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Emmer Won’t Answer Debate Questions On Abortion (CC)

October 29, 2010 by Craig Stellmacher MN Governor's Race Comments Off

The three Governor candidates were asked how they stand on the social issue of abortion, and surprisingly Representative Tom Emmer goes to great lengths to not answer and eventually turned it into a “jobs issue”.

Debate moderator Cathy Wurzer pressed him three times and reminds Emmer he sponsored five antiabortion bills last session. “I’m sure it’s important to many people”, said Emmer. “This election is about the economy and jobs,”

All the reporters talked about this non-answer afterwords.  The Star Tribune’s Rachel Stassen-Berger and TPT’s Mary Lahammer were in another studio with an audience and said the listeners lit up. Many people tweeted about Emmer’s non answer.  Pro life supporters were disappointed how he shirked the answer, Pro Choice supporters felt he’d hidden his feelings.  Wurzer reminded him that he’d supported five anti-abortion bills last session.

Meanwhile Mark Dayton and Tom Horner gave measured answers supporting a woman’s right to choose, with Horner highlighting education as a way to reduce abortions.

After the debate, Horner said he didn’t understand why Emmer wouldn’t talk about what he’d do on abortion if elected Governor. He said Emmer was showing a lack of leadership on the abortion issue by not focusing on reducing the need for abortion with better sex education and health care for women.

This isn’t the first time Emmer has not directly answered questions about social issues. Earlier this month, he was asked several of the same questions by University of Minnesota students and deflected or avoided answering the questions.

Related Links:

Dayton, Emmer and Horner discuss abortion issue on Almanac. Dayton and Horner give an answer, Emmer does not. Full video and transcript

Horner: Emmer Leadership Lacking On Abortion Problem

Emmer doesn’t answer social issue questions from University of Minnesota students.

Minnesota Gubernatorial Candidates Final Almanac Debate – Full Video … Continue Reading

Mapping Out the Final Days Of MN Gubernatorial Campaign

October 29, 2010 by Jacob Wheeler MN Governor's Race Comments Off

So many miles, so little time!

With the election looming on Tuesday, Minnesota’s gubernatorial hopefuls Mark Dayton (Democratic-Farm-Labor), Tom Emmer (Republican) and Tom Horner (Independence Party) are traversing the state in order to win votes. Tom Emmer plans a 24 hour drive and fly marathon, Tom Horner is taking the bus and Mark Dayton has a more limited but targeted fly around planned.

We have mapped out their travels! … Continue Reading

Clark on Bachmann: Is She Trying to Buy Elections?

October 28, 2010 by Jacob Wheeler CD6 Comments Off

Following her Minnesota Public Radio debate with Michele Bachmann, Democratic challenger Tarryl Clark spoke candidly about her Tea Party-backed opponent and why the debate got ugly. Clark said that she, and not Bachmann, has the backing of cops and firefighters; accused Bachmann of being soft on money-launderers; pointed out that Bachmann would repeal health insurance; said that Bill Clinton’s appearance with her on Sunday helped remind people of a time when Washington got things done; accused Bachmann of trying to buy elections, given that her opponent has raised $9 million to defeat her, and said that the jobs promised by the Republican mantra of “trickle-down economics” never materialized.

Bachmann Denies Rift Within Republican Party

October 28, 2010 by Jacob Wheeler Bachmann, CD6 Comments Off

During an interview following her debate against DFL challenger Tarryl Clark today, Tea Party-backed incumbent Michele Bachmann denied there’s a rift within the Republican Party. She said, “I think everybody is joining arms right now, saying ‘let’s make sure we have conservatives take over the heart — the house — someone who knows how to create jobs.”

Afterwards, Independence Party candidate Bob Anderson lamented the amount of money that Bachmann and Clark are spending and the way in which this has become a national race, one which, he says, ignores the voters of the 6th Congressional District.

