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GOVERNOR PAWLENTY OUTMANEUVERS DFL LEADERS ONCE AGAIN
By Michael Brodkorb | September 4, 2007
Governor Pawlenty has outmaneuvered the DFL legislative leaders once again:
"DFL legislative leaders said Tuesday they're ready to abandon a more comprehensive special session to focus on last month's Interstate 35W bridge collapse and the massive floods in southeastern Minnesota. They also suggested a willingness to drop advocacy of a gas-tax increase." Source: Star Tribune, September 4, 2007
Click here for the complete story.
It gets better:
"Minnesota's Democratic legislative leaders today dropped most of their wish list for a special session, and pleaded with Gov. Tim Pawlenty to call lawmakers back to St. Paul to only work on issues related to a Minneapolis bridge collapse and southeast Minnesota flooding." Source: West Central Tribune, September 4, 2007
Click here for the complete story.
Pleaded? DFL leaders are now pleading for a special session. I have said before that I'm not advocating a special session, but I'm certainly not afraid of one either. It seems that Democrats in Minnesota have once again been outmaneuvered by Governor Tim Pawlenty in legislative negotiations.
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This story is cross-posted at True North and Party of Pawlenty.
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41 Responses to “GOVERNOR PAWLENTY OUTMANEUVERS DFL LEADERS ONCE AGAIN”
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September 5th, 2007 at 12:26 AM
The Governor has outmaneuvered no one, since he is the only one with the power to call a special session.
Negotiation does not happen without compromise and so far the Governor has refused once again to compromise.
Democrats are not the ones that will pay the price for his foolish games, it will be the people in SE Minnesota who’s homes and businesses are destroyed and the drivers across Minnesota who say a prayer everytime they cross a bridge.
Once again we are shown by his actions that this Governor has no leadership and no vision for our state.
September 5th, 2007 at 12:51 AM
[...] Contact the Webmaster GOVERNOR PAWLENTY OUTMANEUVERS DFL LEADERS ONCE AGAIN » This Summary is from an article posted at Minnesota Democrats Exposed on Tuesday, September 04, 2007 GOVERNOR PAWLENTY OUTMANEUVERS DFL LEADERS ONCE AGAIN September 4, 2007 10: … collapse and southeast Minnesota flooding.” Source: West Central Tribune, September 4, 2007 Click Summary Provided by Technorati.comView Original Article at Minnesota Democrats Exposed » 10 Most Recent News Articles About West 8 [...]
September 5th, 2007 at 5:40 AM
Pawlenty is stuck in a stituation where he wants to make Democrats look bad. This is a time when he really can’t worry about who looks back. Call the special session let it be known what will be signed and veto everything else, it’s really not that complicated.
Pawlentys problem is he’s flip flopping so much on the gas tax and now doesn’t want to be held accountable for it. The Democrats might end up looking bad on this one, but Pawlenty is gurenteed of looking bad.
September 5th, 2007 at 6:44 AM
If you ask me T Paw looks great on this one. The Donkeys under Larry and Marge look like Jackasses.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:03 AM
Can someone tell me what good a special session does for the bridge or floods? Aren’t we already rebuilding and helping people?
September 5th, 2007 at 7:15 AM
Tubs, you’re an idiot. Pawlenty did all the compromising in the last regular session. The DFL ram-rodded irresponsible crap through at the 11th hour. He, rightly, vetoed it.
The people in SE Minn. and the the bridge are already getting all the attention they need. Pawlenty, rightly, is keeping those DFL buffoons at bay.
Sure, let’s have a special session to deal with the “what’s next” portion of the flood and bridge issues. But the DFL is treating these occasions like a free ticket to an all you can eat pork trough.
Pawlenty, rightly, is keeping their greedy, thieving asses away from it.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:26 AM
MDE is spot on in creditting Governor Pawlenty with keeping the best interests of Minnesotans first, and not falling into the trap of letting Larry, Curly and Marge play politics with either the bridge or the flood. The Gov gave democrats a clear opening and they selfishly decided that their enormous appetite for taxpayer cash could not possibly be satisfied within the limits put forth by the Governor.
To answer IsItTrue above, there is no specific emergency need that the Governor can’t manage without the interference of the legislature.
Well done Governor!
September 5th, 2007 at 8:29 AM
BTW when is anyone going to stand up and say that the gas tax is the wrong vehicle to fund our transportation needs? The formula doesn’t work.
We need to reform that formula to dedicate most of the money directly to roads and bridges within the districts that the tax is collected.
