Minnesota Independent

Fox pans Pawlenty’s tough-guy persona after he claims Obama wears Depends

By Andy Birkey | 04.07.11 | 6:54 am

A potential GOP candidate getting flak from Fox News’ conservative anchors for criticizing President Obama? That was the case for Tim Pawlenty on Wednesday when the Fox and Friends new macho image isn’t sitting well with some of Fox News’ conservative anchors who called Pawlenty’s recent comments about President Obama, “inappropriate,” “out of hand” and possibly “bad for the country.” The Fox and Friends crew took Pawlenty to task on Wednesday after Pawlenty made a comment on Tuesday that Obama gets so scared by intelligence briefings that he soils himself.

GOP introduces ban on drug that killed Blaine teen

By Andy Birkey | 04.05.11 | 11:13 am

Four bills have been introduced in the Minnesota Legislature to ban a substance known as 2C-E, a “designer drug” that is being blamed for the death of a Blaine teen and the hospitalization of 10 more. Republicans in the House and Senate introduced a bill on Monday that would make possession and sales of the drug a crime. The move follows a similar pair of DFL bills introduced two weeks ago.

Minnesota delegation responds to Obama’s Libya speech

By Andy Birkey | 03.29.11 | 2:13 pm

Several members of Minnesota’s congressional delegation were quick to respond to President Obama’s Monday night speech on military action in Libya. Rep. John Kline called for more clarity while Rep. Betty McCollum said the Libyan people must remove Qaddafi. Rep. Michele Bachmann, always prepared to throw verbal bombs at the president, said that “President Obama is taking sides with Palestine over Israel” by supporting NATO action in Libya.

A B-2 Spirit stealth bomber aircraft returns from a mission in supporting the no-fly zone over Libya, Mar. 20, 2011. Photo: USAF

Minnesota’s elected officials weigh in on Libya

By Andy Birkey | 03.23.11 | 7:49 am

Rep. Betty McCollum and Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar have given measured support for the United States’ military operations in Libya as a part of an international coalition of force in the region. McCollum wants congressional oversight before more operations commence while Franken is concerned about the costs. The rest of the delegation, some of whom were critical of perceived inaction by President Obama, have largely remained silent on Libya.

Franken, Klobuchar, Madia press for DADT repeal

By Andy Birkey | 11.19.10 | 11:31 am

Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar pushed for a repeal of the military’s ban on openly serving gays and lesbians on Thursday and urged the U.S. Senate to pass a defense authorization bill that contains a repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell.” At the same time, former congressional candidate Ashwin Madia is using his new position as head of VoteVets to get a ban passed during the lame duck session.

Bachmann on Iran: U.S. needs to do more than talk

By Andy Birkey | 11.18.10 | 9:51 am

Speaking at a conservative symposium on Iran at the National Press Club Wednesday, Rep. Michele Bachmann called Iran “a danger to every nation in the world” and said “we know that they [Iran] already have a nuclear capability.” She said Iran has “crossed the line” and that the United States “needs to do more than the simple engagement strategy of talking.” She did not elaborate on what that new strategy might entail.