Politics in Minnesota: The Weekly Report - Vol. 2, Issue 45 - 05/18/2007
Pogology
Pogology: POHG-ahl-oh-gee. noun. The science or study of the behavior of Larry Pogemiller.
Pogologist: POHG-ahl-oh-jist. noun. A specialist in pogology.
The buzz from Tuesday's joint House and Senate DFL press conference was Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller's (DFL-Minneapolis) latest display of much-studied but erratic behavior with the press during pressure points of the legislative session. One trait under study by Pogologists is Pogemiller's seemingly innate ability to throw female colleagues under the bus during joint press conferences. The latest was his condescending tone and comments during the joint news conference with House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher (DFL-Minneapolis).
Pogemiller said that the potential for a special session was the fault of the House Republicans who wanted to force a special session to "embarrass the Speaker." Furthermore, when suggesting that the "Senate had a plan" he implied that Kelliher did not have a plan and that he was too nice to share his plan. One of your Pogologist publisher's observations is that Pogemiller doesn't have the discipline with the media to be a leader of the caucus. Every member of the capitol press corps offered examples of how the media operation, led by former KSTPer Gary Hill, has been pretty close to inept this session. Pogemiller doesn't help the situation.
Pogology has its roots in the first education bill announced by the Senate. Skeptical reporters began studying Pogemiller's rhetoric on that bill, which dedicated all "new" money to special ed, meaning there would be no other money available for anything else short of raising taxes. "Pogology" was coined by a member of the press corps. If there is a field devoted to the study of Pogemiller, then the rest of us must be "Pogologists."
If Pogology is, indeed, a science (like global warming), there are skeptics. Meaning: We hear directly from many Democrats in both the Senate and the House who are tired of reading Pogological tea leaves. This does not bode well for the longevity of Pogologists -- or their subject matter.
Deconstructing Paulose, Heffelfinger, Coleman & Gonzales
This story reminds us that your publishers may be a little jaded about stories that can be easily dismissed as conspiracy theories. Such is the case of the U.S. Attorney storm in Minnesota. We, and most of the Minnesota media, missed this story at the beginning. We dismissed any link between former U.S. Attorney for Minnesota Tom Heffelfinger leaving the agency and the storm of scandal that has hit the Justice Department, the White House, and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. Our missing the link isn't because people didn't raise the issue, but rather stems from our refusal to accept the black helicopter theories that were originally floated.
Now, according to some reports, Gonzales is wavering in his support of current U.S. Attorney Rachel Paulose. This comes at an intriguing time, not only because of the increasingly rapid boil of the U.S. Attorney-firings controversy, but also as Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) quietly backs away from President George W. Bush. As the Senator of the President's party, Coleman would be in the best position to defend Paulose. But apparently he has decided against supporting Paulose. As a former solicitor general of the state, we're guessing he sees some writing on the wall that he prefers to avoid. Yesterday Coleman called for Gonzales to resign, citing Heffelfinger's presence on early attorney-firing lists.
The DNA of the early media reports, reported nearly exclusively by KSTP TV's Bob McNaney, were clearly from U.S. Attorney office employees loyal to Heffelfinger. While we characterized the hubbub over the Paulose coronation controversy as petty politics, we didn't consider that sources from within the office were likely reflecting a feeling that Heffelfinger didn't leave on his own terms. McNaney's close relationship with Heffelfinger (forged over the Dru Sjodin case and others) no doubt scored him the scoop and without the Heffelfinger link, the story could have been seen simply as a government waste piece.
During the first wave of nationwide press over the U.S. Attorney firings, the sense was that the reason those attorneys were fired was because they were not "partisan" enough. Heffelfinger, while not overly partisan, didn't leave office at the same time. Again, we dismissed any significant link.
Then word came that Heffelfinger's name was on a list of U.S. Attorneys that might be asked to step down. Finally, there were the Paulose management issues, the subsequent arrival of her D.C. office nanny, and the round of media interviews from Heffelfinger stating that while not aware of anything, he would like to find out what was going on.
Finally, Heffelfinger outlined for the Strib that it wasn't partisan politics that got him on the list, but rather his aggressive advocacy on Native American issues, including pushing with the Attorney General for a request to be on the Attorney General's Advisory Committee. For years Heffelfinger also chaired the U.S. Attorney's Native American Issues Subcommittee (NAIS), a Department of Justice policy coordinating group dealing with all levels of government, enforcement and tribal affairs. Heffelfinger thinks it was this focus on local issues rather than the Administration's national agenda that got him on the list.
