The Daily Digest: 6-23-08

Presidential politics focuses on energy.

Republican John McCain is offering $300 million for a better electric car battery. Democrat Barack Obama wants to end the "Enron loophole."

Illinois Congressman Rahm Emanuel wants to know where McCain stands on drilling in the Great Lakes.

KSTP and WCCO (click on video library) hold one on one interviews with McCain.

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AP says Bob Barr could derail a McCain election.

AP wonders whether race based ads will play a role in the campaign.

The Wall Street Journal says Obama is walking a fine line with Muslims. DFL Rep. Keith Ellison is mentioned.

Pawlenty for VP Watch

The Pawlenty for VP echo chamber continues.

Andrew Sullivan predicts that Pawlenty is the pick.

Pawlenty appears on Late Edition. Here's a CNN story. Here's the transcript.

The Times of London profiles Pawlenty.

Pawlenty says he's not being vetted.

Politico takes a look at some possible female VP candidates.

AP notes what many of the VP candidates are saying about the job.

2008 Race for Senate

The Providence Journal says Democrats are hoping for big gains in the Senate. Minnesota's Senate race is mentioned.

Democrat Al Franken cheered on runners at Grandma's Marathon in Duluth.

The Political Animal picks up on an interesting Coleman for Senate blog entry that mocks those who question Coleman's latest ad.

2008 Race for Congress

The Independence Party is backing DFLer Elwyn Tinklenberg in the 6th District against GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann. AP, the Pi Press and the Star Tribune have stories.

The Rochester Post-Bulletin takes a look where some of the candidates in Minnesota's 1st Congressional District stand on expanded drilling. DFL Rep. Tim Walz opposes it. Brian Davis, one of his Republican opponents, supports it.

State Government

The Star Tribune says court tie-ups are coming because of cuts to public defenders.

Non-profits receive a reprieve on the property tax issue.

Forum Communications says the new property tax cap has loopholes.

Congress

The House approved the wiretap measure.

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar visits the flooded areas in southern Minnesota. She's urging the federal government to speed up funding. AP, the Albert Lea Tribune, the Austin Daily Herald and MPR have stories.

Airline executives are urging Congress to curb oil speculators.

Carver wants to improve its aging levees.

DFL Rep. Tim Walz wants to change No Child Left Behind.

Associated Builders and Contractors name GOP Rep. John Kline its Free Enterprise Legislator of the year.

DFL Rep. Collin Peterson says the new GI bill is included in war funding bill.

DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar met with Iowa officials to talk about cleaning up from flood damage.

The Tampa Tribune says gas prices have put Amtrak back on track. Oberstar is mentioned.

2008 RNC

The Star Tribune takes a look at the efforts to raise corporate money for the RNC.

Hospitals say they're ready for the RNC.