How’s Oberstar doing with the bicycle autobahn up nort?
September 5th, 2007 at 8:49 AM
This one is pretty clear cut, the Governor has flipped flop.
Position #1 – I support raising the gas tax
Position #2 – I support raising the gas tax, if it is temporary
Positions #3 – I support raising the gas tax, if it is temporary and offset by cuts to “welfare”
September 5th, 2007 at 8:54 AM
Show me specifically where the Governor said he supported a gas tax increase.
My position is that he said clearly that all options hould be on the table in light of the bridge collapse emergency. That’s different than saying “I support a gas tax increase”.
Please correct me. Show me the direct quote where he said that he explicitly supports a gas tax increase.
September 5th, 2007 at 9:02 AM
Rabid is completely stupid. Pawlenty never said he supported raising the gas tax. He said he would consider it, but he never said he supported it. Not ever.
In considering it, he did say any increased gas tax should have a clear sunset. He also said it would be more palatable if the gas tax increase was met with an equal cut in income taxes.
BTW Rabid, income tax cuts are not welfare. Welfare is when government thieves take cash from those who earned it, and give it to those who did not and who do not pay taxes.
Minnesota has no need for tax increases. None. Governor Pawlenty knows it. So do I.
September 5th, 2007 at 9:03 AM
… income tax cuts are when the government agrees to steal less cash from those who earned it.
September 5th, 2007 at 9:04 AM
“Pawlenty did all the compromising in the last regular session. The DFL ram-rodded irresponsible crap through at the 11th hour. He, rightly, vetoed it.”
Chestnut, your funny a dumbshit, Pawlenty did no compromising that’s why so many bills were left unresolved.
“The people in SE Minn. and the the bridge are already getting all the attention they need.”
Unfortunately, the people in SE MN are still in need of significant assistance and we can not count on FEMA to meet their needs. As for the bridge, our transporation funding still remains unresolved and people are still driving on many bridges rated the same or worse then 35W.
“Sure, let’s have a special session to deal with the “what’s next†portion of the flood and bridge issues. But the DFL is treating these occasions like a free ticket to an all you can eat pork trough.”
That’s what the DFL is trying to do and if anything else is introduced that you don’t want, it’s pretty easy to veto it. Seifert said he will prevent an overide so what the hell is the Governor afraid of? As noted earlier apparently it’s exhibiting some leadership.
September 5th, 2007 at 9:07 AM
“Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Wednesday he would support up to a nickel increase in Minnesota’s gas tax if he and DFL legislative leaders can reach agreement on a limited agenda for a special session.”
-Strib 8/29/07
September 5th, 2007 at 9:24 AM
T-Rex. Fuck you. And, bullshit.
Pawlenty sat down with DFL leaders early in the session and clearly outlined his budget priorities, made clear recommendations for spending proposals, and included nearly everything Democrats campaigned on during the election cycle.
In return, Democrats dawdled until May. Ram-rodding shoddy, bullshit legislation through the house and senate at the 11th hour. Bullied republicans. And sent irresponsible, bullshit bills to the Governor. Those bills included a $5 Billion tax increase. Did not include much of anything the Governor outlined earlier, and represented almost nothing that lying Democrats had campaigned on… instead, they included billions in hand-outs for liberal special interests.
Pawlenty negotiated up front. Liberals lied their way through the entire session. Pawlenty vetoed. And the People of Minnesota won.
Moreover, the governor can give SE Minn. all the support they need. He’s doing so. The legislature doesn’t need to get involved. And any bridge/transit issues can wait until the next regular session in a couple months.
In the meantime, if a special session must be called — I doubt it — the governor is demanding a clear, limited agenda. Liberals, as usual, are dawdling and lying about what they’ll do.
The Governor isn’t afraid of shit. But there’s no sense paying lying liberals to hold a special session if they won’t agree to keep it simple.
September 5th, 2007 at 9:34 AM
Now, Rabid, you stupid shit. You’re a goddam liar too.
First, that’s not a quote from Pawlenty. It’s a line from a Strib article. Second, Sen. Steve Murphy, DFL-Red Wing is the source for the paraphrased comment.
Pawlenty’s not even quoted in that article.
What the Stib article actually said Pawlenty would do is “consider a “reasonable” gas tax hike to help fund road and bridge improvements, and would prefer that it be temporary and at least partly offset by reductions in other taxes.”
Again, he never said he would or could support it. He said he would consider it. The rest is spin from the DFL loser from Red Wing and the biased Strib.
