There aare lots of people at Minneapolis Convention Center in Downtown Minneapolis. The mood are very festuve.
This morning I saw a Emmer supporter bringing pig around when I arrived to MCC. There was less people unlikely last week when I got to Duluth Entrainment Convention Center.
People was very polite and respectful to me and I wanted to say thank to Sheldon Anderson, who is Mayor of Wyoming MN/House candidate for House District 17 and Anne Neu from Chip Cravaack campaign for getting me on the floor since guest passes are all out.
Several of my co workers from the Cspitol, lobbyist and media are here as well.
My top boss, Gov. Tim Pawlenty is speaking and thanking everyone for their support and volunteering on his past campaigns. Also thanked everyone for his service as Governor.
I have been taking pictures and walking around to see whats going on.
Met children of Rhonda Siverjah who is running mate of Marty Siefert. They are very nice people.
Gonna check out all excitment when I come back from my meeting in St. Paul.
Friday, April 30, 2010
R.T. Rybak: Bigger holes to fill
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak looked back on his failed attempt to win the DFL's nod for governor and looked ahead to tackling the city's problems, including those nasty potholes.
By STEVE BRANDT, Star Tribune
Last update: April 28, 2010
His voice is still hoarse from last weekend's DFL convention, and R.T. Rybak is nursing it this week with mugs of tea.
Back in his Minneapolis City Hall office, he says he's relieved that two years of compartmentalizing his life between the duties of a mayor and the grind of campaigning for governor are over. He says that even focusing on potholes is refreshing.
"It's a little like taking a duplex and turning it into a single-family house," Rybak said this week, reflecting after finishing runner-up to House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher for DFL endorsement Saturday in Duluth. "I'm taking one side out of my brain and filling it with the other."
Does he still want to be governor? That depends on circumstances.
"I'm open to it,'' he said. "It won't have much to do with me having a personal ambition. If I died tomorrow, I would be incredibly fulfilled knowing I got to be mayor of Minneapolis. I don't need another notch on my professional belt.
"I ran for governor because the state was in such a mess and ... that jeopardizes everything we've accomplished, so whether I do something again will depend on large part on whether the state gets straightened out and whether the issues I care about get fixed."
What about Congress, if a Democrat there moved on?
Rybak, an early and tireless Barack Obama supporter, said he's not ruling anything out, but added: "My place in public service is as an executive and as far as Washington goes, I had a great opportunity to go to Washington when President Obama got elected. ... [My wife] Megan and I talked about that and we're Minnesotans."
Why he didn't get endorsed
He said a major factor in losing his endorsement bid was because he couldn't overcome the loyalty of super-delegates to Kelliher, whom he has pledged to support. Those were the convention's 190 state and federal elected and party officials.
Endorsements of her by Sen. John Marty and Rep. Tom Rukavina as they dropped out helped to seal the deal.
Others say that building trades' hostility to Rybak cost him votes, as well as his inability to convert his lead within a band of progressive Democrats known as ReNEW Minnesota to the 60 percent threshold needed to bind its bloc of delegates.
Some were surprised that he couldn't draw more overt support from Obama and his operatives. Rukavina's fiery speech also may have siphoned off some delegates early on. Some Rybakers complain privately that some Minneapolis legislators bad-mouthed his mayoralty.
Still, some say the urban mayor proved political viability statewide, and that it's no shame to finish second in a crowded field. "His ability to motivate and inspire people are tremendous attributes," said Dan McGrath, executive director of TakeAction Minnesota, a progressive political arm.
Training for the future
Rybak said his new statewide contacts will help Minneapolis at the state level, where a negative perception of the state's biggest city has sometimes prevailed.
He's also building some political chits. He'll return to Montgomery's Kolacky Days contest in July, not only for the rubber match in his kolacky-eating contest with that city's mayor, Mick McGuire, but also to stump in the parade for McGuire's legislative bid.
On a personal level, odds are that he might be spotted in an antique store as he restores equilibrium to his personal life. "Megan has built up many chits that I'm sure she'll cash in," he explained. You may also spot him training for the two or three triathlons he hopes to enter after limiting himself to one last summer while campaigning for mayor.
Inside City Hall, Rybak's relatively painless supplemental 2010 budget, which accommodates new state aid cuts, is expected to pass Friday. He'll go from there to meet with department heads to craft his 2011 proposal. Job creation and youth are tops on his agenda.