Bachmann, Clark Spar on MPR

October 28, 2010 by Jacob Wheeler Bachmann, CD6 Comments Off

Today on Minnesota Public Radio’s “Midday” program, Minnesota 6th Congressional District hopefuls Michele Bachmann (Republican incumbent), Tarryl Clark (Democratic-Farm-Labor) and Bob Anderson (Independent) sparred in an animated and animosity-filled debate with the election just five days away.

Related Links:
Tensions high in latest 6th District debate -MPR Radio

Bachmann, Clark throw sharper jabs in second debate- Star Tribune

Interview Expert’s Advice For MN Governor Candidates (CC)

October 28, 2010 by Michael McIntee Economy/Jobs, MN Governor's Race Comments Off

Running for Governor is a lot like a job interview. In Minnesota’s case, a very long job interview drawn out over nearly 30 debates. Before Mark Dayton, Tom Horner and Tom Emmer do their final interviews debates this week, they might want to listen to Sue Morem’s advice. She’s the author of “How to get a job and keep it” and “101 tips for graduates” The advice she gives in this video can help anyone seeking a job these days. So she explains how what she’s recommending can help you on your next job interview.

Morem finds that Republican Tom Emmer is a strong speaker and good at using gestures, but he can come off as angry and one of his gestures (rubbing his nose) is counterproductive.  She points out Emmer’s continual use of the word “we” instead of “I” can make for an ineffective job interview.

Democrat Mark Dayton, Morem says, is hard to always understand because he talks fast and slurs some of his words. Dayton does dress sharp, but doesn’t smile much and isn’t very animated, making it hard for people to warm up to him.

Morem notes that Independent Tom Horner is casual in his hairstyle and posture. Despite wearing a traditional suit, he may be trying to look a little “anti-establishment” in his overall presentation, perhaps as a way to separate himself from the two other candidates.

Be sure to watch all the way to the end for the “cookie”.

Related Links:

Sue Morem’s specific advice for each candidate

Interview Expert’s Advice For Minnesota Governor Candidates – Transcript and captioned video

… Continue Reading

GOP’s Severson Says He Has No Stats On Photo ID Reducing Voter Fraud

October 28, 2010 by Michael McIntee 2010 Statewide, Live Coverage, US Senate 2008 Comments Off

Republican candidate for Minnesota Secretary of State Dan Severson repeats his support for a photo ID at the polls. Despite Republican attorneys testifying in court that there “was not a whiff of voter fraud”, Severson again asserts the 2008 US Senate Race outcome was changed by fraud.

Related Links:
The UpTake interviews Severson about his assertions and statistics

Candidates “Interview” For MN Governor Job (CC)

October 27, 2010 by admin MN Governor's Race Comments Off

MPR/KARE 11 Governor’s Job Interview, hosted by Kerri Miller of MPR and John Croman of KARE 11. A different format was used from all the debates : Questions were given to the candidates from headhunters and from audience members as though they were in a job interview.

Governor’s Job Interview Transcript and captioned video
… Continue Reading

MPR’s Job Interview for Governor (CC)

October 27, 2010 by Jacob Wheeler MN Governor Debates Live, MN Governor's Race Comments Off

Minnesota Public Radio conducts its “Job Interview for Governor” from Macalester College Chapel in St. Paul. MPR’s Kerri Miller and John Croman of KARE-11 pose questions to Democratic-Farm-Labor candidate Mark Dayton, Republican Tom Emmer and Independence Party hopeful Tom Horner.

Minnesotans from all over the state also ask the questions. The goal is to reveal which candidate has the skills, vision and style you’d like to see in Minnesota’s leader.

Transcript of “Job Interview” captioned video and replay of our live blog here.

To view our live blog in a pop-up window, Click Here
… Continue Reading

Which Gubernatorial Candidate’s Budget is Most Likely to Pass the Legislature?

October 27, 2010 by Craig Stellmacher Economy/Jobs, MN Governor's Race Comments Off

The UpTake’s Craig Stellmacher asked Independence Party gubernatorial candidate Tom Horner before today’s IT Forum in Mankato which candidate’s proposed budget is most likely to pass the state legislature.

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