I am having some extreme problems with blogger and I will be moving back to http://mngovernor.wordpress.com for the time being.

The article we have all been waiting for is here!!

Mike Hatch's preview in the Pioneer Press is priceless and they waste no time getting to the heart of this guy's character.

"Hatch is a bare-knuckled political street fighter who, during a quarter century as a major player in Minnesota politics, has made a lot of enemies."

Usually the parties and National Committees stick together no matter what and take care of their own. Hatch obviously is different in the minds of Jackie Stevenson, who is a DNC member:

"Mike has burned a lot of bridges over the years," Democratic National Committee member Jackie Stevenson of Minnetonka said earlier this week.

The MNGOP put out a release on this earlier today.

Go read the whole article, it is quite interesting. There is nothing really good said about Hatch. The Democrats really just think he is the only shot to win.

We will see if losing the Governor's for a third time is the last nail in the coffin for this joke of a politician!!!

Looks like the attention starved bar owner is challenging TPaw in a primary. She evidently did not receive the attention she was hoping for at the convention. Based on the press reports (or lack thereof), the press cares about her as much as the delegates did, nil!!

Here is one little AP story.

Side note: Whoever is doing communications over there should probably go back to college and learn a few things. The press release on this matter is incoherent drivel at best!! I think someone in high school could perform better communications for them!!

As I mentioned yesterday, the Pioneer Press is showcasing each of three DFL candidates for Governor. Yesterday it was Steve Kelley, today it is Becky Lourey.

Lourey is running as the most liberal candidate. Lourey is a candidate that does not believe the Government should live within its means.

Lourey will push for "universal health care coverage," and "broad social welfare eligibility."

She cannot be any different from Pawlenty and side by side his leadership will trump her same old tired liberal policies.

Our favorite State Senator was quoted in the article:
"Outside of her ideological convictions, she is the most pleasant woman in the Senate to work with," said state Sen. Brian LeClair, R-Woodbury, who is as conservative as Lourey is liberal.

To read the whole article, click here.

Tomorrow: Look for the article on Hatch. I wonder if they will talk about how much he hates women and the expletives he uses to describe them?

It is Tuesday! You know what means, yes it is Hatch's flip-flop of the week!!!

This week it is Hatch's flip-flop on Government funded mailing's

Here is the text of the MNGOP's release:


Flip-Flop of the Week Volume 1, Issue 30

Mike Hatch Flip-Flops on Government-Funded Mailings

In 1984, Hatch Violated State Law And Had To Reimburse The State For Mailings. “Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Michael Hatch said Thursday that his agency is destroying about 2,000 official brochures that include Hatch’s picture and a personal message, in violation of state law. Hatch said he personally would pay the $400 to $500 cost of the brochures, which describe how the department has changed since its reorganization was authorized by the 1983 legislature and Gov. Rudy Perpich.” (Associated Press, “Agency Kills Booklet With Chief’s Picture, Message,” Minneapolis Star and Tribune, February 2, 1984)

1987: Hatch Distributed Booklet With Consumer Advice “That May Also Advance His Political Career.” “Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Michael Hatch is distributing a new booklet of consumer advice that may also advance his political career. Hatch, a former state DFL party chairman, who hopes to run for governor in 1990, said Tuesday the booklet simply provides good consumer information about money management. He said any political benefits are secondary.” (Bill Salisbury, “Hatch Guide Funded By Trade Group Irks IRs,” St. Paul Pioneer Press Dispatch, August 19, 1987)

1989: Hatch Accused By Fellow DFLers Of Using Underhanded Tactics To Scuttle Health Insurance Bill. “[John] Brandl and House Insurance Committee Chairman Wes Skoglund also accused Hatch of political motives and underhanded tactics in opposing a health insurance bill they sponsored in 1989. … Brandl and Skoglund objected in particular that Hatch improperly obtained lists of policyholders in the state pool and sent out letters to ‘vulnerable’ people that misrepresented the provisions of the legislation and asked them to call their legislators. Hatch, positioning himself to run for governor as the consumers’ champion, persuaded Perpich to veto that legislation, said the two Minneapolis DFLers. It subsequently was passed this year in much the same form, they said.” (Betty Wilson, “Hatch Built Image As Consumer’s Friend,” Star Tribune, August 26, 1990)

