The week ahead. What to watch for…
Saturday
Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain will sit down with Pastor Rick Warren (who wrote The Purpose Driven Life) on Saturday night.
The Warren event will be watched closely since the campaigns are furiously courting the Christian vote. A recent poll says a third of the evangelicals are still undecided.
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Warren will interview each candidate separately for about an hour. USA Today says Warren will ask about the presidency and the constitution but will ask personal questions as well. Expect to hear questions about Obama's drug use and McCain's divorce. The Obama leaning Christian group "Matthew 25" will also run this ad during the event. Is it an attempt to raise concerns about McCain's divorce or ease concern about the John Edwards fiasco?
McCain's campaign may also be working to drive a wedge between Obama and the Christian base. Some have suggested that this McCain web ad may be working to court evangelicals by portraying Obama as the antichrist.
CNN and Fox News will air the event live.
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I'm told by Obama and McCain's campaigns that they'll be out in full force this weekend. That means volunteers will be knocking on doors and making phone calls on behalf of the candidates. You're probably on a list or live in a partisan neighborhood if you get a call. Don't worry if you don't get contacted. You will before election day.
Sunday
Governor Pawlenty's VP audition continues. He's scheduled to appear on Face the Nation opposite Indiana Senator Evan Bayh (a VP prospect himself).
It could be considered the "safe pick show" since the chattering class says Pawlenty and Bayh could be the "safe picks" for the two candidates. The Fix and CBS rank Pawlenty #1 on the VP list.
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Democrat Al Franken will speak at the 4th Annual Paul & Sheila Wellstone Dinner in St. Cloud. DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar will be the keynote speaker.
Monday
Gov. Pawlenty will attend two fundraisers in Wisconsin.
Wednesday
Gov. Pawlenty will hold a morning fundraiser for GOP Sen. Norm Coleman. The invite says "Senator Coleman and Governor Pawlenty will lead a discussion on the current political season and provide an update on Senator Coleman's campaign."
Remember to send those fundraising letters and e-mail, etc. to tscheck@mpr.org or fax them to 651 227 5238. Thanks to those who already sent some along.
Thursday
The 3rd District candidates will meet in their first debate. DFLer Ashwin Madia, Republican Erik Paulsen and I-P member David Dillon will debate the issues.
Have a nice weekend!