Polinaut: October 18, 2008 Archive

The Daily Digest: 10-18-08

Posted at 7:23 AM on October 18, 2008 by Tom Scheck (3 Comments)
Filed under: Daily Digest

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann appeared on MSNBC's Hard Ball last night and said Democrat Barack Obama may hold Anti-American views. She also called on the news media to investigate whether other members of Congress hold anti-American views. AP and Politico have stories.

The Star Tribune also has a story in the newspaper but I can't find it on the web.

You can watch the video here.

Bachmann's DFL opponent, Elwyn Tinklenberg sent out a fundraising alert after Bachmann's appearance. It looks like he raised almost $100 k after Bachmann made her comments. The liberal Daily Kos called for folks to support him.

Bachmann blogs on greater oversight for Fannie, Freddie and ACORN.

A person affiliated with the NRCC ad buying strategy says the National Republican Campaign Committee has reserved additional ad time on Bachmann's behalf. This was before Bachmann made her comments.

DFLer Ashwin Madia, Republican Erik Paulsen and I-P candidate David Dillon meet in a Friday night debate on KSTP. The Star Tribune has a story on the debate.

Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will campaign in the Twin Cities on Monday to campaign for 3rd District DFLer Ashwin Madia.

AP and Forum Communications profile the 2nd.

DFL Rep. Collin Peterson campaigns in Willmar and Hutchinson.

2008 Race for Senate

Forum Communications profiles DFLer Al Franken, GOP Sen. Norm Coleman and I-P candidate Dean Barkley.

I-P candidate Dean Barkley says he has second thoughts on some of his debate remarks.

Barkley also visited the U of M Morris.

2008 Race for President

Racist fliers are circulating in the Twin Cities.

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar campaigns in New Hampshire for Barack Obama.

Obama outspends McCain on TV advertising.

McCain has been forced to defend Republican turf.

The Star Tribune looks at whether the youth vote will surge this year.

2008 Other

Secretary of State Mark Ritchie says there is not widespread voter fraud in Minnesota.

State Government

Gov. Pawlenty plans a trade mission to Israel

Gov. Pawlenty also appointed a new Housing Commissioner.

Congress

DFL Rep. Keith Ellison wants the U of M to become a tenant in North Minneapolis.

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$312 per minute

Posted at 7:02 PM on October 18, 2008 by Tom Scheck (18 Comments)

That's the rate of money DFL candidate Elwyn Tinklenberg has accepted in the first 24 hours since GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann appeared on MSNBC's Hardball. An official with Tinklenberg's campaign said they raised $450 thousand dollars in that time period.

To put that in perspective, Tinklenberg raised $312 thousand for the entire 3rd quarter and had $356 thousand in the bank at the end of the last reporting period.

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Coleman calls for an end to negative calls and ads

Posted at 7:08 PM on October 18, 2008 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

GOP Sen. Norm Coleman's campaign has released a statement saying he wanted an end to the negative ads and robocalls occurring in the state:

As he continued his Hope Express Tour in several cities today, Senator Norm Coleman called on the DNC, RNC, Al Franken, the DSCC, the NRSC and other organizations to stop negative attacks ads and phone calls. Coleman, who has ended negative ads by his campaign, issued the following statement:

"It's time for all of these attacks to end. I pulled down my negative ads because I felt we need to keep the focus on the issues facing our nation. I call on Al Franken, the DNC, the RNC, the DSCC, the NRSC and any other organization engaged in negative attacks on any candidate to bring them to an immediate end. Minnesotans are sick and tired of this, and they want positive solutions for the future and for how we're going to turn this country around. Enough is enough."

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The call come one day after DFL Party Chair Brian Melendez called on GOP Sen. Norm Coleman to denounce the negative robo-calling that has been occurring.

Question of the Day: Will Coleman's plea make an impact?

UPDATE: Andy Barr, with Al Franken's campaign, released this statement:

"Norm Coleman's denunciation of these smear merchants rings incredibly hollow. He has paid this same firm nearly $2 million to run his political operation. He rents space from this firm. He lives in the firm's office space in Washington, DC. The firm's principal, Jeff Larson, is the treasurer of Coleman's PAC and his closest political advisor. And Coleman's campaign continues to employ FLS-Connect for exactly the same purpose the McCain campaign and the RNC do. It's not enough to issue a press release -- Norm Coleman should immediately fire FLS-Connect and cut his ties with Jeff Larson. If he doesn't, his statement today will be nothing more than yet another empty and cynical political ploy."

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Tivo alert! Bachmann to appear on Sunday morning show

Posted at 7:25 PM on October 18, 2008 by Tom Scheck (3 Comments)

GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann will be on WCCO's Sunday Morning show at 10 AM. Esme Murphy's blog says Bachmann, GOP Sen. Norm Coleman and I-P Senate candidate Dean Barkley will be on her show.

How will Bachmann handle the events of the last 36 hours?

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