Red State Update: Senator Al Franken...

Red State Update has a video up on Senator Al Franken.



Kind of lame...

Maureen Reed posts big fundraising numbers!!

Caught an email in my spam folder from Maureen Reed for Congress...

You should be among the first to know: in our first eight weeks the campaign has set a sizzling pace. We have raised over $230,000! Given your history of political involvement, you know this is a “Wow!” number. You also know that fundraising is the earliest signal of strength, organization, hard work and public confidence.

Our campaign has had this incredible success because Minnesotans like you simply want to make a difference. And when Minnesotans are confident they can make a big difference, they are unbelievably generous. They know this campaign has exactly what it takes to beat Michele Bachmann.

So if that’s the current state of affairs, what’s the past? I was born in southern Minnesota and attended the University of Minnesota undergraduate and medical schools. My husband Jim Hart and I have lived just west of Stillwater for almost three decades. I have practiced medicine in the Twin Cities for over 20 years, served as President of Aspen Medical Group and Medical Director of HealthPartners, led the Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota, and chaired the University of Minnesota Board of Regents.

And what’s the future? Real people, real problems, real opportunity. I am running for Congress to help 6th District residents with their real issues. The future that people want is that of business expansion, job growth, home ownership and lower health care costs. That’s the future that I see. That’s the future that can be. That’s why I’m running for Congress.

We are at the beginning of a very exciting race. Our first two months are just the first indication of the hard work, dedication and success you will come to expect from us. I hope you will be one of our earliest team members.

I invite you to visit our website at www.maureenreedforcongress.com to learn more about the campaign and join our effort.

Just as importantly, please help me learn more about you and your most important issues. Email me from the campaign website and give me your opinions, suggestions and advice. I look forward to hearing from you.

With determination,


Maureen Reed

I'm still waiting for the FEC reports to come out to put some perspective on this, but nonetheless, $230,000 is a big number!

Ladies and gentlemen...we have a race in the 6th.

BTW, Muse beat me to this about 8 hours ago...

Tom Emmer for Governor?

Caught a subtle change to the "Draft Tom Emmer for Governor 2010" facebook page...

It's now "Tom Emmer for MN Governor in 2010".

I left a note with Drew, hoping to hear back if something is official.

FYI, I still think he could be the GOP candidate for Attorney General but who knows?

We did hint at this back in April 2007...

Palin's actions contradict her rhetoric (Updated)

Caught a rebroadcast of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's press conference announcing that she will not seek another term as Alaska Governor and will actually resign the post effective July 26th.

Palin's office issued a statement...

"Once I decided not to run for re-election, I also felt that to embrace the conventional Lame Duck status in this particular climate would just be another dose of politics as usual, something I campaigned against and will always oppose," Palin said in a statement released by her office.

During her choppy and awkward speech, Palin spoke of her lame duck status and that she would not engage in status quo political trips on the taxpayer dime.

And so as I thought about this announcement that I wouldn’t run for re-election and what it means for Alaska, I thought about how much fun some governors have as lame ducks… travel around the state, to the Lower 48 (maybe), overseas on international trade – as so many politicians do. And then I thought – that’s what’s wrong – many just accept that lame duck status, hit the road, draw the paycheck, and “milk it”. I’m not putting Alaska through that – I promised efficiencies and effectiveness! ? That’s not how I am wired. I am not wired to operate under the same old “politics as usual.” I promised that four years ago – and I meant it.

However, as recent at June 26th, Governor Palin was on a trip in Europe, according to her Twitter page.

The choppy pace of her speech caught me off guard. It was humorous and yet painful to watch. Much like a car accident, I found myself shielding my eyes yet peaking through the fingers and the cluster-screw that was unfolding on CNN.

So, Palin's running for President in 2012? Attacking Obama on experience when Palin can't even complete her first term in office?

Really?

Dille for Governor?

Well...the Hutchinson Leader has an editorial endorsing this notion.

Minnesotans have not elected a DFL governor in 20 years. With strong DFL majorities in the House and Senate, voters might expect to sweep a DFL candidate into the governor’s office, too. But we believe the state is closely split and the inclination toward a balanced government might prevail for a Republican of the caliber and seasoning of Mr. Dille.

Senator Dille can win elections in Greater Minnesota. Door knocking in our race against Senator Dille in 2006, we found that nearly 2/3 of the district is related to the Senator in some way, shape, or form. He's a pretty popular guy out here and as a former opponent of the Senator, I have the utmost respect for Steve Dille.

In my opinion, I think he is a cool, common sense leader. In numerous meetings with the Senator since the 2006 elections, I've been able to help him work on some important Veterans and Higher Education issues.

Republicans view Senator Dille as a RINO, especially after his vote for the Transportation Bill in 2007 and the gas tax increase. I admire his political courage on this vote, but Republicans across the State would not support him.

Mr. Dille’s term is up as senator. If he decides not to run for governor, it is our hope he will run for Senate and serve voters here for another four years. We believe residents would return him to the Senate by a wide margin.

If, and that's a big if, Senator Dille decided to run again in 2010, it would not be for a four year term, but a two year term because of redistricting that would take effect in 2012.

However IF, Senator Dille decided to run again for the State Senate in 2010, I agree, he would most likely win by a large margin...coming from experience of course!

But this story is about Dille for Governor.

Look at the GOP field: Anderson, Hann, Brod, Seifert, Kohls, etc.

Look at the DFL field: Dayton, Kelley, Entenza, Kelliher, Coleman, Ryback, Thissen, etc.

IP field: ?

So, with his moderate views and consensus building history, it would make the most sense that IF Senator Dille were looking at higher office, he would have the most success at an IP Candidate for Governor.

Pray for us in a Anderson, Dille, and Marty debate...