The Chairman of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Ron Carey, and the Chairman of the Republican National Convention, Mike Duncan, held a conference call a few minutes ago to discuss Barack Obama's visit to Minnesota tomorrow. They each made short opening statements and took questions from the press. Neither veered, either at the beginning or during the Q & A's, much from their talking points that there is a "stark contrast" between Senator Obama and Senator McCain.

Here's a brief rundown of the call, I'm paraphrasing the majority of it as I wasn't able to get down, exactly what was said word for word. At the beginning, Carey welcomed everyone and made a few remarks about making people see how liberal Obama is. Chairman Duncan said this election will be about "judgment," he mentioned a few differences and, again, the "stark contrast" between the two candidates.

The Q & A's with the press:

Rachel Stassen-Berger, of the St, Paul Pioneer Press asked (again, I'm paraphrasing): What makes you think Minnesota is a winnable state for republicans?

Chairman Carey: The stark contrast is favorable for us, we have to make sure we can communicate the difference.

Someone from the AP, who's name, unfortunately, I didn't catch: Is the choice of the Xcel Energy Center for this speech significant since that is where the convention will be held? (Or maybe it was, how is the choice of venue significant).

Chairman Duncan: it means we chose the right city and the right state. The important thing is, though, that we will nominate McCain there in less than 100 days.

Chairman Carey: "It's an encouraging sign for us."

Bill Warner, Minnesota news Network: If MN is such a crucial battleground state, does this mean Pawlenty should be McCain's choice for running mate?

Duncan: I've been involved in this before and McCain has a good process in place and lots of people deserve to be considered. Pawlenty is one of those who deserves to be considered.

Bob von Sternberg, Minneapolis Star Tribune: Unfortunately I didn't hear this question well at all. I believe he said something about the physcial presence of Barack Obama at the Xcel?

Carey: We want to make sure people understand the sharp contrast between Obama and McCain.

Tom Scheck, MPR: Show us more specifically what you mean when you say the state may be moving more Republican?

Carey: Dems have taken Minnesota for granted for a long time, back in 2000 and 2004, we came very close to voting for Bush. The momentum is moving toward Republicans. Encouraged that many Minnesotans are not the far-left liberals that Obama represents.

Tom Hauser, KSTP to Chariman Duncan: The policy debate at home has contrasted Clinton and Obama. How anxious are you to contrast policies of McCain and Obama. Can it close the gap?

Duncan: "We're very anxious to start that debate. There's a stark contrast between the two nominations. We think McCain appeals to Independents and Democrats." Mentioned taxes in Minnesoa. People should see John McCain is prepared on day one to be commander in chief.

Eric Eskola, WCCO radio: Do you have a sense McCain will have a public event when he comes here for a fundraiser June 19th?

Carey: Details on 19th are being worked out. Because MN is a battleground state, we won't be surprised if we see him here campaigning 'multiple times.'

In all, it seemed to be a typical political conference call. I'm unsure of what the actual point was except I suspect, to try and use the Obama visit to create more momentum and excitement around McCain (since there seems to be so little). If that was the goal, I'm not sure it was entirely successful only because the catch phrase, "stark contrast" was repeated over and over, instead of specific talking points about what the actual contrast between the candidates is (though Chairman Duncan did review a couple of those at the beginning, very briefly).

Also, I think Obama is attempting to show some bravado by going right to the place where we are holding our convention. He is stepping up to the plate, puffing up his chest and saying, almost like a bully would get in the face of the nerdy kid at school: "I'm not afraid to step onto your territory and get into a fight." Not to mention the fact that he believes he's got Minnesota in his back pocket.

Our response? "There's a stark contrast between the candidates." Slightly lame, but then, what else can the RNC say on a quick phone call? I'm not sure if I have a great answer to that myself.