Polinaut: August 8, 2006 Archive

Change in Congress?

Posted at 8:45 AM on August 8, 2006 by Mike Mulcahy

The Washington Post and ABC have an interesting poll today showing the percentage of people who approve of their own representative's performance is at the lowest level since 1994. That of course was the year the Republicans took over. The paper says the "own representative" stat is key because people generally rank their own representative higher than Congress in general.

But the news is not all good for Democrats, as most voters say they're not sure what the party stands for.

But with gas prices headed up and things in Iraq still looking grim where is the good news these days for the GOP?

The Daily Digest: 8-8-06

Posted at 1:20 PM on August 8, 2006 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

Sorry for the late digest but I had to cover the AFL-CIO convention. MPR will have the audio from the endorsed candidates on our Campaign 2006 website soon.

The Star Tribune has a story on a possible Bush visit to Minnesota that includes a fundraiser for Michele Bachmann.

Bush isn't the only national heavyweight coming to Minnesota. The National Journal says Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist will be in Minnesota this month. Missouri Senator Kit Bond will be stumping for Mark Kennedy on Wednesday.

The Bemidji Pioneer writes about an Amy Klobuchar visit to the region.

Pawlenty says he won't use his new post at NGA as a springboard for higher office:

"I have told people I am not running for president," Pawlenty said in a teleconference from Charleston, S.C., where the NGA is holding its summer meeting. "I am focused on getting reelected as governor of the state of Minnesota and continuing my job as governor."

The St. Cloud Times says citizens are asking the mayor of Waite Park to resign.

The USA Today says politics is becoming a family business:

In 1986, at least 24 U.S. senators and representatives were closely related to governors or other members of Congress, USA TODAY research shows.

Twenty years later, there are more than 50 - among them four sets of siblings, four widows, dozens of offspring, the wife of a former Senate majority leader and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, wife of a former president and governor.

The Washington Post's David Broder says Americans have contempt for Congress...

Finally, The Albany Times Union says Republicans were impressed with the Twin Cities as a possible host for their party's national convention in 2008. The site selection committee will be back in Minnesota on Sunday.

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Klobuchar defends role as Hennepin County Attorney

Posted at 1:55 PM on August 8, 2006 by Tom Scheck

You can listen to Amy Klobuchar's response to GOP Congressman Mark Kennedy's criticism that she has not personally prosecuted a case while serving as Hennepin County attorney.

Reichgott Junge calls for Rumsfeld to resign, discusses Lieberman and runs radio ads

Posted at 4:23 PM on August 8, 2006 by Tom Scheck

Ember Reichgott Junge held a news conference this afternoon to call for the resignation of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. She also announced that her first radio ad will begin running on Wednesday.

Reichgott Junge also discussed Joe Lieberman. The Connecticut Senator is in for the fight of his political life in today's Democratic Primary. Reichgott Junge was a member of Lieberman's state steering committee when he ran for president in 2004. You can listen to the news conference here.

John Edwards will hold a rally for Amy Klobuchar

Posted at 9:01 PM on August 8, 2006 by Tom Scheck

The DFL Party just sent this out:

Please join Senator John Edwards for a Rally for Change

In support of Amy Klobuchar for U.S. Senate

WHEN: Thursday, August 10, 2006 -- Music starts at NOON, program to follow
WHERE: State Capitol, South Lawn, St. Paul