Political notebook: Independence candidates?

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Independence candidates?

@Normal: Independence Party Chairman Jack Uldrich says that not only will Republican and Democratic-Farmer-Labor party politicians run for governor, but someone will emerge from his party as well.

Apparently considering running are former U.S. Rep. Tim Penny, former short-time U.S. Sen. Dean Barkley and Stephen Williams, who ran for the Senate last year.

Time to celebrate

Al Franken says it is time to party.

But a June 25 Minneapolis gathering is more than a celebration; it is a fund-raiser. Tickets run anywhere from $50 to $5,000.

The Democrat's U.S. Senate campaign says he has made it through three of the five C's — campaign, count and court. This party will be the celebration, with the final C — Capitol — left.

In a letter to supporters, Franken said he continues to need contributions: "Although I'm confident that our victory will withstand any continuing legal challenges from national Republicans, our talented legal team is still hard at work protecting our win, which means I still need your help."

Franken was locked in an expensive court battle with opponent Norm Coleman.

Money for borer

Minnesota should receive $771,250 in federal funds to fight the emerald ash borer that is spreading across the state.

Most of that goes to keeping track of the borer's spread, with some being made available to cut infected down trees.

“With the recent discovery of emerald ash borer, it is vital that we do everything possible to stop the spread of this potentially devastating infestation,” U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., said. “The quick approval of federal help is critical to our efforts to stop this fast-spreading bug.”

Opening joke

They say speeches should begin with a joke, so Tim Pawlenty did just that when announcing he would not run for a third term as Minnesota governor.

"Thanks for coming to the announcement that, in light of the Brett Favre situation and its unsettling impact on the people of Minnesota, I am signing an executive order requiring St. Paul native Joe Mauer, in addition to catching for the Twins, to also play quarterback for the Vikings," Pawlenty deadpanned. "These are tough times, Joe, and everybody has to dig deep."

Observers may have walked away with at least observation: Pawlenty will not "unretire" like the famous quarterback.

Within hours, Pawlenty was in demand on the national news channel scene. But apparently no one asked him to repeat his opening joke. Most of the talk was about running for president.

Tags: minnesota politics, news, minnesota