Archive for 2007
Upper Midwestern US Senators React to State of the Union Address
Several U.S. Senators from the Upper Midwest have released official statements in reaction to President George W. Bush’s seventh State of the Union Address from last night. Republican Charles Grassley of Iowa stated he was impressed with Bush’s overall leadership…
Read MoreCould Tom Vilsack Emerge As the Next Bill Clinton?
When Iowa ex-Governor Tom Vilsack announced his candidacy for the presidency two months ago he was immediately labeled as a ‘long shot.’ While there are some similarities to the successful long-shot bid then Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton launched in…
Read MoreAddresses by Upper Midwest Governors Remarkably Similar
Three gubernatorial addresses conducted this month across the Upper Midwest have been remarkably similar with regards to the main issues raised in the speeches. Republican Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty’s State of the State address delivered last week focused on four…
Read MorePresidential Nominees Likely To Be Determined By ‘The Unknown’
As politicians officially and unofficially begin their campaigns for the presidency in 2008, speculation about the strengths and weaknesses of each potential candidate will naturally be thoroughly debated in the media. Frequent questions already being posed by pundits include:…
Read MoreDivided Government in Minnesota: New Smart Politics Commentary at TPT
The latest Smart Politics commentary for Twin Cities Public Television’s Almanac: At The Capitol website is now online, discussing divided government in Minnesota. The essay suggests that high expectations for productive, low-conflict legislative sessions in Minnesota are unreasonable in a…
Read MoreUnified Democratic Party Control a Rarity in Iowa Politics
When Democrats took control of the Iowa House last November, it marked a rarity in Iowa politics that had not occurred in more than 40 years: concurrent Democratic control of the Governor’s office, Senate, and House. The last time…
Read MoreUpper Midwestern Republican Senators Weigh in on Bush Iraq Plan
Two more Upper Midwestern U.S. Senators—both Republicans—have released statements in response to President Bush’s new plan outlined in a national address earlier this week. South Dakota junior senator John Thune acknowledged the need for change in Iraq, stated winning in…
Read MoreThree Upper Midwestern US Senators Publicly Oppose Bush’s New Iraq Strategy
Less than 12 hours after President George W. Bush’s address to the nation revealing his new strategy for victory in Iraq—a strategy that included sending more than 21,000 new troops to the region—three Upper Midwestern senators have expressed public disapproval…
Read MoreCollegiality in 110th Congress Enhanced by Rosie-Donald Junk News Feud
As Democrats took control of Congress this week, a few reports have emerged of an apparent camaraderie between the outgoing Republicans and the incoming Democrats. Some of these reports deal with the trivial—such as Democrats taking a break from the…
Read MoreWill 2008 Republican National Convention Have An Impact On MN Presidential Vote?
When the Republican National Committee announced in September 2006 that its Site Selection Committee had voted to recommend the Twin Cities to host the 2008 Republican National Convention, it continued an interesting trend in GOP party politics. For the fourth…
Read More