I Don’t Hate America!

Today’s latest Rasmussen Report shows Al Franken leading Norm Coleman, 49% to 46% if Franken were to be the DFL candidate.  If Ciresi were to get the DFL nod, Coleman would be ahead, 47% to 45%.  There was no mention about Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer.

 From Rasmussen Reports:

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey found Al Franken slightly ahead of incumbent Senator Norm Coleman in what is likely to be a closely contested campaign. Franken, a former comedian and political commentator, leads Coleman 49% to 46%. If the Democrats nominate trial attorney Mike Ciresi, the poll shows Coleman attracting 47% of the vote while Ciresi earns 45%.

These results show a significant improvement for Franken since an early November poll found him trailing by seven-points. That same survey found Coleman with a three point lead over Ciresi.

Coleman has long been considered one of the more vulnerable incumbent senators up for re-election in 2008. Any incumbent who polls below 50% is considered potentially vulnerable and that is especially true for an incumbent who trails a challenger early in the campaign.

Against Franken, Coleman earns support from 82% of conservative voters while Franken draws support from 88% of liberal voters. Over half (58%) of moderate voters choose Franken, while 37% choose Coleman.

Coleman is viewed favorably by 55% of Minnesota voters and unfavorably by 42%. Fifty-percent (50%) of voters view Franken favorably, while 42% view him unfavorably. Ciresi is viewed favorably by 46% of voters, and unfavorably by 42%.

When it comes to the upcoming election, the economy is the most important voting issue for 38% of voters in the North Star state. The War in Iraq is the issue of highest importance for 23%.

In polling for the Presidential Election in Minnesota, John McCain leads Hillary Clinton, but trails Barack Obama. That same dynamic is found nationally in the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll.

Steve Sarvi is launching his second listening tour in the 2nd district of Minnesota. From the e-mail sent out today, here are the listed dates and times for the tour:

Saturday, February 16:

11 AM, Sister’s Coffee Shop, 202 2nd Street East, Hastings

1 PM, Tom Moy’s Cafe, 8200 Hadley Avenue South, Cottage Grove

3 PM, VFW, 8790 Upper 208th Street, Lakeville

5 PM, Apple Valley Community Center, 14603 Hayes Road, Apple Valley

Sunday, February 17:

1 PM, Home of Kathy Siebsen, 42108 205th Avenue, Le Center

3:30 PM, Hosted by Mick McGuire, 202 Oak Avenue West, Montgomery

5:30 PM, Chameleon Cafe, 408 Main Street West, New Prague

Monday, February 18:

5:30 PM, Mocha Monkey, 115 S Olive Street, Waconia

7:00 PM, American Legion, 102 West 4th Street, Chaska

Tuesday, February 19:

11:30 AM, Inver Hills College, 2500 East 80th Street, Inver Grove Heights

5 PM, Caribou Coffee, 5763 Blaine Avenue, Inver Grove Heights

7 PM, Al Baker’s Restaurant, 3434 Washington Drive, Eagan

Wednesday, February 20:

5:30 PM, Coffee ta Cream, 1156 Shakopee Town Square, Shakopee

7 PM, Dan Patch Coffee Depot, 4800 West 123rd Street, Savage

Thursday, February 21:

5:30 PM, Edelweiss Bakery, 16186 Main Avenue South East, Prior Lake

7 PM, Jo Jo’s Rise and Wine, 12501 Nicollett Avenue, Suite 100, Burnsville

Friday, February 22:

11:30 AM, St. Olaf College, 1520 St. Olaf Avenue, Northfield

4:30 PM, Froggy Bottom, 305 Water Street South, Northfield

6 PM, Home of Yvette Marthaler, 821 Northwest 3rd Avenue, Faribault

Sunday, February 24:

4 PM, Home of Peggy Hanson, 500 Calhoun Avenue South, Lanesboro

Sarvi campaign website: http://www.stevesarvi.org/

It’s good to see more momentum going in the direction of Barack Obama with victories in Louisiana, Nebraska, Washington, the Virgin Islands and Maine this weekend.