You shitheads need to read past the headlines. It’s amazing you can even read though.
September 5th, 2007 at 10:02 AM
Chestnut, it’s quite clear right after the bridge collapse Pawlenty thought the political winds had changed and he needed to support the gas tax to save face. Any normal person reading the paper or listening to the radio understood the Governor was ready to accept some sort of increase in the gas tax. McClung was even talking about how you could consider it a breaking of his no new taxes pledge.
Since then he has gotten crap from the taxevaders league and other Republicans. He has once again has stuck his finger to the wind and decided the political environment might not require him to support a gas tax. Since then he has done everything in his power to back out of his previous statements of supporting a gas tax, by putting all kinds of conditions on it, that he knows will make it unacceptable for the DFL.
Besides showing an obvious lack of leadership, it also shows that the Governor cannot be trusted… but we already knew that long ago.
September 5th, 2007 at 10:14 AM
Rabid,
You still lied. Pawlenty never said he would or could support a tax increase. He said he would consider it. Period.
That’s a far fucking cry from flip flopping all over the issue. Rather, it’s evidence of considerable discernment (do you know what that word means?) of the issue.
Pawlenty is a strong, responsible leader. One that’s schooling immature, dishonest, irresponsible liberals at every corner. Thank God we have him.
… BTW… in the article YOU cited, conditions on a potential gas tax were clearly articulated… Seems his position has been clear all along. how is that now “backing out of anything” now?
I don’t care how you interpret things. It’s clear you lack the basic intelligence to interpret much.
September 5th, 2007 at 10:16 AM
Shitnuts-
Pawlenty did not negotiate, he simply said no again and again. I know that makes him your jerk-off hero, but it does not make him an effective leader…. unless that is you think our President is an effective leader.
September 5th, 2007 at 10:16 AM
I was guessing that Pawlenty would blink first; I’ve been wrong upon occasion before, too.
September 5th, 2007 at 10:25 AM
T-Rex, again, fuck you. You’re too ignorant to understand any of the facts at hand. Simply put: Pawlenty negotiated fully, up-front and in good faith.
Democrats are lying assholes who campaigned on issues A, B and C, then sent him legislation on X, Y and Z. The dawdled until the end of session, then sent irresponsible, crap for legislation… in fact, as they did so, they were gloating about their upcoming, but never materialized, veto overrides.
Again, thank God we have a strong, responsible leader like Tim Pawlenty. Minnesota is better and stronger for his excellent leadership.
Go MN-GOP!
September 5th, 2007 at 10:27 AM
BTW, T-Rex, adults usually need to say “no” when the irresponsible, liars are demanding and crying for things they don’t need, and we can’t afford.
DFL: Nothing but hate in 2008
September 5th, 2007 at 10:43 AM
T-Rex, what color is the sky in your world? Chestnut is exactly right!
The DFL played their tricks again and are being exposed for it all you are hoping for is that people forget what your party tried to pull or there could be major trouble for the DFL locally in 2008!
September 5th, 2007 at 10:59 AM
Pawlenty is guilty of some knee-jerk responses like the death penalty after the Drew Shedine murder and considering a gas tax after the bridge collapse.
I do agree with Rapid that he did tap dance his way out of it, as he should. I have no problem with the Governor trying to make a gas tax hike palatable to those who elected him. I think raising the gas tax while reducing the income tax is genius because gas tax is constitutionally dedicated to roads and bridges.
I sent a lot of e-mails to my State Rep, Senator, and the Governor begging for no special session. Even if Tim vetoes all the crap that is guaranteed to be generated it still costs a lot of money for the session that, by every indicator I’ve seen, will serve no purpose.
There is nothing that can’t wait until the ’08 session. Nothing. T-Paw has a lot of resources available to him to help SE MN without our elected officials pissing away more of our money.
Unless local law enforcement needs to hand out more DUIs.
September 5th, 2007 at 11:41 AM
Chestnut,
I understand the facts completely, our Governor is a shitty leader and has no backbone. He lacks vision for our state and lacks the personal skills to find common ground with others he disagrees with.
As for crying for things we don’t need, apparently you don’t think we need safe bridges or a transportation system not based around duct tape… or to actually have professionals running MnDOT, instead of management which is completely incompetent.
