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Koering to run as write-in candidate

By Andy Birkey | 09.20.10 | 10:11 am

Paul Koering, Minnesota’s only elected gay Republican, may become Minnesota’s only elected gay independent. Koering told the St. Cloud Times over the weekend that he will run a write-in campaign for the state Senate seat he now holds. Koering…

Oberstar’s first TV ad features endorsements from four northern Minnesota mayors

By Andy Birkey | 09.20.10 | 10:01 am

Rep. James Oberstar released his first television ad of the 2010 campaign cycle over the weekend. It features endorsements from four northern Minnesota mayors: Marlys Palmer of Cambridge, Don Ness of…

Flashback: Franken debates sex with Senate hopeful O’Donnell

By Andy Birkey | 09.20.10 | 9:30 am

Tea party Republican Christine O’Donnell’s upset victory in the Delaware primary for the U.S. Senate last week has put the controversial candidate — and anti-masturbation crusader — in the political limelight. But it’s not her first foray into the…

Study: Unemployed more likely to drop out of labor force than find work

By Annie Lowrey | 09.20.10 | 9:25 am

At the Roosevelt Institute, Mike Konczal and Arjun Jayadev have an astonishing paper (PDF) closely examining the unemployment numbers and weakness in the labor force. The key finding:

Starting at the beginning of 2009 it is now more

Bachmann pulls out of 2012 presidential straw poll

By Andy Birkey | 09.17.10 | 1:59 pm

Rep. Michele Bachmann asked organizers of the Values Voter Summit presidential straw poll to remove her name from consideration on Friday. Bachmann’s opponent, DFLer Tarryl Clark, accused Bachmann of running for president in an email to supporters this morning.…

Minnesota’s faithful plan event to counter uptick in anti-Muslim rhetoric

By Andy Birkey | 09.17.10 | 1:35 pm

Some of Minnesota’s largest faith organizations are planning an event to counter a recent rise in anti-Muslim sentiment following controversy over a planned Muslim community center in New York City and threats of Koran-burnings by fundamentalist Christians. The event will…

Palin’s Iowa trip stirs 2012 speculation

By Jesse Zwick | 09.17.10 | 10:39 am

Sarah Palin is flying to Iowa to speak tonight at the Ronald Reagan Dinner, a big annual affair in Des Moines, and once again increasing speculation as to whether she’ll make a presidential bid in 2012. The Times

House passes bill to make rural homes more energy efficient

By Andrew Restuccia | 09.17.10 | 8:47 am

In a 240-172 vote, the House passed yesterday a bill that would give Americans who live in rural areas loans to make their homes more energy efficient.

Bachmann, Pawlenty asked to publicly denounce Fischer’s anti-gay, anti-Muslim statements

By Andy Birkey | 09.17.10 | 8:26 am

Rep. Michele Bachmann and Gov. Tim Pawlenty are among seven conservative leaders sent letters from People for the American Way on Thursday urging them to publicly denounce statements made by Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association,…

Michele Bachmann stars in Citizens United film, ‘Fire from the Heartland’

By Andy Birkey | 09.16.10 | 3:26 pm

Rep. Michele Bachmann is starring in a new film by Citizens United, the group that sued to allow unfettered independent expenditures by corporations in politics. The new film, “Fire from the Heartland: the Awakening of the Conservative Woman,” spotlights…