By Rachel D'oro
Associated Press
Updated: 07/31/2009 10:35:42 AM CDT
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Fans to Sarah Palin: Please, post a tidbit on Facebook. A little chirp on Twitter would be nice.
It's been five whole days since Palin stepped down as Alaska's governor and her Internet fans are dying to know what's next.
"Sarah can you give us just a hint!" writes one Facebook follower.
But the hockey mom-turned politician who promised to launch her change to private life on social networking sites has been quiet so far. In fact, she's gone "dark," leaving supporters to flood the Web with speculation.
The big question on their minds is the 2012 presidential race. Will she or won't she?
Her silence is not keeping supporters from discussing the possibility of her chasing the country's top job or taking on another national role.
Said one Facebook entry: "Drill, Drill, Drill ... all the way to the White House!!!!"
Said another: "Sarah, our country really NEEDS YOU NOW!!!"
One person asked Palin if she was keeping tabs on the site.
"Is there any way you could somehow let us know you're reading this?" the poster asked. "Maybe a little tweet sometime when you get your Twitter up again."
The clamor comes amid a vacuum of knowledge about what awaits the former GOP vice presidential candidate since she left the state office Sunday with 16 months remaining in her first term. Her departure came with no elaboration of her long-term political plans. Short-term, she was expected to speak Aug. 8 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California, but her spokeswoman, Meghan Stapleton, posted a note on Palin's Facebook page Thursday that she is not attending the event. She gave no explanation, and did not respond to requests for comment on the ex-governor's plans.
Palin has said she could campaign for political candidates across the U.S. Also making the rounds are unconfirmed reports that Palin could be open to being a conservative voice on a radio show.
Or she could be a homemaker, according to a third of 900 voters responding to a poll by FOX News. Even members of her own party are divided over what Palin should do next. The poll, released this week, showed 27 percent of Republicans believe the vice presidency would best suit Palin, followed by 18 percent who see her as a homemaker, 14 percent who would cast her as a talk show host and 12 percent who favor her as president.
In her last three months as governor, Palin routinely tweeted about state business and other subjects, including domestic energy development, the death of Alaska-based soldiers and dismissals of ethics complaints against her. Nearing her gubernatorial departure, she indicated she would use a personal account on Twitter to continue to stay in touch and more freely speak her mind.
"10 dys til less politically correct twitters fly frm my fingertps outside State site," she tweeted July 17.
Palin's attorney, Thomas Van Flein, said Palin will resume her Twitter feeds in the near future. He said he was not at liberty to discuss any of her post-office activities.
Where some supporters are concerned, soon is not soon enough to hear from Palin.
"Anyone find it strange that Sarah has not shown up at all on Twitter by now??? If she waits too long, people will move on," one supporter wrote Thursday on the Web site Conservatives 4 Palin.
Wrote another: "Sarah can't even go 4 days without tweeting? I think she's smart to go 'dark' for a while."
That she is laying low came as no surprise to Pam Pryor, a spokeswoman for Palin's political action committee. SarahPAC reportedly has raised more than $1 million.
"Seeing how she just left office, I would think she's taking a few days off," Pryor said. The time off is a way for the governor to "shut off the lights and close the door and go from one chapter to another."
Friday, July 31, 2009
Candidates sought for open judgeship in Dakota County
Pioneer Press
Updated: 07/24/2009 11:09:00 PM CDT
The Commission on Judicial Selection is seeking applications for a new judge in the First Judicial District.
Judge Leslie M. Metzen, who was chambered in Dakota County, retired May 20, creating a vacancy.
The district spans seven counties. Licensed Minnesota attorneys who are residents of the district may request an application by calling 651-296-0019. Applications are due by Aug. 19.
— Frederick Melo
Updated: 07/24/2009 11:09:00 PM CDT
The Commission on Judicial Selection is seeking applications for a new judge in the First Judicial District.
Judge Leslie M. Metzen, who was chambered in Dakota County, retired May 20, creating a vacancy.
The district spans seven counties. Licensed Minnesota attorneys who are residents of the district may request an application by calling 651-296-0019. Applications are due by Aug. 19.
— Frederick Melo
Source: WCCO
APPLE VALLEY, Minn. (WCCO) ― Click to enlarge1 of 2
The investigation found LeVasseur crossed against the red light, so Hunter didn't cause the crash. That's why he was only charged for leaving the scene. At most, he could spend a year in jail.
Joan LeVasseur was walking to the Cub Foods on Cedar in Apple Valley to get some cat food the night she was hit.
Almost five months after a Twin Cities woman was hit in a crosswalk, a man is charged for leaving the scene of the crash.
Eric Hunter, 40, was charged with two felonies and a misdemeanor for the crash that happened on March 6. Joan LeVasseur, 26, was removed from life support a week later.
LeVasseur was walking to the Cub Foods on Cedar in Apple Valley to get some cat food the night she was hit. No one ever came forward to say they hit her. Days later and less than a mile away, Apple Valley police found a Ford Focus at Hunter's home in Rosemount. They found blood on the windshield.
When police talked to Hunter's co-workers they told them he'd been parking on a hill at work so no one would see his car. At one point someone heard Hunter say "they're going to take that girl off life support."
The investigation found LeVasseur crossed against the red light, so Hunter didn't cause the crash. That's why he was only charged for leaving the scene. At most, he could spend a year in jail.
Bob Boever is Joan's stepfather and can't believe the possible punishment.
"We were hoping than we could get on with getting Joanie some justice. That idea didn't last to long," he said.
Hunter hasn't said why he left that night, only that he didn't see her in the dark until it was too late.
"To leave your child for dead on the road is something that should be a stronger punishment. I think any mother and father in Minnesota would understand that," said Boever.
Hunter has also been charged for driving on a suspended license. Accident reconstruction teams determined he was not speeding at the time of the collision. He's being held on a $80,000 bail. Hunter is scheduled to be back in court in Sept. 21.
APPLE VALLEY, Minn. (WCCO) ― Click to enlarge1 of 2
The investigation found LeVasseur crossed against the red light, so Hunter didn't cause the crash. That's why he was only charged for leaving the scene. At most, he could spend a year in jail.
Joan LeVasseur was walking to the Cub Foods on Cedar in Apple Valley to get some cat food the night she was hit.
Almost five months after a Twin Cities woman was hit in a crosswalk, a man is charged for leaving the scene of the crash.
Eric Hunter, 40, was charged with two felonies and a misdemeanor for the crash that happened on March 6. Joan LeVasseur, 26, was removed from life support a week later.
LeVasseur was walking to the Cub Foods on Cedar in Apple Valley to get some cat food the night she was hit. No one ever came forward to say they hit her. Days later and less than a mile away, Apple Valley police found a Ford Focus at Hunter's home in Rosemount. They found blood on the windshield.
When police talked to Hunter's co-workers they told them he'd been parking on a hill at work so no one would see his car. At one point someone heard Hunter say "they're going to take that girl off life support."
The investigation found LeVasseur crossed against the red light, so Hunter didn't cause the crash. That's why he was only charged for leaving the scene. At most, he could spend a year in jail.
Bob Boever is Joan's stepfather and can't believe the possible punishment.
"We were hoping than we could get on with getting Joanie some justice. That idea didn't last to long," he said.
Hunter hasn't said why he left that night, only that he didn't see her in the dark until it was too late.
"To leave your child for dead on the road is something that should be a stronger punishment. I think any mother and father in Minnesota would understand that," said Boever.
Hunter has also been charged for driving on a suspended license. Accident reconstruction teams determined he was not speeding at the time of the collision. He's being held on a $80,000 bail. Hunter is scheduled to be back in court in Sept. 21.
Rosemount man charged in deadly hit and run
Source: KARE 11
A Rosemount man has been charged in a March hit and run that killed a 26-year-old woman.
Eric Hunter has been charged with two counts of leaving the scene of an accident, which are felonies, and a misdemeanor charge of driving after suspension.
According to the criminal complaint, Joan LeVasseur was hit by a vehicle while crossing the intersection of Cedar and 153rd Street in Apple Valley on March 6.
LeVasseur suffered severe head injuries, a fractured pelvis, and fractures to both legs. She died about a week after she was hit.
Several days after LeVasseur was hit, officers were tipped off about a car that matched the suspect vehicle's description. Officers checked out the vehicle and it had damage to the windshield and hood.
Investigators got a search warrant for the car and, according to the criminal complaint, they found blood on the windshield, which was a DNA match to LeVasseur.
Officers interviewed Hunter's coworkers, who noted several unusual incidents. One man recalled seeing Hunter's vehicle parked some distance from the lot where employees usually parked their vehicles even there were available spaces. The coworker commented that a vehicle parked that far away was less visible to others.
Another coworker remembers talking to Hunter on March 13. Hunter allegedly said things were "going to get kinda weird around here." Hunter also noted that "they were going to take that girl off life support." The coworker asked Hunter if he hit that girl and Hunter allegedly told the coworker that he did.
According to the criminal complaint, the Minnesota State Patrol reconstructed the accident and determined that Hunter's vehicle was traveling between 39 and 46 miles per hour when he hit LeVasseur. However, authorities say a big contributing factor to the crash was that LeVasseur crossed the intersection against the light.
Authorities say Hunter's license was suspended last October and was still suspended as of March 6.
A Rosemount man has been charged in a March hit and run that killed a 26-year-old woman.
Eric Hunter has been charged with two counts of leaving the scene of an accident, which are felonies, and a misdemeanor charge of driving after suspension.
According to the criminal complaint, Joan LeVasseur was hit by a vehicle while crossing the intersection of Cedar and 153rd Street in Apple Valley on March 6.
LeVasseur suffered severe head injuries, a fractured pelvis, and fractures to both legs. She died about a week after she was hit.
Several days after LeVasseur was hit, officers were tipped off about a car that matched the suspect vehicle's description. Officers checked out the vehicle and it had damage to the windshield and hood.
Investigators got a search warrant for the car and, according to the criminal complaint, they found blood on the windshield, which was a DNA match to LeVasseur.
Officers interviewed Hunter's coworkers, who noted several unusual incidents. One man recalled seeing Hunter's vehicle parked some distance from the lot where employees usually parked their vehicles even there were available spaces. The coworker commented that a vehicle parked that far away was less visible to others.
Another coworker remembers talking to Hunter on March 13. Hunter allegedly said things were "going to get kinda weird around here." Hunter also noted that "they were going to take that girl off life support." The coworker asked Hunter if he hit that girl and Hunter allegedly told the coworker that he did.
According to the criminal complaint, the Minnesota State Patrol reconstructed the accident and determined that Hunter's vehicle was traveling between 39 and 46 miles per hour when he hit LeVasseur. However, authorities say a big contributing factor to the crash was that LeVasseur crossed the intersection against the light.
Authorities say Hunter's license was suspended last October and was still suspended as of March 6.
Man Charged in Fatal Apple Valley Hit-and-Run
Source: KSTP TV
A 40-year-old man was charged Friday in connection with a fatal hit-and-run in Apple Valley on March 6.
Eric James Hunter, of Rosemount, faces two counts of leaving the scene of an accident involving a death and one count of driving after suspension for allegedly fleeing after he hit Joan LeVasseur, 26, at the intersection of Cedar and 153rd Street.
LeVasseur was taken off life support on March 16, and died shortly after. Her family says LeVasseur was deaf and engaged to be married.
Officers questioned Hunter's co-workers, who say he admitted to hitting LeVasseur, according to the criminal complaint.
Police found a car at Hunter's home they believe was the vehicle that hit LeVasseur in late March. According to the search warrant, the Hunter's vehicle has a smashed passenger window and a two-foot hole in the body of the car.
Prosecutors asked for DNA for analysis because they believe the driver of the vehicle would have likely suffered injuries during the incident and that blood could possibly be matched to a potential suspect. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says blood from the vehicle matched LeVasseur, according to the complaint.
Driving records show Hunter's license was suspended in October 2008.
If convicted, Hunter faces up to over six years in prison, an $11,000 fine, or both.
A 40-year-old man was charged Friday in connection with a fatal hit-and-run in Apple Valley on March 6.
Eric James Hunter, of Rosemount, faces two counts of leaving the scene of an accident involving a death and one count of driving after suspension for allegedly fleeing after he hit Joan LeVasseur, 26, at the intersection of Cedar and 153rd Street.
LeVasseur was taken off life support on March 16, and died shortly after. Her family says LeVasseur was deaf and engaged to be married.
Officers questioned Hunter's co-workers, who say he admitted to hitting LeVasseur, according to the criminal complaint.
Police found a car at Hunter's home they believe was the vehicle that hit LeVasseur in late March. According to the search warrant, the Hunter's vehicle has a smashed passenger window and a two-foot hole in the body of the car.
Prosecutors asked for DNA for analysis because they believe the driver of the vehicle would have likely suffered injuries during the incident and that blood could possibly be matched to a potential suspect. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says blood from the vehicle matched LeVasseur, according to the complaint.
Driving records show Hunter's license was suspended in October 2008.
If convicted, Hunter faces up to over six years in prison, an $11,000 fine, or both.
Update on Eric Hunter: Hes out on bail
Joan's mother informed me that Eric is out on bail since he posted bail. If you know Joan LeVasseur and are very close to her, please write letters to Dakota County Attorney James Backstorm.
1560 Highway 55
Hastings MN 55033-2343
651-438-4438
651-438-4499 (Fax)
Dakota County Comment form
Tell Backstorm to re-appreand Eric and put him away for real long time. Justice need to be served!!!!!
1560 Highway 55
Hastings MN 55033-2343
651-438-4438
651-438-4499 (Fax)
Dakota County Comment form
Tell Backstorm to re-appreand Eric and put him away for real long time. Justice need to be served!!!!!
Eric Hunter's mugshot & Jail info. My opinion on Eric Hunter
By Rach Eggert, Rach's Political Report
He is smiling and it make me really sick. In my opinion, he doesn't have any regrets or compassionate towards people. Why he have been hiding and not cooperating with law enforcement officials? He took Joan LeVasseur away from family, friends and loved ones.
Six years behind the bars isn't enough. He should just serve in prison for rest of his life. Shame on Dakota County James Backstorm. Eric should be charged with most serious crime instead of just hit & run and leaving scene. If I was County Attorney, I would've put Eric behind the bars for rest of his life.
I have crossed street with Joan and she always walk when light's green not red and paying attention. I have to disagree with Minnesota State Patrol. They don't know Joan that well like I do. Whoever know Joan would agree with me on this one.
It has been months since she passed away and it is very weird without her around here. We do live in same town yes but It's really hard on me.
Joan was supposed to hang out with me and my sister next day but she never made it to my house until I saw on news and I was very shocked and very upset. I have visited her at hopsital and trust me it was very horrible but ICU nurses at Hennepin County Medicial Center did a great job taking care of her. That two weeks in March was very hard and horrible.
Now I feel there is closure for me, familes, friends and loved ones. I can feel that heavy burden has been lifted and now I don't feel that way anymore.
Finally, justice has been served but six years behind the bars aren't enough.
Eric Hunter's Jail info and mugshot
He is smiling and it make me really sick. In my opinion, he doesn't have any regrets or compassionate towards people. Why he have been hiding and not cooperating with law enforcement officials? He took Joan LeVasseur away from family, friends and loved ones.
Six years behind the bars isn't enough. He should just serve in prison for rest of his life. Shame on Dakota County James Backstorm. Eric should be charged with most serious crime instead of just hit & run and leaving scene. If I was County Attorney, I would've put Eric behind the bars for rest of his life.
