A Bluestem Prairie

Friday morning digest: Walz sweeps middle school contest

Update: We have no idea what G.R. Anderson was smoking when he wrote his Minnpost article which posits this race as a model of civility. Sounds like neither he nor Hamline prof David Schlutz has ever seen a Davis  television ad or press release or read any of the district dailies

Since Davis doesn't have any money to advertise in Twin Cities' media markets, it's quite likely neither has. Trust them: they're experts. Joel Kramer pays good money for this tripe? [end update]

The Mankato Free Press reports in Mock elections give students taste of voting:

After months of preparation — both in and out of the classroom — Dakota Meadows and Mankato East hosted mock elections on Thursday. Dakota Meadows’ election, coordinated through National Student/Parent Mock Election, was decidedly in favor of Obama, who garnered 347 votes to McCain’s 153. In the U.S. Senate race, Franken won by just eight votes while Tim Walz, in the U.S. House race, won in a landslide with 75 percent of the vote. Results from Mankato East’s mock election, through the Youth Leadership Initiative, weren’t announced until this morning.

KEYC-TV covers the same story in Kids Take Part in Mock Election.

Walz has been on the campaign trail with Franken this week. In Franken, Walz rally DFL faithful in Owatonna, the Owatonna People's Press reports that a crowd of 175 gathered at the local Elks Club. KEYC-TV say in Franken Rallies with Walz in Mankato:

Al Franken made a campaign stop in Mankato today.The senate candidate was joined by Congressman Tim Walz and Senator Amy Klobuchar at MSU.During ''For the Middle Class, For a Change'' rally, Franken said he plans on helping Minnesotans and Americans reach for what he called the ''promise of America,'' something he says has become a distant reality over the last 8 years.Al Franken says, ''What I believe is that what this election is about and what the next 4-8 years are gonna be about is bridging that chasm and fulfilling once and for all the promise of America.''The team started their campaign earlier in the day with stops in Rochester, Owatonna, and Faribault.

The Mankato Free Press profiles Brian Davis. Nugget:

He’s an opponent of abortion and gay marriage, is doubtful that fossil fuel consumption is the primary reason for global climate change and opposes embryonic stem cell research. He wants to make the Bush tax cuts permanent, would like to eliminate the estate tax and would be interested in studying a nationwide sales tax as a replacement for income taxes.

Jeepers. Didn't Davis tell the Post Bulletin just a couple of day ago that he'd only mentioned the sales tax "on one occasion"? 

Davis's pivot makes this statement in the MFP profile all the more ironic:

“Minnesota is a great place, and a lot of people look at the candidates for who they are,” he said. “And they may not agree with them on every issue, but they feel they can trust that person to be straight with them

And we suspect that those in Southern Minnesota's renewable energy industry will raise their eyebrows at this, given the importance of the production tax credit:

He also said he’s opposed on principle to the numerous tax credits available to individuals and businesses, something he considers government micro-managing of the economy.

And when it comes to PAYGO, in Brian Davis's world, evasive is the new straight shooting:

Davis also doesn’t say whether he would support the pay-as-you-go budget rules — a strategy to reduce budget deficits by requiring that any new spending increases or tax cuts be offset with spending cuts or tax increases in other parts of the budget: “That’s one strategy.”

The companion profile for Walz, Walz hasn't slowed down, was published in yesterday's Free Press

MFP reader Jim Ackil writes in Walz helps environment:

. . .In his first term in the United States Congress, Minnesota’s First District Representative Tim Walz has earned the support of two nonpartisan environmental groups, the League of Conservative Voters and the Sierra Club. Both organizations are endorsing Walz for a second term.

LCV President Gene Karpinski said, “Congressman Walz has done a great job of reaching across the aisle and working with other freshmen members of congress to promote bi-partisan legislation that will make a real impact on the environment and the economy. He has bright new ideas for his next term and will continue to be a strong ally for clean energy in Congress. He has supported groundbreaking initiatives that will end our addiction to oil, invest in renewable energy sources and create jobs right here at home.”

I hope others will join me in voting for Walz so that he can continue this good work.

CQ Politics observes Democrats Could Make History With Big Back-to-Back Gains. As we posted earlier this morning, CQP had this to say about the MN-01 race:

The Republican Party’s endorsed candidate, oncologist and neophyte politician Brian Davis, has not gained much traction against freshman Walz. The incumbent has a serious financial lead in the district, which runs the width of the southern part of the state.

The 2008 race stands in sharp contrast with that of 2006.  CQPolitics and other political handicappers have moved their predictions steadily toward the incumbent as this year's Election Day draws near. Two years ago, the race was red hot, with media and third party groups drawn to the district as Gutknecht and Walz duked it out. This year? Barely on the radar.

In the netroots, Jeff Rosenberg revives his analysis From the archives: Walz’s secret to success in CD1. It's a solid piece, though we tend to shun labeling anything about successful campaigns as "secret." It's no secret that the Walz camapign is smart, strategic, well-funded and firmly planted in the grassroots.

Gustavus Adolphus College talked to Walz campaign worker Alex Knutsen in Alumni Hit the Campaign Trail:

Alex Knutsen has been hard at work for months working to re-elect Congressman Tim Walz in the first district. He considered jobs in the corporate sector, but is confident that his choice to work for a campaign following graduation was the right decision. He says this job has taught him that, "compensation for the effort you put in comes in many forms."

Between the long hours and grueling schedule, especially as campaigns make their last push before voters hit the polls, Knutsen finds many aspects of his work rewarding. "[The knowledge that] the work I do directly contributes to the encouragement of ideas, to the empowerment of others, and to the process of making laws work for people, means more to me than the sort of rewards I saw myself earning in any number of positions," Knutsen said. He says he receives intangible rewards from his daily work all the time. "In this job," he said, "those rewards greatly out-value anything money can buy."

Looks like Congressman Walz is helping to grow the bench of positive, progressive political talent in Southern Minnesota.

In non-campaign news, the New Ulm Journal says nearly 400 Southern Minnesotans have money coming to them in Old addresses create IRS check backlog:

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced Thursday that 399 Southern Minnesotans have not yet claimed their economic stimulus or regular refund checks.

First District Congressman Tim Walz urged taxpayers still waiting for IRS checks to update their addresses so the IRS can send them out.

"If you haven't gotten your check yet, the time to act is now - the IRS needs your updated address by Friday, Nov. 28," Walz stated in a press release.

Brown County residents who have not yet claimed stimulus or refund checks include Sleepy Eye residents Waldemar and Jean Harmening, James J. Hernandez and Garrett M. Meyer; plus Springfield resident Cory B. Prescott.

Addresses can be updated with the "Where's My Refund?" tool at IRS.gov.

It enables taxpayers to check the status of their refunds.

Taxpayers must submit their Social Security number, filing status and amount of refund shown their 2007 return.

The tool will provide the status of their refund and in some cases, provide instructions on how to resolve delivery problems.

Taxpayers without internet access should call 1-866-234-2942.

In Minnesota, the average economic stimulus check was $560.

Taxpayers who continue to have trouble receiving their checks or have other outstanding issues with the IRS should contact Walz's Rochester office at 507-206-0643.

Through September 2008, the government distributed 116 million economic stimulus payments. About 279,000 checks remain undeliverable across the country.

The Waseca County News reports that convicted Enron exec Jeffrey Skilling has left the building and has been transferred to a correctional facility in Colorado.  FCI Waseca is converting to an all-women's prison by the end of the year.

