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The Daily Digest: Campaigns go short on specifics

Good morning!

In Minnesota

When Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton and Republican candidate Jeff Johnson meet for their second debate Wednesday in Moorhead, they are not likely to offer voters many specific proposals. (MPR News)

Dayton has slightly expanded his lead over Republican challenger Jeff Johnson and now holds a 12 point advantage, according to a new poll by KSTP. (KSTP)

Special interest groups are starting to ramp up their activities in the race to win control of the Minnesota House. (MPR News)

A handful of districts will determine which party controls the Minnesota House next year. (Pioneer Press)

Moderate Republicans are becoming harder to find at the state level. (Star Tribune)

The PoliGraph checks out claims made during last week's debates. (MPR News)

In 2010, he ran as a Tea Party candidate for Governor, but the Tom Emmer who's running for Congress in the 6th District has toned down his rhetoric. (Star Tribune)

Sen. Franken arrived in Washington known better for his past as a comedian and Saturday Night Live performer than for his politics. The senator who's emerged is something else altogether: a techie. (AP via Pioneer Press)

Meanwhile, the Strib dives deep into the biography of Franken's challenger, Republican Mike McFadden. (Star Tribune)

National Politics

Republicans see many parallels between this midterm election and the 2006 midterms that cost them the House and the Senate. (Washington Post)

How Democrats learned to love super PACs. (New York Times)

Democrats are also trying to turn the tide in the Sun Belt states and win over those areas long term. (NPR)

Pro tip to all the reporters out there: never make this mistake. (Politico)