He's working with other mayors and business on regional competitiveness issues, working with St. Paul on developing green manufacturing jobs, and developing jobs from his homegrown food initiative. He's beating the bushes for more summer jobs for teens, reassessing the city's youth violence prevention effort, looking for college money for city high school graduates and working with others to revive the state's bid for competitively awarded federal school dollars.
"I planned to work on all of these issues some way. But it was unclear whether I'd be doing that as a mayor or a governor," he said. "Now it's quite clear that I'll be doing it from here and it's OK."
Steve Brandt • 612-673-4438
By STEVE BRANDT, Star Tribune
Last update: April 28, 2010
His voice is still hoarse from last weekend's DFL convention, and R.T. Rybak is nursing it this week with mugs of tea.
Back in his Minneapolis City Hall office, he says he's relieved that two years of compartmentalizing his life between the duties of a mayor and the grind of campaigning for governor are over. He says that even focusing on potholes is refreshing.
"It's a little like taking a duplex and turning it into a single-family house," Rybak said this week, reflecting after finishing runner-up to House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher for DFL endorsement Saturday in Duluth. "I'm taking one side out of my brain and filling it with the other."
Does he still want to be governor? That depends on circumstances.
"I'm open to it,'' he said. "It won't have much to do with me having a personal ambition. If I died tomorrow, I would be incredibly fulfilled knowing I got to be mayor of Minneapolis. I don't need another notch on my professional belt.
"I ran for governor because the state was in such a mess and ... that jeopardizes everything we've accomplished, so whether I do something again will depend on large part on whether the state gets straightened out and whether the issues I care about get fixed."
What about Congress, if a Democrat there moved on?
Rybak, an early and tireless Barack Obama supporter, said he's not ruling anything out, but added: "My place in public service is as an executive and as far as Washington goes, I had a great opportunity to go to Washington when President Obama got elected. ... [My wife] Megan and I talked about that and we're Minnesotans."
Why he didn't get endorsed
He said a major factor in losing his endorsement bid was because he couldn't overcome the loyalty of super-delegates to Kelliher, whom he has pledged to support. Those were the convention's 190 state and federal elected and party officials.
Endorsements of her by Sen. John Marty and Rep. Tom Rukavina as they dropped out helped to seal the deal.
Others say that building trades' hostility to Rybak cost him votes, as well as his inability to convert his lead within a band of progressive Democrats known as ReNEW Minnesota to the 60 percent threshold needed to bind its bloc of delegates.
Some were surprised that he couldn't draw more overt support from Obama and his operatives. Rukavina's fiery speech also may have siphoned off some delegates early on. Some Rybakers complain privately that some Minneapolis legislators bad-mouthed his mayoralty.
Still, some say the urban mayor proved political viability statewide, and that it's no shame to finish second in a crowded field. "His ability to motivate and inspire people are tremendous attributes," said Dan McGrath, executive director of TakeAction Minnesota, a progressive political arm.
Training for the future
Rybak said his new statewide contacts will help Minneapolis at the state level, where a negative perception of the state's biggest city has sometimes prevailed.
He's also building some political chits. He'll return to Montgomery's Kolacky Days contest in July, not only for the rubber match in his kolacky-eating contest with that city's mayor, Mick McGuire, but also to stump in the parade for McGuire's legislative bid.
On a personal level, odds are that he might be spotted in an antique store as he restores equilibrium to his personal life. "Megan has built up many chits that I'm sure she'll cash in," he explained. You may also spot him training for the two or three triathlons he hopes to enter after limiting himself to one last summer while campaigning for mayor.
Inside City Hall, Rybak's relatively painless supplemental 2010 budget, which accommodates new state aid cuts, is expected to pass Friday. He'll go from there to meet with department heads to craft his 2011 proposal. Job creation and youth are tops on his agenda.
He's working with other mayors and business on regional competitiveness issues, working with St. Paul on developing green manufacturing jobs, and developing jobs from his homegrown food initiative. He's beating the bushes for more summer jobs for teens, reassessing the city's youth violence prevention effort, looking for college money for city high school graduates and working with others to revive the state's bid for competitively awarded federal school dollars.
"I planned to work on all of these issues some way. But it was unclear whether I'd be doing that as a mayor or a governor," he said. "Now it's quite clear that I'll be doing it from here and it's OK."
Steve Brandt • 612-673-4438
Thursday, April 29, 2010
2010 INDEPENDENCE PARTY STATE CONVENTION IS SET FOR MAY 8
Minnesota Independence Party Convention website
The 2010 Independence Party State Convention will be held on Saturday, May 8th at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, Minnesota. The Convention Schedule is:
•9:00-10:00am Registration
•10:00am Call to order (Proposed convention rules.)
