The Daily Digest: 8-11-08
Sorry the Digest is late.
Think Ohio doesn't matter in the presidential race? Republican John McCain says he will work to prevent job losses in one Ohio town even though he initially backed the deal.
DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar will hold a hearing on the DHL
merger
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.
in September. Company officials say it's not a merger and sent along this note:
The services contract under negotiation with UPS is not a merger, acquisition or joint venture. It is solely a customer-vendor arrangement whereby DHL purchases certain airlift and related services from UPS, as it does currently from other providers. Such arrangements have been common in the transportation industry for some time. The proposed services contract between UPS and DHL will not diminish competition between the companies in any way and will enhance express industry competition to the benefit of consumers.
Sorry about the error....
Both McCain and Democrat Barack Obama condemn the Russian assault on Georgia.
The Pi Press says younger voters are rallying behind McCain.
Obama may be nearing towards a VP decision. He'll announce it via e-mail and text.
Obama is now trying to call McCain a celebrity.
McCain may outspend Obama this month since he has to empty his coffers before the RNC.
Obama won the bobblelection.
Pawlenty for VP Watch
McCain says he still hasn't made up his mind.
The Star Tribune says Gov. Pawlenty's push for 1800 gas stations to have E85 pumps in the state ain't going to happen.
McCain may be considering Joe Lieberman for VP.
McCain and former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge meet for dinner in PA.
Smart Politics has two looks at what could happen if Pawlenty is tapped. One said the pick would be rare. Another says his poll numbers are going down because of it.
Minnesota Democrats also go after Pawlenty.
Pawlenty mistakenly puts the RNC in Minneapolis.
Conservative columnist John Fund writes about Pawlenty.
The vetting teams are looking at the candidate's backgrounds.
2008 Race for Senate
DFL Rep. Betty McCollum switches course and now backs Democrat Al Franken. MPR, the Pi Press and the Star Tribune have stories.
The St. Cloud Times says a veteran gets a one on one chat with Franken.
GOP Sen. Norm Coleman says the U.S. should rescind Iraqi reconstruction money.
The Austin Daily Herald writes about I-P candidate Dean Barkley's campaign.
2008 Race for Congress
3rd District Republican Erik Paulsen stakes out his position on energy and the war. The Pi Press, AP and MPR have stories.
GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann continues her push for increased drilling. The Pi Press also reports that she appears to be moving.
GOP Rep. John Kline is headed back to DC for a second week of protest on a lack of a vote on drilling.
Question for readers: Does the air come out of the drilling balloon if gas prices continue to go down?
DFL Rep. Tim Walz says he's worried about an automotive plant in Winona.
He also put forward a plan to cut taxes on the lower and middle class.
DFL Rep. Keith Ellison and Republican Barb Davis White will appear in Hopkins but will speak separately.
Bachmann's Republican challenger begins his walking tour.
2008 Race for Legislature
GOP Rep. Mark Olson gets the GOP endorsement for a Minnesota Senate seat. A bigger pain for the RNC (lawmaker convicted of domestic assault on the ticket) or DFL Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller (Olson has been known to talk and talk and talk and talk and talk...) MPR and the St. Cloud TImes have stories.
State Government
GOP Rep. Rod Hamilton feels duped since the Hwy. 60 fixes aren't happening.
University Ave. business owners step up opposition to LRT.
The PUC will consider approval for an Iron Range plant.
Lawmakers will hold a hearing on Thursday to look at contaminated groundwater related to 3M.
Congress
Sonia Pitt's hiring at TSA has some wondering whether the Department of Homeland Security's hiring practices are problematic.
DFL Rep. Tim Walz wants funding for a Rochester based energy system.
2008 RNC
Hard fundraising times are making it difficult for the RNC.
The Hamm's Plaza protest permit has been revoked.
2008 DNC
The theme of the DNC will be "America's Town Hall."
Hillary Clinton will headline the second night of the convention. Michelle Obama will get a primetime spot as well.