Jobs, Jobs, and more Jobs!!

New unemployment numbers are in!!!  It is extremely good news for the State of Minnesota.  It is also good news for the re-election campaign of TPaw!!!  The unemployment rate is at 3.7%, which is a FIVE YEAR LOW!!  The national average is 4.6%.

Here is a release from the Governor's campaign:

"Minnesota's job growth has gone from lukewarm to red hot. If Peter
Hutchinson, Mike Hatch, Ken Pentel or Becky Lourey had been Governor the
last four years, their tax-more, spend-more policies would have stunted job
growth across Minnesota."

- Michael Krueger, Campaign Manager

No word yet on what Hatch thinks of the numbers.  He will find some way to sue someone to make the numbers more favorable towards his campaign!!

MNGOP: They Said It!

The DFL'ers are not nearly as united as the GOP was coming out of their convention.

Just look at what delagates are saying:

 “Even with the endorsement, Hatch still has to win over some in his own party.
Minneapolis delegate David Moe wasn't enthusiastic about having Hatch atop the ticket.  ‘Mike Hatch has a lot of enemies out there that he’s made,’ said Moe, who entered the convention as a Lourey backer and later shifted his support to Kelley.  ‘I think it helps the third parties.’”  (Brian Bakst, “Their Candidates Blessed, DFL Sets Out To Get Them Elected,” Associated Press, June 11, 2006)

Sidenote: Becky Otto makes me laugh.  She is the only person I know that is somehow qualified for higher office when you lose a much smaller office.  Remember that Becky Otto was the ONLY incumbent DFL'er in the House to lose to a Republican in 2004.  I successfully drove her insane during that campaign and I plan to do the same this time around!!

This is Going to be Fun

So to no surprise, except maybe to Becky Lourey and Steve Kelley, Mike Hatch prevailed last night for the Gubernatorial endorsement.

Mike Hatch is a power hungry, angry man who has been running for governor as long as John Kerry has been running for president. 

Hatch claims to be the candidate who will talk about the meat and potato issues of the day.  Please Mike, will you?  When those issues such as health care, education reform, growing the economy, job creation, low taxes, less government spending, and immigration are talked about, we win every time.  Governor Pawlenty has a record second to none on every single one of those issues and this state leads the nation for the better in those categories!!!

Here is the statement from the MNGOP last night:

Republican Party Of Minnesota Statement On The Endorsement Of Mike Hatch For Governor

Rochester- Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Ron Carey today released the following statement regarding today's DFL endorsement of Mike Hatch.

"Mike Hatch has been running for governor for nearly 20 years and broke his word this year by running for governor a third time.  During that 20 years, his fellow DFLers have called him a 'chameleon,' an 'opportunist,' and 'a man willing to sell his soul just to get elected.'  No matter how extreme the makeover Hatch attempts, Minnesotans aren't going to trust someone with that kind of opportunistic and inconsistent record."

Bring on the fight Mike, we will make your angry self implode on the campaign trail!!

New Website!!

MNGOP unveiled a new website today called http://www.republicansloverochester.com/.  As the DFL in on the eve of holding their hate-fest down in Rochester the GOP is focusing on all of the good things the GOP has done for that area of the state.

Please go and check out the website.  Starting tomorrow I will highlighting one accomplishment each day that is thus far listed on the site.

Here is the press realease on the website:

St. Paul- Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Ron Carey today announced a new website, www.RepublicansLoveRochester.com , to highlight GOP accomplishments for Southeastern Minnesota.

"While our friends in the DFL will be throwing a lot of mud during their convention, Republicans will continue to highlight our accomplishments for
Southeastern Minnesota in the areas of bioscience, transportation and higher education," Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Ron Carey said. In addition to spotlighting GOP accomplishments for Southeastern Minnesota, the new website will also feature a poll asking visitors to choose which DFLer will launch the most negative personal attack on a Republican over the course of the DFL State Convention.

"I hope Republicans and Democrats will check out this website and see for themselves what Republican leadership has meant for Rochester and all of
Southeastern Minnesota," Carey concluded.

www.republicansloverochester.com

DFL Signing Pawlenty’s Praises?

Well, maybe not the DFL as a whole!! 

The MNGOP released a great statement today quoting a very influential DLF'er from Rochester.

The quote is:

 “And Rochester DFL icon A.M. (Sandy) Keith, a former state senator, lieutenant governor and chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court, has already swung his support to Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty.  ‘I love the guy; he can stay at my house if he wants to,’ said Keith, now executive director of the Rochester Downtown Alliance. Pawlenty, Keith said, has done more for Rochester than any governor since DFLer Rudy Perpich.”  (Conrad deFiebre, “DFL Poised To Meet In Rochester,” Star Tribune, June 8, 2006)

Now I do not expect to see the same from the hippie fest happening in Rochester this weekend, this quote is brilliant for the Republicans to use to their advantage.  Most Minnesotans recognize the great direction this state has been going and will not buy into the doom and gloom of the DFL!!

Flip-Flop of the Week

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)

Pawlenty Endorsement

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!!

State Convention

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!!

DFL Crashes Pawlenty Announcement

MDE, has a great post with a picture of this clown that had nothing better to do with a beautiful Wednesday morning.  It is apparent to me that the DFL knows that these are the tactics that they must employ in order to make any sort of gain in this race.  When it is on the topic of the issues, Governor Pawlenty wins handily, be it the amazing job creation, taking a record deficit to a surplus, keeping the tax burden low on families, and performance based pay for teachers and politicians, we will beat you every time. 

Campaign Announcement

This morning in Eagan Governor Pawlenty officially announced his bid for re-election.  I could not be happier to see the Governor want to continue to serve our state and push through his conservative ideals for four more years.

Here is the release from the campaign this morning:

Pawlenty Announces Campaign for Re-election

Renews commitment to holding government accountable and moving the state forward

(Saint Paul, Minn.) – Governor Tim Pawlenty and Lieutenant Governor Carol Molnau announced their re-election campaign today in Eagan.

Pawlenty highlighted solving the budget deficit, new job creation, comprehensive crime legislation and the new performance pay for teachers program as some of the most significant accomplishments of his first term.

“I’m running for re-election because we’re improving the lives of Minnesotans by making government more accountable and innovative,” Pawlenty said.

“If you’re for capping property taxes, truly reforming education, cracking down on illegal immigration and paying politicians for performance, your choice will be clear in November.”

The Pawlenty for Governor Committee unveiled a new website to coincide with the campaign announcement.  It can be viewed at www.TimPawlenty.com.

A radio actuality is available at www.TimPawlenty.com/audio.

It has offically started which is very exciting.  I am looking forward to the convention later this week where Republicans from all corners of the state will unite and get behind our governor for four more years.  The attention starved bar owner will no doubt show up and try her publicity tactics, but this will undoubtebly be Pawlenty's day!!

Also notice in the release they make mention of the new campaign website, something I brought you last night!!