The Daily Digest

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann's eye-popping fundraising haul leads the Digest this morning. Politico is reporting that Bachmann's campaign has hauled in $3.4 million in the last quarter (which ended yesterday).

Bachmann got an award for promoting "English only" legislation.

Bachmann also headlined a summit for conservative women.

A Prairie Home Companion host Garrison Keillor calls Bachmann an "embarrassment" to Minnesota. He was fundraising for Democrat Tarryl Clark.

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.

Bachmann and Clark are also targeting voters with new technology. The Star Tribune and the Pi Press take a look at how the campaigns are using new technology to get their message out.

DFL Sen. Al Franken will hold a fundraiser in New Hampshire for a U.S. Senate candidate in that state.

MinnPost says the challengers hoping to unseat the incumbents in MN acknowledge their races could be difficult.

Race for Governor

The Revenue Department says it didn't officially review Horner's budget plan. Revenue officials said Horner's sales tax increase could raise the necessary money but said it can't be reviewed because Horner hasn't offered specifics.

Horner released a new ad.

Democrats go after Horner in a new web ad.

Horner got a housing industry twofer. The Realtors and the Builders Association of MN backed him.

The gov candidates are hitting the road today. Republican Tom Emmer is headed to northern Minnesota, Democrat Mark Dayton and IP Candidate Tom Horner will be in Duluth.

The MPR News/Humphrey Institute poll says the economy is the top issue.

The candidates for governor face an array of environmental issues.

Democrat Mark Dayton is asking the HHS Secretary to extend the grant application process for federal health grants. wants a shot at federal grants.

The DNC sent $250k to the DFL Party.

Common Cause says Minnesota's Future violated campaign finance law and filed a complaint with the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board.

Congress

Rahm Emanuel is scheduled to leave the White House today to run for mayor of Chicago.

The next chief of staff has the reputation of a "fixer."

AIG reaches a deal to repay the federal government.

A White House report gives the stimulus high marks.

A new Bin Laden tape is released.

President Obama signed a bill that requires the safe disposal of prescription medicine. DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar authored the bill.

DFL Sen. Al Franken keeps the pressure on Ally Financial.

President Obama is set to sign a bill that would cut red tape for fishing guides. DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is mentioned.

The Duluth Transit Authority gets $16 million in federal money. Oberstar is mentioned.

Pawlenty for Prez Watch

Gov. Pawlenty campaigned in New Hampshire.

Cato gave Pawlenty top marks as governor.

He's sixth in the latest Gallup poll of 2012 GOP hopefuls.

The Hill says Pawlenty isn't directing much money to Tea Party candidates.

Mitt Romney announced endorsements in Iowa.