Monday, Oct. 27, 2008
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MINNESOTA 06 (R/ST. CLOUD -- BACHMANN)
Watch Your Mouth
A MN Public Radio/Univ. of MN poll; conducted 10/21-23; surveyed 430 LVs; margin of error +/- 4.7% (release, 10/24). Tested: Rep. Michele Bachmann (R), '06 candidate/ex-MN Trans. Commis. Elwyn Tinklenberg (D) and dental technician Bob Anderson (I).
General Election Matchup
- All GOP Ind Dem E. Tinklenberg 45% 10% 23% 90% M. Bachmann 43 79 51 3 B. Anderson 5 6 5 3 Undec 7 6 21 4
SEN '08 General Election Matchup
N. Coleman 44% A. Franken 30 D. Barkley 17 Undec 9
WH '08 General Election Matchup
J. McCain 47% B. Obama 44 Other 2 Undec 7
Bachmann spokesperson Michelle Marston said that after a week of media focus on the "Hardball" interview, Tinklenberg "should be in better shape." Marston: "Quite frankly, if I were El Tinklenberg, I would be quite disappointed. I would have expected much better numbers." But Tinklenberg spokesperson John Wodele disagreed. Wodele: "What this poll does is give credibility to the fact that Tinklenberg is seizing the moment here and continuing a momentum that probably started two weeks ago" (Lien, St. Paul Pioneer-Press, 10/25).
My Heart Will Go On
Bachmann began airing a new TV ad over the weekend (Hotline reporting, 10/25). It was produced by Greener and Hook.
Full script:
BACHMANN: "Once again, our nation is at a crossroads, and it's a time for choosing. We could embrace government as the answer to our problems. Or we could choose freedom and liberty. I may not always get my words right, but I know that my heart is right. Because my heart is for you, for your children. And for the blessings of liberty to remain for our great country. I'm Michele Bachmann, and I approve this message."
Bachmann also aired a second TV ad "accusing" Tinklenberg of supporting property tax increases (St. Paul Pioneer-Press, 10/25).
ANNCR: "When El Tinklenberg ran the department of transportation, officials called up their cronies and offered them contracts. Unbid contracts. The Star-Trib said he broke the law. And federal authorities called it tainted. And when El was mayor, he supported a plan to increase property taxes by a whopping 24 percent. El Tinklenberg in Congress? He's just not up to the challenges of today." BACHMANN: "I'm Michele Bachmann, and I approve this message."
And The Hits Just Keep On Comin'
In '07, Bachmann wrote a letter "recommending a federal pardon" for "major campaign contributor" Frank Vennes Jr. -- who was "once convicted of felony money laundering, firearm and drug charges" -- on the basis that "he had reformed." But this month, "she withdrew that recommendation" -- "eight days after the FBI searched his Shorewood home and office and confiscated documents, money, art, coins and jewels that agents think may be related to" a $3B investment fraud scheme in which MN business mogul Tom Petters has been charged.
Vennes and his wife have donated a total of $27,600 to Bachmann's '06 and '08 campaigns and related cmtes, according to FEC filings. Of that, $9,200 came during the '08 election cycle "and has since been donated to charity," according to Marston.
Marston, on Bachmann's relationship with Vennes: "She's known him several years through some connections with Twin Cities charities. ... She knew about his attempt to turn his whole life around. It would appear that his public act of contrition wasn't quite what it should have been" (Schumacher, St. Cloud Times, 10/26).
On (St.) Cloud Nine
The St. Cloud Times endorsed Tinklenberg. The paper writes that Bachmann "has simply made too many serious errors in judgment" to deserve a second term. "Even if you side with her statement that she was trapped" on "Hardball," it shouldn't have taken her four days "to appear" in the CD and offer "an explanation/apology." The CD needs a Member who "reflects moderate positions and when standing in the spotlight, provides clarity and credibility." Tinklenberg "deserves his chance. More importantly, voters simply deserve better" (10/26).