Tim Pawlenty

Governor's Trade Mission to Israel

tptadmin — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:25:11 -0500

Governor Pawlenty announced this morning that he will lead a trade mission to Israel in early December. Tony Lorusso, head of the Minnesota Trade Office, stops by to fill us in on the details.

New & Old 35W Bridge

Mary Lahammer — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 11:10:22 -0500

Not since the bridge collapsed have we seen such unity from two men who may be seeking the same job. Mayor Rybak and Gov. Pawlenty provided this joint news release:

GOVERNOR PAWLENTY AND MAYOR RYBAK ANNOUNCE

I-35W BRIDGE “REMEMBRANCE GARDEN”

~ Memorial to remember those lost, affected by bridge collapse ~

Minneapolis – Governor Tim Pawlenty and Mayor R.T. Rybak today announced details of a “Remembrance Garden” which will serve as a memorial to the victims, survivors, family members and others whose lives were affected by the tragic collapse of the I-35W Bridge on August 1, 2007.

The memorial will be located in Minneapolis’ Gold Medal Park, just west of the I-35W Bridge. The park was a gathering place for many Minnesotans in the hours and days following the bridge collapse.

The Remembrance Garden will include 13 upright metal I-beams surrounded by an 81-foot rock square. Within the square will be a 65-foot wide circle plaza surrounding a 13-foot wide black granite round table fountain. Thirteen stainless steel bands will emanate from the center of the fountain, each ending at the base of an individual I-beam.

The features of the Remembrance Garden are symbolic of the lives affected by the bridge collapse. The names of the 13 people who died will be engraved on opaque glass faces on the inside of the 13 I-beams. The 81-foot dimension of the rock square references August 1, the date of the bridge collapse. The 65-foot diameter of the circular plaza references the time of the collapse – 6:05 p.m.

The concept and location of a suitable memorial came about after months of meetings between the families of those who died in the collapse and survivors of the tragedy. The design of the Remembrance Garden was developed when the families and survivors began working with Dr. William McGuire, whose foundation manages Gold Medal Park, and Tom Oslund, the landscape architect who designed Gold Medal Park.

“As we open the new bridge, it is important to keep the victims and the families directly impacted by this tragedy first in our thoughts and prayers,” Governor Pawlenty said. “This memorial will provide a lasting way to always remember loved ones who were lost on that tragic day.”

“Locating this peaceful remembrance garden within Gold Medal Park, near the river, is important,” Mayor Rybak said. “Victims’ families and collapse survivors felt we needed to remember the lives lost and changed that day with a quiet green space, where so many people gathered to draw on communal strength and support in the aftermath of this terrible tragedy.”

“Through the entire visioning and design process, it was essential that we listened hardest to those who were most affected by this tragedy,” said Oslund. “In the end, we created a place that honors those who died, and also recognizes that an entire community was changed.”

The Remembrance Garden designers hope that those who visit the memorial will also use this place to remember those who were on the bridge when it fell but survived the disaster – many who still struggle daily with both physical and emotional injuries as the result of the bridge collapse.

With the design and location of the memorial now determined, funding is required to make the Remembrance Garden a reality. Governor Pawlenty and Mayor Rybak announced the launching of a fundraising effort to raise at least $1 million to construct and maintain the Remembrance Garden, for which the Minneapolis Foundation will serve as the fiscal agent. Financial support will be solicited from individuals, foundations, businesses, and others whose generosity will contribute to building the memorial.

“We are very grateful to the many people who have already stepped forward to contribute to this important effort,” Mayor Rybak said. “Significant support has already been offered by Dr. William and Nadine McGuire, Oslund and Associates, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Capella University, Minneapolis Building and Constructions Trade Council, and Flatiron Construction. Additionally, the City of Minneapolis has already collected thousands of dollars from individuals who previously contributed to the creation of a bridge memorial. We are thankful for this support and hope it will serve as a clear example of what we need to build this memorial.”

Those interested in learning more about the I-35W Bridge Remembrance Garden, viewing images of the design, or making a contribution can go to www.35WRemembranceGarden.org

What's Up With the GOP Screen?

