Photo: MNHS.org

The Minnesota Universal Health Care Coalition released a questionnaire on Monday polling candidates for governor on their stance on single-payer health care (pdf). All DFLers and one Republican responded. The majority support a single-payer health plan in Minnesota.

The survey asked, “As governor would you sign the Minnesota Health Care Act if it passed in the Legislature?” The Minnesota Health Care Act would create a single-payer health care system in the state.

Only Republican Pat Anderson and DFLer Steve Kelley said they wouldn’t sign the bill. DFLers Tom Bakk, Mark Dayton, Matt Entenza, Susan Gaertner, Margaret Anderson Kelliher, John Marty, Tom Rukavina, RT Rybak, and Paul Thissen all said they would sign such a bill.

The survey also solicited responses from the candidates on how they foresee fixing the health care system if they are elected governor. Here’s a sampling of those responses:

Mark Dayton:

Currently, there is a significant difference in access to health care between rural and urban Minnesota. Rural Minnesota is home to 13% of the state’s population but just 5% of all doctors. This gap creates shameful inequality and needs to be fixed.

Tom Bakk:

Changing both the way physicians are reimbursed and the current pricing mechanisms of drugs would be good steps in the right direction toward removing inefficiencies from our health care system.

Pat Anderson:

Essentially less government, not more government is the route to expanding access, increasing quality and lowering costs of health care – recognizing that there are always tradeoffs among those characteristics.

Margaret Anderson Kelliher:

Minnesota can and should be the healthiest state in the country, and that starts with preventative care. As Governor, I will support funding for our public health system that focuses on providing information that keeps Minnesotans healthy.

Tom Rukavina:

If we can’t pass a full single payer health plan right off the bat, I will work towards opening the state health plan to people without insurance because Minnesotans are entitled to health care coverage that’s as good as what their Governor has.

Paul Thissen:

We need a comprehensive approach that tackles expanded access, improved quality, reduced cost increases and creating healthy communities in the broadest sense. We need to move away from an employer-dependent health care system, eliminate denials for preexisting conditions and, above all, return decision-making in health care back to the patient and medical provider.

RT Rybak:

[W]e need national health care reform. It is becoming increasingly clear that national health insurance reform will not be perfect, but it will advance some important goals: that people never lose access to health care if they move, change their job or get sick; that people with pre-existing conditions can get affordable coverage; that young adults can stay their parent’s insurance plan; and that health insurance costs come down.

John Marty:

The solution to this problem is to develop a health care system that works. This is what I have been working on. The Minnesota Health Plan (MHP) is designed to address the health needs of people, keeping them healthy so they need less medical care, and delivering the health care in a rational, efficient, cost-effective manner.

Steve Kelley:

Our moral obligation is to make sure that every Minnesotan has access to affordable, quality care. Minnesota can build on the federal plan using state savings to ensure all of us are covered. Universal coverage is attainable in Minnesota in conjunction with (not opposition to) federal plans.

Susan Gaertner:

As governor I will fight for a system of universal coverage based on public/private partnership that recognizes our changing workforce, ensures Minnesotans have a choice in coverage, and is financed in a way that works for both businesses and individuals of all income levels.

Calling herself “an outsider with a reputation as a straight-shooting moderate,” Gaertner said:

This doesn’t mean that I have given up on anyone in the DFL. Like other candidates who have stated their intention to run in a primary, I respect the party process and will continue to work to gain the support of delegates to the DFL convention. I will be working hard, however, to gain the support of the many loyal DFL voters who don’t always get engaged in the caucus and convention process.

Despite her long time in the trenches, Gaertner isn’t ranked as a leading candidate for endorsement among the nearly dozen DFLers now seeking the post Tim Pawlenty will vacate a year from now.

Last month EMILY’s List announced funding for the only other woman in the Democratic field, House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, leading Gaertner to issue a press release explaining why being passed over by the pro-choice women-candidate organization wasn’t that big a deal.

The RNC Eight are greeting that news as a victory.

In a statement, co-defendant Luce Guillen-Givins said, ”This is an affirmation from Judge Warner of what we’ve argued all along: that separation for trial would have undermined the interest of justice in this case. Our best defense comes through standing in solidarity with each other, both inside and outside of the courtroom.”

