Almanac: At the Capitol

U.S. Senate candidates U.S. Senate candidates Al Franken, Norm Coleman, Dean Barkley and Steve Williams debated outside of Redwood Falls. Energy was the top topic. Discluded candidates Priscilla Lord Faris, Jack Uldrich and Ole Savior are here standing by in protest.

Franken hit Coleman repeatedly saying the senator voted certain ways because "President Bush told him to." Coleman highlighted his experience in front of this rural audience, noting his 6 years on the agriculture committee.

Immigration, jobs and more farming issues came up. True to form, the Independents got the most laughs with their creative answers like Barkley begging for more than 8 days in Washington and Williams on immigration saying "the only people who need to be deported are the ruling parties in Washington."

Afterwards reporters asked Coleman why the crowd seemed to favor him; he said he's had the benefit of working with these people for 6 years. Coleman said Franken should "hit me in another forum." Franken told reporters he did hit hard on Coleman's ties to Bush because he voted with the president nearly every time.

This rift between Congresswoman Betty McCollum and Governor Tim Pawlenty on Central Corridor funding is getting interesting. A McCollum staffer just stopped by the State Capitol Press Room to distribute some background information. Their press release says "Pawlenty Administration Seeks $165,000,000 in 'Pork' While Decrying 'Pork'." McCollum says "Minnesotans deserve straight talk from Governor Pawlenty about his misleading position on Congressional earmarks."

The governor sent McCollum a letter stating "I believe the earmarking process is in need of reform." Pawlenty says only Ellison and McCollum are seeing statements certifying an administration's support of a project. He says "It would be disappointing if you decline to support these projects or that you hold Minnesota to a different standard than requests from other states." McCollum just wrote back "It is indeed perplexing that you feel you deserve to receive earmarked federal funds while refusing to agree to the accountability measure put forth by my office." She also points out the positions taken by Pres. Bush and Sen. McCain would result in "zero federal funding" to several Minnesota projects.

This infighting from two former state lawmakers is particularly interesting considering they once got along as fellow House members. In fact, on Almanac back in 1993 we selected McCollum and Pawlenty for a panel of freshmen stars. Boy do we know how to pick them? (Or maybe we just got lucky!)

Elwyn Tinklenberg just announced his candidacy for the 6th Congressional District seat held by Congresswoman Michele Bachmann. His press conference was full of interesting and seemingly contradictary elements, yet it was a well-done and carefully orchestrated event. He was flanked by union members, but the former minister was clear that he is pro-life although he said it was not his "mission to eliminate Roe" and he supports civil unions. He wouldn't commit to abiding by the DFL endorsement, he said he would work hard for it, but noted that he hasn't gotten DFL support in two previous campaigns. His moderate/conservative social credentials are important in this Republican district, but it also puts him at odds with party activists. Tinklenberg was transportation commissioner for Gov. Ventura and he said the 35W bridge collapse pushed him to run. Republicans' press release says "Tinklenberg Breaks Word" after saying he wouldn't run in this race again. But all candidates and PR people should take notes on this announcement because it was how to run a press conference. Tinklenberg didn't bury his head in notes, he looked up spoke to the audience and the cameras with passion. He talked for 10 minutes and finished questions in 20 minutes. He was well-prepared for some tough questions and not defensive. PR wizard John Wodele deserves some serious credit here. Let me also say that Tinklenberg is up against an effective communicator herself, who many Dems underestimated last time around. Michele Bachmann's ties to President Bush (especially The Kiss) could hurt her, but she now has incumbency at her back. The question for Tinklenberg is if he can get passed more liberal candidates to face Bachmann who's kept a low profile lately, I hear on purpose.