In addition, Obama beat a Clinton in another competition tonight by winning a Grammy; awesome!

Momentum is clearly on the side of the Illinois senator and hopefully it will continue in that direction with victories this week in Maryland, Virginia and D.C.

I now have some personal news to report; a little full disclosure, if you will. I have accepted a position within the Minnesota House of Representatives in the Sergeant-at-Arms office. Yes, this legislative session as opposed to watching everything take place from the outside, I will be on the inside of all the action working as a committee page. I start work tomorrow.

Therefore, from now through the end of session I won’t be blogging about the legislature (for obvious reasons) nor the First or Third District Congressional races (as there are House members seeking nominations for both). I’ll still pop-in here with posts as time permits, maybe a follow up on the progress of the Sonic Drive-In being built here in Savage.

Mmm, tater tots.

In a surprising move that should upset many nurses, the American Nurses Association endorsed Hillary Clinton for president on January 25th, 2008.  Needless to say, I am still holding my belief that Barack Obama will best serve the interests of our nation when it comes to healthcare.  More criticism to come.

Via press release:

THE AMERICAN NURSES ASSOCIATION ENDORSES
SENATOR HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON (D-NY)

SILVER SPRING, MD –The Clinton Campaign today announced the endorsement of the American Nurses Association (ANA). The ANA represents the interests of the nation’s 2.9 million registered nurses.

“Too many Americans must do without high quality health care, and this country deserves a president that will make health system reform a priority,” said ANA President Rebecca M. Patton, MSN, RN, CNOR. “Senator Clinton has shown a commitment to implementing real change in our health care system to ensure high quality, affordable and accessible care. She has also recognized the importance of educating, recruiting and retaining, RNs, and the need to improve the nurse’s work environment which includes addressing safe and appropriate staffing. America’s 2.9 million registered nurses represent the largest group of health care professionals. We have long advocated for the critically needed reforms vital to the improvement of health care and will use our power in the voting booth to make health care a priority.”

“I am honored to have the support of the American Nurses Association,” said Clinton. “We owe nurses a great debt of gratitude for the critical role they play every day in providing quality care. As President, I will continue to support efforts to attract and retain qualified nurses, especially in rural and urban areas, and to improve working conditions. I look forward to working with America’s nurses to deliver affordable, quality health care to every American.”

Hillary has a history of working for America’s nurses. In the Senate, Hillary introduced the Nursing Education and Quality of Care Act, which would expand the number of programs that address nursing faculty shortages and increase the supply of nurses in rural areas. As part of the Nurse Reinvestment Act, she helped create grants that expanded nurse Magnet hospitals. Hillary also supported increased funding for both Title VII and Title VIII, which help to address the higher education needs of nurses and nursing faculty. Finally, she has supported programs to attract nurses to the field, including efforts to improve the quality of the working environment for nurses.

Hillary’s American Health Choices Plan will cover all Americans and improve health care by providing consumers new choices, lowering costs and improving quality. Under Hillary’s plan, Americans who like the insurance they have can keep it and stay with their doctor. But Americans who don’t like the coverage they have will be able to pick from the same set of plans Members of Congress choose for themselves. Under Hillary’s plan, insurance companies won’t be able to deny people coverage for a pre-existing condition and tax credits will ensure that working families never have to pay more than a limited percentage of their income for quality health care. People who change jobs will be able to keep their health care.

ANA has been making presidential endorsements since 1984. The endorsement process includes sending a questionnaire on nursing and health care issues to all of the Democratic and Republican candidates, an invitation to all of the democratic and republican candidates for a personal interview and an online survey of ANA’s membership regarding which candidate is most supportive of nursing’s agenda.

# # #
The ANA is the only full-service professional organization representing the interests of the nation’s 2.9 million registered nurses through its 54 constituent member nurses associations. The ANA advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the rights of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Congress and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.

