politics

Amaia Engana didn’t wait to be evicted from her home. On Nov. 9, in the town of Barakaldo, a suburb of Bilbao in Spain’s Basque Country, officials from the local judiciary were on their way to serve her eviction papers. Amaia stood on a chair and threw herself out of her fifth-floor...

No sooner had the electoral thundercloud arrived last Tuesday than some Republicans began searching it for a silver lining. It is an understandable impulse after a defeat to want to minimize its magnitude and rationalize away its causes. But there are no comforting augurs for Republicans...

ST. PAUL — Incoming Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk has announced who will lead committees for the next four years. Rod Skoe of Clearbrook, representing District 2, has been appointed chairman of the Tax Committee. Tom Saxhaug of Grand Rapids, representing District 5,...

The 2012 elections surprised both sides and hit a reset button on the Obama administration — and American politics. Here are 10 conclusions: 1. So much for Citizens United destroying the fabric of America with big bucks automatically meaning victory. Billionaire Sheldon Adelson...

On Sept. 12, 2001, President George W. Bush assured us: “We will not allow this enemy to win the war by changing our way of life or restricting our freedoms.” The enemy has certainly tried, but it was President Bush, following the advice of Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld, who...

By Peter Passi, Forum Communications DULUTH — As freshman members of Congress arrive in Washington, D.C., this week to begin orientation, at least one among their number should know his way around. Democrat Rick Nolan was elected last week to represent Minnesota’s 8th district...

By Brandon Stahl, Forum Communications DULUTH — A hearing in St. Paul has been tentatively set for Dec. 6 for members of Minnesota’s House and Senate to gather information on whether methadone treatment needs tighter regulation in the state. The hearing will come after two Carlton...

“Why was Chris Matthews on the dais?” This remains the most frequently asked question I get about the presidential election. It refers to the Al Smith dinner, an annual event that raises money for Catholic charities, (many of which are threatened by Obama administration policies),...

Changes abound after 2012 election Congratulations to the winners in last week’s elections. Voters cast ballots to determine the course of governance at the local, state and federal levels. The local and state results are significant. The Bemidji City Council faces the most change...

Both candidates for president failed to tell the truth about the biggest issues facing the country: spending, taxes and deficits. Every reasonable and realistic person in Washington — and, yes, there are some left — knows that any “grand bargain” must involve both higher revenues...

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Actress Ashley Judd isn't ruling out a run for U.S. Senate in Kentucky. The former Kentuckian is an active supporter of Tennessee Democrats. She said in a statement Friday that she's honored to be mentioned as a potential candidate, but she sidestepped the...

Mitt Romney and Barack Obama were more gracious and eloquent after the election than during the long campaign. They each sent the right signals Tuesday night, but will anything change? The real news of the 2012 election is that the nation is more sharply divided than ever. “At...

ST. PAUL - Sen. Tom Bakk will be the Minnesota Senate’s leader. A Tweet from inside a closed meeting early this afternoon gave the expected news. Bakk, DFL-Cook, was to meet with reporters later today. Democratic senators and senators-elect met at the St. Paul Hotel this afternoon...