Food for thought: U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar's re-election in northern Minnesota is now considered as safe as Rep. Tim Walz's in the moderate First District, according to the Cook Political Report.

Cook moved the Eighth District race from "Likely Democratic" to "Lean Democratic" yesterday, another indicator of Republican Chip Cravaack's presence in the longtime DFL stronghold. Oberstar was elected in 1974 and has been largely safe for his entire career.

After a raucous debate in Duluth on Tuesday, the pair will face off again this Friday in Grand Rapids.

See our previous coverage of this race here.