Politics in Minnesota: The Weekly Report - Vol. 3, Issue 48 - 6/12/2008
Dems Tie It Up In Amiable Convo
[For an overview of the DFL Party's structure, new national delegates and state directors, see the article after Bits & Pieces.]
Comparing the DFL and GOP conventions? No contest. The DFL had a much better convention than the GOP. Greater energy, greater pageantry.
No one blessed with attending both the GOP and DFL state conventions could have missed the night-and-day contrast between the unfolding of the parties' affairs. As we described last week, the GOP was an unhappy example of how George Will said political parties "organize our animosities," but the grand ol' Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party turned in a solid and smooth performance in virtually every respect.
[One mystery: The Rochester Civic Center told the U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman (R) camp, "no confetti, no balloons," but the Civic Center allowed DFL Senate endorsee Al Franken a ton of confetti.]
DFLers believe the deftly handled legislative session earned them a new foothold of respect and experience. Notably, suburban DFLers seemed quite comfortable with facing their voters after the gas tax hike. We reported from Rochester that first-term Rep. Paul Gardner (DFL-Shoreview) thought his chances were good in the old ex-Rep. Phil Krinkie district. Everyone had great adulation for Speaker Margaret Kelliher (DFL-Minneapolis), and a Kelliher button campaign appeared just under the radar (a small tasteful red button that said, simply, "Margaret").
In contrast to the noisy collision of U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (TX-13) backers and party officials that defined the GOP convention experience, the biggest ruffle among Dems must have been the "Union Busting is Disgusting" fliers against Attorney General Lori Swanson distributed by AFSCME, as we first reported. Things went smoothly for the DFLers, without any anonymous fliers, whisper campaigns, and backstabbing on the floor. Al Franken's and Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer's campaigns each put their best foot forward and coordinated everything from question-and-answer time to the allocation of signs on the walls. The result: Everyone left ready to whip the Republicans in the fall!
More people can identify strongly with a political party if they see something they recognize within it. One interesting distinction between the major parties are the DFL's constituency caucuses, which have attracted many different types of people. The Minnesota Republican Party has no discernible counterpart, which is too bad because this system lets DFLers bring their groups' concerns to the table (and they get spiffy t-shirts -- the Senior Caucus deserves special credit here).
As everyone is saying now, the Republicans really need to unite; the party leaders say this constantly. With libertarian Paul apparently launching an alternative Republican convention as a counterpart to the real RNC in St. Paul, it's clear that the GOP establishment needs to do something to make them feel welcome. U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) got trounced in the Minnesota caucuses, which led to the gloomy fusion among the factions. Ergo, the ground troops are not going to be very motivated in the fall.
One of the very few DFL snags: the Obama caucus put up a slate that wasn't gender-balanced, and it didn't get straightened out until Monday.
Congratulations, Al
The bright spot for Republicans is that the DFL gave them their dream opponent to U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) in DFL-endorsed Al Franken. Despite the love fest in the unanimous first ballot in Rochester, more conservative legislators were quietly grumbling about having to run with Franken -- and his satire record -- on the top of the ticket. Since the endorsement, we've heard a significant number of business-minded DFLers say they'd be much better off voting for Coleman.
For Republicans, this is the time to sit on the sidelines and watch Democrats seriously consider whether Franken is a liability or an asset to the rest of the ticket. The big question, of course, is, will he or won't he?