And in honor of those middle school kids, here's a Walz ad about "Lessons":

Photo: Congressman Walz visits his old classroom; photo credit New York Times.

Winona Daily News endorses Tim Walz for re-election

The paper's editorial board endorses Congressman Walz's bid for re-election:

House of Representatives 1st District: Tim Walz

Two years ago, Tim Walz surprised many Washington insiders by knocking off incumbent Rep. Gil Gutknecht. Today, Walz has established himself as one of the up-and-coming stars of Congress because of his plainspoken and down-to-earth politics that have served the 1st District and the country well. [emphasis added]

Walz wasn’t afraid to break with his party to vote against the bailout package. He worked hard for a new farm bill. When the Winona bridge was shut down, he brought the chairman of the U.S. House Transportation Committee to Winona. And, when southern Minnesota flooded, he rushed to do what he could to help.

While Walz has more than earned another trip to Washington on our behalf, we would also be unfair by not pointing out that Walz’s opponent, Dr. Brian Davis, is certainly one of the sharpest, most insightful candidates we’ve seen in quite awhile, and we hope that he continues to campaign to use his formidable intellect on the public’s behalf.

Another good measure of Walz’s character happens rather quietly, yet it hasn’t gone unnoticed. Walz continues to send staff into the field several times a month in a mobile unit to meet with constituents — where they are, in their hometown. This isn’t just some gesture, it’s politics at the most local and most effective level.

The paper also endorsed Barack Obama and Al Franken, while urging a "No" vote on the Clean Amendment. Read the entire piece here.

So far, the Albert Lea Tribune, the New Ulm Journal, the Rochester Post Bulletin and the Minneapolis Star Tribune have endorsed Congressman Walz. The ultra-conservative Fairmont Sentinel endorsed Brian Davis.

Elsewhere, KAAL reports that the candidates are feuding in Walz and Davis on Taxes. See the Walz campaign critique of the Davis ad here.  The Worthington Globe reports in Davis tax proposal subject of eventthat Worthington residents worried about Davis's support for a national sales tax will have a press conference today. 

The Land's agricultural survey: Davis didn't reply in time

Last week, we discovered that Brian Davis hadn't responded to the survey for the AARP's voter guide. Today, we learn that he didn't get his answers in on time for The Land's 2008 Election Guide either:

Candidates vying to represent Minnesotans in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives were given the opportunity to complete an agricultural survey from The Land.

Candidates were asked to respond to a series of questions, on topics such as ethanol subsidies, illegal immigration, agricultural trade policy, environmental quality issues and how Minnesota can keep young people in farming.

Ultimately, it came down to one final question for all the candidates: “Why should a rural Minnesota voter cast their ballot for you?”

Surveys were mailed in late September to Republican, DFL and Independence Party candidates for U.S. Senate and Minnesota’s eight congressional districts. Due to constraints of space, some responses were edited for length.

Presented here are responses from U.S. Senate candidates Norm Coleman and Al Franken (PDF download), 1st District candidates Tim Walz and Greg Mikkelson (PDF download) . . .

Open the pdf file for the First, and you'll see a note saying:

Republican challenger Brian Davis did not respond in time to be included in The Land’s election guide.

Seniors and ag issues are pretty important in Minnesota's First and both seniors and farmers may notice these lapses. Davis also couldn't think of any way to improve educational and medical benefits for vets.

Whatever does the Davis campaign spend its time doing? Whatever it is, preparing issue briefs, answering surveys and briefing the candidate for debates don't seem to be priority items.

See Where does Brian Davis stand on AARP's issues? for information about that earlier missed deadline.

Friday digest: Walz favored in the hunt

KEYC-TV reports in Sportsmen for Walz Rally for their Candidate:

Congressman Tim Walz joins a group of sportsmen from around southern Minnesota to kick off "Sportsmen for Walz."

The congressman, an avid hunter, is releasing a new radio advertisement to tout his endorsement by the National Rifle Association.Sportsman for Walz includes hunters, anglers and others committed to habitat preservation and outdoor recreation.

Chris Cox, of the NRA, gives Walz an "A-rating" for his strong support of second amendment freedoms and hunting heritage.

A reminder of the good news for the Walz campaign in Democratic Money Lessens Republican Chances for Victory. We posted about the upgrade of the First from "Leans Democratic" to "Democrat Favored" last night in CQ Politics upgrades MN-O1 from Lean Democratic to Democrat Favored.

We're not sure how much influence this endorsement has, but Tim Walz is among the 2008 Election - Minnesota Congress Picks - Esquire.  Meanwhile, our friend McPherson Hall at Minnesota Central examines the intricacies of  Davis Endorsements. In a lighter post, the Locust of Evil looks at where Joe the Plumber gets his advice.

 

 

Did Davis really say that?

We just posted a comment on last night's live blogging that left by moderate blogger McPherson Hall at Minnesota Central--here's most of it:

I wish that was a debate ... what I heard was Davis saying that he didn't have any ideas ... about Higher Education funding ... about Health Care coverage. I tried to go in with an open mind, but Davis is so unqualified and slanted that he is an embarrassment for the Republican Party.  . . .

. . .I found Davis closing comments most revealing. He championed conservative values while challenging Walz that he was not the Independent Voice that he promised to be ... so he wants us to vote for somebody that will never compromise from conservative principles ? Walz has bucked the Party so many times on important issues --- FISA, Iraq war funding, AMT, the bailout, etc. -- would Davis ever bolt from the Republican Study Committee ... NO.

His comments about public education were most interesting. Parents trump teachers ... and discipline is a problem ... but didn't he start off telling us that his own daughter wouldn't vote for him ... talk about challenging parental authority !

Given the spanking he's heading for at the polls in November, we think Davis is most sincere in his concerns for discipline, however much his daughter talks back to him. But we digress from our friend's points:

Walz best line (besides not have discipline problems in his classroom) was about his bipartisan work on Veterans issues. Easily, if he can do it on Veterans issues, he can do it on energy issues ... if the Republicans will play ball.

It is pretty easy to see why Walz would want to debate this guy ... its probably the best way to showcase how effective, intelligent and caring he is.

This statement just came in from the Walz campaign:

Tim Walz Scores Huge Victory in Final Debate

Opponent Brian Davis Puts Special Interests Over Middle-Class Families

(Mankato, Minnesota) Last night, Tim Walz won his final debate of the campaign season. In a debate sponsored by Debate Minnesota, Walz focused on the change he’s brought to Washington, as an ordinary Minnesotan who puts middle-class families over partisan politics and special interests.

Walz Campaign Manager Chris Schmitter said, “Once again, Tim Walz articulated his positive vision of bringing change to Washington . As a teacher, National Guard veteran and football coach, Tim is an ordinary Minnesota who understands the needs of middle-class families.”

Schmitter said that the debate showed a sharp contrast between Walz and his opponent, Dr. Brian Davis, whose positions show he’s putting partisan politics and special interests over the needs of middle-class families.

“Minnesotans have known for a while that Dr. Davis puts the Republican Party platform and the special interests over the needs of middle-class families,” Schmitter said. “But his comments tonight were still shocking: he wants to continue the Bush Administration’s failed polices, keep the Bush tax cuts for millionaires and gamble away Social Security on the stock market. He even wants to abolish the Department of Education. That’s not what Minnesota ’s middle-class families need.”

The [image below] includes some of the positions Dr. Davis laid out during last night’s debate.

