said as time ran out on the three-day event. The 28-year-old echoed party leaders who spoke from the stage since Thursday: “We believe we have the right message.” Listens to speakers Gov. Tim Pawlenty reminded mostly conservative delegates Friday that Minnesota has a liberal tradition. Cobb agreed with Pawlenty that Minnesota politics are changing — for the good in Republicans’ eyes. “It’

Republican convention: Pawlenty strong, but apologetic    06/04/2006 © Detroit Lakes Tribune

MINNEAPOLIS – Gov. Tim Pawlenty sharply criticized his potential Democratic opponents after earning Republicans’ endorsement for a second term Friday, but also apologized to GOP state convention delegates he failed to pleas

GOP vows to ignore 'doom-and-gloom crowd'   06/04/2006 © Duluth –

News Tribunee Supreme Court Justice Barry Anderson against his wishes, a straw poll favoring former House Speaker Newt Gingrich for president in 2008 and the party platform. The big decisions — to back Gov. Tim Pawlenty for re-election and U.S. Rep. Mark Kennedy for Senate — were determined months earlier. Party leaders painted Democrats as negative, out-of-touch extremists, while positioning themselves

Republicans spruce up party platform    06/03/2006 © Duluth – News Tribun

en which candidates to endorse. They broke off debate periodically to applaud stump speeches from GOP officeholders including Sen. Norm Coleman and Rep. Jim Ramstad. Even as they endorsed Gov. Tim Pawlenty for a second term, they parted with him on stadium funding. They approved a new plank to require a popular vote on any sales tax increase to fund a professional sports stadium. A week ago, th

Pawlenty gets GOP sendoff in re-election campaign   06/03/2006 © Mankato Free Press

MINNEAPOLIS — Gov. Tim Pawlenty collected the Republican Party's endorsement for a second term on Friday, telling party members that a Democratic governor would be their "worst nightmare." "Now I know I may not be in som

Pawlenty Joins GOP Party In Mankato   06/04/2006 © Mankato KEYC (CBS) CH 12

After wrapping up the state GOP convention, republican leaders took off on a fly around, visiting several Minnesota cities, including Mankato this afternoon. Governor Pawlenty joined the GOP party later this afternoon. The republicans were discussing their platforms for the upcoming election, and stressing immigration reform, education standards, and transportation

Kennedy Gains GOP Endorsement for Senate Race       06/03/2006 © Mankato KEYC (CBS) CH 12hing across the aisle. I would suggest one of the best in the house. We're happy to run on who's the most independent voice in Minnesota. Later today, they're expected to endorse current governor Tim Pawlenty's re election bid and take a straw poll of potential 2008 presidential candidates.

No pledge for Pawlenty this election year   06/05/2006 © Mesabi Daily News

If Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty survives the political embarrassment of the no-new-tax pledge followed by his its a fee, not a tax governing for four years he will pull off a Houdini-like escape from a possible voter backla

GOP backs state rep for attorney general       06/04/2006 © Minneapolis Star Tribune

Incumbents endorsed for auditor, secretary of state as party begins statewide blitz to capitalize on momentum. Mark Brunswick, Star Tribune Minnesota's Republican faithful packed up the

Gingrich is delegates favorite of 2008 presidential race    06/03/2006 © Minneapolis Star Tribune

ck Meeks' wife and a former top officer of the Center of the American Experiment, a conservative think-tank in Minneapolis, was deputy chief of staff for Gingrich when he was speakerAlthough Gov. Tim Pawlenty and U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman have both been mentioned as possible presidential or vice-presidential candidates, delegates were not allowed to vote for "native sons."

Johnson gets nod for attorney general       06/04/2006 © St. Paul Pioneer Press

Minnesota Republicans on Saturday endorsed state Rep. Jeff Johnson of Plymouth, a rising young star in the Legislature, for attorney general. Delegates to the GOP state convention in Minneapolis al

Straw poll's pick for president: Gingrich    06/03/2006 © St. Paul Pioneer Press

by the time the poll was taken, and only 540 valid votes were cast. That was about 10 hours into the second day of the convention, hours after the day's marquee event: the endorsement of Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Several conservatives pushed for Gingrich, circulating a letter saying he could block moderates such as Arizona Sen. John McCain and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani from getting the p