Ramsey District Court Judge Teresa R. Warner “saw through” Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner’s bid for multiple trials that would increase chances for a conviction, said Bob Kolstad, attorney for co-defendant Nathanael Secor.

No trial date has yet been set.

In other rulings, Warner granted some defense requests for information about the evidence against them, but denied a request for disclosure of evidence from seized personal computers in accessible format, according to the RNC Eight.

Last April, Gaertner’s office dropped terrorism charges against the eight.

“The person I am supporting has the executive leadership ability of a manager of a large public office, the community commitment of a local elected official, and the moral integrity of a prosecutor who does what is right rather than what is popular,” Wetterling writes in the letter, released by the Gaertner campaign. “With strong Democratic values and a pragmatic approach, this candidate will bring together progressives, moderates, and independents in a coalition that can win next November. This candidate is Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner, and I am proud to support her campaign for governor of Minnesota in 2010.”

Wetterling is widely admired for her work on child-safety issues following the abduction of her son, Jacob, in 1989. But that respect hasn’t translated into success in electoral politics. Wetterling twice ran unsuccessfully for the 6th Congressional District seat, losing most recently to Michele Bachmann in 2006 by a 50-42 percent margin.

Choi announced his 2010 bid for the Ramsey County Attorney’s office at a press conference today at the Skyline Towers apartment complex in St. Paul. The location was not arbitrary: it’s where Choi’s family initially settled after emigrating from South Korea when he was three years old.

“I’m running for county attorney because I want to make a difference in the criminal justice system and to ensure the safety of our community,” Choi told the audience. “I have a proven record of leadership and I want to continue to serve this community which has given so much to me and my family.”

The current Ramsey County attorney, Susan Gaertner, is running for governor. There are two other candidates currently vying for the post: Ramsey County prosecutor Dave Pinto and former assistant attorney general David Schultz.

But it’s clear from Wednesday’s event that Choi, long active in DFL politics, will be a formidable opponent. He was introduced by St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and was joined on the stage by state senators Mee Moua and Satveer Chaudhary, Ramsey County commissioners Rafael Ortega and Toni Carter and three members of the St. Paul City Council, among others. He’s also received the backing of numerous labor unions, including the city’s police and fire workers.

“When John came to me and said he was thinking about running for county attorney, I quite frankly suggested he shouldn’t,” Coleman (pictured) told the crowd. “That was just being selfish on my part, because I knew that the work that he did in the city attorney’s office needs to continue.”

A Facebook group was created in April encouraging Choi to seek the upgrade in office. Subsequently a counter group was started on the social networking site lobbying against his candidacy. They cited Choi’s involvement in prosecuting misdemeanor charges stemming from last year’s Republican National Convention as evidence of his lack of fitness for the office.

But at today’s event Choi touted his work combating gang violence, mortgage fraud and domestic violence.

“The people in Ramsey County want a proven leader who will effectively manage a prosecution of 300 employees and a $38 million budget. That is no easy task. They want a leader who will prevent juvenile crime and find innovative ways to prevent criminals from re-offending.”

Former state Rep. Steve Kelley. Photo: Paul Demko, MnIndy

A Democrat hasn’t been elected governor in Minnesota since 1986. If that trend continues in 2010 it certainly won’t be for a lack of qualified candidates. Currently nine DFLers have announced their intention to seek the state’s top office, with a few others still mulling a run. On Tuesday seven of the challengers showed up for a debate at the Minnesota State Fair: Steve Kelley, Paul Thissen, Tom Bakk, Mark Dayton, Tom Rukavina, Susan Gaertner and Matt Entenza. Notable absences included announced candidates Margaret Anderson Kelliher and John Marty, as well as likely challengers Chris Coleman and R.T. Rybak.

The nearly two-hour debate, put together by The Uptake and KTNF (AM 950) touched on health-care policies, instant-runoff voting and police tactics during last year’s Republican National Convention. Gaertner touted her executive experience heading the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office for the last 15 years. Entenza, the former House minority leader, invoked his humble origins growing up in a poor, fatherless household in Worthington. Everyone bashed the current governor, Tim Pawlenty, particularly for his fiscal policies.

