The Daily Digest
Democrats and like-minded special interest groups are pulling out all of the stops to get people to the Target Center for President Obama's speech. They're lighting up Facebook, Twitter, phone banking and e-mail to increase turnout.
The speech comes just days after the U.S. Census Bureau said 444,000 Minnesotans don't have health insurance.
Meanwhile, Gov. Pawlenty suggested that he might assert state sovereignty to keep Minnesota from fully participating in a health care plan that could be passed by Congress and signed by President Obama. Pawlenty made his comments on a conference call with supporters of the Republican Governor's Association. You can listen to the caller question and Pawlenty's full answer here.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin also suggested state's rights as an option. The political blog, GOP12, says Pawlenty is making a push for the 10th Amendment supporters in a possible White House run.
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On Thursday, Pawlenty, a fierce critic of President Obama's health care reform plan, said the federal bill should focus on cost over access. DFLers in the Legislature say the only savings Pawlenty ever generated from health care is by cutting services, eligibility and payments to health care providers. MPR, the Pi Press and the Star Tribune have stories.
Democratic governors disagree with Pawlenty and say the bill will help.
Democrats in Congress say the health care bill will pass this year.
GOP Rep. John Kline will speak on behalf of the GOP on Saturday. He's holding a conference call before Obama's speech. MinnPost says Kline and the other GOP members of Congress were unmoved by Obama's speech.
Some analysts say the insured could pay more under Obama's plan.
DFL Rep. Betty McCollum is giving money to the opponent of GOP Rep. Joe "You Lied" Wilson of South Carolina.
GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen holds a health care town hall tonight. Factcheck.org said a DNC ad targeting Paulsen and GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann are false. Bachmann and DFL Rep. Tim Walz hold health care town halls on Saturday.
DFL Rep. Collin Peterson says health care reform may balance out Medicare.
Peterson will also attend the opening of an ethanol plant.
McCollum also honored a slain N. St. Paul police officer on the House floor.
GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann will appear with Texas Congressman Ron Paul at the U of M later this month.
GOP Rep. John Kline is criticizing a Democratic effort to overhaul the student loan market.
DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar will hold a news conference in Duluth today to discuss wood standards.
DFL Sen. Al Franken will headline Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin's Steak Fry on Sunday.
The federal government will spend an additional $30 million on pork for school lunches. DFL Rep. Tim Walz is mentioned.
Under the Dome
An administrative law judge will hear an argument by Xcel Energy to increase generating capacity and waste storage at the Prairie Island Nuclear facility.
Minnesota showed strong tax collections in August.
A new report paints a bleak picture for the state's roads and bridges.
2010
Stu Rothenberg says DFL state Sen. Tarryl Clark is one of the Democrats who gives the party "interesting opportunities" in 2010. Clark is hoping to unseat GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann.
Bachmann also said she is focused on her constituents not a White House run.
Pawlenty for Prez Watch
MSNBC's Morning Joe challenges Pawlenty on death panels, etc.
Hotline says Pawlenty was forced to answer questions on Palin during his trip to Virginia.
He also rides the fence on death panels and rips health care in Massachusetts (paging Mitt Romney!).
Get Well wishes
Former GOP Sen. Norm Coleman has Bell's Palsy.
Finally
It's been eight years since the 9/11 attacks.