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Oberstar's highway bill is stuck for now
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Even a fleet of bulldozers wasn't enough to ram through a deal last week on a long-term highway bill sought by Minnesota Democrat Jim Oberstar, chairman of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
A caravan of bulldozers on the National Mall on Wednesday was intended to rally momentum for Oberstar's six-year, $500 billion overhaul of national roads and transit, but a lack of funds has temporarily stalled those efforts.
Oberstar, hoping to create pressure to act, pressed the House for a three-month extension of current law. The Senate is opting for a six-month extension.
KEVIN DIAZ
'Stunning' Steve King
In her three years in Congress, Michele Bachmann has found little that she likes. Rep. Steve King of Iowa is a stunning exception.
She recently told an Iowa newspaper that she would like to see her friend, one of the most conservative lawmakers in Washington, run for president. Media Matters for America, a liberal media watchdog group, used the pronouncement as a chance to highlight Bachmann's oddly repetitious assessment of King as "stunning."
Below are excerpts from her floor speeches this year, as researched by Media Matters.
"To the stunning gentleman from Iowa, the great Steve King..." "I could never hold a candle to the stunning Steve King of Iowa..." "I want to thank so much my colleague Steve King from Iowa -- the 'stunning' Steve King of Iowa..." "I thank the gentleman from Iowa, also known as the Stunning Steve King of Iowa, as stated by national political commentators..." "I would like to add to the stunning Steve King from Iowa for his comment."
King has refrained from physical assessments of Bachmann, but has returned the rhetorical favor in remarks from the House floor in which he calls Bachmann "persistent, relentless and ever on the ball," "always in here fighting for truth, justice, and the American Way," and a representative "who has made her mark on this Congress and on this country."
ERIC ROPER
White House face time
When the Obama administration, with much fanfare, unveiled its first list of visitors to the White House on Friday, Minnesotans were few and far between.
Of nearly 500 people who visited during the first six months of President Obama's term, it appears only Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken and Rep. Collin Peterson (all Democrats, to be sure) made the cut.
Klobuchar was there twice, on Feb. 1 and June 25, both times apparently for receptions. The first was held in the mansion's family theater, the second on the South Lawn.
Peterson also was at the June 25 soiree, attended by about 2,000 other people.
Franken's visit occurred on May 6, when he met with Vice President Joe Biden -- two months before he even was sworn in. It was a much-publicized meeting designed to telegraph the fact that administration officials were confident he'd eventually be declared the winner of the race.
BOB VON STERNBERG
Political deb party
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty will have his political coming out this week in two big ways.
On Wednesday, he'll host the first major fundraiser for his Freedom First Political Action Committee at the Minneapolis Hilton, with donations for event chairs going up to $100,000. Many take the PAC's formation as a clear sign he is greasing the skids for a 2012 presidential run. On Saturday, he'll add more grease to those slippery skids when he headlines a Republican event in early caucus state Iowa. Pawlenty, who has traveled the country giving speeches but avoided Iowa because of its presidential connotations, will keynote a gathering of the Iowa Republican Party at the state fairgrounds. Raising the speeches stakes even higher? Pawlenty's speech will be televised live on C-SPAN.
RACHEL E. STASSEN-BERGER
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Current state office holders
Governor: Tim Pawlenty
One of only a few prominent Republicans to win a competitive re-election contest in the Democratic sweep of 2006, Tim Pawlenty is widely seen as politically shrewd and naturally likable.
- Lt. Governor: Carol Molnau
- Secretary of State: Mark Ritchie
- Attorney General: Lori Swanson
- State Auditor: Rebecca Otto
Minnesota's political giants: Learn more about the men and women who have shaped Minnesota's political history.
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