Steve Sarvi, Iraq war veteran and former mayor of Watertown, announced his candidacy for Congress in Minnesota’s Second District at a press conference today at the state capitol. The seat is currently held by Bush-ally John Kline, a Republican from Lakeville.

“I learned in the Army that when you think you’re off course, you should stop, check your compass, and change direction as needed. After five years without the kind of service and representation that 2nd District voters deserve, it’s time to change course, not only in the White House, but in the people’s House,” Sarvi said in a statement.

“The people standing with me today represent service, sacrifice and change. My fellow veterans answered their country’s call to put themselves in harm’s way. They represent the best tradition of America’s greatness, of putting country above self. We must keep our promise to them to always honor their service and sacrifice,” he continued.

Sarvi noted the political climate in the Second District could be favorable for a victory with several state legislative wins including the recent victory of Northfield teacher Kevin Dahle in a special election.

Much like Kline’s support of Bush’s policies, Sarvi’s criticism of Kline is quite unwavering.

“Americans have always overcome what is hard in order to achieve what is great. Nowhere is that more true than in Minnesota. Our optimism and pragmatism have made us an international model of voter engagement, environmental stewardship, energy innovation, health care, campaign finance, and public education.

“John Kline has failed to take Minnesota’s unique capacity for problem-solving to Washington. He has failed to serve the voters who honored him with the job of Congressman. I will not just win this election; I will do from day one what I have always done: serve my country and my community, bringing neighbors together to build an America and a Minnesota that is stronger, safer, and better able to prosper in the future,” he said.

Sarvi also announced he would begin a 15-stop district-wide listening tour on February 15, his second tour so far.

The United States House of Representatives today is debating H.R. 4137, the College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007.

One part of the bill, which addresses the problems concerning textbook prices, was pushed by Rep. Tim Walz of Minnesota. Two issues specifically addressed by the legislation include the frequent release of new editions of books and bundling of additional course materials, both which have been shown to increase the cost of textbooks.

During debate, Walz took to the floor today and evoked the name of our late colleague and friend, Jared Stene, who we here at IDHA had the privilege of serving beside in the Winona State Student Senate and working with to bring about awareness to the issues of textbook costs.

“Jared worked for years tirelessly on this issue to bring some transparency in how textbooks are marketed,” Walz said on the floor.

This legislation appears to do just that. Here is the section of the bill addressing textbook costs:

`SEC. 134. TEXTBOOK INFORMATION.

`(a) Purpose and Intent- The purpose of this section is to ensure that every student in higher education is offered better and more timely access to affordable course materials by educating and informing faculty, students, administrators, institutions of higher education, bookstores, distributors, and publishers on all aspects of the selection, purchase, sale, and use of course materials. It is the intent of this section–

`(1) to have all involved parties work together to identify ways to decrease the cost of college textbooks and supplemental materials for students while protecting the academic freedom of faculty members to select high quality course materials for students; and

`(2) to encourage–

`(A) college textbook publishers and distributors to work with faculty to promote understanding of the cost to students of purchasing faculty selected textbooks, including the disclosure of prices and bundling practices;

`(B) college bookstores to work with faculty to review timelines and processes for ordering and stocking course materials, and to disclose costs to faculty and students in a timely manner;

`(C) institutions of higher education to implement numerous options to address college textbook affordability;

`(D) institutions of higher education to work with student organizations to help students understand the factors driving textbook costs and available methods and resources to mitigate the effects of those costs; and

`(E) innovation in the development and use of course materials (including course materials utilizing the principles of universal design) and technologies that can help students receive the full value of their educational investment.

`(b) Definitions- In this section:

`(1) BUNDLE- The term `bundle’ means one or more college textbooks or other supplemental learning materials that may be packaged together to be sold as course materials for one price.

`(2) COLLEGE TEXTBOOK- The term `college textbook’ means a textbook or a set of textbooks, used for, or in conjunction with, a course in postsecondary education at an institution of higher education.

