The Daily Digest: 6-12-08
Get ready for ads. Plenty of ads. GOP Sen. Norm Coleman releases his first ad of the 2008 campaign. The Pi Press, the Star Tribune and AP have stories.
DFL endorsed Al Franken made campaign stops in Luverne, Fergus Falls, Grand Rapids and Detroit Lakes.
Mike Ciresi says all options are on the table when it comes to running in a DFL primary.
Robert Novak said the Senate seat leans "Republican Retention."
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2008 Race for President
The presidential campaigns are propping up the party crossers that support them.
The Star Tribune says a Warroad teacher is putting politics in the pulpit. He's urging his congregation to not vote for Obama.
Barack Obama's VP vetter quits.
John McCain appeared on NBC and said it's "not too important" to define when American troops will be withdrawn from Iraq. The campaign later clarified the statement.
The National Journal details the battleground states.
WCCO Reality Checks McCain's latest ad.
McCain goes back to the townhall format. He'll be in Minneapolis for a fundraiser and a possible public appearance next week.
2008 Race for Congress
1st District GOP endorsed candidate Brian Davis will campaign in Austin on Saturday.
Pawlenty for VP Watch
Time details "How to pick a VP." Pawlenty is mentioned.
USA Today quotes Pawlenty as saying women who backed Clinton will back McCain.
NPR political editor Ken Rudin says Pawlenty is still in the running but he's picking former Ohio Congressman Rob Portman. NPR's other political editor Ron Elving also handicaps McCain's possible picks.
DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar said Obama's running mate may not be a household name.
2008 Other
KSTP says The Vote Yes campaign is ramping up its efforts to win approval of a sales tax increases for the outdoors and the arts.
State Government
Gov. Pawlenty will appear at a news conference with the U.S. Transportation Secretary this morning to announce plans to ease congestion on I-35W.
U of M's President says the U now supports running the Light Rail Train on Washington Ave.
Gov. Pawlenty visited the nugget mine construction in northern Minnesota. He says it's a "Renaissance on the Iron Range."
NPR visits north Minneapolis to look at the foreclosure problem.
DFL Rep. Willie Dominguez was robbed at his home.
Congress
GOP Sen. Norm Coleman will tour the 148th Fighter Wing on Friday.
DFL Rep. Tim Walz and DFL Rep. Colllin Peterson will talk about the Farm Bill in Fairmont on Friday.
GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann blogs about fixing the tax code.
The House passes a $14.9 billion Amtrak bill. It doubles spending for the rail line. DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is mentioned.
The FAA is also trying to restart labor talks with the nation's air traffic controllers. Oberstar is mentioned.
MinnPost writes about those who may be taking another look at nuclear power.
2008 RNC
Catholic Charities says the Dorothy Day Center will stay open during the RNC. The center is right across from the Xcel Energy Center. Here's a portion of the news release:
During the days immediately preceding the convention and during the convention itself, the Dorothy Day Center will modify and, in some cases, enhance services provided to clients. Catholic Charities will work with its service partners to determine how best to serve clients.
Mary Hall, an emergency, transitional and permanent housing facility located behind the Dorothy Day Center, will also remain open. The St. Paul Office, located next to the Dorothy Day Center, will relocate the majority of its services and staff during the convention.
Xcel will power both conventions.