I have crossed street with Joan and she always walk when light's green not red and paying attention. I have to disagree with Minnesota State Patrol. They don't know Joan that well like I do. Whoever know Joan would agree with me on this one.
It has been months since she passed away and it is very weird without her around here. We do live in same town yes but It's really hard on me.
Joan was supposed to hang out with me and my sister next day but she never made it to my house until I saw on news and I was very shocked and very upset. I have visited her at hopsital and trust me it was very horrible but ICU nurses at Hennepin County Medicial Center did a great job taking care of her. That two weeks in March was very hard and horrible.
Now I feel there is closure for me, familes, friends and loved ones. I can feel that heavy burden has been lifted and now I don't feel that way anymore.
Finally, justice has been served but six years behind the bars aren't enough.
Eric Hunter's Jail info and mugshot
Rosemount man charged after fatal hit-and-run
(Rach's note: Joan LeVasseur was her very close personal friend for over 20 years and was like sisters)
Rosemount man charged after fatal hit-and-run
By KATIE HUMPHREY, Star Tribune
Last update: July 31, 2009 - 5:51 PM
A Rosemount man has been charged with two felonies and a misdemeanor in connection
with the March hit-and-run accident in Apple Valley that led to 26-year-old Joan LeVasseur's death.
Eric James Hunter, 40, was booked into the Dakota County Jail today, charged with two counts of leaving the scene of an accident involving a death and one count of driving after suspension.
LeVasseur, engaged to be married, was walking to Cub Foods when she was struck March 6 in the crosswalk on Cedar Avenue near 153rd Street. She died about a week later after her family removed her from life support at Hennepin County Medical Center.
According to the complaint outlining charges against Hunter, witnesses reported that LeVasseur, who was deaf, was crossing the street against the traffic signal that was displaying a "Do Not Cross" light.
Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said that factored into the decision to charge Hunter with leaving the scene of a fatal accident instead of the more serious criminal vehicular homicide because pedestrians must obey traffic signals.
"If someone who causes a motor vehicle accident resulting in death flees the scene, the crime of Criminal Vehicular Homicide is committed," Backstrom said. "However, based upon the accident reconstruction completed in this instance, the accident appears to have been caused by the victim crossing the street against a red light."
Hunter has been at large since the accident, though police tracked down his 2003 Ford Focus with damage to the right front area, the hood and the windshield on March 11. A sample of blood collected from the car was analyzed by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and determined to be that of LeVasseur.
According to the criminal complaint, Hunter's coworkers had seen his damaged car. While working an overnight shift from March 6 to March 7, Hunter told one colleague that the damage was from an accident with a semitrailer truck in Lakeville.
A few days later, after hearing that LeVasseur was to be taken off life support, Hunter confessed to a coworker that he had hit her, saying he didn't see her and that it was dark.
An accident reconstruction by the Minnesota State Patrol found that Hunter's car was going between 39 mph and 46 mph at the time of the collision. The speed limit in that area of Cedar Avenue is 45 mph. The State Oatrol also concluded that one of the main factors in the crash was that LeVasseur failed to obey the stoplight.
Hunter's bail has been set at $80,000 without conditions and $40,000 with conditions. His next court appearance will be Sept. 21.
Katie Humphrey • 612-882-9056
Rosemount man charged after fatal hit-and-run
By KATIE HUMPHREY, Star Tribune
Last update: July 31, 2009 - 5:51 PM
A Rosemount man has been charged with two felonies and a misdemeanor in connection
with the March hit-and-run accident in Apple Valley that led to 26-year-old Joan LeVasseur's death.
Eric James Hunter, 40, was booked into the Dakota County Jail today, charged with two counts of leaving the scene of an accident involving a death and one count of driving after suspension.
LeVasseur, engaged to be married, was walking to Cub Foods when she was struck March 6 in the crosswalk on Cedar Avenue near 153rd Street. She died about a week later after her family removed her from life support at Hennepin County Medical Center.
According to the complaint outlining charges against Hunter, witnesses reported that LeVasseur, who was deaf, was crossing the street against the traffic signal that was displaying a "Do Not Cross" light.
Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said that factored into the decision to charge Hunter with leaving the scene of a fatal accident instead of the more serious criminal vehicular homicide because pedestrians must obey traffic signals.
"If someone who causes a motor vehicle accident resulting in death flees the scene, the crime of Criminal Vehicular Homicide is committed," Backstrom said. "However, based upon the accident reconstruction completed in this instance, the accident appears to have been caused by the victim crossing the street against a red light."
Hunter has been at large since the accident, though police tracked down his 2003 Ford Focus with damage to the right front area, the hood and the windshield on March 11. A sample of blood collected from the car was analyzed by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and determined to be that of LeVasseur.
According to the criminal complaint, Hunter's coworkers had seen his damaged car. While working an overnight shift from March 6 to March 7, Hunter told one colleague that the damage was from an accident with a semitrailer truck in Lakeville.
A few days later, after hearing that LeVasseur was to be taken off life support, Hunter confessed to a coworker that he had hit her, saying he didn't see her and that it was dark.
An accident reconstruction by the Minnesota State Patrol found that Hunter's car was going between 39 mph and 46 mph at the time of the collision. The speed limit in that area of Cedar Avenue is 45 mph. The State Oatrol also concluded that one of the main factors in the crash was that LeVasseur failed to obey the stoplight.
Hunter's bail has been set at $80,000 without conditions and $40,000 with conditions. His next court appearance will be Sept. 21.
Katie Humphrey • 612-882-9056
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Gunman Arrested Inside Mpls. City Hall
Source: KSTP TV
For the second time in four months, a gunman was reported inside Minneapolis City Hall on Tuesday.
Police say Terry Swanson, of Big Lake, walked into the ground floor of the building and pretended to be part of an undercover government operation. Swanson, 60, then went into the property and evidence room.
Officials say Swanson did not have a valid gun permit.
"The guy had taken an ankle bracelet and used it as a holster for a revolver. Obviously, that's not a certified holster, that's not a proper holster. That gun could have gone off at anytime," said Sgt. Jesse Garcia.
Swanson was then arrested at gunpoint. Officers say he had an odd explanation for his actions.
"He talked about he worked for the federal government and he was part of some big black-ops operation. He went on to say that he was doing some secret undercover work," Garcia explained.
This is the second time in four months that a gunman has been reported inside City Hall at 350 S. 5th St.
In April, police locked down City Hall for a half hour as they searched for a man who reportedly picked up a gun stashed in the building's planters. The planters have since been removed, and signs banning guns are now in place.
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak's spokesman tells 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS the latest incident was 'handled properly' and that the mayor is 'confident in the security of city hall.'
For the second time in four months, a gunman was reported inside Minneapolis City Hall on Tuesday.
Police say Terry Swanson, of Big Lake, walked into the ground floor of the building and pretended to be part of an undercover government operation. Swanson, 60, then went into the property and evidence room.
Officials say Swanson did not have a valid gun permit.
"The guy had taken an ankle bracelet and used it as a holster for a revolver. Obviously, that's not a certified holster, that's not a proper holster. That gun could have gone off at anytime," said Sgt. Jesse Garcia.
Swanson was then arrested at gunpoint. Officers say he had an odd explanation for his actions.
"He talked about he worked for the federal government and he was part of some big black-ops operation. He went on to say that he was doing some secret undercover work," Garcia explained.
This is the second time in four months that a gunman has been reported inside City Hall at 350 S. 5th St.
In April, police locked down City Hall for a half hour as they searched for a man who reportedly picked up a gun stashed in the building's planters. The planters have since been removed, and signs banning guns are now in place.
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak's spokesman tells 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS the latest incident was 'handled properly' and that the mayor is 'confident in the security of city hall.'
Legislative per diem increase stands
Appeals court clears way for lawmakers to get increases in daily payments voted on during their terms in office.
By MARK BRUNSWICK, Star Tribune
Last update: July 28, 2009
The Minnesota Court of Appeals has let stand a ruling that Minnesota's legislators can grant themselves an increase in daily payments without violating the state's constitution.
A citizens group had challenged whether the Legislature could increase its own payments, called "per diem," because the constitution prohibits increases in compensation during the same term the elected officials hold office.
The court said the per diem payments are not defined as compensation under law.
A group called Citizens for Rule of Law filed suit in 2008 accusing lawmakers of violating the state's constitution when they approved increases that brought daily payments to $96 in the Senate and $77 in the House. The suit asked that legislators who accepted the increases either be required to return the additional payments or be declared ineligible to run for reelection.
A Ramsey County court dismissed the lawsuit. In its ruling, the three-judge panel said legal precedent established that the daily allowances were not defined as compensation under the strictest legal interpretation, which is "remuneration and other benefits received in return for services rendered."
Minnesota's House and Senate members are considered part-time legislators and their $31,140 annual salaries have not been raised since 1999.
Legislators collect per diem for travel and living expenses during the legislative session or while performing legislative duties. The per diem payments, which can amount to more than the actual salary for many legislators, have become the subject of debate in recent years, with critics suggesting legislators hide actual pay increases in their per diem payments.
Erick Kaardal, an attorney for the group, said they plan to appeal to the state Supreme Court.
"Too many people in the system don't appreciate the checks and balances and they tend to just want to get along," Kaardal said.
"For the checks and balances to work well you need each of the branches overlooking the others."
Mark Brunswick • 651-222-1636
Next page
By MARK BRUNSWICK, Star Tribune
Last update: July 28, 2009
The Minnesota Court of Appeals has let stand a ruling that Minnesota's legislators can grant themselves an increase in daily payments without violating the state's constitution.
A citizens group had challenged whether the Legislature could increase its own payments, called "per diem," because the constitution prohibits increases in compensation during the same term the elected officials hold office.
The court said the per diem payments are not defined as compensation under law.
A group called Citizens for Rule of Law filed suit in 2008 accusing lawmakers of violating the state's constitution when they approved increases that brought daily payments to $96 in the Senate and $77 in the House. The suit asked that legislators who accepted the increases either be required to return the additional payments or be declared ineligible to run for reelection.
A Ramsey County court dismissed the lawsuit. In its ruling, the three-judge panel said legal precedent established that the daily allowances were not defined as compensation under the strictest legal interpretation, which is "remuneration and other benefits received in return for services rendered."
Minnesota's House and Senate members are considered part-time legislators and their $31,140 annual salaries have not been raised since 1999.
Legislators collect per diem for travel and living expenses during the legislative session or while performing legislative duties. The per diem payments, which can amount to more than the actual salary for many legislators, have become the subject of debate in recent years, with critics suggesting legislators hide actual pay increases in their per diem payments.
Erick Kaardal, an attorney for the group, said they plan to appeal to the state Supreme Court.
"Too many people in the system don't appreciate the checks and balances and they tend to just want to get along," Kaardal said.
"For the checks and balances to work well you need each of the branches overlooking the others."
Mark Brunswick • 651-222-1636
Next page
Another DFLer wants chance to face Bachmann in 2010 race
Star Tribune
July 29, 2009
Another DFLer hopes to unseat U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann in Minnesota's Sixth Congressional District next year.
State Sen. Tarryl Clark announced Wednesday she had filed paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission to run for the seat.
An attorney from St. Cloud, Clark is the assistant Senate majority leader and has held her seat since 2005.
In an e-mail to supporters, Clark said she will abide by the party's endorsement next year.
Clark had been considered a possible gubernatorial candidate for 2010.
Her formal entry into the congressional contest creates a three-way race among Democrats to beat Bachmann in the north suburban district.
This week, Elwyn Tinklenberg announced his third attempt at the seat. A former mayor of Blaine, he served as state transportation commissioner under Gov. Jesse Ventura. Dr. Maureen Reed, a physician who was an Independence Party candidate for governor in 2006, is also vying for the sixth district seat.
BOB VON STERNBERG
July 29, 2009
Another DFLer hopes to unseat U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann in Minnesota's Sixth Congressional District next year.
State Sen. Tarryl Clark announced Wednesday she had filed paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission to run for the seat.
An attorney from St. Cloud, Clark is the assistant Senate majority leader and has held her seat since 2005.
In an e-mail to supporters, Clark said she will abide by the party's endorsement next year.
Clark had been considered a possible gubernatorial candidate for 2010.
Her formal entry into the congressional contest creates a three-way race among Democrats to beat Bachmann in the north suburban district.
This week, Elwyn Tinklenberg announced his third attempt at the seat. A former mayor of Blaine, he served as state transportation commissioner under Gov. Jesse Ventura. Dr. Maureen Reed, a physician who was an Independence Party candidate for governor in 2006, is also vying for the sixth district seat.
BOB VON STERNBERG
2nd Congressional District DFL Fundrasier THIS SUNDAY Aug 2!!!
The Second Congressional District DFL
7th Annual Classic Fundraiser
Sunday, August 2
Stonebrooke Golf Course
Shakopee, MN
Play golf on a championship course followed by a reception, dinner and auction
New Health Care Panel starting at 3 PM
1:30 PM Shotgun Start (9 Holes – Best Ball)
5:00 PM Reception
6:15 PM Dinner & Auction
Meet with DFL Leaders and DFL Candidates! Rebecca Otto, Lori Swanson,
David Bly, Patti Fritz, Will Morgan, John Doll, Sandra Masin, Mike Obermueller, Phil Sterner, Larry Pogemiller, John Marty, Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Paul Thissen, Steve Kelley, Mark Dayton, Susan Gaertner, Chris Coleman, Matt Entenza, Dan Powers
Golf, Reception, Dinner & Auction
$80.00
Golf alone
$50.00
Reception, Dinner & Auction
$35.00
Roasted Pork Tenderloin, Stuffed Chicken Breast or Vegetarian Penne Pasta
Please select an entrée and make checks payable to:
CD2DFL Classic Fundraiser
Jeanne Thomas
16425 Crystal Hills Circle
Lakeville, MN, 55044
Flyer
Registration Form
or, newpay on-line at: http://dflcd2.org/golf.html
We still have a few spots left open, sign up today!
"Accessible site"
For more information please contact
Charlie or Jeanne Thomas (Cjtdfl@aol.com) 952.826.9911, 952.891.8656
A Health Care Panel To Discuss Health Care Options
Before the reception and dinner!
Date: Sunday, August, 2, 2009
Location/Time: Stonebrooke Golf Course Club House,
2693 County Road 79, Shakopee, MN 55379
If weather is good, we will be outside on the patio from 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
If weather is not good, we will be inside the main dining area from 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Minnesota State Senator John Doll (SD 40-Burnsville- Bloomington-Savage area) will moderate the panel and serve as one of its members.
The panel will also include:
MN State Senator John Doll
MN State Representative David Bly
MN State Senator Jim Carlson
Dr. Roger Kathol
Dr. Chris McCoy
Dr. Ann Settgast.
Dr. Scott Davies (schedule permitting)
Come, listen to the experts, learn what your options are, hear what the candidates for governor have to say about health care, and share your stories. This is your opportunity to become informed and to make a real difference in the health care debate.
