WASHINGTON, D.C. — He was closer to Hubert Humphrey than anyone except Muriel, and probably spent as much time at his side in the last 17 years of Humphrey's life as she did. David Gartner, Humphrey's long-time top aide, died last week.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sitting directly in front of President Obama six rows back during his speech to Congress, Michele Bachmann made it clear she wasn't there to lend a helping hand to Obama.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — It was the most important vote of his fledgling Senate career, maybe one that would determine his future. That's why Sen. Mark Begich agonized for weeks over Sonia Sotomayor's Supreme Court nomination. At the last moment, he decided to support her, even though he was troubled by her views on gun control and private property rights.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Not since the last third of the 20th century — with the likes of  Humphrey, McCarthy, Mondale, Burger, Blackmun and Wellstone at the center of American politics and government — have Minnesotans been as visible here as during the first six months of the Obama administration.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Somewhere, the late William C. Norris is thumbing his nose at Wall Street and saying "I told you so."

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Denis McDonough, a 39-year-old Stillwater, Minn., native, is poised to become one of the key players on President Obama's national security and foreign policy team — just as he was when he starred on the St. John's University football teams from 1989-91.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Minnesota is enjoying a higher profile in the nation's Capital than almost any other state as President-elect Barack Obama prepares to take office in January. And it's not just Democrats who are getting all the attention.

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