Polinaut: January 24, 2008 Archive

The Daily Digest: 1-24-08

Posted at 8:46 AM on January 24, 2008 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

Happy Birthday Gary Eichten. Now get back to work. The voters need to be informed.

Gov. Pawlenty says the Central Corridor LRT plan costs too much and wants the price trimmed a bit. MPR and the Star Tribune have stories.

An audit calls for better oversight of county veterans offices. AP, the Star Tribune and the Pi Press have stories.

The U of M's president says a gas tax increase would free up money for education.

Some groups are pushing for a campus wide smoking ban at the U of M.

The state has quietly launched an initiative urging Minnesotans to buy long term care insurance.

The Star Tribune says Minnesota drivers are hitting the brakes a bit.

Environmental groups are calling on carbon limits to raise cash.

The Star Tribune chases on the Pawlenty anti-global warming ad.

Congress

DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar rips the NTSB Chair. The Star Tribune, the Pi Press, KSTP, and AP have stories.

Politico says popular issues are stalling in Congress. Oberstar is mentioned.

GOP Sen. Norm Coleman says the North Koreans have set up a "money laundering system" through a UN program. He's investigating another UN program.

Coleman will also hold a Rochester townhall meeting on the economy this Friday.

Reuters says Ed Schafer is a shoo-in for Ag Secretary. DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar is mentioned.

DFL Rep. Tim Walz attends a ceremony honoring the one millionth acre of CREP.

2008 Senate

The DFL candidates debated in Scholastica. Northland News and the Duluth News Tribune have stories.

The Hill says an economic downturn is causing November fears. Coleman is mentioned.

Democrat Al Franken will make a campaign stop in Elko.

Franken and Democrat Mike Ciresi are approaching the $500 thousand mark in tv ads.

2008 President

Barack Obama will start running tv ads in Minnesota tonight.

A Survey USA poll shows that John McCain is the only GOP candidate polling ahead of Clinton and Obama in Minnesota.

WCCO takes a look at how to count the delegates.

Former U.S. Senator Mark Dayton and DFL Asst. Senate Majority Leader Tarryl Clark campaign in Bemidji for Hillary Clinton.

Mitt Romney announces his Minnesota steering committee (didn't he do that already?)

2008 Congress

Congressional hopeful Terri Bonoff hits the airwaves. The Democrat is running in the 3rd District. H/T MnPublius.

AP: Super Tuesday won't decide the nomination

Posted at 11:13 AM on January 24, 2008 by Tom Scheck

AP has a fascinating story that says the race for the White House is so close right now that the outcome from Super Duper Tsunami Salami Tuesday won't decide the nominee. It could, however, give a candidate the momentum to seal the deal.

Here's the interesting part:

"A lot of people were predicting that this presidential election on both sides was going to be this massive sprint that ended on Feb. 5," said Jenny Backus, a Democratic consultant who is not affiliated with any candidate. Now it's looking as if the primaries after Super Tuesday — including such big, delegate-rich states as Texas, Ohio and Pennsylvania — could grow in importance.

"Maybe some states were better off waiting," said Backus.

Did Minnesota make a mistake by having an earlier caucus date?

Obama ad

Posted at 11:43 AM on January 24, 2008 by Tom Scheck

I reported earlier that Illinois Senator Barack Obama will be the first presidential candidate to hit the airwaves in Minnesota. The ads go up today. Can't wait that long? Here's a link to the ad.

Kucinich is out

Posted at 3:23 PM on January 24, 2008 by Mike Mulcahy

Here's the story from the AP:

CLEVELAND (AP) - Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich is abandoning his second bid for the White House.

In an interview with the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the congressman said he was quitting the race and would made a formal announcement Friday.

"I want to continue to serve in Congress," he told the newspaper. Kucinich said he will not endorse another Democrat in the primary.

At least he's got Elizabeth to go home to.

Pawlenty headed to Florida

Posted at 10:23 PM on January 24, 2008 by Tom Scheck

A spokesman for Pawlenty says the governor will fly to Tampa on Friday morning and will appear at an afternoon event with McCain. He will then campaign on his own for McCain through Sunday. He is scheduled to return to Minnesota on Sunday night. Florida's Republican primary is this Tuesday and McCain is hoping he can score a victory there like he did in South Carolina and New Hampshire. Pawlenty, who is co-chairing McCain's presidential committee, has been campaigning in several states on McCain's behalf. He also made trips to Iowa, New Hampshire and Michigan for the Arizona Republican.