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Pop a top to get through another month
Wednesdays remain busy at my real job so I didn’t get to offer my post-Pennsylvania analysis this morning. Just as well. I had nothing to add that others weren’t saying. Clinton won by 9 points giving her a reason to continue the campaign while Obama ensured that he will win the pledged delegate race and…
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Folstrom out first in 4A DFL race
Irene Folstrom has entered the race to succeed Rep. Frank Moe (DFL-Bemidji). The Bemidji Pioneer reported this Tuesday. From what I know in my political endeavors (I chaired Tom Anzelc’s campaign in 2006, which involved an incumbent stepping down after the county convention), ramping up early is crucial in special endorsement conventions. In this regard…
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Hey Pennsylvania relatives, please end this
Oh hell, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. I’m trying to avoid excessive thought about today’s Pennsylvania primary. I’d really like this race to wrap up soon, not because I’m an Barack Obama supporter (I am, but that’s so cliche) but because this campaign has become something of a self-satire. In other words,…
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Range town PUC considers abandoning coal for alternatives
The head of Hibbing Public Utilities says the city should consider phasing out coal in its power generation, preferring instead renewable sources of energy or buying cheaper power from Minnesota Power. Mike Jennings has the story in today’s Hibbing Daily Tribune. … Jim Kochevar, the public utilities general manager, said Monday that some problems with…
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MinnesotaBrown featured in ‘Politics in Minnesota’ weekly report
My thanks to Politics in Minnesota and their morning report editor Peter Bartz-Gallagher for profiling me in the new Blogger Q&A feature in their Weekly Report. To be the first blogger included in this feature is an honor deserved more by some of the fancy big city bloggers out there but I wasn’t about to…
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Rangers polled on bitterness, result: bitterish
I suppose this was inevitable. Larry Oakes of the Star Tribune localized the two-week-old “bitter” comments of Sen. Barack Obama by interviewing Iron Rangers. You know, because Rangers get laid off a lot and like guns. Opinions about the comments (that Obama himself has expressed regret over wording poorly) vary widely based on who the…
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A game changing announcement in Bemidji
State Rep. Frank Moe (DFL-Bemidji) surprised the political establishment of SD 4 and northern Minnesota by announcing he won’t seek re-election during what was expected to be his nominating speech for the 4A DFL endorsement Saturday. (The Bemidji Pioneer has a good story on this). Moe is finishing his second term in the House and…
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Smoking ban aftermath: Duluth bars holding on
The Duluth News-Tribune reported Saturday that a review of tax receipts has shown little change in the success of Duluth bars after the statewide smoking ban went into effect last year. Tax data collected by the city of Duluth suggests that the statewide smoking ban that went into effect six months ago has not had…
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The world needs more Jerry Springer
I’m normally not one of those people who cite stories they heard on National Public Radio to make conversations more intellectual. (For instance: “Can you believe it, a Manhattan researcher has learned that too many NASCAR races cause brain stem detachment. It’s called the Petty Effect. Can you believe they let those people vote.” Yeah,…
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Range women’s leadership initiative discussed in Star Tribune
Several weeks ago I wrote about a women’s leadership conference on the Iron Range sponsored by the White House Project. Well, the conference was held and the Star Tribune ran a commentary today that discusses the outcome. The whole idea is to get more women involved in the local political scene. I’m supportive because I…
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T-Paw warming up to Iron Range
It’s Iron Range reconciliation week at the governor’s office. Gov. Tim Pawlenty apologized for a recent verbal dust up with State. Rep. Tony Sertich on his radio program today. This comes the day after a reported compromise on funding for the Iron Range miners’ health study. Group hug, everyone. Let’s hug this out. Related posts:…
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Governor to sign Iron Range health study bill
I just got word from a source at the Capitol that Gov. Tim Pawlenty will sign a bill funding mesothelioma research for former and current Iron Range miners to determine if there is a link between this rare cancer and taconite fibers. Funding for the study will come from state sources and not from the…
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Debate analysis: Media hungry! Media feed!
From the wooded wilderness in the shadow of the Mesabi Iron Range’s western ridge, I offer a brief commentary on the national political scene. The progressive blogs are hammering last night’s ABC Democratic Presidential debate moderated by Charles Gibson and George Stephanopoulos (along with more objective media critics and journalism experts). I’m glad that I…
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Minnesota Steel groundbreaking delayed
Financial close on Essar’s Minnesota Steel plant has been delayed until May or even June, according to reports I’m hearing. I have confirmed this in Range political circles. The worldwide financial market is bad, so Essar is having trouble locking in on “financial close” for what would be the first iron to steel facility on…
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JNP trying to poach Range area Franken delegates
It’s been fairly quiet on the DFL Senate endorsement front lately, but I did get a tip last night that yields some insight on the Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer strategy to close what seems to be a wide deficit between him and Al Franken in pledged delegates. Apparently, JNP is inviting pledged Franken delegates to meet him…