Monthly Archive for July, 2007

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AmericaBlog: Bachmann Compares Saddam’s Palace to MOA

by Matt Martin | 25 Comments

Not sure how I missed this one, but luckily John Aravosis from AmericaBlog saw it himself. Bachmann said this in the huge Star Tribune write-up this Sunday:

The congressional delegation met with Gen. David Petraeus, the top commander in Iraq, in one of Saddam Hussein’s palaces.

What was the palace like?

“It’s absolutely huge,” she said. “I turned to my colleagues and said there’s a commonality with the Mall of America, in that it’s on that proportion. There’s marble everywhere. The other thing I remarked about was there is water everywhere. He had man-made lakes all around his personal palace — one for fishing, one for boating.”

Aravosis compiled a comparison sheet:

Mallofamericabaghdad

July 25, 2007, 1:53 pm | Category: CD6 | Tags: .

Franken found to have more Minnesotan Donors than Coleman; MN GOP found to have foot in it’s mouth

by Matt Martin | 1 Comment
July 25, 2007, 1:39 pm | Category: MN 2008: Senate and Misc. Local Politics | Tags: , .

More Trouble At Carey Camp

by Matt Martin | 2 Comments

Carey2When Ron Carey was reelected as GOP Party Chairman we here at MN Publius couldn’t have been happier. After all, who else could have secured so many MN GOP defeats across the state while producing internal scandal after scandal after scandal after scandal? Well, the fun times keep rolling over at the MN GOP HQ as they close in on facing an audit. In fact, GOP party insiders seem to be so concerned about the state of their party that Joe Repya sent a letter to Ron Carey calling for an audit:

Repya asked the governor to arrange for an independent external audit of state GOP finances and leadership.
…
In letters to Pawlenty and party activists, Repya referred to a June 3 story in the Star Tribune that reported on departures of state GOP staff members who complained that the party had misused employee retirement money and improperly reported its finances. Both letters, dated Thursday, were obtained by the Star Tribune.

Repya warned that the party’s image was suffering because of the allegations.

“We can not survive the 2008 election season if this party’s Chair continues to be accused of wrongdoing,” Repya wrote Pawlenty.

Don’t look for this internal turmoil to be reported by the state’s most well-known GOP blogger because it looks like he’s on the inside:

Michael Brodkorb, Carey’s campaign manager during the race for chairman, dismissed the proposal for a bipartisan investigation as “laughable.”

July 25, 2007, 12:53 pm | Category: Misc. Local Politics |

BREAKING: COLEMAN’S APPROVAL RATING FALLS TO 43%

by Matt Martin | 4 Comments

Colemanapp Disapp
Illustrating the public’s rapidly waning satisfactions with the senior Senator from Minnesota, Norm Coleman’s approval ratings have actually fallen to a stunning low of 43% according to a newly released poll from SurveyUSA. For any incumbent politician to be posting approval ratings this low in an election year spells big trouble for their reelection effort.

What’s more, Coleman’s overall approval/disapproval has fallen into negative territory! With a mind-bogglingly high disapproval rating of 48%, Coleman is actually net negative by 5%!!! Gil Gutknecht didn’t hit these low of numbers until around March of the election year and look how well his reelection campaign went… For Coleman to be this low this early is, well, insane.

I have been saying for some time now that once Minnesotans get to know Norm Coleman better through the onslaught of coverage that inevitably follows a spotlight Senate race his approval ratings will start dropping precipitously. Given that this is one set of data rather early on in the race, we certainly cannot say that these numbers are evidence of that prediction being borne out. But, at the same time, it is interesting that these numbers are as low as they are shortly after Franken purchased a major ad campaign criticizing Norm’s war stance.

This may be an early wake-up call for Coleman and given the low that this is I have to assume that they will recover slightly between now and January ‘08. But if this is a preview of what happens when Minnesotans get to know Norm Coleman then this is going to be a very fun race.

Credit for the graphic goes to SurveyUSA

July 25, 2007, 12:23 pm | Category: MN 2008: Senate | Tags: , .

Schumer Lays the Smack Down on Gonzales

by Matt Martin | 1 Comment

This is Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) questioning Attorney General Alberto Gonzales yesterday. I’m sure many of you have seen this already (I saw it originally on Think Progress which everyone should be reading everyday) but it’s simply to amazing not to post. It would be funny if it weren’t so frightening how incompetent Gonzales is… well, it’s still a little funny:

As Sean noted earlier this week, we seem to be having difficulties posting YouTube videos. So, you’ll just have to go to the YouTube page to watch.

July 25, 2007, 12:04 pm | Category: Misc. National Politics |

Pfeilsticker Wins!

by Sean Broom | 5 Comments

If you’ve ever been curious as to how full of elephant poo Mike Michael Brodkorb is, look no further than this post…

I’ve spoken with a few Democrats down in HD 28B and this primary could be close.

