Political Notebook

Obermueller raises nearly $253,000 to take on Kline

DFL Congressional candidate Mike Obermueller's campaign announced today it raised nearly $253,000 over the past two months in his bid to unseat 2nd District GOP Rep. John Kline.

Obermueller got a major boost recently when he was named to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's "Red to Blue" list, which opens the door to national funding and strategic help.

“I’m proud to have the support of so many people who want to end the gridlock in Washington,” Obermeuller said in statement. “We are building a grassroots campaign to create jobs, cut spending and reinstate middle class priorities.”

Obermueller faces an uphill climb trying to compete financially with Kline. The five-term congressman raised $428,000 in the second quarter, according to campaign spokesman Troy Young. Kline also has a massive campaign war chest with more than $1.3 million in the bank.

 

Kline attends Red Wing forum as race heats up

Second Congressional District Rep. John Kline will travel to Red Wing today to meet with area business leaders and answer questions. The Republican will attend a lunch hour forum at the St. James Hotel sponsored by the Red Wing Area Chamber of Commerce and the League of Women Voters.

Kline's visit to Red Wing comes at a time when the congressman is expected to face his biggest election challenge since winning the seat in 2002. Thanks to redistricting, the district's boundaries have become more friendly to Democrats. Kline's DFL challenger Mike Obermueller also got a boost this week. The Demcoratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced Obermueller has earned a spot on their "Red to Blue" list of targeted race. That brings with it the potential for financial and strategic help.

But there's no doubt it's still an uphill climb for Obermueller. The Cook Political Report, University of Virginia's Center for Politics and Roll Call all rate the district as "likely Republican" at this point. In 2010, Kline trounced DFL challenger Shelley Madore, winning with more than 63 percent of the vote.

Walz votes for GOP payroll tax holiday plan

1st District Rep. Tim Walz was one of ten Democrats to vote in favor of the Republicans' plan to extend the payroll tax holiday for one year.

Most House Democrats voted against the bill citing concerns with other provisions tacked onto the measure. That included language that would speed up construction of the Keystone Pipeline, which would carry oil from Canada's oil sands to the Gulf Coast. The bill paid for the tax holiday by extending a pay freeze for civilian federal workers for another year and reducing the government workforce. 

Walz issued the following statement about his vote:

"While this bill is anything but perfect, extending tax cuts for middle class families is too important to play politics with. This tax break will go directly into the pockets of hardworking families who will spend it at the local grocery or hardware store. I am sick of the political games being played in Washington. It is time to get things done. Tax breaks for the middle class will strengthen our economy and create jobs that will help us tackle the long-term national debt facing our country."

Also included in the bill is a provision that would allow some renewable energy grants that were part of the federal stimulus package to expire. Republican 2nd District Rep. John Kline supports scrapping these grants citing concerns about how the money could be used for a controversial wind farm in Goodhue County.

“This is a wind energy project Goodhue County citizens don’t want funded by taxpayer money the federal government doesn’t have,” Kline said in a statement. “Given the economic challenges facing our country, we cannot in good conscience use taxpayer dollars to subsidize industries that have failed to demonstrate proven results to help our long-term energy strategy.”

The bill passed 234 to 193. But the Democratically-controlled Senate is unlikely to pass this plan. President Obama has also threatened to veto a bill that includes the Keystone Pipeline language. If Republicans and Democrats fail to reach a deal on the payroll tax holiday it will end up costing the average American family $1,000 next year.

 

 

 

Walz boasts hefty campaign war chest

Candidates looking to take on DFL 1st District Congressman Tim Walz better start fundraising now.

Walz raised $220,325 during the third quarter this year, according to a report filed with the Federal Election Commission. He has raised nearly $806,000 to date and has more than $503,000 in the bank. So far, Republican state Sen. Mike Parry of Waseca is the only candidate to announce he is running against Walz.

Republican 2nd District Rep. John Kline raised more than $183,000 this quarter. He has raised more than $764,000 to date and has more than $686,000 on hand. DFL candidate Dan Powers has announced he plans to run against Kline again. He has not filed a third quarter finance report.

Walz will be in Rochester tomorrow for a "Congress on Your Corner" event. Constituents can share their views with the congressman. He will be in the produce department at Hy-Vee Barlow Plaza, 1315 Sixth St. N.W., from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday.

Powers to challenge Kline — again

Burnsville resident Dan Powers announced he will once again challenge 2nd District GOP Rep. John Kline. The construction contractor made the announcement in an open letter to Kline posted yesterday on his Facebook page. He starts off the letter by writing, "I wanted to let you know that I do not think you understand what our congressional district or the country really need."

He cites four specific reasons he believes Kline does not represent the constituents of the 2nd Congressional District.

"Continuing this disregard for our district you have,

1) voted for a draconian budget proposed by Paul Ryan, that would end Medicare as we know it for those less than 55,

2) voted to continue a tax break for big oil without regards to the record profits these companies are earning,

3) voted to borrow 700 billion dollars and increase the deficit to extend tax cuts to the richest Americans while cutting(taking) money away from the poorest and

4) you voted to repeal health care while retaining your own knowing that the cost of repealing it would add to the federal deficit."

