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Two potential 2016 presidential rivals were in Minnesota Thursday, but not to campaign for themselves. Instead, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Vice President Joe Biden were trying to drum up support for Democrats running in the midterm election. 


The visits were the latest in a virtual parade of big-name Democrats this month. Republican candidates in Minnesota haven't seen a similar show of support from luminaries in their party, but they contend they can win without it. 


Clinton headlined a get out the vote rally for Sen. Al Franken and Gov. Mark Dayton on the campus of Macalester College in St. Paul Thursday. First lady Michelle Obama, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and former President Bill Clinton have all been here this month. 


Standing before a crowd of mostly college students, Clinton urged them to think about their future.


"The question really is, 'Are you going to tune out or turn out?" Clinton asked them.


The former senator from New York and first lady told the nearly 2,000 supporters that Dayton and Franken have accomplished many things during their respective first terms. She praised Franken for working to increase oversight of the banking sector and help pass the Farm Bill. And she praised Minnesota's governor, saying Dayton balanced the budget, increased the minimum wage and spent more money for schools. 


"The states are the great laboratories of democracy and we should be learning from each other about what works and what doesn't work," she said. Minnesota is at the top of the list in showing what works."


Democrats are hoping these political star-studded events energize voters in what is typically a down year for party turnout in the election cycle, especially since  Franken and Dayton were both elected to office after tight recounts. Franken reminded the audience that he won by just 312 votes and that he needed every supporter to show up again at the polls this year. 


"That is why we're going to be pestering the living daylights out of you," he said. "Out of each and every one of you, we are going to be relentless. We are going to be in your face."


The second event on Hillary Clinton's Minnesota agenda was more exclusive than the first.  She held a private fundraiser for Dayton after the rally. 


Franken's opponent, Republican Mike McFadden, said Clinton's event and Michelle Obama's visit earlier this week shows just how close Franken is to the Obama Administration.


"I think having the First Lady and Hillary Clinton in town are just reminders of all the problems that have been produced by this administration," he said.


McFadden will be campaigning on Saturday in Rochester with Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson.  


While Clinton was in St. Paul, Vice President Joe Biden was in northeastern Minnesota, trying to nail down support for DFL Congressman Rick Nolan in an area that typically has been a reliable Democratic stronghold. Biden held a campaign rally at Hibbing Community College on the Iron Range.  


"We have a rule back in my state-if you keep people standing for more than 15 minutes on a hard floor, you lose their vote!" he told a cheering crowd of about 600 there.


And despite attacking Republicans at length, Biden hardly mentioned Nolan's GOP opponent, Stewart Mills.


"We need to stand up and holler for what we are for, and make no apologies for what we are for," Biden said. "We don't have to make anything up this time, guys. All we've got to do is say this is what we're for and that's what they're for and let the people choose. Get out the vote. We cannot afford to lose this race."


Mills downplayed the importance of Biden's visit. He said it just shows that Rick Nolan needs help. 


"That shows the weakness of his campaign," Mills said. "The fact that he has to have all of these outside people come in to prop him up. Our message, our candidacy, stands on its own. It's strong. The message is great. People are responding to it and we're going to win on Nov. 4."


The Nolan-Mills race is one of the top five in the country in spending by outside groups. The money has paid for a barrage of negative TV ads on both sides. Redistricting and changing demographics have made the 8th Congressional District more competitive in recent years. The seat has switched from Democratic to Republican and back again over the last two elections.

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Two potential 2016 presidential rivals were in Minnesota Thursday, but not to campaign for themselves.

Democrats Clinton, Biden headline rallies for Franken, Dayton and Nolan

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