•12:00-1:00pm - Lunch break (You must order box lunch before May 5th! Order Online!)
•1:00 pm Resume Convention Business
•4:30pm (or earlier) Adjourn
First up on the agenda will be proposed changes to the Minnesota Independence Party Constitution.
The second order of business will be to fill an open at-large position on the State Party Executive Committee. The newly elected Executive Committee member will serve until next year's convention when all at-large representatives will be up for election. If you are interested or i you have any questions please contact our State Party Director Kari Johnson-Robinson at karijohnson.robinsonip@gmail.com or 612-290-4296.
At the lunch break you are encouraged to remain on campus and meet IP candidates including our gubenatorial candidates! Please note that the only lunch available on campus will be the box lunches that must be pre-ordered by the IP. Box lunches are $10.00 each (turkey, tuna or egg salad sandwich). You can purchase your box lunch online or send a check with your order to the MNIP at PO BOX 40495, St. Paul, MN 55104. Please remember to include your sandwich selection on your check.
This is a great opportunity to make a small contribution to support the cost of this convention. Unlike the other parties, the IP remains free of special interest money and our convention is funded solely by your contribution. Consider sending an additional $5.00 with your box lunch order or make a contribution separately here.
Following lunch, we will begin consideration of candidates who are competing for the Independence Party endorsement! We will hear from canddiates for Governor first. All authorized delegates and alternates will cast their votes. Following the endorsements, the convention will adjourn.
The 2010 Independence Party State Convention will be held on Saturday, May 8th at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, Minnesota. The Convention Schedule is:
•9:00-10:00am Registration
•10:00am Call to order (Proposed convention rules.)
•12:00-1:00pm - Lunch break (You must order box lunch before May 5th! Order Online!)
•1:00 pm Resume Convention Business
•4:30pm (or earlier) Adjourn
First up on the agenda will be proposed changes to the Minnesota Independence Party Constitution.
The second order of business will be to fill an open at-large position on the State Party Executive Committee. The newly elected Executive Committee member will serve until next year's convention when all at-large representatives will be up for election. If you are interested or i you have any questions please contact our State Party Director Kari Johnson-Robinson at karijohnson.robinsonip@gmail.com or 612-290-4296.
At the lunch break you are encouraged to remain on campus and meet IP candidates including our gubenatorial candidates! Please note that the only lunch available on campus will be the box lunches that must be pre-ordered by the IP. Box lunches are $10.00 each (turkey, tuna or egg salad sandwich). You can purchase your box lunch online or send a check with your order to the MNIP at PO BOX 40495, St. Paul, MN 55104. Please remember to include your sandwich selection on your check.
This is a great opportunity to make a small contribution to support the cost of this convention. Unlike the other parties, the IP remains free of special interest money and our convention is funded solely by your contribution. Consider sending an additional $5.00 with your box lunch order or make a contribution separately here.
Following lunch, we will begin consideration of candidates who are competing for the Independence Party endorsement! We will hear from canddiates for Governor first. All authorized delegates and alternates will cast their votes. Following the endorsements, the convention will adjourn.
I will be at Minnesota Republican State Convention
I will be at Minnesota Republican State Convention tomorrow, more likely do live tweet because I am not sure if there will be wireless capabilities at the Minneapolis Convention Center due to don’t want to have similar problem when I was in Duluth last weekend when there is no wireless internet access.
I won’t be staying during whole time because in between I have to run over to St. Paul for a meeting on possible promotion at my Capitol job. I plan to be at the convention before and after the meeting.
I am putting my party line aside and be nonpartisan because I want to give fair reading to Republicans and I don’t play favorites when covering stories. I am trying to give Republicans chance to see their stories on my blog. I also do have some friends and co workers who are Republicans and they have right to enjoy the blog as well.
I also do enjoy networking with political junkies at political conventions or events so that is other reason why I am going to Minnesota Republican State Convention.
If you have Twitter, follow me at mncapitolgirl
I won’t be staying during whole time because in between I have to run over to St. Paul for a meeting on possible promotion at my Capitol job. I plan to be at the convention before and after the meeting.
I am putting my party line aside and be nonpartisan because I want to give fair reading to Republicans and I don’t play favorites when covering stories. I am trying to give Republicans chance to see their stories on my blog. I also do have some friends and co workers who are Republicans and they have right to enjoy the blog as well.
I also do enjoy networking with political junkies at political conventions or events so that is other reason why I am going to Minnesota Republican State Convention.