League of Conservation Voters endorses Walz

From the sounds of the press release, Walz's work on energy policy led to the endorsement:

Today the League of Conservation Voters endorsed Tim Walz for re-election to Minnesota’s first congressional district.

“Tim Walz took great initiative during his first term in office, helping push through important environmental legislation and fighting for clean energy,” LCV President Gene Karpinski said. “He has supported groundbreaking initiatives that will end our addiction to oil, invest in renewable energy sources, and create jobs right here at home.”

“I am honored by this endorsement and will keep working with LCV and members of both parties to create clean, renewable energy jobs here in Minnesota,” Congressman Walz said.

Representative Walz earned an 85% on LCV’s National Environmental Scorecard in his first year in congress, voting in favor of clean, renewable energy, reducing global warming pollution, and clean air and water.   Walz has supported measures to protect consumers by limiting price gouging and suspending purchases for America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve. He voted in favor of the CLEAN Energy Act, which rolled back $14 billion in taxpayer-paid subsides and tax breaks for Big Oil companies, and redirected the money to renewable energy tax incentives.

Walz cosponsored several key bills that have promoted the clean energy debate, including the Fuel Economy Reform Act, the Safe Climate Act, and the Udall-Platts bill, which requires that 20% of America’s energy come from clean, renewable sources by 2020.  Walz promises to continue his support for clean energy in his next term by investing in energy conservation programs, environment restoration, and carbon capture and sequestration efforts. 

“Congressman Walz has done a great job of reaching across the aisle and working with other Freshmen members of congress to promote bi-partisan legislation that will make a real impact on the environment and the economy,” said Karpinski.  “He has bright new ideas for his next term, and will continue to be a strong ally for clean energy in Congress.”

Afternoon debate digest: coalition building edition

Lots of MN-01 material was published while we drove to Rochester and listened to the deb ate. The RACOC is to be congratulated for the debate, which truly was a debate, with rebuttals allowed.  A good show. The Uptake will be archiving raw footage of the event on its site. Thanks to Noah and the Uptake.

In other news, KEYC-TV reports Walz Campaign: 1.08 Million Dollars in Bank.

Don Davis, the Forum papers political reporter, has put together a series of profiles on the race.  Energy, economy dominate 1st provides an overview.  Davis cites us in Mikkelson preaches less government, which must make this blog real now:

Mikkelson "has been both all over the political map – and nowhere as well -- since 2002."

Jeepers. The Walz feature, Walz campaigns as coalition builder, is a solid feature that mentions Davis "complaining."  That's about right.  The final piece, Davis campaigns as a conservative,  believes "radical environmentalists" control Tim Walz. Didn't we hear that sort of thing from Gil Gutknecht in the OWatonna debate in 2006?

Minot's KX report Walz, Davis spar in Minn.'s 1st. Minot? Why not?  The station got it from MPR's Walz, Davis spar in Minn.'s 1st District.

Thirteen-year Army infantryman Hal Kimball observes Brian Davis Sucks on Veterans Issues. Go read about it at Blue Man.

More later. We're off to see the Olmsted County DFL.

Photo: Walz and two turkeys in Worthington. Re-captioned from the Don Davis series. 

New York Times: House Adopts Plan to Ease Offshore Drilling Ban

In House Adopts Plan to Ease Offshore Drilling Ban, New York Times reporter Carl Hulse writes:

The House on Tuesday night approved a measure that would ease a longstanding ban on offshore oil drilling and try to spur greater use of alternative fuels as Democrats and Republicans engaged in a bitter pre-election clash over America’s energy future.

Under the Democratic legislation, adopted by a vote of 236 to 189, oil companies would lose some tax benefits, utilities would be required to produce 15 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020 and a ban on developing fuel from Rocky Mountain shale would be lifted [see section 171].

The legislation, which faces significant hurdles to becoming law before Congress breaks at the end of the month, would allow drilling as close as 50 miles from the coastline if adjacent states agree and 100 miles out no matter a state’s position. It would impose stricter oversight on the agency that handles oil leasing and royalty payments after recent disclosures of improper relationships between its employees and oil industry representatives.

We also find the provisions for carbon sequestration projects and expanded investment credits for coal gasification projects ( i.e. "clean coal") to be quite interesting. [See sections 811 and 812]

Read the entire story at the NYTimes.

As we were writing this, a press release came in from the Walz campaign:

Davis Plan Favors Big Oil Companies

Davis Again Distorts the Walz Record on Energy

( Southern Minnesota ) – At a press conference on Tuesday, Dr. Brian Davis again rejected the Walz Bipartisan energy plan and pushed his plan, which favors the Big Oil companies.

Walz Campaign Manager Chris Schmitter said, “Dr. Brian Davis offers partisan sound bites, not a comprehensive energy plan. Dr. Davis rejects the Walz Bipartisan Energy Plan, which 178 Republican Members of Congress voted for on September 16, 2008 . While Tim Walz helped write a bipartisan plan without the input of special interest oil lobbyists, Dr. Davis wants to bring Big Oil back to the table.”

Schmitter continued, “And today, Dr. Davis has again distorted the Walz record on energy, claiming that Tim Walz voted against offshore drilling. Twice on Tuesday night, September 16, Tim Walz voted to expand offshore drilling. However, Tim Walz has consistently opposed blank checks to the oil companies, which Dr. Davis clearly supports.”

At Tuesday’s press conference, Dr. Davis criticized the Walz Bipartisan Energy Plan for requiring Big Oil companies to pay royalties for offshore drilling. Oil companies pay these royalties to drill and sell America ’s offshore oil, which the American people own.

He also said that Big Oil special interests should have a seat at the table for any new energy plan.

Tim Walz worked with 20 Members of Congress from both parties to write the House Bipartisan Working Group’s energy plan, without the input of special interest lobbyists from Big Oil. The plan calls for $1 trillion in royalty payments from new offshore drilling to be invested in renewable energy.

Davis Supports Bringing Big Oil Into Energy Policy Discussions: At a recent press conference, Brian Davis said he supported bringing big oil to the table to discuss future energy policy. He said, “Why don’t we have people from the American companies sitting at the table saying what is the best thing that you can do for us to have drilling opened up.” [ Davis Campaign Press Conference, 9/16/08 ]

Davis Opposes Making the Oil Companies Pay Royalties to Use Oil the American People Own, Wants to Give them American Oil for Free: At a recent press conference, Dr. Davis said, “Well what we’re talking about is a $1 trillion tax. We don’t know where that $1 trillion is going to come from, those numbers don’t add up. But if there is some incentives for the states, that would be acceptable, but not on the government suggesting where it will come from.” [ Davis Campaign Press Conference, 9/16/08 ]

Davis Said He Opposes Subsidies for Renewable Sources of Energy: Dr. Davis recently stated he would cut subsidies for renewable sources of energy like biofuels and wind energy [Minnesota Public Radio, 7/20/08 ] and would have opposed the 2007 Energy Bill, which received bipartisan support and increased fuel efficiency standards for cars and funding for research into renewable fuels [Farm Fest Forum, 2008].

