In a welcome departure from Michele Bachmann’s fear-mongering, Amy Klobuchar is asking all Minnesotans to follow the law and
fill out the census:
As you know, Bachmann has aggressively crusaded against the Census as an unconstitutional invasion of privacy.
Klobuchar, by contrast, is urging Minnesotans to fill it out — for their own good. “The Census has a profound impact on Minnesota’s communities,” said Klobuchar in a statement given to Minnesota press by her office. “It’s important that every Minnesotan is counted, so we get our fair share of congressional seats and federal funding.”
I still can’t even believe this is a topic of discussion. I just hope Bachmann’s latest loony crusade doesn’t cost Minnesota a congressional seat, not to mention millions of dollars in federal funding.
Amy Klobuchar has authored a small, simple proposal which will eventually save millions of dollars. I think it’s the sort of common-sense, attention-to-details legislation we need to see more of. It’s also a great example of spending a bit of money upfront to save money and hassle in the future.
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar has introduced legislation that would require the installation of underground broadband conduit in any federally-funded transportation project.
The Minnesota Democrat says the conduit would house fiber optic cables that carry high-speed communications.
During a news conference today in St. Louis Park, Klobuchar said 90 percent of the current cost of broadband installation comes from digging up and repairing roads.
Once again, incredible simple. Yes, it will add a couple of days to construction project, and it will add a bit to costs. But think of all the money and frustration it will save when we don’t have to dig up those roads a few years from now.
This isn’t an earth-shattering proposal, and that’s not such a bad thing. I wish more of our legislators were focused on making these small “tweaks” that save money and make government operate more efficiently.
Check out this list of
potential nominees from the SCOTUS Blog, see anyone you know? (emphasis mine):
My bet is that - this early on - it’s a big and diverse list. It would have some very well known judges (for example, Diane Wood and Sonia Sotomayor), academics (Elena Kagan (now Solicitor General), Pam Karlan, and Kathleen Sullivan), and politicians (Jennifer Granholm, Amy Klobuchar, Claire McCaskill, and Janet Napolitano).
Given, it comes with this disclaimer by Tom Goldstein, “people will talk about a ‘short list.’ They have no idea what they are talking about,” but it’s still fun to see Amy’s name on the list, no matter how much of a long-shot it may be.
Incidentally, the NYTimes has an interesting article about how homogenous the backgrounds of the USSC Justices have become in recent years (Circuit Judge from the Northeast), and how a-typical this is historically. It’s call for a more diverse court in terms of experience is fairly persuasive. And, hey, how about a highly-regarded Senator from the midwest with tons of hands-on experience with the criminal justice system? Just sayin’….
Two must reads:
The New York Times profiles our senior/junior/only Senator, Amy Klobuchar…
With only one senator to inundate with advice, to seek help from, or to complain about, six times as many people are calling Ms. Klobuchar’s offices than before the election. A new telephone system was installed in her Washington office so calls could be routed to more staff members, not just to the front desk, where the ringing never seemed to stop.
And Ms. Klobuchar’s meetings with advocacy groups — like those trying to cure diseases, help injured soldiers, or support ethnic groups in Minnesota — are up 30 percent.
And Doug Grow profiles Stephanie Schriock, Al Franken’s campaign manager:
Schriock, 36, a graduate of Mankato State University, is one of the political operatives most in demand in the country. Since late last spring, she’s been the Franken campaign manager and has helped direct the campaign’s massive — and detailed — recount effort.
“She’s just a rock,” said Franken. He paused. He couldn’t contain himself. “A Sch-riock.”
Amy Klobuchar starts the 111th Congress as the 82nd most senior member of the United States Senate. That’s a big improvement from where she was as a freshman (98th) but she’s still got a long way to go. Nevertheless, her seniority was good enough to earn her the gavel in two subcommittees. Klobuchar will be Chair of the Children’s Health Subcommittee of the Environment and Public Works Committee as well as Chair of the Subcommittee on Competitiveness, Innovation, and Export Promotion in the Senate Commerce Committee.
Congratulations to our state’s Senior Senator.