Off To The Races
With the 2008 legislative session and the state political conventions now mere memories, and the local town summer festivals underway, the campaigns for House seats begin in earnest. House Republicans suffered heavy losses the last two elections. Democrats think 2008 could take them to 90 seats, the magic number to override a gubernatorial veto. Republicans, naturally, think they can make gains. Before we look to the fall, a review of the past:
|
Election Year
|
GOP
|
DFL
|
Margin
|
Notes
|
|
2006
|
49
|
85
|
36
|
DFL won 19 seats, took majority
|
|
2004
|
68
|
66
|
2
|
DFL won 14 seats
|
|
2002
|
81
|
52
|
29
|
GOP won 12 seats (Feb. 2003 special elections resulted in 81-53 spread)
|
|
2000
|
69
|
65
|
4
|
DFL won 2 seats
|
|
1998
|
71
|
63
|
8
|
GOP won 7 seats, took majority
|
|
1996
|
64
|
70
|
6
|
GOP won 1 seat
|
|
1994
|
63
|
71
|
8
|
GOP won 16 seats
|
|
1992
|
47
|
86
|
39
|
DFL won 6 seats (Jan. 1993 special election resulted in 48-86 spread)
|
|
1990
|
54
|
80
|
26
|
GOP won 1 seat
|
|
1988
|
53
|
81
|
28
|
GOP won 2 seats
|
|
1986
|
51
|
83
|
32
|
DFL won 18 seats, took majority
|
|
1984
|
69
|
65
|
4
|
GOP won 12 seats, took majority
|
|
1982
|
57
|
77
|
20
|
DFL won 7 seats
|
|
1980
|
64
|
70
|
6
|
DFL won 3 seats, took majority
|
|
1978
|
67
|
67
|
0
|
GOP won 37 seats, Tie
|
A look at the past fifteen campaign cycles reveals seven instances of double-digit pick-ups. In the 2006 election cycle, the DFL caucus took the majority with a 19-seat win to piggyback on their 2004 gain of 14 seats, a success reminiscent of their 1986 takeover with a 12-seat victory. In 2002, the GOP majority won 12 seats for a 29-vote lead; in 1994 they took 16 seats; in 1984 they stole the majority for one cycle with a 12-seat gain, and thirty years ago they took a record-breaking 37 seats to bring the House of Representatives to a 67-67 tie.
To get a better sense of the 2008 House races, PIM interviewed past and present House campaign directors: the DFL's Melissa Parker and Anna Youngerman, and the GOP's Ben Golnik and Gregg Peppin.
This year's DFL House campaign effort is being led by Parker, who headed up the DFL's blowout 2006 campaign cycle. According to Parker, a well-articulated DFL message, coupled with legislative sessions where the DFL leadership delivered on campaign promises, means it's unlikely the GOP will regain many districts this year. In fact, Parker is looking to pick up more seats this summer.
The GOP's Golnik disagrees that the DFL will be widening the gap. Golnik is currently a political consultant to the House Republican Campaign Committee, as well as regional campaign manager for U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ). His political resume includes political and executive directorships of the Minnesota and Vermont Republican parties, management of a Maine congressional campaign, a Washington D.C. job with U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID), and a U.S. State Department fellowship in Russia.
Golnik gave several reasons why he was confident this year will reap gains for the GOP. He listed the general political environment as one, pointing out that in a time where concerns about jobs and the economy permeate, it will be difficult for freshman DFL legislators to defend the gas tax increase. He is also happy with this year's candidate quality, and finds it significant that the DFL is behind the GOP in "filling the holes" of recruited candidates. Golnik said the GOP has 12 to 15 holes left to fill, while he estimates the DFL has over 20 left.
Both sides of the aisle agree that candidate quality is important, and some would say the most important.
In Parker's mind, local House races are unique in that candidates have the ability to personally meet and talk to every voter in their district, roughly 30,000 people. A successful candidate works hard on doorknocking and establishing a personal connection. To some degree, national and state candidates impact local races, but Parker pointed out that several seats won by the DFL in 2006 voted for Bush.
"Those candidates did more hard work talking to their neighbors about their vision," Parker said. "That transcends the large party apparatus."
Peppin has been directing campaigns for the GOP House Caucus since 1994, and while he has handed the reins over to Golnik and Ian Marsh, Peppin remains involved with his political communications business, P2B Strategies. In his six-cycle experience (Brenda Elmer and Chas Anderson handled the 2000 elections), the primary indicator of success is candidate quality - and he attributes GOP quality recruitment to Speaker Steve Sviggum.
Peppin recalled the endless meetings and phone calls with potential candidates, and concluded, "That's what was so great about Steve Sviggum. He wasn't afraid to pound the pavement."
To Peppin, a quality candidate can withstand the rollercoaster of an election cycle, whereas a bad one will rise and fall with the political tide. He commented that swings are not uncommon in Minnesota, and as the state becomes more of a swing state on the presidential level, local House races are more susceptible to national and presidential campaign influences.
In fact, all four said double-digit political swings occur as a result of national political influence - an element campaign directors have no control over.
Anna Youngerman, of the public relations firm Himle Horner, worked three election cycles in the DFL House Caucus. She was hired in 1998 to pound the pavement with Rep. Ann Lenczewski (DFL-Bloomington), served as the caucus field director in 2000 and then as campaign director in 2002.