Yesterday, 178 Republicans Voted For Energy Policy Legislation: Yesterday, 178 Republicans voted for energy policy legislation to repeal the oil and gas exploration moratorium and allow states to opt-out of oil and gas production within a year of enactment.  Motion rejected by a vote of 191-226; Republicans 178-10; Democrats 13-216 [HR 6899, Vote #598, 9/16/08 ]

Yesterday, Walz Voted Twice For Energy Legislation That Allowed For Increased Off-Shore Drilling. [HR 6899, Vote #598, 9/16/08 ; HR 6899, Vote #599, 9/16/08 ]

We do wonder where Davis comes up with some of the things he says about Walz. His statement on the bill passed by the House last night claims, for instance, that oil shale is not included, despite what the Times and the text of the bill states. Likewise, Davis must not consider carbon sequestration or coal gasification projects to be forms of "clean coal," even though they're a part of the standard discourse about the concept. 

Update: We contacted Congressman Walz's office to see if the just passed bill put Alaskan waters off-limits to drilling. Communication director Meredith Salsbery checked on the issue with the appropriate committee and returned this statement in an e-mail:

There were no restrictions placed on any Alaskan waters. All of the Alaska OCS are currently open for leasing, and nothing in the bill changes that.

Davis claimed in his statement today that the legislation places Alaskan waters off limits. No news venue that we know of has reported that this is a provision in the bill nor have we identified language in the bill that would make it so.

Walz statement on Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act

Just in from the Walz congressional office:

WALZ VOTES FOR HOUSE ENERGY PLAN
Expanded drilling, renewable energy investments included in comprehensive plan

(Washington, D.C.) - Yesterday, Congressman Tim Walz joined 235 of his colleagues in passing H.R. 6899, the Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act. 

"The Bush-Cheney energy plan has been a success, but for the Big Oil companies, not the American people.  It's time for a new direction in our energy policy," said Walz.  "I was proud to work with a bipartisan group to craft new energy legislation, and many of our ideas were incorporated into this plan: it invests in renewable sources of energy, responsibly increases domestic supply by opening up the Outer Continental Shelf for drilling, releases oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, eliminates unnecessary tax breaks for Big Oil and requires Big Oil to pay the billions of dollars they owe in royalties to invest in clean energy resources."

Walz continued, "This legislation will help create millions of good-paying American jobs in the renewable energy industry and it will begin to break the stranglehold that foreign oil has over America."

The Comprehensive American Energy Security & Consumer Protection Act is a compromise that combines expanded drilling with an American-owned 21st century comprehensive, clean renewable energy and efficiency approach.

H.R. 6899 passed by a vote of 236 to 189.  Details on H.R. 6899 follow:
 

Lowers Costs to Consumers & Protects Taxpayers

Royalty Reform: Making Oil Companies Pay Their Fair Share for Drilling on Public Lands. Ensures that oil companies pay their fair share of royalties on flawed leases granted in 1998 and 1999.  Oil companies holding 70 percent of these leases issued in the Gulf of Mexico from 1998 and 1999 pay no royalties on this oil, costing American taxpayers about $15 billion.

Repeal of Tax Subsidies. Repeals a giveaway in the 2004 international tax bill (H.R. 4520) for the Big Five oil companies.  (Small, independent oil and gas companies would continue to benefit from the deduction at the current rate.)  It also closes a foreign tax loophole for large oil companies. 

Releasing Oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Temporarily releases nearly 10 percent of the oil from the government’s stockpile (known as the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR)), and replaces it later with heavier, cheaper crude oil.  Past releases have brought down prices by up to 33 percent.

Mineral Management Service Ethics Reform. Takes aggressive steps to crack down on the extreme misconduct at the Mineral Management Service – the agency charged with collecting royalties from oil and gas companies.

Renewable Energy Future, Creating American Jobs

Renewable Energy and Efficiency Tax Incentives. It expands and extends tax incentives for renewable electricity, energy (such solar and wind) and fuel from America’s heartland, as well as for plug-in hybrid cars, and energy efficient homes, buildings, and appliances.  Investments in renewable energy create three to five times as many jobs as investments in fossil-fuel energy.

Investing in Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency and Home Heating Assistance (LIHEAP), Paid for by Making Oil Companies Pay their Fair Share for Drilling on Public Lands (98/99 leases). Creates a Renewable Energy Reserve to invest in clean, renewable energy resources and alternative fuels, promote new energy technologies, develop greater efficiency and improve conservation.  It will also fund home heating assistance (LIHEAP), weatherization, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and carbon capture and sequestration. Revenues from new areas opened offshore will also be deposited in this fund.>

Electricity from Clean Renewable Sources. Requires utility companies to generate 15 percent of electricity from renewable sources -- such as wind power, biomass, wave, tidal, geothermal and solar -- by 2020.  A 15 percent Renewable Electricity Standard will reduce global warming emissions and lower energy prices, saving consumers $13-18 billion cumulatively by 2020.  It permits utilities to meet up to 4 percent of their target through energy efficiency.  This levels the playing field for Minnesota companies who already have to meet a similar state-mandated RES.

Renewable Biomass. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Renewable Fuel Standard should ensure that every region of the country can be a potential producer by calling for cellulosic biofuels to be produced from a highly diverse array of feedstocks.

Expanding Domestic Energy Supply

Responsible Compromise on Drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf.

The compromise would permit leasing between 50 and 100 miles  offshore if a State ‘opts-in’ to allow leasing off its coastline by enacting a state law. 

Environmental Protections:  marine National monuments and national marine sanctuaries are permanently withdrawn from oil and gas leasing.  All leasing activities must protect the coastal, marine and human environment of the State coastal zones and OCS.

DOD authority to designate national defense areas remains in force and leasing must also take place in accordance with a Memorandum of Agreement between DOD and Interior Departments.

Adhere to the 2006 law protecting some of the Eastern Gulf of Mexico until 2022 and exempts Georges Bank (in New England), which supports the most valuable fishery in America.

The remaining Outer Continental Shelf beyond100 mileswould be open to oil and gas leasing.

Require Oil Companies to Drill on the 68 Million Acres of Federal Lands They Already Control. Strengthens requirements that oil companies produce oil on federal lands leased for drilling during the initial term of their lease.

Increase Domestic Oil Production in Alaska. Mandates annual lease sales in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, which has more oil than the Arctic Wildlife Refuge.  Also requires the Bush Administration to facilitate completion of the oil pipeline infrastructure into the Reserve and the construction of the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline, which could create up to 100,000 jobs, while banning export of Alaskan oil outside the U.S.

Promote Natural Gas, E-85 Infrastructure. Includes incentives and financing mechanisms for installing natural gas pumps in service stations and homes and requires service stations owned by Big Oil to install at least one "alternative fuel pump"—such as natural gas or E-85.  Natural gas costs 40 percent less than gasoline, is 33 percent cleaner and is produced in North America.

Carbon Capture & Sequestration. Advances the development and deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies to come up with a cleaner way to use coal

Oil Shale.Allows Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado to opt in to exploration, development, or production of federal oil shale reserves, if the State enacts a law approving that.

Greater Energy Efficiency and Conservation

Strengthen Energy Efficiency in Buildings to Bring Down Costs. Could save consumers at least $210 billion in energy costs through 2030 by updating energy codes for new buildings.  New residential and commercial buildings will have to realize a 30 percent improvement in minimum building standards by 2010, and 50 percent by 2020. The building sector alone accounts for approximately 48% of all energy consumed in the United States and of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

Incentives for Energy Efficient Homes. Provides incentives to lenders and financial institutions, including the Federal Housing Administration, to provide lower interest loans to consumers who build, buy or remodel their homes to improve their energy efficiency. The average American spends 9.7% of their income on energy, while low-income households spend more than 16%.

Saving Energy Through Public Transportation Act. Reduces transit fares for commuter rail and buses and expands service. The average commuter can save up to $8,000 a year riding public transit, based on today’s gas prices.

