A reader at MN Progressive Project reports getting a poll that sounds like it was from the Coleman camp. Is Coleman planning to jump into the race? The DFL can only hope.
Coleman has a lot of residual goodwill from conservatives who supported him during the recount. Given his lack of conservative principles — or really any principles whatsoever — he wouldn’t ordinarily have an easy time during a GOP primary, but he just might be able to get the nod, which would be a tremendous gift to the DFL.
The fact is, Coleman is not popular with Minnesotans, and he’s had a heck of a time winning statewide elections. In fact, his only success — a narrow victory over Walter Mondale, running in Paul Wellstone’s stead — came in such extraordinary circumstances that it can hardly be considered an example of Coleman’s ability to win at the statewide level. More recently,he failed to get 42 percent of the vote against Al Franken, which does not indicate a high probability of success in future elections, to say the least.
We all know how much trouble the DFL has had in recent gubernatorial elections. Now, though, they may have a new secret weapon — Norm Coleman.
Maybe Coleman will run, be the candidate, and win by a whisker. Then, the liberal MN machine can start counting and recounting again and again until the outcome favors their candidate.
Everybody knows, C-Man, that your whining represents Republican teabaggers perfectly.
Great Job!
So, you remain unaware of minnesota election statutes to this date? You're a real winner, dude.
The sad part is that CMan really believes that is what happened in the Senate race. I would tell him to go ask the Republican appointees on the panels that decided this, but there really is nothing that can overcome CMan's brand of stupid.
Even sadder, the slew of other misguided automatons that think the same: Lloyd, Kerosene Hat, Senor Guesto, Kathy (the right-winger - there's 2 of them), Don Huizenga, Triple threat, "Really?"…
I wouldn't throw KH in that group. He's a special…special brand of stupid.
Oh please. It might be easier for you to lump people into groups but it often makes you wrong. I never once thought the election was stolen or that there was any sort of maleficences or conspiracy. I do believe and said so from the morning after the election that no matter who won it would be by within the margin of error. I was also against the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, am an atheist , want equal protection under the law for all people regardless of race, sexual preference or any other characteristic. So go ahead and group people together if it is the only way you are able to manage but you should at least realize it makes you a fool.
KH doesn't belong in that category.
Oh, Pete…zing!
We feel terrible.
I didn't ask to be in your bigoted party….so keep me out, eh?
BTW….if you REALLY think that Norm Coleman can win our endorsement this cycle, you're nuts. Republicans are NOT interested in presenting a liberal Republican this year, at all. We either have a good fiscal conservative on board (which does make me realize why pete wants a DFL governor … he may actually lose his state benefits, etc) or we let the DFL win.
Get it?
Good.
Now….talk amongst your little commy selves, eh?
The problem is that Coleman came within a few hundred votes of winning a statewide race in a big Democratic year and a Democratic presidential victory. 2010 is likely going to be a bad year for Democrats, and there are a few DFLers running who I would consider worse candidates than Franken.
Franken was, at best, a flawed candidate. And yet he was able to take down a very well-funded incumbent. No doubt this was helped a great deal by the large Democratic showing in '08, but still, imagine if '08 had been Amy Klobuchar vs. Norm Coleman. We'd have been picking up what was left of Coleman off the sidewalk.
I'd say this about Coleman's chances: it will depend on how damaged he will be from a primary contest. I can't see him winning a MN GOP endorsement, and to win a primary, he'd have to run as a staunch conservative (which I don't believe he actually is). Beyond that, he'd have to find a significant donor pool, as the significant donations that were given to him in the senate race were about holding THAT senate seat; they had little to do with Norm himself.
Franken was a "very well-funded" candidate himself.
http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?cycl...
I think some are underestimating Coleman, he almost beat a dem candidate in a blue state in a year with significant coattails. For Coleman to get within a relative handful of votes is impressive to say the least.
You may not like his positions, but he is a good candidate.
I think I would agree that Coleman would be stronger then the current GOP field; however, that is more a reflection of the current MN GOP field's weakness then Coleman's strengths. And I reiterate my point: against a well-chosen DFL opponent (a la Amy Klobuchar) Coleman has little appeal.
Franken won because he worked the hardest. You cannot honestly deny that. He spent two years talking and doing the retail politics thing until people were comfortable with him beyond his celebrity.
Governor is a very local vote. Coleman does not have what it takes. He came close but no cigar and is now a two time loser statewide with a bunch of partisan baggage and criminal funders. On the GOP side, he is seen as being too moderate and the reason Franken won. They will be looking for a real teabagger to endorse. He won't be it. Jim Ramsted couldn't get the endorsement.
Look for the guy who defends insurance companies from paying on legitimate claims, Tom Emmer, to be their choice and watch Mark Dayton tear him apart. Tim Penny may even try to be a spoiler but, it will be a failed effort.
Please let Emmer get the nomination on the Gopper side and as far as the DFL goes, the dust has to settle a bit before a clear front runner emerges. I can't think of anything more entertaining then a Tom Emmer's greatest's hits kind of op ad. Absolutely priceless.
On the other hand, lojasmo is just your ordinary run-of-the mill pointless lemming.
Sorry, KH, I was a little broad in my accusations.
P.S. I too am an atheist.
No Gods, No masters!
That would be 'Commie' as in Communist. Like the Communist Bush sold all of the IOU's to. Like the Communists the Republicans allowed to own this country. You know those guys right?
So what's your problem? You love foreign communists but hate your own homegrown ones?
(all sarcasm. Republicans need to be told this)
Who is this year's Amy Klobuchar?
Anybody who runs against that smarmy fuck.
Its hard for me to say; we get very little contact with candidates this far north.
Also, I want to say something about the tenor of the comments on here. Spirited debate is one thing; but it seems things are beginning to degrade into childish shove-matches. I assume we are all adults on here; let's all try and stay on topic, avoid character attacks, and be mature about the issues.