The Daily Digest: 6-18-08

Republican John McCain is scheduled to make a fundraising stop and a possible campaign stop in Minnesota on Thursday. No details yet but it appears that at least one townhall is scheduled.

A poll by Survey USA also shows a close race between McCain and Barack Obama.

The New York Times details where McCain lines up and disagrees with President Bush on the issues.

Al Gore backs Barack Obama.

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Quinnipiac handicaps the battlegrounds.

2008 U.S. Senate Race

GOP Sen. Norm Coleman has a wide lead over Al Franken in the latest Survey USA poll.

Coleman and Franken continue to spar over Iraq. It follows a recent Franken ad on the subject.

2008 Race for Congress

The Rothenberg Political Report takes a deeper look at Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District.

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann says $2 a gallon gas can happen again. Her DFL challenger, El Tinklenberg, says Bachmann is unrealistic. The Pi Press and the MPR have stories.

The DNC also rips Bachmann on her drilling comments regarding China.

Pawlenty for VP Watch

Pawlenty sits down with The Hill to talk up his conservative credentials.

Robert Novak says McCain likes the idea of picking CT Senator Joe Lieberman and former PA Gov. Tom Ridge but isn't sure the base will support it.

White House political ace Karl Rove talked up Pawlenty on the Sunday talk shows but says former MA Gov. Mitt Romney should be the pick.

Former GOP House Speaker Newt Gingrich praises LA Gov. Bobby Jindal.

A blog called Donklephant looks at Pawlenty's record.

2008 Race for Legislature

The Duluth News Tribune says DFL Rep. Mike Jaros will retire.

State Government

AP looks at the panel that will determine compensation to the bridge victims and their families.

The state will spend more on bridges.

Aviation firms aren't happy with state cuts to airports.

Gov. Pawlenty seeks federal disaster status for flooded counties.

Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Magnuson wants more money for the courts. He also wants judges appointed and then reelected but fears negative and expensive elections.

2008 RNC

A proposal to extend bar hours in St. Paul comes with a catch.