Polinaut: February 1, 2008 Archive

The Daily Digest: 2-1-08

Posted at 8:30 AM on February 1, 2008 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

The latest MPR/Humphrey Institute poll has Al Franken leading the DFL field. Franken and GOP incumbent are also nose to nose in a head to head matchup. MPR has a story. Here are the complete results.

DFLer Mike Ciresi self-funded his campaign even though he said he wouldn't.

The Pi Press has a good look at the Senate money race (and the Congressional races).

DFL Senate candidate Jim Cohen is quitting the race. AP and the Pi Press have stories.

Franken visits Tower.

2008 presidential

The Star Tribune says Mitt Romney may make a stop in the state.

Ron Paul will. A campaign news release says the Texas Congressman will be making a Monday stop at the U of M. The rally will take place from 7:00 - 8:00pm at the University of Minnesota Coffman Union Grand Hall.

Governor Pawlenty will also make a Saturday trip to Illinois on behalf of John McCain. He'll be campaigning in the Illinois cities of Springfield and Peoria. The campaign isn't sure if he'll stop in another state before he returns to Minnesota on Sunday night.

GOP Rep. Jim Ramstad backs McCain.

State Government

Gov. Pawlenty, GOP Sen. Norm Coleman and DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar are just some of the dignitaries who will attend the Keewatin taconite plant expansion. The Star Tribune and Northland News have stories.

Pawlenty names a new judge for Ramsey County.

The Minnesota Health Department says it's premature to mandate the HPV vaccine for girls. The Pi Press and MPR have stories.

The department also says the uninsured rate stops sliding.

The Pi Press says the state sets a lofty goal for wind energy.

Lawmakers criticized Medicaid cutbacks to children.

A group, including MN Supreme Court Justice Alan Page and former GOP Gov. Alan Quie, are pushing for a new way to choose judges. The Star Tribune and the Pi Press have stories.

Congress

Coleman rips the Homeland Security Director on the border rule changes.

Coleman also backs carbon capturing.

CQ quotes Coleman as saying the U.S. can't fail in Afghanistan.

Klobuchar backs an Indian health bill.

2008 RNC

A travel firm signs a deal with the RNC.

Oberstar now backs Obama

Posted at 10:51 AM on February 1, 2008 by Tom Scheck

DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar said in a conference call this morning that he is now backing Barack Obama for President. Oberstar was backing John Edwards until Edwards dropped his bid for president earlier this week. This now means that Obama has the support of Oberstar, Keith Ellison and Betty McCollum.

Bush: "There are serious signs that the economy is weakening"

Posted at 11:02 AM on February 1, 2008 by Tom Scheck

My spidey senses say the candidates will be talking a whole lot about jobs over the next nine months.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - President Bush prodded Congress to pass an economic stimulus package Friday, pointing to a new report that ended a 52-month streak of national job growth.
Bush was in the nation's heartland pressuring Congress to boost the sagging economy with a plan of tax rebates for millions of people and tax breaks for companies. His latest try came as the fragile partnership that led to an economic rescue deal in the House appeared to be unraveling in the Senate.
"Inflation's low. Productivity's high, but there are certainly some troubling signs, serious signs that the economy is weakening and that we've got to do something about it," Bush said.

Ron Paul here on Monday

Posted at 11:29 AM on February 1, 2008 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

Here's the release (Note- I deleted press contact info on this entry):

Media Advisory: Ron Paul Brings Campaign to Minneapolis

Who: Ron Paul
What: Ron Paul to deliver a speech to Minnesota supporters.
When: Monday, February 4th, 7:00 – 8:00pm
Where: Coffman Union, Grand Hall, University of Minnesota

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Romney here on Saturday

Posted at 12:00 PM on February 1, 2008 by Tom Scheck

AP has the preliminary info:

ST. PAUL (AP) - Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney will drop in on the Twin Cities on Saturday. Romney spokesman Will Holley announced the visit on Friday. Time and place are still up in the air.
The former Massachusetts governor hopes to upset Arizona Senator John McCain on Tuesday, when Minnesota and more than other 20 states hold caucuses or primaries.
Romney isn't the only candidate putting in some face time in the state.
Democrat Barack Obama's rally at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Saturday is sold out, and Republican Ron Paul plans to greet supporters at the University of Minnesota on Monday.

Is it Hill, Bill or 'lil?

Posted at 2:56 PM on February 1, 2008 by Tom Scheck

The Clinton Campaign has a 4 PM newser to announce a campaign visit to Minnesota. So is it Hillary, Bill or Chelsea?

Hillary Clinton will be here on Sunday

Posted at 4:07 PM on February 1, 2008 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

The campaign says it will be at a yet to be named Twin Cities venue. No time has been set yet but it will be before the Super Bowl. More details to come.

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Romney event

Posted at 6:08 PM on February 1, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Here are the details to the Romney event:

Rally for Romney!
Change Begins With Us

You’re invited to meet Mitt Romney…

When: Saturday, February 2, 2008, 7:00pm
Where: 7700 France Ave S, Edina, MN
(Exit I-494 & France Ave)

Fantasy Legislature is back!

Posted at 8:37 PM on February 1, 2008 by Mike Mulcahy (2 Comments)

Why are we bringing the Minnesota Fantasy Legislature back? Because the people demanded it, that's why!

Well, because some people did, anyway.

We have a new commissioner this year but all the same number crunching, bill sponsoring action as last year. After all, the (non-fantasy) session starts in just 10 days. And who needs the real thing when you can play along in your favorite league in the MFL?

Here's where to sign up.

And tell 'em Bob Collins sent you! (or at least he would have if he weren't busy with News Cut)

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