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It's interesting -- all the potential Republican A-list candidates in Minnesota (Pawlenty, Coleman, Paulsen, Emmer, Kline, and a few others) are passing against the two candidates up in 2016 (Dayton and Franken) who won extremely close pluralities (Dayon by about 9000 votes; Franken by about 300 votes) and who the GOP had previously expressed eagerness to take on again (with periodic complaints of the elections having been stolen).
I was disappointed that Al Franken was the Dem choice in 2008. Sometimes you have to acknowledge someone on your side is a total pill.
I can't say that I was that thrilled either. The one thing I was looking forward to -- the debates -- were boring instead of amusing. In retrospect, Franken very nearly lost in a bigtime Democratic wave election. Norm Coleman even said as much. (Though to be fair, defeating an incumbent senator isn't usually easy. Coleman is a slimy, disgusting individual who became a senator only because Paul Wellstone died.)
However, he's kept his head down and done good work. I think he will be harder to defeat in 2014. (And by that, I mean good work for a Senator. Come on, the guy's a wealthy congressman, how good could it be? ) MN will have a relatively popular governor on the ballot too, so that should help him.
I can't say that I was that thrilled either. The one thing I was looking forward to -- the debates -- were boring instead of amusing. In retrospect, Franken very nearly lost in a bigtime Democratic wave election. Norm Coleman even said as much. (Though to be fair, defeating an incumbent senator isn't usually easy. Coleman is a slimy, disgusting individual who became a senator only because Paul Wellstone died.)
However, he's kept his head down and done good work. I think he will be harder to defeat in 2014. (And by that, I mean good work for a Senator. Come on, the guy's a wealthy congressman, how good could it be? ) MN will have a relatively popular governor on the ballot too, so that should help him.
I agree. I think in 008, a ey reason it was so close is many people (including Democrats) were unsure of how serious of a Senator he really was considering his background. However, when it comes down to it, regardless of your ideology, and whether you agree with him or not, Fraken has been serious, has worked hard, and ran to get something done not just so he can scream with a bunch of microphones in his face or get his name in the news (unlike a certain member of Congress from his state that is retiring)
I agree. I think in 008, a ey reason it was so close is many people (including Democrats) were unsure of how serious of a Senator he really was considering his background. However, when it comes down to it, regardless of your ideology, and whether you agree with him or not, Fraken has been serious, has worked hard, and ran to get something done not just so he can scream with a bunch of microphones in his face or get his name in the news (unlike a certain member of Congress from his state that is retiring)
The presence of Dean Barkley in the race was problematic for Franken as well; Barkley's positions are closer to those of the DFL than the GOP. And, let's face it, Franken had baggage. His tenure thus far, however, has been almost pitch-perfect for the Minnesota electorate.
As far as I know, Al Franken is the only person ever to defeat two United States Senators in a Senate election (he defeated incumbent Senator Norm Coleman and former Senator Dean Barkley).
I wonder if the possible entrance of Don Shelby into the MN-3 race might change Erik Paulsen's calculus on which office to pursue in 2014?
It's interesting -- all the potential Republican A-list candidates in Minnesota (Pawlenty, Coleman, Paulsen, Emmer, Kline, and a few others) are passing against the two candidates up in 2016 (Dayton and Franken) who won extremely close pluralities (Dayon by about 9000 votes; Franken by about 300 votes) and who the GOP had previously expressed eagerness to take on again (with periodic complaints of the elections having been stolen).
I have a hunch that the GOP has some numbers that tell them they have little chance in those contests.
I have a hunch that the GOP has some numbers that tell them they have little chance in those contests.
There will always be races that one side or the other know they have little chance of winning. This certainly isn't newsworthy.
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) MN will have a relatively popular governor on the ballot too, so that should help him.