"So much is driven by the national and statewide climate that it's hard for legislative candidates to control everything that's going on in their race," Youngerman said. She acknowledged that the tide can be broken a bit, but said it is prudent for one to understand what can be controlled in a district house race, and what can't.
According to Youngerman, the double-digit DFL House losses in 2002 (not to mention national DFL campaigns) were significantly affected by the Wellstone accident and funeral. Prior to the event, Youngerman recalls feeling very positively about her House races. The 1998 loss of the majority can be connected to the rise of Independent Gov. Jesse Ventura, whose platform bought out new voters and an ideology that was more compatible with GOP values.
Regarding national influence, Peppin said, "I didn't used to be a strong believer. I'm still not a strong believer - but I am a believer that what happens on the top of the ticket impacts what happens down the ballot."
He explained that both caucuses have 10-12 targeted races, but often big swings occur when campaigns off the radar benefit from the current political tide and wash up relatively unexpectedly. He listed Rep. Ken Tschumper (DFL-La Crescent) and Rep. Paul Gardner (DFL-Shoreview) as 2006 beneficiaries of midterm anti-Bush sentiment, a phenomenon he said conversely contributed to the GOP swing in 1998's midterm anti-Clinton environment.
Peppin said past Reps. Judy Soderstrom (R-Mora) and Doug Lindgren (R-Bagley) were GOP beneficiaries of the 2002 anti-DFL backlash that swelled after the Wellstone Memorial. Pro-Reagan feelings in 1984 helped the GOP win the majority for one biennium, and the 1978 Minnesota Massacre resulted in a Republican governor, two Republican senators, and a gain of 37 House seats to even out the Legislature at 67-67.
Presidential elections also result in increased voter turnout, and the influx of casual voters have recently tended to vote DFL, Peppin said.
So, what role does money play in campaign success?
In terms of caucus fundraising, Peppin said money plays a big role in campaigns as it is the limiting factor that determines the extent of caucus participation in local races. Additionally, because of the rise of independent expenditures, individual campaign fundraising has become less important because party units and interest groups substantially subsidize (at time, even outspending!) the candidate's campaign.
Parker said the DFL caucus is often behind the GOP in fund-raising, but that the gap is closing. Interestingly, the only time the DFL surpassed the GOP was in 2006. She framed the situation as a chicken or egg question - is the House DFL raising more funds because they have been more successful, or are they more successful because they are raising more funds? Ultimately, she says strong candidates are the deciding factor.
Yuk It Up With Comedy Yakkers Before The RNC
Two professional stand-up comics will present a cross-partisan comedy routine over the weekend before the Republican National Convention: Duking it out, Jeff Gerbino on the left and Jeff Wayne on the right will be hosting the Left Wing Right Wing Comedy Debates at the Holiday Inn East at I-94 & McKnight Road, near the 3M headquarters. They'll be hosted by Scott Hansen, who's running a new comedy club at the Holiday called "This Place is a Joke."
Both are comedy veterans; Gerbino tells PIM he's been doing it since "B.C.", before cable or before children. He's a native New Yorker who started yukking it up in 1978. He and Wayne kicked the idea around for years, after Gerbino had done political shows locally in 1992, 1996 and 2004. Gerbino has done some radio and writing (he's working on a book now).
The gig will run between Friday, August 29th until the eve of the RNC, on Sunday, August 31st. Maybe they'll keep running a "workshop" during the convention, he adds. Each comic will have a solo round, then they'll bonk heads and take questions from the audience. Native Minnesotan Bob Larson will emcee. He sees his show as an opportunity for the other side to fire back creatively. What are the Republicans going to party over? "The recession?" he asks, pointing out that but for 22,000 votes, there would only be a lonely U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) to welcome Republicans to town.
Touting the relevance of the satire circuit, Gerbino says "We're the only ones saying anything," as shows like The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, the Colbert Report and HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher stack up political guests because they're making a statement with a real point of view. He agrees with what Stewart says: they fire their comedy at "where the targets are," and currently the GOP has that all sewn up, but they're prepared to go after Dems once their "heads surface from the water."
Gerbino adds that he wrote dozens of politically pivotal jokes for Gov. Tim Pawlenty while he was Gerbino's state Rep. The gubernatorial candidate wheeled out the lines at caucuses and fundraisers, which surely helped him edge out Brian Sullivan in their difficult final 12-ballot battle. "He called me and asked," says Gerbino. "No one else asked!" Check out jeffgerbino.com, jeffwayne.com and their nascent Yahoo! group for more info.
