Almanac: At the Capitol

Returning from vacation and looking back at the year, I decided to put together my Minnesota Top Ten Political Stories of 2008.

1. The Recount:  It may be the top story of this year too if it keeps going.  The most expensive and ugly political race in state history has continued, and continued, and continued.  It seems the state was split and rather lukewarm about Coleman and Franken.  I'll make no predictions about who "wins" and when.

2. Pawlenty Almost VP:  Keeping track of where and when VP candidate Pawlenty would surface was tough work for local political reporters.  He was everywhere.  He nearly got the number two job.  After not getting the nod, Pawlenty said he "doesn't get disappointed."  He might be super steady, but c'mon he is human.  The question is if he'll run again for gov. (I doubt it) and if he gains traction as a presidential candidate?

3. Transportation Override:  For the first time lawmakers overrode Gov. Tim Pawlenty's veto.  A bridge fell down.  Dems crafted a deal and did the impossible.  Republicans suffered for it.

4. RNC:  The world did watch our wonderful Twin Cities shine (generally).  The protests got more local news than national play, so overall the country seemed to think St. Paul did a fine job hosting a huge event.  Republicans got the convention bounce they needed, but it didn't last.

5. Obama in St. Paul:  He might not have made many campaign visits here, but the biggest day of the campaign happened in a packed Xcel in St. Paul.  Obama secured the Democratic nomination in the place Republicans would officially choose their nominee.  It was the loudest and most emotional political rally I have ever covered.

6. Palin Shopping Spree:  Hey maybe it was a good economic stimulus for the local economy.  The hockey mom's big ticket suits and spending spree at Neiman Marcus created a big problem for her Average Joe image.  And that may could the memory of the solid speech she delivered in St. Paul that had quieted her skeptics.

7. Bachmann Bashes Obama/Media:  Later calling it an "urban myth" Congresswoman Michele Bachmann made big news after questioning Obama and members of congress for "un-American" views, though she says she didn't say that.  We've all seen the tape.  She did damage control and won.

8. Republicans Retention:  Going into the election, with the economy down, a Republican president's dismal approval ratings, and the GOP ticket topper behind, few Republicans really thought they would hold on to all of their congressional seats.  Most betting people thought either Bachmann or Paulsen were going to lose.  Paulsen's margin of victory surprised most observers.

9.  DFLers Do Well:  Dems fell short of an override majority in the House, but picked up a couple of seats.  The Speaker of the House Margaret Anderson Kelliher probably deserves the most improved politician award this year.  Her level headed leadership helped guide a session-ending deal that seemed unlikely and gained praise from all involved.   The question is will she run for governor?

10.  Jesse Surfaces:  Remember when the nation was watching that odd appearance on Larry King to see if former Gov. Jesse Ventura would run for Senate.  He seemed to love the attention, but again cited his family for the reason to stay away from politics.  In his only local interview, Ventura told me how his Mexican retreat has help his wife Terry's health.  They are still Minnesota residents.  He's also sure 911 was a conspiracy...

12:30 am Democrats sat quietly and watched a somber Ashwin Madia conceded victory to Republican Erik Paulsen who will elevate from the State House to the U.S. House after an ugly and bruising campaign. Bachmann also wins.  No pick ups for the Dems in the congressional races.

9:30 Republican John Kline won big and was the first winner to work the crowd at Republican headquarters.

9:15 GOP headquarters, congressional candidate Erik Paulsen is the first candidate on the scene talking to reporters.  Congresswoman Michele Bachmann follows suit. It's not very common to see candidates do media before their race is called.  Bachmann says she's confident she'll win, other Republicans weren't so sure.  At DFL headquarters, Congresswoman Betty McCollum is the first victor to address the crowd.

By 8:30 the DFL party is packed and rocking.  As Ohio goes for Obama they chant "O-hi-o" over and over followed by "O-ba-ma."  The excitement is already crazy.  There is barely room to move and the night is still early.  I haven't seen DFLers this excited before.

At 8:00 the party just started here at DFL headquarters.  Minnesota was called for Obama seconds after the polls closed and the crowd roared.  That got the mood started with an exciting and energetic tone.   The crowd is good for this early in the night.  Dems are excited. 

Republican headquarters seems to be a bit slower out of the shoot. Perhaps not as exciting early returns to celebrate.  One GOP party insider predicted that Erik Paulsen will win against Ashwin Madia and Michele Bachmann will lose to El Tinklenberg.  No one is making many predictions on the Senate race.  We expect it will be late.

Republicans are excited about Sarah Palin though, here's the "Minnesota's Wild About Sarah!" hockey pucks celebrating the hockey mom.

(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.”

U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann is headed to ANWR with fellow Republicans. She just appeared on CNN and said if we drill for oil in Alaska we can have "two-dollar-a-gallon gas again." When asked about the environmental and wildlife impact she said, it's "dark most of year" and there are "no trees" so it's the "perfect area" to drill. No matter what you think about her (and most seem to have strong feelings) as a media professional, I got to tell you she's good at TV. But the congresswoman seems to be avoiding Minnesota press in favor of the national spotlight. Bachmann has gotten a lot of press on the domestic drilling issue, but John McCain didn't seem to know much about her plan when he was asked about it at his St. Paul town hall forum.

It has been more than 5 years since I sat down to go one-on-one with Gov. Ventura and it felt like no time had passed at all. He was engergic, engaged and controversial as always. Frankly that's what has always made it fun. He is certainly a challenge, but I like challenges.

Jesse Ventura says he’s been disrespected by Minnesota and its public officials. He actually singled out his member of Congress Rep. Michele Bachmann as an exception because she sent him a hand-written note asking if she could ever be of service to him. That’s especially interesting since Ventura’s former Transportation Commissioner El Tinklenberg is running against Bachmann. Ventura won’t support Tinklenberg because he’s in the two party system.

He says he won't rule out running for U.S. Senate and he repeatedly ripped Franken and Coleman with some very harsh words. He said he lives in Minnesota more than Al Franken and when he wrestled for 30 years in different states he knew he had to pay taxes where he earned the money. He wondered why a Harvard grad like Franken wouldn't know that. Moving on to Coleman, he was angry the Republican Party was using an old wrestling image of him in ads and said he'd like to see some images of a long-haired war protestor from years ago who was Norm Coleman. Ventura said instead of "hell no, we won't go" he'd now say Coleman's slogan is "hell yes, clean up my mess."

Ventura does not think Gov. Tim Pawlenty is qualified to be vice president. He said Pawlenty hadn't accomplished anything as governor. Ventura says Pawlenty's veto of Central Corridor was "totally stupid." The former governor doesn't support John McCain anymore because of McCain's support of the war. Ventura called McCain "Bush the third." He says Obama won't change anything and called him a "gutless coward" for failing to stop the war immediately in Congress. Ventura said Democrats and Republicans are incapable of change.

The former governor also said he wasn't surprised his portrait was vandalized at the Capitol and had to be removed. He talked at length about the war, immigration, 9/11, 35W bridge collapse, Central Corridor and more. Jesse stayed for an hour and a half and was generally very chatty. I said "governor, I missed you" and he said "I can't say the same." I've always enjoyed the combat with Ventura. He was most surprised I had become a mom since we last talked and showed great interest in my child asking lots of questions. It was interesting to see his softer side is still there. He revealed more of that vulnerable side in talking about his daughter's upcoming wedding, Terry's health and Tyrel's exit from Minnesota.

Click here to see the interview!

-Mary Lahammer