Almanac: At the Capitol

Just a day before John McCain's visit to Minnesota most Minnesotans know little about the presidential candidate's visit because the campaign wouldn't release any information. After a press conference responding to Democrats' press conference, McCain's local campaign coordinator Ben Golnik got chewed out by the local press for the lack of advance work. The national campaign is organizing the visit so the local guy gets to hear us complain.

Press cannot write preview stories without information. We cannot plan and book crews to cover events we know nothing about. It does not send a strong signal of an organized campaign. Obama's campaign gave several days notice and many details about his visit here a couple of weeks ago.

When the information finally arrived, it mentions the "previously scheduled town hall meeting" in Eagan has been canceled. Since the press never knew it was scheduled, it's funny to cancel it. The Eagan location had insiders wondering since that's where Gov. Tim Pawlenty lives. But the pre-ticketed town hall meeting will be Thursday at 7pm in St. Paul's Landmark Center.

What McCain can boast about is beating Obama to the punch in opening a campaign office. Today DFL officials said they expect an announcement in few weeks about Obama opening a local office. McCain's people also feel good about the recent poll showing the presidential race a toss up in Minnesota.

Democrats held a press conference criticizing McCain's gas tax holiday. DFL's Donna Cassutt and Sen. Kathy Saltzman (DFL-Woodbury) said it would cost the state more than $113 million and 4,000 jobs. McCain's office said the money would be replaced by federal the federal general fund. Saltzman reminded reporters of the 35W bridge collapse and said "Minnesotans have seen the reality when we delay needed projects." When asked about what Obama's or the Democrat's plan is to lower gas prices Democrats didn't have many answers. Saltzman said they would "not address" that but we need to look to greater energy efficiency.