`(3) COURSE SCHEDULE- The term `course schedule’ means a listing of the courses or classes offered by an institution of higher education for an academic period, as defined by the institution.

`(4) CUSTOM TEXTBOOK- The term `custom textbook’–

`(A) means a college textbook that is compiled at the direction of a faculty member or other person or adopting entity in charge of selecting course materials at an institution of higher education; and

`(B) may include, alone or in combination, items such as selections from original instructor materials, previously copyrighted publisher materials, copyrighted third-party works, and elements unique to a specific institution, such as commemorative editions.

`(5) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION- The term `institution of higher education’ has the meaning given the term in section 102.

`(6) INTEGRATED TEXTBOOK- The term `integrated textbook’ means a college textbook that is combined with materials developed by a third party and that, by third-party contractual agreement, may not be offered by publishers separately from the college textbook with which the materials are combined.

`(7) PUBLISHER- The term `publisher’ means a publisher of college textbooks or supplemental materials involved in or affecting interstate commerce.

`(8) SUBSTANTIAL CONTENT- The term `substantial content’ means parts of a college textbook, such as new chapters, additional eras of time, new themes, or new subject matter.

`(9) SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL- The term `supplemental material’ means educational material developed to accompany a college textbook, which–

`(A) may include printed materials, computer disks, website access, and electronically distributed materials; and

`(B) is not bound by third-party contractual agreements to be sold in an integrated textbook.

`(c) Publisher Requirements-

`(1) COLLEGE TEXTBOOK PRICING INFORMATION- When a publisher provides a faculty member or other person or adopting entity in charge of selecting course materials at an institution of higher education with information regarding a college textbook or supplemental material, the publisher shall include, with any such information and in writing, the following:

`(A) The price at which the publisher would make the college textbook or supplemental material available to the bookstore on the campus of, or otherwise associated with, such institution of higher education.

`(B) The copyright dates of all previous editions of such college textbook, if any.

`(C) The substantial content revisions made between the current edition of the college textbook or supplemental material and the previous edition, if any.

`(D) Whether the college textbook or supplemental material is available in any other format, including paperback and unbound, and the price at which the publisher would make the college textbook or supplemental material in the other format available to the bookstore on the campus of, or otherwise associated with, such institution of higher education.

`(2) UNBUNDLING OF COLLEGE TEXTBOOKS FROM SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS- A publisher that sells a college textbook and any supplemental material accompanying such college textbook as a single bundle shall also make available the college textbook and each supplemental material as separate and unbundled items, each separately priced.

`(3) CUSTOM TEXTBOOKS- To the maximum extent practicable, publishers shall provide the information required under this subsection with respect to the development and provision of custom textbooks.

`(d) Provision of ISBN College Textbook Information in Course Schedules-

`(1) INTERNET COURSE SCHEDULES- Each institution of higher education, to the maximum extent practicable, shall–

`(A) disclose the International Standard Book Number and retail price information of required and recommended textbooks, related materials, and supplies for each course listed in the institution’s course schedule used for pre-registration and registration purposes;

`(B) if the International Standard Book Number is not available for the items listed in subparagraph (A), use the author, title, publisher, and copyright date; and

`(C) if the institution determines that the disclosure of the information described in the preceding subparagraphs for a course is not practicable for a textbook, related material, or supply, then it should so indicate by placing the designation `To Be Determined’ in lieu of the information required under such subparagraphs.

`(2) WRITTEN COURSE SCHEDULES- In the case of an institution of higher education that does not publish the institution’s course schedule for the subsequent academic period on the Internet, the institution of higher education shall include the information required under paragraph (1) in any printed version of the institution’s course schedule as it is available at the time of the course schedule’s printing.

