Against a backdrop of a giant American flag and looking casual with rolled shirtsleeves, President Barack Obama greeted crowds near a stream at Cannon Falls’ Hannah’s Bend Park Monday.

Billed as a “rural road trip” and economic listening session by the White House, the event is one stop on a route that took him through Zumbrota, Minn., and Decorah, Iowa, yesterday.

Around 500 people — diverse in age and race — were there to hear the president’s thoughts on the economy and plans for the recovery.

Also there for Obama’s speech — which mixed equal parts pointed campaign-style rhetoric and commander-in-chief–style bipartisanship — were local, state and federal officials.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, who on Friday touted “an agriculture community that is as strong as it’s been in history,” was there to back Obama. In a press release, he said, “Creating jobs and economic opportunity in rural America is a priority for the Obama administration, and the White House Rural Council has used an ‘all hands on deck’ approach to leverage resources across the federal government to achieve that goal.”

Also on hand were Gov. Mark Dayton and Sen. Al Franken (below), Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Reps. Keith Ellison and Tim Walz (above), and Cannon Falls Mayor Robby Robinson, among others.

Another audience standout was Rochester resident Igor Vovkovinskiy, sporting the same “World’s Biggest Obama Supporter” t-shirt he wore at the president’s health care reform rally in Minneapolis in September 2009. Vovkovinskiy stands seven-feet, eight-inches tall.

Obama addressed the problems the U.S. faces economically, acknowledging that job growth isn’t fast enough and noting the insecurity Americans feel.  “Obviously, with the markets going up and down last week and this downgrade, a lot of folks were feeling a little anxious and distressed and feeling like, boy, we’ve been working so hard over the last two and a half years to get this economy back out of recession, and some folks worry that we might be slipping back,” he said. “I want all of you to understand: There is nothing that we’re facing that we can’t solve with some spirit of America first; a willingness to say, we’re going to choose party — we’re going to choose country over party, we’re going to choose the next generation over the next election.”

Obama didn’t refrain from laying into congressional Republicans. “We’ve got a willingness to play partisan games and engage in brinksmanship that not only costs us in terms of the economy now, but also is going to place a burden on future generations,” he said, later adding: “We just went through this debacle with the debt ceiling — an entirely self-inflicted wound. It wasn’t something that was necessary. We had put forward a plan that would have stabilized our debt and our deficits for years to come. But because we’ve got a politics in which some folks in Congress — not the folks who are here — but some in Congress would rather see their opponents lose than America win, we ended up creating more uncertainty and more damage to an economy that was already weak.”

Obama, greeting a sailor, included military personnel in his appeal for swifter congressional action on the employment front. “I meet young people, 23, 24 years old, they’re in charge of platoons, making life or death decisions,” Obama said. “They’re in charge of millions, tens of millions, a hundred million dollars’ worth of equipment, and they’re coming home and they can’t find work. So we’ve said, let’s give tax credits to companies that are hiring our veterans, and let’s put them back to work and let’s let them use their skills to get this country moving again.”

Before taking audience questions, the president finished up the speech with a call to action. “You’ve got to send a message to Washington that it’s time for the games to stop. It’s time to put country first. It is time for the games to stop.”

The three-day tour continues in Peosta, Iowa, today and concludes in Obama’s home state with a town hall meeting in Atkinson, Illinois, on Wednesday. Watch the live-stream of the tour.

All photos by Kathy Easthagen for the Minnesota Independent. View more at our Flickr page. Visit the White House web site to read the transcript of Obama’s speech and the Q&A that followed.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill Tuesday that would require the Obama administration to make a final decision on the expansion of the Keystone XL pipeline by Nov. 1. The vote was 279-147, with Minnesota’s delegation voting along party lines, with two exceptions: Democrat Collin Peterson voted with Republicans, and Rep. Michele Bachmann did not vote.

Friends of the Earth, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Sierra Club quickly responded, calling the move “reckless and politically tainted” in a statement released to the press.

“While the pipeline disaster on the Yellowstone River in Montana is still unfolding, we should not approve a pipeline that isn’t needed, will raise gas prices and threatens drinking water and other resources from the Great Plains to Texas,” said the NRDC’s Susan Casey-Lefkowitz. “This is another example of the House’s anti-environmental agenda, putting politics and special interests ahead of science and common sense.”