The HealthCare Panel is being held in conjunction with the Second Congressional District’s 7th Annual Classic Fundraiser. However, the health care session is free and all are welcomed to attend whether they plan to attend dinner or not. This is your opportunity to become informed and to make a real difference in the health care debate. For those wanting to attend CD2’s dinner and auction, you can sign up on line at CD2’s website: http://dflcd2.org/golf.html
7th Annual Classic Fundraiser
Sunday, August 2
Stonebrooke Golf Course
Shakopee, MN
Play golf on a championship course followed by a reception, dinner and auction
New Health Care Panel starting at 3 PM
1:30 PM Shotgun Start (9 Holes – Best Ball)
5:00 PM Reception
6:15 PM Dinner & Auction
Meet with DFL Leaders and DFL Candidates! Rebecca Otto, Lori Swanson,
David Bly, Patti Fritz, Will Morgan, John Doll, Sandra Masin, Mike Obermueller, Phil Sterner, Larry Pogemiller, John Marty, Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Paul Thissen, Steve Kelley, Mark Dayton, Susan Gaertner, Chris Coleman, Matt Entenza, Dan Powers
Golf, Reception, Dinner & Auction
$80.00
Golf alone
$50.00
Reception, Dinner & Auction
$35.00
Roasted Pork Tenderloin, Stuffed Chicken Breast or Vegetarian Penne Pasta
Please select an entrée and make checks payable to:
CD2DFL Classic Fundraiser
Jeanne Thomas
16425 Crystal Hills Circle
Lakeville, MN, 55044
Flyer
Registration Form
or, newpay on-line at: http://dflcd2.org/golf.html
We still have a few spots left open, sign up today!
"Accessible site"
For more information please contact
Charlie or Jeanne Thomas (Cjtdfl@aol.com) 952.826.9911, 952.891.8656
A Health Care Panel To Discuss Health Care Options
Before the reception and dinner!
Date: Sunday, August, 2, 2009
Location/Time: Stonebrooke Golf Course Club House,
2693 County Road 79, Shakopee, MN 55379
If weather is good, we will be outside on the patio from 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
If weather is not good, we will be inside the main dining area from 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Minnesota State Senator John Doll (SD 40-Burnsville- Bloomington-Savage area) will moderate the panel and serve as one of its members.
The panel will also include:
MN State Senator John Doll
MN State Representative David Bly
MN State Senator Jim Carlson
Dr. Roger Kathol
Dr. Chris McCoy
Dr. Ann Settgast.
Dr. Scott Davies (schedule permitting)
Come, listen to the experts, learn what your options are, hear what the candidates for governor have to say about health care, and share your stories. This is your opportunity to become informed and to make a real difference in the health care debate.
The HealthCare Panel is being held in conjunction with the Second Congressional District’s 7th Annual Classic Fundraiser. However, the health care session is free and all are welcomed to attend whether they plan to attend dinner or not. This is your opportunity to become informed and to make a real difference in the health care debate. For those wanting to attend CD2’s dinner and auction, you can sign up on line at CD2’s website: http://dflcd2.org/golf.html
Friday, July 24, 2009
Ramstad says he won't run for governor
Source: Star Tribune
The former GOP congressman's decision not to run further opens up the race, even though he had never officially entered it.
Former GOP Congressman Jim Ramstad silenced speculation about his 2010 political prospects by announcing Tuesday that he won't be a candidate for governor next year.
"Although I plan to continue my public service, it won't be as governor," Ramstad said in a brief statement. He didn't offer reasons or return a call seeking comment.
Even though he was never officially in the race, Ram- stad's decision not to run leaves a hole in the expanding GOP candidate field. Although several legislators have entered the race, no one has Ramstad's blend of statewide name recognition, bipartisan appeal and fundraising ability.
The only possible candidate who might currently match those advantages is former Sen. Norm Coleman, who has not said what his plans are.
Dan Hofrenning, a St. Olaf College political science professor, said Ramstad's biggest problem as a candidate would have been securing the endorsement of a party generally more conservative than he is.
"It's not clear he would have gotten the nomination, but he would have had a shot in the primary [election]," Hofrenning said. "Right now is a period of searching for the Republican Party, and Ramstad's withdrawal means the absence of a strong moderate voice."
Ramstad "would have been a formidable candidate, but I respect his decision" not to run, state GOP Party Chairman Tony Sutton said.
Ramstad, 63, retired from Congress this year after representing the west metro suburbs for 18 years.
His name was bandied about after Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced last month he wouldn't seek a third term, opening the door to GOP contenders.
On Tuesday, Ramstad said he was "humbled by the tremendous outpouring of support from people across party lines."
"I hope whoever is elected governor will bring people together and work in a bipartisan way," he said.
KEVIN DUCHSCHERE
The former GOP congressman's decision not to run further opens up the race, even though he had never officially entered it.
Former GOP Congressman Jim Ramstad silenced speculation about his 2010 political prospects by announcing Tuesday that he won't be a candidate for governor next year.
"Although I plan to continue my public service, it won't be as governor," Ramstad said in a brief statement. He didn't offer reasons or return a call seeking comment.
Even though he was never officially in the race, Ram- stad's decision not to run leaves a hole in the expanding GOP candidate field. Although several legislators have entered the race, no one has Ramstad's blend of statewide name recognition, bipartisan appeal and fundraising ability.
The only possible candidate who might currently match those advantages is former Sen. Norm Coleman, who has not said what his plans are.
Dan Hofrenning, a St. Olaf College political science professor, said Ramstad's biggest problem as a candidate would have been securing the endorsement of a party generally more conservative than he is.
"It's not clear he would have gotten the nomination, but he would have had a shot in the primary [election]," Hofrenning said. "Right now is a period of searching for the Republican Party, and Ramstad's withdrawal means the absence of a strong moderate voice."
Ramstad "would have been a formidable candidate, but I respect his decision" not to run, state GOP Party Chairman Tony Sutton said.
Ramstad, 63, retired from Congress this year after representing the west metro suburbs for 18 years.
His name was bandied about after Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced last month he wouldn't seek a third term, opening the door to GOP contenders.
On Tuesday, Ramstad said he was "humbled by the tremendous outpouring of support from people across party lines."
"I hope whoever is elected governor will bring people together and work in a bipartisan way," he said.
KEVIN DUCHSCHERE
Pat Anderson, ex-state auditor, to run for governor
Source: Star Tribune
The former auditor, mayor and comissioner will make official announcement of her candidacy after Labor Day.
Former State Auditor Pat Anderson on Wednesday joined a growing list of candidates for governor in 2010, saying she was a "Libertarian-style Republican" who opposes corporate subsidies and represents the party's shifting priorities.
Anderson, 43, of Dellwood, also is a former Eagan mayor who served as Gov. Tim Pawlenty's employee relations commissioner and helped organize the so-called "tea party" events this spring in Minnesota, part of a protest against big government that featured nationwide rallies.
As commissioner, Anderson helped engineer the merger of her department with the state Department of Finance and administration, a move that eliminated her job.
She is president of the Minnesota Free Market Institute.
The Republican Party has changed for the better, Anderson said Wednesday.
"I think there's much less emphasis on social issues, [and] more emphasis on individual rights and fiscal issues and, you know, frankly I think that's been good for the party," she said.
Anderson said her opposition to corporate subsidies extends to Job Opportunity Building Zones, or JOBZ, a state program championed by Pawlenty that provides tax breaks to businesses to create rural jobs.
"I do not support JOBZ or any program like it," she said. "I think all you're frankly doing generally is moving companies from one side of the street to the next."
Several Republicans have entered the race or considered it, following Pawlenty's decision not to seek a third term. Anderson plans to make an official announcement of her candidacy this fall.
MIKE KASZUBA
The former auditor, mayor and comissioner will make official announcement of her candidacy after Labor Day.
Former State Auditor Pat Anderson on Wednesday joined a growing list of candidates for governor in 2010, saying she was a "Libertarian-style Republican" who opposes corporate subsidies and represents the party's shifting priorities.
Anderson, 43, of Dellwood, also is a former Eagan mayor who served as Gov. Tim Pawlenty's employee relations commissioner and helped organize the so-called "tea party" events this spring in Minnesota, part of a protest against big government that featured nationwide rallies.
As commissioner, Anderson helped engineer the merger of her department with the state Department of Finance and administration, a move that eliminated her job.
She is president of the Minnesota Free Market Institute.
The Republican Party has changed for the better, Anderson said Wednesday.
"I think there's much less emphasis on social issues, [and] more emphasis on individual rights and fiscal issues and, you know, frankly I think that's been good for the party," she said.
Anderson said her opposition to corporate subsidies extends to Job Opportunity Building Zones, or JOBZ, a state program championed by Pawlenty that provides tax breaks to businesses to create rural jobs.
"I do not support JOBZ or any program like it," she said. "I think all you're frankly doing generally is moving companies from one side of the street to the next."
Several Republicans have entered the race or considered it, following Pawlenty's decision not to seek a third term. Anderson plans to make an official announcement of her candidacy this fall.
MIKE KASZUBA
Report: Minnesota could lose seat in House of Representatives
Pioneer Press
Updated: 07/22/2009
As few as 3,000 people could make the difference between Minnesota holding or losing one of its eight seats in the U.S. House.
The 2010 census will determine Minnesota's strength in Congress. State experts are already sizing up possible census fallout and preparing to redraw political maps to reflect population shifts.
Minnesota Senate attorney Peter Wattson presented a report Wednesday to the National Conference of State Legislatures on how to assemble political maps that stand up in court.
Wattson's report said Minnesota is on course to possibly shed a congressional seat. But he suggests the current economic crisis could save Minnesota if people are unable to relocate because they can't get work or a mortgage elsewhere.
— Associated Press
Updated: 07/22/2009
As few as 3,000 people could make the difference between Minnesota holding or losing one of its eight seats in the U.S. House.
The 2010 census will determine Minnesota's strength in Congress. State experts are already sizing up possible census fallout and preparing to redraw political maps to reflect population shifts.
Minnesota Senate attorney Peter Wattson presented a report Wednesday to the National Conference of State Legislatures on how to assemble political maps that stand up in court.
Wattson's report said Minnesota is on course to possibly shed a congressional seat. But he suggests the current economic crisis could save Minnesota if people are unable to relocate because they can't get work or a mortgage elsewhere.
— Associated Press
Minnesota Supreme Court dismisses voter registration suit
By Rachel E. Stassen-Berger
rstassen-berger@ pioneerpress.com
Updated: 07/24/2009
The Minnesota Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit that claimed the state elections system wasn't updated as quickly as it should have been after the 2008 election.
The court found that it didn't have the jurisdiction to decide on the merits of the suit, which was filed in May by a group called the Minnesota Majority, a conservative advocacy group, against Secretary of State Mark Ritchie and local elections officials.
"Improving the accuracy of the voter registration database is a laudable goal. But our jurisdiction ... is limited," the court wrote. The order, filed Wednesday, was unanimous, but Justice Christopher Dietzen recused himself. Dietzen did sign an earlier order regarding the case.
Minnesota Majority and some citizens, including three Republican House members, among them gubernatorial candidate Rep. Tom Emmer, claimed there was a major problem in the state elections system because there were more ballots counted than voters registered in the state voter database.
When the suit was first filed in May, the discrepancy between ballots and registrants was about 28,000, according to the secretary of state, but that number has diminished.
Deputy Secretary of State Jim Gelbmann said the numbers of registrants in the database and the numbers of voters who voted will never be an exact match for a variety of reasons.
For instance, when people die their registrations are inactivated, and when people cast absentee ballots that arrive late, they are given a voter history in the database, but their votes aren't counted in the election, he said.
The dismissal from the state Supreme Court is unlikely to stop the petitioners' quest for a deeper look into the state's elections system.
Minnesota Majority attorney Erick Kaardal said the petitioners could sue counties individually over voter database problems or take other legal steps.
rstassen-berger@ pioneerpress.com
Updated: 07/24/2009
The Minnesota Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit that claimed the state elections system wasn't updated as quickly as it should have been after the 2008 election.
The court found that it didn't have the jurisdiction to decide on the merits of the suit, which was filed in May by a group called the Minnesota Majority, a conservative advocacy group, against Secretary of State Mark Ritchie and local elections officials.
"Improving the accuracy of the voter registration database is a laudable goal. But our jurisdiction ... is limited," the court wrote. The order, filed Wednesday, was unanimous, but Justice Christopher Dietzen recused himself. Dietzen did sign an earlier order regarding the case.
Minnesota Majority and some citizens, including three Republican House members, among them gubernatorial candidate Rep. Tom Emmer, claimed there was a major problem in the state elections system because there were more ballots counted than voters registered in the state voter database.
When the suit was first filed in May, the discrepancy between ballots and registrants was about 28,000, according to the secretary of state, but that number has diminished.
Deputy Secretary of State Jim Gelbmann said the numbers of registrants in the database and the numbers of voters who voted will never be an exact match for a variety of reasons.
For instance, when people die their registrations are inactivated, and when people cast absentee ballots that arrive late, they are given a voter history in the database, but their votes aren't counted in the election, he said.
The dismissal from the state Supreme Court is unlikely to stop the petitioners' quest for a deeper look into the state's elections system.
Minnesota Majority attorney Erick Kaardal said the petitioners could sue counties individually over voter database problems or take other legal steps.
E-mail to White Bear Lake candidates warns: Get out now
Three warned to get out or personal, financial details will be published
By John Brewer, Pioneer Press
jbrewer@pioneerpress.com
Updated: 07/23/2009
Before the race for White Bear Lake mayor had even started, someone wanted Jo Emerson out of it.
An unsigned e-mail arrived at her inbox July 15, barely a week after she filed for office. It called her and city council candidates Kevin Edberg and Doug Biehn "cronies" of outgoing Mayor Paul Auger and Council Member Tom Frazer.
"We will publish each of these cronies' personal, financial, business and family backgrounds in the near future, unless of course one or more formally withdraws their candidacy," the e-mail read.
The e-mail was sent from wblwatchdog@neomailbox.net, but who is behind it remains a mystery.
Even in White Bear Lake, where city council meetings have led to contentious arguments, two of the three candidates named in the e-mail said it is mean-spirited and misinformed. One forwarded it to police.
"There's no place for this kind of hateful, hurtful, malicious message," Emerson said. "I consider it a threat. I am taking it seriously, and I'm not letting it slide."
Emerson said she's no crony and wants the e-mail sender held accountable for what she perceived as a threat against her. Other than the two candidates who confirmed receiving the message, it is not clear how widely circulated the e-mail was.
While the message may have been trying to influence the upcoming municipal election in the northern Ramsey County suburb, election and public information experts said the e-mail might not be criminal.
Minnesota election law doesn't cover an instance of someone trying to force another person not to run for office, said Joe Mansky, Ramsey County elections manager.
If the e-mail tried to persuade a citizen from voting for or against a candidate or rewarded someone for not running, it would constitute an election law violation, he said.
"I've never heard of similar instances of somebody being threatened to cease being a candidate," Mansky said.
Emerson passed along the e-mail to White Bear Lake police Wednesday, and Capt. Randy Johnson said his department would try to forward the information to an appropriate agency. Johnson said police have not opened a criminal investigation.
While the e-mail appears to threaten the release of information, said Jane Kirtley, the Silha Professor of Media Ethics and Law at the University of Minnesota, as long as that information is publicly available and accurate, its release is not a crime.
"Yes, it's true, one of the things Web publishers are doing is making practically obscure information very publicly available," Kirtley said. "Some view it as a threat; some welcome it as contributing to transparency."
Once a publisher starts drawing conclusions from the public records — calling someone a liar or a cheat, for example — those conclusions could be subject to litigation, Kirtley said.
If a candidate did file suit, she said, unmasking the John or Jane Doe behind a Web site can be time-consuming, costly and not a given. Courts have said that anonymous speech has value, Kirtley said, and some Web site hosts fight legal actions to give up customer information.
"It's complicated" to unmask publishers, she said.
