Political Notebook

Pawlenty announces via YouTube he's running for president

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty made it official Sunday in a YouTube video — he is running for president.

HIs campaign released the video a day before the Republican is expected to make the big announcement during a town hall meeting in Iowa. At the end of the video, Pawlenty looks into the camera and says, “Tomorrow, my first campaign stop will be in Iowa, and that is where I am going to begin a campaign that tells the American people the truth. I am Tim Pawlenty, and I am running for president of the United States.”

To see the video, go here.

Meanwhile, it appears another Minnesotan may soon join him in the race. Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann is mulling a potential presidential bid and has planed a two-day visit to Iowa starting on Thursday.

Hockey, South St. Paul and Reagan all part of Pawlenty's big announcement

Former GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced at 2 p.m. today via his Facebook page that he is establishing an exploratory committee as part of a possible run for the White House in 2012. He created a video for his announcement, which you can see here.

The video starts with Pawlenty talking about growing up in South St. Paul and watching the meatpacking plants disappear.

"At a young age, I saw up close the face of challenge, the face of hardship, the face of job loss," Pawlenty says in the video.

He says he sees those same challenges in America today but that "there is a brighter future for America. We know what we need to do — grow jobs, limit government spending and tackle entitlements."

Key images in the video include Pawlenty suited up in hockey gear on the ice, Republican President Ronald Reagan, the Lincoln Memorial, American flags and a close-up on a church.

Democrats wasted no time reacting to Pawlenty's news. Four minutes after the big announcement, DFL State Chair Ken Martin issued this statement:

"Our former governor's announcement of an Exploratory Committee shouldn't be a surprise to anyone at this point — he's spent the better part of his last two years in office ignoring the needs of his state while trying to woo the Republican base. Tim Pawlenty bankrupt the future of our state, the last thing he deserves is a chance to do it to our nation.

Comedian Colbert pokes fun at Pawlenty

Stephen Colbert, host of Comedy Central's Colbert Report, poked fun at former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty's dramatic ad for his biography "Courage to Stand." In case you haven't seen it, the 1 minute 30 second video had the feel of a trailer for a blockbuster action film and got plenty of attention. You can see it here.

On his show last night, Colbert poked fun at the dramatic video for Pawlenty, who has not yet announced whether he will run for president in 2012.

"Tim Pawlenty may not be running for president of the United States, but he is clearly running for president of the next Transformers movie," Colbert said.

The comedian then created his own video modeled after Pawlenty's. You can see it here.

The increased media attention on Pawlenty comes on the heels of some big appearances by the former governor in the key election states of Iowa and New Hampshire. Minnesota Public Radio has a story about how Pawlenty has picked a seasoned team of political experts that could make him a key contender if he does run for president.

Bye bye Potter for Chatfield arts center name

Bills backing the city of Chatfield's efforts to get $7 million in state funding notably do not use the term "Potter Center for the Arts." Last year, the project was harshly criticized by Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty who mistakenly referred to it as a "pottery center." He ultimately vetoed the project from the final bonding bill agreement saying it was an example of "misplaced priorities."

So did backers drop the word Potter to avoid confusion? No, according to Chatfield City Administrator Joel Young. He said even before last year's bonding fight erupted, the project had been officially named the Chatfield Center for the Arts. Included in the project is the restoration of Potter Auditorium — but that is only one part of the project.

Still, dropping the name may help dispel confusion that the proposed arts center is in any way focused on pottery. The project would provide a center for performing and visual arts expected to attract residents from across southeast Minnesota. Supporters also say the project is about more than just the arts — it's also about economic development. They estimate the $14.5 million project would create more than 140 new jobs in the region.

But Chatfield still has some negative perceptions to overcome. In 2008, a proposal to build a new facility for the Chatfield Brass Band Music Lending Library. That project referred to as the "sheet music museum" was pointed to as an example of wasteful government spending proposals by opponents. Pawlenty vetoed the $400,000 for the project.

At a hearing yesterday on a bill to get $7 million in state Legacy Amendment dollars for the arts centers, one of the first questions centered on that lending library. Specifically, would it be included in the plan? City officials say the library would be offered space at the facility but it is up to them whether they would accept it. Backers are also trying once again to get state bonding money for the proposal.

Pawlenty's 'veto pen' to be part of Minnesota history

With a week left on the job, Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty officially retired his oversized "veto pen" giving it to the Minnesota Historical Society. Pawlenty also turned over other documents and artifacts from his eight years in office including the actual veto stamps he used.

Pawlenty was not shy about using his veto pen. He issued a grand total of 299 complete bill and line-item vetoes. In 2008, he set a record for the most bill vetoes issue in one year by a Minnesota governor. A press release notes Pawlenty vetoed a grand total of $7.5 billion in proposed tax increases.

 

Rochester gives Pawlenty a warm farewell

Multiple standing ovations and words of praise dominated a farewell event for outgoing Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty this morning in Rochester.

