The Daily Digest
Minnesota is getting plenty of attention from outside groups and national political heavy weights. Former President Bill Clinton will campaign in Blaine on Sunday night to campaign for Democrat Tarryl Clark's campaign for Congress.
Clinton's visit comes one day after President Barack Obama will hold a rally at the U of M to hold a rally for Democrat Mark Dayton's campaign for governor.
Obama's visit comes at a time when polling shows young voters aren't engaged in the midterms.
While Democrats will bring in their heavy hitters, the RGA delivered a $1 million check to spend on ads to help Republican Tom Emmer get elected. The RGA has spent $1.8 million on the race to date. The DGA spent $1.5 million.
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Gov. Tim Pawlenty will also campaign with Emmer on Sunday and Monday.
Former GOP Gov. Al Quie announced on Thursday that he's backing IP candidate Tom Horner. Horner now has the backing of two of the three living GOP governors in Minnesota.
The candidates will appear in a debate this morning in Rochester.
On Thursday, Dayton spoke to Minnesota teachers and said he wants to create an alliance with them.
Emmer told the St. Cloud Times that he wants no state funds to go for the expansion of the Northstar Commuter Rail Line.
Horner supports the judicial appointment process.
Horner told the Marshall Independent he likes where he's at.
MPR talks to the candidates about what they think the state's role is for broadband.
As they prepare for the final push, Democrats have a large cash advantage over the MNGOP.
Race for Congress
DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar and Republican Chip Cravaack will square off in a debate tonight in Grand Rapids. Oberstar says he wants a civil debate not a "professional wrestling match."
Small donors make a big difference in the race for Minnesota's 6th District.
GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann says she'll have a bigger role in Congress if Republicans take the majority.
Democrat Tarryl Clark says the 6th District should be the focus of the job.
The Star Tribune uses the 1st District as an example of how voters are shifting their preferences along with the economy.
The candidates in the 4th District debated the issues.
DFL Rep. Collin Peterson turned down a push for public debates.
Smart Politics says Oberstar and Peterson receive more than half of their money from special interests.
The Wall St. Journal reports that AFSCME is the biggest spender in this year's election (to date).
Race for Legislature
DFL state Rep. Tina Liebling of Rochester is making a play to become Speaker of the Minnesota House. Read her letter to DFL House members here.
2010 Other
The candidates for Attorney General will be on TPT's Almanac tonight. Side note: Attorney General Lori Swanson, the DFL incumbent, declined MPR's request to appear in a debate with Republican Chris Barden next week.
Under the Dome
The state lost 9,900 jobs in September.
Families and friends say good-bye to twelve soldiers who are being deployed to Afghanistan.
Six are charged with voter fraud in Hennepin County. The sheriff investigated 110 cases.
Chris DeLaForest is leaving his post with the Pawlenty Administration.
Congress
Top companies are aiding the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in policy fights with the White House.
The feds will boost spending on ethanol production.
DFL Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken back Sun Country's bid to have a slot at Reagan International Airport in Washington D.C.
Klobuchar is also taking aim at reducing online harassment.
Pawlenty for Prez Watch
Pawlenty told KSTP that he'll make a decision by March on whether he'll run for President.
Gov. Pawlenty will spend the Sunday before Election Day campaigning for the GOP candidate for governor... of Iowa.
On the Saturday before Election Day, Pawlenty, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour will hold a campaign rally for Emmer.
Pawlenty will also be in Pennsylvania and Ohio next Friday to campaign for the GOP candidates for governor in that state.
Pawlenty will host a fundraising luncheon today for Wisconsin Congressional hopeful Sean Duffy.
He also has a Facebook chat with the Heritage Foundation today.