Mary Lahammer — Fri, 5 Sep 2008 17:13:11 -0500

"Welcome to Minnesota" is what Gov. Pawlenty said while a huge image a very un-Minnesotan canyon projected behind him.

A few minutes later a huge forest fire seemed to his background. Okay, really it was an enormous yellow, glowing grove of trees. Who came up with this stuff? I can't tell you the number of complaints I've heard about totally random unrelated odd images appearing behind the speakers at the RNC.

Day Four at the Republican National Convention

tptadmin — Fri, 5 Sep 2008 09:14:45 -0500

Day Four of the Republican National Convention came to a close as Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and congressional candidate Eric Paulsen addressed the crowd and John McCain accepted the party’s nomination of president.

Images Inside the X

Mary Lahammer — Thu, 4 Sep 2008 21:38:40 -0500

Images from the Xcel Energy Center on the RNC closing night.

Gov. Pawlenty sat up in a suite not with McCain campaign folks but surrounded by his family and friends. He seemed very serious during McCain's speech and not very celebratory. He did not apppear to crack a smile. He did stand and applaud. The disappointment many delegates and political insiders felt turned into to disgust about Pawlenty's mediocre speaking slot. As many weaker speakers followed him it became more evident that the governor was slighted. Even Democrats feel bad for the guy

Pawlenty & Paulsen

Mary Lahammer — Thu, 4 Sep 2008 20:22:22 -0500

Gov. Tim Pawlenty got a standing ovation immediately upon walking out on to the stage at the RNC. It was the first speech of the night that people actually stopped and listened to. Most of his remarks we've heard before, but this national audience liked it. They answered along with his refrain "John McCain put our country first." The VP contender said "I've gotten to know John McCain and his purple heart is a heart of gold."
Privately, most delegates and reporters say Pawlenty deserved a better speaking slot and were disappointed with him getting about five minutes early in the night. Most expected he would be introducing McCain.

Rep. Erik Paulsen also got a quick speaking slot even earlier in the night. His DFL opponent Ashwin Madia got to wave from the stage at the DNC. We spoke to Paulsen right after his speech and he said it was exciting and valuable.

Pawlenty On Tonight

Mary Lahammer — Thu, 4 Sep 2008 09:57:14 -0500

Gov. Pawlenty will give a five to six mintue speech tonight at the Republican National Convention. On my weekly segment with Mondale and Jones on WCCO Radio, Pawlenty told us the schedule is still in flux, but that's what he knows now. There was talk that Pawlenty might introduce McCain, but he will be speaking much earlier talking about "John McCain's life story" and "Sam's Club Republicans." Also on the show, Mrs Pawlenty praised the court system for quickly handling all the protesters. She of course is a former judge.

Protesters Take Over

Mary Lahammer — Mon, 1 Sep 2008 19:02:50 -0500

Protesters took over the story in downtown St. Paul today, overshadowing the start of the Republican National Convention. They turned out in the thousands and remained mostly peaceful. I saw some angry interactions between the pro-war and anti-war people, but nothing violent or extreme in the main organized march. The anti-war people were flipping the bird at the pro-war people and that seemed to upset them more than the conversations and confrontations I witnessed. The outbreaks that resulted in arrests were smaller splinter groups.

Visually, the protesters got pretty close to the Xcel Center despite the big black fences in the way. And the protesters put on a good show for the press with lots of powerful visuals. One woman who was barely dressed other than pearls and red body paint said she was a "deconstructed Republican."

The police force was ready, really ready, clad in serious riot gear. The incongruous scene that stands out to me was a nice local cop noticing we were struggling to find a road they weren't blocking off, so he lifted his visor and gave us some specific directions on how to get passed him in the skyway. That's Minnesota nice and our David Gillette sums it up perfectly in his cartoon.

Inside the X, the security mood was much more laid back than Denver. We got easier floor access, working our way to the Minnesota delegation. On the way, we ran into Sen. Norm Coleman who sounded pretty confident that he and Gov. Pawlenty would still get a chance to welcome the convention. Coleman said having this convention in the place often called "the house that Norm built" makes him feel like a proud papa.

