The Daily Digest - 8:15:06

Posted at 10:19 AM on August 15, 2006 by Tom Scheck

I'm back from an extended weekend vacation and staring at an inbox of several hundred e-mails. That means the digest will be short today. Anyway, Twin Cities officials and MN GOP leaders court the RNC. The Star Tribune, the Pi Press and MPR all have stories.

On the Democratic side, DNC Convention Watch is reporting that Denver is getting a second look but may have some union issues.

The Bemidji Pioneer is reporting on a Mark Kennedy fundraiser in that city and looks ahead to his statewide tour:
Kennedy announced his “Right kind of change” plan on Saturday, and will flesh out its details later this week, starting in Winona. But he held the 14-page agenda aloft while speaking to Beltrami Republicans.

In the next several days I will be rolling out my plan, because you shouldn’t just be hearing complaining, you ought to be saying what is your solutions,” Kennedy said. “And you’re not going to get the right kind of change unless you have a plan for what kind of change you’re going to achieve.

The Associated Press has a story on Minnesota getting the attention of national heavyweights:

All the attention is focused on Minnesota because of several competitive races that could help tip the balance of power in the U.S. House and Senate. The big names help local candidates raise substantial sums of money and rally their supporters.

There are also plenty of ballot challenges going on. The DFL wants GOP Congressman Gil Gutknecht off of the ballot. MPR's Laura McCallum reports that an I-P candidate wants to be on the ballot.

GOP Congressman John Kline apologizes to the Marines under investigation in the killings of two dozen civilians in Haditha, Iraq.

Former state Senator Ember Reichgott Junge gets the endorsement of Emily's List. The Star Tribune says it could bring some national street cred to her campaign.

Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich, who ran for president two years ago, will hold a fundraiser for state Rep. Keith Ellison's run for Congress.

The Star Tribune has a story on the proposed constitutional amendment regarding transportation funding.

The LATimes has a story on a push to register more evangelical Christians. Minnesota is one of the states getting the attention.

The Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters endorse Governor Pawlenty's for governor.

The St. Cloud Times has a story on Mayor Dave Kleis' first budget proposal.

Roll Call has a profile (subscription required) on MN GOP Deputy Chairman Eric Hoplin. It says he's going places:

In his first year as deputy chairman, Hoplin, a devout Republican since the fifth grade, has logged thousands of miles driving around the state meeting with candidates and party activists. He estimated he spends, on average, about two-thirds of his time each week outside of the office.

Finally, it isn't an election if there isn't a lawn sign controversy. Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher offers a reward for missing (stolen?) lawn signs.

As always, check out MPR's Campaign 2006 site for all of your campaign related needs.

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