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Cravaack’s Granite State situation adds more intrigue to MN-8
One time I was at this woeful cocktail party at a private college in Iowa. By that I mean it was a VIP gathering for college donors in which students like me were to intermingle harmlessly as a sort of living reminder of why guests paid too much to drink white wine punch mixed in…
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Brown on the Air: MINNESOTA’S FIGHTIN’ EIGHTH
I’ll be on the radio Monday with Scott Hall on the 91.7 KAXE Morning Show at about 7:20. The topic is Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District and the 2012 election featuring incumbent freshman Rep. Chip Cravaack (R) and his three announced DFL challengers: Jeff Anderson, Tarryl Clark and Rick Nolan. Themes will closely match my blog…
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The #mnshutdown could still become a #mnshowdown
By now those interested have absorbed much of the analysis of the tentative compromise between Gov. Mark Dayton and Republican majority leaders in the legislature to end the state’s two-week shutdown. Dayton loyalists are calling this the best the governor could have gotten under the circumstances and that’s probably true. It’s still a terrible budget.…
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Deal to end #mnshutdown could be near
Today could be a big day in negotiations to end the Minnesota state government shutdown. Gov. Mark Dayton has offered to accept an earlier all-cuts budget deal if it includes a substantial bonding bill. Dayton meets with GOP leaders this afternoon with the possibility of a special session in the near future. Follow the Shutdown…
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Fostering a culture of success in ALL Minnesota schools
As many of you know I’m a community college educator who holds the belief that robust, world-class public education is the fundamental responsibility of any modern, civilized society. People have different views of how we should do this. Some have more trust in private education vouchers than I have. Some believe in reform. Some belief…
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Nolan officially joins Clark, Anderson with DFL bid in MN-8
Former Congressman Rick Nolan makes it official today by announcing his DFL bid for the seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-MN8). Nolan is touring the district today, though he’s been seen at local DFL events for months. Nolan joins Duluth city council member Jeff Anderson and former St. Cloud area State Sen.…
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Dayton winning the compromise argument
The choppy, awkward first couple minutes shows why I’ve always wondered what’s up with Gov. Mark Dayton. The strong last minute shows why I respect him and ended up voting for him. Dayton is not a compelling public speaker. Perhaps his policy positions put him in line with a brand of Anderson/Perpich progressivism that is…
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The wild, wild western Range to be 2012 battleground
When the dust settled on Election Night 2010 many surprises highlighted the GOP victories in Minnesota. The biggest, of course, was Chip Cravaack’s defeat of Jim Oberstar in the northern 8th Congressional District. But tucked away among several legislative gains was Carolyn McElfatrick’s 2.5 percent win over Loren Solberg in State House District 3B, a…
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Gould first DFLer to announce for 3B
La Prairie City Councilor Joe Gould has announced his candidacy for House District 3B, the seat currently held by Rep. Carolyn McElfatrick (R-Grand Rapids). I will be covering House 3B the same way I’ve covered competitive races in 5B last winter and 7B years prior. Below is Gould’s press release: (July 6th, 2011) La Prairie,…
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Creatures stirring on Shutdown Eve
Lawmakers and Gov. Dayton are negotiating today to avoid a state shutdown which would occur at midnight without a budget deal. Most agree that a shutdown of some length is likely, but you can monitor the possibility of a deal at the Minnesota Public Radio “Shutdown Blog” or the Twitter #mnshutdown thread. Many of the…
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MN-8: An election that will shape northern Minnesota
My series on the 2012 campaign for Minnesota’s Eighth District congressional district seat is complete. Freshman Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-MN8) will face off against one of several potential DFL challengers for a race that will say a lot about the demographics, politics and issues facing northern Minnesota’s future. If you missed the beginning, here are…
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MN-8: Other DFL contenders may break out of pack
We near the end of my MN-8 series with a look at several people either considering a run or being suggested as DFL candidates to challenge freshman Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-MN8) in this northern Minnesota district. These posts are subjective analysis from one person, me, a former reporter and political observer from the region in…
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MN-8: Rick Nolan comeback bid shakes up race
Today my series on Minnesota’s Eighth Congressional District continues with more posts about the DFLers running to unseat Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-MN8). Today we meet the people considering a run, starting with the most active in the group, former U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan. At noon I’ll introduce several of the others, including some who might…
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MN-8: Clark moves north for run at Cravaack
Today my series on Minnesota’s Eighth Congressional District continues with the first of several posts about the DFLers running to unseat Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-MN8). Today I’m posting two items about the candidates who’ve announced. Jeff Anderson was this morning. Now we look at Tarryl Clark. Tarryl Clark is a fascinating figure in the unfolding…
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MN-8: Cravaack to hold second Range town hall in Ely
Adding some context for the MN-8 series I’m writing, Rep. Chip Cravaack will hold his second Iron Range town hall at Vermilion Community College in Ely Wednesday evening from 7-8 p.m. The college is on the north end of town off Camp Street. Cravaack’s first Range town hall was in Mt. Iron last month, where…