Polinaut: October 17, 2008 Archive

The Daily Digest: 10-17-08

Posted at 9:04 AM on October 17, 2008 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: Daily Digest

GOP Sen. Norm Coleman, DFLer Al Franken and I-P candidate Dean Barkley discussed the war in Iraq and the economy in their latest debate. MPR, the Star Tribune, AP, the Pi Press and the Duluth News Tribune have stories.

ECM and WCCO profile I-P candidate Dean Barkley.

The Fix keeps Minnesota as the 7th most competitive Senate race in the U.S.

2008 Race for Congress

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann and DFL challenger Elwyn Tinklenberg debated the issues in St. Cloud. MPR, the Star Tribune, Fox9, KARE, the St. Cloud Times, MinnPost and AP have stories.

The St. Cloud Times fact checked the debate.

Bachmann also releases a new ad. Update: The Minnesota Independent points out that Bachmann did take lobbyist contributions.

Citizens Against Government Waste endorses Bachmann.

CQ says DFL Rep. Tim Walz is holding his own in the 1st. He leads GOP challenger Brian Davis in the money race. Sportsmen also rally for Walz.

Citizens Against Government Waste endorses GOP Rep. John Kline in Minnesota's 2nd District.

Kline's DFL opponent, Steve Sarvi, will campaign with the Chair of the House Veterans Committee this weekend.

Politico calls 3rd District DFLer Ashwin Madia a fundraising winner.

House Democrats launch a marketing plan for the economic rescue plan. DFL Rep. Collin Peterson is mentioned.

2008 Race for President

The Star Tribune says the RNC is flooding the state with anti-Obama robocalls.

Todd Palin, Sarah Palin's husband, talked the 2nd Amendment in Duluth. He also campaigned in Bemidji. MPR, The Mesabi Daily News, the Star Tribune and the Bemidji Pioneer have stories.

The founder of the American Hunters and Shooters stumps for Obama.

The Alaska governor's office wants to charge $15 million for her e-mail.

Former Secretary of State Collin Powell will be on Meet the Press this weekend. Will he endorse?

A McCain bundler is accused of war profiteering.

Palin will appear on Saturday Night Live this week.

New York Senator Hillary Clinton will campaign in the Twin Cities for Al Franken and on the Iron Range for Barack Obama on Tuesday.

John McCain tells David Letterman that "I screwed up."

Gov. Pawlenty will campaign for McCain in Michigan tonight.

Minnesota's First Lady Mary Pawlenty will campaign with Cindy McCain in Pennsylvania.

2008 Other

The Star Tribune says wealthy donors pour millions into state causes.

States are being warned about potential election glitches. MN Secretary of State Mark Ritchie holds a news conference today to ensure voting will go smoothly.

The FBI investigates ACORN for possible vote fraud.

State Government

Gov. Pawlenty names a new Housing Commissioner today. He will also announce details on a new trade mission.

Pawlenty spoke at the Duluth Chamber dinner last night.

Minnesota sees a greater number of job losses but a lower unemployment number.

A DNR manager loses her job over improper spending.

Congress

The new G.I. Bill forces some vets to make tough decisions.

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Event from Lakeville McCain rally makes SNL

Posted at 10:03 AM on October 17, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Watch for it here:

Pelosi coming to town on Monday

Posted at 2:28 PM on October 17, 2008 by Tom Scheck

DFL Party Chair Brian Melendez says House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will campaign for Ashwin Madia on Monday. I'm told the two will visit a women's health clinic in Bloomington Madia's campaign says Pelosi will not visit the clinic.

Madia is running in Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District against Republican Erik Paulsen and I-P candidate David Dillon.

Madia's campaign had no comment.

Here's the info from the Madia campaign:

Who:

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Minnesota House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher
Ashwin Madia, Marine Corps and Iraq war veteran, and DFL-endorsed candidate for Minnesota's Third Congressional District
Key Aho, a Third District resident

What: Women for Madia Kickoff Press Event

When: Monday, October 20 at 11 a.m.

Where: 9152 Old Cedar Ave S, Bloomington, MN (Office plaza)

Congressman Mike Honda will also campaign with Madia later next week.

Meanwhile: Paulsen bashes Madia in the latest ad.

Bachmann hits the national circuit as the 6th gets interesting

Posted at 2:33 PM on October 17, 2008 by Tom Scheck (12 Comments)

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann's campaign says Bachmann will appear on Fox New's Your World with Neil Cavuto at 3:05 today. She is also scheduled to appear on CNN's Larry King tonight at 8:10.

Bachmann's appearances come as DFL challenger Elwyn Tinklenberg appears to be closing the gap in polling. The Club For Growth reported today that it's about the send out campaign lit on Bachmann's behalf. DFL Party officials also say that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is about to get into the race as well...

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1st and 2nd District candidates (minus one) on Almanac

Posted at 2:52 PM on October 17, 2008 by Tom Scheck

TPT's Almanac will feature a debate between 1st District Republican candidate Brian Davis and I-P candidate Greg Mikkelson. DFL Rep. Tim Walz will not be there.

GOP Rep. John Kline and DFL challenger Steve Sarvi will be on the second half of the show.

Madia, Paulsen and Dillon on KSTP tonight

Posted at 4:50 PM on October 17, 2008 by Curtis Gilbert
Filed under: U.S. MN CD3

The congressional candidates in Minnesota's closely watched 3rd District race meet for their fifth debate tonight. It's sponsored by the League of Women Voters and airs live on KSTP channel 5 at 8 p.m.

We'll post the link on Polinaut once the video is available online.

David Dillon at the Humphrey Institute

I-P candidate David Dillon spoke at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute today. He offered his thoughts on health care reform, military spending, immigration policy and why he doesn't feel welcome in either the Democratic or Republican Parties.

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Republican Erik Paulsen and DFL Ashwin Madia had their turns at the Humphrey Institute earlier this week.

Bachmann: Obama may have "Anti-American views."

Posted at 5:41 PM on October 17, 2008 by Tom Scheck (22 Comments)

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann was on MSNBC's Chris Matthews Hardball earlier today. When asked if Barack Obama had anti-American views, she responded "Absolutely. I'm very concerned that he may have anti-American views."

She also said the people Barack Obama has been associating with are "Anti-American." She also wants the news media to investigate if any other Democratic members of Congress have "Anti-American views."

Bachmann also said the media has been avoiding the Barack Obama/Bill Ayres connection.

Watch it here:

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More info on Hillary Clinton visit

Posted at 5:43 PM on October 17, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Al Franken's campaign released an e-mail to supporters that adds greater detail to Hillary Clinton's visit on Tuesday.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Senator Hillary Clinton joins Al Franken for a "Two Weeks Out" rally

WHEN: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21 -- doors open at 4:00 pm, rally begins at 4:30 pm

WHERE: McNamara Alumni Center
200 Oak Street Southeast
Minneapolis
(Parking available at the Washington Ave. parking lot or on the street)