`(e) Availability of Information for College Bookstores- An institution of higher education shall make available, as soon as is practicable, upon the request of any college bookstore, the most accurate information available regarding–

`(1) the institution’s course schedule for the subsequent academic period; and

`(2) for each course or class offered by the institution for the subsequent academic period–

`(A) the information required by subsection (d)(1) for each college textbook or supplemental material required or recommended for such course or class;

`(B) the number of students enrolled in such course or class; and

`(C) the maximum student enrollment for such course or class.

`(f) Rule of Construction- Nothing in this section shall be construed to supercede the institutional autonomy or academic freedom of instructors involved in the selection of college textbooks and classroom materials.

`(g) Effective Date- This section shall be effective on and after July 1, 2008.’.

Good Strib article out today. Let’s hope T-Paw answers with a little more can-do optimism. An important issue that needs to continually be addressed is the freedom of Advanced Practice Nurses (APRN’s). APRN’s need less restrictions when it comes to writing prescriptions and also need better recognition for reimbursement through insurers. This will help improve healthcare for all Minnesotans by providing better access and quality. Key legislators helping the cause for nurses: Rep. Paul Thissen, Rep. Tom Huntley, Rep. Erin Murphy, Rep. Diane Loeffler, Rep. Maria Ruud (she is a Nurse Practitioner), Sen. Tony Lourey, Sen. Linda Berglin.

*Update 2/10/08* Corner House Comments writes his analysis of H.R. 676, the most well-known push for universal healthcare at the federal level. 

Minnesotans could save billions in health care costs, task force says

A report recommends a wide range of ways to improve care and trim costs by $12.3 billion.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty said there’s much he likes in the wide-ranging recommendations he received Tuesday from a task force he appointed to find ways to improve health care in Minnesota.

But he stopped short of endorsing some of the panel’s recommendations, such as requiring Minnesotans to buy health insurance or raising the cigarette “health-impact fee” to discourage smoking.

“I think we’ve done enough to smokers for now” by banning smoking in most bars and restaurants and adding the 75-cent fee, he said. And requiring everyone to have insurance might “criminalize poor people” who can’t afford it, he added.

Still, Pawlenty said the task force report “can be the framework for a significant health care reform initiative in Minnesota.”

The broad range of recommendations would link doctors, hospitals, employers, patients, insurers, schools, communities and policy makers in initiatives aimed at paring $12.3 billion from health care costs otherwise projected to soar from about $30 billion now to $57.4 billion by 2015.

“Maybe we can do that without mandating health care coverage or the tobacco fee,” said Rep. Tom Huntley, DFL-Duluth, co-chair of the task force.

“But we’ve got to start now,” Huntley added. “Paying docs to keep people healthy and reducing the number of uninsured can make a huge difference.”

Pawlenty and legislative leaders said they will try to hammer out a proposal to present to the Legislature, which convenes next week.

But the task is daunting at a time when Minnesota faces a budget deficit and the Legislature will focus much of its attention on bridges and other transportation issues, Huntley and others said.

The task force recommendations are similar to those due later this week from a legislative commission. Both groups spent the summer analyzing the health care system and seeking ways to change how health care is delivered and paid for in Minnesota.

‘Can’t do this piecemeal’

“I’m hopeful we’ll be able to get together [with the governor] on a plan, but we can’t do this piecemeal,” said Sen. Linda Berglin, DFL-Minneapolis, co-chair with Huntley of the legislative commission and a member of the task force.

Huntley said the most expensive immediate need is about $57 million for a public education campaign to reduce smoking and obesity, and to educate Minnesotans about the new system.

Among the task force recommendations:

• Set statewide standards for physical activity in schools and require them to offer meals that exceed federal nutrition guidelines to fight obesity.

• Offer health-insurance subsidies to low-income people. For instance, a family of two earning less than about $3,400 a month — three times the federal poverty guideline — should pay no more than $238 monthly for insurance.

• Eliminate insurance premium variation based on health status, but allow differences based on age, smoking and where someone lives.

• Allow doctors and hospitals to set their own prices, but stop negotiating discounts with insurers so that a patient would pay the same regardless of insurance plan.

