The Daily Digest: 8-17-08
Gov. Pawlenty's VP tryout leads the digest. Pawlenty was on Face the Nation (video up soon - I hope) this morning and said he had "no news to report" when asked if he was asked to be the VP nominee or whether he was taking his name out of consideration.
Pawlenty appeared alongside Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh. Pawlenty stuck to several talking points "Who do you want sitting across Putin?" and "McCain was crisp, Obama was wandering..." regarding the Saddleback Forum. Bayh shot back that McCain dropped the ball on seeing the Georgia crisis because he was too focused on Iraq. He also surprised Pawlenty by saying Pawlenty was initially against the surge. Pawlenty replied he was against the surge because he felt it was too late and should have occurred earlier.
The bottom line: Bayh and Pawlenty looked like twins and stuck to their talking points. You can read more about it here.
Former PA Gov. Tom Ridge said the GOP could accept a pro-choice VP. Ridge is pro-choice.
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Democrats are bracing for Obama's pick.
Delaware Sen. Joe Biden is headed to Georgia.
This Scottish newspaper said both candidates need running mates who can deliver votes.
2008 Race for President
The Star Tribune says the candidates are holding their hands out in the same zip codes.
Democrat Barack Obama raised $51 million in July.
Obama and Republican John McCain met in the Saddleback Forum. They differed on abortion and the U.S. Supreme Court. AP and Politico have stories.
2008 Race for Senate
Forum Communications says no debates are set yet.
The Pi Press says the Senate candidates are spending their money on mud.
AP says GOP Sen. Norm Coleman is holding his own in the Senate race. The story focuses on how the Democrats will pick up Senate seats.
AP picks up on the YouTube debate.
2008 Race for Congress
The Hill says the GOP efforts to call for more drilling equates to Groundhog Day. GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann is mentioned.
The 3rd District candidates head to GameFair. DFLer Ashwin Madia is also headed to the DNC.
Congress
DFL Rep. Collin Peterson talks about the Bovine TB management plan.
He also said implementing the Farm Bill is the next step.
2008 RNC
The RNC organizes a mass clean-up.
Forum Communications says convention delegates are happy despite the costs.