Almanac: At the Capitol

I think the next governor's race could feature the first shake up when it comes to gender in this state.  If Gov. Pawlenty does not run again, and I'm not sure why he would want to risk running again after watching the close recount and nasty campaign in the Senate race.  Plus, it would be something as Smart Politics writes no Minnesota governor has ever achieved (only gov's who had two-year terms got elected three times).  So having no incumbent could really shake things up and how about when it comes to gender?

Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner is running (here's a shot of her literally running in Grandma's Marathon). 

I still hear a lot of (if not the most) interest in Speaker of the House Margaret Anderson Kelliher who has rural and urban credentials, is greatly respected and was a hockey mom before it became politically popular.

But I wonder if the fact Rep. Paul Thissen is exploring a run means Kelliher is not.  They are close friends and allies and both from Minneapolis.  

Sen. Tom Bakk is also exploring, but it's been a long time since a Ranger made it statewide (think Doug Johnson and Jerry Janezich).

Of course there's the urban mayors Coleman and Rybak who are both able politicians with a built-in base.

On the Republican side, if Pawlenty does not run again Rep. Laura Brod is or could be on the top of a lot of short lists.  She's articulate, attractive and feisty.  I'd suspect Brian Sullivan to be in the mix as well.  Former State Auditor Pat Anderson is also a possibility.  Both women were spokespeople for the Republican Party in anti-Franken press conferences this year.

Not since the bridge collapsed have we seen such unity from two men who may be seeking the same job.  Mayor Rybak and Gov. Pawlenty provided this joint news release:

GOVERNOR PAWLENTY AND MAYOR RYBAK ANNOUNCE         

I-35W BRIDGE “REMEMBRANCE GARDEN”

~ Memorial to remember those lost, affected by bridge collapse ~

Minneapolis – Governor Tim Pawlenty and Mayor R.T. Rybak today announced details of a “Remembrance Garden” which will serve as a memorial to the victims, survivors, family members and others whose lives were affected by the tragic collapse of the I-35W Bridge on August 1, 2007.

The memorial will be located in Minneapolis’ Gold Medal Park, just west of the I-35W Bridge.  The park was a gathering place for many Minnesotans in the hours and days following the bridge collapse. 

The Remembrance Garden will include 13 upright metal I-beams surrounded by an 81-foot rock square. Within the square will be a 65-foot wide circle plaza surrounding a 13-foot wide black granite round table fountain. Thirteen stainless steel bands will emanate from the center of the fountain, each ending at the base of an individual I-beam.

The features of the Remembrance Garden are symbolic of the lives affected by the bridge collapse. The names of the 13 people who died will be engraved on opaque glass faces on the inside of the 13 I-beams.  The 81-foot dimension of the rock square references August 1, the date of the bridge collapse. The 65-foot diameter of the circular plaza references the time of the collapse – 6:05 p.m.

The concept and location of a suitable memorial came about after months of meetings between the families of those who died in the collapse and survivors of the tragedy. The design of the Remembrance Garden was developed when the families and survivors began working with Dr. William McGuire, whose foundation manages Gold Medal Park, and Tom Oslund, the landscape architect who designed Gold Medal Park.

“As we open the new bridge, it is important to keep the victims and the families directly impacted by this tragedy first in our thoughts and prayers,” Governor Pawlenty said.  “This memorial will provide a lasting way to always remember loved ones who were lost on that tragic day.”

“Locating this peaceful remembrance garden within Gold Medal Park, near the river, is important,” Mayor Rybak said. “Victims’ families and collapse survivors felt we needed to remember the lives lost and changed that day with a quiet green space, where so many people gathered to draw on communal strength and support in the aftermath of this terrible tragedy.”

“Through the entire visioning and design process, it was essential that we listened hardest to those who were most affected by this tragedy,” said Oslund. “In the end, we created a place that honors those who died, and also recognizes that an entire community was changed.”

The Remembrance Garden designers hope that those who visit the memorial will also use this place to remember those who were on the bridge when it fell but survived the disaster – many who still struggle daily with both physical and emotional injuries as the result of the bridge collapse.

With the design and location of the memorial now determined, funding is required to make the Remembrance Garden a reality. Governor Pawlenty and Mayor Rybak announced the launching of a fundraising effort to raise at least $1 million to construct and maintain the Remembrance Garden, for which the Minneapolis Foundation will serve as the fiscal agent. Financial support will be solicited from individuals, foundations, businesses, and others whose generosity will contribute to building the memorial.

“We are very grateful to the many people who have already stepped forward to contribute to this important effort,” Mayor Rybak said. “Significant support has already been offered by Dr. William and Nadine McGuire, Oslund and Associates, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Capella University, Minneapolis Building and Constructions Trade Council, and Flatiron Construction. Additionally, the City of Minneapolis has already collected thousands of dollars from individuals who previously contributed to the creation of a bridge memorial. We are thankful for this support and hope it will serve as a clear example of what we need to build this memorial.”

Those interested in learning more about the I-35W Bridge Remembrance Garden, viewing images of the design, or making a contribution can go to www.35WRemembranceGarden.org

There's a lot of talk about other Democrats who may enter the race to challenge Al Franken. The first obvious name is Mike Ciresi who could not be reached directly but his people and lots of others are chatting with him about re-entering the U.S. Senate race. Ciresi has money and infrastructure that wouldn't be too difficult to re-start.

The other big name is Congressman Tim Walz. Democrats love the idea of Walz for higher office, many were thinking governor could be the next step, but then they run the risk of losing the first district to Republicans. It's a risk some DFLers may be willing to take. They want the Senate race more than one congressional seat.

Time is a factor. The DFL State Convention is just a month away and delegates would like to leave squarely behind one candidate. Dems I've talked to are also privately outraged that Franken's campaign didn't scrub the record before launching such a major campaign. He certainly has the money. Word around the Capitol is that Franken's troubles are not over either. It it good that he's talking rather than getting in a bunker mode which campaigns can do under fire. I think Minnesotans like to see someone come clean, admit a mistake. But a week or two should reveal if Franken will survive or if other Democrats try to challenge him.

Other names that are being talked about include: R.T. Rybak, Tom Bakk, Tarryl Clark. Let us know what you're hearing.