A Bluestem Prairie

Wednesday morning digest: finding a vein edition

At Minnesota Central, the ever-insightful McPherson Hall writes in Davis Poll Reveals Challenger’s Threat:

Dr. Brian Davis, Republican candidate for Minnesota’s First District, has commissioned a  poll that reveals incumbent Congressman Tim Walz with a commanding 50-32 lead.

The obvious question is why did Davis waste his money on a poll . . .[Ollie's note: we think the NRCC may have wasted some of its money on the poll too]

Let’s look at what Walz has going for him.

Being a former high school teacher, Walz used his “ student council ” to energize the district in 2006 and with 22% of the state’s population being between 18-29; this bodes well for Walz in 2008.

Walz has gotten the endorsement   from the NRA.  Statewide 41.7 households are gun owners.

Walz was a prime proponent in the passage of the Farm Bill (despite a veto from President Bush). The First District is primarily a rural district. Davis’ performance during the FarmFest debate was less than stellar as the crowd seemed to enjoy Walz’s defense of his support for farmers using wit and knowledge to his advantage.

Walz has listened to Veterans and brought their issues to the forefront during his first term. 10.5% of Minnesota’s households have a veteran.

Statewide, there are more DFLers (Dems) (38% in 2004) than Republicans (35%) leaving 27% as Independents. The inference is that Walz is getting support from Independents while Davis hasn’t even gotten all the Republicans ( not surprising when State Senator Dick Day amassed a third of the votes in the recent primary election. )

Over at the Post Bulletin, Matt Stolle comes as close as any journalist to drinking the Kool-Aid for Brian Davis, though even he doesn't swallow in Davis says recent poll is good news, Walz camp disagrees.

For an example of a reporter who raised this story beyond the "one said--the other said" level, we recommend that readers check out Mark Fischenich's Six weeks left, Walz leads Davis from yesterday's Mankato Free Press.  Fischenich went beyond barbs tossed back and forth, and compared an independent poll from 2006 with Davis's internal poll from this cycle. It's quite revealing.

The PB's Stolle begins:

Republican challenger Brian Davis is pointing to a new poll released by his campaign as a sign of DFL Congressman Tim Walz's growing vulnerability in a race with 42 days to go.

That survey shows Walz now polling at 50 percent, a four-point drop from a previous poll conducted a month earlier, even as Davis rose in the polls over the same period, from 27 percent to 32 percent.

The 50-percent mark is often seen as a red line by political analysts below which an incumbent is considered to be in possibly dangerous territory. But the poll still shows Walz with a significant 50 percent to 32 percent lead over the Mayo Clinic doctor. [emphasis added]

He ends:

So far, Walz, at least in the eyes of political analysts, looks to be in a comfortable position. The Cook Political Report, for instance, ranks the race as "likely Democratic." That means the seat is not considered competitive, but has the potential to become engaged.

Somewhere in the middle:

The data also suggests that if voters were given the choice between a Republican and a Democrat for Congress on a generic ballot, 44 percent would prefer a Democrat, while 39 percent would prefer a Republican, with 16 percent undecided. Given the margin of error, that makes the seat a toss-up, the pollsters at the Tarrance Group say.

Ah yes. The hypothetical "seat" is a toss-up. Here's where the bait and switch happens. The actual race according to the poll (if we're to accept a sample of 300 with a MOE of 5.8)?

But the poll still shows Walz with a significant 50 percent to 32 percent lead over the Mayo Clinic doctor.

As Walz's campaign manager pointed out:

But the Walz camp argues otherwise. Schmitter says Davis is not even polling as high as what a generic Republican is getting in the district.

The GOP likes to claim that the First is "conservative", and yet the Davis/NRCC poll shows that it's a statistical dead heat between Obama and McCain:

The poll shows GOP Sen. John McCain with a 45 percent-to-43 percent edge over Democratic Sen. Barack Obama, with 9 percent undecided. That ranks it as a toss-up, given the poll's 5.8 percent margin of error.

Davis's poll should not bring smiles to elephant faces. For DFLers, it should provide an extra incentive to get out, door knock and call. The district is not only Walz's for the taking, it may finally have turned blue on the Presidential level as well.

This isn't entirely surprising. Not only did Walz and Klobuchar win in 2006, but more DFLers represent the district in the state legislature than do Republicans. Nationally, OBama is polling better in rural areas than Kerry, Craig Crawford writes in Obama's Amazing Rural Opportunity.

Back at Minnesota Central, McPherson Hall thinks that Republicans may be more motivated, while Walz supporters will be lulled into complacency by the numbers Davis released: 

Walz’ main challenge is still APATHY. Voters may feel comfortable with Walz and not bother showing up at the polls. Conversely, the Republicans have reasons to be motivated. The anti-Obama crowd is further re-enforced by the anti-Franken voters. With the potential of budget problems at the state level where, all House seats are on the ballot, the Republicans will want to have their voices heard. The First District voted for Republicans solidly in 2004 and may do so again.
 
Davis’ publishing of this poll may have more of an impact to suppress Walz voters and give Davis a squeaker victory. Be warned … Apathy is the real challenger.

You heard the man. If you're looking to have progressive values take the day in November, get off your duff and volunteer for Walz (and Obama, Franken and state house candidates--the coordinated DFL sign up is here) and contribute as well to make sure Congressman Walz can keep getting his message to voters.

Tell them the heifer sent you.

In more serious news, it doesn't look like Minnesota's congressional delegation is going to write Bush  a blank check to bailout those Wall Street fat cats who gamed the financial system into its present dismal state while engorging their own wealth. The PiPress reports in Bush rescue proposal falls flat among Minnesotans:

Minnesota's political leaders flatly reject President Bush's call for an unrestricted $700 billion financial bailout. 

But fearing economic calamity, many remain open to some type of costly financial bailout — provided it includes tougher regulation, limits exorbitant Wall Street salaries and gives taxpayers a stake in rescued companies.

For the First:

First District: Republican Brian Davis, challenging Rep. Tim Walz, said he'd be "very unlikely" to support any bailout.

"Seems to me that Congress and the administration have hit the panic button, and this could result in a 20-year problem," he said.

Note how Davis blames Congress first for a proposal that's coming from the White House. This from a guy who, when interviewed by the Fillmore County Journal in late July, compared George W. Bush with Harry Truman.

The PiPress continues:

Walz issued a statement that didn't say whether he'd support or reject a bailout plan, but he did urge caution and said he hoped to protect middle-class Americans.

"We've seen before what happens when Congress allows itself to be backed into a corner by President Bush and forced to make a hasty decision with long-term consequences," Walz said. "We need answers before Congress votes on the bailout."

Given the quality of the answers the administration has given in the past, we hope Walz stays skeptic, and shows more of the spine he grew in this year's FISA votes.

The MinnPost reports Bailout package a slam-dunk? Far from it, state's bipartisan delegation says. KEYC-TV reports Pawlenty 'Reluctant Supporter' of Wall Street Bailout. Oh, good. CQ Politics asks: Bailout Bill: An Election Season 'Stink Bomb?'

October 2 may provide an opportunity to learn more about where the candidates stand on the bailout, when they meet for the first time since Worthington's King Turkey Day. Those who wish to attend the first Walz-Davis debate should register here. Sponsored by the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, the cost is $20 for RACC members and $30 for all others. The focus: 

The debate will allow our membership an opportunity to hear first-hand where the candidates stand on the national issues of importance to the business community.

The debate will take place from noon - 1:30 p.m. Ramada Hotel & Conference Center; 1517 16th St. SW.