Back in March, Heffelfinger told Minnesota Lawyer that five of the eight who were dismissed worked closely with him on Native American issues and were among his closest friends in the U.S. attorney ranks.
Recently released DOJ emails reveal interesting comments about NAIS and Heff's vice chair, USA Margaret Chaira (Michigan). At 12:20 a.m. on May 9, 2006, DOJ deputy Bill Mercer emails Kyle Sampson: "Have you filled the NAIS chairmanship? Chiara was Tom's vice, but she has limitations." At 2:18 p.m., Sampson emails Monica Goodling: "I think the answer to Bill's below questions is no -- 99 percent sure. Could you confirm it to me?" Goodling replies at 5:49, "Judy also says Chiara is calling herself the chair of the NAIS, but Judy is checking her email to see who authorized it or how it happened. Perhaps she just assumed it was hers after Tom left..." At 6:34, Judy Beeman responds, attaching an email sent from Chiara's office on March 23 saying she is indeed the chair, ascending from vice chair. This email has a NAIS member list, including USAs Paul Charlton (Arizona), Daniel Bogden (Nevada), and David Iglesias (New Mexico). These three and Chiara were eventually fired.
Lesson learned: Don't dismiss things that don't smell right out-of-hand. Kudos to McNaney getting the ball rolling. The other thing this story has illustrated is just how much of a class act Heffelfinger is; he hasn't gone out of his way to make this a major story...about himself.
What Happened To The Hot Button Issues?
The beginning of every legislative session produces a plethora of preview stories about issues likely to be addressed by the legislature. But just because a proposal makes good headlines doesn't mean that it will make it through the process. In fact, this year most bold proposals died or are on life support. Here are a few to think about:
We'll start with the MPR preview, it contains many issues that we found in other previews such as the Star Tribune, Pioneer Press, St. Paul Legal Ledger and local blogs.
The top issues in most of the stories:
- Property Tax Relief - Looks dead, could still come back;
- More Money for Schools - Latest plan has only 2 percent;
- Early Childhood - No big plans, full-day Kindergarten expansion;
- Health Insurance for Kids - The first issue dropped;
- Boost to Higher Ed - Bill is less than the Governor wanted;
- Keep up with Transportation - Governor veto's gas tax bill. Remains to be seen if there will be any transportation bill; and,
- Renewable Energy Standards - Signed early.
Other hot issues that got a lot of coverage:
- Wine in Grocery Stores - Dead;
- Primary Offense Seatbelt - Dead;
- Expansion of Mall of America - Still living in tax bill;
- Expansion of Thomson West - Still living in the tax bill;
- Smoking Ban - Signed into law;
- Renewable Fuels - Done early, signed into law;
- No Special Session - We'll see...
End Of Session & Out Of Steam
We know our readers expect us to provide insightful commentary on how the session turns out and whether the gang finishes on time.
We'll be blunt. We have no idea what will happen.
So Long To Long
Congratulations to our good friend, Dee Long, for having one fabulous career. Long was first elected to the House in 1978 to represent the Lowry Hill and Kenwood areas of south Minneapolis. She served as House Majority Leader from 1989 to 1992 and was the first woman elected to be Speaker of the House in 1992. Long resigned in 1994. According to the Minnesota Historical Society, "Long resigned the speakership . . . following a scandal concerning misuse of House long distance telephone service and allegations that she played golf instead of attending sessions during a legislative conference in California. Despite this setback, Long went on to serve as chair of the powerful tax committee from 1996 to 1998 (Long also chaired the committee from 1988-1989)."
Before returning to Long's career, an important digression. We were highly disturbed to learn how the Minnesota Historical Society is officially summarizing Long's legislative career. It's a gross injustice to Long to characterize her career in these words. For our younger readers, Long assumed the Speakership after the abuse of the legislative phone system came to light (several legislators and their families extensively used the toll-free long distance number for personal business back in the old days when long distance cost a small fortune). What Long did was classy: She was the person at the top so she resigned for the transgressions of others. Long took the bullet for her DFL colleagues. Plain and simple.
