Polinaut: October 16, 2007 Archive

The Daily Digest: 10-16-2007

Posted at 9:53 AM on October 16, 2007 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: Daily Digest

MnDOT officials hold townhall meetings today to take input on the bridge design.

The meetings come one day after lawmakers only authorize a third of the funding that MnDOT wanted. MPR, the Star Tribune, the Pi Press and Forum Communications have stories.

Transportation Commissioner Carol Molnau continues to defend herself as Transportation Commissioner. She sits down with AP for ran interview. Here's the interesting little nugget on the Senate confirmation vote:

Molnau said she hadn't decided whether she would step down before it comes to such a vote.

Three investigations are looking into why the I-35W bridge collapsed.

Minnesota is in line for $133 million in federal funds but the state has to kick in matching funds.

The Grand Forks Herald writes about the dilemma facing Minnesota Transportation: Commerce vs. Safety.

State Government and other stuff

Governor Pawlenty is preparing for his trade mission to India. Apparently he needs to makes a quick stop at a Best Buy (in Shanghai!).

There's an agreement on the Twins stadium land deal. Pohlad is kicking in $15 million. Carl has to find that money somewhere. Say good-bye to Torii Hunter. MPR and the Star Tribune have stories.

There's also a $130 million agreement on the airport noise suit.

The state of Minnesota settles with Dru Sjodin's family. KARE-11 has a great scoop.

A DFL lawmaker says DEED is subverting funds for flood relief.

Minnesota faces a teacher shortage. KARE-11 and the Star Tribune have stories.

Several rural residents are protesting ethanol expansion.

The IRRRB considers a different financial plan with Minnesota Steel Industries.

Congress

Federal agencies' ok puts Northstar Commuter Rail on the fast track.

Mattel taps a lobbyist over the toy recall issue. DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar is mentioned because her former chief of staff has signed on as a lobbyist.

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann will speak at The Club For Growth (h/t Dump Bachmann).

Idaho Senator Larry Craig appeals his conviction. Again.

He also does an interview with NBC.

2008

AP says Democrat Al Franken and GOP Sen. Norm Coleman are spending plenty of money to make money.

Time takes a look at the Republicans big Senate fear (a filibuster proof majority). Coleman is mentioned.

DFLer Mike Ciresi campaigns in Crookston.

Politico says the flyover states lose another Republican. GOP Rep. Jim Ramstad is mentioned. Hey Politico, the Digest has feelings.

The L.A. Times has a similar story but says NRCC head Tom Cole is asking Ramstad to reconsider. So much for the NRCC argument of "It's not us who's recruiting him but a local grass roots effort from Republicans within the district."

CNN says all of the retirements means the GOP will not win back the U.S. House.

MPR has a story on the candidates running in Minnesota's 3rd District.

MN Campaign Report has an interview with Democrat Steve Sarvi, who is challenging GOP Rep. John Kline.

Dialing for Dollars

The Hill writes about the money race for the U.S. Senate.

MDE focuses on which Democratic bigwigs gave to Franken.

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann and DFL Rep. Tim Walz are leading the money race.

The Pi Press rounds it out.

The St. Cloud Times details some of Bachmann's money.

Hmmmm. I wonder why all of these candidates are raising all of this money. Oh, apparently TV spending could double in 2008.

2008 RNC

The Host committee says it met its financial goal of $14 million.

Finally

A Florida based reporter goes to New Hampshire with the hopes of scoring an interview and runs into roadblocks. Here's the downside to the "penalty box" scoring system for Democrats.

Finally Finally

Computers top peace and happiness as this year's number one holiday wish list. Seriously.

Finally Finally Finally

Mr. Mike Mulcahy will be taking over the digest for the next week and a half. I'm going on a nice long tropical vacation.

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Giuliani in Minnesota on Thursday

Posted at 11:33 AM on October 16, 2007 by Tom Scheck

I just received this e-mail from former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani:

Come And Meet Mayor Rudy Giuliani

Where: Peter's Grill
114 South 8th
Minneapolis, MN

When: Thursday, October 18th
9:45am-10:15am

Bring your camera and a friend to meet
Mayor Rudy Giuliani!

This event is free and open to the public. No RSVP required

His trip will probably include a private fundraiser. Anyone know where?

Maybe he's trying to break the curse of the Massachusetts candidate running for president

Posted at 11:43 AM on October 16, 2007 by Bob Collins (1 Comments)

As Mitt Romney's political views continue to "evolve" (these used to be called "flip flopping" when Democrats did it), the predominant question that is going to take center stage at the conclusion of his evolution is whether Romney's stated positions were dishonest then as governor of the Bay State, or now as a candidate for president.

The NY Times today profiles how Romney has been cozying up to the evangelicals, who are distrustful of his Mormonism. Oh, and there's that abortion thing to explain.

That'll be a neat trick, and one that might be easier to explain than this one. Times notes that Romney's spending reports show $4,312 in July and August on ... get this, Bostonians... tickets to the New York Yankees. The Times points out it could've been to watch the Red Sox play.

And it could be the case, except that the Red Sox didn't play in New York in July, and played only three games in August.

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Select A Candidate catches on

Posted at 12:17 PM on October 16, 2007 by Bob Collins (1 Comments)

I've got phone messages from columnists who want to do a story about Select A Candidate, I've got emails from stations that want to add it to their Web site, and now I see a TV station in Iowa has dedicated a whole report to it (Watch).

Since Select A Candidate has been around since 2000, I can only come to the conclusion that the nation's news agenda is being set by Howard Stern. Ugh.

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Is the Democratic race over?

Posted at 3:06 PM on October 16, 2007 by Bob Collins (7 Comments)

It all depends on whether the states leapfrog their primaries to... next week. But the CNN poll out this afternoon shows Hillary Clinton's lead among those surveyed is now 30% over Barack Obama. If that doesn't change by the time primary season starts, the money taps are going to close for everyone else pretty quickly.

On the Republican side, Giuliani continues as the front runner and, when pitted head-to-head, it's a toss-up. As Fred Thompson stumbles, Giuliani is moving toward avoiding saying anything that might disrupt his march to St. Paul. Polinaut expects a steady drumbeat of "I'm the electable one," from here on.

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