Free Republic

Looking ahead to the 2008 electoral map, there are two regions where the parties are increasingly competitive: the Southwest quartet of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada and the upper Midwest trio of Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin.In what turned out to be a very rough year for Republicans, Tim Pawlenty's reelection in the Minnesota Gubernatorial race, coupled with the 2008 GOP convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul and Minnesota's ten electoral votes, should elevate Governor Pawlenty to very near the top of the VP short list - irrespective of who the Republican nominee turns out to be.Two and half weeks ago I...

Back in 2002, two die-hard social conservatives fought for Minnesota's Republican gubernatorial nomination. Brian Sullivan was a successful entrepreneur backed by the Freedom Club, a group of "pro-growth" millionaires lifted straight from Central Casting. With his zeal for tax cuts and his privileged background, Sullivan was a Bush Republican down to his wingtips. His opponent was Tim Pawlenty, a state representative born on the wrong side of the tracks. Pawlenty embraced the state's populist tradition, insisting that Republicans "need to be the party of Sam's Club, not just the country club." And it was Pawlenty who ended up winning the...

Saint Paul, MN - Today, Governor Tim Pawlenty and Senator Norm Coleman issued the following joint statement: “We are very pleased that the Minnesota Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments on the Republican Party of Minnesota’s case for ensuring that the process for selecting election judges in Minnesota is fair and balanced. “This case is of paramount importance, given the critical role election judges play in guaranteeing fair and accurate election. A fair and balanced process for selecting election judges – as required by state law – is critical in assuring every Minnesotan that our state election process is itself...