Powers ran against Kline in 2010. He won the DFL party nomination but lost in the primary to former state Rep. Shelley Madore. Kline easily won re-election defeating Madore with 63 percent of the vote.

The 2nd Congressional District has been a safe seat for Republicans in recent years. But there is one unknown for the 2012 election — how the congressional district lines will be redrawn as part of redistricting. A Republican legislative proposal calls for making the 2nd Congressional District more rural — including the absorption of Wabasha County. DFL Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed the redistricting plan so it appears likely the issue will be headed to the courts.

 

House GOP redistricting map means changes for Walz and Kline

The Minnesota House GOP unveiled its congressional redistricting map today. And while the most sweeping changes would be in the northern half of the state, there would be some notable changes in southern Minnesota.You can check out the new map by clicking here.

The First Congressional District, represented by DFL Congressman Tim Walz, would no longer include Wabasha county or Nicollet County. The district, which runs from the South Dakota border to Wisconsin, would also gain a large swath of counties in southwestern Minnesota that traditional are more conservative. New cities added to the district would include Redwood Falls, Marshall and Granite Falls.

I put a call into Walz's office to get the congressman's view on the new map. I have not heard back yet. Walz's spokeswoman Sara Severs said Walz has "no comment" at this time on the proposal.

The Second Congressional District, represented by GOP Congressman John Kline, would become much more rural. Due to rapid growth, the district needed to shed nearly 70,000 residents. As a result, Kline's district would no longer include Carver County — home to Chaska and Chanhassan. He would gain Sibley, Nicollet and Wabasha counties. That means residents living in Lake City, Wabasha, Zumbro Falls and Mazeppa would become part of the 2nd Congressional District.

Kline's spokesman Troy Young offered this reaction to the new map. 

"Minnesotans expect the fair and accurate approach they deserve and Congrssman Kline hopes the final proposal reflects the population trends appropriately," Young said.

 The Senate GOP has said they are going with the same congressional redistricting map. Any such plan would need DFL Gov. Mark Dayton's signature, which at this point seems unlikely. If a deal can't be reached the plan would end up in the courts.

Kline, Walz react to health care repeal vote

Reactions from southern Minnesota's two congressman differed dramatically. Republican 2nd District Rep. John Kline, an original sponsor of the repeal measure, praised the effort. During a speech on the House floor, he said the bill would hurt efforts to improve the nation's economy by penalizing job creators.
“A number of provisions in the law will undermine job creation and economic growth, but perhaps none is as alarming as the employer mandate. For the first time in the nation’s history, employers with more than 50 workers are required to provide government-approved health care coverage. Those who do not, or cannot afford to, will be forced to pay a $2,000 penalty for every worker beyond the first 30," Klein said.

Go here to watch Klein's floor speech.

DFL 1st District Rep. Tim Walz offered a very different view. He voted against repealing the measure saying the bill protects everyday Minnesotans. Walz added the residents in southern Minnesota are already benefiting from the bill with seniors now getting help paying for prescription drugs.
“Repealing the Affordable Care Act will eliminate consumer protections, put insurance companies between you and your doctors, raise taxes on small businesses, and explode the deficit. It will be bad for our economy and jobs in places like southern Minnesota that have a robust health care industry," he said.

He also included a link to a document that shows the impact of the health care bill on southern Minnesota.

 

Kline and Walz vote for tax deal

Looks like taxpayers will be getting an extra gift in their Christmas stocking with the passage of a bipartisan tax deal in the U. S. House. The bill now heads to President Obama for his signature.

Both Republican 2nd District Rep. John Kline and 1st District DFL Rep. Tim Walz voted for the deal worked out between the White House and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell. But neither Kline nor Walz was thrilled with everything in the bill.

Here's the statement Kline released after voting for the measure.

“The legislation is far from perfect, but I am pleased the President is heeding the call of Republicans and the American people to ensure no one faces a tax increase next year. Without immediate action from Congress, tax rates for virtually all Americans who pay income taxes would rise Jan. 1, 2011. Americans deserved to know what their tax burden would be months ago, and it is disappointing that Congressional Democrats waited until the 11th hour to join us in stopping the largest tax increase in history from hitting every American taxpayer. I look forward to working in the 112th Congress as a member of the majority party where we will take further action to provide certainty that enables Minnesota families to plan and businesses to put Americans back to work.”

Here's Walz's take on the bill.

"I am disappointed with measures in this compromise that add to the debt and do not help grow our economy, such as tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires. However, while I am unhappy with several items included in this compromise, I recognize that compromise means giving some things up in return for important things you want. I cannot in good conscience vote against tax relief for the middle class, unemployment benefits, and tax incentives for renewable energy initiatives that could help create jobs in Minnesota. Minnesota families will spend those dollars at the local grocery store or putting gas in their car, putting dollars right back into our communities. That is why I decided to support this legislation."

Three member of Minnesota's congressional delegation voted against the bill — Republican Michele Bachmann and Democrats Keith Ellison and Betty McCollum. For a breakdown of what is in the bill, go here.