Strib's transition to right-wing rag is nearly complete.

[trotsky]

"Mills is a fresh voice for Minnesota's Eighth District"

http://www.startribune.com/opinion/editorials/280585982.html

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Saw that. I was appalled.

They also endorsed icky old John Kline. They endorsed Franken as well but in a lot of respects they've been steadily drifting to the right (the continued occasional appearance on the op-ed page of the egregious Katherine Kersten is some evidence of that). I can't see anything positive at all about Stuart Mills. Fortunately they don't read the Strib much on the Range.

I often consider canceling my subscription but I'm hooked on the comics and the crossword puzzles.

[trotsky]

3. Kersten and that freaking dipwad Brodkorb.

Nothing but regurgitated right-wing talking points. Brodkorb should just slink back under whatever rock he crawled out from and spare us all from his hypocrisy.

[dflprincess]

8. And they endorsed Paulsen

Every time I see one of his ads featuring his daughters I wonder how he explains to them that daddy opposes equal pay for women -- and that his entire voting record on "women's issues" is pretty dismal.

The only difference between him and Bachmann is that Paulsen keeps his mouth shuts and just votes badly.

[question everything]

15. In reality, Paulsen's opponent Sharon Sund has been pretty much a no show

I have to wonder whether there is any hope for the 3rd District.

For years Ramstad ran essentially unopposed. And then when he retired it was a chance to put a strong DFLer. I was in the convention and was convinced to select Madia. He had a good resume - Iraq war veteran, legal adviser to the Marines. And, let's be honest, we, Democrats, like to vote for an underdog who is a minority. Yet, had I known that he was a "moderate Republican" who supported Dole in '96 and McCain for 2000, I would have stuck with Bonoff.

But the 3rd district is mostly suburban, and Madia was not at least a church goer family man. Even he admitted it later.

So we keep bringing up martyrs, really, with no name recognition, no funding, not much in resume and we tell them - here, go against a well oiled machine of Paulsen. I am actually surprised that Paulsen bothers with ads. He will win. The only question will be the margin.

[dflprincess]

16. Sharon Sund has been working as hard as her limited funds allow

She is a hell of a lot smarter than Paulsen and far more personable.

I think she is one of those people who would make a great rep but isn't that great a candidate. That's the problem with politics, someone who is a great campaigner may do a horrible job if elected and vice versa.

[Brickbat]

2. That was a pretty weak endorsement -- it didn't have anything to say about Nolan at all.

It also said nothing about mining. Nothing at all. Completely out of touch.

[trotsky]

4. I especially love the "well he's really not provided much detail about anything...

but we're sure he'll do fine" comedy.

[Eric J in MN]

5. The Editorial Board likes that Stewart Mills is for "entitlement reform"

...aka cutting Social Security benefits.

[geardaddy]

6. At least most of the comments are from bewildered folks on why they endorsed Mills

Normally, wading into the comments section makes me want to take a hot, scrubby shower.

[mac56]

7. Anyone who still refers to it as the "Hammer Sickle and Star Tribune"

or "The Pravda Of The Prairie"....

gets a swift kick in the business section.

[Jenoch]

9. The Minneapolis paper also endorsed Dayton.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

10. How could they not? Dayton has a track record; the state's economy

has improved and it now has a budget surplus. Nobody has even heard of Jeff Johnson. Of course, the same could be said about Stuart Mills, but nobody ever accused the Strib of consistency.

[Jenoch]

11. Johnson was a state representative for three terms and is a Hennepin County

Commissioner. But, yeah, unless someone follows politics people wouldn't know about him. I never heard of Mills until he announced he was running. Apparently, some people in the 8th, including some who voted for Nolan, don't like the ads run by the DNC. It will be interesting to see what happens. I think Dayton and Franken will both win by at least 5 points or more.

[dflprincess]

12. It all comes down to turn out

With Dayton's and Franken's leads narrowing I'm really getting nervous about that.

[Jenoch]

13. You're right.

The Republican voters usually have a higher turnout in off-year and special elections. There are too many Democratic voters who only vote in presidential elections or get caught up in elections in which the Democratic candidate has a huge personality appeal (think Clinton and Oobama). Remember the HUGE crowds drawn to Obama in 2008. Even as a Democrat, that type of 'worship' was disturbing.. I think 400,000 pwople showed up to see andhear him in Berlin for crying out loud. There are a lot of 2008 Obama voters as well as 2012 Obama voters who will not vote in this election. I find that sad they are not really engaged in the political process.

Edit to add:

I'm not too worried about Dayton and Franken. I am a little concerned that Nolan and Peterson might be in danger of losing. I think the other constitutional offices will be won by the Democratic candidates.

[progree]

14. The state house is very much at risk, I think

http://www.minnpost.com/community-voices/2014/10/why-dfl-will-lose-minnesota-house
by David Schultz

If the RepubliCONs take over the state house, I presume that will mean nothing will get done in the next 2 years in Minnesota.

[glinda]

17. If mills wins the environment and animals will suffer big time.

[question everything]

18. No, now it is. They are not going to get rid of Sack - who won the Pulitzer Prize

but as of today moved him to the next page, where they have the op-eds, to show that his cartoons do not reflect the editorial board, but only his own opinion.

[glinda]

19. yup