The Daily Digest: 6-20-08
John McCain is leaving Minnesota today after doing TV interviews with WCCO and KSTP. He raised money from big money GOP donors and held what he called a town hall in St. Paul on Thursday. The Pi Press, the Star Tribune, MPR, WCCO, KARE and Forum Communications have stories.
Protesters greet McCain.
ABC wonders whether McCain's brand is damaged.
Pawlenty for VP Watch
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McCain tells AP that Gov. Pawlenty has a future in the GOP but wouldn't say who his top picks are.
CBS says McCain campaigns with "possible VP" Pawlenty.
2008 Race for Senate
Norm Coleman's campaign said the ad starring his wife is authentic.
Democrat Al Franken makes his case regarding the Iraq War with the help of a general.
Minnesota Monthly profiles Franken.
2008 Race for Congress
Minnesota's 3rd District is considered the 15th most competitive by The Fix.
Stu Rothenberg calls the 3rd a pure toss-up, the 6th Republican favored, and the 1st leans Democratic.
Stu Rothenberg praises 3rd District GOP candidate Erik Paulsen (subscription required).
1st District GOP candidate Brian Davis said he's running to be a public servant.
Congress
A federal probe finds tax abuse by health care professionals who were paid by Medicare. GOP Sen. Norm Coleman is mentioned. The Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post and AP have stories.
Houston County gets federal agriculture aid. DFL Rep. Tim Walz is mentioned.
GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann says oil drilling and the environment can mix.
State Government
The metro area is a mortgage fraud hotbed.
Hundreds are rounded up in mortgage fraud arrests.
Minnesota's May unemployment climbs to 5.4%. That's the highest unemployment rate in 17 years. MPR, the Star Tribune and the Pi Press have stories.
The state sues a stinky dairy.
Attorney General Lori Swanson filed a criminal complaint against a nursing home.