Veterans Today picks up on a Partnership for Veterans Health Care Budget Reform press release in Historic Legislation To End Delays in Veterans Health Care Funding. The Walz nugget:

American Legion National Commander David K. Rehbein, also speaking for the Partnership, praised the bill’s bipartisan cosponsors: Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Russ Feingold (D-WI), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Tim Johnson (D-SD), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), John Thune (R-SD), Ted Stevens (R-AK), and John Rockefeller (D-WV in the Senate; Congressmen Walter Jones (R-NC), Michael Michaud (D-ME), Phil Hare (D-IL), and Tim Walz (D-MN) in the Senate.  “We applaud all of the bill’s sponsors who have taken the lead in Congress to create a lasting legacy for our veterans by reforming the budget process to ensure that veterans health care funding is sufficient, timely and predictable,” Rehbein said.

The new legislation, called the “Veterans Health Care Budget Reform Act,” would authorize advance appropriations for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care programs one year in advance of the start of the fiscal year, an idea favored by more than 80 percent of American voters, according to a survey released today by the Disabled American Veterans.

The House OKs plan for Great Lakes water to stay put. The bill passed 390-25. We'd like to know what was on Representative McCollum's mind when she voted against it--the only member of Minnesota's delegation to do so.

Last night on the Daily Show, former President Clinton talked about how concentrating investment in housing and mortgages in the early part of this decade helped led to the mess Wall Street is in now. He suggested that investment in new technologies and renewable energy would have left the nation stronger. The Mankato Free Press editorial board thinks it's still the time to Nurture renewable energy.

At the Mountain Lake Observer/Butterfield Advocate, editor Kris Langland looks at the economy in Which cut is deepest?

Our favorite Minuteman, Ron Branstner, held another immigration reduction meeting in Austin last week according to the Austin Herald's Media, Austin history discussed at immigration forum. A taste:

There were mirrors, but no smoke at Thursday night’s forum on immigration issues at Oak Park Mall.

Less than 30 people attended the forum in the mirrored community meeting room.

The two-hour session began with the playing of a video, which most people ignored. . . .

Since Brian Davis thinks (well, at least back in late July when he was chasing the Republican base) that Bush can be compared to Truman, we close with the Daily Show's John Oliver presenting a somewhat different analogy:

Open Secrets: Grassroots support in Minnesota's First

Looking for information about support for Congressman Walz's re-election or for his challenger from the First District's significant medical community, we came across some startling statistics about contributions in the race at Open Secrets.

We've noted before that Davis's supporters have contracted Davis Misinformation Syndrome. Severe cases of the disorder cause sufferers to engage in wishful thinking and to pen letters to local editors in which they claim Davis enjoys the greatest grassroots support as well as the highest dollar amount and number of individual contributions.

Open Secrets reveals how misled that thinking is:

Instruction on HOW TO READ THIS TABLE from the site:

"Candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives typically get the majority of their campaign dollars from donors within their home state. Senate candidates show a variety of patterns, depending on the size of the state and the wealth of its economic base. Candidates in states like New York, California and Texas may get most of their money from their constituents, while those in the most sparsely populated states may get nearly all their money from out of state.

As a general rule, incumbents get more out-of-state money than challengers, a reflection of their status as members of Congress and the wider circles in which they travel. Challengers and newcomers are rarely well known outside their state, so their ability to raise funds beyond their district is more limited."

The giving patterns to Walz go against that pattern: fully 90 percent of the large individual contributions ($200 and over) are from Minnesota, contrasting with Davis's 69 percent.  Where the money is coming from inside Minnesota also varies: Walz's top zip code is Rochester (55902) which gave $47,082 to Walz; for Davis, it's $31,950 from Wayzata (55391).

A resident of Mankato, Walz has banked $85,232 from the metropolitan Rochester area, while Rochester resident Davis has received slightly less than half of that at $37,747.  These figures all reflect giving as of September 2.

As of July 28, the same employer for individual large contributors (Mayo Clinic) tops each man's list, but the contrast there is even more pointed. Walz, a public school teacher, received $37,320 from Mayo Clinic employees, while Davis, now on-leave from Mayo, received only $12,101. [We'll be adding in figures from the pre-primary reports, but a cursory glance suggests that there won't be much change unless we deviate from the Center for Responsive Politics' methodology and throw Davis's self-funding into the mix. As it is, it looks like three out of four doctors' dollars have gone to Walz's cash-on-hand].

Davis's supporters also like to whine about how Walz supposedly receives most of his contributions from PACs, though Open Secret's Total Raised and Spent page reveals a different picture.

Actually, 59 percent, or $1,349,132, of Walz's war chest has come from individual contributors, while 69 percent ($489,326) of Davis's funds are from individuals. Walz received 33 percent, or $767,396 from PACs, while Davis's next largest source of cash was his own self funding at 26 percent or $187,360.

And apparently, Open Secrets didn't count Davis's re-paying, then re-loaning himself $124,000 in that accounting. It does make a difference in how one views the take reported by Open Secret v. those at the FEC. Open Secrets's page lists Davis's fundraising take at $714,200 while those looking at the FEC pre-primary report are greeted with the figure of $838,203.44 for the cycle. The FEC figure certainly looks more superficially impressive.

Want to make sure Tim Walz keeps his grassroots edge? Consider contributing here by September 30, and signing up to volunteer during the final weeks of the campaign.

DCCC and NRCC monthly reports filed: MN-01 not on radar

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) and the National Republican Congressional Committee's (NRCC) September filings are detailing fundraising and campaign spending for August.

The DCCC reported $5,102,876.08 in receipts, with $53,967,367.68 cash on hand at the end of August, while the NRCC reported $3,444,445.72 in receipts, with $14,387,928.49 cash remaining at the end of the month.

In their filings, neither party's congressional committee reported any itemized disbursements, independent expenditures or itemized coordinated expenditures  for August that were explicitly allocated to Minnesota's First.

On another note, both Walz television ads continue to air on broadcast and cable. Brian Davis's only ad so far was for the September 9 primary--now ten days back.  Perhaps leading cheers at a rally  and sitting three rows back in Blaine will do the trick.

Meanwhile, maybe Davis should be back in the First, "clarifying" the language on his website. The Mankato Free Press reported:

Rep. Tim Walz's campaign assembled a handful of local Democrats Thursday to attack challenger Brian Davis' statements on Medicare.

     Their refrain: Davis wants to weaken Medicare, and Walz wants to protect it.

     The fodder: a statement on Davis' campaign Web site.

     In full, it reads, " We need to address Social Security and Medicare and the burden they place on the American job creator." The comment appears in a section dedicated to job creation.

     This, state Rep. Ruth Johnson said in a press release, " sounds like Dr. Davis plans to cut Medicare."

     Davis, a Mayo Clinic physician, called that a mischaracterization, saying he wants to maintain or increase Medicare coverage while keeping the price stable or lowering it.

     He did acknowledged the passage on his Web site could use some clarification. Medicare's future is important, a pair of local seniors at the press event said.

     Joan Cattrysse and Sally Coomes, both Walz volunteers, said they rely on the federal program to keep health-care affordable. Congress has addressed Medicare several times during the past few years.

     In early 2007, Walz voted for a bill requiring the federal government to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices. It failed to pass the Senate.

     Wynn Kearney, a Mankato orthopedic surgeon, said the bill instead forbids the government from such negotiations, effectively raising drug prices.

     Earlier this year, Walz voted to reverse a decision to cut the rate at which Medicare reimburses physicians by 10.6 percent. Such a cut may have discouraged doctors from participating in the program. . . .

"Clarification"?  This guy may not have a been a career politician, but he's certainly made a quick study to become one.

