The Daily Digest
This state isn't big enough for two potential 2012 hopefuls to be in it at the same time. As Gov. Pawlenty visits South America on a trade mission, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin signed books at the Mall of America.
Palin, a potential candidate for the White House in 2012, strolled into the mall to an adoring crowd of thousands. She signed books for 1,500 people and later held a fundraiser for a conservative group that's working to elect Republicans to the Minnesota House. MPR, the Pi Press, WCCO, MinnPost, the Star Tribune and AP have stories.
Palin didn't address the crowd and didn't speak with reporters. I heard her say six words as she walked out the door.
A man was arrested for throwing tomatoes at Palin.
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GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann was scheduled to see Palin last night. She wouldn't commit to backing a candidate in 2012. Not sure if that helps or hurts Pawlenty's White House chances.
Former GOP Senator Rick Santorum makes the rounds in South Carolina. He said Palin would have some "explaining to do" if she decides to run.
Under the Dome
Republicans held a rally at the State Capitol in support of Gov. Pawlenty's spending cap proposal. The Senate Taxes Committee held a hearing on the proposal later in the day. MPR, AP, the Pi Press, the Star Tribune, KSTP and Forum Communications have stories.
The U of M says it's bracing for more state funding cuts. The school, however, will be spared in some ways because the federal stimulus prohibits deep cuts to higher education.
Secretary of State Mark Ritchie will thank local elections officials for their work on the recount.
Congress
President Obama will roll out a jobs initiative today.
The event comes just a day after his approval rating hits a new low.
Speaking of polls, Rasmussen Reports says the Tea Party is more popular than the GOP.
The White House also says the pace of the stimulus will double in the next six months.
The EPA is prepared to regulate greenhouse gases.
The Senate debated an abortion amendment that would prohibit federal funding of abortion services for a public or private plan. A vote is scheduled for today.
DFL Sen. Al Franken urged his colleagues to defeat the amendment.
Democrats are also working to fix the public option.
The Star Tribune examines whether opting out is really an option.
DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar attended the Kennedy Center honors.
DFL Rep. Tim Walz took some tough questions during a townhall on Afghanistan.
A bill that overhauls the financial services industry is headed for a vote in the House. Walz and DFL Rep. Collin Peterson are mentioned.
Airline workers call for fair union election rules. DFL Rep. Keith Ellison is mentioned.
DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar favors giving government regulators more power over scrutinizing the Federal Reserve.
Oberstar also recently toured a manufacturing plant in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
2010 Race for Governor
The DFL candidates for governor debated the issues in St. Paul on Monday night.
The Minneapolis city budget cuts police. Will it become a campaign issue for DFLer R.T. Rybak?
Former Gov. Wendell Anderson backs Democrat Margaret Anderson Kelliher.