Black Oil Blog: Supply Side PAC For Pumping!
We've added the Black Oil Blog to our Minnesota Political Blog Directory. The blog is a project of the brand-new U.S. Energy PAC in Rogers, which advocates increasing oil production by promoting more drilling around the United States. Their goal is complete independence from foreign energy sources, and their blog says "The obstacles to true energy independence for our nation are largely political and ideological in nature;" there is little shortage of oil, and ethanol production has added to the spike in food prices.
Dave Hoium, a former reporter and a long-time and highly respected veteran in GOP circles, talked with PIM about the U.S. Energy PAC's goals: "We want to be able to drill." It got pulled together about a month ago, and is chaired by Traverse County Attorney Matthew Franzese. (Hoium co-wrote "There is No November," the definitive insider account of Jon Grunseth's failed gubernatorial campaign.)
Their objective is to counter the influence of groups like the Sierra Club and the League of Conservation Voters (LCV), mainly by promoting oil drilling in locales like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), offshore and within the relatively unpublicized Bakken Formation in North Dakota and Montana. Bakken, in particular, might have more recoverable oil than that remaining under Saudi Arabia.
There are many directions the energy debate can go, but the U.S. Energy PAC is squarely focused on the supply side, Hoium says. The debate over demand "is going on without us," but no one has really thought about drilling and supply, he says. With rising trouble like food riots around the world, Hoium says, "let's drill for oil," in ANWR and elsewhere, though he agrees that the actual amount of oil within ANWR is heavily disputed.
Hoium objects to how the anti-drilling lobby is OK with damaging the environment in places like Saudi Arabia, while claiming to preserve it within the United States. There's a "lot of hypocrisy" in the opposition, he says.
He says that excessive refinery construction regulations have made those investments prohibitively expensive, so they want the refinery regulations reduced.
Meanwhile, they don't oppose alternative fuel development, but sources like wind, hydrogen and ethanol have their limits and are "not going to replace oil in our lifetime" nor lead to national energy independence. The technology for purely electric cars just isn't there (mainly because batteries are problematic). In politics, there's the "old implacable foe of unintended consequences," says Hoium. Ethanol has never really been driven by the market price, and now, in turn, the price of Wheaties has been driven up by ethanol.
Hoium adds that lowering regulations for people who convert their own cars to run on electricity should be supported. "Go out, do it yourself" type people "should not be hampered" by regulations, Hoium says. Home-brew electric conversions are increasingly popular this season, but often blocked by aggressive roadway regulators. [Check out the drag-racing electrified 1978 Ford Pinto, pumping out 1500 amps!]
Today, more expensive sources like shale oil can be tapped because the markets are above $40/barrel. There was a alternative-style drilling boom around 20 years ago, but many people got "left hanging" and lost a lot of money. It "scared a lot of people back then," stalling investment for a long time.
The new PAC, made up of "political activists" and "campaign types" rather than "policy wonks," will focus on federal lobbying at the legislative level. Against the enemies of drilling, they'll engage in direct political action, and independent expenditures. It'll be a crowded field this season, and the television ad people must be happy to have another player in their mix of clients.
Monitor Upgrades: Newly Independent, Or Left Gatekeeper For The Sorosphere?
The website formerly known as the Minnesota Monitor has performed a much-needed digital makeover, and emerged as the snazzy-looking Minnesota Independent. Branded as "A Center for Independent Media site," the Center's five other sites, the New Mexico Independent, the Washington Independent, the Michigan Messenger, the Colorado Independent, and the Iowa Independent have a fairly coherent new brand. (The Michigan and Iowa sites still use the old Monitor web platform, while the others use the new one just rolled out in Minnesota.) With local alt-weekly guru Steve Perry and a large number of contributors aboard, they've been able to cork out quality stories.
They've even stacked up a few awards from the Minnesota chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ). SPJ lauds them as an independent site, but some on the left see this kind of operation as part of The System, a "left gatekeeper" that helps control the boundaries of mainstream liberal discourse, while some on the right label them a cog in the Sorosphere (Mitch Berg dubbed them the Minnesoros Monitor). The Independent gets money through the Center for Independent Media from George Soros' Open Society Institute (OSI), the Rockefeller Family Fund, and other foundations.
