I haven’t had time to post on this until now, but what a race this would be:
In what could be an intriguing political matchup next year, a National Guardsman with 20 years in the service under his belt is likely to take on Second District GOP Rep. John Kline, a three-term incumbent whose 25 year career in the Marines has been central to his political profile.
Sgt. 1st Class Steve Sarvi, who is demobilizing at Fort McCoy, Wis., this week after serving with the Minnesota Guard in Iraq, is leaning toward making the bid, according to his father, Al Sarvi.
“There’s nothing official yet, but we’re all pretty excited about it,” the elder Sarvi said Wednesday. “Because he’s still in the service, he can’t file, collect money or look for support yet.”
Working in Iraq since April 2006 on the Army’s reconstruction efforts, Sarvi, 42, is due to arrive home in Victoria on Friday and will be released from the service in a month, his father said. [Star Tribune, 7/18/07]
As much as John Kline is very much a toe-the-line Bush Republican, the 2nd will be tough in 2008 no matter how Iraq looks at that point. That being said, I think running Sarvi there represents the best match I could even dream of. Given his recent tour and admirable record of service, Sarvi would be nearly impossible for Kline to challenge in his typically pro-military way. Moreover, vets have proven to be formidable Democratic contenders in GOP strongholds across the nation. One only needs to look to our very own 1st district to see an example of that success.
Tip of the hat to Inside Minnesota Politics where you can find additional information on Sarvi, the above image, and listen to an interview with Sergeant.
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Looks like a strong candidate, but Kline has this district wrapped up. In many ways, it is more conservative than the 6th and you saw how well a crazy woman like Bachmann did up there.
Kline works hard, maybe not for the issues you care about, but he does work hard. Also, he is likeable person who represents the district well.
He won’t have as easy of victory as he did against Rowley, but it will be an easy victory. Just my opinion.
First of all, don’t underestimate Kline’s scum factor. He will swift boat Sarvi as much as possible. If Sarvi can come across as a moderate, and portray Kline as a bat-shit crazy fascist then he stands a chance. Sarvi cannot be nice and he cannot be respectful. He has to go after Kline and call him out as the scum sucker he is.
Kline is a waste of space and oxygen. It would be a breath of fresh air to have an Iraq War vet in office there. Maybe for once those sheep in that district will hear the truth about our “war on terror.”
They-aint too many Walzes around. He’s an interesting fellow. But a uniform and a D after your name will only win in some districts, this not being one of them. Kline is an excellent organizer, campaigner and team player.
Kline, during his past campaigns, has always attacked first, and used right wing talking points to his advantage. Those talking points may not work so well against a recently returned Iraq vet.
How will Kline attack “one of his own”? When will he strike?
Methinks it may be an attack against a campaigner of Steve Sarvi, rather than Sarvi himself.
It could be that by Nov of ‘08 people of the 2nd are tired of the team Kline plays for. There is no safe district for the GOP in ‘08. Kline will be specifically targeted.
With every war, and with every corrupt regime, there comes a time when the tide of resentment and anger is so strong that even the elite, or in this case brainwashed, can no longer avoid it. It becomes time to surf or avoid, and avoidance of an oncoming wave is usually not the right choice. Could this be the time when the wave of disillusionment is strong enough to turn the tide? Could be.