The White Bear Lake e-mail comes from an address that has the same name as a local Web site — wblwatchdog — that has published information about public officials, most notably on the back taxes of Mayor Auger. The e-mail also encourages its readers to read those postings.
The site is registered by Domains by Proxy, a Scottsdale, Ariz., domain-registration company. The company said Thursday it does not disclose account information to the public and wouldn't share information on wblwatchdog.com.
Nora Paul, director of the Institute of New Media Studies at the University of Minnesota, said sites like the watchdog can exemplify the best and worst of electronic media.
"Everybody is a publisher now," Paul said. "In the past, this would have been an angry man with a mimeograph machine in the basement" who slipped screeds under doors and posted them on telephone posts.
The site and e-mail could also be taken as an interesting source of information as newspapers lose staff and the ability to be watchdogs themselves, Paul said.
But, she added, "As an information consumer, if I can't find out who's behind it, I'd just discount it."
That's what Edberg, a candidate for the Ward 4 council seat, said he was going to do.
The longtime school board member said his 20 years of exposure on the White Bear Lake board "is open and fair game."
"But delving into family, business and other aspects of personal life that are unrelated to public performance of duty ... people should be outraged," he said.
He calls the claims of "cronyism" patently untrue.
Biehn, a Ward 2 council candidate, could not be reached for comment Thursday.
The wblwatchdog Web site did not respond to a request for comment off its "Contact Us" page. A message sent Thursday to the address from which the e-mail was sent was returned as "undeliverable."
None of the named candidates have withdrawn from their races.
"Whoever's behind it, I hope their names will come out. They should be held accountable for this type of behavior," Emerson said. "If you believe that strongly in something, you should be willing to stand up and say it."
John Brewer can be reached at 651-228-2093.
2 candidates
withdraw from
mayoral race
White Bear Lake's mayoral pool for the upcoming election has been cut in half, after two candidates withdrew from the race Thursday.
The absence of John Rhodes and Zachary Morgan means there will be no primary in the mayor's race, which now pits Jo Emerson, a community volunteer and vice chair of the planning commission, against Renee Tessier, current council member for Ward 1.
Both Rhodes and Morgan said they are going to support Tessier.
Rhodes said he respects Tessier's work on the city council — he lost in the primary for the Ward 1 seat two years ago.
Morgan said he and Tessier share many of the same views and her experience made her a more viable candidate.
In the city's other races, Douglas Biehn is running unopposed for the Ward 2 seat being vacated by Tom Frazer, and incumbent Pam Johnson faces challengers Kevin Edberg and Nancy Poferl in the Sept. 15 primary for the Ward 4 council spot.
— John Brewer
By John Brewer, Pioneer Press
jbrewer@pioneerpress.com
Updated: 07/23/2009
Before the race for White Bear Lake mayor had even started, someone wanted Jo Emerson out of it.
An unsigned e-mail arrived at her inbox July 15, barely a week after she filed for office. It called her and city council candidates Kevin Edberg and Doug Biehn "cronies" of outgoing Mayor Paul Auger and Council Member Tom Frazer.
"We will publish each of these cronies' personal, financial, business and family backgrounds in the near future, unless of course one or more formally withdraws their candidacy," the e-mail read.
The e-mail was sent from wblwatchdog@neomailbox.net, but who is behind it remains a mystery.
Even in White Bear Lake, where city council meetings have led to contentious arguments, two of the three candidates named in the e-mail said it is mean-spirited and misinformed. One forwarded it to police.
"There's no place for this kind of hateful, hurtful, malicious message," Emerson said. "I consider it a threat. I am taking it seriously, and I'm not letting it slide."
Emerson said she's no crony and wants the e-mail sender held accountable for what she perceived as a threat against her. Other than the two candidates who confirmed receiving the message, it is not clear how widely circulated the e-mail was.
While the message may have been trying to influence the upcoming municipal election in the northern Ramsey County suburb, election and public information experts said the e-mail might not be criminal.
Minnesota election law doesn't cover an instance of someone trying to force another person not to run for office, said Joe Mansky, Ramsey County elections manager.
If the e-mail tried to persuade a citizen from voting for or against a candidate or rewarded someone for not running, it would constitute an election law violation, he said.
"I've never heard of similar instances of somebody being threatened to cease being a candidate," Mansky said.
Emerson passed along the e-mail to White Bear Lake police Wednesday, and Capt. Randy Johnson said his department would try to forward the information to an appropriate agency. Johnson said police have not opened a criminal investigation.
While the e-mail appears to threaten the release of information, said Jane Kirtley, the Silha Professor of Media Ethics and Law at the University of Minnesota, as long as that information is publicly available and accurate, its release is not a crime.
"Yes, it's true, one of the things Web publishers are doing is making practically obscure information very publicly available," Kirtley said. "Some view it as a threat; some welcome it as contributing to transparency."
Once a publisher starts drawing conclusions from the public records — calling someone a liar or a cheat, for example — those conclusions could be subject to litigation, Kirtley said.
If a candidate did file suit, she said, unmasking the John or Jane Doe behind a Web site can be time-consuming, costly and not a given. Courts have said that anonymous speech has value, Kirtley said, and some Web site hosts fight legal actions to give up customer information.
"It's complicated" to unmask publishers, she said.
The White Bear Lake e-mail comes from an address that has the same name as a local Web site — wblwatchdog — that has published information about public officials, most notably on the back taxes of Mayor Auger. The e-mail also encourages its readers to read those postings.
The site is registered by Domains by Proxy, a Scottsdale, Ariz., domain-registration company. The company said Thursday it does not disclose account information to the public and wouldn't share information on wblwatchdog.com.
Nora Paul, director of the Institute of New Media Studies at the University of Minnesota, said sites like the watchdog can exemplify the best and worst of electronic media.
"Everybody is a publisher now," Paul said. "In the past, this would have been an angry man with a mimeograph machine in the basement" who slipped screeds under doors and posted them on telephone posts.
The site and e-mail could also be taken as an interesting source of information as newspapers lose staff and the ability to be watchdogs themselves, Paul said.
But, she added, "As an information consumer, if I can't find out who's behind it, I'd just discount it."
That's what Edberg, a candidate for the Ward 4 council seat, said he was going to do.
The longtime school board member said his 20 years of exposure on the White Bear Lake board "is open and fair game."
"But delving into family, business and other aspects of personal life that are unrelated to public performance of duty ... people should be outraged," he said.
He calls the claims of "cronyism" patently untrue.
Biehn, a Ward 2 council candidate, could not be reached for comment Thursday.
The wblwatchdog Web site did not respond to a request for comment off its "Contact Us" page. A message sent Thursday to the address from which the e-mail was sent was returned as "undeliverable."
None of the named candidates have withdrawn from their races.
"Whoever's behind it, I hope their names will come out. They should be held accountable for this type of behavior," Emerson said. "If you believe that strongly in something, you should be willing to stand up and say it."
John Brewer can be reached at 651-228-2093.
2 candidates
withdraw from
mayoral race
White Bear Lake's mayoral pool for the upcoming election has been cut in half, after two candidates withdrew from the race Thursday.
The absence of John Rhodes and Zachary Morgan means there will be no primary in the mayor's race, which now pits Jo Emerson, a community volunteer and vice chair of the planning commission, against Renee Tessier, current council member for Ward 1.
Both Rhodes and Morgan said they are going to support Tessier.
Rhodes said he respects Tessier's work on the city council — he lost in the primary for the Ward 1 seat two years ago.
Morgan said he and Tessier share many of the same views and her experience made her a more viable candidate.
In the city's other races, Douglas Biehn is running unopposed for the Ward 2 seat being vacated by Tom Frazer, and incumbent Pam Johnson faces challengers Kevin Edberg and Nancy Poferl in the Sept. 15 primary for the Ward 4 council spot.
— John Brewer
DFLer Thissen in the race for governor
By Dennis Lien
dlien@pioneerpress.com
Updated: 07/23/2009
State Rep. Paul Thissen today officially joined the crowd seeking to replace Tim Pawlenty as Minnesota governor.
Thissen, DFL-Minneapolis, made the announcement on the lawn of his South Minneapolis home this morning.
"I am running for governor because we need a leader who is willing to stand up for Minnesota and its extraordinary promise,'' said Thissen, flanked by his wife, three children, parents and dozens of friends and neighbors.
A four-term legislator who filed paperwork for a gubernatorial run in November, the 42-year-old Thissen has focused on health care issues in the Legislature and chairs the House Health and Human Services Policy Committee. He represents District 63A, which covers Richfield and Southwest Minneapolis.
He said he is seeking the DFL endorsement and will abide by the endorsement.
His top priorities would include fixing what he called a broken health care system, renewable energy, adequately funding and reviving public schools and early childhood education, addressing homelessness and the issues of a growing aging population.
Thissen is a Harvard-educated lawyer who also is a partner at the Briggs and Morgan law firm.
Pawlenty's decision not to seek a third term in 2010 has resulted in a big field vying to succeed him.
Other DFLers who've filed a committee with the state's Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board include state Sens. Tom Bakk and John Marty, former state Sen. Steve Kelley, Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner, frequent candidate Ole Savior, former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton, and former House Minority Leader Matt Entenza.
Announced Republican candidates are former state Auditor Pat Anderson; former American Party candidate Leslie Davis; state Reps. Tom Emmer, Paul Kohls and Marty Seifert; former Rep. Bill Haas; state Sens. David Hann, Mike Jungbauer and Paul Koering, and former congressional candidate Phil Herwig.
Several others also are poised to enter the field.
Dennis Lien can be reached at 651-228-5588.
dlien@pioneerpress.com
Updated: 07/23/2009
State Rep. Paul Thissen today officially joined the crowd seeking to replace Tim Pawlenty as Minnesota governor.
Thissen, DFL-Minneapolis, made the announcement on the lawn of his South Minneapolis home this morning.
"I am running for governor because we need a leader who is willing to stand up for Minnesota and its extraordinary promise,'' said Thissen, flanked by his wife, three children, parents and dozens of friends and neighbors.
A four-term legislator who filed paperwork for a gubernatorial run in November, the 42-year-old Thissen has focused on health care issues in the Legislature and chairs the House Health and Human Services Policy Committee. He represents District 63A, which covers Richfield and Southwest Minneapolis.
He said he is seeking the DFL endorsement and will abide by the endorsement.
His top priorities would include fixing what he called a broken health care system, renewable energy, adequately funding and reviving public schools and early childhood education, addressing homelessness and the issues of a growing aging population.
Thissen is a Harvard-educated lawyer who also is a partner at the Briggs and Morgan law firm.
Pawlenty's decision not to seek a third term in 2010 has resulted in a big field vying to succeed him.
Other DFLers who've filed a committee with the state's Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board include state Sens. Tom Bakk and John Marty, former state Sen. Steve Kelley, Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner, frequent candidate Ole Savior, former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton, and former House Minority Leader Matt Entenza.
Announced Republican candidates are former state Auditor Pat Anderson; former American Party candidate Leslie Davis; state Reps. Tom Emmer, Paul Kohls and Marty Seifert; former Rep. Bill Haas; state Sens. David Hann, Mike Jungbauer and Paul Koering, and former congressional candidate Phil Herwig.
Several others also are poised to enter the field.
Dennis Lien can be reached at 651-228-5588.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Iron Ranger Rukavina Files for Governor's Race
Source: KSTP
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Iron Range lawmaker Tom Rukavina is moving closer to joining the crowded DFL field of candidates for Minnesota governor.
Rukavina has filed paperwork allowing him to explore running.
The 12-term state representative from the Iron Range town of Virginia notes the geographic tilt among the Democratic contenders. He says he'll decide whether to run by early September.
Another state representative, Democrat Paul Thissen of Minneapolis, has formalized his campaign for governor. Eight Democrats have so far announced and at least three others are contemplating campaigns.
Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he's not running for re-election next year.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Iron Range lawmaker Tom Rukavina is moving closer to joining the crowded DFL field of candidates for Minnesota governor.
Rukavina has filed paperwork allowing him to explore running.
The 12-term state representative from the Iron Range town of Virginia notes the geographic tilt among the Democratic contenders. He says he'll decide whether to run by early September.
Another state representative, Democrat Paul Thissen of Minneapolis, has formalized his campaign for governor. Eight Democrats have so far announced and at least three others are contemplating campaigns.
Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he's not running for re-election next year.
Minnesota Legislator Honored for Promoting Arts Funding
SOURCE: NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STATE LEGISLATURES
State senator secured dedicated state funding for arts programs
PHILADELPHIA -- As a lifelong arts supporter, Senator Richard J. Cohen of Minnesota has attended his share of plays, movies, concerts, art exhibits and, at one time, even wrote a film column. His love for the arts started in high school when he was an usher and a stage hand at the Tyrone Guthrie Theater. Many years later, he is serving his fifth term on the board of directors for that same theater.
In addition to being on the Guthrie board, he serves on the board of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. He is formerly an ex-officio board member of the National Assembly of State’s Arts Agencies, formerly a member of the policy board for the Americans for the Arts and he also was a participant in 1997 at Columbia University’s American Assembly Forum for the Public Purpose and the Arts.
Serving in his seventh term in the Minnesota State Senate, Cohen chairs the Senate Finance Committee. Elected to the State Senate in 1987, he has a long history of support for the arts in the Senate. Shortly after his election he started the legislative arts caucus, and in the 1990s Cohen garnered enough support to establish permanent funding for the arts in Minnesota, while chairing the State Government Finance Division. By doing so, he lifted Minnesota’s ranking for art’s funding from 32nd to sixth in the nation. Cohen also was responsible for the first major capital appropriations for an arts and cultural organization beginning in 1996 with funding for the Science Museum and, in 2003, the Guthrie Theater and the Children’s Theater.
In 2004, Cohen began an effort to include arts and humanities funding in a constitutional amendment that ultimately provided dedicated funding for clean water, conservation, and arts and culture for the next 25 years in Minnesota by raising the Minnesota sales tax. Minnesota voters approved the constitutional amendment last November with more than 59 percent of voters voting affirmatively.
For his longstanding commitment to the arts, Senator Cohen is receiving the 2009 Public Leadership in the Arts Award. Americans for the Arts will present Cohen with his award on Thursday, July 22 at the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Legislative Summit in Philadelphia.
“Senator Cohen has been the chief legislative champion of the arts in Minnesota since his early days in the Senate,” said Jay Dick of Americans for the Art. “Due to his tireless support for the arts, state funding for the arts in Minnesota will increase from $10 million per year to more than $30 million next year and continue at this level for at least the next 25 years. There is no one more deserving of this honor.”
The National Public Leadership in the Arts Awards are given in recognition of an elected official or artist who plays an important role in the advancement of the arts and arts education within his or her community, and whose vision and leadership provide heightened visibility to the value of the arts.
The first award was presented as part of NCSL’s 2006 Fall Forum in San Antonio, Texas, and since then this annual award has been presented at NCSL Legislative Summits. For more information on the award and Senator Cohen, contact the NCSL press room.
NCSL is the bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staff of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.
Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. With offices in Washington, D.C., and New York City, it has a record of 49 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.
State senator secured dedicated state funding for arts programs
PHILADELPHIA -- As a lifelong arts supporter, Senator Richard J. Cohen of Minnesota has attended his share of plays, movies, concerts, art exhibits and, at one time, even wrote a film column. His love for the arts started in high school when he was an usher and a stage hand at the Tyrone Guthrie Theater. Many years later, he is serving his fifth term on the board of directors for that same theater.