Of course, this money must come with some kind of strings attached, even if it isn't explicit. Eric Black said that he never felt pressured to push any point of view at the Monitor. Nonetheless, the foundation-funded left has been criticized for keeping its distance from exposing issues that might trouble powerful elites like Soros and the Rockefeller family.
For example, these "independent" sites would find it awkward to address how Soros' OSI has worked with Beltway-area "perception management" firms to help organize and promote those trendy "color-themed" revolutions around Europe, and backed militant Albanian separatists in Kosovo. It would also be difficult to talk about how David Rockefeller (who co-founded their family fund in 1967) attended the infamously secretive Bilderberg Group conference in Chantilly, Virginia last week.
[Here's Bilderberg's press release. According to the attendee list posted on the Internet, Minnesota's arch-GOP insider (and chair of the National Endowment for Democracy) Vin Weber also rubbed shoulders with the likes of Henry Kissinger, Paul Wolfowitz, Fed chairman Ben Bernanke, and a plethora of global government, NGO, academic and financial officials.]
It gets back to one of the deeper questions of American culture: what does it mean to be truly independent? What is an uncontrolled media message? Can even the most well-intentioned media scribes somehow insulate themselves from the interests of their quiet financiers? How does the SPJ qualify websites as truly "independent"? These guys are making a play for the label, but they who write the checks, also pay the bills.
Bits & Pieces
In something of a surprise announcement, Rep. Dean Simpson (R-Perham) announced his retirement. A retail grocer by trade, he told Forum Communications' Scott Wente that he's stepping down to focus on the business. With food prices totally out of whack this season, it'll surely take the full focus of an experienced hand to keep things working. We're wishing Simpson the best of luck in manning the checkout line of the food crisis.
Big Tobacco on The Big Question. The Star Tribune's Pat Lopez wrote a post this week on the paper's Big Question blog noting that Phillip Morris' (Altria) media affairs director stopped by the Capitol Press room. Lopez rightly wondered what was up with that. Phillip Morris has significant lobbying representation in two of the biggest shops, Cook Hill Girard (since 2001) and Messerli & Kramer (since 2003).
The McKnight Foundation has announced two grants totalling $3 million to RE-AMP and the Midwestern Governors Association. The grants will support collaborations to develop solutions to climate problems in the Midwest. RE-AMP, who will receive $2 million over two years, is a network of over 70 Midwest nonprofits that work for leadership in clean energy and reduction in global warming. MGA will receive $1 million over 18 months to implement the Energy Security and Climate Stewardship Platform and Greenhouse Gas Accord as a regional strategy for energy security and greenhouse gas reduction.
Minneapolis mayor R.T. Rybak has chosen Interim Fire Chief Alex Jackson as the city's next Fire Chief. Jackson has worked in the Minneapolis Fire Department for twenty-seven years, and has served as Interim Chief since April. "In a city that prides itself on emergency preparedness and response, Jackson is the right person to take our fire department into the future," Rybak said. The mayor will formally submit Jackson's name to the Executive Committee on June 25th, after which the new Chief must be approved by Public Safety and Regulatory Services Committee and the City Council.
On June 13th the 2008 Republican National Convention will hold a press conference at the St. Paul Central Library to announce the winner of the Youth Essay Contest. The "Wave the Stars and Stripes" essay contest was sponsored by the Pioneer Press, Qwest, and Microsoft. The winner of the contest will lead the Pledge of Allegiance at an official RNC event as well as receive prizes from Qwest and Microsoft.
Senate Republican Leader David Senjem (R-Rochester) and the Senate Republican Leadership Team will hold a special breakfast with Governor Tim Pawlenty on Thursday June 26th. The minimum contribution is $250 per person for the All-American breakfast buffet which will run from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. at the Southview Country Club in West St. Paul. Seats must be reserved by Friday, June 20th by email at mnsenategop@yahoo.com or by phone at 651-487-0088.
On the other side of the aisle, the Senate DFL Caucus will hold its 2008 June Fundraiser at the Four Points Sheraton in Minneapolis on June 18th. From 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. there will be a private leadership reception for $2,000 per person, then from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. the general Caucus reception will be held, for a donation of $250 per person.
