The Daily Digest: 10-19-08

GOP Rep. Michele Bachman will appear on WCCO this morning at 10 AM (GOP Sen. Norm Coleman and I-P Senate candidate Dean Barkley will also appear).

Bachmann's come two days after she made controversial comments on MSNBC's Hardball. Those comments created a cash infusion for her DFL opponent.

6th District DFLer Elwyn Tinklenberg's campaign says the campaign raised $450 thousand in the 24 hours following GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann's comments on Hardball. MPR, the St. Cloud Times and the Pi Press have stories.

The Hill says candidates decry negative ads run by their parties. DFLer Ashwin Madia is mentioned along with GOP Sen. Norm Coleman.

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2008 Race for Senate

GOP Sen. Norm Coleman calls on all parties to denounce negative ads and calls. The move comes after the DFL Party Chair made an appeal to GOP Sen. Norm Coleman to denounce a Republican robocalls.

The Senate candidates will be in Bemidji this week.

The Pi Press profiles GOP Sen. Norm Coleman.

The Star Tribune profiles DFLer Al Franken.

Forum Communications says the disagreement over the war runs deep.

Franken campaigned in Mankato. Coleman campaigned in St. Cloud.

2008 Race for President

The Minnesota Poll shows Democrat Barack Obama with a wide lead over Republican John McCain.

McCain talks politics with KARE's Rick Kupchella.

Forum Communications takes a look at where the different candidates stand on rural issues.

Obama reports that he raised $150 million in September.

Record crowds greet Obama in St. Louis. McCain is forced to campaign in normally GOP reliable Virginia and North Carolina.

GOP VP nominee Sarah Palin appears on SNL.

Gov. Pawlenty pleads GOP unity during a campaign stop in Michigan for McCain. He also takes a shot at polls and public radio. Minnesota First Lady Mary Pawlenty campaigned in PA with Cindy McCain.

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar campaigns in New Hampshire for Obama.

The Chicago Sun-Times points out that one of the GOP talking points regarding Obama is wrong. Several GOP surrogates (including GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann) have brought up the name of Saul Alinsky. Obama was 10 when Alinsky died.

2008 Race for Legislature

Senate District 16 Republicans endorse Mark Olson for Senate even though he lost the primary. Olson is a write-in candidate.

2008 Other

Ramsey County is now looking at ACORN over voter cards. The cards in question were held longer than 10 days.

Forum Communications has a story on the debate over the proposed sales tax increase for arts and the outdoors.

State Government

The Star Tribune takes a look at the controversy surrounding a new mining venture on the Iron Range.

Regents approve proposal that would increase tuition at the U of M.

Minnesota has high seat belt use.

Congress

DFL Rep. Collin Peterson is mentioned in this story explaining credit default swaps.

DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar wants a better ice breaker. How about "Do you come here often?" or "Haven't we met before?" Sorry, had to be done.