Delayed!

OK... the launch of the new site is going to be delayed a few hours, the countdown clock has been updated. This is taking way too much time, but I think it will be good for the home stretch through November.

Pawlenty to Make It Official

A Pawlenty Campaign Announcement is schedule for Wednesday morning.

Who: Governor Tim Pawlenty and Lt. Governor Carol Molnau What: Campaign Announcement When: Wednesday, May 31 - 8:30 a.m. Where: Governor Tim Pawlenty and Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau

Erlandson Announcement?

Courtesy of Checks & Balances.

Erlandson Announcement Due Today

We have it on good authority, former DFL Party Chair Mike Erlandson (D) will clearly state his intentions for the September Primary today. The notice will appear on his website http://mikeerlandson.com later in the day. As we stated previously we have concluded Erlandson will vie in the primary against DFL Endorsed candidate Keith Ellison, former state Senator Ember Reichgott Junge (D) and former Minneapolis City Council President Paul Ostrow (D).

Pick My Wife

Some of you may know, but to others this will be news. The SD63 DFL chair, Dave Weinlick, had is friends choose his wife some eight years ago. WCCO did a followup story on how the event and I learned something new. [Emphasis mine.]

Launching "The Campaign to Elect Mrs. David Weinlick," Weinlick's friends decided to elect their friend a bride using DFL convention rules.

There is not much substance here... I just thought it was interesting and related since he is the chair for the DFL of SD63.

SD63 - New and Improved!!!

OK, here goes, no turning back now. On June 1 I plan to launch the new and improved SD63. This site will have more features, possibly including a discussion board where you can post your own topics. I actually have not done a great deal of work on it yet, but I think I need to set a day just to force myself. So I picked June 1 because it is a good round number and it coincides with the MNGOP State Convention. I added a countdown above in red. Stay tuned...

C&B Says WWMED

Ellison is taking body blows and it looks like the path is clearing for a serious primary challenge for the endorsed candidate for CD-5. Here is the full text from Checks and Balances.

WWMED (What Will Mike Erlandson Do?) Accessing the Likelihood of an Erlandson Continued Candidacy After the DFL 5th Congressional District Endorsing Convention we asked former DFL party Chair Mike Erlandson (D) if we should remove his campaign advertisement from off of our site. At the time Erlandson said. “Leave it there until after I have decided what I plan to do.” It has now been 11 days and Erlandson has yet to state his intentions for September. We have spoke with him on a number of occasions and he has not provided a clear direction on his plans. We can confirm he has not raised any additional money for a campaign nor has he informed supporters he is moving forward. What is clear is his campaign organization is still intact and looks capable of restarting at anytime. The bevy of criticism against Rep. Keith Ellison (DFL-58B, Minneapolis) continues to grow. His past tax problems, ethical violations and other issues are being talked about within the confines of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. As Ellison’s political vulnerabilities and weaknesses continue to be exposed, the runway looks open to another candidate in the field. Since Ember Reichgott Junge (D) is the only other viable contender on the Democratic side, though not all that viable in our assessment, the stage is set for another entrant. We conclude Erlandson will enter the fray. His campaign has been geared toward a September face-off and we expect he will make it official in a short amount of time.

Source: Checks & Balances - 5/17/06

Ed Says Thanks!

Replublican SD63 candidate Ed Field sent a letter to the editor (Richfield Sun-Current and the Red Star) recently and he copied me on it. The paper has not published it yet, so I will.

Thanking Veterans To the Editor May 11, 2006 While going through some old photographs I found a photo of my father in his Army uniform. In a moment of nostalgia, I thought back to my dad and what it must have been like for him when he served during WWII. He was severely injured and almost lost his leg. This injury plagued him his whole life and ultimately was the cause of his death at a relatively young age. I thought of all the fun times and also the times when he just couldn’t do things with my brothers and me that other dads did with their sons. He compensated with gifts, love, and life lessons for which I thanked him at the time. The one thing I never thought to thank him for though was his personal sacrifice in defending my freedoms. Now he’s gone and the only thing I can do is pay tribute to his memory at his gravesite at Fort Snelling Cemetery this Memorial Day. But there is something else I can do. This Memorial Day, I’m going to seek out every memorial I can find and say a prayer of thanks to all who are commemorated at each site. I will try to see as many veterans at the VA Hospital as I can and thank them. And I will thank as many active duty service men and women I can find. If your mom or dad served and are still alive, thank them before it’s too late. Another life lesson. Thanks Dad. Ed Field Bloomington GOP Endorsed Senate Candidate SD63 952 881-4647 www.GoForEd.com

Fine Sees Opportunity

Here is the full Red Star article about Alan Fine, Republican candidate for Congress representing CD-5. Since the Star article will be archived, I'm posting entire article here. A future post will comment on the article.

