Polinaut: August 25, 2008 Archive

The Daily Digest: 8-25-08

Posted at 7:54 AM on August 25, 2008 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

The Digest sends a warm hello from Denver. If you couldn't tell, we're covering the DNC. Delegates continued to trickle in yesterday. Today is the first official day of the event. MPR says Minnesota's delegation is diverse.

The Pi Press says the delegation shows drive.

Democrat Barack Obama is targeting his convention towards blue collar voters.

He campaigned in Wisconsin on Sunday. MPR and the Star Tribune have stories.

Michelle Obama speaks tonight. So does DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar.

The Obama campaign's Minnesota state headquarters were vandalized.

Meanwhile, John McCain will take a break during the convention. A certain Tim, however, will be in Denver today to criticize Obama on John McCain's behalf. Not Tim Pawlenty, Tim Penny. Pawlenty will be in the GOP war room later this week.

Pawlenty continues to campaign on the east coast. He's scheduled to be in Ohio today. He was in eastern PA yesterday. And appeared on CNN.

He has strong approval ratings in the latest MPR poll.

AP says Obama's choice of a running mate sets the bar for McCain. Pawlenty is mentioned.

Bill Kristol says the choice of Joe Biden could make things tough for Pawlenty.

2008 Race for U.S. Senate

DFLer Al Franken is in Denver today. He talks to the delegation this morning and will hit a fundraiser tonight.

Stu Rothenberg says Minnesota's Senate race is close.

State Government

The MOA expansion is hitting a wall.

The House Education panel will hold a hearing in Bemidji.

Mine officials urge the state to hurry on permits on the Iron Range.

2008 RNC

AP sets the stage for the RNC.

Penny praises McCain, casts doubt on Pawlenty

Posted at 1:22 PM on August 25, 2008 by Tom Scheck (4 Comments)

Former Democrat turned Independent Tim Penny appeared at a GOP sponsored news conference to offer support for Republican John McCain. The news conference, which was held a mile from Denver's Pepsi Center, was meant to counter the Democratic goodwill at the convention. Penny, who endorsed McCain last year, said McCain has more experience than Democrat Barack Obama.

"I went to Congress with John McCain in 1982. I know him. I trust him. What I know about John McCain is that he's a true statesman who will always put the country first."

Penny served in Congress as a DFLer. He later became an Independent and lost his 2002 bid for governor to Republican Tim Pawlenty. When asked whether he thought Pawlenty would make a good running mate, Penny said:

"I don't think he's had a very remarkable record as governor. He focused mostly on easy issues and popular issues and this is a step up and I'm not sure he's as well prepared as others for this step up but it's McCain's choice to make."

Comment on this post

DNC preempting Pawlenty for VP pick?

Posted at 5:50 PM on August 25, 2008 by Tom Scheck

The DNC issued a press release bashing the governor. They mention President Bush 18 times in the release. I'm getting a sense that they think McCain (and Pawlenty) would be a third term for President Bush...

Standing room only

Posted at 5:59 PM on August 25, 2008 by Tom Scheck

I just got back from my first glimpse of the Pepsi Center. Minnesota's delegation isn't in the worst spot. It's not on the main floor but is pretty close. The delegation will sit next to delegates from California and South Carolina but in front of Arkansas. One drawback for the Minnesota delegation is that they're right behind CNN.

It should be no surprise which states have the best seats. Ohio, Colorado, Illinois, Delaware, New Mexico, Michigan, Virginia and Pennsylvania have the prime locations. It pays to have the nominee or the VP candidate be from your home state or to live in a critical swing state.

Mississippi, South Dakota and Utah may have the worst seats out of the group.

Check the map here.

Pawlenty watch

Posted at 6:17 PM on August 25, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Gov. Pawlenty is busy campaigning in the critical swing state of Ohio today. His official schedule lists "no public events" for tomorrow.

Minnesota's GOP congressional delegation at the RNC

Posted at 6:23 PM on August 25, 2008 by Tom Scheck

AP takes a look at who's speaking (GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann), who's not (GOP Rep. John Kline) and who's on the fence (GOP candidate Erik Paulsen).

GOP war room

Posted at 8:00 PM on August 25, 2008 by Tom Scheck

The Republican Party has set up a rapid response team to counter the comments made by Democrats at the DNC. The war room is in a nondescript building about a mile from the Pepsi Center. Signs saying "Not Ready '08" and "A mile high and an inch deep" are posted throughout the building.

The GOP has been pretty aggressive in their media efforts. Will the Democrats match it in St. Paul?

Klobuchar's speech to the DNC

Posted at 8:10 PM on August 25, 2008 by Tom Scheck

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar just delivered her speech to the DNC. You can listen to it here:

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Minnesota corporations make a showing at the convention

Posted at 8:05 PM on August 25, 2008 by Curtis Gilbert

Best Buy took over a bowling alley in downtown Denver today. They invited members of Minnesota's Congressional delegation, other VIPs and a bunch of local teenagers.

The youth were there, because Best Buy used the event to launch a new philanthropic initiative aimed at helping kids age 13-17. It's called "@15."

"There's a lot of money in early childhood. There's a fair amount of money for kids who have finished high school, but there's sort of this missing middle," said Paula Prahl, vice president of public affairs.

Like just about all the hundreds of parties going on this week, the booze was free (not for the teens, of course.) The spread seemed aimed at the kids (burgers) and so did the music (loud.)

Prahl didn't reveal exactly how much it cost to rent out the bowling alley, but said compared to some of the swankier soires at the DNC, it wasn't terribly expensive. And she added that it's certainly worth the company's while to be at the DNC.

"It's a really good chance to showcase those things, and to have an opportunity to discuss those things that are really important to us as a company with a number of policy makers."

Prahl spoke on an education panel this morning. CEO Brad Anderson spoke at a forum on innovation. Best Buy is hosting a lunch with several members of Congress on the subject of electronics recycling. The company will hold another event promoting @15 during the Republican National Convention in St. Paul. It will be Sept. 2 at the Minnesota History Center.

Northwest Airlines CEO Doug Steenland was in Denver this morning and gave brief remarks to the Minnesota delegation during their breakfast meeting. Steenland spoke about the challenges high fuel prices pose for the airline industry. He also told the delegates that Delta Air Lines pending acquisition of Northwest would be "in everyone's best interest."

Steenland, who is on the host committee for the RNC, said Northwest isn't planning any parties in Denver this week. Target Corp. is sponsoring a concert by the hip hop croup The Black Eyed Peas on Wednesday.