Here’s the entire debate:

Elsewhere in Minnesota news this morning …

ST. PAUL: Pawlenty’s talent agent returns to state payroll. The governor made former deputy chief of staff Bob Schroeder, who took a year off to book T-Paw for speeches and TV shows, his chief of staff. [Associated Press]

MINNEAPOLIS: Council quashing of park referendum imminent. The fight over a charter amendment granting the park board taxing authority will move to the courts. [Star Tribune]

RAMSEY COUNTY: Susan Gaertner “flabbergasted.” The county attorney and candidate for governor has seen it all, but the idea of moving her department to the crummy Metro Square building takes the cake. [St. Paul Pioneer Press]

HUTCHINSON: Like sister, like butter. With Elizabeth Olson’s ascension, one family is on its second Princess Kay of the Milky Way, and third finalist in the Minnesota State Fair contest. [West Central Tribune]

FRIDLEY: Seven mayors set to stay up on roof overnight. In a weeklong stunt next month the mayors of Blaine, Fridley, Ham Lake, Columbia Heights, Coon Rapids and Andover will raise money for local mental-health care that’s lacking due to budget cuts. [Blaine-Spring Lake Park Life]

STATE FAIR: Birth certificates are big. Obama’s is done in seed art, and man returns to his place of birth — the fair — with the certificate to prove it. [Molly Priesmeyer via Twitpic; KARE 11]

A group of activists and lawyers showed up to protest the Ramsey County Attorney’s handling of the so-called RNC Eight prosecutions. The protesters carried signs that read “Hands off the RNC8″ and “Justice Means Drop the Charges on the RNC8,” and handed out literature to passersby.

The eight activists were arrested for plotting to reap chaos during the Republican National Convention last September. They were initially charged with conspiracy to commit riot in the second degree in furtherance of terrorism and conspiracy to commit criminal damage to property in furtherance of terrorism. But the more incendiary terrorism charges were dropped in April. The eight defendants still face up to five years in prison if convicted.

Gaertner is seeking the DFL endorsement for the 2010 governor’s race. But her handling of the RNC Eight cases has raised the hackles of some party activists.

Chicago Indymedia was on hand at Friday’s protest and shot this video:

Photo: johnmarty.org

Late results of a very early straw poll in the race for DFL governor show state Sen. John Marty slightly ahead of former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton for the lead, with Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman running neck-and-neck close behind. The number of DFL gubernatorial candidates (and near-candidates) who gathered at Farmer John’s Pumpkin Patch outside Austin on Saturday: Ten. Number of straw-poll voters: 129. Here are the results (via mnpACT):

21 – John Marty (16.28 percent)

20 – Mark Dayton (15.50 percent)

16 – Chris Coleman (12.40 percent)

16 – R.T. Rybak (12.40 percent)

12 – Tom Bakk (9.30 percent)

10 – Matt Entenza (7.75 percent)

10 – Susan Gaertner (7.75 percent)

10 – Paul Thissen (7.75 percent)

6 – Steve Kelley (4.65 percent)

4 – Margaret Anderson-Kelliher* (3.10 percent)

4 – Tom Rukavina (3.10 percent)

*Anderson-Kelliher was in Philadelphia for a legislative leadership conference and sent state Rep. Terry Morrow in her stead, according to mnpACT’s Dave Mindeman.

State Sen. Tom Bakk, St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner,  House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher and state Rep. Paul Thissen have made “firm drop-dead commitments” to stick to the DFL’s nominating process. That is, if any of them doesn’t get the official nod from the party, they won’t run.

Four others — former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton, former House DFL Leader Matt Entenza, former state Sen. Steve Kelley and state Sen. John Marty — won’t make any such pledge, although Black points out that Dayton “isn’t seriously seeking the DFL endorsement.” (He couldn’t get through to Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak.)

Since Entenza has said he’d abide by the party’s process only if all “serious” candidates do as well, Black surmises that, since Dayton likely won’t abide, Entenza won’t either.

Will it matter? Black concludes:

Lastly, it should be noted that the value of the DFL endorsee isn’t what it used to be. For decades, anyone who defied the endorsement process and risked party unity by mounting a primary challenge would be shunned. But that is no longer true. The last two gubernatorial endorsees did win nomination without serious primary challenges, but before that, primary battles were more common than uncommon and several challengers won the nomination. This year will be another test of the value of the endorsement.