The Daily Digest: 8-15-08
The latest poll by Rasmussen Reports shows Obama's lead shrinking to 4 points. RealClearPolitics now moved Minnesota into the toss-up column.
The Wall Street Journal says it's Obama's not so good poll day.
Barack Obama's Minnesota campaign is targeting seniors. MPR, the Pi Press and the Star Tribune have stories.
Meanwhile, John McCain's campaign held hundreds of house parties across the state and will organizer a major GOTV effort on Saturday.
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Obama is also counting on the youth vote in Wisconsin.
Obama's campaign rebuts the book from the Swift Boat author.
Obama and McCain will talk with Rick Warren tomorrow. The Washington Post says young evangelicals aren't 100% behind the GOP.
McCain raised $27 million in July but he has to spend it all this month.
FEC: McCain didn't violate campaign finance laws.
Pawlenty for VP Watch
The Rasmussen Reports poll also examined what Gov. Pawlenty would do to the ticket. It said a third of Minnesota voters say they're less likely to vote for McCain if Gov. Pawlenty is McCain's VP pick. Perhaps it's because of a Gov. Molnau. DFL Party Chair Brian Melendez used the Molnau tactic during a stop in Brainerd.
Pawlenty sighting! He was in Bemidji for a fundraiser for a Minnesota House candidate. He told Bemidji Pioneer that the state could face a $500 million to a $1.5 billion budget deficit.
He also refused to engage in the VP talk.
Pawlenty isn't the only VP candidate on the Sunday shows.
2008 Race for Senate
Rasmussen says GOP Sen. Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken are tied in the polls.
The Fix moves Minnesota's Senate race up the line.
The DFL wants the Senate Ethics Committed to investigate whether Coleman violated the Senate gifts ban since he didn't have to pay his utility bills. The Star Tribune has the story.
2008 Race for Congress
U.S. News and World Report takes a look at 3rd District DFLer Ashwin Madia.
2008 Race for Legislature
Senate Republicans reject Mark Olson and say they won't allow him in their caucus if elected. Something to watch for: How much does the Senate GOP Caucus spend on the primary race? Does the MNGOP and others funnel money to the Caucus to defeat Olson? MPR, the Star Tribune, AP, the Pi Press and the Rochester Post-Bulletin have stories.
State Government
Minnesota's highest unemployment rate is the highest in over two decades. MPR, the Star Tribune, AP and the Pi Press have stories.
The state says the 3M contamination has been contained in the East Metro.
The PUC rules against the Excelsior project.
Attorney General Lori Swanson sues a mortgage lender for misleading customers. MPR and KARE have stories.
The Minnesota Supreme Court weighs in on the UnitedHealth options case. MPR and the Star Tribune have stories.
MnDOT Commissioner Tom Sorel talks transportation in St. Cloud.
City
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak wants to beef up the public works projects. The Star Tribune and MPR have stories.
2008 RNC
The stage is unveiled at the RNC site.
The RNC also starts training volunteers.
Reuters says huge protests are expected at both conventions.
Macalaster College says no to camping during the RNC.
2008 DNC
Delaware Sen. Joe Biden and Indiana Senator Evan Bayh get to speak on the VP night.