
Clark issued this statement after the results:
"Yesterday's caucuses marks the beginning of the election process, much like the coin flip at Sunday's Super Bowl. We have a long way to go, and I'm excited about all the volunteers and grassroots donors that are joining the campaign every day. The stakes are too high to let "politics as usual" determine the fate of Minnesota and our country. We need real leadership in Washington, leaders who will not rest until the priorities of Minnesota families are put before Wall Street and big corporations. We need someone with a track record of service to our community, and the energy and commitment to stand strong in these tough times."
Here's a statement from Anderson:
"We are very pleased with the results from last night's straw poll. With district lines still unclear, we concentrated our efforts on the heart of the current Eighth District, and our efforts were rewarded with overwhelming support in Duluth and on the Iron Range. We won St. Louis County, including Duluth, Cloquet, Chisholm, Virginia, and Aurora by two to one margins. Despite being heavily outspent, the results clearly show that the momentum is on our side. We remain confident that once we finally know what the district will look like, our message of progressive homegrown leadership will see us through to a November face off with Rep. Cravaack."
]]> The Daily Digest (Santorum sweeps, Paul finishes second in MN, Walz says GOP working to weaken STOCK Act) tag:minnesota.publicradio.org,2012:/collections/special/columns/polinaut//49.89405 2012-02-08T12:51:11Z 2012-02-08T13:00:23Z A look at the day's political news. Tom Scheck Minnesota, Missouri and Colorado. Enthusiasm won the day in Eagan. Ron Paul, who got second in Minnesota, says the result "opens up the door." ABC News says even though no delegates were awarded on Tuesday night, it was a rebuke of the Romney campaign's belief that he'll sail to the nomination. Romney's campaign was left to explain away why Tuesday's results didn't matter. The Washington Post says Minnesota dealt Romney his biggest blow. Tim Pawlenty, who backed Romney, said on CNN that congratulations are in order for Santorum. Pawlenty wasn't in Minnesota for the caucuses. He was at a speaking engagement at Kansas University. Romney's setback comes at a time when news outlets are starting to examine Romney's jobs record in Massachusetts. The Washington Post called it "unremarkable." Race for Congress Rick Nolan won a DFL Straw poll in the 8th Congressional District over Duluth City Council member Jeff Anderson. DFL insiders in the 8th say they're surprised at how strong Anderson did on the Iron Range. GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann didn't attend the caucuses because of votes in Congress. Under the Dome Faith leaders rally to defeat efforts to require people to present photo identification to vote. The Star Tribune says Legacy dollars are being used to cover cuts in conservation. The State Integration Task Force adopts a plan. Same-sex marriage debate A federal appeals court declared California's same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional. Economy Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke tells a Senate Committee to focus on economic growth now and cutting the deficit later. Greek parties delay bailout talks despite EU threats. Congress The talks to extend the payroll tax cut aren't going so well. The Washington Post has a good series that examines the financial statements of Congress. The series found that some lawmakers have steered funds for public projects to areas that are close to their personal homes. It also says members of Congress are guiding millions of dollars to groups with ties to their relatives. A Komen executive steps down. DFL Rep. Tim Walz says GOP leaders are working to weaken his insider trader bill. DFL Sen. Al Franken introduced a courthouse security bill. Politico says GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen broke with House Republicans on an amendment to the transportation bill. ]]> Walz criticizes GOP leaders on STOCK Act tag:minnesota.publicradio.org,2012:/collections/special/columns/polinaut//49.89387 2012-02-07T22:20:44Z 2012-02-07T22:22:18Z He says House leaders have frozen out Democrats on a major ethics bill. Brett Neely IMG_0344.JPG WASHINGTON - DFL Congressman Tim Walz says House Republican leaders are trying to undermine the STOCK Act, an ethics bill designed to stop insider trading by members of congress, just days before a scheduled floor vote Thursday. Republican Majority Leader Eric Cantor says he plans to offer amendments to strengthen the version of the bill passed by the Senate last week with near unanimous support. At a press conference Tuesday, Walz's co-sponsor, Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) said that based on the changes she heard were going into the bill, "I think strengthening here is a euphemism for weakening." In particular, Slaughter warned that Cantor might be unraveling a provision that would force political intelligence firms - companies that gather nonpublic information and sell that information to Wall Street - to register the way lobbyists do. Walz said he was frustrated that he and Slaughter had been completely frozen out of the process of bringing the bill to the floor even though they have been working on the legislation for six years. "We are doing an insider trading bill with insiders, behind closed doors, not sharing with us, not one call to the original authors of this bill," said Walz. The bill is likely to pass the House by a wide margin. More than 280 of the House's 435 members have backed it, including six of Minnesota's eight House members. ]]> The Daily Digest