Kerry edges Bush in Minnesota

[mndemocrat_29]

Here's the link: http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/politics/7829912.htm

A new statewide poll shows that Democratic Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts would defeat President Bush in Minnesota, although the margin is so small, pollsters consider the race a statistical dead heat.

The poll, commissioned by the St. Paul Pioneer Press and Minnesota Public Radio, puts Kerry at 43 percent, Bush at 41 percent and undecided Minnesota voters at 16 percent. The poll was taken shortly after Kerry's victories in the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary, which have given him momentum versus the rest of the field.

In Minnesota, Bush would defeat Gen. Wesley Clark by a 5-point margin, Sen. John Edwards by a 6-point margin, Sen. Joseph Lieberman by an 8-point margin and Vermont Gov. Howard Dean by a 14-point margin. Among women, however, Democrats would defeat Bush — except Dean, who lagged by 1 point with a margin of error of plus or minus 4 points.

"Kerry has a lot of those old patrician kind of appearances that work well in Minnesota. It worked well for John Kennedy," Leary said. "I've heard more than one person say, they used the words 'dignified appearance,' which is what you and I would say, 'looking presidential.' "

Minnesota's a basic must win state, so this is very good news.

[Wapsie B]

1. What is going on up there?

Minnesota used to be a Democratic haven. Did the konservative fundies all give up birth control?

[mzmolly]

2. I live here and have no friggin idea what's goin on. Perhaps

the -30 degree temp is slowing the ability to think.

[Brucey]

3. Minnesota is not a liberal state.

Minnesota has been labelled a liberal state because of Humphrey, McCarthy, Mondale, and Wellstone. But an analysis shows that Minnesota falls right in the middle of all the states regarding state-wide elections. And in recent years MN has started leaning to the right because of the growth of the suburbs. MN is becoming another Montana. I wouldn't be surprised if Bush won MN. MN hasn't had a Dem governor for a long time and recently elected a very right wing gov and Norm Hollowman for senator. It is Minneapolis, not Minnesota that is liberal.

[mndemocrat_29]

4. I do think that of all the Gore states, Minnesota is the most vulnerable.

One of the main reasons that Minnesota has gone Democratic so many times over the last few decades is because Mondale has been on the ticket in 1976, 1980, and 1984. However, the fact that Kerry is catching on in Minnesota is a good sign, especially since those undecideds would likely go to the Democratic challenger.

Minnesota does need to win back the governor's office. We haven't held it since 1990, I believe, back when Perpich was governor. Since then, we've nominated three very prominent politicians (John Marty, Skip Humphrey, and Roger Moe), but none of them good past the "old politics" label. We need someone like Judi Dutcher or Collin Peterson (I know that he's a moderate, but he does appeal to a wide level of voters and would be able to take back the governor's mansion, something we need) in order to start taking back the state legislature and offices and regain a stronghold for the Democrats.

[EXE619K]

6. Judy Dutcher or John Marty

yeah...DFL needs some fresh faces.

[goodhue]

5. This is DUPE

see
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=231861

[rockymountaindem]

7. I'm glad Kerry is getting respect for "looking Presidential".

I'm tired of that "he's the common man" lean-on-the-podium thing that the Bushistas like so much. Finally, somebody gets some credit for comporting themselves with dignity and pride, instead of slouching and smirking all over the place.

[Moderator]

8. Dupe

Please continue here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=231861

Thanks!