A
piece in the Star Tribune this morning clarifies a number of questions people may have regarding the next two weeks:
Although state law gives the governor power to fill a Senate vacancy, most think Gov. Tim Pawlenty would likely have no role, or inclination, to plug the gap. The Senate must first declare the seat vacant, some experts say, and it is unlikely to do so amid an ongoing election dispute.
The governor’s office last week said Pawlenty had the authority to appoint a senator only in the case of a permanent vacancy and did not view a temporary gap caused by the recount as applicable.
Amy Klobuchar chimes in as well. It’s the first time I’ve seen her quoted about what might happen and it is worth noting she may play a key role:
Regarding the length of a vacancy, Klobuchar said she believes there is still “a good possibility” that the Canvassing Board will finish up by Jan. 6 and even a better chance that Minnesota will have a new senator a week or so later.
“If the Canvassing Board declares a winner, that should be our senator,” she said, even if a court challenge were to follow. “[The Senate] could seat a senator pending the litigation.”
The way it’s looking now is that when all the ballots are counted and the results certified, Al Franken will likely be our next Senator and will be seated as our Seantor. Team Coleman is likely preparing multiple new ways to try to contest the results as their current ideas (e.g. “there’s duplicate ballots”, “Mark Ritchie is a communist”, “the Canvassing Board is biased”) have been baseless.
Read the whole story at the Star Tribune.
Team Coleman, in their continual efforts to politicize the recount efforts have put out a press release today putting question to the fluctuating numbers that some in the press and on
Twitter are treating like media catnip.
To attack the hardworking men and women in every county in Minnesota dedicated to delivering an accurate election is a move that I think will backfire for Norm Coleman.
Finding errors and correcting them is normal as counts are verified and more importantly it has no effect on the final numbers for the recount. Secretary of State Mark Ritchie gave answers to this question and a number of other questions about the recount and the current fluctuations today on MPR’s Midday. Bob Collins also has a recap.
For example: let’s rewind to 2006. When 100% of the precincts were reported the day after the election, major media outlets reported the same numbers the Secretary of State had: Mark Kennedy had 839,173 votes and Amy Klobuchar had 1,279,515 votes. By the time the voting was certified, the new totals were 835,653 and 1,278,849, a difference of 3520 votes for Kennedy and a difference of 666 votes for Klobuchar.
For Coleman to freak out over a fully reported 100 vote typo by filing a “data practices request” is a true waste of money and time. The fluctuations are normal. Team Coleman should sit tight until both the results are certified and stop trying to scare voters into thinking the system is flawed.
See if you can follow me in this game of musical committee chairs:
The current chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee is Sen. Robert Byrd. Byrd is 91 and rumors are swirling that he will be replaced this year by Sen. Daniel Inouye (a sprightly 84). That would mean that Inouye would have to give up his spot as chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, which would go to Sen. Jay Rockefeller. Rockefeller, in turn, would have to be replaced as chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee - a position that would go to Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Feinstein is currently chair of the Rules Committee and that seat would go to Sen. Chuck Schumer. Schumer is chair of the Joint Economic Committee. The next most senior Democrats are Sen. Edward Kennedy and Sen. Jeff Bingaman. But Kennedy is already chair of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and Bingaman is chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. That leaves our very own Amy Klobuchar as the most senior Democratic Senator on the Joint Economic Committee.
But, it turns out Amy won’t get the gavel after all. The Joint Economic Committee consists of members of both the House and the Senate and the Chair passes back and forth between the chambers each Congress. Because Sen. Schumer was the Chair last Congress, Rep. Carolyn Maloney will likely by the Chair this time around.
After
Al Franken and Keith Ellison campaigned together, Franken was traveling the southern part of the state yesterday in Winona, Rochester and Owatonna. This morning Amy Klobuchar spoke praises about Franken in a note to supporters:
I’ve gotten to know Al well as he’s traveled the state building a grassroots movement for change, and I know he’ll be a champion for Minnesota families in Washington.