tag:minnesota.publicradio.org,2012:/collections/special/columns/polinaut//49.89345 2012-02-07T12:30:03Z 2012-02-07T14:40:17Z All of today's political news Catharine Richert it's caucus day in Minnesota and Colorado, and primary day in Missouri. Around Minnesota Find your precinct here. Here's MPR's FAQ on the caucuses. MPR will have coverage of the caucuses, so tune in. Ron Paul will host a post-caucus party at the Golden Valley Metropolitan Ballroom and Clubroom at 8:30 p.m. Newt Gingrich will be in Ohio. One poll has Rick Santorum leading the pack. Several candidates campaigned in Minnesota Monday. Santorum was in Rochester talking health care. Paul was in St. Cloud. Gingrich was in Bloomington. In a conference call, Tim Pawlenty went after Rick Santorum so Mitt Romney didn't have to. Conservative columnist Bill Kristol says the Romney campaign is "abusing poor Tim Pawlenty." MinnPost takes a look at what the DFL will be doing tonight. The Pollution Control Agency says it's doing a good job of meeting a new mandate that requires it to issue environmental permits within 150 days, the Duluth News Tribune reports. The teachers union in the Anoka-Hennepin school district endorsed proposed changes to its sexual orientation policy. A group of rabbis oppose a constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage. Rep. Keith Ellison held a press conference Monday in opposition of a constitutional amendment that would require photo identification to vote. The topic is likely to come up at tonight's caucuses. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak rallied workers' support for a Vikings stadium. In Washington Chase Kroll will run Rep. Michele Bachmann's upcoming congressional election. Kroll has worked on Bachmann's campaigns in the past. Bachmann tells Bloomberg TV that she was the perfect candidate. Bachmann supporters may be weary of her calls for contributions, the St. Cloud Times reports. The U.S. Embassy in Syria has closed, reports the New York Times. An investigation by the Washington Post shows that 33 members of Congress steered earmarks to projects that benefited their residential or commercial properties. The Associated Press reports that President Barack Obama's defense cuts are forcing budget hawks to choose between politics and principles. Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar voted against allowing long-term funding for the Federal Aviation Administration. Money and Politics Sen. Al Franken has become a one of the biggest Democratic fundraisers in the party. NPR's Fresh Air interviewed journalist Joe Hagan about super PACs. More than a third of the political ads this election season have been funded by non-profits that never have to reveal their donors, the Washington Post reports. Two of Obama's biggest donors have ties to a fugitive who fled to Mexico, the New York Times reports. He's giving the money back. Meanwhile, Obama is signalling to donors they should contribute to a super PAC supporting his election. Finally This Louisiana Representative thought this Onion article was real enough to post to his Facebook page. He's since taken it down. ]]> Franken and Klobuchar vote against FAA bill tag:minnesota.publicradio.org,2012:/collections/special/columns/polinaut//49.89355 2012-02-07T00:00:00Z 2012-02-07T03:22:35Z They expressed concern about new rules affecting transportation unions. Brett Neely Fellow Democrat, Sen. Amy Klobuchar did not immediately issue a statement explaining her vote. "...[P]rovisions that have nothing to do with the FAA were added to the conference report, and I don't believe this legislation is an appropriate venue for making unrelated policy decisions," said DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who also supported the improved air traffic control and passenger rights provisions of the bill but voted against the final legislation. The bill also hastens U.S. air traffic control's transition to a satellite-based navigation system that's expected to reduce delays and lower pollution. ]]> Groups start push to stop Voter ID tag:minnesota.publicradio.org,2012:/collections/special/columns/polinaut//49.89350 2012-02-06T22:34:31Z 2012-02-06T22:40:19Z Groups start lining up to speak out against amendment. Tom Scheck Ellison.JPG Opponents of a proposed constitutional amendment that would require people to show photo identification to vote want to make it an issue at Tuesday's precinct caucuses. DFL Congressman Keith Ellison said today minority groups, college students, senior citizens and disabled people could all be disenfranchised if the so-called voter ID requirement is added to the constitution. "The biggest problem that we have is sort of easy assumption that 'oh everyone has an ID, don't they?" Ellison said. "That's the problem because we have to sensitize the population about the needs of the 1, 2 or 3 percent of the population that doesn't have an ID but that very same person may be your mother or your grandmother." A group of faith leaders have also scheduled a Tuesday morning news conference to speak out against the measure. Supporters of the voter ID measure say it would ensure integrity in the election system. GOP legislative leaders say they're confident the Legislature will vote to put the constitutional on the 2012 ballot. A Senate Committee held a hearing last week on the plan but didn't vote on it. ]]> Pawlenty rips Santorum for Romney tag:minnesota.publicradio.org,2012:/collections/special/columns/polinaut//49.89341 2012-02-06T18:27:28Z 2012-02-07T04:28:54Z Conservative credentials questioned Tim Pugmire Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty is trying to give Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney a boost heading into Tuesday's precinct caucuses in Minnesota. Pawlenty held a conference call