About The Author
Esme Murphy reports for WCCO-TV during the week, anchors WCCO Sunday Morning, hosts a weekend talk show on WCCO Radio and juggles all that with being a mom.  She's always looking for your thoughts and opinions, so drop her a line.
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Aug 27, 2008 12:49 PM

Update: Pawlenty Knows How Many Homes

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?

 
Aug 27, 2008 12:24 PM

Pawlenty-mentum

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.

 
Aug 26, 2008 8:53 PM

Who Wins the Ad Wars? Norm Or Al?

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?
 

Comments (2)

  • 11:05 PM - Debbie

    I think it is pretty low for Norm Coleman to stoop to using children to pitch his garbage. He probably should clean up his own "rented back yard" before he goes on about others. I do like th...  Show Full Comment
  • Aug-27 - Aaron I actually think the ad with the eight-year-old girl is pretty sick. :-/
Aug 23, 2008 2:10 PM

The Next Republican VP Candidate?

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.

 

Comments (1)

  • Aug-26 - Greg This love-fest is getting a little nauseating. I just tallied up all of your political blogs, and 13 were either friendly to republicans or hard on democrats, while 6 were either friendly to democr...  Show Full Comment
Aug 23, 2008 11:33 AM

This Weekend with Esme

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!
 

Comments (1)

  • Aug-24 - Ben Esme you did a good job on your interview's this morning.
Aug 22, 2008 12:29 PM

Creativity Rules In Sen. Coleman Ads

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.
 

Comments (1)

  • Aug-25 - Ed Kohler "Excuses" doesn't seem like a good position for Coleman to take while he's still coming up with excuses on why he hasn't returned the money he received from Sen Ted Stevens' corrupt lobbyist friend...  Show Full Comment
Aug 20, 2008 8:29 PM

Free Fair Stuff

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?

 

Comments (15)

  • Aug-25 - Brianna

    Esme,

     I know earlier this week there was a segment on how to go to the fair on a budget. Well, I was looking over the article online at wcco.com and it says you can get second day ...  Show Full Comment
  • Aug-24 - Jerry Thanks, Esme.  I rarely go to blogs (waste of time) but do go to useful ones.  Yours definitely is, so thanks again and keep up the good work on Sunday mornings.
  • Aug-24 - Gloria Thanks a bunch as this will make our Monday at the fair a real treasure hunt @ little cost!!
Aug 19, 2008 11:20 PM

BIG FAT BACON

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.

 

Comments (4)

  • Aug-22 - esme Thanks AJ love the link! Esme
  • Aug-21 - aj Let's also not forget the Pig Lickers (chocolate-covered bacon on a stick).  This is so important because we have a NYC rag...er, newspaper recognizing how the Minnesota State Fair is up-to-speed w...  Show Full Comment
  • Aug-20 - JasonDeRusha I'm hungry already.
Aug 17, 2008 1:26 PM

Jacobs: Senate Race Closer Than Thought

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.
 

Comments (1)

  • Aug-20 - Larry I found it interesting that when the Quinnipiac poll came out showing Franken and Obama were struggling in Minesota (despite the trend, including a poll coming out the day before showing the opposi...  Show Full Comment
Aug 16, 2008 10:28 AM

This Weekend with Esme

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!
 

Comments (2)

  • Aug-18 - Nancy Aleshire

    On your Saturday radio show, the interview that was done with the young panhandler got me real riled up.  He said he was bringing in between two and three hundred dollars on some nights just...  Show Full Comment
  • Aug-17 - Ben Esme you did a good job on your interview's this morning.
About The Author
Esme Murphy reports for WCCO-TV during the week, anchors WCCO Sunday Morning, hosts a weekend talk show on WCCO Radio and juggles all that with being a mom.  She's always looking for your thoughts and opinions, so drop her a line.
Bio | Send Your Comments To Esme
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