Polinaut: January 30, 2008 Archive

AP reports Edwards to drop out

Posted at 8:15 AM on January 30, 2008 by Mike Mulcahy

In what must surely be a surprise to the 1,200 people who attended his campaign rally in St. Paul Tuesday night, it appears John Edwards will drop out of the presidential campaign today.

The Associated Press broke the story:

DENVER (AP) - Democrat John Edwards is exiting the presidential race Wednesday, ending a scrappy underdog bid in which he steered his rivals toward progressive ideals while grappling with family hardship that roused voter's sympathies but never diverted his campaign, The Associated Press has learned.

The two-time White House candidate notified a close circle of senior advisers that he planned to make the announcement at a 1 p.m. EST event in New Orleans that had been billed as a speech on poverty, according to two of his advisers. The decision came after Edwards lost the four states to hold nominating contests so far to rivals who stole the spotlight from the beginning - Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.

The former North Carolina senator will not immediately endorse either candidate in what is now a two-person race for the Democratic nomination, said one adviser, who spoke on a condition of anonymity in advance of the announcement.

The Daily Digest: 1-30-08

Posted at 10:16 AM on January 30, 2008 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

After telling 1200 Minnesota supporters on Tuesday night that he'll fight for them if they caucus for him, John Edwards is reportedly dropping his bid for president. AP has the story.

There were plenty of full throated supporters at the event at the Carpenters Hall in St. Paul last night. MPR, the Star Tribune, the Pi Press, AP and KSTP have stories.

John McCain wins a tight Florida primary. Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani is expected to drop out and back John McCain.

Governor Pawlenty, who is co-chair to McCain's presidential committee, is optimistic McCain will win the GOP nomination:

"I think you'll see with the win in Florida and Senator McCain's strong positions in places like New York, New Jersey and California, that his leadership position is going to be consolidated pretty much after Super Duper Tuesday and he's going to be the presumptive nominee fairly shortly."

Pawlenty's campaign for governor also announced that he raised $850k in 2007.

CT Senator Joe Lieberman rejects VP talk (with McCain).

KARE-11 says Obama is planning a visit to boost turnout for Tuesday's caucuses.

KARE also quotes Hillary Clinton as saying "she sure is trying to get" to Minnesota. She made those comments in a feed from Florida.

The Newshour talks with Minnesotans about economic issues.

Bridges

The New York Times says the NTSB's working theory on why the I-35W bridge collapsed defies popular belief.

MnDOT wants its money back for a flawed design for the Wakota Bridge. The Pi Press, The Star Tribune, MPR and Forum Communications have stories.

KARE-11 says state lawmakers want to protect bridge awards to victims from insurers.

State Government

State Economist Tom Stinson says the state's budget gap will continue to grow.

Gov. Pawlenty ordered the MN National Guard to open the Owatonna Armory to help drivers in southeastern Minnesota.

Former 3M chemicals found in fish in nine more Minnesota lakes. The Pi Press and the Star Tribune have stories.

A legislative audit report says reviews of school drivers are uneven. The Pi Press, MPR and Forum Communications have stories.

The state is kicking in $5 million for federal housing fixups.

Forum Communications says Pawlenty will seek $70 million for SEED.

Congress

GOP Sen. Norm Coleman will push to get heating assistance into the economic stimulus package.

Coleman and DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar say the package will pass.

The House passed the package yesterday.

Cass County is one step closer to getting a hospital. Coleman and DFL Sen. Klobuchar are mentioned.

A watchdog agency says the Justice Department is stalling on its investigation into Rachel Paulose. One aspect suggests Paulose delayed an investigation so she could plan her confirmation. Coleman says he's troubled by the news. Klobuchar says Justice's cooperation is essential.

The Hill says Congressional investigations are making busy time for lawyers. Coleman is mentioned.

Politico says endangered moderates are affecting Congress' habitat. GOP Rep. Jim Ramstad is mentioned. Ramstad is retiring.

