Polinaut: June 4, 2008 Archive

The Daily Digest: 6-4-08

Posted at 10:11 AM on June 4, 2008 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

Barack Obama declared himself the Democratic nominee during a speech at St. Paul's Xcel Energy Center. The Pi Press, the Star Tribune and Forum Communications have stories.

MPR says Obama's challenge is to unite the party. He privately courted several key Clinton backers from Minnesota after his speech last night.

Former Vice President Walter Mondale says he's now supporting Obama. As is Superdelegate Rick Stafford. Both were backing Clinton.

DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar says it's time to unite behind Obama.

MPR says some Clinton supporters became Obama supporters. The Pi Press says some backers say this is more than an ordinary loss for them.

Long lines of patient Obama supporters wrapped around the Xcel Energy Center.

The Wall Street Journal says Republican John McCain reaches out to Clinton supporters.

McCain welcomed Obama with fresh criticism. McCain spoke from New Orleans. Gov. Pawlenty also criticized Barack Obama's experience at an afternoon news conference.

The Hill says both parties believe an Obama candidacy helps them. GOP Sen. Norm Coleman is mentioned.

Some are now pondering changes to the primary system now that the nomination fight is over. DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar is mentioned.

Governor Pawlenty (which includes Pawlenty for VP Watch)

Pawlenty is in Atlanta for the Republican Governors Association meetings.

Fox News says gamblers are betting on Mitt Romney and Hillary Clinton as VP picks.

Reuters goes through the potential VP picks.

Real Clear Politics makes the case for Alaska Governor Sarah Palin for VP. Pawlenty is mentioned.

2008 Race for Senate

Democrat Mike Ciresi leaves the door open for a possible Senate run.

2008 Race for Congress

MinnPost says 3rd District GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen did not mention Iraq on his website.

Real Clear Politics highlights a poll showing a big lead for 1st District DFL Rep. Tim Walz.

State Government

MnDOT closes a major Winona bridge because of gusset plates. AP, the Star Tribune and the Winona Daily News have stories.

The Legislative Auditor says there is no reason for a further probe of Attorney General Lori Swanson. The Auditor did, however, criticize the office's conduct. MPR, the Star Tribune and AP have stories. Here's the report.

The new Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court takes the oath of office. MPR, the Star Tribune and AP have stories.

The PUC weighs a decision on the Big Stone Power Plant. MPR and Forum Communications have stories.

The Minnesota DNR will convene a meeting on lead in venison.

Minnesota lawmakers weigh in on the recent legislative session in Rochester.

Congress

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar rips the oil companies during a hearing. The Hill and Bloomberg have stories. The Hill and Bloomberg have stories.

The FCC will hold a hearing on early termination fees for cell phones. Klobuchar is mentioned.

Nelson-Pallmeyer on Midday at 11.

Posted at 10:34 AM on June 4, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Democrat Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, who is hoping to win his party's endorsement for the U.S. Senate will be on Midday at 11. Democrat Al Franken was also invited but declined to attend. The endorsing convention is this weekend.

Nelson-Pallmeyer on Midday at 11.

Posted at 10:34 AM on June 4, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Democrat Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, who is hoping to win his party's endorsement for the U.S. Senate, will be on Midday at 11. Democrat Al Franken was also invited but declined to attend. The endorsing convention is this weekend.

The Clinton supporters

Posted at 2:50 PM on June 4, 2008 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

Everyone is scurrying to find out what the Minnesota based Hillary Clinton supporters are going to do now that Barack Obama has wrapped up the Democratic nomination. Here's what we know (courtesy of MPR's Tim Pugmire):

Former VP Walter Mondale is now backing Obama.

Former U.S. Senator Mark Dayton is now backing Obama.

Superdelegate Rick Stafford is now backing Obama.

DFL Rep. Erin Murphy is now backing Obama.

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman is now backing Obama.

DFL House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher said she'll make a formal announcement soon (Gee, I wonder what that means).

DFL Sen. Sandy Pappas says shs's not making anything official but is leaning Obama's way.

Superdelegate Jackie Stevenson said she's not ready to decide. Needs time to heal.

DFL Rep. Collin Peterson has not announced who he'll back yet. Peterson is the remaining uncommitted superdelegate in Minnesota. A spokesman for Peterson said he'll make a decision soon (probably by the end of the week). Peterson hinted in May that he would support Obama.

Comment on this post

Pawlenty, Army Secretary may hold St. Paul event later this month

Posted at 4:35 PM on June 4, 2008 by Tom Scheck

UPDATE: Gov. Pawlenty's spokesman Brian McClung called to say that the event will not feature Robert Gates but COULD include the Secretary of the Army Peter Geren. McClung said the Minnesota National Guard official I spoke with was misinformed. He said the governor and Geren's participation are not yet set but Guard officials wanted to reserve the space just in case. McClung said it was something that he hoped they could get done.

Governor Pawlenty will make a public appearance with Defense Secretary Robert Gates Army Secretary Peter Geren on June 16th. The Minnesota National Guard reserved the Capitol Rotunda for the signing of the Military Family Covenant. An official with the Minnesota National Guard confirmed the event. He said they would be sending out a news release next week.

Apparently, these signings are fairly common. The June edition of Soldiers (The Official U.S. Army Magazine) said 174 public signings of the Army Family Covenant have taken place since it was created in the fall of 2007 (see page 22).

Here's a news release touting a similar event that was held in Pennsylvania in April (which was also in a Capitol Rotunda). The news release said the Family Covenant is a "$1.4 billion national pledge from the U.S. Army to provide new family support programs and enhance existing programs available to all military personnel and their families..."

ABC News: Clinton to drop out on Friday

Posted at 5:52 PM on June 4, 2008 by Tom Scheck

ABC News is reporting that Hillary Clinton will drop her bid for President on Friday.