In DFL-dominated Fifth District, GOP candidate sees opportunity Republican Alan Fine says he has an even chance of winning Rep. Martin Sabo's seat in Congress. Eric Black, Star Tribune While state Rep. Keith Ellison, the DFL endorsee for the open U.S. House seat from Minneapolis, faces a likely primary fight, the Republican Party has united behind business consultant Alan Fine, 44, who will try to break the DFL stranglehold on the Fifth Congressional District seat. Fine, who also teaches at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management, won endorsement without opposition at the GOP convention May 6. The conventional wisdom that Republicans have no chance in the overwhelmingly DFL Fifth District is wrong, Fine says, adding that the race starts out dead even. But neutral political analysts are highly skeptical about the candidate's claim. Fine emphasizes that he has lived in Minneapolis his whole life, an apparent indirect reference to Ellison, who grew up in Detroit. As a divorced single father raising an 11-year-old son who attends a public school in Minneapolis, Fine says, he understands the problems of real people in the district. Fine also says his business background will help him find solutions to complex issues, such as Social Security and the imbalanced federal budget, although he does not have a position on how to shore up Social Security's long-term solvency or how to move the budget toward balance. He likewise said he wants to reduce crime and help urban schools with the challenges of educating kids from bad family situations, but he doesn't have legislative proposals to move in those directions. On Iraq, Fine favored the invasion and believes U.S. troops must remain until security has been established. On abortion, Fine supports a woman's right to choose. He opposes using federal funds to pay for any abortions. He favors all of the Bush tax cuts and would vote to make them permanent. Longtime philosophy Fine said he became a Republican as a teenager, when his brother Bob Fine, an active DFLer now on the Minneapolis Park Board, took him to a DFL convention and he found himself disagreeing with every policy position he heard. When he described his doubts to a friend, the friend replied, "That's because you agree with the Republicans on all these issues." Fine is Jewish, grew up in the Linden Hills neighborhood of southwest Minneapolis and still lives there. He graduated from Southwest High School, and received his B.A. and M.B.A. from the University of Minnesota. As a faculty member, he helped develop an undergraduate major in entrepreneurship and was director of that program for several years. He authored a book on business integrity and life balance. He is an avid swimmer and musician. In his only previous race, Fine sought Independence Party endorsement for the U.S. Senate in 2002 but was defeated on the first ballot. He said that even then, he considered himself a Republican, but realized that no one was going to beat Norm Coleman for the Republican nomination that year. It would be an understatement to say that Fine faces an uphill battle in this district that the DFL has won 22 straight times. The last Republican nominee to break 40 percent was Dick Enroth in 1970, but he lost to DFLer Don Fraser, 57 percent to 42 percent. The last five Republican nominees received less than 30 percent of the votes. In the 2004 presidential race, Democratic nominee John Kerry beat President Bush in the Fifth 71 percent to 28 percent. A safe seat? In many cases, even a relatively safe seat is considered vulnerable when there is no incumbent. But in 1978, the last time the Fifth District seat was open, Martin Sabo won with 62 percent of the vote. Political scientist John Shockley of Augsburg College called the Fifth by far the most one-party-dominated district in Minnesota. Although the seat is open and although Ellison is not well known districtwide, it's also a year when President Bush and the Iraq war are unpopular nationally, and even more so in Minneapolis. Said Shockley: "It's safe to say that this isn't a particularly promising year for a Republican breakthrough in the Fifth District." Staff writer Sharon Schmickle contributed to this report.

Source: Star Tribune - 5/16/06

Ellison and Farrakhan

Alan Fine was on the radio today (AM1500) and he challenged Ellison on the issue of racism. He said that this has nothing to do with Ellison's religion, but that his association with a known racist (Louis Farrakhan) is something that the voters should be aware of.

I think this all ties back to an old post on MDE from last August.

Note: This entry was typed two days ago, but I forgot to publish until today, 5/11.

Oh Goodie

Add another item to the pile. The Senate passed the Gopher Stadium bill, but there is a lot of work to do in conference.

The House's plan for the university's stadium would rely on the naming rights agreement, a $50-a-year student fee and a complicated land swap between the state and the university to help pay for the project. The Senate version, in addition to eliminating the naming rights agreement, also does not include the student fee increase and the land swap.

But Larry says all is OK:

Pogemiller also said he was confident the differences between the Senate and House over the university's stadium would be resolved in a conference committee before the Legislature adjourns May 22.

This was the best part of the article. I'm not necessarily in favor of the stadium projects, however if I am going to get stuck paying for it than I want all in the metro to join me and the rest of Hennepin county.

