Apr 25, 2001
The Republican state Senate Redistricting Committee members launched the first salvo in their effort to stir up the mix in the Reapportionment Game. They proposed a restructuring of the political boundaries quite familiar to us here at Checks & Balances since we...
Apr 25, 2001
On Wednesday, the State House voted down an amendment to move the state party primary to June versus its current September date. The majority Republicans opposed the change and a number of DFLers followed suit. The measure failed by a large margin, 80-52. The DFL...
Apr 25, 2001
In electoral politics, the conventional wisdom is a larger turnout favors Democrats and small turnout favors Republicans. If that is the case, then anyway someone can discourage one group or another from going to the polls it is an advantage to Republicans. The call...
Apr 25, 2001
The initial measuring stick applied to politicians is the hiring decisions they make, and next, it is the actions taken over the first 100 days. US Senator Mark Dayton (D-MN), Congressman Mark Kennedy (R-MN02) and Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN04) have all dealt...
Apr 20, 2001
We have stumbled upon the Pro-life strategies to be employed in the St. Paul conventions this weekend. Of course, it is questionable if there are a large number of Pro-lifers, to begin with, to have any real influence. We have heard often how the abortion issue is...
Apr 20, 2001
The first round of the St. Paul precinct caucuses were held on Tuesday on the East and North sides of St. Paul. There is no clear early favorite, but Jay Benanav performed over expectations. He locked up 32 delegates on the side of the city believed to be the base...
Apr 20, 2001
The annual Humphrey Day Dinner set for Saturday, April 21st, is in full swing and we understand table availability has been capped. One unannounced feature of the event will be the attendance of Eleanor Mondale. Since Congress is not in session all of the Democratic...
Apr 20, 2001
One problem in life, as well as politics, is the hypocrisy people see when people say one thing and do another. This is probably where the adage “people in glass houses should not throw stones” emanates from. Such is the case on the matters before the...
Apr 20, 2001
Checks & Balances has obtained the polling results of the statewide survey of voters conducted by the National Republican Senatorial Committee in February between the 25-27. In a 500-person sample with a margin of +/- 4 % the following results occurred: George W....
Apr 20, 2001
Last week’s release of state Senate targets for 2002-03 spending plans brought forward the last leg in the legislative balancing act. As is normally the course, the DFL approach provides more money in traditional areas like Education, Higher Education, Health and...