If you have Twitter, follow me at mncapitolgirl
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Minnesota Republican State Convention Details
Here are some details of Minnesota Republican State Convention in case if anyone are interested in going. It will be held at Minneapolis Convention Center.
State Convention Draft Agenda
Subject to Change
Thursday, April 29, 2010
6:30 p.m. Opening Ceremonies
Presentation of Colors
National Anthem
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation
Call to Order
Credentials Committee Report
Rules Committee Report
Credentials Committee Report
Nominating Committee Report – State Auditor
Endorsement for State Auditor
Platform Committee Report
Friday, April 30, 2010
9:00 a.m. Call to Order
National Anthem
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation
Project Phoenix Update
Volunteer of the Year Awards
Credentials Committee Report
Nominating Committee Report – Governor
Endorsement for Governor
Continuation of Platform Committee Report
Credentials Committee Report
Nominating Committee Report – Attorney General
Endorsement for Attorney General
Nominating Committee Report – Secretary of State
Endorsement for Secretary of State
Saturday, May 1, 2010
9:00 a.m. Call to Order
National Anthem
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation
Unity Rally
Credentials Committee Report
Local Elected Official of the Year Award
Reports from Party Officers
Judicial Elections Committee Report
Completion of the Platform Committee Report
Constitution Committee Report
Other Business
Adjournment
Convention business, including any committee report and reports from Party Officers, may be considered at any time in the
course of the Convention where any lapse in the agenda or delay for the counting of votes permits.
Reports by Party Officers and speeches by congressional candidates, House Minority Leader Kurt Zellers, Senate Minority Leader
Dave Senjem, Congressman John Kline, Congressman Erik Paulsen, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, Governor Tim Pawlenty
and other distinguished guests will be inserted into the Convention at the discretion of the Convention Co-chairs per the rules
Minnesota Republican State Convention Website
State Convention Draft Agenda
Subject to Change
Thursday, April 29, 2010
6:30 p.m. Opening Ceremonies
Presentation of Colors
National Anthem
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation
Call to Order
Credentials Committee Report
Rules Committee Report
Credentials Committee Report
Nominating Committee Report – State Auditor
Endorsement for State Auditor
Platform Committee Report
Friday, April 30, 2010
9:00 a.m. Call to Order
National Anthem
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation
Project Phoenix Update
Volunteer of the Year Awards
Credentials Committee Report
Nominating Committee Report – Governor
Endorsement for Governor
Continuation of Platform Committee Report
Credentials Committee Report
Nominating Committee Report – Attorney General
Endorsement for Attorney General
Nominating Committee Report – Secretary of State
Endorsement for Secretary of State
Saturday, May 1, 2010
9:00 a.m. Call to Order
National Anthem
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation
Unity Rally
Credentials Committee Report
Local Elected Official of the Year Award
Reports from Party Officers
Judicial Elections Committee Report
Completion of the Platform Committee Report
Constitution Committee Report
Other Business
Adjournment
Convention business, including any committee report and reports from Party Officers, may be considered at any time in the
course of the Convention where any lapse in the agenda or delay for the counting of votes permits.
Reports by Party Officers and speeches by congressional candidates, House Minority Leader Kurt Zellers, Senate Minority Leader
Dave Senjem, Congressman John Kline, Congressman Erik Paulsen, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, Governor Tim Pawlenty
and other distinguished guests will be inserted into the Convention at the discretion of the Convention Co-chairs per the rules
Minnesota Republican State Convention Website
Fla. Gov. to Run as Independent in Senate Race
(Fox News Channel) - Fla. Gov. Charlie Crist will leave the Republican party and run as an Independent in the Florida Senate race, Fox News reported Wednesday.
Crist is set to make an official announcement at 5pm ET Thursday in St. Petersburg, Fla.
The Florida governor has said that under no circumstances would he drop out of the race, saying he will do what is best for the voters of Florida.
Crist said that Republicans in Washington want him to stay in the Republican party but voters in Florida have told him they want him to run as an Independent, Fox News reported.
Speculation that the more moderate Crist would leave the Republican party had mounted in recent weeks as his Republican challenger, former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio took a commanding lead in polls and received the endorsement of Republican heavyweights such as 2008 presidential hopefuls Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney and former Vice President Dick Cheney.
Crist's campaign and the governor's office have not officially confirmed the move.
Crist is set to make an official announcement at 5pm ET Thursday in St. Petersburg, Fla.