September 5th, 2007 at 11:57 AM
[...] September 5th, 2007 • 11:57 amWhat Took Them So Long? According to this Strib article, Larry Pogemiller and Maggie Kelliher have agreed to a limited session. Needless to say, King and Michael are delighted with this outcome. Meanwhile, Andy asks whether Gov. Pawlenty got played. Andy, the simple answer to your question is no. Here’s how King sees things: If that happens, and the DFL doesn’t get the gas tax, or LGA/property tax, or a bonding bill, or all the other things Pogie says he didn’t say but his uncontrollable caucus does, that looks like a victory for the governor’s office. Those who have doubted him from the conservative ranks will have egg on their faces. Those from the liberal ranks who thought they were getting their untimed down will curse the fates. [...]
September 5th, 2007 at 12:37 PM
T-Rex, Pawlenty is an incredible, impeccable leader… the one of the only politicians in St. Paul doing his job.
He articulates a clear, compelling and accurate vision for our state, and has governed consistently toward that vision.
His backbone is rock fucking solid. And he’s used it often to repel bullshit thrown at him from the worthless left.
You’re pissed because he is effective.
As for roads and bridges… I think we need all sorts of help with roads and bridges. I wish DFLers would give it more than lip service, and stop squandering my hard earned money on bullshit socialist projects and “transit.”
Pawlenty has outlined numerous responsible spending packages and priorities. Democrats have stalled and roadblocked all of them, opting instead for worthless bike trails and buses. … more paybacks for their worthless union special interests.
September 5th, 2007 at 12:40 PM
BTW — not a single Democrat has run on roads and bridges in recent history. Don’t give me this bullshit that it’s been their priority.
Shit, when those lying assholes were trying to ram-rod their latest $5 Billion tax increase through, which included the 7.5 cents per gallon, they promoted it as punishment for those who drive their cars. Not as road and bridge improvement.
The DFL is nothing but a rats next of lying thieves and opportunists. They can all go to hell.
September 5th, 2007 at 12:41 PM
[...] I would take a different perspective on the Special Session showdown than many fellow travelers here on the right have. I mean no offense to them, but I think Governor Pawlenty, but more importantly the Republican Party, will end up in a position of weakness on this one. [...]
September 5th, 2007 at 1:45 PM
Nutballs,
He’s not doing his job! If he was he would call a special session and actually help some of the people in this state instead of traveling around for endless press conferences and photo-ops that would be nice!
His backbone is weak and he has no vision for our state other then to make it “average”. He embraces “average” and does not seek excellence and has consistantly shit on 30-40 years of solid investment in our state by both Republican and Democratic leaders.
Transportation is a prime example of his lack of leadership. Even when he has the support of the State Chamber of Commerce and an a coalition of over a hundred groups he still lacks the guts to do what’s right.
September 5th, 2007 at 1:54 PM
Sometimes leadership is telling the lying, stupid children “no” to things they don’t need and can’t afford.
T-Paw rocks! Keep kicking DFLers in the teeth Tim!
September 5th, 2007 at 2:15 PM
T-Rex are you even serious? Whatever the lefty’s are paying you to post is way too much as your arguments hold no truth and are not based in any kind of reality.
Funny thing is it really is YOUR party who is to blame for the poor road and bridges in the state! You already know this but are paid to try and keep the light off that fact. The only money the DFL wants to see go for tansit issues have to be based on mass transit! They sold their souls long ago to the mass transit groups and it has proven to be a total flop for this state. We should have stuck to busses for the downtown area and some bus lines from the suburbs into town but we do not have a city, nor would the state, benefit from trains.
Even now your party is arguing for mass transit for the new bridge! If the DFL get their way they would increase all our taxes and still do shit about roads and bridges. Next budget cycle we will hear the same groups cry foul that they did not get enough funding for mass transit!
The DFL has not ever been for, nor will ever be for more roads!! Mass transit and additional lanes for busses, yes. Just look at last weekend with the Critical mass folks, that is the heart and soul of the DFL, do you really think they can be trusted to secure money for more roads?
I think not.
September 5th, 2007 at 2:43 PM
Yeah, and T-Paw must not have a backbone, since the DFL is getting its way… they’re just constantly pushing him around… oh, wait… they’ve accomplished nothing, and have had their entire state economy destroying, special interest pay-off agenda stymied at every corner.
Tim’s been drinking his milk. His backbone is strong, straight and true!
Kick the DFLers in their damn lying teeth… kick them hard! Go GOP!
September 5th, 2007 at 2:45 PM
Glad to know we don’t need safe roads and bridges then!
September 5th, 2007 at 3:01 PM
Now Fruituna, I’m sorry to tell you it has been the Governor and most of your GOP lackeys that have been holding up real transportation invenstment in this state. When even the Chamber of Commerce finally gets it you would think you guys would wake up, but apparently you have other special interests to obey.
