The Daily Digest: 1-30-08
After telling 1200 Minnesota supporters on Tuesday night that he'll fight for them if they caucus for him, John Edwards is reportedly dropping his bid for president. AP has the story.
There were plenty of full throated supporters at the event at the Carpenters Hall in St. Paul last night. MPR, the Star Tribune, the Pi Press, AP and KSTP have stories.
John McCain wins a tight Florida primary. Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani is expected to drop out and back John McCain.
Governor Pawlenty, who is co-chair to McCain's presidential committee, is optimistic McCain will win the GOP nomination:
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"I think you'll see with the win in Florida and Senator McCain's strong positions in places like New York, New Jersey and California, that his leadership position is going to be consolidated pretty much after Super Duper Tuesday and he's going to be the presumptive nominee fairly shortly."
Pawlenty's campaign for governor also announced that he raised $850k in 2007.
CT Senator Joe Lieberman rejects VP talk (with McCain).
KARE-11 says Obama is planning a visit to boost turnout for Tuesday's caucuses.
KARE also quotes Hillary Clinton as saying "she sure is trying to get" to Minnesota. She made those comments in a feed from Florida.
The Newshour talks with Minnesotans about economic issues.
Bridges
The New York Times says the NTSB's working theory on why the I-35W bridge collapsed defies popular belief.
MnDOT wants its money back for a flawed design for the Wakota Bridge. The Pi Press, The Star Tribune, MPR and Forum Communications have stories.
KARE-11 says state lawmakers want to protect bridge awards to victims from insurers.
State Government
State Economist Tom Stinson says the state's budget gap will continue to grow.
Gov. Pawlenty ordered the MN National Guard to open the Owatonna Armory to help drivers in southeastern Minnesota.
Former 3M chemicals found in fish in nine more Minnesota lakes. The Pi Press and the Star Tribune have stories.
A legislative audit report says reviews of school drivers are uneven. The Pi Press, MPR and Forum Communications have stories.
The state is kicking in $5 million for federal housing fixups.
Forum Communications says Pawlenty will seek $70 million for SEED.
Congress
GOP Sen. Norm Coleman will push to get heating assistance into the economic stimulus package.
Coleman and DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar say the package will pass.
The House passed the package yesterday.
Cass County is one step closer to getting a hospital. Coleman and DFL Sen. Klobuchar are mentioned.
A watchdog agency says the Justice Department is stalling on its investigation into Rachel Paulose. One aspect suggests Paulose delayed an investigation so she could plan her confirmation. Coleman says he's troubled by the news. Klobuchar says Justice's cooperation is essential.
The Hill says Congressional investigations are making busy time for lawyers. Coleman is mentioned.
Politico says endangered moderates are affecting Congress' habitat. GOP Rep. Jim Ramstad is mentioned. Ramstad is retiring.
DFL Rep. Betty McCollum says she's concerned that Pakistan's election could be flawed.
DFL Rep. Keith Ellison backpedals on his feelings regarding closing the Guantanamo Bay Military Prison. He made those comments on Midmorning. Last week he said he wasn't so sure the prison should be closed because it had a spotlight on it.
Ellison also made a speech last week in California.
DFL Rep. Collin Peterson says the Farm Bill veto threat is very real.
DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is still raising concerns about possible airline mergers. His response to a Delta/Northwest merger: "Hell no!" AP and CNN have stories.
Bemidji State will hold a global warming forum on Thursday. Oberstar is mentioned.
2008 Senate Race
The DFL Veterans Caucus backs Al Franken.
Norm Coleman holds a conference call with some bloggers.
2008 Congress
Real Clear Politics says Minnesota's 3rd could be targeted as a "Red to Blue state" by the DCCC.
The Rochester Post-Bulletin says DFLer Steve Sarvi makes the rounds in DC. Sarvi is running against GOP Rep. John Kline in Minnesota's 2nd.
John Brockberg is running for Congress in Minnesota's 6th District. He's an Independence Party member.
2008 RNC
The RNC will be streamed live online. The Pi Press and KSTP have stories.