Hot or not? MN-01 and independent expenditures

Update 9/16: We had noted in the post below that Davis had run an ad on cable, and in another post, that he had yet to make a broadcast television/cable buy as of last Thursday. In today's post, Back to the future: more brilliance from Doc Davis, we observe how a link dated yesterday makes it appear to the casual visitor that Davis has a television ad running. Click on the link, however, and it's just the same old misleading cable ad asking for votes in the Sept. 9 Republican primary. Paging Dr. Emmett Brown! [end update]

One index of a race's "hotness" is the coin national committees and  sympathetic allies allocate to the contest.

Witness these posts at MnPublius and Minnesota Campaign Report about ads the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) created and aired in the toss-up between Iraq War vet Ash Madia and conservative Republican Erik Paulsen. According to MNCR, the national committees are allowed to spend "about $82,000" on coordinated expenses with each candidate campaign committee, and the NRCC (the "Rebublican" committee according to the ad) is spending its coordinated funds on the air.

There's also been an independent expenditure mailing for Madia and against Paulsen by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC).

The GOP likes to talk up the race in the First as highly competitive. Have it put its money where its mouth is? How do things look in Southern Minnesota compared to the race in the suburban Third?

We're not finding a lot of activity for this district in the FEC's databases for independent expenditures and electioneering communication ads from national groups.  Overall, the allies of either side are not investing enormous sums in the district that we can tell. The action has been focused so far on the candidate committees themselves.

We're a curious what kind of cash Davis has on hand following his primary win over Senator Day. How much did he spend between August 20 and September 9?

Davis bought time on cable channels with an ad directed toward primary voters and a number of mailings went out from the campaign, our friends in the district say. At the end of the pre-primary filing period that ended on August 20, Davis's campaign had $311,084 in hand, with debts of $125,576, nearly all of it incurred from loans the candidate made to his own campaign. Without the latest loan, the campaign would have looked moribund, as it took in only $95,397.50 in contributions between July 1 and August 20.

The Republican Party of Minnesota spent $9035.76 on September 3 for designing, mailing, and printing material on Davis's behalf. It spent $3739.50 on GOTV phone calls on September 7 on Davis's behalf. That's a total of $12,775.26 of independent expenditures on the part of the RPM for Davis so far in the cycle. The NRCC didn't pump any large contributions that showed up in the pre-primary report or in 48-hour reports.

We'll be curious to see what the monthly reports from both the NRCC and DCCC reveal about coordinated spending in MN-01. The reports come out on September 20.

Walz is airing a second television ad, and reportedly has reserved time on stations and cable across the district. His campaign had $1,263,829 cash on hand on August 20 and no debts. During the pre-primary period between July 1 and August 20, Walz received $246,831.45 from his chief committee and $2900.00 from an authorized committee, for a total of $249,731.45.

Independent expenditures on Walz's behalf? We searched reports filed with the FEC.  The SEIU reported printing and mailing on Walz's behalf was done on August 25 and paying canvas staff and expenses on September 1.  The union's political committee put the bulk of its money toward independent grassroots organizing.

The current reporting period ends on September 30, with reports due on October 15. Because of the late date of Minnesota's primary, the "October Quarterly" reports that the state's federal candidates have to file will cover contributions and spending from August 21 to the end of September.

Our understanding is that many important funding decisions by the parties, caucus committees and other independent groups are made by looking at the races on October 15, and they'll be combing the pre-primary reports with the report for the filing period that ends on the 30th.

Right now, Walz enjoys a healthy cash on hand lead as well as the $250,000 to $95,000 contribution edge.

If you want to make sure that Walz continues to keep that edge, please contribute here by September 30. And remember, a grassroots-style campaign doesn't live on air time alone: volunteer for Walz's campaign here.

Mankato Free Press: wind at Walz's back in post-primary stretch

The Mankato Free Press reports in Democrats have lead in post-primary push:

Democrats were faster out of the gates, at least in Mankato, as the post-primary push toward the Nov. 4 general election began.

At Minnesota State University, several dozen students and staff gathered around the podium on the campus mall when Democratic Senate nominee Al Franken started talking about his plan to provide a $5,000 tax credit for families with a kid in college. . . .

. . .The other post-primary Democratic event Wednesday involved state Rep. Terry Morrow, DFL-St. Peter, and Chris Schmitter, campaign manager for Congressman Tim Walz.

The event outside the freshman congressman’s Riverfront Drive campaign office focused on the comment last week by Brian Davis, the Republican nominee against Walz, that a bipartisan energy bill sponsored by Walz was “too complicated.”

“People across southern Minnesota think it’s the way to go,” Schmitter said, noting that Minnesota’s two most conservative members of Congress — Rep. Michele Bachmann and Rep. John Kline — are among the 131 co-sponsors of the bill.

Morrow, a college professor, praised the plan, which would allow expanded offshore oil drilling and use $1 trillion in projected oil company royalty payments to invest in renewable energy and conservation. He said he’d be disappointed if his students rejected something simply because of its complexity. . . .

KTTC covers the Rochester version of the event in this news clip article with video. (Update: a number of readers have complained about the ads that start KTTC news clips, so we'd going to stop embedding them. end update)

After Davis's attack ad was called out by the Winona Daily News and Mankato Free Press for being misleading, it's entertaining to hear him talk about how he'll move on to issues. Will that chatter be more substantial than his brilliant career as a nuclear engineer or his truly exceptional community service as Olmsted County Republican treasurer?

KEYC-TV covers the Mankato rally here at Walz Supporters Rally for Energy Plan. Chris Schmitter is tall.

Congressman Peyerson, chair of the House Ag committee, has broken with Speaker Pelosi to join Walz in supporting the bill. Will other Minnesota DFLers serving in the House decide to follow Peterson? Stay tuned.

Congressman Walz will be a speaker at a Green Jobs Town Hall meeting at  10 a.m. on Saturday morning at the 49ers (Operating Engineers) Hall at , though he'll have to head to Worthington ( about 2 hours away) in order to make his MC duel with Davis at King Turkey Day at 1 p.m. 

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 town hall is definitely worth readers' time. W offer the friendly suggestion that the Blue Green Alliance should  put a picture from Minnesota's own wind industry on its fliers--those foothills in the background don't look like any part of the state we've been in.

Given that Minnesota is high on the list of wind industry states and Southern Minnesota's technical schools have training programs for renewable energy workers, it shouldn't be hard to find a nice local snapshot.

Photo (top): Walz campaign manager Chris Schmitter speaking in Rochester; photo from KTTC site. Congressman Walz spoke via satellite, since Congress has reconvened.

For those who enjoy positive ads, here's Walz's second once again (help the Walz campaign keep this and others on the air by contributing to the congressman's re-election committee; since a grassroots camapign doesn't run on bread alone, sign up to volunteer here):   

Ron Carey: Bark, bark, bark, bark, bark, bark

In Don't underestimate Davis, Republican Party leader say, Republican Party of Minnesota Chair Ron Carey barks that people who have underestimated Brian Davis have lived to regret it.

So far, that group of people includes just members of his own party.

Maybe all that regret was why the candidate only took in $95,000 in contributions during the pre-primary reporting period. Davis had to institute a very special revolving loan fund--to loan his campaign $124,000 again--to make sure his cash on hand was only mildly anemic.

Walz's campaign manager responded to Carey's woofing about southern Minnesota values:

Walz spokesman Chris Schmitter dismissed Carey's criticism, saying Walz has proven himself to be a "common sense, pragmatic leader who works across the aisle to get things done for middle class families."

Schmitter noted a recent endorsement that Walz received from the National Rifle Association, a traditionally conservative organization. He also cited a bipartisan energy plan that Walz helped write and that has been supported by Republicans such as Reps. Michele Bachmann and John Kline as further evidence of his centrist orientation.