As for transit, take a look at every other major city in the US, do they have a transit system? Are they building and investing in more transit? Our state’s spending on transit is peanuts compared to them and it is a very small portion of the overall transportation budget. The fact is people like transit and as we have seen poll after poll, people support it and want more of it.
As for mass transit being a total flop, you must still be on the imaginary Dick Day train to nowhere, because LRT has been an incredible success. Bus ridership has also seen a significant increase, despite the Met Council’s constant bumbling of it.
As for “Critical Mass Folks” being the soul of the DFL give me a break. Any nutball that does anything in Minneapolis or St. Paul you call instantly DFL party boss. That’s just like me saying Vitter and Craig represent the soul of the GOP… oh wait, they do! ha ha!
September 5th, 2007 at 3:05 PM
T-Rex, what we don’t need is over priced trains that cost billions of dollars and don’t bring any return. The buses work just fine thank you.
September 5th, 2007 at 3:07 PM
Deteriorating infrastructure. Bought and paid for by the DFL.
September 5th, 2007 at 3:12 PM
Only a liberal could call 75 percent empty buses an improvement. As for light rail… it’s not been a complete flop, but it’s been a disaster for mobility on the Hwy 55 corridor.
September 5th, 2007 at 3:44 PM
T-Rex Says:
September 5th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Now Fruituna,
############ Wow T-rex, now we know what age group you are from.
I’m sorry to tell you it has been the Governor and most of your GOP lackeys that have been holding up real transportation invenstment in this state. When even the Chamber of Commerce finally gets it you would think you guys would wake up, but apparently you have other special interests to obey.
############ yes, your statement is just ripe with fact and numbers.
You also are trying to twist things to lean your way. The Chamber wanted more investment in ROADS! Not transit as your party tried to do and short change roads once again as we know the DFL is owned by groups who hate cars and want to change the way we live.
As for transit, take a look at every other major city in the US, do they have a transit system?
############ many do. many of them are just as much a waste as ours.
It works in cities like New York, San Fransisco, Chicago and some others where the population is very dense in a small area, that is not what we have in Minnesota.
Are they building and investing in more transit? Our state’s spending on transit is peanuts compared to them and it is a very small portion of the overall transportation budget.
########### true we do not spend as much as a New york or Chicago but then again we are not that big nor do we have as big of population working in the downtown area. You are not correct about the protions spent on transit!
The fact is people like transit and as we have seen poll after poll, people support it and want more of it.
############ Again your facts are just wrong! State your poll please and we will be happy to show you how it was wrong or was a push poll to show what you transit lackeys want. I do not care of the damn bus or train went right from my house to where ever I wanted to go with no stops and i would still not take it! I like my truck and I very much enjoy driving. let alone the last thing I want to do is waste my morning on a bus or train with a liberal.
As for mass transit being a total flop, you must still be on the imaginary Dick Day train to nowhere, because LRT has been an incredible success. Bus ridership has also seen a significant increase, despite the Met Council’s constant bumbling of it.
############# Again I trust you will be posting your facts and numbers?
Name me one transit program that pays for it’s self! 
You cannot because if people had to pay what it really costs for that mass transit they would all be going out to buy cars. This you know but try to divert the attention.
As for “Critical Mass Folks†being the soul of the DFL give me a break. Any nutball that does anything in Minneapolis or St. Paul you call instantly DFL party boss. That’s just like me saying Vitter and Craig represent the soul of the GOP… oh wait, they do! ha ha!
############ Every last liberal is trying to do just that and say those knuckle heads are the heart of republicans so I guess my statement is in line with that. Only the fact is, there are far more looney’s on your side than mine, you are a fine example of that.
You have yet to present an argument T-rex that a chile would not be able to tear apart!
A few more years of political knowledge will help you. Than again by the time you gain that knowledge you should be a conservative by then. 
You know that saying:
if you are 20 and not a liberal, you have no heart.
If you are 30 and not a conservative, you have no brain.
September 5th, 2007 at 3:54 PM
As long as T-Rex wants to discuss polls, though I’ve never seen one that says we should spend more on transit either…
I have seen a few polls that say 68 percent of Minnesotans OPPOSE higher taxes on gasoline, license tabs, etc.
September 6th, 2007 at 9:05 PM
[...] In a letter sent to Governor Pawlenty this week, Democratic legislative leaders "pleaded" for Pawlenty to call a special session for September 11, 2007. [...]