The Florida governor has said that under no circumstances would he drop out of the race, saying he will do what is best for the voters of Florida.
Crist said that Republicans in Washington want him to stay in the Republican party but voters in Florida have told him they want him to run as an Independent, Fox News reported.
Speculation that the more moderate Crist would leave the Republican party had mounted in recent weeks as his Republican challenger, former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio took a commanding lead in polls and received the endorsement of Republican heavyweights such as 2008 presidential hopefuls Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney and former Vice President Dick Cheney.
Crist's campaign and the governor's office have not officially confirmed the move.
Pictures from 2010 Annual Senate Potluck
I attended 2010 Annual Senate Potluck yesterday since I work at the Capitol and here are some pictures I took.
State Rep. Phil Sterner Capitol Update; April 28, 2010
Dear Friends,
I’m always impressed by the talent and ingenuity of District 196 students. Whether it’s the award winning marching band at RHS or the championship speech teams at Eastview High School, our students consistently outperform students across the state and the nation.
Rosemount High School Students Kristen Farris, Mackenzie Carlson, Alex Norris, Casey Tousignant and Dave Iverson are examples of this creativity. The five are finalists in the national Ford-sponsored Belt it OUT! competition. If selected as the winning entry, each student will win a $5000 scholarship to further their education. You can read their story by clicking on the link below, and more importantly, you can cast your vote for them.
The key to Minnesota’s economic success lies in a strong system of education. We’re lucky to have some of the best schools in the nation in Minnesota and some of the finest in the state right here in District 196. Best of luck to Kristen, Mackenzie, Alex, Casey and Dave, and congratulations to all of the bright and hardworking District 196 students – we’re proud of you!
Sincerely,
-Phil
State Representative Phil Sterner
523 State Office Building
St. Paul, MN 55155
(651) 296-4306
rep.phil.sterner@house.mn
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RHS students finalists in national Ford video contest
Five Rosemount High School students hope a catchy tune about seatbelt use and safety behind the wheel will earn them $5,000 each to put toward college. Win or lose, though, all of the students agree this is the most fun they’ve ever had with a scholarship application.
http://www.rosemounttownpages.com/event/article/id/24494/
I’m always impressed by the talent and ingenuity of District 196 students. Whether it’s the award winning marching band at RHS or the championship speech teams at Eastview High School, our students consistently outperform students across the state and the nation.
Rosemount High School Students Kristen Farris, Mackenzie Carlson, Alex Norris, Casey Tousignant and Dave Iverson are examples of this creativity. The five are finalists in the national Ford-sponsored Belt it OUT! competition. If selected as the winning entry, each student will win a $5000 scholarship to further their education. You can read their story by clicking on the link below, and more importantly, you can cast your vote for them.
The key to Minnesota’s economic success lies in a strong system of education. We’re lucky to have some of the best schools in the nation in Minnesota and some of the finest in the state right here in District 196. Best of luck to Kristen, Mackenzie, Alex, Casey and Dave, and congratulations to all of the bright and hardworking District 196 students – we’re proud of you!
Sincerely,
-Phil
State Representative Phil Sterner
523 State Office Building
St. Paul, MN 55155
(651) 296-4306
rep.phil.sterner@house.mn
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RHS students finalists in national Ford video contest
Five Rosemount High School students hope a catchy tune about seatbelt use and safety behind the wheel will earn them $5,000 each to put toward college. Win or lose, though, all of the students agree this is the most fun they’ve ever had with a scholarship application.
http://www.rosemounttownpages.com/event/article/id/24494/
Behind the DFL scenes: Inside Thissen’s war room
by Betsy Sundquist, Politics in Minnesota
April 23,2010
Carrie Lucking warns a visitor before she leads the way through the doors that the smell is not pleasant
In fact, the word she uses is “rancid.”
Paul Thissen’s “war room” – which doubles as a hockey locker room when the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center isn’t bursting at the seams with DFLers – is still filled with sweaty hockey uniforms and other gear, most of it concealed behind black curtains set up by convention center staff.
Although the smell isn’t as easily eradicated as the hockey players who normally frequent the room, the volunteers and staff members filling the space this weekend have learned pretty quickly to ignore the distraction and buckle down to the task at hand: getting four-term state Rep. Thissen endorsed by the DFL as its chosen candidate to run for governor. (Arguably, political staffers and volunteers are one of the only groups of people more accustomed to working under occasionally rancid conditions than journalists.)
Thissen is generally considered the candidate poised to benefit if the two front-runners – Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher – deadlock in tomorrow’s endorsement battle or if either of them falters during the process.
