Jan 11, 2008 9:05 am US/Central
Vote To Oust Molnau Isn't A Sure Thing
ST. PAUL (AP) ―
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At a forum Thursday hosted by The Associated Press, Pawlenty described Molnau as having been "under siege," but he said he supported her.
CBS
Democrats worried about antagonizing Republican legislators might be default allies of targeted Transportation Commissioner Carol Molnau, who seemed all but certain to lose her job not long ago.
Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Steve Murphy, DFL-Red Wing, said Thursday that some leading DFLers have expressed concerns that removing her through a Senate vote might do more harm than good and get in the way of achieving larger objectives.
For instance, a vote to oust Molnau by rejecting her confirmation might anger House Republicans who may be needed later in the legislative session to help override a possible veto of a transportation funding bill by GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
"If we throw her out, and we're not successful in passing a veto-proof bill, then what good have we done ourselves?" said Murphy, DFL-Red Wing.
Molnau won confirmation in Pawlenty's first term, but hasn't received the same legislative blessing for his second term.
Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller said no decision has been made about when to consider her confirmation. He added that "most members of the Senate would prefer that the governor would make the appropriate decision."
Some say Molnau has become emblematic of the problems within the Department of Transportation, especially since the Interstate 35W bridge collapse.
At a forum Thursday hosted by The Associated Press, Pawlenty described Molnau as having been "under siege," but he said he supported her.
"People don't really know yet why the bridge fell down. So before you say it's Molnau's fault that the bridge fell down, it might be helpful to know why the bridge fell down," the governor said.
Pawlenty said judgment should await an official finding by the National Transportation Safety Board.
Sen. Ellen Anderson, DFL-St. Paul, said she believes there are enough votes to fire Molnau.
Anderson said she might consider using Molnau's confirmation as leverage.
"I've heard people say, well, you know, if we want to get the transportation bill passed, maybe it's not a good idea to pick that fight with the governor. But, you know, the governor's vetoed it already twice," she said. "There's a few issues where, absolutely, it would be better to not antagonize Republicans who may be allies."
Sen. Ann Rest, DFL-New Hope, said she's not sensing wavering among those who want new leadership at MnDOT.
"I do not intend to vote to confirm her. I think the record of the Transportation Department under her leadership is very lacking," she said. "The bridge collapse is part of an overall record."
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According to a Gov. Tim Pawlenty's Web site, Molnau was born and raised
on a farm in Carver County. She attended Waconia public schools and the
University of Minnesota.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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