By Catharine Richert | Friday, May 9, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sure, members of Congress make plenty of money. (The salary for rank-and-file members is $169,300.) But Washington is an expensive place to live. And unlike the past, the freshman class of Minnesota's congressional delegation does not include the independently wealthy. So for some members of the delegation, that means plastic dishes, living in basements — and roommates.

By Craig Westover

Monday, May 5, 2008

John McCain has the GOP nomination for president wrapped up, but Ron Paul's supporters in Minnesota won't quit. They recently won six of 12 delegate slots to the GOP national convention, prompting some grumbling from state GOP leaders. But among rank-and-file conservative Republicans there is a begrudging respect for the Paulites' quixotic quest to focus the party on the principles of Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan.

By Craig Westover

Friday, April 18, 2008

An email sent to some 7th District GOP delegates warns them that they shouldn't expect much of a role or influence at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul later this year. Supporters of GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul view the email, sent out by the chair of the GOP 7th District nominating committee, as an attempt to limit their activities at the convention.

By G.R. Anderson Jr. | Thursday, April 3, 2008

Both the Senate and the House passed the $925 million “Capital Investment” bill Wednesday. Gov. Tim Pawlenty has said he will veto any bill that comes in over his preferred $825 million, but some Republican leaders are hoping the governor exercises his line-item pen. If not, it could be bye-bye, bonding bill.

By Kay Harvey | Thursday, April 3, 2008

Baby boomers may think 70 is the new 50, but only 61 percent of Americans polled last week said they're ready to elect a presidential candidate who's older than 70. Still, Sen. John McCain, 71, seems to be running neck and neck with either Democratic candidate in "what-if" scenarios.

By Doug Grow | Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Clinton superdelegate Jackie Stevenson believes she exemplifies a generation of state women who were political pioneers and feminists. They waited and waited for the chance to elect a woman as president, and they're not happy with Sen. Amy Klobuchar's decision — or the timing. Some think she caved under increasing pressure for party unity.

By Roger Buoen | Sunday, March 30, 2008

Sen. Amy Klobuchar will announce Monday morning that she is endorsing Barack Obama as the Democratic candidate for president, according to a source familiar with her plans.

By Doug Grow | Friday, March 28, 2008

Trailing in delegate support, state Sen. Terri Bonoff is bringing out the big political guns and taking the offensive in her bid for the open congressional seat held by retiring Rep. Jim Ramstad. Attorney Mike Ciresi and key fundraisers are lining up with the likes of Walter Mondale and legislative leaders to stop newcomer Ashwin Madia's quest for DFL endorsement.

Democratic Senate candidate Al Franken rallied supporters at the state Capitol today, outlined what he sees as the key issues of the campaign and made clear how he plans to run against Norm Coleman: focus on the GOP senator's support of President Bush. Here's video of Franken's remarks. MinnPost will provide video of campaign addresses by Coleman and Franken's main opponent for DFL endorsement, Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, in the coming weeks.

Like it or not, Barack Obama's "Philadelphia speech" on Tuesday seems destined to go down in history. We asked a diverse group of locals whether they thought Obama had advanced Americans' long-sputtering racial conciliation — and found diverse reactions.