Kennedy endorsed for Senate race, promises hard work   06/03/2006 © Morris Sun Tribune

the closing day, delegates are expected to give their blessing to Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer and State Auditor Pat Anderson for serving new terms in office. They also are expected to back Rep. jeff johnson of Plymouth, a Detroit Lakes native, as their attorney general candidate. One potential conflict was avoided when the convention Nomination Committee refused to allow Minneapolis bar o

Tags: 2006 RPM Convention, Uncategorized

Tags: 2006 RPM Convention, Uncategorized

9:45 a.m. – Media coverage of the convention:

"Kennedy vows he'll push for change in Washington"

"Sidelights from the opening day"

"Kennedy gets GOP's nod, stresses his independence"

9:52 a.m. – Obi Sium, the Republican endorsed candidate against Congressman Betty McCollum, is giving a great speech.  Obi is from Adengoda, Eritrea. 

10:43 a.m. – We'll be debating the party platform for the next few hours. I'll have plenty of time to blog.

10:59 a.m. - Alan Fine is speaking…he's a hell of a candidate.

11:13 a.m. – Rumors of Republicans crossing over and voting in the DFL primary for the purpose of influencing candidate selection has Alan Fine concerned.  Fine's campaign want every Republican voting for him in primary.

11:20 a.m. – Congressman Jim Ramstad is speaking.  The crowd loves his speech as he is talking about immigration.

11:31 a.m. – Ramstad gave a great speech – the best I have ever heard him give.

12:55 p.m. – The convention is in recess until 1:30 p.m.  Ramstad is speaking at a convention lunch event.

2:32 p.m. – Senator Norm Coleman just gave a wonderful speech.

3:05 p.m. – Senator Dick Day is speaking.  We are getting ready for the endorsement balloting for governor.

3:10 p.m. - Governor Pawlenty's name was just placed in for nomination.

3:18 p.m. – Senator Brian LeClair has the best voice in American politics.  He is seconding the nomination of Governor Tim Pawlenty.

3:30 p.m. – Governor Pawlenty is speaking to the crowd and they love his speech.  We are ready to endorse him and Molnau.

3:50 p.m. – The Republican Party of Minnesota has released a schedule of stops for a post-convention tour.  Click here to read the details.

4:02 p.m. – Governor Tim Pawlenty had been endorsed for re-election.

4:18 p.m. – Brian Sullivan, the Republican Party of Minnesota's National Committeeman is now speaking.

5:50 p.m. – We're now working on juducial nominations.

Tags: 2006 RPM Convention, Jim Ramstad, Tim Pawlenty

Kevin Ecker, Jerry Plagge, MDE, Andy Aplikowski, John Swon, Gary Miller, Chad Doughty. We should publish a calendar.

Tags: 2006 RPM Convention

2:02 p.m. – This is the first time in twelve years that I have attended a GOP state convention as a free agent.  Since I'm not working for any campaign or political party, I'm free to roam the convention, take pictures, and blog.

2:46 p.m. – I just watch Mark Kennedy's video for his endorsement presentation.  It was awesome and Minnesotans will love it.

3:20 p.m. -  I'm sitting behind the almighty King Banaian from SCSU Scholars. 

3:51 p.m. – I've heard Brooks and Dunn's "Only in America", Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA", and now someone is playing Baha Men's "Who Let the Dogs Out?"

4:10 p.m. – We are still over 2 hours away from the start of the convention.  I'm going to take some pictures.

4:35 p.m. – I haven't seen any protesters yet.  I'm rather surprised.

4:44 p.m. – I just saw a protesters outside, but I can't make out the sign.

4:52 p.m. – It's something about gay marriage.

5:29 p.m. – I just met Doug Williams of Bogus Gold.  I've always been a big fan of his blog.  We're now only one hour away from the start of the convention.

6:35 p.m. - We were scheduled to start five minutes ago. 

6:43 p.m. – We've started.

8:18 p.m. – I've been busy with convention stuff.  Our next U.S. Senator Mark Kennedy is speaking. 

9:29 p.m. – I've updated my picture page.

9:35 p.m. – Kennedy vs. The Machine, Residual Forces, SD 63, and Eckernet are all live blogging the convention.

9:57 p.m. – The counting of ballots for the U.S. Senate endorsement has finally begun.

10:24 p.m. – The ballots have been counted and the results will be announced in a few minutes.

10:27 p.m. – Mark Kennedy just received the Republican endorsement for U.S. Senate

10:58 p.m. – Kennedy is done speaking and I'm heading home.  Check back tomorrow.

Tags: 2006 RPM Convention, Mark Kennedy

Tags: 2006 RPM Convention