Ladies and Gentleman with nearly 90% of the vote — 

LINDA PFEILSTICKER WINS!

Let me make this perfectly clear. I am not saying that with 90% of the vote reported, Linda Pfeilsticker wins the primary election; I’m saying that Linda Pfeilsticker recieved nearly 90% of the vote in 28B in the primary election!

But we aren’t done yet. To make Michael Brodkorb eat his words, and to give Marty “Smarmy” Seifert one less seat Linda Pfeildsticker needs your help in the general election!!

Contact her campaign here.

She needs your support. I’m hoping to make it down this weekend to doorknock for her, if I can’t I’ll spend a few nights next week phone banking for her. The change we advocate for, the change we want to see needs action, not just words on a blog. Contact the Pfeisticker campaign and volunteer just a few hours, it could make the difference.

 

July 24, 2007, 11:15 pm | Category: MN State House | Tags: .

A Reality Check

by Matt Martin | 22 Comments
July 24, 2007, 6:40 pm | Category: Misc. National Politics |

A Little Bit On the Debate

by Sean Broom | 24 Comments

73987184.jpg

Cheers! CNN/YouTube : This was way less crazy thany I thought it was going to be!

Cheers! John Edwards : The Hair Video! It was awesome! Of all the candidates you made a video that was funny, topical, and poignant. And you laughed at yourself! Good job JRE.

Jeers :( John Edwards : That question about how you’re wife thought you’d be better for womens rights than HRC? Smile that bajillion-watt million dollar smile and say that you’re wife is biased. Your answer seemed to be grasping a little hard at straws that could have just bent for you with charm.

Cheers! Bill Richardson : You seemed way less grandstanding and creepy than you had previously! Keep it up buddy.

Cheers! Hillary Clinton : You are still the front-runner, for good reason.

Jeers :( Mike Gravel : I’d like to have Thanksgiving dinner with you. I can imagine it now. You’d be a little tippled by the time the Football started, you’d tell great stories about Korea/Nam/the skeezy years in Asbury Park, over dinner. But dude — there is no place for two crazy uncles in the run for the White House. And Ron Paul is way more interesting than you are.

Cheers! Joe Biden : You haven’t been the best Biden you could be, but you’ve been a refreshing breath of sensibility and experience in the last two debates in matters of foreign policy. Specifically the passion you’ve shown over Darfur is amazing.

Comments: Todays debate, more so than any of the ones that have come before it showed Barack Obama for the candidate that he really is. So far he has served as a blank slate. On him many people project their hopes and their guilt, he is the panacea to any lingering racial doubts and his positive message is positive enough to make you warm and fuzzy inside, but nebulous enough that you aren’t quite sure he’s so excited about.

Todays debate served as evidence to the fact that Barack Obama isn’t as liberal as some Democrats would like him to be, and as many Republicans portray him. His economic policy is fairest and most sensible of any candidate in the race (Republican, or Democrat). He showed in discussing his health care policy that he operates in a sensible pro-market arena without being some HMO loving Republican. His answers on Iraq acknowledged the reality of the situation on the ground and the reality of America’s interest.

Barack Obama’s endorsement from Ted Sorensen is fitting — a compelling argument can be made that JFK was the most moderate Democrat to occupy the White House — at least since Truman, but possibly ever; and Barack Obama is much closer to JFK in the political spectrum than he is to Jimmy Carter or Lyndon Johnson. I’m still a John Edwards supporter, but Obama’s policies are sensible and his potential is enticing to people throughout America, not just in the liberal elite — so I’m keeping my options open.

July 23, 2007, 10:52 pm | Category: White House '08 | Tags: , , .

My Throwing Stars and Numchucks Will Make You The Mayor of Pain!

by Sean Broom | 3 Comments

janetrenodanceparty.jpgJanet Reno: the next Barry Gordy?

On September 18th a three disc set of songs from American history entitled “Song Of America” will be released. Spearheaded by Janet Reno, the project features Devendra Banhart, John Wesley Harding, Johnny “Cougar” Mellencamp, and a personal favorite, The Blind Boys of Alabama.

J-Ro had this to say about the project,

“The historical detail of the songs fascinated me and I suggested that Ed [Pettersen] record a whole album of songs focusing on key periods in American history, in order to tell our story to young people who might find joy in learning history through music.”

But really the only reason why I wanted to post this was to be able to post this video.
Janet Reno’s Dance Party

Update: I wanted to embed the video in the post. But it appears I can’t do that. I figure it must be a plot by Matt. And ain’t that just how it is? Those patrician blue-bloods always trying to consolidate their power while keeping you down.