Last month, Reps. Keith Ellison and Betty McCollum were among 34 Democrats who wrote a letter to Environmental Protection Agency head Lisa Jackson and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, urging that permitting for the expansion continue only after issues like its greenhouse gas impacts, alternative routes, safety risks and impacts on low-income communities are analyzed.

Whether the bill will receive a vote in the U.S. Senate remains to be seen.

Comedy Central’s Stephen Colbert took a look at The Family Leader’s “The Marriage Vow,” with a particular focus on signer Rep. Michele Bachmann.

Bachmann was the first 2012 candidate to sign the vow, which originally included this controversial passage:

“Slavery had a disastrous impact on African-American families, yet sadly a child born into slavery in 1860 was more likely to be raised by his mother and father in a two-parent household than was an African-American baby born after the election of the USA’s first African-American President.”

“Bachmann is sensitive to the pain of slavery because to her, clearly, everything is slavery,” said Colbert, before offering up clips of Bachmann dubbing everything from taxation and healthcare reform to the national debt and the “gay and lesbian lifestyle” slavery.

Watch it:

With a partisan stalemate in St. Paul over the lack of agreement over a state budget, the Minnesota government remains closed, except for essential services. Minnesota Independent Senior Reporter Andy Birkey discussed the latest developments Wednesday with Free Speech TV, including Republican claims that negotiations moved backwards, the GOP’s last-minute attempt to slip controversial issues like voter ID provisions (which DFLers said would increase the budget) and bans on certain forms of stem-cell research into a deal.

It’s Birkey’s second appearance on Free Speech TV. Last month, he discussed Tim Pawlenty’s presidential campaign and his donations from top executives of Morgan Stanley, a global financial services corporation linked to the recent financial crisis.

Watch it:

Hoping to avoid a case of mistaken identity, two Twin Cities–based businesses are trying to make it clear: They’re not affiliated with contentious political figures who share their names. Bachman’s Floral Gift & Garden and Koch Industries, Inc., a Golden Valley wholesaler of chain, rope and fasteners, have both posted notices on their websites, Bachman’s noting that it is in no way related to the controversial Minnesota congresswoman and presidential candidate Michele Bachmann, and Koch stating that they’re not related to the brothers of the same name who famously finance tea party and libertarian causes.

Founded in 1885, Bachman’s — one “n” instead of two, unlike the congresswoman’s name — posted this statement on its website in mid-June:

We receive many inquiries about Congresswoman Michele Bachmann. Although she shares our home state of Minnesota, the Bachman family and Bachman’s Inc. are in no way related to or associated with Rep. Michele Bachmann.

Sarah Pitts, a representative for the company, told MinnPost’s Joe Kimball that it’s received “quite a lot” of calls asking about the connection, largely from Rep. Bachmann’s detractors who “don’t want their business with us to support the candidate.” Pitts, who says the notice on the company site shouldn’t be construed as a political statement, notes that the volume of calls coming in about the issue has decreased following the posting of the announcement.

Koch Industries, Inc., noting that its had “numerous inquiries” on the topic, states on its home page that it is “not in any way associated, related, affiliated nor a part of the much larger ‘Koch Industries, Inc.’ located in Wichita, Kansas. … We are likewise not associated with its principal owners, brothers David H. Koch or Charles G. Koch, or any of their political activities or entities.”

The company’s name is identical to the Koch Industries, Inc., which is involved in many areas including forestry, oil refining and manufacturing (its brands include Georgia Pacific, Brawny paper towels, Dixie Cups and Lycra fibers, to name a few). The Koch brothers of Wichita have reportedly donated more than $100 million over the past three decades to political groups like the Cato Institute, and David Koch founded Americans for Prosperity, a major tea party group. The company’s Minnesota holdings include the Flint Hills Resources refinery, a Georgia Pacific paper plant and coal and fertilizer companies, to name a few.

Minnesota’s Koch — pronounced “cook” not “coke,” unlike the other Kochs — has been in business since 1978, with a distribution center in Shakopee and offices in both Minneapolis and Shanghai.

But the topic of the Kansas company of the same name appears to be a sensitive subject for Koch. The Minnesota Independent called to ask when the company put up the notice and why, but was referred to its in-house attorney. After several requests for comment by phone over the course of a week, Koch general counsel Kevin Giebel sent this note via email:

We thank you and the Minnesota Independent for your inquiries regarding the above. At this point however, we have decided to respectfully decline public comment on matters involving the Koch Industries, Inc. based in Wichita, Kansas, at this time.