In re Long on a golf course in California. This happened at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) annual meeting held in San Diego that year, back in other old days when legislative junkets were largely financed by lobbyists. Sure, Long was on a golf course, but so was everyone else (or they were at the hotel pool or the beach). The chief media culprit here was KSTP TV. Those were not the finest days for the station, which also captured another legislator in Mexico and one leaving a porn shop on the same trip. That year's NCSL meeting became a media frenzy. One of your publishers fondly recalls a St. Paul Pioneer Press reporter hiding behind a potted palm trying to catch then Sens. Dean Johnson and Pat McGowan getting a free lunch from your publisher lobbyist and her then-business partner, Wy Spano. Much to the chagrin of the reporter, Johnson picked up the tab (having no clue at the time that there was a reporter lurking in a palm tree). The video of Long golfing took on a life of its own, in large part because Long's golf swing, was, well, rough, for lack of a better word. Fortunately, Long, herself, has joked about that golf swing over the years.
Anyway, the official record should be changed. Please do contact the Minnesota Historical Society and make that request.
Back to Long. Since 2001, Long has lobbied on behalf of Fresh Energy, formerly Minnesotans for an Energy Efficient Economy. She championed ambitious energy policy supporting Smart Growth, transit and energy independence, issues she advocated as a legislator along with others including the environment, women's rights, human rights and social and economic justice. Fresh Energy is hosting a dinner and roast to celebrate Dee's life and work June 12 at the St. Paul Hotel. Keynote speakers and roasters include current House Speaker Margaret Kelliher, Growth & Justice's (and former Star Tribune political reporter) Dane Smith, Fresh Energy's Michael Noble, former House Speaker and Rep. Steve Sviggum (R-Kenyon), former broadcaster and Minneapolis City Council member Barbara Carlson and former DFL Rep. Kathleen Vellenga. The event is invitation only but if you didn't get one, we checked with Fresh Energy -- call the group and make the date. 651-225-0878. What Minnesota public affairs junkie could possibly miss Babs roasting Dee?!
Gold Medal Park Should See Red & Blue
Both Minneapolis and St. Paul are blessed with lovely public spaces and parks. In St. Paul, there are the State Capitol grounds, Rice Park, Harriet Island; in Minneapolis, the chain of lakes, Loring Park and others. But besides the State Capitol steps and the mall below, there hasn't been a sublime public space that cries for a political rally. No longer. The new Gold Medal Park has the potential to become the gold standard for public space for public outcries. What could be better than a subtly soaring grassy summit with dramatic views of the city and the river? With plenty of room for crowds below? Plus, unlike the State Capitol, there are lots of easy parking options.
Note to Republicans who want an event made for TV cameras or Democrats who want the same to protest the Republican National Convention in the Twin Cities next year: Gather your people on the east side of the river and have them march across the Stone Arch Bridge to Gold Medal Park. Incredibly the park is the first substantial green space to be added to downtown since Loring and Elliot parks in 1883. And it's the first time the city of Minneapolis has had a public park financed by the private sector. Former United Health CEO Bill McGuire paid for it. Thank you, Mr. McGuire. And kudos to Thomas Oslund, the landscape architect who designed the park. It's gorgeous (and the doggie bags attached to each garbage bin are a thoughtful, useful park amenity). As Oslund noted in a Star Tribune editorial, they did a reverse Joni Mitchell. Rather than paving paradise and putting up a parking lot, they "torn down a parking lot and put up paradise."
2008 Presidential Campaign Volunteers & Meet-Ups: GOP Edition
Last week we featured Democratic presidential campaign efforts, mostly volunteer efforts and state-specific sections of official websites. Volunteer organizations and MeetUp groups are springing up from the state's fertile fields of activists. The DFL's website is now listing local 2008 Democratic Presidential Campaigns, but the GOP has no such page to date that we could find. Here are the contacts we've found so far. If you know of more campaign contacts, please email mailto:staff@politicsinminnesota.com. We will try to keep this index current through the presidential race. GOP efforts look pretty sparse, but activists are still gearing up. An un-official Ron Paul MeetUp group has quickly collected supporters since it was set up a few days ago. Hopefully other candidates will get moving to help build that sense of camaraderie for the long haul!
