The Daily Digest: Super Duper Tsunami Salami Tuesday
Happy Super Tuesday. Take a deep breath. It's going to be a long day.
Today's choices very well may determine the nominees for both parties.
Republican Ron Paul attracts thousands to a Monday night rally at the U of M. MPR, the Star Tribune, the Pi Press and KARE-11 have stories.
Paul also campaigned in North Dakota.
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Paul and Democrat Barack Obama led the 4th quarter money race in Minnesota.
The presidential campaigns are working behind the scenes to get out the vote.
One way is to bring Scarlett Johansson to the U of M to speak on Obama's behalf. DFL Rep. Keith Ellison was also there. A Hawaii Congressman also campaigned up north for Obama.
The Hotline says Obama is picking up some key Edwards backers like DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar.
Hillary Clinton's top supporters DFL House Speaker Margaret Kelliher, Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner and Lois Quam also held a news conference to discuss their efforts to turn out women voters. I couldn't find copy on this. If you see one, send me a link.
Gov. Pawlenty was introduced by an Illinois County GOP Chair as being on "John McCain's shortlist." Pawlenty campaigned in Illinois on Saturday (for McCain not VP).
State Government
Gov. Pawlenty is scoring higher marks than the Legislature in the latest Minnesota Public Radio News/Humphrey Institute poll. The poll finds that the economy and jobs are the top state concern. MPR has a story. Here's the poll.
The Met Council found that the metro area's number one concern is transportation.
The Star Tribune says there are several bills being proposed that will tighten educator background checks.
WCCO says groups will rekindle the push for equal rights for same sex couples in this year's session.
Congress
The Star Tribune gets reaction from Minnesota's Congressional delegation on President Bush's latest budget proposal.
The Senate passes its economic aid plan. The story says Democratic leadership is looking at GOP Sen. Norm Coleman as a possible switchover vote.
GOP Sen. Norm Coleman has an op-ed in the Star Tribune that focuses on getting things done in Congress.
AT&T reps gave wrong information on termination fees in a test. DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar is mentioned in the story.
The Detroit Free Press says a NWA/Delta merger appears closer. That won't make DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar too happy.
2008 U.S. Senate
The DFL candidates debate on Midday at noon.
Jim Cohen backs Al Franken. The Star Tribune and AP have stories.
Former Minnesota First Lady Jane Freeman backs Mike Ciresi. AP and the Pi Press have stories.
The Digest wonders whether any of those endorsements will make any difference whatsoever. Does someone want to bet me on it? Speaking of betting, Franken is headed to Nevada on February 23.
2008 Congress
ACORN endorses Terri Bonoff for Congress in Minnesota's 3rd.
Alan Roebke, the GOP candidate running for Congress in Minnesota's 7th District, talks with the Hutchinson Leader.