From the Red Wing Republican Eagle:
Former U.S. Sen. Rod Grams is focused these days on his central Minnesota radio venture, but the Republican also is fed up with his own political party.
“I’m so damn unhappy with the Republicans right now,” Grams said in an interview. “I’m so unhappy with the candidates that we have I could puke. I wanted to get out there and mix it up.”
Grams said he considered challenging Sen. Norm Coleman for the GOP nomination but was too busy in his private life to make a run this year. But Grams said he will ponder a run for governor in 2010, saying he’ll make that decision within a year.
He is the first such Republican to say in public he will examine a governor’s campaign. A growing number of Democratic-Farmer-Laborites are ‘fessing up to doing so.
Grams is not worried about Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s plans.
“He’ll have to watch what I do,” Grams said of the fellow Republican. “I wouldn’t get sidetracked by a third term (attempt) of Tim.”
If Grams decided to challenge Pawlenty in the Republican primary, it would end up looking a lot like his 2006 race against Jim Oberstar: a total smackdown. If, however, Pawlenty does not seek reelection (and we have written many times before that don’t expect that he will), Grams might be a factor. But, DFLers, don’t get too excited. I can’t imagine that Grams would actually win the nomination. In fact, a more plausible scenario is Grams splitting the conservative vote with Brain Sullivan (who I believe is the front-runner in the Pawlenty-less Republican primary) creating an opening for a more moderate nominee (though, I am not sure who that would be).
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“I’m so unhappy with the candidates that we have I could puke”
Nothing like an example of fine communication and Stateman-like skills like this one.
Brain Sullivan? Ah, I think not.
Hot Rod would add some more boredom to a lackluster field of Republicans. The man is the classic empty suit. I met with him when he was 6CD Rep, found him intellectually lacking but he WAS good at staying on message. Both he and Col. Gil the auctioneer were equally clueless when it came to any policy outside of what Newt told them to say.
Rod did have good hair and teeth, thanks to his TV gig, and really, isn’t that all that matters?
Is there an elected moderate republican in Minnesota? Just look at what a moderate stance did to those who voted for the gas tax. The Glen Taylor, Fritz Knaak, Arne Carlson moderate wing has been officially run out of town with Jim Ramstad’s retirement.
Today’s “republiCon activist” is much more likely to resemble someone from Northern Idaho, than a Reasonable Republican from 2 years ago.
The GOPer leadership trashes genuine heros, like Colonel Joe Repya, rather than take responsiblity for their own actions and inactions.
Until the GOP cleans house of it’s leadership, and what it considers “acceptable membership beliefs”, it will be in Permanent Minority Status.
The GOP began to its purge of reasonable candidates in 1998. The 2000 election brought some really obnoxious wing nuts and it seemed to crest in 2002. Unfortunately, it was the moderates that disappeared when they cleansed the party. But what’s left running the party is good for business for the DFL.
In ‘92, Rod Grams won with 44% against a scandal-plagued incumbent Congressman with Dean Barkley splitting off the DFL vote. Then Grams got swept into the Senate in the tidal wave GOP year of ‘94.
As soon as he faced a relatively neutral political year in 2000, Grams lost reelection to Mark Dayton for Christ’s sake!
Yeah, he’s the GOP’s savior. Run, Rod, run!
Of course, now that I think of it, Mark Dayton’s running for Governor in 2010 too.
Dayton vs. Grams: The Empty Suit Rematch.
I don’t know what Rod Grams is thinking. How does he ever expect to get on the ballot in November when he’s competing with Norm Coleman. Everyone knows its the job he’s always wanted. Like most St. Paul residents, Norm has always dreamed of living on Summit Avenue. His efforts were thwarted by Jesse, and Norm’s going to come back to try and finish the job. Watch out for Coleman in 2010.
Hey, if Norm could win the governors race he could solve that pesky housing problem. Free digs on Summit Avenue, WOO HOO!