The Daily Digest: 6-19-08
John McCain, the presumptive GOP nominee for president, will appear at a Minneapolis fundraiser and a town hall meeting in St. Paul today. AP and Fox 9 have stories.
The Pi Press says you either have to pay up or win the "undecided lottery" to see McCain firsthand. MPR will broadcast McCain's town hall live tonight at 7pm.
MPR takes a look at how McCain can ask for $50k even though individuals can only give $2300.
Barack Obama's campaign apologizes for blocking Muslims at an event.
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America votes is organizing in Minnesota.
2008 Race for Senate
Larry Sabato says the race "Leans Republican."
The Independent profiles Al Franken.
The Star Tribune picks up on the latest go around between the MNGOP and Franken.
GOP Sen. Norm Coleman appeals to local conservatives in Hutchinson.
Former Sen. Dean Barkley says he won't run for the Senate.
WCCO Reality Checks the ads.
2008 Race for Congress
The Rochester Post-Bulletin says DFL Rep. Tim Walz is still carrying credit card debt from his campaign.
The St. Cloud Times has a story on campaigns using the internet to get their message out. The story focuses on the 6th Congressional District contest between GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann and DFL backed Elwyn Tinklenberg.
Pawlenty for VP Watch
Tim Pawlenty says he doesn't expect to be asked to be VP. The Star Tribune and KSTP have stories.
The Fix makes another "Case for Tim Pawlenty."
The writer who profiled Pawlenty for The New Republic provides a "slam dunk case for Pawlenty for VP." Don't get too excited since he also wrote about Joe Lieberman.
Klobuchar for VP Watch
It had to be done since The Wall Street Journal is mentioning her.
Klobuchar spoke on Obama's behalf at an energy efficiency forum.
State Government
The Winona Daily News says inspectors found rusty gusset plates on the Winona bridge.
Sun Country Airlines wants state assistance.
Bob McFarlin, who led MnDOT after Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau was dismissed by the Senate, is leaving the agency.
Residents voice concerns over the Central Corridor plan.
Congress
Congress overrides President Bush's veto of the Farm Bill (again).
The St. Cloud Times says Michele Bachmann's family is benefiting from farm subsidies. Bachmann voted against the Farm Bill.
Lawmakers continue to push President Bush to declare the flooded counties in southern Minnesota a disaster area.
GOP Sen. Norm Coleman wants digital converter box coupons to be reissued.
DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar wants President Bush to hold oil producing nations accountable for high oil prices.
GOP Rep. John Kline is praised for his support of low-income, first-generation, and disabled students.
Airline passengers sue to stop the NWA/Delta merger.
DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar rips a Bush Administration plan to auction off flight slots in NYC.
Oberstar also assessed transportation needs in Illinois.
2008 RNC
A new report finds that big convention donors are also big campaign donors.
The traffic plan for the convention is still a work in progress. Downtown businesses and dwellers are preparing for it.
2010 Race for Governor
DFL Rep. Tom Rukavina says he's still mulling a run for governor.
Finally
A poll finds that Minnesotans' have an increasing cynicism about government.