In addition to being on the Guthrie board, he serves on the board of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. He is formerly an ex-officio board member of the National Assembly of State’s Arts Agencies, formerly a member of the policy board for the Americans for the Arts and he also was a participant in 1997 at Columbia University’s American Assembly Forum for the Public Purpose and the Arts.
Serving in his seventh term in the Minnesota State Senate, Cohen chairs the Senate Finance Committee. Elected to the State Senate in 1987, he has a long history of support for the arts in the Senate. Shortly after his election he started the legislative arts caucus, and in the 1990s Cohen garnered enough support to establish permanent funding for the arts in Minnesota, while chairing the State Government Finance Division. By doing so, he lifted Minnesota’s ranking for art’s funding from 32nd to sixth in the nation. Cohen also was responsible for the first major capital appropriations for an arts and cultural organization beginning in 1996 with funding for the Science Museum and, in 2003, the Guthrie Theater and the Children’s Theater.
In 2004, Cohen began an effort to include arts and humanities funding in a constitutional amendment that ultimately provided dedicated funding for clean water, conservation, and arts and culture for the next 25 years in Minnesota by raising the Minnesota sales tax. Minnesota voters approved the constitutional amendment last November with more than 59 percent of voters voting affirmatively.
For his longstanding commitment to the arts, Senator Cohen is receiving the 2009 Public Leadership in the Arts Award. Americans for the Arts will present Cohen with his award on Thursday, July 22 at the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Legislative Summit in Philadelphia.
“Senator Cohen has been the chief legislative champion of the arts in Minnesota since his early days in the Senate,” said Jay Dick of Americans for the Art. “Due to his tireless support for the arts, state funding for the arts in Minnesota will increase from $10 million per year to more than $30 million next year and continue at this level for at least the next 25 years. There is no one more deserving of this honor.”
The National Public Leadership in the Arts Awards are given in recognition of an elected official or artist who plays an important role in the advancement of the arts and arts education within his or her community, and whose vision and leadership provide heightened visibility to the value of the arts.
The first award was presented as part of NCSL’s 2006 Fall Forum in San Antonio, Texas, and since then this annual award has been presented at NCSL Legislative Summits. For more information on the award and Senator Cohen, contact the NCSL press room.
NCSL is the bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staff of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.
Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. With offices in Washington, D.C., and New York City, it has a record of 49 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Eagan is the political place to be
SOURCE: POLITICAL ANIMAL
By Rachel E. Stassen-Berger on July 21, 2009
During two days next week, politics types in Eagan will get visits from at least 16 potential candidates for governor, the current governor, chairs of both major political parties, the Minnesota House speaker, the current auditor and the current attorney general.
On Monday, July 27 District 38 Republicans will gather for a fundraiser that will include: Gov. Tim Pawlenty, MN Republican Chair Tony Sutton and Deputy Chair Michael Brodkorb and gubernatorial candidates Pat Anderson, Tom Emmer, Bill Haas, David Hann, Mike Jungbauer, Paul Kohls, and Marty Seifert, according to the organizers.
Two days later, Democrats will have their own gathering. They are holding a "family picnic" featuring state DFL Party Chair Brian Melendez & Party Associate Chair Donna Cassutt MN House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, state Auditor Rebecca Otto, Attorney General Lori Swanson, SD38 state Senator Jim Carlson, HD38A state Rep. Sandra Masin, HD38B state Rep. Mike Obermueller, and the following folks whom the organizers refer to as "gubernatorial candidates": former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton, state Sens. Tom Bakk and John Marty, state Rep. Paul Thissen, former state Sen. Steve Kelley, former state Rep. Matt Entenza, St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak.
(Neither Coleman nor Rybak have filed for governor. Kelliher hasn't either but has made moves that make it look like she will.)
The suburban district has a lot of political power in its boundaries:
•Pawlenty lives in Eagan and used to represent the district in the House.
•Attorney General Swanson is an Eaganite
•
•Pat Anderson, a GOP 2010er, is the former mayor of Eagan.
•GOP deputy chair Brodkorb lives in Eagan.
•Three years ago, the state Senator and the two state House members were Republican. Now all three are Democrats.
•While the area picked Democrats for the state House last cycle and favored President Obama, it also went for Republican U.S. Rep. John Kline over his Democratic challenger and Republican U.S. Senate candidate Norm Coleman over current U.S. Sen. Al Franken.
By Rachel E. Stassen-Berger on July 21, 2009
During two days next week, politics types in Eagan will get visits from at least 16 potential candidates for governor, the current governor, chairs of both major political parties, the Minnesota House speaker, the current auditor and the current attorney general.
On Monday, July 27 District 38 Republicans will gather for a fundraiser that will include: Gov. Tim Pawlenty, MN Republican Chair Tony Sutton and Deputy Chair Michael Brodkorb and gubernatorial candidates Pat Anderson, Tom Emmer, Bill Haas, David Hann, Mike Jungbauer, Paul Kohls, and Marty Seifert, according to the organizers.
Two days later, Democrats will have their own gathering. They are holding a "family picnic" featuring state DFL Party Chair Brian Melendez & Party Associate Chair Donna Cassutt MN House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, state Auditor Rebecca Otto, Attorney General Lori Swanson, SD38 state Senator Jim Carlson, HD38A state Rep. Sandra Masin, HD38B state Rep. Mike Obermueller, and the following folks whom the organizers refer to as "gubernatorial candidates": former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton, state Sens. Tom Bakk and John Marty, state Rep. Paul Thissen, former state Sen. Steve Kelley, former state Rep. Matt Entenza, St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak.
(Neither Coleman nor Rybak have filed for governor. Kelliher hasn't either but has made moves that make it look like she will.)
The suburban district has a lot of political power in its boundaries:
•Pawlenty lives in Eagan and used to represent the district in the House.
•Attorney General Swanson is an Eaganite
•
•Pat Anderson, a GOP 2010er, is the former mayor of Eagan.
•GOP deputy chair Brodkorb lives in Eagan.
•Three years ago, the state Senator and the two state House members were Republican. Now all three are Democrats.
•While the area picked Democrats for the state House last cycle and favored President Obama, it also went for Republican U.S. Rep. John Kline over his Democratic challenger and Republican U.S. Senate candidate Norm Coleman over current U.S. Sen. Al Franken.
Retread Threads
SOURCE: HEARD ON THE HILL
Rep. Michele Bachmann is no stranger to attracting attention when she speaks on the House floor. But on Tuesday, the outspoken Minnesota Republican raised eyebrows not for what she said, but what she wore.
Bachmann appeared in the chamber sporting a sleeveless top with bold trim along the neckline, which, in the buttoned-up world of Congress, would be noteworthy enough. But here’s the eyebrow-raising part: The top appeared to be the exact same one she wore on the House floor late the night before.
A Bachmann spokeswoman did not return HOH’s calls seeking an explanation for the wardrobe repeat. (A late night and no change of clothes, perhaps? Lost luggage?)
Bachmann might not be a huge environmentalist, but she certainly believes in recycling, at least when it comes to her outfits.
Rep. Michele Bachmann is no stranger to attracting attention when she speaks on the House floor. But on Tuesday, the outspoken Minnesota Republican raised eyebrows not for what she said, but what she wore.
Bachmann appeared in the chamber sporting a sleeveless top with bold trim along the neckline, which, in the buttoned-up world of Congress, would be noteworthy enough. But here’s the eyebrow-raising part: The top appeared to be the exact same one she wore on the House floor late the night before.
A Bachmann spokeswoman did not return HOH’s calls seeking an explanation for the wardrobe repeat. (A late night and no change of clothes, perhaps? Lost luggage?)
Bachmann might not be a huge environmentalist, but she certainly believes in recycling, at least when it comes to her outfits.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Weary Palin sought to regain control
Source: Pioneer Press
And her future? A risky road is ahead
From wire reports
Updated: 07/04/2009
Why did Sarah Palin step down?
Theories abound. But some of the people closest to the Alaska governor say she wanted to regain control of a political script that slipped out of her hands the moment she burst onto the national stage. She also wanted to shield herself and her family from attacks that seem to have been aimed permanently at them in the 311 days since Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., announced her as his running mate, according to some former campaign aides and other advisers who speak regularly with Palin or her husband, Todd.
The Sarah Palin who stood outside her Wasilla, Alaska, lakefront home Friday to surrender her term with 18 months remaining appeared vulnerable and anything but the pugnacious hockey mom and combative candidate who Americans came to either adore or admonish. The woman who said she would never blink suddenly tired of what she deemed the "superficial, wasteful political blood sport."
So she quit.
Yet Palin's vulnerability masks her firepower, ambition and strong will, advisers said. Not one to fit comfortably into convention — and not comfortable being a victim, either — Palin spoke Friday as if she was rolling the dice and betting on herself. She presented herself as a game-changer stepping onto a stage of her own making.
What that stage may be remains the big question looming over national politics this weekend, and advisers said she is truly undecided about running for president in 2012, or ever. But for the first time, she recently solicited money for her political action committee.
And Saturday she strongly suggested that she intends to remain a player in national politics.
"I've never thought I needed a title before one's name to forge progress in America," Palin wrote in a message to supporters on her Facebook page. "I am now looking ahead and how we can advance this country together with our values of less government intervention, greater energy independence, stronger national security, and much-needed fiscal restraint. I hope you will join me. Now is the time to rebuild and help our nation achieve greatness!"
What is certain, however, is that Palin has tired of being governor — of working with a legislature increasingly intent on blocking her agenda, of commuting 4 1/2 hours from Wasilla to the state Capitol in Juneau, of watching her family be tabloid fodder.
This spring, as Palin was weighing whether to run for re-election in 2010, she turned to John Coale, a prominent Washington lawyer. He had helped her establish a political action committee and has become her political consigliore of sorts.
"She asked me, 'Well, what do you think all this is? Why are all these people attacking me?' " Coale said. "I said to her, 'Look, that's what happens. They did it to Hillary (Rodham Clinton) and Hillary just pushed through it. It's not going to really stop. ... You just have to ignore it and move on.' "
But, Coale added, "She couldn't ignore the hits on the kids. She said, 'It brought out the Mamma Grizzly in me.' She acted like a mother grizzly bear when her cubs were being attacked."
However, if some of her supporters are correct in surmising what she is doing — turning full-time to preparing herself, after a tough year, for a presidential campaign in 2012 — it represents a huge gamble, even by the standards of a politician whose short career has been shaped by huge gambles.
For some Republicans, the comparison that came to mind was Richard Nixon, when he announced in 1962 that he was leaving politics for good after losing the governor's race in California, two years after a failed White House bid.
In fact, Nixon used the next four years to quietly refurbish his image, building ties with the conservative wing that was becoming ascendant in the Republican Party, ingratiating himself with Republican senators and candidates for governor by campaigning on their behalf and becoming better schooled in issues.
Assuming her departure does reflect a strategic decision to prepare for a presidential campaign — Republicans have been wondering why she dropped out so abruptly — Palin may be looking to the next few years to do what Nixon did to prepare for his successful run for the White House in 1968.
Yet Palin is in a different place than was Nixon — or any other politician who has gone the rehabilitation route. She is viewed disparagingly by many of the elites in her party, no matter how many conservative Republicans have flocked to her. She has grown increasingly unpopular in her own state and nationally; 43 percent of respondents in a CNN Poll in May viewed her unfavorably, compared with 21 percent when McCain chose her as his running mate last August.
If one of Palin's goals was to erase the perception of her as flighty — a perception encouraged by some McCain lieutenants in the rough aftermath of the failed campaign — it certainly could not have helped to stage an out-of-the-blue announcement.
"I can't imagine that anyone saw this coming," said former state Sen. Kim Elton, a Democrat who is now director of Alaska affairs for the secretary of the federal Department of Interior. "I think the consensus in Alaska was she had her eye on the prize and that the way to get that was being governor."
The Washington Post and New York Times contributed to this analysis.
And her future? A risky road is ahead
From wire reports
Updated: 07/04/2009
Why did Sarah Palin step down?
Theories abound. But some of the people closest to the Alaska governor say she wanted to regain control of a political script that slipped out of her hands the moment she burst onto the national stage. She also wanted to shield herself and her family from attacks that seem to have been aimed permanently at them in the 311 days since Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., announced her as his running mate, according to some former campaign aides and other advisers who speak regularly with Palin or her husband, Todd.
The Sarah Palin who stood outside her Wasilla, Alaska, lakefront home Friday to surrender her term with 18 months remaining appeared vulnerable and anything but the pugnacious hockey mom and combative candidate who Americans came to either adore or admonish. The woman who said she would never blink suddenly tired of what she deemed the "superficial, wasteful political blood sport."
So she quit.
Yet Palin's vulnerability masks her firepower, ambition and strong will, advisers said. Not one to fit comfortably into convention — and not comfortable being a victim, either — Palin spoke Friday as if she was rolling the dice and betting on herself. She presented herself as a game-changer stepping onto a stage of her own making.
What that stage may be remains the big question looming over national politics this weekend, and advisers said she is truly undecided about running for president in 2012, or ever. But for the first time, she recently solicited money for her political action committee.
And Saturday she strongly suggested that she intends to remain a player in national politics.
"I've never thought I needed a title before one's name to forge progress in America," Palin wrote in a message to supporters on her Facebook page. "I am now looking ahead and how we can advance this country together with our values of less government intervention, greater energy independence, stronger national security, and much-needed fiscal restraint. I hope you will join me. Now is the time to rebuild and help our nation achieve greatness!"
What is certain, however, is that Palin has tired of being governor — of working with a legislature increasingly intent on blocking her agenda, of commuting 4 1/2 hours from Wasilla to the state Capitol in Juneau, of watching her family be tabloid fodder.
This spring, as Palin was weighing whether to run for re-election in 2010, she turned to John Coale, a prominent Washington lawyer. He had helped her establish a political action committee and has become her political consigliore of sorts.
"She asked me, 'Well, what do you think all this is? Why are all these people attacking me?' " Coale said. "I said to her, 'Look, that's what happens. They did it to Hillary (Rodham Clinton) and Hillary just pushed through it. It's not going to really stop. ... You just have to ignore it and move on.' "
But, Coale added, "She couldn't ignore the hits on the kids. She said, 'It brought out the Mamma Grizzly in me.' She acted like a mother grizzly bear when her cubs were being attacked."
However, if some of her supporters are correct in surmising what she is doing — turning full-time to preparing herself, after a tough year, for a presidential campaign in 2012 — it represents a huge gamble, even by the standards of a politician whose short career has been shaped by huge gambles.
For some Republicans, the comparison that came to mind was Richard Nixon, when he announced in 1962 that he was leaving politics for good after losing the governor's race in California, two years after a failed White House bid.
In fact, Nixon used the next four years to quietly refurbish his image, building ties with the conservative wing that was becoming ascendant in the Republican Party, ingratiating himself with Republican senators and candidates for governor by campaigning on their behalf and becoming better schooled in issues.
Assuming her departure does reflect a strategic decision to prepare for a presidential campaign — Republicans have been wondering why she dropped out so abruptly — Palin may be looking to the next few years to do what Nixon did to prepare for his successful run for the White House in 1968.
Yet Palin is in a different place than was Nixon — or any other politician who has gone the rehabilitation route. She is viewed disparagingly by many of the elites in her party, no matter how many conservative Republicans have flocked to her. She has grown increasingly unpopular in her own state and nationally; 43 percent of respondents in a CNN Poll in May viewed her unfavorably, compared with 21 percent when McCain chose her as his running mate last August.
