The Daily Digest: 2-8-08

Auf Wiedersehen Tim Pawlenty. The governor is headed to a security conference in Germany this weekend.

The Legislative Auditor says the JOBZ program is unfocused and is lacking oversight. Read the report here.

State lawmakers stop in Duluth to tout their plans to fix health care.

The DFL controlled Senate may wait a few weeks before bouncing Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau as Transportation Commissioner.

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Ramsey County backs off its LRT position regarding the Central Corridor.

Lawmakers want to ban a chemical used in baby bottles.

Attorney General Lori Swanson gets another insurer to settle an annuity suit.

A study says converting land into biofuel crops could worsen global warming.

Congress

Congress sends the economic stimulus package to President Bush. DFL Rep. Collin Peterson is the only member of Minnesota's Congressional delegation to vote against it.

The House has passed legislation to have the federal government withhold Medicare payments to doctors who don't pay their taxes. GOP Sen. Norm Coleman is the chief Senate backer.

Home Depot and other Big Box retailers want to delay a cargo security measure. Coleman is mentioned.

GOP leaders, including GOP Rep. John Kline, brief members on a scandal involving the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Northwest Airline's name is at risk in merger talks with Delta. Oberstar is mentioned as opposing the merger but there is little he or members of Congress could do. That doesn't mean they won't scrutinize any such deals.

A public interest group says the federal government is hiding data on Great Lakes health concerns.

2008 Race for President

Minnesotans react to Mitt Romney's decision to suspend his campaign.

A Washington Post contributor says the race for the Democratic nomination basically comes down to the superdelegates. Paging Amy Klobuchar! Has anyone seen Sen. Klobuchar and the endorsement card she's carrying?

Pawlenty for VP talk

The Star Tribune says McCain's likely nomination heightens talk about Pawlenty's VP chances.

The Pi Press and the Star Tribune handicap Pawlenty's positives and negatives.

KARE also has a story on the Pawlenty VP talk.

mnpACT picks up that Tim Russert suggested that Pawlenty could be considered a 2012 presidential contender if McCain doesn't win.

2008 Race for the U.S. Senate

The Star Tribune says the DFL candidates are pleased with the caucuses but are unsure of the results.

The candidates also talk issues with KSTP.

2008 Race for Congress

Democrat Steve Sarvi officially announces his campaign for Congress in Minnesota's 2nd. MPR, the Pi Press and the KARE have stories.

The GOP candidates for Congress in Minnesota's 1st Congressional District square off at a forum in Winona. The La Crosse Tribune and the Winona Daily News have stories.

2008 RNC

Anti-war activists will be in the Twin Cities this weekend to plan protests.

Finally

Syracuse splits it evenly for Obama and Clinton. One of them should have handled a lacrosse stick or ate dinner at Dinosaur BBQ or ate hot wings at Varsity Pizza or at least said that the 1987 NCAA Championship game against Indiana was a heart breaker that took them years to get over. I'm not sayin' but I'm just sayin' (this message brought to you by a proud Syracuse University grad who can't understand why the basketball team only has seven quality players right now). Have a nice weekend.