Esme's Blog

Brian McClung, Governor Pawlenty's communications director, e-mailed me this response to my question: How many homes do the Governor and his wife own?

 

Here is McClung's exact answer:  "One (in Eagan). Of course they 'own' it with the bank - the mortgage isn't fully paid off."

 

Who knew having a house payment could be a political asset?

The buzz is building that Tim Pawlenty could indeed be the VP pick for John McCain. Check out this bit in US News and World report. The gist of the blog is that Mitt Romney is too rich to be John McCain's running mate. Between McCain and Romney they would own 12 homes. Not exactly something that would play well in rough economic times.

 

McCain is expected to make the VP announcement in less than 48 hours. There is some speculation that the announcement could come tomorrow, the day Barack Obama will accept the nomination. That would be interesting timing. Pawlenty will be in Denver tomorrow playing the part of McCain's lead attack dog. Stay tuned.

Keeping with the post Olympic theme the team gold medal would have go to Team Coleman. They win extra points for difficulty with their diversity in tone, from the bowlers...



To the cancer survivor's Mom...



To the eight year old girl...



But for sheer humor with a Minnesota twist Franken wins the individual gold with "Something Smells Fishy".



This ad catches Franken on the upswing. Politico.com is even calling the Franken surge in recent polls Franken-mentum

What do you think?

On Friday at the Fair I was walking north from the Education Building towards Machinery Hill, in search of the Fair Hair booth (source for all those multi-colored hair styles). With me, my kids Harrison and Esme, their friends Will and Claire Marie, and their Mom, Jeniffer Ryan.

From a distance I spotted the distinctive red crew cut of Governor Pawlenty's spokesman Brian McClung and there right with him, the Governor. No huge entourage, just a two or three security guys, and two staffers strolling through the fair.

It is amazing that a man possibly on the brink of the Vice Presidential nod from John McCain can walk around at times attracting very little attention. (Note the background of the picture).

The Governor stopped, chatted with the kids, even suggesting the bunny ears in the photograph.

Pictured Above: Will Torgerson, Claire Marie Torgerson,
Esme Klopp, Governor Pawlenty, Harrison Klopp

This Friday, August 29, John McCain will announce his running mate. If it is indeed Tim Pawlenty, (I am betting it will be - see prior blog posts for why) I doubt it will be so easy for four elementary school kids to meet him so spontaneously.

Some political observers have marveled at Pawlenty's charmed political career. The secret, in part lies with his ability to charm. If this South St. Paul guy gets the nod on Friday, his life will change dramatically.

But for now at least, he can walk around the fair with ease and give four kids a story they will long be able to share.

Saturday, August 22, 2008

7 p.m. - 11 p.m. - Live at the State Fair at the WCCO Radio Booth.

7 p.m. - Al Franken U.S. Senate candidate will be my guest for an hour live at the State Fair. (Sen. Norm Coleman was unavailable because he is taking his daughter to college.)

8 p.m. - Congressman Keith Ellison will be my guest.

8:30 p.m. - Jerry Hammer Executive Director of the State Fair will be my guest.

9:00 p.m. - Professor Dave Shulz will be my guest to talk about the latest political news.

10 p.m. - Do you this the drinking age should be lowered? A lot of college presidents do. Carol Falkowski of the Minnesota Department of Health will be my guest. I will also take your calls.

Sunday, August 23 2008
10 a.m. - WCCO-TV

Professor David Shulz of Hamline University will be my guest to talk about the latest political news.

Chief John Harrington of the St. Paul Police Department will be in to talk about safety and traffic concerns during the RNC.

Mike Vallante of the Minneapolis  and St. Paul Host Committee of the RNC will be in to talk about preparations for 45,000 visitors.

Mary Firestone, author of "Dayton's Department Store" will talk about her book that chronicles the history of Dayton's.

So tune in and log on!

Check out the latest ad from Senator Norm Coleman in the US Senate race.



Another punch at Al Franken's tax problems delivered by an 8-year-old girl. Coleman's ads have been striking in their variety and styles. This one hits just in time for back to school.

This issue is one that will haunt Franken throughout the campaign. With polls showing the race tightening you have to wonder if it were not for this issue Franken might actually be ahead.

One way Franken could diffuse the issue is to release his complete tax records going back a number of years, a step he has not yet taken.

At the Minnesota State Fair, have you ever wondered where people get those free yardsticks?

 

It's at the Minnesota Blue Flame Gas Station, booth F-15 on Nelson Street. How do I know that? It's not that I am smart. It's that I have the secret to freebies at the fair.

 

Here is the Fair's list of freebies, deals, drawings and giveaways.

 

Unlike the Blue Ribbon book, which for $5 gets you some great coupons, this is 100% free.

 

And in case you were wondering, taking first place in the scatological freebie category -- "Free Piece of Poo", as in elephant dung paper from the Mr. Ellie Pooh stand at booth F-14 in the grandstand.

 

How could anyone make this stuff up?

For years, across the street from the WCCO booth at the Fair, there was a lovely little stand that offered up chicken salad in pita bread.

They also had tablouleh, with a generous helping of fresh diced tomatoes and cilantro. It was a healthy oasis in the vat of fair food fare. But the little stand is no more.

It has been replaced by one called Big Fat Bacon.

It’s one third of a pound of bacon, caramelized with maple syrup on a stick.

Again, directly across from the WCCO-TV booth.

I can't wait.

Check it out. Professor Larry Jacobs, of the Humphrey Institute, said in an interview on WCCO Sunday Morning that the latest polling data show the U.S. Senate race is much closer than he originally thought.

Here are the polling data Jacobs is looking at. Jacobs wonders whether ads like this one ...



... that at the surface appear devastating to Franken might be backfiring.

Saturday, Aug. 16, WCCO radio 8:30 a.m.
7 p.m. - 11p.m.

7 p.m. - Jerry Hammer will be on to preview the State Fair.

7:30 p.m. - I will talk with WCCO's Roshini Rajkumar about the latest new headlines.

8:00 p.m. - Panhandling -- a year after the city of Minneapolis took steps to curb panhandling; it seems there are more people out there asking for money. We'll talk about panhandling and the growing numbers of homeless in our community. Guests include Monica Nilson, Director of Outreach with St. Stephens Street Outreach Team.

9:00 p.m. - Professor Steven Schier will join me to talk politics.

10:00 p.m. - Got computer problems? Questions? Give me a call, computer expert Doug Swinhart will be in studio.



Sunday, Aug. 17, WCCO-TV
10 a.m.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty will be appearing on the CBS Sunday Morning Show, Face the Nation. We will have clips from his appearance.

Professor Larry Jacobs will be in studio to discuss all the latest political news.

Kevin Knudsen, of the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors, will be in to talk about home sales and were the housing market is headed.

We will take a look at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts exhibit, Hail to the Chief, Images of the American Presidency. Our guest will be Jennifer Komar Olivarez curator of the event.

So tune in and log on!