with reporters today to specifically criticize Rick Santorum, who made a campaign stop earlier in the day in Rochester. Pawlenty highlighted what he described as Santorum's long history of pork-barrel spending. He said it's a record that should be concerning to conservatives, who are expected to make up a big share of Republican caucus attendees. Pawlenty predicted a close contest in Minnesota. "I think Mitt will be competitive," Pawlenty said."But it's hard to tell who's going to be the person on the top of that pack. Turnout and small variations in turnout can have a big impact when you're dealing with such a small group of people." Pawlenty was scheduled to host a late afternoon get-out-the vote rally for Romney, along with former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton. Romney was not scheduled to attend the event in Edina. Newt Gingrich has a campaign stop planned tonight in Bloomington.]]> The Daily Digest (MN is ready for the GOP closeup, Obama winning head to head against Romney, House to vote on STOCK Act) tag:minnesota.publicradio.org,2012:/collections/special/columns/polinaut//49.89327 2012-02-06T05:19:33Z 2012-02-06T12:30:57Z A look at the day's political news. Tom Scheck matter to the Republican candidates for president. Three of the four Republican candidates for president will be in Minnesota today. Rick Santorum will give a health care speech in Rochester. Ron Paul will hold events in St. Cloud and Minneapolis and Newt Gingrich will hold a rally in St. Paul. CNN reports that Mitt Romney was going to visit today but decided to campaign in Colorado instead. Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former United National Ambassador John Bolton will hold a rally for Mitt Romney today. A new poll says Minnesota's caucuses are a toss-up. AP says Minnesota's rightward drift challenges Romney. Santorum made an appearance at an Eden Prairie mega church on Sunday and campaigned in Bemidji. Ron Paul campaigned in Minnesota on Saturday. Former MNGOP Chair Chris Georgacas is backing Paul's campaign. Romney also announced support from some Minnesota politicians. Romney won Nevada on Saturday. Gingrich says he's staying in the race. Romney split with Brett O'Donnell. Meanwhile... As the GOP candidates criss-cross the country, President Obama told a national audience that he deserves a second term. A Washington Post ABC News poll says Obama's approval rating is at 50 percent and he's winning a head to head against Romney. The New York Times says Obama's team is always watching Romney for flubs. Under the Dome The Taxpayers League of Minnesota is targeting some of its closest conservative allies in the Legislature over Racino. A civilly committed sex offender has won provisional release. Gov. Dayton wrote an op-ed saying he hopes the session gets better. Dayton also pledged support for more funding for the Hwy 101 river crossing. GOP Senate Majority Leader Dave Senjem says the Senate is keeping a watch list on two of Dayton's appointments. GOP Sen. David Hann knocks Gov. Dayton over the spending of federal health funds. Senate Democrats are pushing for more info on the decision to hire an outside legal firm over a potential lawsuit involving former staffer Michael Brodkorb. Same-sex marriage debate The marriage amendment will be discussed at precinct caucuses. Vikings Stadium You're not alone if you're dizzy from the characterizations of stalling and fast-track deals regarding the stadium stalling and fast-tracks. Yet another Vikings Stadium plan may be rolled out this week. The Star Tribune says another plan is on the fast-track. This comes just days after reports that a deal on a stadium was in trouble because lawmakers were concerned about Gov. Dayton's tone. For the record, no stadium bill has been introduced yet. Congress President Obama said diplomacy is the preferred solution on Iran but didn't rule out military force. A deal is closer on a U.S. plan for mortgage relief. General Motors is hoping for a $10 billion profit. Unemployment reached a three year low sending the stock market soaring. Egypt plans to prosecute 19 Americans as part of a probe involving funding for pro-Democracy groups. Violence in Syria continues. The decision to extend the payroll tax cut has splintered the GOP. DFL Rep. Tim Walz' STOCK Act will get a vote next week. GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann ditched her long-time staffer and political adviser. GOP Rep. Chip Cravaack is pushing legislation to help northeastern Minnesota mines. ]]> More details on Gingrich's Monday visit tag:minnesota.publicradio.org,2012:/collections/special/columns/polinaut//49.89325 2012-02-05T19:47:27Z 2012-02-05T20:15:27Z More details on Gingrich's visit. Tom Scheck campaigned in Minnesota on Wednesday. Ron Paul campaigned in the state on Saturday and is scheduled to be back in Minnesota tomorrow. Rick Santorum is campaigning in Minnesota today and tomorrow. A recent poll shows that it's a tight race to determine who will win Minnesota's precinct caucuses. The candidates are hoping to win the state to showcase momentum even though the caucuses are non-binding. That means the results from Tuesday's GOP straw poll won't bind the delegates at the Republican National Convention. ]]> Poll: Minnesota GOP presidential nomination a toss up tag:minnesota.publicradio.org,2012:/collections/special/columns/polinaut//49.89322 2012-02-05T17:28:20Z 2012-02-05T17:40:06Z Poll: All four GOP presidential candidates have a shot at winning Tuesday's caucuses Catharine Richert a lot more detail on the polling firm's website, including analysis of Paul's chances in Minnesota, which will largely depend on how many Independent voters show up on caucus night, and how well he does with older voters. ]]>