Maybe that's why the Walz campaign took in over $248,000 in contributions during the pre-primary reporting period.

Help the Walz campaign take his Republican opponent seriously by contributing and volunteering for the congressman's re-election. 

Update: The Post Bulletin's editorial board says Primaries set stage for interesting campaigns. Show your interest by contributing and volunteering for Tim Walz's re-election. 

Image: Artist rendition of a Ron Carey statement to the press.

How green was their envy; or, did Brian Davis "raise a lot of money" at the RNC?

Back in April, we noted that Real Clear Politics outlined this scenario about Republican fundraising in the First:

They will face each other in the primary in September. The winner will face a steep climb against Walz in November, but the Republican National Convention could provide the victor a good opportunity to raise a lot of money.

At the time, we pointed out that the primary came after the convention, so the "victor" in Tuesday's primary wasn't the one who'd be raising money at the RNC.

The Owatonna People's Press reported that Senator Day wasn't invited to the convention (and the paper criticized the RNC for snubbing Day), while other outlets mentioned that, while not speaking at the main event, Davis would be hanging around in walk-on role, including cameos at a couple of fundraisers for BFF Michele Bachmann. Davis brags that he was told that the race is moving up the NRCC's radar, but no money was promised. Okay then.

Indeed, one of Davis's district supporters, ultra-conservative "Quist Republican" Neil Breitbarth, sent a LTE to papers bragging on how other delegates on the GOP's platform committee envied pachyderms in Minnesota's First because of the total awesomeness of their candidate.

How green was that envy?

It's a fair line of inquiry to ask whether the convention offered Davis an opportunity to "a good opportunity to raise a lot of money."  Because we are in the primary season, all contributions of $1000 are required to be publicly reported within 48 hours [pdf file], and the public can thus learn who is giving "a lot of money." 

So let's take a look at Davis's 48 hour notices and see how he cleaned up at the RNC and related fund-raising events. The convention ran from  September 1-4. What large contributions did Davis receive? There's one 48-hour report of a contribution made during that period. The Associated Builders and Contractors gave Davis $5000 on September 3.

To put this in context, let's look at 48-hour reports from other Minnesota Republican congressional candidates during the convention.Second district congressman John Kline reported $6000 in a September 3 filing and $5000 in a September 5 filing.  Michele Bachmann recieved $23,000 from 11 contributors in a report filed on.

But the leader of the pack (or should that be PACs) was Erik Paulsen, who's defending the open "Ramstad" seat from the talents, charisma and fundraising prowess of Marine Iraq War veteran Ash Madia. in a September 3 filing, Paulsen's committee reported taking in $18,500. A September 6 filing reports $10,800 coming in on September 4 (from a larger total of $42,100.00).

How green is that envy of Brian Davis, candidate? Not especially.  But he did get his picture taken with Michele and Mittens at the swank University Club on Summit Avenue.

Postscript: For those Davis fans who would protest that Davis's financial support comes from small, grassroots contributions: um, not really.

While the definition of small contribution differs between the 48 hour report ($1000), the regular FEC reporting (with $200 being the threshhold), it's instructive to note that Davis has only taken in about $68,230 in small contributions for the entire cycle. (Day has reported $53,733 in small contributions).

Davis's sum of small contributions for the entire cycle is less than what Congressman Walz took in from small contributors during the three months covered by the Q2 2008 report ($97,617) and Q12008 ($88,537). Indeed, it's not much more than Walz's take in the shorter pre-primary 2008 report ($62,076).

Pre-primary report: Glen Menze had $587.07 cash on hand on August 20

Endorsed 7th District Republican Menze's pre-primary filing is now available here. Menze took in $4906 and spent $5409.48, with $587.07 cash on hand. Of the receipts, $3870 came from the candidate, $561 from individual contributors and $476.00 from political committees. His committee has taken in $7226.

Menze faces a primary challenge from Alan Roebke. Roebke has not filed any documents with the FEC. Federal congressional candidates are not required to do so if they have raised less than $5000.00.

The winner of the primary will face incumbent Collin Peterson, chair of the House Agriculture Committee. Peterson had $593578.80 at the end of the reporting period.

No pre-primary report is yet on file for Cummins for Congress in MN-08, now held by DFLer Jim Oberstar.

No new documents have been added to the FEC's list of filings by Barbara Davis White, who received a failure to file notice at the end of August. White is challenging freshman Democratic representative Keith Ellison in Minnesota's Fifth.

In the Fourth, held by DFLer Betty McCollum since 2000, Republican candidate Ed Matthews raised $26,100 in the pre-primary filing period.

No wonder, then, with FEC reporting like that, that the First is seen as more competitive for Republicans than the other four congressional seats held by Minnesota's Democrats. Endorsed MN-01 Republican candidate Brian Davis raised about $95,000 during the same period, and instituted a revolving loan fund, paying back $124,000 he had loaned his campaign, then loaning it back to the campaign on August 20, the end of the filing period. Senator Day gleaned $16,867.00.

Congressman Walz took in receipts of over $255,000 and had $1.2 million cash on hand on August 20.

As a side note, no additional filings have been posted at the site for the Independence Party candidate on the ballot in the First, Greg Mikkelson.

In Minnesota's Sixth, Democratic challenger El Tinklenberg took in $156085.30 during the pre-primary period, while incumbent freshman Republican Michele Bachmann had a haul of  $250601.41 in total receipts. In the Second, incumbent John Kline enjoyed $113846.24 in total receipts compared to $77226.81 taken in by Democratic hopeful Steve Sarvi.

The hottest fundraising action happened in the race for the open seat in Minneosta's Third. DFLer Ashwin Madia raked in $352889.62 total receipts, compared to Republican Erik Paulsen's $320379.52 total receipts.

Photo: Congressman Tim Walz.

Wednesday morning digest: the big schmooze edition

The Albert Lea Tribune runs with a letter from Congressman Walz, Ignore finger-pointing and ask real questions:

If there’s one thing Minnesotans don’t need from their politicians, it’s more finger-pointing and political slogans. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what state Sen. Dick Day gave the readers of the Albert Lea Tribune on Aug. 24.

I ran for Congress in 2006 because I was fed up with the partisan bickering. In Washington, from the farm bill to the G.I. Bill, I have worked with members of both parties to forge common-sense solutions to the problems facing the people of my district. I spend my time back home traveling hundreds of miles across southern Minnesota and talking to folks about their hopes and concerns.

From the economy to energy, I have sponsored good legislation to help middle-class families. My middle-class tax cut will help 61 million Americans. And, I’ve worked with colleagues from both parties on a bipartisan energy bill that increases offshore drilling and uses new royalty payments to finance research and development in clean fuels and speed up our transition to energy independence.

These bills are common-sense solutions to the problems facing ordinary Americans. In fact, Sen. Day himself has said he doesn’t oppose my middle-class tax cut and he’s glad I’m working on the bipartisan energy bill. And groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have endorsed my energy bill, saying it will, “have a meaningful impact on energy prices.”

This campaign season, I encourage you to ignore the political finger-pointing and ask: Which candidates are forging common-sense solutions that work for us? I think you’ll find that on a host of important issues, I’m working for you.

Retired Post Bulletin publisher and editor Bill Boynes writes in his weekly column that  Bipartisan approach to energy should be applauded:

Twenty rank-and-file members of the U.S. House and Senate have staged a "revolt" against the leadership in Congress to create a solution to this country's intractable energy problems.

Rep. Tim Walz of the 1st District in Minnesota is part of the group, which includes 10 Democrats and 10 Republicans. They have drafted legislation that would generate trillions of dollars for useful public purposes and would speed the country's transition to wholesale use of renewable energy.

