By Bob von Sternberg
When the Obama administration, with much fanfare, unveiled its first list of visitors to the White House on Friday, Minnesotans were few and far between.
Of nearly 500 people who visited during the first six months of President Obama's term, it appears only Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken and Rep. Collin Peterson (all Democrats to be sure) made the cut. Klobuchar was there twice, on Feb. 1 and June 25, both times apparently for receptions. The first was held in the mansion's family theater, the second on the South Lawn. Peterson also was at the June 25 soiree, attended by some 2,000 other people. Franken's visit occurred on May 6, when he met with Vice President Joe Biden — two months before he even was sworn in. It was a much-publicized meeting designed to telegraph the fact that administration officials were confident he'd eventually be declared the winner of the race. The entire list, occasionally studded with such boldface names as Oprah Winfrey and George Clooney among the largley unknown, can be seen at the White House web site.