If one of Palin's goals was to erase the perception of her as flighty — a perception encouraged by some McCain lieutenants in the rough aftermath of the failed campaign — it certainly could not have helped to stage an out-of-the-blue announcement.
"I can't imagine that anyone saw this coming," said former state Sen. Kim Elton, a Democrat who is now director of Alaska affairs for the secretary of the federal Department of Interior. "I think the consensus in Alaska was she had her eye on the prize and that the way to get that was being governor."
The Washington Post and New York Times contributed to this analysis.
Al Franken swearing in replay
If you missed watching Al Franken being sworn in on TV earlier today, there is a place that you can watch it online.
Al Franken swearing in on CSPAN
Al Franken swearing in on CSPAN
Palin: Politically speaking, 'If I die, I die.'
Source: Kare 11
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Sarah Palin says she's not a quitter, she's a fighter, but adds that, politically speaking, "if I die, I die. So be it."
The Alaska governor spoke in taped interviews on ABC, NBC, Fox News Channel and CNN broadcast Tuesday morning.
She told CNN that "all options are on the table" for her future, and told Fox she doesn't know what the future holds.
But told ABC's "Good Morning America" that she recognizes she might not have political staying power after her surprise resignation Friday, which came just as she had been expected to elevate her national profile ahead of a possible 2012 GOP presidential run.
"I said before ... 'You know, politically speaking, if I die, I die. So be it,"' she said.
Speaking in fishing waders from the town of Dillingham, Palin said her administration has been paralyzed by fending off frivolous lawsuits.
"I'm not going to take the comfortable path. I'm going to take the right path for the state," she said of her resignation, which she characterized as a matter of progressing in an unconventional way.
"That caught people off guard. ... It's out of the box and unconventional. That's what we are as Alaskans and certainly how I am as a public servant."
Palin said she doesn't think she needs a title to bring about "positive change," but added that she can't see herself being totally out of public service. She criticized President Barack Obama, a possible sign she's looking toward the 2012 presidential race.
"Average, hardworking Americans need to be able to get out there, unrestrained, and fight for what is right, fight for energy independence and national security, fight for a smaller government instead of this big government overgrowth that Obama is ushering in," Palin told Fox News Channel.
The outgoing Alaska governor told the Anchorage Daily News she stepped down because ethics complaints against her and her squabble with lawmakers would have paralyzed the 18 months she had left in office.
"Especially when all these lawmakers are lining up for office," she said. "Their desire would be to clobber the administration left and right so that they can position themselves for office. I'm not going to put Alaskans through that."
She told the paper she believes her replacement, Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, who will take office on July 26, will diffuse the controversy that surrounds her.
"With Sean in the governor's seat, it won't be the politics of personal destruction, I don't believe," Palin said.
She added she wasn't sure what her next step would be.
"I can't predict the next fish run much less what's going to happen in a few years," she told the Daily News. "I don't know what I'm going to do. I'm going to keep working hard for Alaska."
Palin has spent the past four days with her family, but she returned to work as Alaska governor Tuesday in a remote fishing village 30 miles north of the Arctic Circle.
Palin was scheduled to appear in Kotzebue to sign a bill designed to bring public safety officers to small towns. Kotzebue, a town of about 3,000 people, is 550 miles northwest of Anchorage and lies on a spit of sand at the end of a peninsula.
There has been speculation that she has some legal issue that is not yet known to the public. But her lawyer told The Associated Press on Monday that she has no legal problems whatsoever, and simply is tired of the hostile political climate, legal bills and other distractions.
"She is leaving now because I think she believes that she has become the issue, rightly or wrongly, with all these ethics complaints and with the issues involving the Legislature, the combativeness they've been demonstrating toward her since she returned from the campaign," Thomas Van Flein said.
"I think she believes it's in the best interest of the state to progress forward, for her to move on to other issues."
Palin has become a lightning rod for partisan politics in Alaska since her return from the 2008 presidential campaign after John McCain selected her as his running mate for the GOP ticket. She has racked up an estimated $500,000 in legal bills defending the flurry of ethics complaints, including one filed Monday that alleges she is violating ethics law by taking per diem payments when she stays in her Wasilla home instead of the governor's mansion in Juneau.
In addition, her relationship with Democrats in the state Senate -- once among her staunchest allies -- deteriorated in the last session.
At the state Capitol in Juneau, the "Time to Make a Difference" clock that counted the time left in Palin's term was taken down from the wall outside her office. And people from around the country called up her office to inquire about the situation, as did a few cruise ship tourists who made the trek to the Capitol.
The young woman at the desk outside Palin's office was busy answering phones.
"Yes, she is getting swamped with e-mails," the woman tells one caller. "Yes, they do get forwarded to the appropriate person."
"Unfortunately, we are having a back load of e-mails so it will take some to get a response," she tells another.
Where is she? Why is she stepping down? When is her last day? Why so soon?
The tour guide tried to politely answer the questions for the tourists when she could, but for the most part had no answers.
Some of the visitors left Palin messages in a guest log.
"Sarah -- Please Stay!" one person wrote.
Kathy Waldo-Gilbert, a registered Democrat from Iowa who was on her honeymoon in Alaska, said she was especially disappointed because she believes that Palin's early departure from the governor's job will make it harder for other women who want to be taken seriously in high-profile positions. Waldo-Gilbert voted Republican for the first time in last year's presidential election.
"When things get hard, you stick around," she said.
Erika Fagerstrom, executive residential manager at the governor's mansion, said Palin and her family will be missed. Even though Palin lived most of the time at her home in Wasilla, she spent "quite a bit" of time at the stately columned mansion near the Capitol, she said.
"We are sad to see her go. They are a great family," she said.
Palin will be succeeded by Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, who has announced he will seek to retain the office in the 2010 election.
State Rep. John Harris, a former House speaker and Republican from Valdez, announced Monday that he's preparing to file paperwork with state election officials in a bid for governor.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Sarah Palin says she's not a quitter, she's a fighter, but adds that, politically speaking, "if I die, I die. So be it."
The Alaska governor spoke in taped interviews on ABC, NBC, Fox News Channel and CNN broadcast Tuesday morning.
She told CNN that "all options are on the table" for her future, and told Fox she doesn't know what the future holds.
But told ABC's "Good Morning America" that she recognizes she might not have political staying power after her surprise resignation Friday, which came just as she had been expected to elevate her national profile ahead of a possible 2012 GOP presidential run.
"I said before ... 'You know, politically speaking, if I die, I die. So be it,"' she said.
Speaking in fishing waders from the town of Dillingham, Palin said her administration has been paralyzed by fending off frivolous lawsuits.
"I'm not going to take the comfortable path. I'm going to take the right path for the state," she said of her resignation, which she characterized as a matter of progressing in an unconventional way.
"That caught people off guard. ... It's out of the box and unconventional. That's what we are as Alaskans and certainly how I am as a public servant."
Palin said she doesn't think she needs a title to bring about "positive change," but added that she can't see herself being totally out of public service. She criticized President Barack Obama, a possible sign she's looking toward the 2012 presidential race.
"Average, hardworking Americans need to be able to get out there, unrestrained, and fight for what is right, fight for energy independence and national security, fight for a smaller government instead of this big government overgrowth that Obama is ushering in," Palin told Fox News Channel.
The outgoing Alaska governor told the Anchorage Daily News she stepped down because ethics complaints against her and her squabble with lawmakers would have paralyzed the 18 months she had left in office.
"Especially when all these lawmakers are lining up for office," she said. "Their desire would be to clobber the administration left and right so that they can position themselves for office. I'm not going to put Alaskans through that."
She told the paper she believes her replacement, Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, who will take office on July 26, will diffuse the controversy that surrounds her.
"With Sean in the governor's seat, it won't be the politics of personal destruction, I don't believe," Palin said.
She added she wasn't sure what her next step would be.
"I can't predict the next fish run much less what's going to happen in a few years," she told the Daily News. "I don't know what I'm going to do. I'm going to keep working hard for Alaska."
Palin has spent the past four days with her family, but she returned to work as Alaska governor Tuesday in a remote fishing village 30 miles north of the Arctic Circle.
Palin was scheduled to appear in Kotzebue to sign a bill designed to bring public safety officers to small towns. Kotzebue, a town of about 3,000 people, is 550 miles northwest of Anchorage and lies on a spit of sand at the end of a peninsula.
There has been speculation that she has some legal issue that is not yet known to the public. But her lawyer told The Associated Press on Monday that she has no legal problems whatsoever, and simply is tired of the hostile political climate, legal bills and other distractions.
"She is leaving now because I think she believes that she has become the issue, rightly or wrongly, with all these ethics complaints and with the issues involving the Legislature, the combativeness they've been demonstrating toward her since she returned from the campaign," Thomas Van Flein said.
"I think she believes it's in the best interest of the state to progress forward, for her to move on to other issues."
Palin has become a lightning rod for partisan politics in Alaska since her return from the 2008 presidential campaign after John McCain selected her as his running mate for the GOP ticket. She has racked up an estimated $500,000 in legal bills defending the flurry of ethics complaints, including one filed Monday that alleges she is violating ethics law by taking per diem payments when she stays in her Wasilla home instead of the governor's mansion in Juneau.
In addition, her relationship with Democrats in the state Senate -- once among her staunchest allies -- deteriorated in the last session.
At the state Capitol in Juneau, the "Time to Make a Difference" clock that counted the time left in Palin's term was taken down from the wall outside her office. And people from around the country called up her office to inquire about the situation, as did a few cruise ship tourists who made the trek to the Capitol.
The young woman at the desk outside Palin's office was busy answering phones.
"Yes, she is getting swamped with e-mails," the woman tells one caller. "Yes, they do get forwarded to the appropriate person."
"Unfortunately, we are having a back load of e-mails so it will take some to get a response," she tells another.
Where is she? Why is she stepping down? When is her last day? Why so soon?
The tour guide tried to politely answer the questions for the tourists when she could, but for the most part had no answers.
Some of the visitors left Palin messages in a guest log.
"Sarah -- Please Stay!" one person wrote.
Kathy Waldo-Gilbert, a registered Democrat from Iowa who was on her honeymoon in Alaska, said she was especially disappointed because she believes that Palin's early departure from the governor's job will make it harder for other women who want to be taken seriously in high-profile positions. Waldo-Gilbert voted Republican for the first time in last year's presidential election.
"When things get hard, you stick around," she said.
Erika Fagerstrom, executive residential manager at the governor's mansion, said Palin and her family will be missed. Even though Palin lived most of the time at her home in Wasilla, she spent "quite a bit" of time at the stately columned mansion near the Capitol, she said.
"We are sad to see her go. They are a great family," she said.
Palin will be succeeded by Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, who has announced he will seek to retain the office in the 2010 election.
State Rep. John Harris, a former House speaker and Republican from Valdez, announced Monday that he's preparing to file paperwork with state election officials in a bid for governor.
GOP state Rep. Seifert campaigns for Minn. gov.
Source: KARE 11
FRIDLEY, Minn. -- State Rep. Marty Seifert, who steered House Republicans through three tumultuous legislative sessions, began his bid Tuesday to trade up to the Minnesota governor's office.
He set off on a four-day, 14-city tour of the state at a high-tech factory in this Twin Cities suburb. He said he wanted to drive home his planned emphasis on jobs.
"It's not just what you say. It's not just how you say it. But it's also where you say it: We need job opportunities in this great state. We need economic opportunities in this great state," Seifert said. "It will be my top priority."
At 37, Seifert is aiming to become the youngest Minnesota governor in 70 years and the first from outside the Twin Cities metropolitan area elected since 1986. He lives in Marshall, a city closer to the South Dakota border than it is to St. Paul.
The 2010 race is a clear tossup, made so by GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty's decision to bow out after two terms.
Standing with his family in the factory's parts warehouse, Seifert offered a sneak peak at his agenda. He said he would try to fuel job growth by easing permitting and licensing. He said he would attempt to hold down property taxes by requiring local governments to hold a referendum to increase spending above a certain level. He said he would change education by boosting the amount of time children are in the classroom.
Seifert ticked off the jobs he's held since his boyhood days on a southwestern Minnesota farm: picking vegetables, serving ice cream, delivering pizzas, teaching and legislating during seven statehouse terms. He relinquished his minority leader title last month in anticipation of the campaign.
"The values I grew up with have everything to do with my run for governor," Seifert said. "Frugality, humility, service to people and, most of all, common sense. It is missing from our government today. I intend to make sure that from top-to-bottom our government reflects those values and does not wish them away."
But getting this job won't be easy.
He first must gain the party's endorsement next June because he pledged to leave the race without it. There's the possibility of a GOP primary a few months later. And the general election could be a three-way battle -- against candidates from the Democratic and Independence parties -- if the past three contests are any clue.
In the last week, the Republican field has shifted.
State Sens. David Hann of Eden Prairie and Mike Jungbauer of East Bethel set campaigns for governor in motion. Rep. Tom Emmer, who for a time was Seifert's deputy, also threw his hat in the ring. Emmer, of Delano, is likely to appeal to the conservative wing of the party.
And former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman didn't rule out making another try at the governor's office as he conceded defeat to Democrat Al Franken in the Senate race. Coleman was the GOP nominee for governor in 1998, losing to ex-wrestler Jesse Ventura.
Former Rep. Bill Haas of Champlin and Rep. Paul Kohls of Victoria also entered the race last month, and other GOP politicians are considering campaigns.
Democrats have been maneuvering since last year, hoping to take back an office they haven't held in two decades.
Announced Democratic candidates are: former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton, state Sen. Tom Bakk of Cook, state Sen. John Marty of Roseville, state Rep. Paul Thissen of Minneapolis, former state Rep. Matt Entenza of St. Paul, Ramsey County attorney Susan Gaertner, former state Sen. Steve Kelley and painter Ole Savior.
The next governor will undoubtedly face another mammoth budget deficit, with projections ranging from $4 billion to $7 billion.
Seifert said he's undaunted by the challenge.
"I view the deficit as an opportunity," he said. "I don't view the deficit as something that is going to be punitive."
FRIDLEY, Minn. -- State Rep. Marty Seifert, who steered House Republicans through three tumultuous legislative sessions, began his bid Tuesday to trade up to the Minnesota governor's office.
He set off on a four-day, 14-city tour of the state at a high-tech factory in this Twin Cities suburb. He said he wanted to drive home his planned emphasis on jobs.
"It's not just what you say. It's not just how you say it. But it's also where you say it: We need job opportunities in this great state. We need economic opportunities in this great state," Seifert said. "It will be my top priority."
At 37, Seifert is aiming to become the youngest Minnesota governor in 70 years and the first from outside the Twin Cities metropolitan area elected since 1986. He lives in Marshall, a city closer to the South Dakota border than it is to St. Paul.
The 2010 race is a clear tossup, made so by GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty's decision to bow out after two terms.
Standing with his family in the factory's parts warehouse, Seifert offered a sneak peak at his agenda. He said he would try to fuel job growth by easing permitting and licensing. He said he would attempt to hold down property taxes by requiring local governments to hold a referendum to increase spending above a certain level. He said he would change education by boosting the amount of time children are in the classroom.
Seifert ticked off the jobs he's held since his boyhood days on a southwestern Minnesota farm: picking vegetables, serving ice cream, delivering pizzas, teaching and legislating during seven statehouse terms. He relinquished his minority leader title last month in anticipation of the campaign.