The group is known as the House Bipartisan Energy Working Group. Rep. Walz has also filed a separate bill that would abolish the costly annual subsidies that are now bestowed on Exxon and other leading oil corporations. It is part of a tax cut bill for middle class Americans. Ending those subsidies would be a historic achievement. Those companies -- the most profitable corporations in the U.S. -- have received $500 billion in subsidies in recent years.

The Working Group acted as a result of frustration over the inability of the leaders in both parties to reach a compromise over offshore drilling for oil and other energy issues. The Bipartisan Energy Group hopes that its proposals will have such a strong public appeal that they will persuade the congressional leaders to take positive action. . . .

. . .Walz and other members of the group should be congratulated for finding a unique way to bypass a partisan deadlock and serve the public interest. The full House and Senate should approve the program without delay.

Speaking of energy, the Mankato Free Press reports Walz, Franken visit Wagon Wheel, a classic cafe in Mankato:

Al Franken and U.S. Rep. Tim Walz came to the Wagon Wheel cafe looking for what Walz described as the lost middle class.

They found several, who said their conditions, which would have once brought a comfortable middle-class life, now bring stress, extra jobs and economic instability. . . .

Go read the details at the Free Press.  The Wagon Wheel is a fixture in Mankato--we remember having breakfast there with our parents when we were a little girl, and we're no spring heifer.

The Republican letter war continues. In the Caledonia Argus, former state representative Michelle Rifenberg of LaCrescent asks readers to "Vote for the strongest candidate in primary", while a shorter version of Rev. Ibisch's letter appears. The negative material against Day has been removed from Ibisch's letter in the Argus, but appears in the Spring Grove Herald's version, so we're speculating the Argus editors removed the attack. The Herald has also published Rifenberg's LTE in support of Day. A Davis supporter in Pipestone touts his man--and that brilliant fulltime engineering career (not that the LTE writer lets on that it lasted all of eight months)--while saying that "bad politicians" get elected if voters stay home.  The Winona Day News carries the Rifenberg and Breitbarth letters.

Davis is hanging out in St. Paul. The Post-Bulletin gives him a mention:

Brian Davis, the GOP candidate for Congress in the First Congressional District, addressed the Minnesota delegation on Tuesday and later met with GOP House Minority Whip Roy Blunt of Missouri.

Davis said Blunt inquired about the state of the campaign. While Blunt did not offer any specific pledges of support, Davis said the race is rising higher on the Republican National Congressional Committee's radar screen.

Must be Davis's $95,000 of fund-raising and revolving loan fund that's doing the trick. Read the details in Brian Davis's nomentum; or, the loan that won't die.

The Owatonna People's Press reports the naughty Dick Day sits out from national convention to campaign. The article begins:

Dick Day has been shut out.

Sen. Day, the Owatonna Republican and former state Senate minority leader, was supposed to be in St. Paul this week to attend the Republican National Convention. Instead he decided to continue campaigning in the First District during the convention.

Though he remains a well-known in Republican circles around Minnesota, Day was not invited to address the state’s delegates Tuesday morning.  . . .

. . .But not being invited to come up to St. Paul didn’t offend Day. In fact, as of Tuesday he decided to bypass the national convention this week so he could continue to campaign in the First District.

Day said he wouldn’t feel unwelcome at the convention despite a rift between he and state party leaders.

“Nobody has told me to stay away,” Day said. “I’m not a delegate, so I didn’t expect to speak. I just don’t have the time right now.”

Day is staying in the disitrict and camapigning. Brian Davis? No surprise:

Davis, on the other hand, was in St. Paul Tuesday to speak to delegates from Minnesota during a breakfast session.

“This is a big event to have the national convention here in St. Paul, so we didn’t want to pass that up,” Davis said.

Today, Davis will take advantage of the state GOP’s support of his candidacy when he participates in some fundraising with former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich in St. Paul.

Feel the Excitement, the Locust of Evil asks. Bluestem Prairie has obtained exclusive footage of the event the high-flying Davis couldn't pass up:

Barbara Davis White pre-primary report: failure to file

Last week, we posted about pre-primary reports from major party candidates in all eight Minnesota congressional districts.  Congressional candidates usually file electronically, making reports quickly accessible to the public. 

Pre-primary reports for Greg Mikkelson (MN01--IP), Barbara Davis White (MN05-R), Glenn Menze (MN07-R) and Michael Cummins (MN08-R) are not available in the electronic filing database, so we thought we move to the larger database of all filings here. Perhaps reports for the candidates who had filed statements of candidacy with the FEC might be found there. (An image of Menze's 2Q 2008 filing, for instance, is accessible via the larger database).

No reports have been placed online for any of the candidates, but we did find a notice of failure to file sent to Barbara Davis White's campaign.

A gif of the letter is posted on this page.

From Winona to Pipestone: Minneapolis's new suburbia?

A National Journal headline caught our eye: House Races Heat Up Twin Cities when it Mr. Google sent it our way.  Given that headline, we figured we'd be reading about the red-hot race in MN-03 that Ash Madia is running, with a dash of the Mr. El and Michele show.  The lead looked promising [emphasis added]:

The presidential race isn't the only contest heating up the Twin Cities. No less than three congressional races in Minneapolis and its outlying suburbs are competitive this year, and they offer a microcosm of the national political landscape. . .

Cool, we thought. Steve Sarvi as well.

. . .In one contest, the parties are battling over an open seat; in another, a Republican incumbent is fending off a tough Democratic challenge; and in the third, a Democratic incumbent is on the defensive.

That puzzled us, then we laughed out loud to learn that this Twin Cities suburban district is none other than our beloved Southern Minnesota:

Meanwhile, two area House freshmen are facing big challenges come Election Day. In the 1st District, which includes the southernmost part of the state, Democratic Rep. Tim Walz has drawn a serious challenger. Walz upset six-term Republican Rep. Gil Gutknecht two years ago, 53 percent to 47 percent.

Articles like this make us happy that the National Geographic Education Foundation gave Congressman Walz the  "Geography Legislator of the Year" in honor of his "commitment to promoting improved geographic literacy." The National Journal needs some geography lessons.

The First isn't a suburban district that "includes the southernmost part of the state," dear National Journal staff, it is the southern tier of counties.  It's not a suburb of Minneapolis, however outlying it might be.

We're also wondering why the staff thought this race is a "big challenge":

This time, his likely Republican challenger is Brian Davis, an oncologist at the Mayo Clinic, who won the state party's endorsement in March. However, state Sen. Dick Day, who lost out on the GOP nod, is still hoping to defeat Davis in next week's primary. Both emphasize their conservative principles and a desire to restrain Washington spending. Although Walz's district leans Republican, The Cook Political Report has rated this race "likely Democratic."

Pretty much every other political handicapper has done so as well, with the exception of CQ Politics, which puts it in the "leans Democratic" column. (The Mankato Free Press's Mark Fischenich put together a good review of the rankings last week; see the material under the subheading "A competitive race").

We also suspect that rankings for the seat may possibly change in Walz's favor, given both Brian Davis and Dick Day's miserable fundraising performance, documented by their recent pre-primary filings at the FEC. Even with the GOP's endorsement, Davis could barely crack $95,000 in individual contributions, party funds and PAC contributions, while the maverick senator Day took in close to $17,000. As we observed in Brian Davis's nomentum; or, the loan that won't die, Davis has to re-loan $124,000 to his campaign to push his cash-on-hand above $300,000 (it would have been under $200,000 without the candidate's cash).

