What the hell is going on in Minnesota '06?

[nickshepDEM]

Have any prominent Democrats shown interest in running for Dayton's senate seat? It looks like Attorney General Mike Hatch has his eye on Pawlenty and the Governor's mansion. I have yet to hear of any formidable candidates showing interest. On the other hand, the Republicans have their candidate, Rep. Mark Kennedy (R).


(P.S. Please do not say Al Franken)

[evlbstrd]

1. OK, then.

[nickshepDEM]

2. LOL. I would have posted this in the 2006 section, but...

No one ever post's there.

[jean]

3. the Minnesota forum is very lively - check there, nick

[nickshepDEM]

5. Good idea. If a mod see's this... Please delete or merge...

with my new thread in the Minnesota section.

[evlbstrd]

4. It looks to me like the GD and Loung are the most popular.

You don't care for Franken? I don't live in Minnesota, but he seems very sincere about a run. He moved his broadcast back to Minneapolis. And Garrison Kiellor endorsed him. So he's got the Jewish and Lutheran vote. And possibly the Norwegian Bachelor Farmers.

[election_2004]

6. Patty Wetterling and Amy Klobuchar....

...will be the two main Democrats competing for the nomination.

Each of these women has her loyal supporters.

Patty Wetterling has an advantage with statewide name recognition, as an activist and child advocate.

Amy Klobuchar, on the other hand, is a tough county attorney, and would make the race competitive.

Either could beat Mark Kennedy...he's a true wingnut, and his skeletons are going to come out rattling when he runs statewide for the U.S. Senate.

Consensus seems to be that if Wetterling loses the nomination to Klobuchar, Wetterling won't run for anything again.

The best scenario might be for Patty to be the one to challenge Mark Kennedy in '06 - -

- - and then either Amy Klobuchar or Becky Lourey can take on Norm Coleman in 2008.

[nickshepDEM]

7. Ive read up on Klobuchar, and Im not very impressed.

There has to be someone more qualified than a county attorney.

[election_2004]

8. Patty Wetterling is running against her

We'll see if Patty and Amy are both still in the race when the DFL primaries come rolling around.

[ISUGRADIA]

9. Not just any county

She's faced an electorate that's 20% of the state which is larger than any congressional seat.

[nickshepDEM]

10. Damn, not bad. How is her name ID statewide?

Who would be the better candidate to face Mark Kennedy, Patty Wetterling or Amy Klobuchar?

[ISUGRADIA]

11. I'm still not sure which one is better

Wetterling has the advantage of her story, running a good race in a really Repub district (she ran ahead of Kerry in the district and he won statewide). Klobuchar has more experience as a candidate and in office. And I think they can raise the $ needed.

I think either would be a good candidate. Some other Minn DFLers will hopefully post their opinions on the two.

[election_2004]

12. Whichever of these ladies wins the nomination....

I'd like to see the other one run against Normie in 2008 (although if Amy gets it, then Patty might not be up to another race in '08).

If it turns out that Klobuchar gets to challenge Mark Kennedy and defeats him, and if Wetterling decides to sit 2008 out, then I think Becky Lourey would be the best U.S. Senate candidate to challenge Norm Coleman in 2008.

[RobbinsdaleDem]

13. Heard her on the radio

She seems very intelligent and articulate. I think she'd be a good candidate. I like Patty Wetterling, too. Wetterling gave Mark Kennedy a good run for his money in the congressional race in a very Republican district. I think she could beat him in a state-wide race. I live in MN, and I'll vote for whichever one wins the nomination.

[KitchenWitch]

15. Klobuchar is County Attorney for the largest (population) county in MN

Plus she has some family connections to the old line Democrats in the Iron Range of Minnesota.

That being said, Patty Wetterling has more experience in a national sense from her missing and exploited child advocacy.

[jean]

16. oy - Henn. County is massive with lots of responsibility for her

[KitchenWitch]

14. Several people have thrown their hats into the ring

Amy Klobuchar (Hennepin County District Attorney)
Patty Wetterling
and some lesser known Democrats.