The Daily Digest

The blog is always partial to dessert before dinner so we'll start with the politics over the policy. With just two days before the endorsement, the DFL candidates for governor are scrambling to convince the undecided delegates to pick them.

Meanwhile...

Republican Tom Emmer is defending himself from campaign criticism over two drunken driving arrests that occurred decades ago. The letter was released by Republican Marty Seifert's campaign. Seifert says delegates should know about the issue. Emmer said the arrests have been public for some time and "feels for Marty" for what he called a desperate attempt by Seifert's campaign.

MPR, AP, the Pi Press, WCCO and the Star Tribune have stories.

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You can read Seifert's campaign letter (sent by a Seifert supporter) here.

DFL Rep. Betty McCollum backs Democrat R.T. Rybak's campaign for governor.

The head of the Minnesota Farmer's Union backed Margaret Anderson Kelliher.

Rybak, Kelliher, Mark Dayton and Susan Gaertner appeared on Midday on Wednesday.

MPR looks at Dayton, Gaertner and Matt Entenza - the 3 DFLers who will ignore the party endorsement.

Entenza will run $140,000 worth of TV and radio ads next week. Here's the ad.

DFLer Tom Rukavina writes an op-ed in the Star Tribune.

Here's a list of the DFL parties in Duluth. If you can't get in, I can give you the secret password: "I'm an undecided delegate."

2010

Republicans finally have a candidate for Minnesota Attorney General. Chris Barden of Edina formed a campaign committee with the Campaign Finance Board on Wednesday.

Former White House political director Karl Rove will speak to College Republicans today at the U of M.

Under the Dome

A deal for state health coverage for the poor is unraveling. The news comes after Hennepin County rejected a state contract to treat GAMC patients at HCMC. HCMC's decision follows the lead of rural hospitals across the state. MPR, the Star Tribune and the Pi Press have stories.

The Legislative Auditor released his investigation into the state'e E-Everify system. It was critical of the state's handling of private data.

Republicans are criticizing a decision to let a lobbyist for Education Minnesota to sit at the front of the table with state lawmakers during a hearing. House members changed the rules as a result of the seating arrangement. MPR and the Pi Press have stories.

Public defenders in southeastern Minnesota say the heavy workload puts their licenses at risk.

Congress

Minnesota's census participation rate is at 78 percent.

President Obama says he wasn't consulted by the SEC over Goldman Sachs.

Treasury Secretary of Tim Geithner said the U.S. will never have to bail out banks again if financial reform passes.

An investigation of former Democratic Rep. Eric Massa is reopened.

Federal judge James Rosenbaum says he'll leave the bench in August. President Obama has nominated Susan Richard Nelson to replace him.

President Obama talked with DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar over his Supreme Court pick.

DFL Sen. Al Franken weighs in on the financial regulation bill.

GOP Rep. John Kline signed a pledge to repeal the health care bill.

Democrats are planning an offensive against any repeal efforts.

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann defends the National day of Prayer.

DFL Rep. Collin Peterson says there needs to be changes to the Farm Bill.

DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar jumps back into the Clean Water Act battle.

Pawlenty for Prez Watch

A poll in New Hampshire finds Gov. Pawlenty near the bottom of the 2012 GOP field.

Pawlenty appeared on the Ed Morrissey show.

Finally

Since I'm headed to Duluth early Friday morning, there won't be a Digest on Friday.

Please check the blog for updates on the DFL state Party convention. MPR will also be providing live radio updates/coverage of the convention on Friday and Saturday.