On issues like health care, energy, the war in Iraq, and our economy here at home, Al will reject the failed policies of the Bush administration and fight for change. In fact, just today Al offered some bold, common-sense solutions to strengthen Minnesota’s schools. Al will never sell out to the special interests - he’ll stay loyal to Minnesotans and advocate everyday to help the middle class.
Today Franken is campaigning in Saint Paul, Saint Cloud, the Benton County Fairgrounds and Coon Rapids.
Updates: AP via WCCO, Pioneer Press, MPR.
From the Strib this morning
Ten months into the job, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar has won widespread approval among Minnesotans, with her strongest showings among women and older Minnesotans, a new Star Tribune Minnesota Poll has found.
At 61 percent, Klobuchar’s approval rating is the highest of any Minnesota senator this decade… ”
She was there for the bridge,” said Diane Moshier, 59, a pharmacy co-owner in Little Falls. “When something happens, she’s been here taking care of things and making sure there’s funds, trying to get things passed so the problem can be fixed.”
Amy Klobuchar has been a hard working Senator for all Minnesotans and her approval rating shows it.
Zack Adds:
Before any Republicans call this Amy’s “honeymoon” let me direct you to the Strib’s new political blog, McMemo, which points out that other freshmen Minnesota Senators didn’t get such high marks at this point in their term:
Norm Coleman, R: 12 months in (Jan. 2004) — 54 percent
Mark Dayton, D: 13 months in (Feb. 2002) — 46 percent
Rod Grams, R: 9 months in (Sept. 1995) — 37 percent
Paul Wellstone, D: 12 months in (Jan. 1992) 50 percent
Amy’s high marks are particularly impressive compared to these numbers because they come at a time when Congress’ approval rating as an institution at such a low point.
Survey USA just released new approval ratings for Minnesota’s Senators and Norm Coleman isn’t looking so hot. Only 46% of Minnesotans approve of his job performance, compared to 45% who disapprove. I don’t mean to be a broken record here, but any incumbent below 50% is in danger. More troubling for Norm is the fact that his approval among moderates is down to 41%, not good at all.
But don’t worry Norm, I have a foolproof plan to revitalize your polling numbers:
Be Amy Klobuchar.
Amy’s polling at her usual amazing levels - a phenomenal 62% approval with only 32% dissapproving. Looks like Minnesotans are happy with the choice they made last fall.
It didn’t seem to get a whole lot of play in the mainstream media, but our very own Amy Klobuchar was
one of just 28 Senators to vote “yes” yesterday on Reid-Feingold, a measure to put binding deadlines on the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.
I mention this because some in the liberal blogosphere have been criticizing Amy for her vote on the MoveOn resolution. This kind of stuff drives me crazy. The MoveOn resolution is fluff. It doesn’t mean anything. Its a political trap by the Republicans designed to make Democrats look bad. More to the point - the ad was stupid. It distracted attention away from the important issues surrounding the war and gave Republicans something to crow about, enabling them to avoid defending the war. For that reason alone the ad deserves to be condemned. Amy has, however, a better reason for voting against the ad:
“While Senator Klobuchar strongly disagrees with the direction the Administration is taking in Iraq, she has great respect for our men and women in uniform and their service to our country. As such, she did not feel the MoveOn.org ad was appropriate. Senator Klobuchar continues to believe that its time for a new direction in Iraq, and to begin bringing our troops home.”
People should focus on the stuff that matters. Amy is doing exactly what the people of Minnesota sent her to Washington to do: demand change. Perhaps that’s why her approval ratings have gone up and up.
I’ll write a separate post about the other MPR poll numbers released today, but I just wanted to highlight how popular Amy Klobuchar is with the people of Minnesota. Buried at the end of the
MPR story on their new poll numbers is this paragraph:
MPR pollsters also asked about voter perceptions of DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar. Klobuchar, who took office earlier this year, won “good” or “excellent” marks from 56 percent of the respondents. And the 9 percent who said Klobuchar is doing a “poor” job, is half of the 18 percent who gave Coleman a “poor” job performance rating.
Damn, that’s a good number. Survey USA has her in an even better position, with a 58% approval rating. Minnesotans must like her strong emphasis on congressional ethics and her work on global warming.
People Are Shouting
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