The Carver County Republicans met last Saturday at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen.

 Coleman takes a question: Sen. Norm Coleman said Carver County is an important part of the state for his reelection bid. "I've always done well here," he commented. "It's a great community for me. They understand the American dream. They understand you don't solve a problem by putting the government in charge of it. They have a vision."

They'll probably get together again this Saurday to iron out some propositions they want added to the party's platform.

Counting delegates: More than 120 people nominated themselves to be delegates to the state GOP convention in Rochester. Election judges count the votes to determine the 46 who will make it. 

There were plenty of balloons, which served as entertainment for the kids who came to join in the meeting.

Party girls: As the meeting dragged on into the afternoon, Olya Veit, 9, Victoria, and Karissa Adams, 6, Chanhassen, took to putting Paul Kohls tattoos on their arms and playing with ballons. Kohls claims he had nothing to do with it.

The Carver County DFL convention is scheduled to take place in April in Chaska.