Polinaut: February 6, 2008 Archive

The Daily Digest: 2-6-08

Posted at 9:18 AM on February 6, 2008 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: Daily Digest

Minnesota Voters shatter previous caucus turnout records. MPR, the Star Tribune, the Pi Press and the Washington Post have stories.

It's safe to say they were energized that Minnesota was a Super Tuesday state but the long lines and frustration over a stressed system may eventually force a change to a primary.

The Pi Press reports that voting mostly went smoothly.

2008 Race for President

Democrat Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney win Minnesota's presidential contests in a walk. MPR, the Star Tribune, UPI, AP and Forum Communications have stories.

The Pi Press has a story on Romney's win and Obama's win.

At this point you need some graph paper, a slide rule and a compass to determine how the DFL delegates will be apportioned. Party leaders say they should have the exact count today. The math isn't so hard on the GOP side since the results are non-binding.

2008 U.S. Senate Race

DFL Senate candidates take the first step in the process.

This comes after they met in an MPR debate. MPR has a story on the debate or you listen to the full debate here.

State Government

Gov. Pawlenty is headed overseas with John McCain this weekend. The two are part of a larger delegation that will attend a summit on security. The Star Tribune, MPR and AP have stories.

Pawlenty also talked about the recommendations of his health care task force. The Pi Press, the Star Tribune and ECM have stories.

The Star Tribune says most jobs would be saved by a Delta/NWA deal.

Congress

GOP Sen. Norm Coleman says he's inclined to support the Senate economic stimulus plan. The Wall Street Journal and the New York Times have stories.

USA Today has a story on the U.S. Transportation Secretary. DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is mentioned.

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Walz backs Obama

Posted at 9:18 PM on February 6, 2008 by Tom Scheck

DFL Rep. Tim Walz is backing Democrat Barack Obama for president. This means Obama has the support of Walz, DFL Rep. Keith Ellison, DFL Rep. Betty McCollum and DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar. No word on where DFL Rep. Collin Petereson stands. DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar has not endorsed anyone yet. Here's the release from the Obama campaign:

U.S. Rep. Tim Walz Endorses Obama

ST. PAUL – U.S. Rep. Tim Walz (MN-01) announced his endorsement of Barack Obama for president, the campaign announced today. Walz’s endorsement comes the day after Obama won an overwhelming victory in the Minnesota caucuses, including over 60 percent in Walz’s district. He is the fourth Minnesota Congressman to endorse Obama’s campaign. Through his campaign, Walz released the following statement:

"The real winners of last night's caucuses were the people of Minnesota. Voters turned out in record numbers to embrace the Democratic call for change.

“The next President will have a lot of work to do to clean up eight years of mismanagement from George W. Bush. I am confident that both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are up to the challenge.

“Last night at the Democratic caucuses, the voters of southern Minnesota overwhelmingly supported Senator Barack Obama and his hopeful vision for positive change. As a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention, I will honor their decision and support Senator Obama."

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