“Here’s the scary, scary boys’ bathroom,” says Lucking, the Thissen campaign’s communications director, ushering a visitor past the campaign’s data bank, where six members of Thissen’s technical team are performing real-time data updates during the convention. “But look – there’s a sauna!”
The tech team members receive messages from the convention floor on changes in delegate identifications and are able to instantly enter them into a database. Lucking says Thissen’s isn’t the only gubernatorial campaign with a backstage data bank, but she believes it’s the one making the best use of technology this weekend.
This is also where Thissen’s “persuasion team” has set up shop. The campaign receives requests and questions from delegates on the floor on small cards marked “Thissen Persuasion.” One side of the card is filled out with information about the delegate (or alternate delegate), including his or her congressional district (and where he or she can be located on the floor), the subject of the issue and a description; the issue is also designated “tier 1” or “tier 2.” If it’s a tier 1 issue, either Thissen or his wife Karen handles it; all tier 2 requests are assigned to whatever member of the persuasion team specializes in the applicable issue.
The other side of the card has spaces for the “persuader” to make notes and record the outcome of the contact.
According to Lucking, the campaign had completed 300 “persuasions” by midday Friday.
Many of Thissen’s volunteers are family members of staffers. Terrie Vitali, whose daughter, Gia Vitali, is managing Thissen’s campaign, was stationed outside the entrance to the war room Friday afternoon, making sure anyone who entered was authorized to do so (and was wearing one of the obligatory green bracelets that identified them as a member of the inner circle).
Thissen has more than 100 people working on his behalf behind the scenes, and another 100 on the convention floor, Lucking says. “It’s amazing how when people meet Paul, they want to help,” she says. “There’s a lot of momentum here.”
How will that momentum translate into delegate support? Tune in tomorrow.
April 23,2010
Carrie Lucking warns a visitor before she leads the way through the doors that the smell is not pleasant
In fact, the word she uses is “rancid.”
Paul Thissen’s “war room” – which doubles as a hockey locker room when the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center isn’t bursting at the seams with DFLers – is still filled with sweaty hockey uniforms and other gear, most of it concealed behind black curtains set up by convention center staff.
Although the smell isn’t as easily eradicated as the hockey players who normally frequent the room, the volunteers and staff members filling the space this weekend have learned pretty quickly to ignore the distraction and buckle down to the task at hand: getting four-term state Rep. Thissen endorsed by the DFL as its chosen candidate to run for governor. (Arguably, political staffers and volunteers are one of the only groups of people more accustomed to working under occasionally rancid conditions than journalists.)
Thissen is generally considered the candidate poised to benefit if the two front-runners – Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher – deadlock in tomorrow’s endorsement battle or if either of them falters during the process.
“Here’s the scary, scary boys’ bathroom,” says Lucking, the Thissen campaign’s communications director, ushering a visitor past the campaign’s data bank, where six members of Thissen’s technical team are performing real-time data updates during the convention. “But look – there’s a sauna!”
The tech team members receive messages from the convention floor on changes in delegate identifications and are able to instantly enter them into a database. Lucking says Thissen’s isn’t the only gubernatorial campaign with a backstage data bank, but she believes it’s the one making the best use of technology this weekend.
This is also where Thissen’s “persuasion team” has set up shop. The campaign receives requests and questions from delegates on the floor on small cards marked “Thissen Persuasion.” One side of the card is filled out with information about the delegate (or alternate delegate), including his or her congressional district (and where he or she can be located on the floor), the subject of the issue and a description; the issue is also designated “tier 1” or “tier 2.” If it’s a tier 1 issue, either Thissen or his wife Karen handles it; all tier 2 requests are assigned to whatever member of the persuasion team specializes in the applicable issue.
The other side of the card has spaces for the “persuader” to make notes and record the outcome of the contact.
According to Lucking, the campaign had completed 300 “persuasions” by midday Friday.
Many of Thissen’s volunteers are family members of staffers. Terrie Vitali, whose daughter, Gia Vitali, is managing Thissen’s campaign, was stationed outside the entrance to the war room Friday afternoon, making sure anyone who entered was authorized to do so (and was wearing one of the obligatory green bracelets that identified them as a member of the inner circle).
Thissen has more than 100 people working on his behalf behind the scenes, and another 100 on the convention floor, Lucking says. “It’s amazing how when people meet Paul, they want to help,” she says. “There’s a lot of momentum here.”
How will that momentum translate into delegate support? Tune in tomorrow.
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