Polinaut: July 20, 2007 Archive

The Daily Digest: 7-20-07

Posted at 7:34 AM on July 20, 2007 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

Gov. Pawlenty leaves this weekend for the annual summer meeting for the National Governors Association. He will become chair of the organization on Monday. The Pi Press says the post will raise his political profile.

Stateline also does a Pawlenty profile.

Politico says Pawlenty met with many of Washington's top Republicans during his visit on Wednesday.

A plan to renovate the Metrodome is underway but the Vikings express caution.

MPR says most Minnesota companies aren't doing as well as the Dow.

The health department says dog bites are on the rise. MPR, the Star Tribune and the Pi Press have stories.

Two Red Wing area lawmakers stand their ground after getting an earful from local business owners over tax increase proposals.

MPR gets local reaction on the state park proposal on Lake Vermilion.

Congress

Scripps says the Democrats are wielding the war debate for 2008.

CQ says an anti-war group targeting GOP Sen. Norm Coleman isn't targeting too many Democrats.

Senate Dems defeat Coleman's efforts on preventing the implementation of the Fairness Doctrine.

A Senate Committee approves DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar's pool safety bill.

She also backs funding for biodiesel education.

WCCO reality checks DFL Rep. Keith Ellison's Bush to Hitler comments.

So does City Pages.

A House Panel approves the Farm Bill being backed by DFL Rep. Collin Peterson.

AP says the Farm Bill could impact some state programs. For example, it would forbid Indiana from privatizing parts of its welfare system.

DFL Rep. Tim Walz talks about the Farm Bill.

Orr wanted a private prison but the federal bureau of prisons says the idea doesn't have merit. DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is mentioned.

The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) says the IRS takes a look at hospital charity care and says non-profit hospitals aren't doing it enough. Minnesota hospitals are mentioned.

2008

The Boston Globe says Arizona Senator John McCain bought Gov. Pawlenty's voter id list.

Forum Communications examines how much the citizens of Minnesota and North Dakota gave the presidential candidates.

Finally

Pawlenty's old law firm goes bust.

The Fix on Minnesota's U.S. Senate race

Posted at 12:53 PM on July 20, 2007 by Tom Scheck

The Washington Post's "The Fix" keeps the race at #5 most competitive but is a bit down on the Dems chances. Here's the latest from The Fix:

5. Minnesota(R): For some reason, Democrats aren't as enthused about this race as they are about the contests that appear ahead of it on the Line. Comedian Al Franken has shown he is serious about his challenge to Coleman but he faces a stiff test from 2000 Senate candidate Mike Ciresi in next year's Democratic convention. And, although Coleman is a Republican Democrats love to hate, the truth is that he is also a very savvy politician who is well aware of the peril he finds himself in. Coleman banked nearly $4 million at the end of June, a testament to his diligence in connecting with donors over the past few years. Despite Minnesota's Democratic lean, this is not an easy race for Democrats. Of couse, if the political environment is anything close to where it was in 2006 in Minnesota, it may not matter who runs. (Previous ranking: 5)