The Daily Digest: 7-2-08

A Watchdog group calls for an investigation into GOP Sen. Norm Coleman's relationship with GOP operative Jeff Larson. They want to know whether he broke the Senate gift ban by renting an apartment from Larson. AP, MPR, the Pi Press, the Star Tribune and a chest thumping Washington Briefing (no shirt popping in the press box please) have stories. OK, the National Journal (which first reported the relationship) is allowed to shirt pop.

Democrat Al Franken changes his position on the federal gas tax.

KSTP wonders whether former Gov. Jesse Ventura will run.

2008 Race for Congress

NRCC Chair Tom Cole is scheduled to campaign (and who wants to bet hold a fundraiser) this Thursday for Brian Davis , the GOP candidate in Minnesota's 1st Congressional District. His DFL opponent, Rep. Tim Walz will be talking gas prices in Mankato.

RealClearPolitics says Cole will also campaign on behalf of GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann.

2008 Race for President

McCain warns of an Obama court. It comes on the same day that Obama pushes faith based programs.

The Washington Post reports that Obama got a discount on his home loan.

Politico says McCain's game plan is worrying insiders. The Wall Street Journal suggests finding more fat cat donors.

Former Secretary of State Collin Powell met with both Obama and McCain in June.

McCain is also calling on Obama to remove former General Wesley Clark from any part of the campaign.

2010 Race for the Legislature

GOP Rep. Jim Abeler, who is one of the override six, is running for reelection as a Republican.

Politics in Minnesota has the Top 10 legislative races to watch.

Race for the Minnesota Courts

Minnesota Supreme Court Justices Lori Gildea and Paul Anderson face challenges.

Pawlenty for VP Watch

Gov. Pawlenty is in Austin, TX again today for an education conference.

Pawlenty is the second choice among traders for McCain's VP pick. The first is former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

State Government

A Minnesota judge says Wal-Mart broke labor laws and forced employers to work through breaks. MPR, AP, the Pi Press and the Star Tribune have stories.

The Pi Press says more women cite the economy for the reason for their abortions. The Star Tribune says the number of abortions have declined but not for teens. Here's the report from MDH.

The Supreme Court considers whether cameras should be allowed in the courtroom.

Minnesota will join the federal unemployment extension program.

The polluted waters list grows.

Congress

DFL Rep. Keith Ellison is a part of a delegation headed to Kenya. DFL Rep. Betty McCollum's office says McCollum will be in Tunisia for July 4th.

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann writes an op-ed on renewing the American spirit.

The five House Democrats in Minnesota's delegation want conditions on the FCC regarding a satellite radio merger.

The Hill says House lawmakers are working behind the scenes on energy compromises. DFL Rep. Collin Peterson is mentioned.

2008 RNC

WCCO says artists want their voices heard at the RNC.

You can pay $10k to mingle in Denver (the site of the DNC).

Finally

A Christian site makes an oopsie.

The article about Ventura is from 1998, is that a joke?

Google News and Bloglines were both giving me serious hiccups yesterday (on all of the Senate race stuff). Thanks for catching. I deleted.