The Daily Digest: 6-25-08

MnDOT disputes a critical report on the 35W bridge. AP and the Pi Press have stories.

The Star Tribune says there has been bridge progress and bridge politics.

KARE and Forum Communications say lawmakers are impressed with progress on the bridge.

Pawlenty names three to the Minnesota Court of Appeals. MPR, the Star Tribune and AP have stories.

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A council starts to take a look at long range plans for vets homes.

DEED's commissioner is impressed with Bemidji Aviation.

Coke's fleet is going hybrid. The Pi Press and the Star Tribune have stories.

Congress

The House decides to delay a vote on a proposal to limit excessive energy market speculation and manipulation. DFL Rep. Collin Peterson is mentioned.

An audit says the Justice Department turned political when it came to hiring.

GOP Sen. Norm Coleman and DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar want tax relief for tornado and flood victims.

The New York Times says Citigroup is going back on a deal. Coleman is mentioned.

Coleman has a mortgage from U.S. Bank.

Klobuchar visits the White House to celebrate the UMD Women's hockey national championship.

DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar introduces an airline passenger bill of rights.

2008 Race for President

Marc Ambinder reports what Polinaut readers already know, McCain has spent at least $150k on ads in Minnesota.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Tribune says Barack Obama is hoping that his voter drive will put 2004 red states in play. The paper says McCain is focusing on Minnesota.

Barack Obama asks his donors to retire Hillary Clinton's debt.

Nick Kimball will be the press person for Obama's Minnesota campaign.

Garrison Keillor (full disclosure alert - he's affiliated with MPR) has some advice for Barack Obama.

2008 Race for Senate

NPR takes a look at non-profits and political campaigns. The Alliance for a Better Minnesota, which is running ads ripping GOP Sen. Norm Coleman, is mentioned.

2008 Race for Congress

The Hill says the FISA debate moves from Washington to the campaign. Minnesota's 1st District is mentioned.

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann makes the cable rounds to discuss the AMT. She also wrote an op-ed on the AMT for the National Review (which may want to check the spelling on Michele Bachmann's name).

Chris Truscott, a Democrat leaning blogger, interviews Elwyn Tinklenberg who is challenging Bachmann.

The Rothenberg Political Report mentions 3rd District DFLer Ashwin Madia in his column about change.

2008 Race for Legislature

The Duluth News Tribune takes a look at the candidates who are looking to replace DFL Rep. Mike Jaros.

Pawlenty for VP Watch

The Political Animal says the Cato Institute disses Pawlenty.

Pawlenty is taking flak for his position on Cuba.

Politico says new ideas are the GOP's only hope this election season. Pawlenty is mentioned.

The Swamp goes clubbin' on all the club talk.

AP takes a look at McCain's Veep vetter.

Pawlenty spins comments made by a McCain adviser.

Marc Ambinder takes a look at McCain's possible picks. The nugget is that some McCain advisers are urging him to broaden his horizons.

2008 RNC

St. Paul issues 16 park permits for the RNC.