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Rightwing bloggers: Kennedy funeral will be ‘Wellstone memorial on steroids’

By Paul Schmelzer | 08.26.09 | 11:56 am

President Obama called Congress’ “liberal lion,” Edward Kennedy, the “greatest United States senator of our time” — and his burial at Arlington National Cemetery will match that praise. But conservative bloggers are already complaining…

‘Who is this chickenshit?’ redux: Franken-Pickens fracas recalls Wellstone

By Chris Steller | 07.31.09 | 5:05 pm

frankenFirst, U.S. Sen. Al Franken wouldn’t stand to meet billionaire T. Boone Pickens. Then he got into it with the latter-day domestic-energy guru — “a lively conversation” were Franken spokeswoman Jess McIntosh’s words — over Pickens having…

Rukavina brings populist message to governor’s race

By Paul Demko | 07.27.09 | 5:45 pm

State Rep. Tom Rukavina is not hesitant to advocate higher taxes. While many of his DFL colleagues danced rhetorical circles around the state’s budgetary mess during the last legislative session, the 12-term Iron Range legislator repeatedly stated that increased revenue would need to be part of any solution. Now Rukavina is looking to bring that blunt — and perhaps politically obtuse — talk to the 2010 gubernatorial race.

Coleman’s old Ag Committee seat goes to Cornyn

By Chris Steller | 07.26.09 | 9:58 am

cornynWe’ll support Norm to the bitter end,” said U.S. Sen. John Cornyn last March. This month, Norm Coleman’s end as a U.S. Senator became a bit less bitter for Cornyn when the Texas Republican took Coleman’s old

Live video: Sen. Franken sworn in

By Paul Schmelzer | 07.07.09 | 10:21 am

franken-hedEight months after election day, Al Franken will be sworn in today as Minnesota’s second U.S. senator. The UpTake brings the video of the 11:15 ceremony — in which Franken will be sworn in on

GOP web ad warns of Al-mageddon

By Chris Steller | 07.07.09 | 7:08 am

nrsc-video-stillA new Republican web ad, titled “60,” again recycles footage of Al Franken gesticulating wildly — in imitation of the late U.S. Sen. Paul Wellstone cheering his son’s cross-country race. This time it’s accompanied by mournful music,…

Who’s in for 2010: Third party contenders

By Paul Demko | 06.29.09 | 1:25 pm

The 2010 gubernatorial contest will not be a two-party affair. With no clear favorites on either the Democratic or Republican side of the aisle, the political climate is potentially ripe for a third-party candidate to gain a toehold in the race.

South Carolina’s AWOL Sanford recalls Minnesota’s missing Gov. Perpich

By Chris Steller | 06.24.09 | 8:25 am

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford is due back at work today following a mysterious several-day absence. For Minnesotans whose memories extend to the 1970s, news of an AWOL governor evokes the early days of Gov. Rudy Perpich’s first term…

Let us now praise ‘taking turns’: How to read T-Paw’s stated reason for retiring

By Chris Steller | 06.10.09 | 9:42 am

tpaw-on-hannityBy way of explaining his decision not to seek re-election, Gov. Tim Pawlenty bragged to Fox News host Sean Hannity last night that “in Minnesota [we're] good about taking turns.” In view of Pawlenty’s past, his highlighting the concept of…

Video: Wellstone on grassroots leadership

By Chris Steller | 06.09.09 | 1:15 pm

wellstoneYesterday we posted video of Norm Coleman speaking at the Conservative Heartland Leadership Conference about cultivating “grass e-roots” to grow a movement based on conservative values. After the jump, see a clip of the man Coleman replaced in…