DFL Rep. Betty McCollum says she's concerned that Pakistan's election could be flawed.

DFL Rep. Keith Ellison backpedals on his feelings regarding closing the Guantanamo Bay Military Prison. He made those comments on Midmorning. Last week he said he wasn't so sure the prison should be closed because it had a spotlight on it.

Ellison also made a speech last week in California.

DFL Rep. Collin Peterson says the Farm Bill veto threat is very real.

DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is still raising concerns about possible airline mergers. His response to a Delta/Northwest merger: "Hell no!" AP and CNN have stories.

Bemidji State will hold a global warming forum on Thursday. Oberstar is mentioned.

2008 Senate Race

The DFL Veterans Caucus backs Al Franken.

Norm Coleman holds a conference call with some bloggers.

2008 Congress
Real Clear Politics says Minnesota's 3rd could be targeted as a "Red to Blue state" by the DCCC.

The Rochester Post-Bulletin says DFLer Steve Sarvi makes the rounds in DC. Sarvi is running against GOP Rep. John Kline in Minnesota's 2nd.

John Brockberg is running for Congress in Minnesota's 6th District. He's an Independence Party member.

2008 RNC
The RNC will be streamed live online. The Pi Press and KSTP have stories.

Details of Obama event

Posted at 1:24 PM on January 30, 2008 by Tom Scheck

This was just sent to me (Note - I deleted some information from this release like phone numbers and contact info):

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 30, 2008

Obama's Campaign for Change Comes to Minnesota

ST. PAUL - On Saturday, U.S. Senator Barack Obama will campaign in Minnesota. Obama will ask Minnesotans across the state to stand for change by voting for him at the precinct caucuses on February 5th and take the first step towards bringing to Washington the kind of change we can believe in.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2
Minneapolis, MN

RALLY WITH BARACK OBAMA

Target Center
600 First Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55403

Doors Open: 1:30 PM
The event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. To RSVP for your free online ticket today please visit http://minnesota.barackobama.com/minneapolis or visit one of our ticket distribution locations listed below beginning Thursday, January 31st.

***For security reasons, bags are not allowed inside the event. Please limit personal items. No signs or banners are permitted.***

Further details to be announced as they become available.

TICKET DISTRIBUTION LOCATIONS.

Obama for America Minnesota State Headquarters
2233 University Ave W Suite 225
St. Paul, MN 55114
P:651-645-2008
Hours: 9AM to 10PM

Obama for America Minneapolis Office
212 N 3rd Avenue, Suite 340
Minneapolis, MN 55401
P: 651-528-9340
Hours: 9AM to 10PM

Obama for America Southwest Minnesota Office
2002 2nd Street SW, Suite 5
Rochester, MN 55902
P: 507-206-7941
Hours: 9AM to 10PM

Obama for America South Central Minnesota Office
505 Riverfront Ave.
Mankato, MN 56001
P: 813-465-4003
Hours: 9AM to 10PM

Obama for America Northeast Minnesota Office
126 W 1st Street
Duluth, MN 55802
P: 218-464-3895
Hours: 9AM to 10PM

Obama for America Central Minnesota Office
904 W. Germain Street
St. Cloud, MN 56301
P: 320-248-2335
Hours: 9AM to 10PM

Obama for America North Central Minnesota
15 Washington Street
Brainerd, MN 56401
P: 218-464-3896
Hours: 9AM to 10PM

University of Minnesota (Student Tickets)
Coffman Student Union
Fireplace Lounge
Minneapolis, MN 55455
P: 612-418-9936
Hours: 9AM to 10PM

###

Bill Clinton gets more coverage than all but two candidates

Posted at 5:42 PM on January 30, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Bill Clinton has been active on the campaign trail for his wife, New York Senator Hillary Clinton. It appears that reporters have also been active tracking the former president on the campaign trail. A new report by the Project for Excellence in Journalism finds that only Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are getting more coverage than Bill Clinton.