Bush visits Minnesota Monday

[jean]

Bush visits Minnesota Monday
The Associated Press
April 25, 2004

http://www.startribune.com/stories/468/4741741.html

ST. PAUL - Three weeks after a poll showed President Bush 12 percentage points behind challenger John Kerry in Minnesota, the president makes his eighth visit to the state since taking office.
He's scheduled to speak Monday morning at the American Association of Community Colleges convention at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Later, he plans to attend a fund-raiser at the suburban Edina home of real-estate developer David Frauenshuh.

State Republican Party Chairman Ron Eibensteiner said Bush's visit means "Minnesota is in play. Minnesota is a targeted state. It's going to be very close."

To win, however, he'll have to overcome some history: Minnesota hasn't gone Republican in a presidential race since 1972.
In 2000, Bush lost Minnesota and its 10 electoral college votes to Democrat Al Gore by 2.4 percentage points.

The April 3 Star Tribune of Minneapolis poll showed Democratic presidential candidate Kerry leading Bush 50 percent to 38 percent. Independent Ralph Nader had the backing of 2 percent of the state's likely voters at the time.

The Bush and Kerry campaigns both have targeted Minnesota as one of a handful of battleground states that could sway the outcome of the November election.

"The president continues to come to Minnesota because he's behind in Minnesota," said DFL Party Chairman Mike Erlandson.

He said he and others would be on hand Monday to highlight job losses that have occurred while Bush has been president.

"George W. Bush has been the great exporter of jobs," he said. "While the Republicans will be rolling out the red carpet, the reality is Bush has been rolling out the red ink."

Bush is likely to revisit a frequent topic on Monday when he talks to the annual convention of community colleges association: work force development.

In recent weeks, the president has visited community colleges in several states, highlighting how they have worked closely with the local business community to provide students with skills the private sector needs.

Linda Kohl, a spokeswoman for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, said she hopes the president will talk about the importance of community colleges and strengthening work force development.

"We just think it's tremendously exciting," she said. "I think it will bring more attention to community colleges."

At the luncheon, Bush will be raising money for the "Victory 2004" effort, the Republican National Committee's party-building and grassroots-building operation.



President Bush's visit
April 26, 2004

President's visit
• This morning, President Bush will address the American Association of Community Colleges annual convention at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
• Bush then will attend a Republican Party fundraising luncheon in Edina.
• This will be the president's eighth visit to Minnesota since he took office.

http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4742007.html

[Crunchy Frog]

1. You have my deepest condolences. n/t

[Moderator]

2. jean

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