Rudy Giuliani
- Wheelock Whitney signed on as state Finance Chair according to MPR's Polinaut (May 5)
Sen. John McCain (AZ)
- Gov. Tim Pawlenty is a co-chair of the national campaign
- The McCain leadership team - McCain endorsers among local GOP
Rep. Ron Paul, M.D. (TX)
- Ron Paul MeetUp - volunteer organizer Corey Stern
Former Gov. Mitt Romney (MA)
- Beltway lobbyist and former U.S. Rep. Vin Weber became Romney's national Policy Chairman, announced January 16
- Jeff Larson, local GOP big roller
- Volunteer Elect Romney blog Minnesota section
Former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton is still the official Hillary Clinton campaign email contact listed by the DFL, but he has not been declared the official chair of the state campaign, as we erroneously indicated last week. We reported correctly in April that he was unofficially leading the campaign. The Clinton campaign is likely to announce officers around the time the candidate visits in early June.
Politics In Minnesota: Bits & Pieces...
The Minnesota Monitor blog has an interesting interview with New York Times columnist (and Minnesota native and pal to one of your publishers) David Carr, reflecting on how the local media scene inspired him to go into the industry, characterizing Eric Eskola (WCCO AM and Almanac), Pat Kessler (WCCO TV) and Eric Black (Star Tribune) as some of his media "heroes." Carr gave the keynote address at the Society of Professional Journalists Page One Awards banquet on Tuesday night. Carr: "You shouldn't position me as being in a perch at the New York Times. You know, the people at the Wall Street Journal thought they had a pretty good perch two weeks ago. All the sticks are up in the air, and I don't think anybody should feel too smug about what they're doing. The regionals got problems. The nationals got problems.... The question is how do they get from one ledge to the other? If there is a digital future how do they get there and still have the branded, quality, local content that gives them the edge?" By firing the switchboard ladies and the experienced columnists, surely.
By the way, we've been remiss in not plugging Brian Lambert's media blog on the subject of the Star Tribune. For the most deeply sourced information and what it all means, Lambert to the Slaughter is a must read.
Yesterday, the Dog Grounds neighborhood nonprofit dog play area development group broke the ground at a new off-leash dog park in Loring Park. Interestingly, a pro-dog park activist told PIM some vocal locals dubbed "the squirrel lobby" have presented the biggest objection to the Loring project, claiming park squirrels would lose several trees of habitat to the dogs. Off-leash dog play areas are also in the works for Elliot Park and North Loop, with the involvement of Minneapolis city council member Lisa Goodman and many local donors.
Is any one else getting half a dozen calls a day from the Republican National Committee? http://whocalled.us/lookup/7013650215
U.S. Senate candidates Mike Ciresi, Al Franken and Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL-Inver Grove Heights) might have to contend with a Nobel Prize winner: Nobel Laureate and Duke University medical professor Dr. Peter Agre announced Wednesday he is taking a leave to evaluate running for Senate in Minnesota. Agre's family has lived in the state for four generations. He earned the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2003, after he and his colleagues investigated water channel proteins they discovered in 1991.
The nationally renowned political grassroots consulting firm, Grassroots Solutions will likely see another big year in 2008 after their Washington, D.C. partner David Boundy joins the Democratic National Committee as national field director. Grassroots Solutions was founded by Wellstone insiders Dan Cramer and Robert Richman and has been rapidly growing in its training and consulting practice. Last year in Minnesota they played a key role in the grassroots in favor of the Vote Yes! campaign.
There are tickets still left for the hottest political commentator and comedian Jon Stewart, who is coming to Minneapolis on Friday. Growth and Justice has dropped their ticket prices to $125 per seat which includes a pre-show reception at Solera. Visit Growthandjustice.org for more information.
The Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs in Minneapolis is now accepting applications for the Humphrey Institute Policy Fellows leadership development program. Now in its 16th year, the Policy Fellows program offers practical training in public affairs leadership for emerging leaders from government, private and nonprofit sectors from around the state. The program equips participants with skills to inspire, organize and work effectively with others to advance the public good. Many prominent people in Minnesota public affairs have been Fellows. Here's more information.
Politics In
Minnesota: Lobbyist Watch
--Who is working
what issues--
From the Minnesota Campaign Finance & Public Disclosure Board:
As always, we look forward to hearing what you like as well as what you don't about our new publication. Please, do send your thoughts to staff@politicsinminnesota.com or to the publishers, at blois@politicsinminnesota.com and/or sarah@politicsinminnesota.com. We'll keep your e-mails confidential, although we'd appreciate knowing what part of the state or the country you're from.
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