The Daily Digest
Gov. Pawlenty's Washington D.C. close-up leads the Digest today. The governor who doesn't know what he'll do next says he'll make a decision on 2012 in 2011. He made those comments on Meet the Press. MPR, The Hill and the Star Tribune have stories.
He also called the stimulus "a waste of money" and didn't commit to a 2012 run.
You can watch Pawlenty's full appearance here.
Pawlenty tripled his support at the CPAC straw poll (from 2 percent last year to 6 percent this year!) Texas Congressman Ron Paul won the CPAC straw poll. Pawlenty finished fourth.
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
Pawlenty spoke to CPAC on Friday. AP, MPR and the Star Tribune have looks at his speech.
He said one of his principles is "God is in charge."
You can listen to Pawlenty's CPAC speech here.
Hotline called Pawlenty one of the "losers of CPAC."
Powerline also said Pawlenty needs a new speechwriter.
GOP12 has plenty of reaction to his speech and his Tiger Woods comment (which he tested at the MN Chamber dinner on 2/4).
McClatchy says Pawlenty's statement about President Obama's use of a teleprompter around school kids is false.
The Fix says Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell also raised money for Pawlenty's federal PAC.
Haley Barbour won't rule out a 2012 bid.
It also looks like Bobby Jindal is thinking about a 2012 run.
Under the Dome
The final vote could be coming today on a bonding bill. The conference committee is scheduled to wrap up the bill this morning at 9 o'clock. A spokesman for the MN Senate says the conferees approved a spreadsheet totaling $999.932 million. The agreement does not include any funding for Moose Lake, although evidently there will be some policy language regarding the project in the bill. More here.
The Pi Press looks at the constitutionality of the sex offender treatment program. Are they patients or prisoners?
Rochester's Mayor and Chamber head are pushing for the bonding bill. That puts GOP Senate Minority Leader in a bind. Will he vote his party or his district?
The override vote on the GAMC veto will not come today but will come this week. AP and MPR have stories.
The Pi Press wonders whether the House GOP can stick together.
DHS Commissioner Cal Ludeman defends Pawlenty's proposed cuts to the poorest Minnesotans.
The parties are dueling over job creation - spend or cut taxes.
The Legacy funds join the budget buffet.
The Racino bills will be introduced this week.
Xcel Energy released a plan to inspect 50,000 homes for possible mislaid utility lines.
The state offers help to ethanol producers after pollution violations.
A student proposes a tax checkoff for the homeless.
Congress
General David Petraeus says soldiers may not care if gays are allowed into the military.
President Obama will propose a health bill today that limits excessive rate increases on HMOs.
Franken pushed for the passage of a health care overhaul bill at a rally in Minneapolis. Listen to his speech here.
The Hill quotes Democratic Senate Majority Leader saying Congress will pass the health bill in sixty days.
The New York Times says President Obama is drafting his health bill so it doesn't need sixty votes in the Senate.
The Secretary of Education says layoffs loom for teachers.
The Obama Administration outlines a plan to nurse the Great Lakes back to health.
Democrats say they're concerned about President Obama's track record.
The Senate will take a test vote on the jobs bill today.
GOP Rep. John Kline held a townhall on Friday. MNProgressive Project has audio of the event.
The U.S. Census Bureau is working to convince minority groups to fill out the census form. DFL Rep. Keith Ellison is mentioned.
GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann spoke at CPAC on Friday and warned America faces a decline because of excessive spending. Listen to her speech here.
2010 Race for Governor
The Minnesota Women's Political Caucus backs Democrat Susan Gaertner.
I-P candidate Joe Repya drops out.
The MNGOP says Democrat R.T. Rybak's purchase of the DFL voter database doesn't pass the smell test.
MDE has a look at the delegate count between Republicans Marty Seifert and Tom Emmer.
Seifert has a slight edge in Beltrami County.
2010 Race for Congress
MinnPost looks at the battle for the DFL endorsement in Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District.
2010 Race for the Legislature
GOP Sen. Pat Pariseau will announce this week that she won't run for reelection.
GOP Sen. Paul Koering also skipped his endorsing convention and will run in the party primary.
Finally
RIP Alexander Haig.