Incumbent Walz reported around $250,000 (two-thirds from individual contributors), putting his August 20 cash on hand at $1,263,829. By that date, Walz's grassroots army of volunteers had knocked on 60,000 doors and made 100,000 phone calls.

The district media is also questioning Davis about claims made in his first cable ad (see articles in Mankato and Winona).

The "big challenge" here maybe the geographically challenged media itself. We recommend that the DC press corps come out to Southern Minnesota and check it out: Rochester's booming medical metropolis, the growing sustainability movement in Southeastern Minnesota's driftless area, the hopping college towns of Winona, Mankato, and St. Peter, the wind industry gleaning power from the very air across district, the Mayberry-esque small towns,  the packing towns of Austin and Worthington, the history. . .

And some of the best beer in the country from Schell's in New Ulm. Two hours away from the airport--pick a designated driver, please. 

Photo: Our mom's hometown of Madelia, Pride of the Prairie, and Minneapolis's newest outlying suburb.

Friday morning news digest: Obama speech edition

Congressman Walz, a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention, endorsed Barack Obama after the Illinois senator was the favorite of First District DFL caucus goers. Several sources are reporting on Walz's reaction to Obama's acceptance speech. 

The National Journal writes in Obama Makes His Case For Change:

The warm-up speakers who most energized the crowd were a series of "average Americans" who described exactly how they feel they've been failed by the Bush administration. America needs a president who puts "Barney Smith before SmithBarney," said Marion, Ind., plant worker Barney Smith to a roar of appreciative laughter. Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn., said including work-a-day Americans was "brilliant."

In Minn. delegates welcome Obama nomination, MPR reports:

Minnesota Democratic Congressmen Tim Walz and Keith Ellison were just as effusive [as delegate Hussein Samatar], if somewhat more succinct.

First Ellison:

"I think he knocked it out of the park."

Then, Walz:

"Fantastic. Exactly what we needed."

Added bonus for Rochester readers: a picture of 18-year-old delegate Sam Hagedorn.  and he blogged about the convention for his college paper. The DC Examiner talked to the American University freshman:

Sam Hagedorn's new classmates are experiencing their very first week of their freshman year at American University. But Hagedorn is missing out on the initiation. At age 18, the Rochester, MN native is a Democratic convention delegate -- and having the time of his life mingling with Democratic Party stars who have long been his heroes. Hagedorn had to navigate four levels of elections -- precinct, county, congressional district, and state -- to earn his delegate spot.

"It's a progressive slate," he told the Examiner. "They believe that all voices should be heard."

Hagedorn first got involved in politics by volunteering at age 16 for the U.S. House campaign of Tim Walz, who won the race and now serves in Congress. He said his political work is well worth missing the first week of school. "The opportunities to learn here at the convention are unmatched anywhere else in the world," he said.

In Obama inspires Minnesota delegation, the Duluth News Tribune reports:

Super-delegate and U.S. Rep. Tim Walz said Obama’s message of shifting the county’s economic policies to favor middle-income Americans will appeal to his southern Minnesota constituents.

“It’s an exciting time and feels like being a part of history in terms of government responding to the people,” Walz said from Invesco Field.

From PB editor Jay Furst's blog post about forthcoming news stories:

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama shook the Mile High City last night, ripping the verbal gloves off in his presidential battle against presumed Republican nominee John McCain and bolstering the message of hope that has fueled his unexpected rise and historic bid to be the nation’s first black president.

“I think he tackled the critics,” said U.S. Rep Tim Walz. “It was a rare event.”

As we write this post, John McCain has chosen Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be his running mate. Thus, this Paul Demko Walz tidbit from the convention has a dated feel. Pam's House Blend posted one of Congressman Walz's quotes from the GLBT caucus meeting. The MinnPost's Doug Grow caught this quip after former Rep. Tim Penny showed up in Denver to tout McCain's presidential bid:

Rep. Tim Walz directed a nifty zinger at Penny when speaking to Minnesota's delegation to the convention Thursday morning.

"I used to say I was one of only two DFLers ever elected to Congress in the 1st District,'' Walz said. "What I saw earlier this week makes me think I'm the only Democrat to represent the ticket.''

The Huffington Post twittered about:

Powerful testimonials and message drills at Boot Camp with DNC Vets & Military Families Council bookended by Tim Walz & Wes Clark.

The Worthington Globe had earlier picked up Walz's work with the convention's rural caucus:

Rural on agenda

Democrats gathered for their national convention continue to hear a message their leaders say too often is overlooked: Rural America -- and its votes -- matter.

Delegate Andrew Falk of western Minnesota said Wednesday he was to attend a forum on rural issues with Minnesota's Klobuchar and U.S. Rep. Tim Walz. Falk said the topic is being discussed all week, not just on Monday when national Democratic Chairman Howard Dean talked of the importance of rural America.

"There is definitely a focus on rural issues," Falk said. "I think in many places around the country they may have felt left behind. That’s one of the focuses – to re-engage rural voters."

We'd missed the KEYC-TV report, Walz Raises $250,000, from May 27, which was confirmed by the committee's pre-primary report. We look at the Day filing here and the Davis filing here.

The filing for Greg Mikkelson, who is on the ballot for the Independence Party but did not seek the IP endorsement, has yet to appear online. In largely self-funded campaigns, Mikkelson has run as a Green (2002), Independence Party (2004) and Republican (2006) candidate. Representative Gil Gutknecht defeated Mikkelson in the 2006 Republican primary, only to be ousted from office by Walz.

Brian Davis's nomentum; or, the loan that won't die

In the short pre-primary period, the Brian Davis campaign took in $95,397.50, $88,798.00 of which were from individual contributions. Of the rest, $2350.00 was from party committees, $1500.00 from PACs, and $2749.50 from the candidate himself.

And then there's the matter of the "revolving" loan.

If we're reading the report correctly, on July 15,  the committee paid back the $124,000 that Davis had loaned to himself. Davis once again loaned the committee $124,000 on August 20.  By this fiscal ring-around-the-rosy, Davis took in $219,407.92 in receipts. (See Line 16 in the detailed summary).

To the naive, that might seem like Davis came close to Walz's total receipts of $255,850.27, but that picture is misleading.

What actually happened was that the endorsed candidate set a goal of $250,000 and missed by $150,000. This failure made the re-establishment of the loan imperative.

Another thing: the committee spent $165,542.0, and owes $1576.50 to vendors. Thus, the committee's cash in hand went from $381,218.72 at the beginning of the period to $311,084.63. 

Without the loan that can't really go away--from Davis's personal funds and a line of credit on his house--the campaign would have $187,084.63 cash on hand, compared to the debt-free Walz committee bank account of $1,263,829.22.

Bottomline: Davis took in $88,798.00 from individuals during this reporting period.

By contrast, Congressman Walz took in $157,664.45 in individual contributions.  We hope we hear a lot less about the grassroots support the Davis campaign is gathering and honest appraisals of the figures in the press.

