Almanac: At the Capitol

Just a few minutes into his address, Pres. Obama said "there are 57 police officers who are still on the streets of Minneapolis tonight because this plan prevented the layoffs  their department was about to make."  He was then interrupted with applause. The biggest applause line was when he mentioned the vice president heading up an oversight effort "because nobody messes with Joe."  Critics have been saying he needs to bring more humor and confidence.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who spent Superbowl Sunday with the Obamas, got a quick shot with the pres right after the speech.  She looks delighted.

Minnesota Congressman Jim Oberstar had a slick new media response ready before the speech began, but embargoed until its completion.  Speaker of the House Margaret Anderson Kelliher is attending the address, the guest of Congressman Keith Ellison.   Last time she left for Washington, Minority Leader Marty Seifert made a milk carton with her face on it, saying his Speaker was missing.  So her press release noted "Kelliher is traveling at her own expense to attend the Presidential address.  She will leave for Washington later today and return tomorrow morning."

(Images from MDE)

Democrats have a lot going for them when it comes to the tide of politics right now, but it seems doubtful now images like these have a backlash since the vandalism was pretty bi-partisan.  The vandalism early seemed to hitting mostly Republicans (hours later we found out that Ellison and Klobuchar were hit too).  I don't take a lot a strong opinions here, but everyone can agree there is no place for vandalism.  If these images get a lot of attention especially on the Republican side, I wondered if this could evolve into something like the Rick Kahn comments at Wellstone's memorial (this now, later seems doubtful, just raising a question which is dangerous in this emotionally charged competitive election cycle).  The coverage seems to be mainly focused on the Colemans as victims since the images and quotes I've seen the most in the press are from Laurie and Norm Coleman.  (I'm not saying nor never meant to imply a Democrat was responsible, sorry if I left that impression earlier).

The DFL quickly and smartly issued the following statement (this was issued when, like me, they only knew of Republicans being targeted):

Upon news reports of recent vandalism, Minnesota DFL Chair Brian Melendez released the following statement:

“I deplore and condemn the vandalism against the property of Senator Coleman and other Republican officeholders. The immaturity and stupidity of these crimes should offend every citizen, regardless of politics. If Norm Coleman and the others are going to be held accountable for their poor stewardship, then it must be done the American way — at the ballot box and in public discourse, not in the dead of night with a can of spray paint. Whoever committed these cowardly crimes should step forward, confess, apologize, and take the consequences.”

The question I kept hearing all night at the Obama rally was "Where's Al Franken?" His rival for the DFL U.S. Senate endorsement Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer was there. Sen. Amy Klobuchar appeared and got big cheers. Congressman Keith Ellison also made the crowd roar. Many said they were waiting to see Franken appear, to shore up support, to rally the troops with 30,000 people in and around the X.

Franken's campaign tells me he had a previously scheduled event in the third congressional district with delegates in Eden Prairie. Ironic that is was a woman from Eden Prairie who was introducing Obama while the world was watching. It appears Franken is more concerned about delegates who will decide his fate in a few days than a huge crowd in St. Paul or a broad television audience.

Franken hasn’t taken a position publicly in the presidential race, but his spokesperson says "he knows both candidates personally and thinks they’re both extraordinary." Interesting he's still referring to two candidates. Franken's spokesperson writes even though he didn't attend the Obama rally "he is VERY excited about DFL enthusiasm in Minnesota." They seem optimistic about the convention in Rochester.

This rift between Congresswoman Betty McCollum and Governor Tim Pawlenty on Central Corridor funding is getting interesting. A McCollum staffer just stopped by the State Capitol Press Room to distribute some background information. Their press release says "Pawlenty Administration Seeks $165,000,000 in 'Pork' While Decrying 'Pork'." McCollum says "Minnesotans deserve straight talk from Governor Pawlenty about his misleading position on Congressional earmarks."

The governor sent McCollum a letter stating "I believe the earmarking process is in need of reform." Pawlenty says only Ellison and McCollum are seeing statements certifying an administration's support of a project. He says "It would be disappointing if you decline to support these projects or that you hold Minnesota to a different standard than requests from other states." McCollum just wrote back "It is indeed perplexing that you feel you deserve to receive earmarked federal funds while refusing to agree to the accountability measure put forth by my office." She also points out the positions taken by Pres. Bush and Sen. McCain would result in "zero federal funding" to several Minnesota projects.

This infighting from two former state lawmakers is particularly interesting considering they once got along as fellow House members. In fact, on Almanac back in 1993 we selected McCollum and Pawlenty for a panel of freshmen stars. Boy do we know how to pick them? (Or maybe we just got lucky!)