(more)

1994: Hatch Criticized Arne Carlson Over Series Of Mailings Sent From Governor’s Office. “Brochures and letters mailed by Gov. Arne Carlson to push for legislative initiatives represent a misuse of gubernatorial power and public money, a DFL adversary says. Former Commerce Commissioner Mike Hatch also says the letters are ‘an obvious political mailing’ in an election year.” (“Hatch Criticizes Carlson Mailings As Power Misuse,” Hibbing Tribune, May 1, 1994)

The Pioneer Press is showcasing each of the three DFL Gubernatorial candidates this week. First up, Steve Kelley

I mentioned that this man is delusional last week but come on!!!

It is 2006, it is has been 2 years since Steve Kelley lead the charge to throw out the most talented Commissioner of Education we have ever had. Yet he is still talking about Cheri Yecke. Sorry Steve, but Cheri is leading the charge in Florida for the president's brother. Who got the last laugh? That's what I thought!!

This is my favorite quote from the article:

"He's got us thinking small," said Kelley. "I think it's time for Minnesota to start thinking like we're a national leader again."

I guess someone on Kelley's staff forgot to tell him the abundance of issues that we are national leaders in. Hey Steve, higher taxes are one thing Minnesotans do not want to be at the top in!!!

To read the whole article, click here, it is a good read, the man has no clue what is going on!!!

I was able to escape from the the convention to watch the Governor on Almanac last night. He did superbly well and showed that he is ready for the campaign. He re-iterated a lot of the things that he talked about in his nominating address.

To view clips from the interview, click here

3:10 pm: Nancy Happoja is putting the Governor's name into nomination for endorsement of Governor.

3:15 pm: Brian LeClair is now seconding the nomination. This is a great strategy from the Pawlenty campaign, LeClair is well liked and popular among the activists.

3:21 pm: The Governor has now taken the stage. He came onto stage to a wonderful response from the delegates entering from the back of the stage in a dark hall with a spotlight on him. When he entered the loudspeaker's blared Brooks and Dunn's "Only in America."

3:27 pm: The Governor is talking a lot about the things that he has done while in office. This is not surprising because of his rock-solid record throughout the last four years.

3:45 pm: The Governor has now been talking about what he plans to do in the next four years. The big initiative would be to put a cap on property taxes. This is a great idea and should get a great reception on the campaign trail.

3:50 pm: Pawlenty talked about immigration and it was arguably is greatest applause line. He stressed that we are a nation of immigrants but it must be legal and it must be monitored. The delegates are eating it up.

3:58 pm: Governor Pawlenty and Lt. Governor were just endorsed by acclimation.

4:00 pm: The Governor and Lt. Governor accepted the endorsement. It is abundantly clear to me that they are extremely ready for the campaign trail. It is going to be an exciting summer and fall!!

This weekend is the state convention at the Minneapolis Convention Center. I plan on skipping my last class of the day tomorrow so I can get down there by 3pm. Something exciting is happening at 3pm and I will be live blogging. I will continue to live blog as much of the convention as possible so please check back.

No word on further devolopments in the case of the attention starved bar owner and her planned tactics for the weekend!!

Update: The attention starved bar owner was not a part of the nominations committee, therefore she will be unable to address the convention. This; however, will not stop her from pulling something at some point during the convention. She needs the attention, it is like a drug!!

Usually when candidates pick a running mate, the running mate has something to bring to the ticket. My best guess is that Steve Kelley pulled Ruth Johnson's name out of a hat!! MDE has also been following this story.

The MN GOP released a statement today on this:

St. Paul- Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Ron Carey today issued the following statement regarding Steve Kelley's selection of Ruth Johnson as his running mate.

"With his choice of 'Retread Ruth' Johnson as his running mate, Steve Kelley has once again demonstrated his commitment to the failed liberalism of the past.

"Steve Kelley should check in with 'Governor' Mike Freeman about just how much Ruth Johnson brings to a statewide ticket."

In an article in the Fairmont Sentinel State Senator Julie Rosen stated that she has served in the legislature for four sessions and "this was the only one that finished in an upbeat manner."

This is more good news as we head into the campaign season and is no doubt a testament to Governor Pawlenty's superb leadership!!