Davis's detailed summary page:

	Column A This Period	Column B Election Cycle-To-Date	Column C Post-Election
I. RECEIPTS
11. Contributions (other than loans) From:
(a) Individuals/Persons Other than Political Committees
(i) Itemized	67039.00
(ii) Unitemized	21759.00
(iii) Total Of Contributions From Individuals	88798.00	489327.05	0.00
(b) Political Party Commitees	2350.00	15000.00	0.00
(c) Other Political Committees (such as PACS)	1500.00	22500.00	0.00
(d) The Candidate	2749.50	63363.76	0.00
(e) Total Contributions (11(a)(iii) + (b) + (c))	95397.50	590190.81	0.00
12. Transfers From Other Authorized Committees	0.00	0.00	0.00
13. Loans
(a) Made Or Guaranteed By The Candidate	124000.00	248000.00	0.00
(b) All Other Loans	0.00	0.00	0.00
(c) Total Loans ((a) + (b))	124000.00	248000.00	0.00
14. Offsets to Operating Expenditures (Refunds, Rebates, etc)	0.00	0.00	0.00
15. Other Receipts	10.42	12.63	0.00
16. Total Receipts (11(e) + 12 + 13(c) + 14 + 15)	219407.92	838203.44	0.00
II. DISBURSEMENTS
17. Operating Expenditures	165542.01	403018.81	0.00
18. Transfers to Other Authorized Committees	0.00	0.00	0.00
19. Loan Repayments:
(a) Of Loans Made or Guaranteed by the Candidate	124000.00	124000.00	0.00
(b) Of All Other Loans	0.00	0.00	0.00
(c) Total Loan Repayments ((a) + (b))	124000.00	124000.00	0.00
20. Refunds of Contributions To:
(a) Individuals/Persons Other Than Political Committees	0.00	0.00	0.00
(b) Political Party Committees	0.00	0.00	0.00
(c) Other Political Committees (such as PACs)	0.00	0.00	0.00
(d) Total Contribution Refunds  (28(a) + (b) + (c))	0.00	0.00	0.00
21. Other Disbursements	0.00	100.00	0.00
22. Total Disbursements (17 + 18 + 19(c) + 20(d) + 21)	289542.01	527118.81	0.00
III. CASH SUMMARY
23. Cash On Hand At Beginning Of Reporting Period	381218.72
24. Total Receipts This Period (line 16)	219407.92	838203.44	0.00
25. Subtotal (23 + 24)	600626.64
26. Total Disbursements This Period (line 22)	289542.01	527118.81	0.00
27. Cash On Hand At Close Of The Reporting Period (25 - 26)	311084.63

And since bedtime is nigh, a  favorite lullaby from Gorillas:

Senator Day's 2008 pre-primary report: $16867.00

While Senator Day's $16,867 is objectively paltry, the curious fact is that it's over $6,000 more than the $10598.53 he took in during the three-month quarter the ended on June 30.  Spending remained almost the same.

Although Day doesn't have much money, or access to voter files and volunteer lists, he has been able to garner earned media throughout the district and friends who have volunteered for DFL phonebanks tell us he has high name recognition.  Still, he's an underdog with a longshot.

Should he win the primary, this fundraising picture would turn around fast.

Covering Period 07/01/2008 Through 08/20/2008

 

	Column A This Period	Column B Election Cycle-To-Date
6. Net Contributions (other than loans)
(a) Total Contributions (other than loans)	16867.00	230853.46
(b) Total Contribution Refunds	0.00	0.00
(c) Net Contributions (6(a) - 6(b))	16867.00	230853.46
7. Net Operating Expenditures
(a) Total Operating Expenditures	16570.99	208679.73
(b) Total Offsets to Operating Expenditures	0.00	0.00
(c) Net Operating Expenditures	16570.99	208679.73
8. Cash on Hand at Close of Reporting Period	45173.73
9. Debts and Obligations Owed TO the Committee	0.00
Itemize all on SCHEDULE C or SCHEDULE D
10. Debts and Obligations Owed BY the Committee	23000.00
Itemize all on SCHEDULE C or SCHEDULE D

Walz's 2008 pre-primary report: $249,731.45 in contributions; total receipts $255,850.27

Here's the detailed summary filed at the FEC. Walz took in $249,731.45 in contributions, and with various offsets and receipts added in, the total take was $255850.27.

Contributions from individuals totaled $157,664.45; PACs pitched in $88,550. At first glance, it looks like most of the committees are  leadership PACs, followed by  labor and ag PACs.

The campaign spent $202,391.52, which reflects an up-and-running congressional campaign in a geographically large (280 miles long) district. No surprises that we can see.

	Column A This Period	Column B Election Cycle-To-Date	Column C Post-Election
I. RECEIPTS
11. Contributions (other than loans) From:
(a) Individuals/Persons Other than Political Committees
(i) Itemized	95587.95
(ii) Unitemized	62076.50
(iii) Total Of Contributions From Individuals	157664.45	1355114.03	0.00
(b) Political Party Commitees	617.00	17125.44	0.00
(c) Other Political Committees (such as PACS)	88550.00	816580.12	0.00
(d) The Candidate	0.00	0.00	0.00
(e) Total Contributions (11(a)(iii) + (b) + (c))	246831.45	2188819.59	0.00
12. Transfers From Other Authorized Committees	2900.00	2900.00	0.00
13. Loans
(a) Made Or Guaranteed By The Candidate	0.00	0.00	0.00
(b) All Other Loans	0.00	126657.07	0.00
(c) Total Loans ((a) + (b))	0.00	126657.07	0.00
14. Offsets to Operating Expenditures (Refunds, Rebates, etc)	4939.95	69085.82	0.00
15. Other Receipts	1178.87	14219.13	0.00
16. Total Receipts (11(e) + 12 + 13(c) + 14 + 15)	255850.27	2401681.61	0.00
II. DISBURSEMENTS
17. Operating Expenditures	202391.52	1069750.46	0.00
18. Transfers to Other Authorized Committees	0.00	0.00	0.00
19. Loan Repayments:
(a) Of Loans Made or Guaranteed by the Candidate	0.00	0.00	0.00
(b) Of All Other Loans	0.00	180316.06	0.00
(c) Total Loan Repayments ((a) + (b))	0.00	180316.06	0.00
20. Refunds of Contributions To:
(a) Individuals/Persons Other Than Political Committees	0.00	1665.00	0.00
(b) Political Party Committees	0.00	0.00	0.00
(c) Other Political Committees (such as PACs)	0.00	4500.00	0.00
(d) Total Contribution Refunds  (28(a) + (b) + (c))	0.00	6165.00	0.00
21. Other Disbursements	547.00	1047.00	0.00
22. Total Disbursements (17 + 18 + 19(c) + 20(d) + 21)	202938.52	1257278.52	0.00
III. CASH SUMMARY
23. Cash On Hand At Beginning Of Reporting Period	1210917.47
24. Total Receipts This Period (line 16)	255850.27	2401681.61	0.00
25. Subtotal (23 + 24)	1466767.74
26. Total Disbursements This Period (line 22)	202938.52	1257278.52	0.00
27. Cash On Hand At Close Of The Reporting Period (25 - 26)	1263829.22

Sarvi and Ellison 2008 pre-primary reports

Steve Sarvi's committee has filed its report in the Second--it's what the campaign had reported to the AP: about $77,000.

5. Covering Period 07/01/2008 Through 08/20/2008

 

	Column A This Period	Column B Election Cycle-To-Date
6. Net Contributions (other than loans)
(a) Total Contributions (other than loans)	76976.81	328735.62
(b) Total Contribution Refunds	0.00	0.00
(c) Net Contributions (6(a) - 6(b))	76976.81	328735.62
7. Net Operating Expenditures
(a) Total Operating Expenditures	65518.62	229216.22
(b) Total Offsets to Operating Expenditures	250.00	353.43
(c) Net Operating Expenditures	65268.62	228862.79
8. Cash on Hand at Close of Reporting Period	104797.83
9. Debts and Obligations Owed TO the Committee	0.00
Itemize all on SCHEDULE C or SCHEDULE D
10. Debts and Obligations Owed BY the Committee	5000.00
Itemize all on SCHEDULE C or SCHEDULE D

Representative Ellison's report for his re-election bid in the Fifth has been filed as well.  It's a respectable $186,000 in a very "safe" district that the freshman congressman has served well.

