Almanac: At the Capitol

As Barack Obama spoke to the world, Minnesotans gathered in this hotel in St. Paul seemed to feel like they were in the crowd with Obama.  I've never seen people at a state election celebration care so much about a national election.  The emotions are running strong.

Before Obama began his acceptance speech, people were already clearing out at Republican Party headquarters with the biggest races in the state still unknown (two congressional races and the Senate race).  Sources have told me Sen. Coleman was ready to wait until Wednesday to speak if the race was at all close.

As Obama became the winner, the crowd at DFL headquarters went wild.  People were screaming, crying, hugging, slapping hands.  The crowd is diverse, but all felt the same thing:  complete elation.  The songs ringing out include "Celebrate" "Only in America" "Glory Days" "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"   A former party chair told me he hasn't seen Democrats this excited in at least a decade--and maybe never before at this level.  It is history.

At Republican Party election headquarters, Gov. Tim Pawlenty stood with his wife Mary and told the crowd "Don't believe for a minute our beliefs have been damaged."  Pawlenty of course was McCain's national campaign chair and a serious contender for vice president.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty went global today officially announcing Minnesota is joining the ONE campaign  to end worldwide poverty and disease.  Pawlenty said his administration was in the planning stages of a possible trade mission to Africa.  The governor noted that Sens. Obama and McCain have been engaged in the ONE campaign.  Pawlenty, however was not willing to engage on any of the vice presidential talk.  He did confirm that he will travel to Ohio and Pennsylvania this weekend.  He doesn't know yet if he'll be going to Denver on behalf of McCain.

For about the past month Pawlenty has been his old self again with the press corps (and kids who he never fails to impress):  Laid back, sarcastic, calm.  I've been writing and saying for about a month now that it seems like Pawlenty knows if he'll be #2--not sure if he's it or not.   Ever since he visited McCain campaign headquarters and said he'll no longer speculate on VP talk he has seemed to mellow out.  Today, while he would not take VP questions, he gave us a lot of helpful quotes about the upcoming RNC.  He said he's been in many meetings the past week particularly on security and the "level of preparedness is good...we're ready." He also spoke at length about how the convention will boost Minnesota's future tourism and convention business.  Pawlenty is scheduled to address the convention on Thursday.  To many that means he won't be addressing the convention as a VP candidate.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar was also at the press conference in support of the ONE campaign.  Afterwards, I talked to her about her plans to address the DNC not just once but twice.  She said her first talk on Monday will focus on "ethics reforms" and Tuesday with other women her message will be "protecting the family checkbook."

Leading my Campaign Notebook for this week, Pawlenty's national press blitz from "Face The Nation" this weekend, to FOX News earlier the week, from the Wall Street Journal story and sketch over the weekend.  We should know within weeks if he's the VP candidate. What will we talk about if he's not?

The Pew poll this week was big news. It's a good poll and details how McCain is picking up steam with older and blue collar voters.  It appears the same tightening of the race is happening here in Minnesota. Smart Politics talks about that and how Pawlenty's approval ratings have suffered in his home state with his visible national ambitions.  We'll have video proof of Obama's campaign in Minnesota trying to shore up this weakness with Walter Mondale and Josie Johnson launching a talking to seniors tour.

Then the Senate race, took another mudslinging turn as Coleman and Franken's campaigns tried to show the press they were more open and it was their opponents who were holding back details on unpaid utility bills and unpaid taxes.  As the Pioneer Press' Rachel Stassen-Berger so beautifully and bluntly asked each campaign yesterday "Don't Minnesotans have to choose between a tax cheat and a rent cheat?"  

Finally, Rep. Mark Olson just doesn't go away.  Instead of working at the local political level, now prominent Republicans are coming out against him from Sen. Norm Coleman to the Senate Republican Caucus who said he isn't welcome.  Assistant Minority Leader Sen. David Hann told me "We don't believe that Mark Olson should be a candidate."  When I said his local party chose to endorse him he said "I respect local endorsements, but we don't have to support their endorsement."

A sad day for sure. Politicians are seizing the opportunity to comment. Here's a round up of what is in my email box this morning.

Statement of Senator Norm Coleman on the Anniversary of the I-35W Bridge Collapse

For Minnesotans, August 1st represents a hole in the calendar where we confront the pain of our past. One year ago, the I-35W Bridge collapsed, ending the lives of 13, injuring hundreds and disrupting the lives of untold thousands. It has been said that adversity doesn’t create character, it reveals it. In the days following the collapse we witnessed amazing acts of heroism, and they continue to this day. We also saw an unprecedented unity of effort, among all the branches and levels of government, without regard to party or position. Our single goal has been to raise a new bridge over our old river that we can be proud of, that we can trust, and that honors the memory of those who perished.

Franken Statement on Anniversary of 35W Bridge Tragedy
Saint Paul [08/01/08] - U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken released the following statement regarding today's one-year anniversary of the tragic collapse of the 35W bridge in Minneapolis. Franken will not be campaigning today, and the campaign will air no advertisements.

This anniversary is more than a sad reminder of the lives lost and irrevocably altered one year ago, it's also a reminder of how strong our community really is. We will never forget the stories of Minnesotans rushing towards the danger - into the water to save their neighbors. In the days following the tragedy, we made a firm commitment to rebuild. And forming over the Mississippi River every day, we see the results of that commitment. For Franni and me, this day will always be marked with solemn remembrance of what we have lost, and also a deep appreciation for what we retain and what we can build together.

Mn/DOT Web page provides I-35W bridge collapse one-year timeline, information

WHAT:
The Minnesota Department of Transportation's Web page, "One Year Later: The I-35W Bridge Collapse," provides a timeline of the bridge collapse and recovery events, as well as information about bridge inspections, repairs and replacement, the investigation into the collapse and the future of Minnesota bridges. The page also contains a message from Commissioner Tom Sorel and what Mn/DOT has been doing to improve the safety of Minnesota's bridges.

WHERE:
www.dot.state.mn.us/minnesotabridges

ST. PAUL – U.S. Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement on the one-year anniversary of the I-35W Mississippi River bridge collapse:

Today, Michelle and I join the people of Minnesota, and all Americans, to remember those who lost their lives in the tragic collapse of the I-35W Mississippi River bridge. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones. As we remember and honor those we lost, we must also ensure that every possible step is taken to prevent future tragedies. That is why I will continue fighting to rebuild our crumbling roads and bridges, strengthen our national infrastructure, and make the safety of Americans a top priority.