JOHNNY NORTHSIDE BREAKING NEWS: Mayor Rybak Announces Political Plans (Sort Of)

Photo By John Hoff

At a New Year's Eve bash thrown by prominent local fundraisers Sam and Sylvia Kaplan, Mayor Rybak gave a short speech about the ups and downs of being mayor, announcing he would clarify his political plans in the next couple months, but those plans would definitely include "staying in Minnesota."

Rybak's words appeared calculated to end speculation he would accept some post in the Obama administration. Instead, it appears the mayor is either contemplating another term or looking to run for governor. Rybak spoke of how wonderful it would be to serve as mayor while Obama serves as president.

The Mayor gave special mention to his wife, and called her his "muse" and said she told him what was right and wrong. In a side conversation later in the night, Rybak agreed something had to be done about the unwanted dumping of phone books in Minneapolis neighborhoods, and pointed out his wife agrees strongly.

In a speech welcoming guests, Sam Kaplan acknowledged there were also a few Republicans in the crowd, and pointed out the mayor's ability to cross party lines for the greater good of the city, and thanked his Republican guests for being "gracious" amid so much Democratic Party enthusiasm. Kaplan is widely-regarded as a political "king maker" in the Twin Cities, with incredible fundraising power. 

The bash at Kaplan's luxuriously-appointed townhouse featured a constellation of DFL political heavyweights, and one heavyweight-in-waiting, Al Franken. Franken joked, "The third year of the Senate election is going to be the best ever!" 

Many who attended the party showed up through a Facebook invitation from Rybak. Though many suits were in evidence in the crowd, casual dress was common enough. 

(Do not click "Read More")