House passes energy bill; Walz votes to recommit

The Hill reports in House passes energy bill:

House Democrats easily passed an energy bill that was crafted as a response to a shift in public opinion on the divisive issue of offshore drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf. 

After surviving an attempt from Republicans to derail the measure by offering a bipartisan bill crafted by Reps. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) and John Peterson (R-Pa.) as their motion to recommit, the legislation passed 236 to 189.

The GOP motion pitted cosponsor against cosponsor as Abercrombie and Peterson took to the floor to urge their colleagues to vote opposite directions on the bill they crafted together before the August recess.

Peterson pleaded for a different approach than the one taken by Pelosi.

“This is not a perfect bill,” he said of his legislation, “but it’s a damn good start. And it was put together without special interests or lobbyists… It was just members of Congress working together.”

But Abercrombie set the tone for the Democrats who joined him in the work alongside Peterson a group of Republicans, saying he had given his word to support the Democratic leadership’s bill and thwart any attempts to sabotage it. . . .

. . .The motion to recommit failed 191-226. Democratic Reps. Jason Altmire (Pa.), John Barrow (Ga.), Joe Donnelly (Ind.), Travis Childers (Miss.), Tim Walz (Minn.), Donald Cazayoux (La.), Jim Marshall (Ga.), Gene Taylor (Miss.), Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (S.D.), Tim Holden (Pa.), Mike McIntyre (N.C.), Harry Mitchell (Ariz.), and Bill Foster (Ill.) voted with the GOP. . . .

In the final vote on the bill, Republican Jim Ramstad joined all five DFLers in voting for the Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act. Bachmann and Kline voted against it.

Update: The Post Bulletin's Matt Stolle looks at the issue in Davis sharpens criticism of Walz's drill-for-oil comments. The extensive article is a balanced piece of reporting. Some tidbits:

. . .Walz has said he is not opposed to expanding drilling off the country's coasts, and voted for a bill Tuesday night that includes it. He said it needed to be part of a comprehensive package that lessens America's dependence on foreign oil.

Walz, a Democrat from Mankato, also has signed the T. Boone Pickens' pledge to reduce the country's dependence on foreign oil by 30 percent over the next 10 years.

"What he has consistently opposed is a blank check to oil companies, and that is what Dr. Davis is talking about," said Chris Schmitter of the Walz campaign.. . .

. . .The Walz campaign, however, draws a distinction between the Pelosi bill and the one Walz pushed. Schmitter said that while the House speaker's bill is a step in the right direction, Walz prefers his plan, which he noted has the support of 135 members of the House, including GOP Reps. Michele Bachmann and John Kline.

"Tim Walz supports expanded drilling in the form of a comprehensive plan," Schmitter said. "That's why he is working with colleagues from both sides of the aisle on a bill that expands drilling, but then uses the royalties to invest in renewable fuels, creates new green-collar jobs and reduces the cost of gas."

Go read the entire article at the Post Bulletin. [end update]    

Photo: A deep water natural gas well.

Monday morning digest: scavenger hunt edition

We had a grand time at King Turkey Day on Saturday--the organizers really know how to trash talk about turkeys and put on a show, and the visiting Texans give as good as they get. The talent wasn't so equally distributed in the political speeches.

The Worthington Globe's coverage of Saturday's speeches in Rivals Davis, Walz talk politics doesn't report on the crowd's reaction to the speakers. Davis blew his own jokes, while Walz drew laughs and cheers throughout his speech, especially when he talked about the passage of the new G.I. Bill. 

Julie Buntjer reports:

Walz, nearing the end of his first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, spoke of the work he helped accomplish and the work yet to be done, while admitting he’s “as frustrated as you” when things don’t move forward.

“If we lose faith in City Hall, if we lose faith in St. Paul, if we lose faith in Washington, we’re saying we lose faith in this great democracy,” Walz said. “It’s our responsibility to rise up and move this country forward.”

Walz spoke of the bi-partisan farm bill passed by Congress and the Senate this year, as well as the “first sweeping GI bill since 1944 to care for our veterans.

“It’s our moral responsibility and a national security responsibility — take care of them and they’ll take care of us,” he said.

During his first term in office, Walz said Congress also passed legislation to fund rural water projects, including both the Red Rock Rural Water system and the Lewis and Clark pipeline.

As for energy, Walz said, “Partisan statements that don’t coincide with fact hamper us from getting solutions. We’re working on a bipartisan bill that allows us to drill in our off-shore areas responsibly — not all of them, some of them.”

Walz said he wants to take the royalties earned from offshore drilling and invest a trillion dollars in renewable energy — from wind turbines to biofuels.

“When it comes to energy, this nation can do it. We can use the resources we have here,” he said.

“The best ideas don’t come from the democrats, and they don’t come from the republicans — they come from the American public who puts partisanship second and solutions first,” Walz continued. “This nation can solve those problems, this nation can lead and this nation can do what every other generation has done before — leave this country better than the way they found it.”

The candidate's respective parade units also illustrated the level of enthusiasm. Twenty people wearing Walz t-shirts walked with the Nobles County DFL, along with Thomasin Franken and a number of her father's supporters. Davis walked with ten people, including Representative Magnus. 

Parade watchers responded well to Walz, often calling him over to shake hands. Davis? Just at the moment when we could see his sign carriers coming toward us, Dale and I were startled to see a turkey vulture gliding over the street. The crowd where we stood was nonresponsive to Davis. The vulture, too, took a pass.

The scavenger may have some company with that oversight.

It's our understanding that, as of Thursday, the Davis campaign had not made a television or cable media buy for post-primary advertising. Time--and space--are going fast. Judging from Mark Fischenich's Campaign Notebook, it looks as if Davis's supporters hope the hapless doc will win on Sarah Palin's coattails:

Neal Breitbarth, a Fairmont businessman and delegate to the Republican National Convention, didn’t agree with a suggestion that Palin was the star of the convention. But Breitbarth might have been trying to protect McCain’s feelings, because he asked that Palin — not McCain — do a campaign rally in the district with GOP congressional candidate Brian Davis.

Breitbarth said he thinks the district is perfect for Palin and that residents would respond with great enthusiasm, helping Davis in his attempt to unseat freshman Democratic Congressman Tim Walz of Mankato.

We'll see if the McCain campaign decides Southern Minnesota is a good fit for the Alaska governor. Fischenich adds that she and Walz have something in common:

One organization that was a big supporter of Palin as governor of Alaska is also endorsing Walz. The National Rifle Association announced its endorsement of Walz last week, something the Democrat’s campaign publicized with a pair of press releases.

A retired Army National Guard command sergeant major, Walz has a strong record of backing Second Amendment rights.

According to Fischenich:

No debates have been finalized in the 1st District. . . although the Walz and Davis camps are said to be talking about it.

If Davis is as smart as he claims, he'll try to avoid one-on-one meetings with Walz. We've seen them twice now--at Farmfest and King Turkey Day--and the comparison isn't flattering to the Republican. It's no wonder that observers like Beyond the Polls put this seat in the "safe for now" category.

MSU-Mankato Dean of Nursing Mary Bliesmer writes the Mankato Free Press to observe Walz’ energy bill would make a real difference:

Tim Walz, southern Minnesota’s energetic new representative in Washington, D.C., along with other legislators, has introduced a new energy bill the National Conservation, Environment and Energy Independence Act, a bipartisan bill proposed to make a real difference for our future.