• Set up ways for consumers to easily compare costs of different providers, including costs of “baskets” of comprehensive maternity care and other conditions.

First District Rep. Tim Walz, who by virtue of his seat in Congress will serve as a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention, which will select the party’s nominee for president, hinted toward an endorsement of Barack Obama today on NPR’s “Day to Day.”

Walz had previously been uncommitted to a presidential candidate, but Obama’s overwhelming support in Minnesota tipped him in his direction.

“I’ve felt this is the citizens and the constituents of the state’s responsibility to do this,” he said. “Our take on it was let the people make up their minds and we will cast our vote accordingly with them.”

The host then asked Walz if that meant he would be supporting Barack Obama. Walz replied that while he hasn’t yet made an official announcement he did say “today it’s becoming a little bit clearer” and “we’re definitely getting there, we’ll see how things shake out.”

[UPDATE]: Bluestem Prairie reports it’s official: Tim Walz for Obama!

A while ago I returned from Glendale Elementary School in Savage for my precinct caucus.  At this location were seven of Savage’s eight precincts and a Elko-New Market and Credit River.  Two of Savage’s traditionally low-turining precincts were initially combined into one room.  Elko, New Market, New Market Township and Credit River were all combined into one room.

I arrived at about 6:00pm to volunteer with the efforts and noticed three parking spots available.

Three.

Yes, balloting was not even scheduled to start for another 30 mins and the place was PACKED!  Cars ended up parked on sidewalks, the basketball court and in the lot of a townhome complex down the block.  I knew there would be tremendous turnout tonight but no one had any idea it would be like this.  It didn’t take long until additional sign-in sheets needed to be obtained.  Construction paper needed to be used in-place of the official ballots.

Soon Savage precincts 7 and 8 were split up, and the Elko/New Market/New Market Township/Credit River group was jammed into one room uncomfortably.

851 people cast presidential preference ballots at this one location (of four in Senate District 35).  Estimates said there may have been 600 across the ENTIRE district in 2004.

My precinct was Savage-7 (of which I am now the chair, woo-hoo!) and the final tally was 74 votes for Barack Obama to Hillary Clinton’s 38.  The entire senate district showed 1592 for Obama to 921 for Clinton.  I’m quite pleased with these results.  I wish the results from California were more in his favor, but you can’t win ‘em all.

Whatever the results from tonight though, this aint over yet!

On AM 1280 “The Patriot” Saturday, Minnesota Democrats Exposed kingpin Michael Brodkorb said the following at about 3:30 p.m. during his show “the Final Word”:

“I just wanna report that, uh, Target Center was reported to be sold out for Barack Obama’s event and all indications there are liberal blogs out there are reporting that the event is only 1/3rd full. So as the Republican Party of Minnesota has labeled Barack Obama the audacity of hype”…”Hype was that this place was going to be sold out there were going to be thousands and thousands and thousands of people crying in the streets because they couldn’t get into the Target Center.”

I left a comment over at MDE and asked Mr. Brodkorb the following three questions.

1) Why do you always cite the generalization “liberal blogs” as your source for something what could be from one blog or many blogs instead of citing the specific place?

2) Which of the “liberal blogs” was it from which you grabbed this statistic?

3) Was there any additional context presented by these “liberal blogs” when this statistic was cited?

Brodkorb has yet to reply.

During my liveblog of the Obama rally, at 2:09 p.m. I stated the “lower bowl was about 1/3rd full.” At this stage of the doors had been open for barely 30 minutes. Sen. Obama did not take the stage for another two hours.

Was it this very blog Brodkorb was citing on the air? We will never know as it appears “the cat got his tounge.” If it was though, by citing IDHA listeners could have came here and picked up the additional context.

And no, I wasn’t just referring to Ron Carey as a…nevermind.

As someone who often rips on other bloggers for “being sloppy” and for not citing sources, I would advise Brodkorb to look in the mirror!