Almanac: At the Capitol

The image is just about what you'd expect:  guy in a cowboy hat, lots of signs saying welcome, multitudes of media and lots of sunshine.  Denver is busy and exciting.  Delegates, media a politicians are everywhere.  David Gillette's essay on it all is hilarious, check it out!  We've seen plenty of Minnesotans too.  DFL Party Chair Brian Melendez is pictured below riding on the airport tram with delegate Ralph Remington.

Sen. Mark Dayton was also on our plane and eager to invite everyone to his luncheon.  I chatted with Buck Humphrey in the airport.  Vice President Mondale was on my crew's flight out and he will be part of the Minnesota breakfast at the delegation hotel this morning.  Sen. Amy Klobuchar is on the list of podium speakers this afternoon.  So look for more coverage of our Minnesotans in Denver later today!

The national and local buzz is huge that Pawlenty will be McCain's running mate. A new Quinnipiac poll helps that thought, it shows McCain essentially chopping down Obama's once double digit lead in Minnesota.  The 46-44 lead for Obama now compares to 54-37 back in June.
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Mike Huckabee launched his Minnesota campaign and the most notable name is Republican Party Chair Ron Carey. This is the earliest presidential endorsement by a party chair in memory. DFL Party Chair Brian Melendez has stayed neutral until a nomination.
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Senate Republicans want Secretary of State Mark Ritchie to step aside and let a deputy oversee the Jan. 3 special election to fill Sen. Tom Neuville's seat. Minority Leader David Senjem said secretaries of states "live in glass houses and that glass has been broken."
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Here's the official word from the governor and quick react from the DFL:

GOVERNOR PAWLENTY CALLS SPECIAL SESSION TO DEAL WITH FLOOD RELIEF ...

SPECIAL SESSION OR NOT, PAWLENTY FAILED MINNESOTANS ...

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