The Daily Digest: 8-7-08

Illinois Senator Barack Obama held a private fundraiser in Minneapolis last night. The Star Tribune provided the pool report.

Some reporters were told that there would not be a media availability before or after the event so imagine the surprise when some in the press corps saw him holding a news conference for a select group of TV stations last night. KARE, WCCO, Fox9 and KSTP have stories.

I would put the audio up from the entire news conference but we weren't there because we weren't told about it. Please send suggestions on what I'm supposed to tell the boss this morning.

Republican John McCain says he would force Congress to act on energy.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.

Pawlenty for VP Watch

Gov. Pawlenty campaigned in Delaware yesterday after spending some time in Washington DC.

During his DC visit, he said the party needs new ideas. The news wasn't the speech (which was standard fare) but where it was given (The National Press Club). The Washington Post, the Star Tribune, AP, The Hill, MPR, Politico, the New York Times, ECM, ABC, MinnPost, Hotline, the Pi Press and the Wall Street Journal have stories.

AP says Pawlenty praised Obama's positive tone but CNN said he slammed him. In the words of Vince Lombardi - What in the hell is going on around here?

The Pi Press takes a look at where Pawlenty has traveled in the past year.

A Pi Press editorial says everyone is asking Will Pawlenty get the nod but shouldn't we be asking if he should get it?

2008 Race for Senate

GOP Sen. Norm Coleman writes an op-ed on energy.

The Rochester Post-Bulletin says three senate candidates will visit Rochester today.

The Wall Street Journal says there's nothing funny about Al Franken's race in Minnesota.

DFLer Priscilla Lord Faris releases her new round of ads. MPR and the Star Tribune have stories.

The Mankato Free Press has a profile of Lord Faris.

WCCO Reality Checks the ads.

2008 Race for Congress

3rd District DFLer Ashwin Madia has a lapsed law license. The Star Tribune says it was renewed.

The Economic Times of India says Madia is running a strong race.

Congress

Unpaid bills are causing more utility shutoffs. Coleman is mentioned.

Food vs. Fuel splits farmers at Farmfest. DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar is mentioned.

The GOP House Minority Leader played a little golf in Ohio while his party calls for lawmakers to come back.

State Government

Sun Country wants the state's help.

The census says western Minnesota's counties remain the oldest.

2008 RNC

Few Twin Cities bars pony up the fee to extend bar hours during the RNC.

Cab drivers get a civility lesson before the RNC.

2010

Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner campaigned in Lucan.