July 23, 2007, 9:48 am | Category: Misc. Local Politics |

Sorenson Endorses Obama

by Zack Stephenson | 2 Comments

For those of us in the JFK/RFK admiring crowd, an endorsement by Ted Sorenson, the former Kennedy aide and guardian of the Camelot legacy, carries some weight. Apparently Sorenson endorsed Barack Obama some time ago, I guess I missed it. But he just published an article in The New Republic that is worth a read.

July 21, 2007, 12:42 pm | Category: White House '08 | Tags: .

Scandal Downstream: Fischbach’s Pay to Play Scheme

by Zack Stephenson | 4 Comments

I was reading the Clarion Ledger today when I stumbled across an interesting story.

Michelle Fischbach is a member of the Minnesota Senate. Her husband, Scott, is Executive Director of Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life. He is also, apparently, a board member of Mississippi Right to Life. In fact, Fischbach is so involved in Mississippi Right to Life, a spokesperson said that he is “the real backbone of our organization.”

Mississippi Right to Life recently endorsed State Sen. Charlie Ross for Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi. The other candidate, Mississippi State Auditor Phil Bryant, is also pro-life. In fact, the spokesperson for Mississippi Right to Life said that:

“All three candidates are pro-life. That will be on our Web site along with the information on all the other candidates that we sent questionnaires to. Jamie Franks and Charlie Ross both have pro-life voting records for these last four years. Phil Bryant did in the past when he was in the Legislature. All three of them have been endorsed by the PAC. This makes them all equal.”

So why did Ross get the endorsement?

Mississippi Right to Life said that Ross is “the best candidate for lieutenant governor from a right-to-life stand point.”

But then there is this…

Earlier this month, the Ross campaign reported $7,261 in total payments to [Scott] Fischbach’s Coalition Productions, Inc., firm. Ross said he hired Fischbach because “he’s worked in the past for Haley Barbour, Amy Tuck, Kirk Fordice and a lot of other successful Republican candidates.”

Ross said he was not aware that Fischbach was on the board of Mississippi Right to Life when he hired him prior to getting the group’s endorsement.

Both Fischbach and Ross claim the endorsement wasn’t quid pro quo for the consulting fees.

But a March 10, 2007, memo from Fischbach to Bryant paints a different picture. In that memo, which Fischbach confirmed, he said: “This race is going to be decided in the next 120 days and I want to do my part to ensure your victory.” Bryant didn’t hire him.

Fischbach said that despite his offer to Bryant, his hiring by Ross had nothing to do with Ross getting the endorsement.

July 20, 2007, 5:12 pm | Category: MN State Senate | Tags: .

My Last Day

by Zack Stephenson | 30 Comments

Today was my last day at the House DFL Caucus. I am leaving to attend law school at the University of Virginia.

When I returned to this blog in February, I said I wouldn’t be blogging about the Legislature while they were in session. Though we’re been out of session for two months now, I have tried to avoid writing about the Legislature (except for a few posts about Legislative endorsements). Anyway, I’m unemployed now so all bets are off!

July 20, 2007, 4:30 pm | Category: MN State House |

AP Reports on Bush/Coleman War Ad

by Matt Martin | 16 Comments
July 20, 2007, 3:08 pm | Category: MN 2008: Senate | Tags: , .

Kline to face Iraq Vet?

by Matt Martin | 7 Comments

SarviI haven’t had time to post on this until now, but what a race this would be:

In what could be an intriguing political matchup next year, a National Guardsman with 20 years in the service under his belt is likely to take on Second District GOP Rep. John Kline, a three-term incumbent whose 25 year career in the Marines has been central to his political profile.

Sgt. 1st Class Steve Sarvi, who is demobilizing at Fort McCoy, Wis., this week after serving with the Minnesota Guard in Iraq, is leaning toward making the bid, according to his father, Al Sarvi.

“There’s nothing official yet, but we’re all pretty excited about it,” the elder Sarvi said Wednesday. “Because he’s still in the service, he can’t file, collect money or look for support yet.”

Working in Iraq since April 2006 on the Army’s reconstruction efforts, Sarvi, 42, is due to arrive home in Victoria on Friday and will be released from the service in a month, his father said. [Star Tribune, 7/18/07]

As much as John Kline is very much a toe-the-line Bush Republican, the 2nd will be tough in 2008 no matter how Iraq looks at that point. That being said, I think running Sarvi there represents the best match I could even dream of. Given his recent tour and admirable record of service, Sarvi would be nearly impossible for Kline to challenge in his typically pro-military way. Moreover, vets have proven to be formidable Democratic contenders in GOP strongholds across the nation. One only needs to look to our very own 1st district to see an example of that success.

Tip of the hat to Inside Minnesota Politics where you can find additional information on Sarvi, the above image, and listen to an interview with Sergeant.

July 20, 2007, 12:24 pm | Category: CD2 | Tags: , .

Worth 1000 Words

by Matt Martin | 69 Comments
July 20, 2007, 12:06 pm | Category: Misc. National Politics |