Capitol View: August 13, 2008 Archive

Prepping for Sunday?

Posted at 5:32 PM on August 13, 2008 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

Governor Pawlenty's office released another public events schedule (for Thursday) that listed this:

"No Public Events Scheduled."

He hasn't had a public event scheduled since Friday (and that was his weekly radio show). The last time a Minnesota reporter could talk to Pawlenty was at Farmfest on Tuesday, August 5th. Pawlenty was in Washington DC and Delaware on Wednesday, August 6th. He had nothing listed on his schedule on August 7th.

A spokesman for Pawlenty says Pawlenty is in Minnesota today.

Perhaps the governor is preparing for his Sunday appearance on Face the Nation (his appearance isn't yet listed on the CBS site but The Fix says it's happening).

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Pew poll: Presidential race is close

Posted at 5:51 PM on August 13, 2008 by Tom Scheck

The Pew Research Center released a poll that says Barak Obama and John McCain are polling within the margin of error. Obama is polling at 46% to McCain's 43%. Pew's Andy Kohut said McCain has narrowed the gap:

Two factors appear to be at play in shifting voter sentiment. First, McCain is garnering more support from his base - including Republicans and white evangelical Protestants - than he was in June, and he also has steadily gained backing from white working class voters over this period. Secondly and more generally, the Arizona senator has made gains on his leadership image. An even greater percentage of voters than in June now see McCain as the candidate who would use the best judgment in a crisis, and an increasing percentage see him as the candidate who can get things done.

Conversely, Obama has made little progress in increasing his support among core Democrats since June - currently 83% favor him compared with 87% of Republicans who back McCain. The likely Democratic nominee is still getting relatively modest support from Hillary Clinton's former supporters: 72% of them support Obama, compared with the 88% support level that McCain receives from backers of his formal GOP rivals. Obama's strong points with voters are in being seen as the candidate with new ideas and as someone who connects well with ordinary people.

The latest national survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, was conducted by telephone - both landline phones and cell phones - from July 31-August 10 among 2,414 registered voters. It finds that race, gender and age are strong drivers of support in a closely divided electorate. Almost nine-in-ten African American voters (88%) back Obama, while McCain leads 51% to 39% among whites. Since June, McCain has gained support among men who now favor him by a 49%-to-41% margin. In contrast, women favor Obama by a roughly comparable margin of 51% to 38%. The Democratic candidate holds a 24 percentage-point lead over his rival among voters younger than age 30, whereas voters over age 50 are more evenly split (47% McCain, 42% Obama).

Norm may be bowling alone...

Posted at 5:55 PM on August 13, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Another GOP Senator in a close reelection fight says he won't attend the RNC. CNN says Kansas Republican Pat Roberts is staying away from Minneapolis (or is it St. Paul?) In the words of Jesse - joke joke joke.

So here's the rundown:

Pat Roberts of Kansas, Susan Collins of Maine, Gordon Smith of Oregon, Ted Stevens of Alaska, and Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina all say they won't attend the RNC.

New Hampshire's John Sununa and Mississippi's Roger Wicker have yet to say whether they'll attend.

GOP Sen. Norm Coleman (remember the Xcel Energy Center is "The House that Norm Built") may be bowling alone.

Meanwhile...

Detroit's Mayor is hoping to get to the DNC (even though he may be the most unwanted man at the event).

Party time!

Posted at 6:34 PM on August 13, 2008 by Tom Scheck

The Minneapolis Saint Paul Host Committee announced the details of two of the larger parties of the convention. Here's part of the release:

MINNEAPOLIS SAINT PAUL, MINN (August 13, 2008) - The Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee, which is hosting the 2008 Republican National Convention, announced today the locations of two premier parties that will be held during the 2008 Republican National Convention. The venues for the invitation-only events were chosen because they highlight the beauty of Minnesota's landmark Mississippi River as well as the chance to showcase Minnesota business and innovation.

The media party will be held the night of Saturday, August 30, along the Minneapolis Riverfront with the world-renowned Guthrie Theater, Mill City Museum and Mississippi River as the backdrop. More than 15,000 international, national and local media are expected to attend the Convention.

The delegate party will be held the night of Sunday, August 31, at the Minneapolis Convention Center, which also is the location for CivicFest: A Very Minnesota Celebration. CivicFest features exhibits that highlight Minnesota history and business innovation as well as more than 35 world-class exhibits. Fifty-six delegations will be attending the event.

"We are pleased to welcome our visitors to locations that are truly first-class," said Jeff Larson, CEO of the Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee. "The attendees to the media party will be astonished by the amazing architecture and natural resources that are present along the Minneapolis Riverfront. We also are eager to showcase Minnesota business and innovation as well as the wonderful historic and unique exhibits that CivicFest will offer as a backdrop to the delegate party."