Immediately after the Senate passed the university stadium plan, it began deliberating early this afternoon a plan to impose a half-percent metrowide sales tax to help fund new stadiums for both the Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Twins.

Source: Star Tribune - 5/9/06

DFL Picks Ellison for CD-5

The DFL battled for the endorsement today and Keith Ellison came out on top. Power Liberal has all the details. Look at all the posts for today, May 6. This is just the start though because there are at least two candidates not abiding by the endorsement.

Bachmann for CD-6

Andy has details at Residual Forces and and so does Psycmeistr.

CD-5 Endorsing Convention - Liveblog

This is a first for SD63 since I didn't own a wireless card until about four weeks ago. 10:04 a.m. - Mark Kennedy just arrived and is making his way to podium. He received a very healthy standing ovation from the delegates and guests. 10:09 a.m. - This is my second time hearing the stump speech (from Kennedy) and it is changing a bit, but many of the same themes, specifically joking about his plaid shirts and talking about how it is time to get a CPA in the Senate versus all the lawyers (just look at the budget). 10:15 a.m. - Short and sweet and then he worked the crowd before exiting to the next convention. I like how he refers to himself as the "B Team" with his wife as the "A Team", that is true in my marraige as well. 10:18 a.m. - A surrogate is speaking on Senator Coleman's behalf right now. 10:22 a.m. - The wireless connection is spotty, some sites are working, but others timing out. I'm trying to get a look to see what is happening in CD-6, the is where all the excitement is today. 10: 25 a.m. - Earlier this morning (before I fired up the laptop) we heard John Uldrich speak. Uldrich is running for the U.S. Senate and he certainly listed of quite the record of achievements in his life. The problem is no one listened because the presentation was lacking. He spoke at the SD63 convention and his prsentation was much better there. The content was much more extensive here today. He would have been better served pulling about four things from his list of achievements and spoke more directly to the delegates. 10:30 a.m. - Harold Shudlick (spelling?) just wrapped up. All he did was attack Kennedy, the President and the system for the "kingmaker" claim. This 10:35 a.m. - It is announced the Rod Grams was just endorsed in CD-8. Now we are going to make it official for Alan Fine here in CD-5. 10:40 a.m. - The last Republican to represent CD-5 was 44 years ago. 10:45 a.m. - Alan Fine is being nominated and the delegates are getting worked up. Alan is a lifelong resident of CD-5, his grandfather immigrated to the United States and he flew over 22 missions in a B-24 Liberator during WWII. (Side note: I love the B-24, it was a beautiful and important tool in our efforts to defeat the Axis powers in WWII.) Alan's son attends a public school in Minneapolis, this is a noteworthy point because I suspect it is within their means to send their son to a private school. 10:50 a.m. - What a difference 4-6 weeks makes. It was not long ago that Alan was just one of four candidates speaking at the SD63 convention. This is my first CD-5 convention so I have no frame of reference, but I think I am safe saying this is the first time in years the CD-5 delegates have been energized behind a candidate. Obviously this is all possible because of the Sabo retirement. 10:55 a.m. - The signal is horrible now, but I am not surprised since I think my source is miles away at the airport. 10:57 a.m. - Alan is five minutes into his speech. He is stressing his teaching, business and economic background. He has researched the district and is ready to reach out CD-5 citizens. Clearly Alan has made the change from candidate for endorsement to one for Congress. 11:01 a.m. - Speech ends with a balloon drop and a third standing ovation for Fine. 11:02 a.m. - Motion to suspend rules and endorse by vote passes and Alan Fine is the CD-5 candidate. 11:07 a.m. - Interesting, I was standing next to Deputy State Party Chair Eric Hoplin and did not know it. He is pumping up the crowded and sharing state party chair Ron Carey's sentiments for this endorsement and stating the state party is ready to do all it can to support the Fine campaign. 11:15 a.m. - State Auditor Pat Anderson (spelling?) is here to say a few words. She vowed to serve Minnesota as a tough bulldog rather than a Democratic lapdog. 11:20 a.m. - Convention is in recess and the Governor is expected to arrive soon. 11:42 a.m. - Recess over and the governor is speaking now. 11:50 a.m. - He is shared one of his common and my favorite messages, pay for performance in the schools and at the capitol in St. Paul. He closed with a Billy Graham quote that I was not able to catch verbatim, but it great. The point being that when life gets tough in the major cities, many times the cities have turned to Republicans to lead them out of the tough times, the best example being Guiliani in New York. 11:53 a.m. - Another great point he ended with was that we are in a culture war, this is not ethinic or other war, it is a battle between worldviews. Many people do not realize how their worldview drives their life and they also do not understand how their view can be corrupted and skewed if they are not attentative to life aroudn them. 11:59 a.m. - We are into resolutions, so I think I'm done with the liveblogging.