Covering Period 07/01/2008 Through 08/20/2008

 

	Column A This Period	Column B Election Cycle-To-Date
6. Net Contributions (other than loans)
(a) Total Contributions (other than loans)	186244.71	1144557.46
(b) Total Contribution Refunds	0.00	2699.00
(c) Net Contributions (6(a) - 6(b))	186244.71	1141858.46
7. Net Operating Expenditures
(a) Total Operating Expenditures	135849.11	858969.12
(b) Total Offsets to Operating Expenditures	107.39	1634.45
(c) Net Operating Expenditures	135741.72	857334.67
8. Cash on Hand at Close of Reporting Period	330956.27
9. Debts and Obligations Owed TO the Committee	0.00
Itemize all on SCHEDULE C or SCHEDULE D
10. Debts and Obligations Owed BY the Committee	0.00
Itemize all on SCHEDULE C or SCHEDULE D

We don't expect surprises from the Walz, Davis, or Day reports (has Mikkelson tripped the threshold to have report at all? The Blue Earth County farmer, who didn't go through the endorsement process with the Independence Part, has run as a Republican, IP and Green Party candidate in the past three cycles)/

McCollum's 2008 pre-primary report

Here's what fundraising looks like for an incumbent in a "safe seat." Ed Matthews, Representative McCollum's Republican challenger, raised $26,100.

Covering Period 07/01/2008 Through 08/20/2008

 

	Column A This Period	Column B Election Cycle-To-Date
6. Net Contributions (other than loans)
(a) Total Contributions (other than loans)	73455.00	561266.65
(b) Total Contribution Refunds	0.00	1900.00
(c) Net Contributions (6(a) - 6(b))	73455.00	559366.65
7. Net Operating Expenditures
(a) Total Operating Expenditures	59807.02	345162.26
(b) Total Offsets to Operating Expenditures	0.00	549.76
(c) Net Operating Expenditures	59807.02	344612.50
8. Cash on Hand at Close of Reporting Period	188021.99
9. Debts and Obligations Owed TO the Committee	0.00

Gil Gutknecht's committee still has $8736.77 in the bank, though it didn't take in any coin.

2008 pre-primary report: Michele Bachmann raises nearly $250,000

Michele Bachmann's committee has filed its pre-primary report: $248,738, with $1.44 million cash on hand..  It's instructive to compare this to the $417, 791 she raked in for the 2006 pre-primary filing for the then-open seat in the Sixth. Earlier, El Tinklenberg reported raising $156,085 during the reporting period.

5. Covering Period 07/01/2008 Through 08/20/2008

 

	Column A This Period	Column B Election Cycle-To-Date
6. Net Contributions (other than loans)
(a) Total Contributions (other than loans)	248738.13	2191722.92
(b) Total Contribution Refunds	0.00	10025.00
(c) Net Contributions (6(a) - 6(b))	248738.13	2181697.92
7. Net Operating Expenditures
(a) Total Operating Expenditures	107305.10	937535.40
(b) Total Offsets to Operating Expenditures	210.00	17617.11
(c) Net Operating Expenditures	107095.10	919918.29
8. Cash on Hand at Close of Reporting Period	1440660.92
9. Debts and Obligations Owed TO the Committee	0.00
Itemize all on SCHEDULE C or SCHEDULE D
10. Debts and Obligations Owed BY the Committee	0.00
Itemize all on SCHEDULE C or SCHEDULE D

More 2008 pre-primary data: Erik Paulsen (and Ashwin Madia)

Update: The MNCR report was accurate and we have corrected our own post below to reflect the actual Madia filing. See addition of the detailed summry report below*. [end update]

Looks like Ashwin Madia outraised Erik Paulsen (pre-primary filing here). According to MNCR's Jeff Rosenberg, Madia has raised around $350,000, while Paulsen took in $319,310, while Madia is close with $309,739.

Paulsen still leads in cash-on-hand, but that gap has narrowed by about $100,000. The race for the open seat in Minnesota's Third is considered to be a toss-up.

Paulsen: Covering Period 07/01/2008 Through 08/20/2008

 

	Column A This Period	Column B Election Cycle-To-Date
6. Net Contributions (other than loans)
(a) Total Contributions (other than loans)	319310.00	1712501.09
(b) Total Contribution Refunds	50.00	225.00
(c) Net Contributions (6(a) - 6(b))	319260.00	1712276.09
7. Net Operating Expenditures
(a) Total Operating Expenditures	257402.68	530075.15
(b) Total Offsets to Operating Expenditures	0.00	0.00
(c) Net Operating Expenditures	257402.68	530075.15
8. Cash on Hand at Close of Reporting Period	1186732.20
9. Debts and Obligations Owed TO the Committee	0.00
Itemize all on SCHEDULE C or SCHEDULE D
10. Debts and Obligations Owed BY the Committee	0.00
Itemize all on SCHEDULE C or SCHEDULE D

And here's Madia's money:

Covering Period 07/01/2008 Through 08/20/2008

 

	Column A This Period	Column B Election Cycle-To-Date
6. Net Contributions (other than loans)
(a) Total Contributions (other than loans)	310239.93	1363051.98
(b) Total Contribution Refunds	500.00	5800.00
(c) Net Contributions (6(a) - 6(b))	309739.93*	1357251.98
7. Net Operating Expenditures
(a) Total Operating Expenditures	176930.36	486973.20
(b) Total Offsets to Operating Expenditures	2500.00	2704.32
(c) Net Operating Expenditures	174430.36	484268.88
8. Cash on Hand at Close of Reporting Period	913608.09
9. Debts and Obligations Owed TO the Committee	0.00
Itemize all on SCHEDULE C or SCHEDULE D
10. Debts and Obligations Owed BY the Committee	0.00
Itemize all on SCHEDULE C or SCHEDULE D

*On the detailed report, there's an additional sum on line twelve:

Of Receipts And Disbursements

	Column A This Period	Column B Election Cycle-To-Date	Column C Post-Election
I. RECEIPTS
11. Contributions (other than loans) From:
(a) Individuals/Persons Other than Political Committees
(i) Itemized	169780.78
(ii) Unitemized	44491.73
(iii) Total Of Contributions From Individuals	214272.51	987807.09	0.00
(b) Political Party Commitees	1566.67	6575.31	0.00
(c) Other Political Committees (such as PACS)	94400.75	368669.58	0.00
(d) The Candidate	0.00	0.00	0.00
(e) Total Contributions (11(a)(iii) + (b) + (c))	310239.93	1363051.98	0.00
12. Transfers From Other Authorized Committees	39338.54	39338.54	0.00
13. Loans
(a) Made Or Guaranteed By The Candidate	0.00	0.00	0.00
(b) All Other Loans	0.00	0.00	0.00
(c) Total Loans ((a) + (b))	0.00	0.00	0.00
14. Offsets to Operating Expenditures (Refunds, Rebates, etc)	2500.00	2704.32	0.00
15. Other Receipts	811.15	1286.45	0.00
16. Total Receipts (11(e) + 12 + 13(c) + 14 + 15)	352889.62	1406381.29	0.00

AP story: Davis raises less than $100,000 in pre-primary reporting period

Google alert just sent us this item via the Bemidji Pioneer's AP coverage:

In the 1st Congressional District, Rep. Tim Walz announced he had raised nearly $250,000, compared to $95,000 for Brian Davis, the GOP's endorsed candidate. Walz finished with around $1.25 million in the bank, while Davis had around $320,000. Dick Day, who is challenging Davis in next month's primary, has not yet released his numbers or filed his report.

See our post on Davis's unrealized $250,000 goal for the pre-primary fundraising period for more background.

Photo: Tim Walz, the pragmatic optimist, has reason to smile today.