Palin, Emmer met in Minneapolis

Rep. Tom Emmer's campaign wrote a letter to Sarah Palin about a month ago, asking for an endorsement, said Emmer campaign spokesman Bill Walsh. "Tom won her over just like he is winning over all these delegates: on his character and his integrity and what he's talking about in his message."

The letter talked about Emmer's college and hockey connection to Alaska, Walsh said. Palin and Emmer had a one-on-one meeting earlier this month, when she was in Minnesota for a rally and fundraiser.

Emmer said the endorsement doesn't include any contribution by Palin or a promise of a campaign visit but is the "gold-standard of grass-roots politics in this country."

BAIRD HELGESON

GOP platform change on immigration As the new Arizona law on immigration roils the nation and Minnesota politics, the Minnesota GOP was considering a change to its platform plank on immigration Thursday.

The proposed change would instruct police to check the immigration status of noncitizens.

The platform will be voted on during the party's state endorsing convention, which began Thursday evening and continues through Saturday morning.

Here's the proposed change:

"We support crime legislation that applies to all offenders of a specific crime and oppose any legislation that would designate 'hate crimes' against specific 'protected class' groups. Police should be instructed to check the immigration status of non-citizens. We support prohibiting the designation or funding of sanctuary cities for illegal aliens."

RACHEL E. STASSEN-BERGER

Norm calls for Emmer Former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman has been making a select few calls on behalf of Emmer's gubernatorial campaign.

"It's a very small number," spokesman Bill Walsh said, in confirming the Coleman calls. He said Coleman has called people who are his close friends.

Emmer is running for GOP endorsement against Rep. Marty Seifert.

Delegates will endorse a gubernatorial candidate Friday. Both Seifert and Emmer have pledged to drop out if they do not win their party's nod.

RACHEL E. STASSEN-BERGER