Almanac: At the Capitol

The Clinton and Obama camps keep growing in Minnesota. Clinton's campaign just held a press conference led by House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher. They announced a bunch of new endorsements in the Twin Cities, Duluth and Rochester. No earth-shattering names, but the campaign's continued activity is interesting. As the second female speaker of the House, Kelliher noted, of course, that Clinton would be the first female president and "she'll be ready on day one." Sen. Scott Dibble added his support. Minneapolis City Council President Barb Johnson said she never imagined that when she graduated from an all-girls high school that she could have a female president, "the thought never crossed my mind."

Meanwhile Obama's camp announced the first presidential TV ads will start running in our state. They obviously have been running a long time in states like Iowa with early tests and even in Arizona which has the same Super Tuesday schedule. I was inundated with Clinton and Obama ads watching Phoenix TV on my recent visit.

Politicos are really buzzing about the new Survey USA poll showing McCain beating both Obama and Clinton in Minnesota. In it McCain has 49% support running against Obama at 42% and Clinton at 45%. That has people wondering if it hurts or helps Pawlenty's VP potential. A VP is supposed to deliver their homestate, but we've been going pretty blue for president for decades. One thought has this poll helping TPaw's chances at the number two slot, the other would say McCain may not need Pawlenty. I think McCain probably fits the mold of those maverick independent voters who elected figures like Rudy Perpich, Arne Carlson and Jesse Ventura.