CANNON FALLS, Minn. (AP) - President Barack Obama told his
Minnesota audience Monday that Washington needs to tone down the
partisanship. There were more than just Democrats on hand to hear
it.
     Republican state Sen. John Howe and former Independence Party
gubernatorial candidate Peter Hutchinson helped fill out the crowd
in a park along the Cannon Falls River.
     Howe represents the area in the Minnesota Legislature. He says
he was invited by the White House and had private time with the
president. Asked if Obama won his vote, Howe laughed and said he
wouldn't go that far.
     Hutchinson says he too remains uncommitted for 2012 but said
Obama struck the right note in stressing the importance of
government in fixing problems.