am.mn logoWith shipments heading to both coasts, it was a good weekend for Minnesota’s leading export: rightwing political rhetoric. In California, a conservative group took delivery of a 36-minute speech from Gov. Tim Pawlenty. (Note to Customer Service: T-Paw’s speech was “too long” but those who heard him said they “still didn’t know a lot about him.”) Meanwhile across the country, U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann was “informed and inspiring” as she urged the Connecticut Liberty Forum to stop health care reform.

Elsewhere in Minnesota news this morning … 

MAHTOMEDI: Kelley to announce for guv today. A simple twist of fate kept former state Sen. Steve Kelley from the governor’s mansion last time around, one theory goes. [Associated Press; Minnesota Brown]

ROCHESTER: Against Afghan surge. A “less ambitious” counterterrorism approach is needed, said U.S. Sen. Al Franken.  [Rochester Post-Bulletin]

MINNEAPOLIS: Against Afghan, Iraq wars. Hundreds marched on Hennepin Avenue, but a student protester is not optimistic about troop withdrawals. [Star Tribune; Minnesota Daily]

ST. CLOUD: Franken holds health-care roundtable. None of the 10 participants or 10 observers was hospitalized for gagging after the senator used words like “incentivize” and “win-win,” then a doughnut-hole metaphor. [St. Cloud Times]

ANOKA COUNTY: Top officials all old. “Silver tsunami” of retirements will leave county without anyone who knows which is the business end of a snow shovel. [Star Tribune]

ROCHESTER: Instant-runoff voting, anyone? A city council member wants the system they’re debating in St. Paul in St. Paul and debuting in Minneapolis. [Rochester Post-Bulletin; St. Paul Pioneer Press; Star Tribune; Minnesota Public Radio]