The Minnesota Independent’s Sam Lane discussed the budget impasse and government shutdown with nationally syndicated radio host Thom Hartmann on Friday. Lane discussed recent stories, including last night’s shutdown and the revelation that Republicans sought a bargain with Gov. Mark Dayton that would’ve put controversial social issues like a ban on funding for some forms of stem cell research and abortion limits back on the table.

Listen here:

The government’s shut down, so tough luck about that tax refund or rent rebate you might be waiting for. But if you’re hoping to get a break on paying your taxes, don’t count on it.

MPR’s shutdown blog notes that the state Department of Revenue made this announcement this morning:

The Minnesota Department of Revenue will continue to process tax payments during the state government shutdown. All tax laws and deadlines remain in effect, and taxpayers are reminded of their legal obligation to file returns and pay all taxes when they are due to avoid penalties and interest.

The department’s FAQ says, “[P]ayments should still be submitted to the Minnesota Department of Revenue as if normal business operations were taking place. Once the department is operating again, all payments will be verified and processed in a timely fashion.  You will receive credit for payment on the day it is received at the department.”

At the same time, residents hoping for summer refunds — including property tax rebates, rent rebates, etc. — will have to wait for the shutdown to end: “No refunds are being processed at this time. Once the department is operating again, every effort will be made to process requests and refunds as quickly and timely as possible.”

Why? “The services being continued were defined by the courts as critical to the preservation of essential elements of the financial system of the government, including the borrowing and tax collection activities of the government and the systems needed to support these activities,” the site explains.

With the budget showdown between Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton and the Republican legislature at an impasse, state employees, union members and a handful of counter-protesters descended on the Capitol Thursday night for a vigil and rally. But as darkness fell, it was clear a government shutdown couldn’t be averted. Photojournalist Kathy Easthagen was in St. Paul to capture the scene.
Robert Benson, 23, of Hugo (left) and Nell Nere, a state employee in the Department of Labor and Industry, sat on the Capitol steps. Benson is a recent graduate of Winona State University, he currently works four hours a week as a bouncer in a bar, but it otherwise unemployed.

Nere walked over to speak with Benson, who was holding one of the “Tax the Rich” info cards rally attendees were passing out. She asked him questions about how much taxes he paid and where he fell on the income/taxation chart.

Harley, a seven-year old rat terrier, was accompanied by Jeremy, who didn’t want his last name used because of his job. Jeremy, who works at the Department of Corrections, learned that he is deemed essential and will be reporting for work today.

While hundreds of union members would eventually show up for the shutdown vigil and rally, a much smaller group of College Republicans was on hand to present an alternative viewpoint.

Republican Sen. David W. Hann stopped for a photo op with the College Republican group. When asked by a protester about the negotiations, Hann would only say the Gov. Dayton had the latest GOP proposal and the decision was in his hands.

A lawnmower on the Capitol steps pleads, “Take back my tax cut!” It was one of many protest messages on hand:

But as the skies darkened and ralliers grew tired…

… the inevitability of a shutdown sank in…

…and the Capitol was prepared for lockdown.

For more of Easthagen’s shutdown photos, visit the Minnesota Independent’s Flickr page.

Bristol Palin, with parents Sarah and Todd, visited the Mall of America Wednesday for a family book-signing. The “Dancing With the Stars” contestant signed copies of “Not Afraid of Life,” while her mom signed copies of her books. Award-winning photojournalist Kathy Easthagen was there to capture these scenes.

Rules for the event were strict, presumably to ensure both the safety of the family and sales of the books. The line started at 5 a.m., and according to rules set up in advance, wristbands — blue, not the typical red associated with the GOP — were distributed, but only to “those who buy Bristol’s book. ”

The rules also stated:

• You must have a copy of Bristol’s book to purchase either of Sarah’s books.
• Each person must be present to get a wristband. They’re not transferable.
• No belongings or bags allowed on stage for the signing.
• No memorabilia will be signed; no personalization allowed.
• No photos on stage; “cameras and cell phones are to be put away once you reach the stage stairs”
• Stay in line. If you leave to use the bathroom or get food for a short period, someone in your party must stay in line at all times.
• If you leave for an extended period, you must go to the end of the line.

Media access was strict, too: Photographers were confined to a small space and given only five minutes to shoot.