This is a bill that has vision for not only tomorrow but also 10 years from now. The proposed bill expands offshore drilling responsibly, lifting the moratorium on the Outer Continental Shelf in some areas as a short-term solution.

Revenues (around $1 trillion) raised from taxes and royalties on new drilling would be invested in renewable/alternatives research and conservation over the next decade and Americans may even find it easier to buy hybrid vehicles that get better gas mileage.

This is a groundbreaking bill, written by moderates from both parties who realize that partisan bickering about energy policy does not bring lasting results.

The Rochester Democrat looks at one reason why offshore drilling is more complicated an issue than Brian Davis admits in Dr. Davis’ Sloganeering Approach Ignores National Security.

In a letter to the editor, Walz supporter Ronald von Arb tells readers Walz brings integrity, accountability to D.C.

Congressman Walz will be at this morning's press conference at the new I-35 bridge and then back to Washington.

Photos: Above: from the Worthington Globe, Tim Walz and a couple of turkeys. Below: from the USGS, a stock photo of a turkey vulture. Dale was familiar with the species because they roost on the local law enforcement communications towers in Luverne; we've seen them while out birding.

 

MFP: Blue Green Alliance Town Hall coverage

The Mankato Free Press reports in Solving problems through BlueGreen Alliance:

The BlueGreen Alliance is a collaboration between blue-collar unions and the environmentalists of the Sierra Club. And its executive director is Mankato native David Foster, who came to the job as a regional director for the United Steelworkers union.

“I like to think of southern Minnesota today as really being the ground-zero of the new economy,” Foster said at a meeting Saturday morning at the Local 49 Union Hall in Mankato.

Wind energy, which is abundant in southern Minnesota and has the potential to be greatly expanded, is one of six areas the alliance wants to fund through a $100 billion federal investment. The others are solar power, advanced biofuels, an improved electrical transmission grid, improved energy conservation in the nation’s buildings and investments in passenger and freight rail systems.

Driving to and from Worthington yesterday, we went by or through several wind farms. Impressive.

The paper reports that Congressman Walz was at the meeting:

Congressman Tim Walz, DFL-Mankato, attended the meeting and said the proposal makes so much sense that Democrats and Republicans in Congress should be able to rally around it.

“This type of alliance is just the sort of thing that’s going to break the partisan gridlock,” Walz said.

In the letters section,  Alan Bray of St. Peter tells readers Walz listens to, respects visitors to Washington:

I write in support of Representative Tim Walz in his efforts to be re-elected this fall.

During a three-week stay in Washington, D.C. last summer, I attempted to schedule a face-to-face meeting with my state and district representatives. While Sen. Amy Klobuchar included me in a group meeting with other Minnesotans and Sen. Norm Coleman declined to meet with me at all, Walz gave me a half-hour of one-on-one conversation time even though his day was very busy.

I was thankful and impressed. Walz listened to my concerns, treated me with respect, and followed up on our visit later.

Walz will get my vote in November. I recommend him highly.

Cynics take note: we searched the FEC database to see if Bray was a large contributor to Walz. Nope. Mr. Google fetched up information about one "Alan Bray" in "St. Peter Minnesota". Sounds like a good citizen.

 

 

Saturday morning digest: world's biggest Obama supporter edition

The Post Bulletin reports that Rochester is home to Barack Obama's biggest supporter. Igor Vovkovinskiy is 7 feet, 8 inches tall.

In a letter to the editor, former state representative Ruth Johnson writes Walz energy plan offers common sense:

In response to huge energy cost increases and critical environmental concerns, Congressman Tim Walz has introduced a new, bipartisan energy bill, the “National Conservation, Environment, and Energy Independence Act.”

Moderate Democrats and Republicans in Congress crafted this agreement to offer short-term and long-term solutions to the energy crisis in a responsible manner.

The bill expands responsible offshore drilling and with the taxes and royalties on new drilling invests around $1 trillion over the next decade in renewable and alternative energy research and conservation.

These are common sense solutions we expect from our national leaders. Let’s keep Walz in Washington working with both Republicans and Democrats to solve the challenges facing our country.

And as we learned this summer with gas prices, we can all do our part right now to bring down energy costs by practicing common sense energy conservation ourselves.

Moderate Democrats and Republicans in Congress crafted this agreement to offer short-term and long-term solutions to the energy crisis in a responsible manner.

The bill expands responsible offshore drilling and with the taxes and royalties on new drilling invests around $1 trillion over the next decade in renewable and alternative energy research and conservation.

These are common sense solutions we expect from our national leaders. Let’s keep Walz in Washington working with both Republicans and Democrats to solve the challenges facing our country.

And as we learned this summer with gas prices, we can all do our part right now to bring down energy costs by practicing common sense energy conservation ourselves.

A thoughtful column about energy policy and complexity from Spring Valley Tribune published David Phillips, We may favor image now, but issues aren't going away,  concludes:

That we don't get any real leadership on energy and other issues is our own fault. We seem to care most about identifying with a team that includes a former prisoner of war and a hockey mom or a team that includes a former community organizer and a blue collar scrapper. It's much easier than forming an opinion on a policy that has a vision for our energy future that will last longer than our next tank full of gas.

Down the road in another several years, we may be comfortable in being able to identify with our candidate in the White House, as so many were with President Bush, but wonder why we're still addicted to a fossil fuel that costs even more than it does today with the majority of the supply still coming from foreign countries that are often at odds with the American way of life.

Congressman Walz will speak at a Green Jobs Town Hall meeting at 10 a.m. today at the 49ers (Operating Engineers) Hall, 308 Lundin Blvd.

According to the national Blue Green Alliance's web site, Minnesota's local alliance consists of:

. . .more than 30 groups, including Sierra Club North Star Chapter, Steelworkers District 11, MN State AFL-CIO, Clean Water Action, Apollo Alliance, AFSCME Council 6, SEIU Minnesota State Council, Teamsters Joint Council 32, Minnesota Building Trades, Environment 2004, Fresh Energy, Izaac Walton League of America Midwest Office, Institute for a Sustainable Future, and the League of Rural Voters.

The Chatfield News reports that  2007 local high school grad Hannah Mesick enjoys behind-the-scenes look at Democratic convention. She is a sophomore at UW-Eau Claire.

In Turk O'Day: Sept. 13, 2008, the Globe notes that Congressman Walz and Brian Davis will speak at 1 p.m in Worthington. BSP reviewed the attractions in King Turkey Day: Walz and Davis emcee in Worthington Saturday.

New Ulm Journal: three letters

Three interesting letters were published by the Journal in the last couple of days. Marine Corps veteran John Makepeace says in Let's re-elect Tim Walz:

Tim Walz has been a strong and sensible representative for all of us in the 1st Congressional District. Recently he has been involved in a bipartisan effort to create solutions for our shared energy problems.

For instance, he has moved away from his own party's position on offshore drilling.

In fact, he proposes, with 20 Democrat and Republican colleagues to expand offshore drilling in a planned, responsible way. Some of the specifics include repealing the moratorium on drilling more that 25 miles offshore and then letting the various coastal states decide for themselves how to treat drilling 25-50 miles off shore. Specifically, significant investments from the royalties would go into energy conservation programs for homeowners and businesses, environmental restoration (wildlife and waterways), renewable energy funding (expand clean energy) and additional billions for carbon capture and nuclear waste storage. This plan, called the National Conservation, Environment and Energy Independence Act is a bipartisan solution to get us moving ahead.

