Posts by Patrick Caldwell
Pawlenty book tour to visit early nomination states
Though outgoing Gov. Tim Pawlenty hasn’t officially kicked off his presidential campaign, he will begin a proxy campaign tour, traveling across the country to promote his upcoming book in January. Pawlenty’s book, “Courage to Stand,” is scheduled for release on Jan. 11. Later that week he will kick off his tour with an appearance at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
Campaign Finance Board rules in favor of RGA and Minnesota’s Future
Minnesota’s Campaign Finance Board issued their finding Thursday for Common Cause’s complaint against Minnesota’s Future and the Republican Governors Association (RGA). The Board’s report — published online Friday afternoon — essentially goes with the principal of ‘no harm, no foul,’ noting that Minnesota’s Future and the RGA may not have strictly complied with Minnesota law initially but that the offense did not merit any fine.
Bachmann in running for ‘Lie of the Year’ in PolitiFact contest
With the end of 2010 approaching, the St. Petersburg Times’ PolitiFact is holding a contest letting readers chose the “Lie of the Year.” In the running — for her recent incorrect claim that President Obama’s trip to India would cost $200 million per day — is Minnesota’s Michele Bachmann.
2012ers move closer to announcing official campaigns
No one wants to come out and say it, but a number of Republicans have recently indicated that they plan to mount campaigns to seek the party’s 2012 presidential nomination. None of the statements come as a complete shock — each GOPer in question spent significant parts of 2010 engaged in behavior befitting a possible presidential candidate — but after the midterm election, politicians have been increasingly candid about their intentions.
Gubernatorial election officially heads to automatic recount
The race between gubernatorial candidates Democrat Mark Dayton and Republican Tom Emmer is officially headed to a recount after the State Canvassing Board met Tuesday to certify election results, as expected since election night. Emmer did not make headway in overcoming Dayton’s lead in the final pre-recount tally, but Tuesday’s board meeting indicated that legalese could drag out the process of certifying the winner of the election.
PPP polls show Pawlenty needs to pull voters from Romney in 2012 bid
While no major contender for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination has officially announced a campaign yet — and, thus, any 2012 polling should be taken with a grain of salt — Public Policy Polling (PPP) conducted early surveys on the potential 2012 candidates. The top line numbers should be largely disregarded; of course Mitt Romney and Sarah Palin will lead many of the early polls since they have have a higher public profile than someone such as Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), who could still run a competitive campaign when the time comes.
Pawlenty pens New Hampshire op-ed, positioning for 2012 bid
Gov. Tim Pawlenty penned an op-ed on Sunday in the Union Leader, a newspaper based out of Manchester, New Hampshire. The editorial continues Pawlenty’s early presidential campaign — even if the governor is unwilling to call it that quite yet — that has included frequent visits to early primary states in advance of the 2010 midterm elections and an increased presence on Fox News, all ahead of a new book planned for next year.
Pawlenty claims 2nd in Hotline’s 2012 ‘presidential power rankings’
The list ranks Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty as the second leading contender, far above his placement in most early 2012 opinion polls. Hotline cites his “executive experience and conservative credentials,” as reasons to believe Pawlenty is the real deal, but wonders if the stereotype of Minnesota nice might be true in this case, harming his ability to appear aggressive enough to run an effective presidential primary campaign.
At press conference, Pawlenty addresses possibility of extended tenure
At a Thursday press conference, Gov. Tim Pawlenty addressed questions about governance during an expected recount in the gubernatorial race. He again affirmed he will not abdicate his role if no winner is declared by Jan. 3 — the date when the next governor is currently scheduled to assume office — but stayed mostly mum on the details of how he would operate if that situation occurs.
Looming gubernatorial recount may allow Pawlenty to position himself for 2012
As Minnesota faces a likely recount between gubernatorial candidates Mark Dayton and Tom Emmer, memories surface of the prolonged recount in the state’s 2008 U.S. Senate race between Sen. Al Franken and Norm Coleman. As in 2008, a delayed decision on the governor’s race would have wide repercussions at both the local and national levels. The state legislature, which flipped to the GOP on Tuesday, could quickly pass conservative bills while a Democratic governor waits in limbo. All the while, Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty finds himself in a unique posturing position before his probable bid for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination.
