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Capitol View: October 14, 2008 Archive

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Quinnipiac Poll: Obama has lead, Senate race in dead heat.

Posted at 6:59 AM on October 14, 2008 by Tom Scheck

The latest Quinnipiac University poll shows Barack Obama leading John McCain by 11 percentage points (51% to 40%)

Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate race shows DFLer Al Franken leading GOP Sen Norm Coleman 38% to 36%. I-P candidate Dean Barkley is polling at 18%. Factor in the Margin of Error and you have a dead heat.

The Margin of Error is +/- 3.1%.


The Daily Digest: 10-14-08

Posted at 8:59 AM on October 14, 2008 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

There's a new poll out regarding the U.S. Senate race and the race for president in Minnesota. But the Digest will lead with GOTV efforts and new voter registration in Minnesota.

The Star Tribune has a fascinating look at the recent voter registration data and finds that a greater number of newer voters are signing up in DFL strongholds which could signal problems for GOP candidates.

Now on to the poll - The Quinnipiac University poll shows Democrat Barack Obama with an 11 percentage point lead in Minnesota. The survey also finds the race for the U.S. Senate is in a statistical dead heat. Democrat Al Franken polled at 38%. GOP Sen. Norm Coleman polled at 36% and I-P candidate Dean Barkley polled at 18%. AP has a story on the poll. The Fix says those polled (in several battleground states) don't like John McCain's approach to the economy.

2008 Race for President

Michelle Obama speaks of family struggles during her visit to Minnesota. AP, the Star Tribune, the Pi Press and MinnPost have stories.

Obama calls for a 90 day foreclosure moratorium on some homes.

McCain says he's a leader for troubled times. He will also announce a new economic plan today.

MPR takes a look at the candidate's health care proposals.

2008 Race for Senate

DFLer Al Franken will be on MPR's Midday this morning at 11 AM.

Colman will start a statewide bus tour dubbed "The Hope Express."

The Pi Press says a more civil debate could follow after GOP Sen. Norm Coleman decided to pull his negative ads.

The St. Cloud Times says Franken and Coleman have disagreements over social security.

2008 Race for Congress

GOP Rep. John Kline and DFL challenger Steve Sarvi meet in a debate in Chaska. MPR and AP have stories.

DFL Rep. Tim Walz and GOP challenger Brian Davis met in a debate last night in Mankato. The Mankato Free Press and KEYC have stories.

Stu Rothenberg moves the 3rd from toss-up to toss-up/tilts Democratic.

Politico reports what Polinaut readers already know, GOP candidates like Erik Paulsen, will have to go it alone.

The New York Times says there are quiet, political shifts as more blacks are elected. DFL Rep. Keith Ellison is mentioned.

Congress

Anyone have whiplash? The stock market rebounds in a big way.

Gov. Pawlenty visits several competitive House Districts to campaign for GOP candidates.

Congress

President Bush promises to take steps to stabilize the banking industry.

State Government

MPR says counties are trying to figure out how to pay for road improvements as transportation costs get more expensive.

Al Franken on Midday

Posted at 11:07 AM on October 14, 2008 by Tom Scheck (4 Comments)

Al Franken is on MPR's Midday right now.

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Fake Jesse Ventura

Posted at 2:29 PM on October 14, 2008 by Mike Mulcahy (5 Comments)

I know Jesse Ventura. I've worked with Jesse Ventura. Jesse Ventura isn't really a friend of mine, but I certainly know the caller to Midday today claiming to be Jesse Ventura is no Jesse Ventura.

He wanted to ask Al Franken a question. Listen for yourself:

How can you tell it's not the former governor? The first time he says "Minnesota" he gets the Ventura pronunciation wrong, so he overcompensates the second time he says it.

I don't know who this really is. Maybe him, or him, or even him. (but probably not him)

In any case, when you call Midday, don't pretend to be somebody else.

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Paulsen and Madia delve into policy details

Posted at 3:17 PM on October 14, 2008 by Curtis Gilbert
Filed under: Campaign 2008: U.S. MN CD3

The University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs is hosting separate forums this week with the three candidates running to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad, R-Minn.

Republican Erik Paulsen spoke today about global competitiveness (free trade, foreign language education, tax policy, etc.)

DFLer Ashwin Madia spoke yesterday and addressed energy policy (carbon cap and trade, bio-fuels, reducing oil consumption, etc.)

After outlining their proposals, both candidates sat down for a question and answer session with Larry Jacobs, director of the Humphrey Institute's Center for the Study of Politics and Governance.

Independence Party candidate David Dillon gets his turn at the Humphrey Institute lectern on Friday at noon. If you can't be there in person, check Polinaut for the audio.

Democrats upgrade assessment of Bachmann challenger

Posted at 3:56 PM on October 14, 2008 by Curtis Gilbert
Filed under: Campaign 2008: U.S. MN CD3

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is adding Minnesota's 6th District to its Red to Blue program.

That's a distinction the national Democratic group gives to Republican-held seats it views as highly vulnerable.

First-term U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., is facing a challenge in the 6th from former state Transportation Commissioner Elwyn Tinklenberg, who has endorsements from both the DFL and Independence parties.

The DCCC helps selected Democratic candidates by running independent advertisements praising them, or far more often, lambasting their opponents. The DCCC had previously placed the 6th in its Emerging Races category, the tier below Red to Blue.

Tinklenberg spokesman John Wodele said the campaign learned about the upgrade, and the increased potential for national support it represents, last night.

"It's recognition that we really have a shot at this seat," he said.

Here's why they raise all of that money....

Posted at 7:02 PM on October 14, 2008 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

MPR News has created a new online database that shows you how much money is being spent on political advertising in the Twin Cities. The candidates, the political committees and the special interest groups have spent more than $30 million to date on TV ads. That number is bound to get bigger as more and more candidates reserve time in the final three weeks of the campaign.

Browse the data to see how much money is being spent, where it's being spent and which programs are getting the attention.

Minnesota's U.S. Senate race is getting the most attention. Nearly two thirds of the ads are dedicated to elect either GOP Sen. Norm Coleman and DFLer Al Franken. Independence Party candidate Dean Barkley hasn't reserved any TV time yet (but he has bought radio).

What do you think? Is the $30 million figure higher than you expected? Is it data helpful? What does it tell you about the races in Minnesota? Let us know...

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The feature examines statements made by Minnesota politicians and checks them for accuracy. Based on data analysis, document reviews and interviews with non-partisan analysts, statements are rated true, misleading, false or inconclusive. More

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