"The values I grew up with have everything to do with my run for governor," Seifert said. "Frugality, humility, service to people and, most of all, common sense. It is missing from our government today. I intend to make sure that from top-to-bottom our government reflects those values and does not wish them away."
But getting this job won't be easy.
He first must gain the party's endorsement next June because he pledged to leave the race without it. There's the possibility of a GOP primary a few months later. And the general election could be a three-way battle -- against candidates from the Democratic and Independence parties -- if the past three contests are any clue.
In the last week, the Republican field has shifted.
State Sens. David Hann of Eden Prairie and Mike Jungbauer of East Bethel set campaigns for governor in motion. Rep. Tom Emmer, who for a time was Seifert's deputy, also threw his hat in the ring. Emmer, of Delano, is likely to appeal to the conservative wing of the party.
And former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman didn't rule out making another try at the governor's office as he conceded defeat to Democrat Al Franken in the Senate race. Coleman was the GOP nominee for governor in 1998, losing to ex-wrestler Jesse Ventura.
Former Rep. Bill Haas of Champlin and Rep. Paul Kohls of Victoria also entered the race last month, and other GOP politicians are considering campaigns.
Democrats have been maneuvering since last year, hoping to take back an office they haven't held in two decades.
Announced Democratic candidates are: former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton, state Sen. Tom Bakk of Cook, state Sen. John Marty of Roseville, state Rep. Paul Thissen of Minneapolis, former state Rep. Matt Entenza of St. Paul, Ramsey County attorney Susan Gaertner, former state Sen. Steve Kelley and painter Ole Savior.
The next governor will undoubtedly face another mammoth budget deficit, with projections ranging from $4 billion to $7 billion.
Seifert said he's undaunted by the challenge.
"I view the deficit as an opportunity," he said. "I don't view the deficit as something that is going to be punitive."
Monday, July 6, 2009
Franken swearing in ceremony to be on C-SPAN 2
Political Animal
By Bill Salisbury on July 6, 2009
C-SPAN 2 will provide live coverage of Sen.-elect Al Franken's swearing in ceremony from the Senate chamber Tuesday at 11:15 a.m. CDT. Vice President Joe Biden is scheduled to administer the oath of office.C-SPAN 2 is available in the Twin Cities through Comcast on channel 104.
By Bill Salisbury on July 6, 2009
C-SPAN 2 will provide live coverage of Sen.-elect Al Franken's swearing in ceremony from the Senate chamber Tuesday at 11:15 a.m. CDT. Vice President Joe Biden is scheduled to administer the oath of office.C-SPAN 2 is available in the Twin Cities through Comcast on channel 104.
Rach at Twin Cities Pride Parade June 2009
Top: Rach with Minnesota House Speaker Margret Anderson Kelliher
Bottom: Rach with Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak
State Rep. Tom Emmer says he's running for governor
By KEVIN DUCHSCHERE, Star Tribune
July 6, 2009
State Rep. Tom Emmer announced this morning that he is running for governor.
The Delano Republican, one of the House's most outspoken conservatives, said in a statement that Minnesota "can no longer tolerate career politicians with no experience beyond the walls of our Capitol or government bureaucracies."
Emmer, 48, is an attorney who was elected to the House in 2004. He served on city councils in Independence and Delano before becoming a legislator, and is an active volunteer in the Delano area.
Rep. Paul Kohls, R-Victoria, announced his candidacy a couple of weeks ago, and former House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, plans to announce tomorrow that he's formally entering the race.
Several other Republicans have been weighing a run since Gov. Tim Pawlenty said last month that he won't be seeking a third term. One of the possible candidates is former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman, who conceded the long-running Senate race to Al Franken last week and said that he may have an announcement soon on his political plans.
Kevin Duchschere • 651-292-0164
July 6, 2009
State Rep. Tom Emmer announced this morning that he is running for governor.
The Delano Republican, one of the House's most outspoken conservatives, said in a statement that Minnesota "can no longer tolerate career politicians with no experience beyond the walls of our Capitol or government bureaucracies."
Emmer, 48, is an attorney who was elected to the House in 2004. He served on city councils in Independence and Delano before becoming a legislator, and is an active volunteer in the Delano area.
Rep. Paul Kohls, R-Victoria, announced his candidacy a couple of weeks ago, and former House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, plans to announce tomorrow that he's formally entering the race.
Several other Republicans have been weighing a run since Gov. Tim Pawlenty said last month that he won't be seeking a third term. One of the possible candidates is former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman, who conceded the long-running Senate race to Al Franken last week and said that he may have an announcement soon on his political plans.
Kevin Duchschere • 651-292-0164
2 Minn. state senators eye 2010 governor's race
Star Tribune
ST. PAUL, Minn. - Two GOP state senators are joining an already crowded field of declared or potential candidates for governor.
Sen. Sen. David Hann of Eden Prairie says he is exploring a run and filed paperwork with state regulators on Tuesday.
Sen. Mike Jungbauer of East Bethel announced his candidacy on Wednesday.
Both are two-term state senators.
Hann says the state needs to hold down spending and cut taxes. He works as a business process consultant and served in the Vietnam war.
Jungbauer says Minnesota should prepare for big changes in the energy field. He works at an engineering company and is an ordained minister.
ST. PAUL, Minn. - Two GOP state senators are joining an already crowded field of declared or potential candidates for governor.
Sen. Sen. David Hann of Eden Prairie says he is exploring a run and filed paperwork with state regulators on Tuesday.
Sen. Mike Jungbauer of East Bethel announced his candidacy on Wednesday.
Both are two-term state senators.
Hann says the state needs to hold down spending and cut taxes. He works as a business process consultant and served in the Vietnam war.
Jungbauer says Minnesota should prepare for big changes in the energy field. He works at an engineering company and is an ordained minister.
If Coleman goes for governor, he'll cast a long shadow
Norm Coleman is seen by gubernatorial contenders as someone with big pluses and minuses.
By MIKE KASZUBA, Star Tribune
The biggest mystery, now that Democrat Al Franken is heading to the U.S. Senate, is how soon Republican Norm Coleman will let Minnesotans know whether he wants to be their governor.
Even as a victory rally Wednesday was ending for Franken on the State Capitol steps, state Republican Party leaders held a news briefing a block away to outline plans for the 2010 gubernatorial race -- and invited Coleman, and anyone else, to join in. "I talked to Senator Coleman briefly," said Tony Sutton, the new Republican Party state chair. "It's my understanding that nothing's been ruled in or ruled out."
Coleman's possible entry into a race that's still 16 months away was greeted with both wariness and inevitability by potential rivals. "He'd obviously be the leader right away on the Republican side," said Matt Entenza, former House Minority leader and a declared DFL gubernatorial candidate. "I think he would win a [Republican] primary going away. ... I think it'd be his race to lose."
One day after he conceded the U.S. Senate race -- and left a crack open on a possible gubernatorial run -- Coleman is seen as a candidate with big pluses and minuses.
His likely gubernatorial competitors say his name recognition and proven fundraising ability make him formidable. His legal fight against Franken won admirers across the state Republican Party's base, which will play a large role in choosing a gubernatorial nominee.
Coleman could simply say he was going after a job he lost in 1998 to Jesse Ventura.
But Coleman would face potential roadblocks. The FBI is still investigating his relationship with Nasser Kazeminy, a major political donor accused in lawsuits of funneling payments to Coleman through a business where Coleman's wife worked.
Coleman, who turns 60 next month, may also need to freshen up his pitch as the man who reinvented himself from 1960s activist to George Bush Republican.
What do the people think?
As he announced his own gubernatorial ambitions Wednesday, state Sen. Mike Jungbauer, R-East Bethel, said a Coleman candidacy would present Republicans in Minnesota with a tough choice.
"You don't know what the people think about Norm after the extensive [recount] things," Jungbauer said. "Will they support him in terms of real support, a sympathy support or are people just angry at that whole thing?"
A two-term senator who said he admires Coleman, Jungbauer predicted "he's not going to get the buy-in from the new, younger Republicans. They're more aggressively Libertarian. ... He would do great if he got through the endorsement process. I think his hardest battle will be the endorsement process."
Former House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, who said he would formally announce his gubernatorial campaign Tuesday, said he is aware Coleman is already casting a long shadow over the governor's race.
But Seifert said his own political website, even at this early stage of the race, had a record day Tuesday, securing at least $5,000 in political contributions. "We thought that was a good, one-day haul," Seifert said. "If they really believe in Norm, [the money] will start showing up on his side."
Seifert said that while Coleman can tap a national base of influential donors, he has his own growing list of heavy-hitter supporters.
"Our large donors are coming in nicely," Seifert said. "I have Bill Cooper on board." Cooper is chief executive officer of TCF Financial and a former state Republican Party chairman. "I don't know that he necessarily has a leg up on things," Seifert said of Coleman. "I would love to be on stage with Norm Coleman in a debate about 21st-century solutions to things."
House Speaker Margaret Kelliher, a likely DFL gubernatorial candidate, said Coleman's entrance into the race would not have a big impact on DFLers gauging a run for governor -- for now. "I don't think it changes anything," Kelliher said Wednesday as she waited for Franken to appear at the State Capitol rally.
The timing is revealing
But Kelliher said that she was struck by Coleman's statements Tuesday, that he might have an announcement on his political future as early as next week. "I think the timing of what he said about next week makes me kind of think he might be" running for governor, she said.
St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, another possible DFL candidate, dismissed Coleman's name recognition as a factor in the race for governor. "Just remember now, I'm the only Coleman in elected office," he said, laughing. The two are not related.
Sutton made clear Wednesday that he would not "pick the candidate" for the Republicans, but conceded that he had ties and friendships that others will watch closely. Sutton is business partners with Cooper in a chain of Mexican restaurants and is close to Rep. Paul Kohls, R-Victoria, an announced gubernatorial candidate, and state Department of Labor & Industry Commissioner Steve Sviggum, a possible candidate.
"You can make a case that I know all these people," Sutton said. "So, don't read anything into it.
Mike Kaszuba • 651-222-1673
By MIKE KASZUBA, Star Tribune
The biggest mystery, now that Democrat Al Franken is heading to the U.S. Senate, is how soon Republican Norm Coleman will let Minnesotans know whether he wants to be their governor.
Even as a victory rally Wednesday was ending for Franken on the State Capitol steps, state Republican Party leaders held a news briefing a block away to outline plans for the 2010 gubernatorial race -- and invited Coleman, and anyone else, to join in. "I talked to Senator Coleman briefly," said Tony Sutton, the new Republican Party state chair. "It's my understanding that nothing's been ruled in or ruled out."
Coleman's possible entry into a race that's still 16 months away was greeted with both wariness and inevitability by potential rivals. "He'd obviously be the leader right away on the Republican side," said Matt Entenza, former House Minority leader and a declared DFL gubernatorial candidate. "I think he would win a [Republican] primary going away. ... I think it'd be his race to lose."
One day after he conceded the U.S. Senate race -- and left a crack open on a possible gubernatorial run -- Coleman is seen as a candidate with big pluses and minuses.
His likely gubernatorial competitors say his name recognition and proven fundraising ability make him formidable. His legal fight against Franken won admirers across the state Republican Party's base, which will play a large role in choosing a gubernatorial nominee.
Coleman could simply say he was going after a job he lost in 1998 to Jesse Ventura.
But Coleman would face potential roadblocks. The FBI is still investigating his relationship with Nasser Kazeminy, a major political donor accused in lawsuits of funneling payments to Coleman through a business where Coleman's wife worked.
Coleman, who turns 60 next month, may also need to freshen up his pitch as the man who reinvented himself from 1960s activist to George Bush Republican.
What do the people think?
As he announced his own gubernatorial ambitions Wednesday, state Sen. Mike Jungbauer, R-East Bethel, said a Coleman candidacy would present Republicans in Minnesota with a tough choice.
"You don't know what the people think about Norm after the extensive [recount] things," Jungbauer said. "Will they support him in terms of real support, a sympathy support or are people just angry at that whole thing?"
A two-term senator who said he admires Coleman, Jungbauer predicted "he's not going to get the buy-in from the new, younger Republicans. They're more aggressively Libertarian. ... He would do great if he got through the endorsement process. I think his hardest battle will be the endorsement process."
Former House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, who said he would formally announce his gubernatorial campaign Tuesday, said he is aware Coleman is already casting a long shadow over the governor's race.
But Seifert said his own political website, even at this early stage of the race, had a record day Tuesday, securing at least $5,000 in political contributions. "We thought that was a good, one-day haul," Seifert said. "If they really believe in Norm, [the money] will start showing up on his side."
Seifert said that while Coleman can tap a national base of influential donors, he has his own growing list of heavy-hitter supporters.
"Our large donors are coming in nicely," Seifert said. "I have Bill Cooper on board." Cooper is chief executive officer of TCF Financial and a former state Republican Party chairman. "I don't know that he necessarily has a leg up on things," Seifert said of Coleman. "I would love to be on stage with Norm Coleman in a debate about 21st-century solutions to things."
House Speaker Margaret Kelliher, a likely DFL gubernatorial candidate, said Coleman's entrance into the race would not have a big impact on DFLers gauging a run for governor -- for now. "I don't think it changes anything," Kelliher said Wednesday as she waited for Franken to appear at the State Capitol rally.
The timing is revealing
But Kelliher said that she was struck by Coleman's statements Tuesday, that he might have an announcement on his political future as early as next week. "I think the timing of what he said about next week makes me kind of think he might be" running for governor, she said.
St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, another possible DFL candidate, dismissed Coleman's name recognition as a factor in the race for governor. "Just remember now, I'm the only Coleman in elected office," he said, laughing. The two are not related.
Sutton made clear Wednesday that he would not "pick the candidate" for the Republicans, but conceded that he had ties and friendships that others will watch closely. Sutton is business partners with Cooper in a chain of Mexican restaurants and is close to Rep. Paul Kohls, R-Victoria, an announced gubernatorial candidate, and state Department of Labor & Industry Commissioner Steve Sviggum, a possible candidate.
"You can make a case that I know all these people," Sutton said. "So, don't read anything into it.
Mike Kaszuba • 651-222-1673
Congressman Patrick Kennedy plans to return to House on Tuesday
By ANDREW MIGA , Associated Press
Last update: July 6, 2009
WASHINGTON - Rep. Patrick Kennedy said he's "feeling healthy and strong" and plans to return to Congress Tuesday after receiving treatment at a Maryland addiction treatment center.
The Rhode Island Democrat said Monday he was looking forward to returning full-time to his congressional duties.
"The support and words of encouragement I have received over the past few weeks certainly help to support my efforts in recovery which I take seriously every day," Kennedy said in a statement.
The congressman, who has struggled with depression, alcoholism and addiction for much of his life, checked into the Father Martin's Ashley in Havre de Grace, Md., last month. The son of Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., has called his treatment "a lifelong process."
The congressman spent the July 4 weekend on Cape Cod visiting his father, who is battling brain cancer.
Kennedy previously sought treatment after an early morning car crash near the Capitol three years ago.
Last update: July 6, 2009
WASHINGTON - Rep. Patrick Kennedy said he's "feeling healthy and strong" and plans to return to Congress Tuesday after receiving treatment at a Maryland addiction treatment center.
The Rhode Island Democrat said Monday he was looking forward to returning full-time to his congressional duties.
"The support and words of encouragement I have received over the past few weeks certainly help to support my efforts in recovery which I take seriously every day," Kennedy said in a statement.
The congressman, who has struggled with depression, alcoholism and addiction for much of his life, checked into the Father Martin's Ashley in Havre de Grace, Md., last month. The son of Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., has called his treatment "a lifelong process."
