That's all folks
Well, that's all from me for the weekend. Campaign signs are being peeled off the walls here, and the convention is wrapping up. Hope you enjoyed live Republican and Democratic convention action. Now the campaigns begin..............
Posted by: Teri Finneman on 4/06/2008 at 11:05 AM | Comments (2) | Permalink
Pep talks
Sen. Carolyn Nelson and Rep. Kenton Onstad both just went up and gave pep talks about how the Democrats can take over majority in the Legislature. Nelson said Democrat fingerprints are on anything good that happened in the last session.
Onstad said their message remains the same: invest in North Dakota. In 2009, legislators need to increase funding for K-12 and higher education (not just for buildings and programs, but for salaries), lower tuition costs for students, increase pay raises for public employees, work for affordable and accessible health care for children, recognize veterans and provide help to the vulnerable population. Legislators also need to make investments in roads and infrastructure.
"The sun is shining on the Democratic Party," Onstad said. "Can we be in the majority? It's not yes we can. Yes we will!"
Posted by: Teri Finneman on 4/06/2008 at 9:41 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
State auditor endorsement
Daryl Splichal, originally from Dickinson and now living in Mandan, is seeking the state auditor endorsement.
From a quick Internet search, looks like he has a background of working as a treasurer for MDU Resources.
He said has many years of experience in internal auditing. He said the state auditor job isn't a Democratic or Republican job, but an independent position. He feels he can bring professionalism to the department.
Posted by: Teri Finneman on 4/06/2008 at 9:28 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Dem Day 3
Back again for Dem Day 3. Today we have the state auditor endorsement left and some reports.
Today will wrap up my political convention coverage. It's been interesting to say the least. Through the blog and my convention stories in the paper, I've tried to reach out to people who aren't politically-inclined and maybe don't understand how the process works. The rest of the world who aren't here and may want to know what your politicians are up to and what they're saying when they're among the party faithful. Things that wouldn't otherwise get into the regular paper's coverage.
On Friday night, one woman asked me if I was a Republican or a Democrat. I told her I was proud to say that I'm neither. She didn't seem to believe me, but it's the truth. It's a good way to be as a political reporter, but I think it's also true of many people out there. I think people want candidates they can identify with and who they think will listen to them.
Politicians refer to their state conventions as the kickoff to their races and campaigning. There's a long way to go before November. One thing you can say about both North Dakota parties: they believe in what they're doing.
The choice is now up to you.
Posted by: Teri Finneman on 4/06/2008 at 9:09 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Boucher speech
Boucher is on the stage now, saying children's TV personality Mr. Rogers must have lived in Grand Forks because "for the last three days, it's been just one heck of a beautiful day in the Democrat neighborhood."
He said he's proud to be part of the process.
"We are going to work very hard over the coming months to make a tremendous transition and change in the state of North Dakota," Boucher said.
Posted by: Teri Finneman on 4/05/2008 at 5:18 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Mathern and Boucher ticket
Tim Mathern got back on stage, wanting to change things up and have a Lt. Gov endorsement today instead of tomorrow.
People have asked him how the Democrats are going to win the election, he said. He wants to start the campaign tonight and asked to suspend the rules and begin the Lt. Gov nomination process.
He said he wanted a running mate from the rural area and the west to balance his urban and east. Mathern wants someone who can "rein in" and help the Senate flourish.
He also wants someone who can make sure the campaign is going 24 hours a day.
With that, he asked Merle Boucher to join the ticket, to loud applause and a standing ovation.
"Born in the USA" is playing.
Posted by: Teri Finneman on 4/05/2008 at 5:14 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Lt Gov
Mathern just asked Merle Boucher to be his Lt. Gov
Posted by: Teri Finneman on 4/05/2008 at 5:11 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Mathern speech
Sen. Tim Mathern of Fargo is on stage for his endorsement acceptance speech. He thanked Obama and Clinton for being at the convention.