Secretary of State Mark Ritchie is proud to announce that Minnesota has been selected by the Election Assistance Commission to receive $2 million to improve election night reporting. Four other states were selected for similar funding. Ritchie called the grant "a recognition of Minnesota's long-standing leadership position when it comes to elections and an opportunity to share our expertise with other states."
GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty named eight to the Rural Health Advisory Committee. The reappointments are, Dr. Raymond Christensen of Duluth, Thomas Crowley of Kellogg, Diane Muckenhirn of Hutchinson, Nancy Stratman of Wilmar and Sen. Betsy Wergin (R-Princeton). The new appointments are Jode Freyholtz of Verndale, Dr. Jeffery Hardwig of International Falls, and Sen. Yvonne Prettner-Solon (DFL-Duluth). The Rural Health Advisory Committee advises the Health Commissioner and other state agencies on health issues, and consists of 15 members all appointed by the Governor. All are appointed (with the exception of Sen. Solon who is filling an unscheduled vacancy) to 4 year terms ending in January 2012.
The Governor also named Kathy Lohmer and Dennis Jensen to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Citizens Board. The MPCA Citizens Board considers and makes decisions on varied and complex pollution problems that affect areas of the state. The Board had eight members appointed by the governor. Lohmer and Jensen have been appointed to 4 year terms ending in January 2012.
Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party: What's The Structure, Anyway?
We got some background about the somewhat esoteric inner structure of the DFL, as state Executive Committee directors got elected in Rochester. The Executive Committee, composed of the statewide officers, the Congressional District chairs, the Young DFL chair, and the at-large directors, is kind of like the board of a large corporation, overseeing the financial matters and new hires. (They don't directly handle the legislative elections; that responsibility falls more with the House and Senate caucuses.)
The at-large directors are intended to represent a mix of talent, interests and experience. The newly elected male at-large directors are Omar Adams, Sean Broom, Jamie Edwards, Del Jenkins, Kendal Killian, Eric Margolis, Rick Nelson and Dan Weinand. From the floor, we previously reported the uncontested female slate.
The statewide officials are elected by the much larger Central Committee, with hundreds of members, allocated from senate districts and counties. The Central Committee meets about four times a year, with the state convention as one of these events. The Central Committee has the final say over the budget, and elects the DFL's statewide officers on non-election years. Until the late 1990s, they had party chair elections during the election-year conventions. Serving for two-year terms, the statewide officials will be up for election around February or March of 2009.
There's a difference between the DFL's Ongoing Platform, a general statement on certain issues over a long period of time, which is intended to be amendable but permanent, and the Action Agenda, which is fabricated anew every two years.
The two modified on-going platform planks are:
- Civil and Human Rights (modified plank): We oppose discrimination against any person on the basis of race, creed, religion, immigration status, sex, sexual or affectional orientation, HIV status, marital or homemaker status, disability or age.
- Tax and Budget Policy (new plank): We support balancing the federal budget and reducing the National debt.
The Action Agenda doesn't seem like a highly visible component of the DFL's legislative affairs during the session, but we heard it works out as a more "behind the scenes" kind of element. It was compared to how the national party platforms tend to mirror the presidential candidates' views, but candidates don't directly promote the platforms themselves.
Where's the connection to St. Paul? There's a Legislative Committee that's part of the Executive Committee, and they lobby for the Action Agenda behind the scenes.
Finally, we found out who is going to party in Denver. According to the DFL's website, the add-on national delegates are Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and Dr. Josie Johnson. U.S. Sen. Barack Obama's Party Leader and Elected Officials (PLEOs) are J.P. Barone, Alex Cutler, Rebecca Otto, Ralph Remington, Patricia Torres-Ray and Erma Vizenor. Obama's at-large elected delegates are David Gilbert-Pederson, Robert Lilligren, Miguel Lindgren, Don Bye, Bill Davis, alternate Yee Chang, Katherine Kwong, Sondra Samuels, Matthea Little Smith, Anjuli Mishra, Allison Jones, Sylvia Adams, alternate Nicque Mabrey and alternate Robin Sternberg. U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton's (D-NY) PLEOs are Jamie Edwards, JoAnn Enos, and Susan Gaertner. Clinton's at-large delegates are Charissa Bryant, Charles Edvard Carlson, Claudia Cody, Tom Dooher, Kelsey Neumann and alternate Mohamed Jibrell. [More about delegates from the DNC.]
Lobbyist Watch
From the Minnesota Campaign Finance & Public Disclosure Board:
Morning Reports