Walz has made similar bipartisan efforts and progress on the Farm Bill and the GI Bill.

He, in fact, championed the largest increase in funding for veterans medical care and other benefits for our veterans (included was mileage reimbursement increases for our rural veterans traveling to the VA Medical Centers). Walz also served 24 years in the Army National Guard including time overseas in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Personally, I benefited when a grateful government allowed me to graduate from college via the GI Bill. Our veteran's today will also (and should also) benefit from the work of our congressman.

John Baumgartner of Olivia writes in Drill, baby,drill?!

The RNC mantra, "drill, baby, drill" is a message that leads the country the wrong way. While our current world economy is based on fossil fuel, our children and theirs must find a replacement for oil, because it is a finite resource. To focus on domestic oil as the solution has no probability of working.

Sure, domestic drilling is one small part of the solution, but a comprehensive plan should focus on the long-term solutions needed and lay out strategies to reach identified milestones. A focus on oil, while giving only lip service to alternative energy sources, is a sure way to deprive your children and theirs of energy. Do not vote for a false sense of security. Please, think before you vote.

Those who know Mr. Baumgartner would hesitate to call the man a radical environmentalist, though with the Davis campaign, anything is possible. Baumgartner contributed to the Coleman campaign in 2002 and Minge in 2000, so he's no party line spouter, either.

Finally, Jenna Langer, a recent New Ulm Cathedral grad now studying at the U of M, tells readers What I really learned:

The most important thing I learned as a runner for CBS during the RNC was to not trust that the media - any media - is giving you the full story. The media is a business and it's their job to get ratings. To get the true story - not just the key messages prepared by campaign aides and read by CNN, MSNBC, ABC, etc. news anchors - be your own journalist. Check out each candidate's Web sites and read about what their policies actually are, not what their opponent claims they are; for it's their POLICIES that will ultimately affect you and your family. In such a pivotal election, the people of rural Minnesota - a key demographic for both campaigns - cannot afford not to.

The Hill: H.R. 6709 picks up support

While the Brian Davis campaign is both damning H.R. 6709 as "too-complicated" and claiming that it doesn't expand offshore drilling while also scolding Walz for not getting it passed before the August work break, The Hill reports today that it's gaining support in Drilling duo claims way to sidestep a shutdown:                  

The bipartisan duo who authored a compromise on offshore oil drilling say their plan may be the best way to avoid a government shutdown now that Republican leaders have flatly rejected Democrats’ first effort to allow exploration off the coasts.

Reps. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) and John Peterson (R-Pa.) led a group of more than two dozen lawmakers from both parties in drafting legislation to allow drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The key selling point of their plan is diverting one-third of the royalties to support alternative and renewable energy.

“We believe we’ve got the best way forward,” said Peterson spokesman Patrick Creighton. “Our bill is a compromise that everyone can live with.”

The plan has 130 co-sponsors, but more than half are Republican, which may be due to the fact that the essence of the bill is closer to the GOP’s pro-drilling platform. It doesn’t include Democratic priorities like a mandate for renewable electricity, nor a plan to force energy companies to “use or lose” the leases they currently have on federal lands.

In Minnesota's delegation, Collin Peterson has joined Walz, Kline and Bachmann in supporting the bill.

In Mankato, Sierra Club protests against Walz and Coleman energy bills

And its targets? Congressman Walz and Senator Coleman. In Sierra Club joins energy debate
Critics sound off against offshore drilling, the Mankato Free Press reports:

Less than a week after hearing delegates at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul chanting “Drill here, drill now,” members of Minnesota’s congressional delegation were getting a different message from the Sierra Club.

The environmental organization, joined by a handful of other Mankato-area residents, said drilling offshore and in other ecologically sensitive areas would do little to solve the nation’s energy problem and would distract from real solutions.

The message of the press event in Jackson Park was aimed at Democratic Congressman Tim Walz and Republican Sen. Norm Coleman, and the Sierra Club planned to deliver the point personally to the local offices of both lawmakers. It comes as Congress is reconvening after the August recess and political conventions and is under pressure to take aim at high gas prices.

There's even a photo of a protester dressed in a polar bear suit while holding a sign asking for "Clean Energy not Offshore Shore Drilling."  A caption says the protester is concerned with global warming.

What's the objection?

“The vote coming up on oil is one of the key ones we face,” said John Hottinger, who represented Mankato and St. Peter in the state Senate until retiring two years ago and is now on the Sierra Club’s state board of directors. . . .

. . .Both Coleman and Walz have signed onto separate plans they each portray as a compromise that incorporates more drilling along with a greater investment in renewable and alternative sources of energy.

Brian Davis's ad and campaign manager say that the Walz plan won't open any more areas off shore for drilling. The Sierra Club disagrees.

Go read the whole article at the Free Press.

Note: The DFL was more blunt than the WDN blogger in its choice of a headline: DFL Party: Davis Campaign Lies About Walz Record. The press release also points out that Davis is an adamant denier of the human connection to climate change and seeks to open ANWR to drilling. Neither Walz nor Coleman share his position on ANWR. Moreover, Davis seeks to repeal all federally prescribed fuel effiency standards (CAFE) for vehicles and to eliminate renewable energy standards. State Sen. Day supports expanded drilling offshore and in ANWR, but supports conservation standards. He voted for renewable energy standards in the state senate.

Mankato Free Press looks at the "air war" in the First

In the Mankato Free Press, staff writer Mark Fischenich contrasts the first two television and cable ads in the MN-01 congressional contest:

Both ads focus on energy policy and oil drilling and both show the candidate standing by a fuel pump. But they’re very different in style.

Walz’s ad, after a brief criticism of the “Bush energy plan” working for “the big oil companies”, simply calls for a balanced approach to the nation’s energy problem, including increased oil production, renewable energy and investments in new energy technology. It makes no mention of Davis.

Davis’ ad is a direct attack on Walz and could be seen as misleading in places.

Davis tells viewers Walz is “against drilling for oil in Alaska and off-shore.” Walz opposes drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which makes up less than 2 percent of the total area of Alaska. He also is co-sponsor of a bill that would allow off-shore drilling, although it has restrictions including on how close to shore the drilling can occur. . . .

Some interesting developments in national politics also suggest that Davis's views on energy aren't universally shared by his pachyderm brethren. First, the national GOP platform committee has dropped a plank calling for drilling in ANWR, while adding one that acknowledges that human activity contributes to global warming. From the Washington Post:

While the platform advocates expanded oil and gas drilling to meet the nation's energy needs, the 112-person committee agreed to omit language calling for drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a plank in the party's 2004 platform. McCain has voted both ways on the question of drilling in ANWR, but has said this year he believes it should remain off-limits to energy exploration. . . .

. . .The platform's energy section breaks with the past on several fronts. For the first time, it acknowledges that human activity has contributed to climate change.

Brian Davis does not believe human activity has an impact on climate change.

Photo: Wind turbines near Buffalo Ridge.

DITL: First Walz television ad, "Record"

In 2006 and 2007, Bluestem Prairie and those pesky then-college students at IDHA maintained a friendly rivalry to see who would post Walz material first. 

Now we have to contend with that handsome rascal Chad at A Day in the Life.  He found this first:

Go over and give Chad some attention. He writes:

This looks like a good start and a positive way to end all the grandstanding Dr. Brian Davis has been doing about "Drill here, drill now." Obviously, Walz supports drilling. Time for Davis to find a new dead horse to beat. If you like this advertisement and want Walz to continue working for First District residents in Washington, show him a little support and contribute to his campaign here

There are some aspects of H.R. 6709 that I really like, and I will highlight those at another time. I just wanted to share the new ad with people.