The event, sponsored by the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, drew a crosssection of Rochester leaders including Mayor Ardell Brede, former Republican Sen. Nancy Brataas and  former Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Sandy Keith — just to name a few.

During the event, Rochester leaders praised Pawlenty for helping establish the University of Minnesota — Rochester campus — something area leaders had been fighting for for decades.

Marilyn Stewart, who chaired the Higher Education Development Committee, presented the governor with a University of Minnesota — Rochester sweatshirt and praised him for helping make the university a reality.

"We are being noticed all around the country and we wouldn't be there without your help," Stewart told the governor.

Pawlenty said it was clear that while Rochester has world-class institutions like the Mayo Clinic and IBM it was lacking one key thing — a branch of the University of Minnesota. The university is unique in that it is specifically focused on bioscience and health care.

"I think over the decades that is going to be one of the most strategically important institutions for Rochester because it will not only have a magnetic effect for people coming into the community but for people who are here it will allow the opportunity to upgrade their skills," he said. " But importantly as we look to the future of government institutions, they have to find a new way of doing business and this higher education institution in Rochester in many ways is a rolemodel."

Roch Chamber hosts farewell event for Pawlenty

The Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a farewell event for Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty as he prepares to leave office.  The farewell visit will be 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday at the Doubletree Hotel, 150 S. Broadway. The event is free but the chamber asks that anyone planning to attend register in advance. For more information, go here.

Pawlenty has had big impact on Rochester during his eight years as governor. That includes helping establish the University of Minnesota — Rochester and supporting the gemonics partnership between the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic.

 

Budget forecast unveiled today

It's a big day at the state Capitol with state budget officials set to release the November economic forecast today. That forecast will give lawmakers an idea of just how big of a budget problem they will face when they reconvene on Jan. 4.

The most recent budget forecast dating back to February projected  a $5.8 billion budget deficit. Early indications are that the budget situation has improved. Gov. Tim Pawlenty told reporters yesterday that he does not anticipate the state will need to do any short-term borrowing to pay its bills. That echoes what incoming Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Steve Sviggum told me earlier this week. Sviggum also said he did not expect any uanllotments would have to be made by the end of the year.

The forecast will be released at 12:15 p.m. Both Republican and DFL legislative leaders have scheduled news conferences to react to the budget news. The governor and Sviggum will hold a joint press conference at 2:30 p.m. to discuss the results.

Pawlenty stumps for Emmer in Rochester

"Gov. Tim Pawlenty joined in Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer at a rally over the lunch hour at the Rochester International Airport as part of a statewide fly-around in advance of tomorrow's election. More than 50 supporters toting "Emmer for governor" signs welcomed the candidate.

Also showing up in support was former 1st District GOP Rep. Gil Gutknecht and former Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Sandy Keith. Several local Republican candidates also turned out including Senate Minority Leader Dave Senjem, House District 29A candidate Duane Quam, House District 29B candidate Mike Rolih and House District 30A candidate Charlie O'Connell.

During the rally, Pawlenty emphasized that Emmer is the right choice for voters who want to increase jobs in southeast Minnesota. He said Rochester is a key economic center for the state due in large part to the synergy among the Mayo Clinic, IBM and the University of Minnesota — Rochester.

"Tom understands that. I've had the chance to talk to him about it. He understands the importance of keeping that momentum going for southeastern Minnesota," Pawlenty said.

Emmer told the crowd that his opponents would end up hurting southeast Minnesota because of their support of the federal health care overhaul.

"They are supportive of government health care instead of allowing the Mayo Clinic to continue to be a leader in innovation and the main medical destination point for everybody not only in the United States of America but in the world," he said.

 

GOPers warn voters not to take expected wave for granted

At a Republican rally this morning in Rochester featuring Gov. Tim Pawlenty and gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, GOPers warned supporters against being lulled into a false sense of security. 1st District Republican candidate Randy Demmer addressed the crowd of more than 60 cheering supporters gathered at the Ramada Hotel & Conference Center and said even though there is the expectation of a wave of Republican wins it is still important to get out and vote.

"Don't pay attention to what they say about the wave. Go out and make it happen," he said.

The usually mild-mannered Senate Minority Leader Dave Senjem of Rochester was also fired up this morning telling supporters that this area is key when it comes to the governor's race.

"As I often say, the road to the corner office is through Olmsted County and we're going to do it for (Emmer), just as we did for our existing governor," Senjem said.

Recent polls have shown Emmer lagging in greater Minnesota. In 2006, Pawlenty did very well in Olmsted County winning nearly 55 percent of the vote and many credit that as being key in his victory. On Monday, the governor made the case why southeast Minnesota residents should back Emmer.

"Tom Emmer understands the strategic importance of southeastern Minnesota to the rest of the state," Pawlenty said. "He understands that if southeastern Minnesota — one of the great growth engines including Rochester — does not prosper going forward that is going to be a problem for the whole state."

DFLers will also be busy hitting the campaign trail in southeast Minnesota looking to woo voters. Gubernatorial candidate Mark Dayton will attend a rally at an Altura dairy farm.