Pawlenty Not VP

Mary Lahammer — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:10:24 -0500

Republicans and Democrats I've talked to so far think Tim Pawlenty is still going to make a run for president in four years and is still well positioned to do so. Gov. Palin is a surprise and people like Tim Pawlenty can't really question Obama's experience with Palin on the ticket. Big nod to my dear friend and colleague Eric Eskola who broke the story this morning that Pawlenty would not be traveling to Ohio.

Here's some reaction I've gotten so far:

Gov. Sarah Palin

Agent Of Change With Proven Results

St. Paul – Republican Party of Minnesota Chair Ron Carey released the following statement regarding Sen. John McCain’s selection of Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.

“Gov. Sarah Palin is a bold and energetic choice for Sen. John McCain's running mate. In her time as Alaska's Governor, she has been a solid conservative, true reformer, and a powerful voice for families. She will be a dynamic addition to the ticket and will speak to Minnesota's hockey moms, outdoor sports enthusiasts, and independents.”

Pawlenty’s Record of Failure Derails His Ambition

McCain snubs failed Minnesota governor in favor of rival Alaska governor

St. Paul (Aug. 29, 2008) — Senator John McCain today will announce his choice of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate. State DFL Chair Brian Melendez released this statement:

“Senator McCain’s choice of rival Sarah Palin is a slap in the face to Governor Tim Pawlenty, who campaigned at McCain’s side even in McCain’s darkest hours a year ago, when even McCain’s staff deserted him. But the Democrats’ nomination of Senator Joseph Biden, together with Pawlenty’s record of failure, made his rejection all but inevitable. Governor Pawlenty would have embarrassed the Republican Party in any debate against Senator Biden.

“More to the point, the Pawlenty governorship has miserably failed Minnesotans, and that record of failure would have become a major stumbling block with him on a national ticket. On Pawlenty’s watch, Minnesota’s jobless rate has surpassed the national average for the first time in the 31 years that records have been kept. His failure to invest in infrastructure has resulted in crumbling roads and bridges. His cuts to local-government aid have jeopardized police and fire protection, forcing municipalities to hike property taxes by double digits so that they can meet the shortfall in state aid. He has vetoed more legislation than any governor in living memory, including even the most necessary bipartisan bills, and has almost single-handedly gridlocked state government.

“Hopefully this rejection will end Governor Pawlenty’s national ambitions. But I’m not counting on it. Pawlenty has already begun positioning himself for a national run in 2012, after the McCain‑Palin ticket goes down in defeat in 2008. Meanwhile, Minnesotans can look forward to two more years of an absentee do-nothing governor while Tim Pawlenty curries favor with the privileged elite who can anoint him as their darling in the next race for the White House.”

Below is a statement from Obama Campaign Spokesman Bill Burton on Senator McCain choosing Governor Palin

"Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency. Governor Palin shares John McCain's commitment to overturning Roe v. Wade, the agenda of Big Oil and continuing George Bush's failed economic policies -- that's not the change we need, it's just more of the same," said Bill Burton, Obama Campaign Spokesman.

The Selection of Gov. Sarah Palin Has Electrified the Electorate

Minneapolis, MN – “Absolutely brilliant,” Mathew Staver exclaimed when he heard the news that Sen. John McCain chose Governor Sarah Palin as his choice for Vice President. Staver is Chairman of Liberty Alliance Action, Chairman of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law.*

Attending a meeting of national conservative leaders in Minneapolis, Staver said, “The excitement was palpable among conservative leaders when they heard that Gov. Palin was Sen. McCain’s choice for Vice President. There is a high level of optimism among conservative leaders that the McCain-Palin combination is a ticket that will connect with values voters.”

“The selection of Gov. Palin means that this upcoming election will be historic. But beyond making history, Palin brings substance and excitement. She is intelligent, young, attractive and articulate. As a woman and a mother, she can attract women voters, particularly those who feel disenfranchised,” said Staver. “Gov. Palin can work with both parties and has shown she can clean up government corruption. She has not merely talked about the energy crisis, she has actively worked to create solutions,” Staver continued.

Convention Journal - Day Five

tptadmin — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:08:30 -0500

David wraps up the Democratic National Convention... with a surprise visit from Gov. Tim Pawlenty.