News Release

News Release: Campaign Kickoff -- Moderate Primary Challenge to Pawlenty

Contact: Robert S. Carney Jr., bob@RepublicanContract.com

(612) 824-4479 News groups: Daily; Law/Politics, College, Neighborhood, Capitol

For immediate release

No New Texas!

Campaign Kickoff -- Moderate Primary Challenge to Pawlenty

Pawlenty Campaign Responds to Challenge

Minneapolis, MN, June 15, 2006 – On Monday, June 19th, at 10:00 AM, on the steps of the Capitol, moderate Republican Bob Carney Jr. will conduct a news conference to announce a moderate Republican challenge to Governor Tim Pawlenty in this September's Republican primary. Carney is promoting both a Republican Governor's Contract with Voters, and a Republican State Legislator's Contract with Voters. In the event of rain, the event will be moved inside the Capitol.

Governor Pawlenty has been told about the contract both in an April 19th open letter, and by Carney personally, on the floor of the 5th Congressional District Republican Convention.

At the news conference, Carney's presentation will focus on two goals and one main activity:

Goal 1: Recruiting moderate Republican Legislative candidates in Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

Goal 2: Recruiting a moderate candidate for Governor, if Pawlenty doesn't agree to the Contract.

Activity: Producing a documentary on the two Minnesota Republican Contracts with Voters.

Carney will also be available to answer questions about the campaign to date -- including the series of news releases that have been issued (all published on-line at RepublicanContract.com).

Pawlenty Campaign Responds

Carney received a letter June 14th from Michael Krueger, Governor Pawlenty's campaign manager. The letter stated in part: "Our office has received your request for the Governor to sign your "A Minnesota Republican Governor's Contract with voters. However, the Governor has decided to not sign any pledges for interest groups or individuals at this time."

"Note the phrase, '...at this time.' This indicates to me there is still an opportunity to avoid a Republican primary," Carney said. Carney plans to contact the Pawlenty campaign, seeking to interview the Governor about the Republican Governor's Contract with Voters. "I'm also open to any alternative commitment from the Governor to the people of Minnesota to use the powers of the Governor's office with more restraint, and to do more to help the Legislature deliberate and function more effectively," Carney added.

Governor's recent actions are encouraging, but voters still need answers

"Actions speak louder than words. I am very encouraged about two of the Governor's recent decisions," Carney said. "First, Governor Pawlenty has stated he will not renew the 'no new taxes' pledge. This is consistent with point three of the Contract, which states: 'The Governor will not be bound by any economic special interest pledge.' The Governor's decision to sign the bonding bill with no line item vetoes is also consistent with the Contract's provisions limiting the use of the veto power," Carney added.

Carney also plans to contact DFL and Independence party candidates, seeking their agreement to the Republican Governor's Contract with Voters. "In the last Presidential election, we saw what has been called a 'political inversion,' almost all the states that voted Republican for President Lincoln in 1860 voted Democratic," Carney observed. "The Republican party has recently become 'un-Republican,' losing sight of the proper role of each branch in a Republican form of government, and becoming more like a faction, trying to grab for every lever of power within reach," Carney argued. "I am determined to try to reverse this trend. In the short run, if this means 'outsourcing' the Governor's office to a DFL'er who agrees to the contract, that's an option we may be forced to consider this November," Carney added.

"If a DFL'er agrees to the Contract, and Governor Pawlenty either agrees to it or to an acceptable alternative, I will support Pawlenty and run for the State House," Carney said.

Documentary in production

Carney will videotape the news conference as part of documentary he is producing about the two Republican Contracts with Voters. Both Republican Congressman Jim Ramstad and former Republican State Party Chairman Chuck Slocum were interviewed by Carney at the Republican State Convention. Carney also conducted one interview outside the recent State DFL convention in Rochester.

"I plan to seek interviews from many different people -- everyone from former Governors to whoever walks by while I'm set up," Carney said.

"Video distribution via the internet will have a big impact this year," Carney said. "Increasingly, the 'mainstream media' will find cameras pointing at them -- as their role in the process becomes an issue. I plan to do this in 'part two' at the news conference -- after first answering your questions. However, I realize both that this may be new to 'mainstream media' folks, and that media organizations may restrict or forbid the answering of questions by reporters. Therefore, feel free to participate, or not participate, in 'part two' of the news conference," Carney concluded.

Speaking availability

Carney will also distribute a list of suggested speaking topics, and an open invitation to be invited to speak to groups about these topics. "I am particularly interested in speaking to students, including during Summer session," Carney said. Carney plans to videotape these events, and to also make them available on-line.

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Background:

A Minnesota Republican Governor's Contract with Voters

1 § "Winner take all," "Take no prisoners" politics has got to stop. The Governor's job is to help the Legislature agree on a budget and a tax system that serves all Minnesotans.

2 § Threats of government shutdown are wrong. No tax or spending bill or line item will be vetoed unless total spending increases more than 2% above inflation. Restraint below this limit is both welcome, and up to the legislature.

3 § The Governor will not be bound by any economic special interest pledge.

4 § Administration is to carry out the intent of the legislature, and serve all Minnesotans impartially and efficiently

5 § Because the Attorney General is Minnesota's primary elected legal officer, the Governor's office should rely on the Attorney General's office for legal advice. This is part of our "checks and balances" system.

6 § The Governor is not the “CEO of Minnesota.” Minnesota is a State, not a corporation.

7 § Except for vetoes of non-economic legislation on moral grounds, the Governor will not use the powers of the office to implement any personal or special interest agenda.