The congressman spent the July 4 weekend on Cape Cod visiting his father, who is battling brain cancer.
Kennedy previously sought treatment after an early morning car crash near the Capitol three years ago.
Enough about Senate race and Jackson, Pawlenty says
On his weekly radio show this morning, Pawlenty used the same words - "time to move on" - to describe the orgy of media coverage about Jackson's death and the epic political battle won this week by Sen.-elect Al Franken.
Star Tribune July 3, 2009
Gov. Tim Pawlenty has had it, with both Michael Jackson and the Minnesota U.S. Senate race.
On his weekly radio show Friday, Pawlenty used the same words -- "time to move on" -- to describe the orgy of media coverage about Jackson's death and the epic political battle won this week by Sen.-elect Al Franken.
Asked by a caller about his reaction to resolution of the death match between Franken and Norm Coleman, Pawlenty said, "I think we're all relieved the Senate race is over. There's been some frustration over how long it took."
Referring to his fellow Republican, Pawlenty added: "I wish it had come out the other way. [But I] respect the court process.
"[It's] time to move on." He opened his portion of the show talking, unprompted, about the Jackson coverage. "You can't get away from it. ... I've had enough of it.
"It's time to pay our respects and move on."
A lot of Americans share that sentiment: A poll conducted earlier this week found that nearly two-thirds said the wall-to-wall coverage has been too much.
BOB VON STERNBERG
Star Tribune July 3, 2009
Gov. Tim Pawlenty has had it, with both Michael Jackson and the Minnesota U.S. Senate race.
On his weekly radio show Friday, Pawlenty used the same words -- "time to move on" -- to describe the orgy of media coverage about Jackson's death and the epic political battle won this week by Sen.-elect Al Franken.
Asked by a caller about his reaction to resolution of the death match between Franken and Norm Coleman, Pawlenty said, "I think we're all relieved the Senate race is over. There's been some frustration over how long it took."
Referring to his fellow Republican, Pawlenty added: "I wish it had come out the other way. [But I] respect the court process.
"[It's] time to move on." He opened his portion of the show talking, unprompted, about the Jackson coverage. "You can't get away from it. ... I've had enough of it.
"It's time to pay our respects and move on."
A lot of Americans share that sentiment: A poll conducted earlier this week found that nearly two-thirds said the wall-to-wall coverage has been too much.
BOB VON STERNBERG
Senator Al Franken: Goodbye to the Class Clown
By all accounts, Sen.-elect Al Franken will downplay humor and focus on policy when he takes his seat.
By KEVIN DIAZ and PAT DOYLE, Star Tribune staff writers
Last update: July 4, 2009 - 8:49 PM
After Al Franken is sworn in to the U.S. Senate this week, the nation will be watching to see how the former entertainer performs in a theater where cooperation trumps controversy and wise politicians survive wiseguys.
Preparing for his new role, one of the first people Franken sought out was Tamara Luzzatto, chief of staff for Hillary Clinton when she was in the Senate.
"A number of people have told me to study the Hillary model of being a senator," Franken said after they met last February. "Put your head down and do the work."
Franken appears determined to establish credibility as a serious lawmaker. No acerbic wit. No bombastic attacks on conservatives.
Goodbye Stuart Smalley, the goofy, mincing self-help guru from "Saturday Night Live." Hello, "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington."
"We're going to see a new Al Franken," said analyst Steven Schier, who teaches politics at Carleton College. "Or at least the same Al Franken we've seen in recent months, an Al Franken on Valium, so to speak -- very low-key."
Franken's attempts at a muted tone will likely be tested by the news media horde that will greet his arrival in the Capitol, along with a jam-packed legislative agenda.
"It's going to be about as crazy as one can imagine," said longtime Franken friend and Congress observer Norman Ornstein, a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington. Without a chance to catch his breath and ease into the job, Ornstein said, Franken's arrival will be "like being dropped into the middle of a tsunami."
He will also have to contend with an emerging Republican strategy to treat him as a symbol of the filibuster-proof super-majority that his victory could deliver to the Senate's Democratic caucus.
"What each party needs is a piñata from the other side," Schier said. "Clearly the Republicans are looking for a flamboyant, inviting target for their fundraising and media strategy, and Franken probably suits that role better than anybody on the Senate side."
Republicans will get plenty of help from conservative pundits outside Congress who want to keep a target on Franken's back.
"They're going to have some eager allies," Ornstein said, "Because [conservative talk show hosts] Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly have all felt his barbs."
Franken first made a splash as a political satirist with his 1996 book "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot (And Other Observations)." He initially dubbed his liberal talk radio show on Air America "The O'Franken Factor," just to goad O'Reilly. Fox News sued over the name and Franken won.
Franken's temperament also could be tested inside the Senate, which still places a premium on an old-school collegiality. One of his assignments is the Judiciary Committee, where some of the Senate's biggest egos delight in taking on judicial nominees and, occasionally, one another.
"If Franken can turn his edginess into a sort of frank authenticity, I think he can do well," said St. Olaf College political science Prof. Dan Hofrenning. "Some people might say that on the campaign trail he wasn't funny enough, wasn't edgy enough."
But on one occasion, he might have been a bit too edgy.
A former leader of Carleton College Democrats recalls Franken crossing the line in exchanges with a conservative student, Peter Fritz, over economic issues during a 2008 appearance in Northfield.
"Franken was aggressively challenging Peter on why he supported tax cuts," recalled Pablo Kenney, 22, who was president of Carleton Democrats. "He was ... dismissing his arguments in a very, in a light way, in a mocking way. I thought it was inappropriate ... the tone that he took with him."
Franken was "playing to the crowd," when he "probably should have just walked away from that conversation," said Kenney, who voted for Franken.
After Franken's appearance, spokesman Andy Barr was quoted in an e-mail saying that Franken recalled having a "spirited" conversation with a "College GOPer" at the urging of some of the student's Democratic friends. "Seemed like everyone was having a good time, or as good a time as you can have debating Reaganomics," Barr wrote.
Constituent work first
In Franken's first months in the Senate, battles over weighty national issues may take a back seat to the more parochial matters of constituent service.
Advisers such as Drew Littman, who organized Clinton's Senate office, have counseled Franken to focus on Minnesota issues and the details of policy.
"It's tempting in the Senate to see it as a place where you can work on any national issue," said Littman, Franken's new chief of staff. "He's going to dig in on the local stuff."
Clinton, who played down her celebrity as former First Lady, answered many of her early critics by working hard in the Senate and doing well for her adopted state of New York.
"With her, it was about whether she'd be a work horse or a show horse," Franken said, adding that he wants to copy Clinton's no-nonsense style, even at the risk of being boring.
"She came to her committee meetings well-prepared, she worked across party lines, and found areas of agreement. She impressed her colleagues as someone who was going to work, not take the spotlight."
Will he also copy her run for the White House?
"Not that part," Franken said.
To Littman, it's all about building relationships in the Senate. "Despite what they say on the campaign trail or in their fundraising letters, they don't care how ideological you are, as long as you're a reasonable person they can work with and you won't embarrass them."
Stance on health care
Franken has, at times, been decidedly left-of-center on health care, and once said he wanted to be a senator "so we can go to universal health care." During the campaign he said he supported a hybrid system where states cover their residents using federal funds and all minors fall under a single-payer system like Medicare, although he stopped short of an all-out endorsement of universal single-payer health care.
In an interview last week, Franken said he supports universal care that is "accessible and affordable."
Franken wrote in 2008 that he supports a cap-and-trade system for regulating carbon emissions, and he criticized the Bush administration for rejecting the Kyoto Protocol -- an international commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
He would also like the country to launch an Apollo-style effort to fund research of renewable fuels -- especially corn and cellulosic ethanol, which have become a major business in Minnesota.
Franken's Judiciary Committee assignment will put him at the center of the looming confirmation debate over Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor.
Though it will not likely be an issue in that confirmation, Franken told Minnesota Public Radio in 2007 that he would "most likely vote against" a nominee opposed to Roe vs. Wade, the landmark abortion rights decision.
However Franken positions himself on the issues, his advisers say he will generally leave humor aside -- a prospect, they say, that might ultimately cause the national media to lose interest.
"It's basically about countering a set of expectations," Ornstein said. "I don't think he's going to have enormous difficulty overcoming that, because he is basically a policy wonk."
kdiaz@startribune.com • 202-408-2753 pdoyle@startribune.com • 651-222-1210
By KEVIN DIAZ and PAT DOYLE, Star Tribune staff writers
Last update: July 4, 2009 - 8:49 PM
After Al Franken is sworn in to the U.S. Senate this week, the nation will be watching to see how the former entertainer performs in a theater where cooperation trumps controversy and wise politicians survive wiseguys.
Preparing for his new role, one of the first people Franken sought out was Tamara Luzzatto, chief of staff for Hillary Clinton when she was in the Senate.
"A number of people have told me to study the Hillary model of being a senator," Franken said after they met last February. "Put your head down and do the work."
Franken appears determined to establish credibility as a serious lawmaker. No acerbic wit. No bombastic attacks on conservatives.
Goodbye Stuart Smalley, the goofy, mincing self-help guru from "Saturday Night Live." Hello, "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington."
"We're going to see a new Al Franken," said analyst Steven Schier, who teaches politics at Carleton College. "Or at least the same Al Franken we've seen in recent months, an Al Franken on Valium, so to speak -- very low-key."
Franken's attempts at a muted tone will likely be tested by the news media horde that will greet his arrival in the Capitol, along with a jam-packed legislative agenda.
"It's going to be about as crazy as one can imagine," said longtime Franken friend and Congress observer Norman Ornstein, a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington. Without a chance to catch his breath and ease into the job, Ornstein said, Franken's arrival will be "like being dropped into the middle of a tsunami."
He will also have to contend with an emerging Republican strategy to treat him as a symbol of the filibuster-proof super-majority that his victory could deliver to the Senate's Democratic caucus.
"What each party needs is a piñata from the other side," Schier said. "Clearly the Republicans are looking for a flamboyant, inviting target for their fundraising and media strategy, and Franken probably suits that role better than anybody on the Senate side."
Republicans will get plenty of help from conservative pundits outside Congress who want to keep a target on Franken's back.
"They're going to have some eager allies," Ornstein said, "Because [conservative talk show hosts] Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly have all felt his barbs."
Franken first made a splash as a political satirist with his 1996 book "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot (And Other Observations)." He initially dubbed his liberal talk radio show on Air America "The O'Franken Factor," just to goad O'Reilly. Fox News sued over the name and Franken won.
Franken's temperament also could be tested inside the Senate, which still places a premium on an old-school collegiality. One of his assignments is the Judiciary Committee, where some of the Senate's biggest egos delight in taking on judicial nominees and, occasionally, one another.
"If Franken can turn his edginess into a sort of frank authenticity, I think he can do well," said St. Olaf College political science Prof. Dan Hofrenning. "Some people might say that on the campaign trail he wasn't funny enough, wasn't edgy enough."
But on one occasion, he might have been a bit too edgy.
A former leader of Carleton College Democrats recalls Franken crossing the line in exchanges with a conservative student, Peter Fritz, over economic issues during a 2008 appearance in Northfield.
"Franken was aggressively challenging Peter on why he supported tax cuts," recalled Pablo Kenney, 22, who was president of Carleton Democrats. "He was ... dismissing his arguments in a very, in a light way, in a mocking way. I thought it was inappropriate ... the tone that he took with him."
Franken was "playing to the crowd," when he "probably should have just walked away from that conversation," said Kenney, who voted for Franken.
After Franken's appearance, spokesman Andy Barr was quoted in an e-mail saying that Franken recalled having a "spirited" conversation with a "College GOPer" at the urging of some of the student's Democratic friends. "Seemed like everyone was having a good time, or as good a time as you can have debating Reaganomics," Barr wrote.
Constituent work first
In Franken's first months in the Senate, battles over weighty national issues may take a back seat to the more parochial matters of constituent service.
Advisers such as Drew Littman, who organized Clinton's Senate office, have counseled Franken to focus on Minnesota issues and the details of policy.
"It's tempting in the Senate to see it as a place where you can work on any national issue," said Littman, Franken's new chief of staff. "He's going to dig in on the local stuff."
Clinton, who played down her celebrity as former First Lady, answered many of her early critics by working hard in the Senate and doing well for her adopted state of New York.
"With her, it was about whether she'd be a work horse or a show horse," Franken said, adding that he wants to copy Clinton's no-nonsense style, even at the risk of being boring.
"She came to her committee meetings well-prepared, she worked across party lines, and found areas of agreement. She impressed her colleagues as someone who was going to work, not take the spotlight."
Will he also copy her run for the White House?
"Not that part," Franken said.
To Littman, it's all about building relationships in the Senate. "Despite what they say on the campaign trail or in their fundraising letters, they don't care how ideological you are, as long as you're a reasonable person they can work with and you won't embarrass them."
Stance on health care
Franken has, at times, been decidedly left-of-center on health care, and once said he wanted to be a senator "so we can go to universal health care." During the campaign he said he supported a hybrid system where states cover their residents using federal funds and all minors fall under a single-payer system like Medicare, although he stopped short of an all-out endorsement of universal single-payer health care.
In an interview last week, Franken said he supports universal care that is "accessible and affordable."
Franken wrote in 2008 that he supports a cap-and-trade system for regulating carbon emissions, and he criticized the Bush administration for rejecting the Kyoto Protocol -- an international commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
He would also like the country to launch an Apollo-style effort to fund research of renewable fuels -- especially corn and cellulosic ethanol, which have become a major business in Minnesota.
Franken's Judiciary Committee assignment will put him at the center of the looming confirmation debate over Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor.
Though it will not likely be an issue in that confirmation, Franken told Minnesota Public Radio in 2007 that he would "most likely vote against" a nominee opposed to Roe vs. Wade, the landmark abortion rights decision.
However Franken positions himself on the issues, his advisers say he will generally leave humor aside -- a prospect, they say, that might ultimately cause the national media to lose interest.
"It's basically about countering a set of expectations," Ornstein said. "I don't think he's going to have enormous difficulty overcoming that, because he is basically a policy wonk."
kdiaz@startribune.com • 202-408-2753 pdoyle@startribune.com • 651-222-1210
Friday, July 3, 2009
Jungbauer joins the GOP list of candidates for governor
Source: Minnesota Public Radio
Posted at 3:46 PM on July 1, 2009 by Tim Pugmire (0 Comments)
State Sen. Mike Jungbauer, R-East Bethel, announced today that he's running for governor.
The two-term senator handed out a news release say that his priorities include education, transportation and public safety. He's also interested in renewable energy.
"Minnesota needs a governor who understands the social economic and environmental impacts of renewable energy sources as they come to market," Jungbauer said.
Jungbauer is employed as a water resources manager, planner and urban designer for the engineering firm Landform. He is also an ordained minister. Jungbauer and his wife Vicki have four children.
Posted at 3:46 PM on July 1, 2009 by Tim Pugmire (0 Comments)
State Sen. Mike Jungbauer, R-East Bethel, announced today that he's running for governor.
The two-term senator handed out a news release say that his priorities include education, transportation and public safety. He's also interested in renewable energy.
"Minnesota needs a governor who understands the social economic and environmental impacts of renewable energy sources as they come to market," Jungbauer said.
Jungbauer is employed as a water resources manager, planner and urban designer for the engineering firm Landform. He is also an ordained minister. Jungbauer and his wife Vicki have four children.
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