Autograph seekers were funneled through barricades and cords to get to a table where the Palins greeted them. Mall officials say that around 1,500 people showed up over the course of the day, and the Palins signed some 700 books.

Vincent Spinner, 18, of Brownsville, Minn., says he woke up at 2 a.m. to drive from southern Minnesota to meet Palin.

He arrived at 5 a.m., and was third in line to meet the former Alaska governor.

Just behind Spinner, at fourth and fifth in line, were Marie Newman (above) of Shoreview and her 26-year-old daughter-in-law Alex Newman of Blaine.

Having paged through Bristol’s book while in line, and having already read Sarah’s, the Newmans noted that Sarah and Bristol (above) share their values about family, the military and aspirations for the country. Alex and her husband met in Iraq while they were serving in the National Guard.

A woman named Nance (she wouldn’t give her name because she’s involved with political campaigns) came to the event on her way home to the Duluth area after traveling to Pella, Iowa, to see the premier of the new documentary on Palin. Pointing out her bracelet, Nance noted that Sarah Palin has the same one, made by a friend of hers. “I hope that Sarah will be wearing it tonight,” she said. “She wasn’t wearing it last night.”

To see all of Easthagen’s photos from the event, visit the Minnesota Independent’s Flickr page. All photos by Kathy Easthagen.

MSNBC’s The Ed Show on MSNBC turned its focus on Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District race as candidate Lynne Torgerson spoke with Rev. Al Sharpton about incumbent Rep. Keith Ellison last night. The contentious back and forth centered on Torgerson’s claim that Ellison, a Muslim, doesn’t hold the U.S. Constitution “supreme” over Shariah law. Her beef: Ellison said the U.S. Constitution is the “bedrock” of American law, but didn’t say it was “supreme.”

Torgerson announced her candidacy last week on the Tea Party Nation website, where she called Ellison a “radical Islamist” who “fails to oppose banning Islamic Sharia law in the United States.”  Ellison responded, stating in an email to supporters that “Torgerson intends to run a campaign based on hate, division, and fear. Just like in 2010, we’re not going to let our opponent’s divisive rhetoric set the tone of this campaign.”

On The Ed Show, Sharpton asked Torgerson, “What evidence do you have that he’s not committed to the Constitution?”

Torgerson replied, stating that she’s “not anti-Muslim in any way, shape or form,” before going on to say, “Mr. Congressman Ellison has been long been associated with the most extremist groups around. He has close ties to CAIR, the Council on American-Islamic relations, which was a named co-conspirator to funding terrorism in the Holy Land Foundation trial—”

Sharpton interrupted her to again ask her whether she has evidence to back her claim that the congressman doesn’t hold the Constitution “supreme” or whether she’s “fearmongering and demagoguing to get votes.”

She says Ellison “refused” to answer the question, but Sharpton noted that in a clip played on the show and credited to Torgerson’s campaign Ellison answers it.

“I believe that the United States Constitution, which has been amended well over 25 times, is the bedrock of American law,” Ellison said in the clip. “This whole movement to ban Shariah — bills like this have been introduced in 22 states — in my view is a very thinly disguised effort at religious persecution of people that are Muslim.”

To that, Torgerson said, “Actually, what he said is the U.S. Constitution is the bedrock of American law. That does not answer the question of what should be supreme currently… Mr. Ellison actually evaded the question.”

Ellison’s office sent a statement to The Ed Show underscoring his stance and taking Torgerson to task for her “extreme” and “intolerant” rhetoric:

I took an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion for all Americans. Religious acceptance is a deeply rooted American value, and regardless of political persuasion, it’s a value we must protect.

It’s too bad that someone can obtain so much attention based on their intolerant rhetoric, especially when unemployment is above 9 percent. On the other hand,  the nation will be able to see how extreme the rhetoric has become. I call on all Americans to reject religious intolerance and embrace our constitution which upholds the promise of liberty and justice for all people.

One other question Sharpton asked: Since Ellison got 68 percent of the vote in 2010, compared to Torgerson’s nearly 4 percent, “Is 68 percent of your district radical Islamic sympathizers?”

“No sir, I wouldn’t say so,” she said. Asked why so many people voted for Ellison, she answered, “I don’t believe people yet know what his associations and his actual agenda is.”

Torgerson, who ran as an independent against Ellison in 2010, tells Roll Call that this time around she’ll be running as a Republican.

Here’s the exchange, via Chris Steller at Fridley Patch: