The Daily Digest
Good morning Digest readers. First off, a big thanks to Tim Pugmire, Tim Nelson and Mike Mulcahy for filling in for me during my paternity leave. It's nice to be back.
President Obama will speak tonight to a joint session of Congress tonight to discuss health care reform.
A source, who asked not to be identified, says Obama will visit Minnesota in his efforts to get the legislation passed. He's expected to speak in Minnesota on Saturday but time and location have yet to be determined. MinnPost first broke the story but my sources say it will not be at the Xcel Energy Center.
Democrats vow to give Obama a health plan.
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DFL Rep. Collin Peterson wants Obama to be clear on a health care plan.
GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann will also reportedly hold a townhall meeting on Saturday.
The DNC is also buying time to rip Bachmann and GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen on health care.
Obama's pollster is telling Congressional Democrats that polling shows that support for reform is higher that perceived.
On Tuesday, his speech to students was, well, conservative. He urged them to work hard and stay in school.
Congress
DFL Rep. Tim Walz visited Afghanistan and said he isn't sure whether he'd support a troop increase in the region.
Walz will also hold a health care townhall on
Sunday
Saturday.
The House and Senate continue to spar over transportation funding. DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is mentioned.
Under the Dome
State officials told DFL lawmakers that an economic tsunami is headed our way. Gov. Pawlenty disagrees with the assessment. He declined to attend the event and held a separate forum in Eden Prairie. MPR, the Star Tribune and AP have stories.
Lawmakers consider rail projects to fund.
Pawlenty for Prez watch
Gov. Pawlenty will be in Virginia today to campaign for Bob McDonnell, a GOP candidate for governor. The DFL is holding a morning conference call to criticize Pawlenty and McDonnell for McDonell's past writings on women.
Pawlenty closed the books on his gubernatorial campaign. He gave the remaining funds to charities and political organizations. The biggest recipient was the MNGOP. AP and the Star Tribune have stories. Here's the full list.