"This is in fact a historic convention," he said. "You can feel it in the air. Our party's on the map again. We have some wonderful candidates."
The time for Democrats to lead is now, Mathern said. He thanked Merle Boucher for the campaign he waged.
Mathern asked for copies of his nominating speeches. "When somebody says, 'Who are you?' I'll have a great handout," he said, drawing laughter.
North Dakotans want progress, a better life for their children and a governor that shares their values, Mathern said.
"I have the experience and the work ethic to lead. The Republican leadership continues to leave North Dakota behind in many areas," he said.
The state is still "way behind" in teachers' salaries and needs to reward teachers with better pay and build a strong education system, he said.
New leadership is needed in health care, education and energy, Mathern said.
"My experiences, beginning with that farm near Edgeley, have prepared me to successfully meet the challenge of being governor and to find unique solutions to our common problems. We are a great state. We can be even better. Together, we can help North Dakota make progress built on values."
Posted by: Teri Finneman on 4/05/2008 at 4:55 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Mathern gets endorsement
Merle Boucher just got up and urged the endorsement for Tim Mathern for governor.
Posted by: Teri Finneman on 4/05/2008 at 4:53 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
No governor word yet
The districts gave their vote totals for the governor's race, and I believe it was deemed too close to call, so it's been sent to a committee.
Posted by: Teri Finneman on 4/05/2008 at 4:34 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Sign attack!
I"m just sitting here minding my own business and a giant Hillary Clinton sign just fell on me. I have escaped unhurt.
Posted by: Teri Finneman on 4/05/2008 at 4:18 PM | Comments (2) | Permalink
Chat with Jasper
Well, I chatted with Rep. Jasper Schneider of Fargo, but my computer is freaking out and shutting itself down on its own, so I lost all my interview notes.
I'll recapture some of the conversation. I asked him if he was nervous last night during his endorsement acceptance speech for insurance commissioner. Schneider was scheduled early in the convention and ended up giving his speech while thousands of people were in the stands waiting for Obama's speech.
He said the crowd energized him, and he wasn't nervous at all. He was most worried that his son, Jack, 3, would need to use the bathroom in the middle of the speech. Sure enough, his wife and son had to make a quick exit to the bathroom.
Schneider talked about how great the day was, giving his speech and then soon after seeing Obama.
--Right now the districts are reporting their vote totals for who to endorse for governor.
Posted by: Teri Finneman on 4/05/2008 at 4:07 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Governor endorsement
Nominators are up giving speeches for Tim Mathern and Merle Boucher, both seeking the endorsement for governor.
Posted by: Teri Finneman on 4/05/2008 at 3:04 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Afternoon convention update
OK, so......the Democrats endorsed Mitch Vance for state treasurer this afternoon. Dorgan also went up to give some remarks, coming in and leaving to "Get It Started in Here" by the Black Eyed Peas. Seems to me that was a Republican's intro music last weekend, too. I need to double check.
Anyway, Dorgan told an amusing story about when he was promoting his book, "Take This Job and Ship It." He was in Chicago and was about to go on a radio station when he heard a promo for the show's lineup for the morning. He would be on the air between Tommy, a man talking about life in prison and drug use, and the woman voted best booty in Chicago.
"I'm thinking to myself, my late mother would be so proud," Dorgan said.
He went on to say that he ran into the woman voted hottest booty in the hallway.
"You know what she asked me? She said, You're Senator. Dorgan aren't you? You're from North Dakota aren't you? Do you know David Strauss?"
The crowd burst out laughing. (For those who don't know, Strauss is the state party chairman.) Dorgan went on to say, "It was all true except the last sentence."
Posted by: Teri Finneman on 4/05/2008 at 2:33 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Back online
Due to technical difficulties, I haven't been able to get on my blog for over two hours. I'm back on now and will give some updates shortly.
Posted by: Teri Finneman on 4/05/2008 at 2:28 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink