The Daily Digest: 4-21-08
Gov. Pawlenty will appoint his next Transportation Commissioner at a news conference this morning. Will it be Acting Transportation Commissioner Bob McFarlin?
The governor will also meet with the health care experts this morning to work out their differences on the health care plans. A recent Survey USA poll looks at the health care issues being discussed at the Capitol.
House DFLers will also announce a property tax relief package this morning.
Pawlenty met with executives at NWA and Delta.
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Meanwhile, the Atlanta Journal Constitution says NWA's departures means a loss of jobs and status.
House Republicans say they'll use video monitors at gas pumps to rip Democrats for the gas tax increase.
Lawmakers pledge rural air service support.
Forum Communications wonders whether there will be a second bonding bill.
DFL Rep. Frank Moe announces that he won't run for reelection.
Officials toured the proposed site for the Veterans Cemetery near Duluth.
Pawlenty signed the Good Faith bill into law.
The Pi Press and KARE write about the Real ID flap.
A proposed tax break for the Mall of America has competitors crying foul.
Both sides are pointing to science in the medical marijuana debate.
A plan for a presidential primary advances in the Senate
Pawlenty expresses regret for the "cheap shots" line.
Homeowners took their mortgage crisis complaints to the Governor's Residence.
Congress
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is in Minnesota today. She'll meet with veterans and will also hold a fundraiser for DFL Rep. Tim Walz.
Walz says he's optimistic that a compromise can be worked out on the Farm Bill.
AP says the Congressional climate is tough for the Farm Bill.
DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar hopes to run out the clock on the merger.
DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar wants to encourage vets to become paramedics. Fox9 and KARE have stories.
She also wants the USDA to help pork farmers.
DFL Rep. Keith Ellison is speaking at St. Thomas today.
2008 Race for President
The New York Times writes about Clinton fatigue among Democrats. DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar and other Minnesotans are mentioned.
Iron Rangers weigh in on Obama's "bitter comments."
An MSNBC poll says Pennsylvania's primary could be tight.
John McCain accepts matching funds and exits the fundraising race.
But GOP donors are pushing to organize outside groups.
2008 Race for Senate
Minnesota's senate candidates tally the most campaign funds in 2008.
GOP Sen. Norm Coleman dismisses the notion of a Jesse Ventura challenge.
The Brainderd Dispatch has a profile of Coleman.
The Washington Post says Democrats have widened their fundraising lead in Senate contests.
Democrat Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer attended a rally in Duluth.
2008 Race for Congress
Eric Paulsen gets the GOP endorsement for Congress in the 3rd. MPR, the Star Tribune and AP have stories.
Paulsen tells MinnPost that he isn't counting on the reliably GOP district.
Glen Menze won the GOP endorsement in the 7th.
Missed this one last week. Democrat El Tinklenberg criticizes GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann for her light bulb act. The two are running for Congress in the 6th.
DFLers are hopeful they can win seven of Minnesota's eight seats.
The Rothenberg Political Report has its latest rankings.
CQ says freshman Dems, like Walz, hit paydirt.
The NRCC is seeking cash from retiring lawmakers like GOP Rep. Jim Ramstad.
Pawlenty for VP Watch
KARE speculates on whether the Pawlenty pick could happen.
Karl Rove talks about Pawlenty's chances on Fox News Sunday.
Political oddsmakers put Pawlenty at five to one odds.
The Boston Globe and The Fix wonder whether a Pawlenty pick could tip Minnesota in the red column.
The governors in Missouri and Alaska are also interested in the VP slot.
2008 RNC Convention
A peace picnic will be held to tweak the GOP delegates.
Joe Lieberman, the former Democratic nominee for VP, says he'd speak at the GOP Convention if McCain asked.
Finally
Run fast Tom Weber!