Franken, Klobuchar Stay In DC For Start Of Obama's MN Visit

MINNEAPOLIS (AP/WCCO) -- U.S. Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar won't be on President Barack Obama's flight to Minnesota for the start of a two-day visit.

Franken spokesman Ed Shelleby says the Democrat stayed in Washington on Thursday for a confirmation vote on the U.S. ambassador to Iraq. Klobuchar was expected to also be in D.C. for the vote.

Franken had intended to join Obama on Air Force One and later appear with his fellow Democrat at a Minneapolis town hall.

Shelleby says Franken intends to be back in the state Friday to attend an economic policy speech Obama will deliver by Lake Harriet.

Franken is seeking a second term this fall and Republicans predict Obama's struggling poll numbers will weigh the senator down.

Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges and Gov. Mark Dayton were at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to greet Obama Thursday afternoon.

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