The Daily Digest
Democrat Mark Dayton will start running TV ads next week. Democrat Matt Entenza has spent $850k on ads through the end of June.
(Note: check the link for a look at a 1998 Dayton for Governor ad).
Republican Tom Emmer will be in Fairmont and Sleepy Eye today to talk agriculture and livestock issues.
On Thursday, Emmer was on MPR's Midmorning. He didn't offer many specifics on how he intends to "redesign government" but it's a fascinating hour. You can listen to it here.
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The candidates for governor are giving some attention to the nurse's strike.
DFLer Margaret Anderson Kelliher toured a college in Staples and talked about the green economy. She also visited Alexandria and Moorhead.
Under the Dome
There were far fewer patients at Twin Cities hospitals on Thursday as the nurses picketed outside.
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights rules that Ladies Night at bars is not ok.
Minnesota's tax collections beat the forecast in May.
Minnesota won't join efforts to create national education standards.
Congress
Estimates on how much oil is spilling into the Gulf of Mexico are now much larger than a few weeks ago.
The Senate rejects efforts to block climate change rules.
President Obama is scheduled to meet with BP's CEO next week.
The federal government added another $135 billion in red ink to its tab.
New jobless claims dip.
DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar will speak in Iowa this weekend.
Klobuchar also wades into a battle over a judicial nominee.
DFL Sen. Al Franken criticized Comcast and NBC.
Franken also wants changes to foreclosure assistance.
DFL Rep. Keith Ellison is scheduled to speak at an Islamist conference in July.
GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann called President Obama the worst president in U.S. history.
Bachmann is also scheduled to be in Dallas, TX tonight.
DFL Rep Collin Peterson urges the regulation of foreign exchange swaps.
Some Cuba dissidents also support a Peterson effort to forbid the president from banning travel to Cuba.
Congress freed up more money for the cleanup efforts in the Gulf of Mexico. DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is mentioned.
Pawlenty for Prez Watch
The Des Moines Register released a new 2012 poll that shows Pawlenty trailing Mitt Romney, Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich. 53% of those polled don't know Pawlenty, according to the poll.
Pawlenty is in New York City raising money.
He appeared on ABC's Good Morning America this morning.
Pawlenty appeared on The Daily Show last night. You can watch the appearance here.
AP says he avoided taking a shot at Sarah Palin.
The Pi Press said Pawlenty needs to go on shows like that if he wants to build his national profile.
The Star Tribune said he played to the youth vote on the show.
Smart Politics looks at Pawlenty's poll numbers in Minnesota.