Bachmann Leading in CD-6 - C&B Weighs In

Checks & Balances shares their opinion regarding the endorsement process and situation for the Republicans in CD-6.

Are the Concession Speeches Being Written in the 6th Congressional District?

Reading the comments of Bill Walsh, Krinkie’s Campaign “Strategist”, Pioneer Press this morning, he sounds like someone searching for a little Dutch boy to stick his finger in a dike to hold back the flood waters. He expects Sen. Michele Bachmann (R-52, Stillwater) to win the first ballot. If that happens then some magical coalition between Rep. Phil Krinkie (R-53A, Lino Lakes), Rep. Jim Knoblach Z(R-15B, St. Cloud) and Republican Party Activist Jay Esmay is too appear to prevent her from securing the requisite 60 percent in subsequent ballots. The problem is that Knoblach, Krinkie and Esmay would need to set their egos and aspirations aside and form an agreement up front: after the first ballot, the two candidates trailing need to withdraw and support the second place candidate. If they structure this agreement in advance and abide by it, they may have a shot at stemming the tide of support for Bachmann. Currently, the expectation game is in her favor and all of the opposing campaigns are trying to maneuver themselves into better positions. The rules of this convention are far different than on the DFL side. The drop rules only kick in when a candidate falls below a particular figure. On the first ballot candidates are required to surpass a 5 percent threshold. Any candidate that falls below 5 percent on the first three ballots is removed from consideration. On the 4th ballot the percentage moves up to 10 percent. Again any candidate that falls below the 10 percent figure on any subsequent ballots is removed from consideration. A candidate maintaining 11 percent can continue to participate throughout the process until one candidate receives 60 percent and the Republican Party endorsement. These Rules seem structured to prevent candidates from be forcibly removed from the ballot by process and are actually counterproductive to the ability to endorse a candidate. The Krinkie campaign helped to establish these “Hanger on” Rules and there still is a possibility the Rules may be ammended on Friday evening. We will be on hands [sic] Saturday for the balloting so keep tuned to our site for regular updates.

Feeling Like Rodney

I just read a post [reg. req.] on Checks & Balances and it should make conservatives and Republicans feel a bit like the late Rodney Dangerfield.

Role of Independent Groups in the 5th Congressional District Primary

After the DFL 5th Congressional District endorsing convention is over, national and state organizations will need to decide if they want to be involved with the 5th Congressional District race. If the outside groups want a Democrat in the seat they only need to wait until November and see who the ultimate victor is on the general election ballot, but if they want to influence who the person is, their expenditures during the primary period are all that are required. If groups want future influence with the member of Congress from the 5th Congressional District early money and endorsements will be essential. The type of organizations we thinking of are EMILY’s List (Early Money is Like Yeast), labor unions and other activist organizations. Primary campaigns are far cheaper than general election campaigns and expenditures in the build-up to September 12th are the most cost effective. Every dollar spent determining who the Democrat primary victor is also determines the Congressperson.

CD-5 4-3-2-1

At one point in time there was a race of four trying to run for the CD-5 Republican endorsement. It was obvious in a hurry that Colin Chapman was not a serious candidate, just a guy looking to get his name in the papers. Two of the other three guys, while inexperienced, had the look to be legitimate candidates. James Turnham withdraw to reportedly (I am attempting to confirm) run against Phyllis Kahn for the 59B seat and Tim Anderson has withdrawn after he was pressed to share employment and residence records. As an aside, it was known that Anderson did not live in the district, but all along he did state that he intended to move to the district. So, that leaves Alan Fine as the sole candidate. If it had come to a vote, it was most likely that Alan was going to get mine at the CD-5 convention this coming Saturday, 5/6, anyway. I have updated my sidebar to the left with these changes.

888

This is off topic (OK, so you actually need to be posting to have a topic), but today the FBI captured an escaped sex offender in Kansas City. This is the guy that escaped from St. Peter, MN security hospital around Easter. His capture is credited completely to a tip received because of "America's Most Wanted".

The tipster also gave a general area where Benson was staying with a man he met at a Kansas City bar on Easter Sunday, the day after the escape. Tabman believes that Benson went to Kansas City (about a 420-mile drive from St. Peter) immediately after his escape, given that he arrived there a day later.

...

"America's Most Wanted" first aired on Feb. 7, 1988, and lists Benson's apprehension as capture No. 888 connected to the show.

This is capture is #888 that gives credit to the show. Impressive.