Walz for Congress releases new radio ad

We just received the follow press release from the Walz for Congress committee about a new radio ad:

The Walz for Congress campaign unveiled a new radio ad today, illustrating Tim Walz’s common sense, bipartisan plan to move America past the energy challenges that are causing high prices at the pump.

“A New Plan” highlights that for far too long, we’ve had an energy policy that has worked for the oil companies. Tim Walz believes it’s time we had an energy policy that works for Minnesotans, and he’s working across the aisle to get things done.

"This ad describes Tim Walz’s plan to put aside partisan bickering and find common-sense solutions to speed up America 's transition to an energy independent future," said campaign manager Chris Schmitter.  "This bipartisan plan expands drilling offshore and uses the new royalty payments from oil companies to speed up the deployment of next-generation clean fuels.”

Congressman Walz and nearly two dozen of his colleagues from both sides of the aisle announced the "National Conservation, Environment, and Energy Independence Act."[link added].  The bill would expand offshore drilling and increase domestic production of oil; help consumers by releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve; and provide a reliable and significant source of new funding for renewable energy research and energy conservation that would speed up the development of next-generation renewable fuels.

Open the attachment link to download and listen to "A New Plan" [MP3 file].

See below for the transcript:

WALZ: It's pretty clear the Bush energy plan is working -- for the big oil companies, not for us.

I’m Tim Walz. We need a balanced plan that gets us out of this mess for good.

Let’s increase oil production here at home, speed up and advance alternative energy, and invest in technology that makes conservation affordable and practical.

ANNCR: Tim Walz. Bucking his party leadership to create a real energy plan that gets something done.

It expands offshore drilling

And uses those royalty dollars to speed up our transition to clean energy, create jobs and make us energy independent.

The Chamber of Commerce praises Walz’s bipartisan plan, saying it will quote “have a meaningful impact on energy prices.” 

WALZ: I’m Tim Walz. I approve this message because with American ingenuity we can have a real energy plan that ends our dependence on foreign oil and works for us.

ANNCR: Read Tim’s energy plan at Tim Walz dot com.

Paid for by Tim Walz for Congress. "

That's the text of the release.

Update: Chris Schmitter, campaign manager for Walz for Congress, just returned a call about the ad and the campaign. The ad will be playing across the district. The campaign has recruited over 2000 active volunteers who have knocked on over 60,000 doors and made over 100,000 phone calls.

About that ABCNews poll: what Americans want in an energy policy

A new poll is out about American opinion on solutions for high energy prices, the Washington Post reports in Most Favor New Drilling, Taxes on Oil Profits.

Our readers will probably be hearing a lot about this poll from the GOP, with the suggestion, as per the WaPo, that it supports their positions alone.

That's definitely not the case when one looks at the details of the poll and the actual positions taken by MN-01 congressional candidates.

The WaPo spins the polling to the right:

Nearly two-thirds of Americans now put a priority on "finding new sources of energy" over improving conservation -- a significant shift since 2001 -- and majorities support all of the five potential federal initiatives tested in a new ABC News poll.  

There is overwhelming backing for stricter fuel efficiency standards, as large majorities of Democrats, Republicans and independents alike line up behind the idea. There is also widespread support across party lines for a more controversial proposal in the battle over energy policy: offshore oil drilling.

Overall, 63 percent want the federal government to lift its embargo on new drilling in U.S. coastal waters. Nearly eight in 10 Republicans and seven in 10 independents back the idea, as do just over half of Democrats in the poll conducted in partnership with Stanford University and Planet Green.

If you read only that article, you'd come anyway with a blurry snapshot of the ABCNews poll--a distorted snapshot of a snapshot, as it were.

For a more in-depth review of the poll--with less of the WaPo's patented "this is good news for Republicans"  spin (it always is in the WaPo's world), we recommend the far more indepth coverage over at ABC News, Fuel Costs Boost Conservation Efforts; 7 in 10 Reducing 'Carbon Footprint.' The twenty page pdf report on the survey is far more helpful for understanding what Americans want than the Washington Post article. We recommend that our readers check it out.

If this poll can be interpreted as representative of Southern Minnesota (a risky venture, indeed, as anyone familiar with scientific polling can vouch), we speculate this poll is not good news for Brian Davis.

We've clipped and reproduced the chart at the head of this post in order to illustrate our bold point. What federal policy initiative drew the most supporters? According to the survey, seventy-eight percent of those polled favored "increasing fuel efficiency standards."

Congressman Walz voted to do so in the 2007 energy bill.  One of the cornerstones of Brian Davis's energy policy is to repeal fuel efficiency (CAFE) standards. In a January email to supporters, Davis proposed:

Eliminating current automobile mileage standards and government-imposed production mandates. The free market and the laws of supply and demand work much better than our government attempting to mandate conservation and setting quotas.

Americans overwhelmingly disagree with Davis's extreme stance on CAFE standards, and the moderate McPherson Hall at Minnesota Central readily debunked Davis's ideological assessment in early June in In MN-01 Davis opposes mandates but what about subsidies?:

The history of CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) is pretty short. The first mandate was part of the “Energy Policy Conservation Act,” enacted into law by Congress in 1975 which was passed in response to the 1973-74 Arab oil embargo. The next major change will be affected by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 after President Bush requested the first increase in CAFE standards in January. The legislation was overwhelmingly approved by Congress including including Minnesota’s Norm Coleman and 36 other Republican Senators. It will require in part that automakers boost fleetwide gas mileage to 35 mpg by the year 2020.

Davis contention that were “little success” are disputed by a committee of the National Academy of Sciences who wrote a 2002 report on the effects of the CAFE standard. The report’s conclusions include a finding that in the absence of CAFE, and with no other fuel economy regulation substituted, motor vehicle fuel consumption would have been approximately 14 percent higher than it actually was in 2002.

Next, sixty-three percent of Americans want the embargoes on offshore drilling lifted. H.R. 6709, which Congressman Walz helped draft, would lift many restrictions on offshore drilling, directing the royalties toward energy research, conservation and environmental restoration. (The poll also says that Americans still look favorably on environmentally-inclined candidates).

Walz, along with nearly two-dozen colleagues, joined the bipartisan House Energy Working Group and helped draft H.R. 6709. The one constant for membership was a commitment to allow more offshore drilling. Walz supports doing so provided is part of a bipartisan comprehensive energy solution."that includes conservation, speeds up development of new affordable fuels and cracks down on speculation."

According to the ABCNews survey, sixty-one percent of Americans support efforts to curb speculation, so Walz and the Energy Working Group are not alone in their desire to cool it down. Republican challenger Dick Day told the Star Tribune he supports such efforts, while Brian Davis opposed them.

Fifty-five percent of Americans want oil companies to pay higher taxes, equal to the percentage that wants to drill in wilderness areas. Davis and Day are now highlighting their support of drilling in ANWR, but we don't recall hearing much about the equally popular option of raising taxes on oil companies.

There's more. Go read the whole thing--for there's more bad news for Davis in the poll. Davis insists that there's no connection between human activity and climate change. Find out what those surveyed thought the government's position should be.

As we noted at the beginning of this post, we'll be hearing a lot about this poll in the coming days--and we suspect that much of it will be digested and spun out as more horse apples in the First. Go read it and be informed.