Kelley Doran for Gov?

[Demrock6]

Some blogs are saying Doran is dropping out of the senate race today. He already has been building name recognition with the senate race, and that cant hurt him. I wonder how he will handel state issues. I think Kelley Doran is a good guy and probably the strongest DLFer to enter the Governor race, if it happens that is.

It makes the senate race a little more interesting.

Check out www.insideminneostapolitics.com where you can listen to Amy, Patty, and Ford at the DFL senate forum form last Sunday. I love all three of them and I cant wait to see Mark Kennedy get creamed.

[CatholicEdHead]

1. Probably good for both races

Since he knew that Amy and Patty were the clear frontrunners. Hatch does have quite a bit of baggage even intra-party. He may appeal to swing voters but does not have any obvious baggage or burned bridges like Hatch does.

Care still needs to be taken that Doran is not a Pawlenty-lite, though I would still vote Doran over Pawlenty.

[dpbrown]

2. Doran's letter

September 22, 2005
Dear Fellow Minnesotans:

When I decided to enter the race for the United States Senate I made a promise to myself, my family, and the people of Minnesota. I promised to work for the people of the State of Minnesota in the same manner as I worked in the business world -- I would be honest, independent and principled.

In an effort to be true to my principles, I am writing you today to tell you why I will no longer be a candidate for the United States Senate, but will continue our campaign as a candidate for Governor.

Since I began our campaign just a few months ago, I have traveled thousands of miles and talked with hundreds of fellow Minnesotans. I have visited with many families who are frustrated with Minnesota’s government and have learned first hand that many believe Minnesota is moving in the wrong direction:

Property taxes are on the rise;
Every government fee imaginable has been increased;
Poverty is increasing and personal income is flat;
Thousands of Minnesotans have lost their health care coverage;
Class sizes are increasing;
Direct taxpayer subsidies to businesses are growing;
The middle class is shrinking;
And, Minnesotans all over the state are stuck in highway gridlock and driving on dangerous roads.

I love Minnesota. I was born and raised here by my single mom and three older sisters. I didn’t have health care as a kid and luckily never got sick. I worked multiple jobs to put myself through college at the University of Minnesota, and in turn have created thousands of good-paying jobs over the course of my career as a builder. I believe in this state, I believe in opportunity for our kids, and I believe we are better when we work together to solve problems.

My goal when deciding to enter public service was to focus on solutions that would address public policy problems for the long-term. What I now realize is that I am best suited to achieve these goals as Governor of Minnesota. As the state’s top executive, I would be in a better position to provide the leadership it takes to change the direction of our state by;

Ensuring Minnesota families can meet their health care needs in a more cost effective and fair manner;

Balancing our budget without accounting gimmicks that put our children, struggling families and seniors at risk;

Building a future of opportunity for Minnesota’s children by investing in their education, including their early childhood and higher education;

Reforming and stabilizing our revenue streams, rather than patching them from year to year; and,

Enacting a long-term comprehensive state-wide transportation funding plan that isn’t built solely with borrowed money and paid back over decades by our children and grandchildren.

Indeed, I am committed to act on these ideas. As a business executive, I believe in accountability and responsibility. Not just accountability for our schools but accountability from our current governor who puts his ambition for higher office and his pledges to his elite group of rich supporters above the interests of the people of our State. I know how to put ideas into action, and I have the skills and experience to bring people together to create solutions that will have measurable results. I am not a politician. I am a leader and I believe I can lead this state with more principle and less politics.

I was so heartened to read a recent quote from our former Republican U.S. Senator about the extreme right wing of Governor Pawlenty and President Bush’s party when he said, “They talk about freedom and values, but they really don’t believe in representative government.” I believe in representative government. But I believe in representing and working with all people regardless of whether they are Democrats, Independents or Republicans.

And so this campaign goes on.

It is a campaign that I am proud of. It is very satisfying to me that political observers have said that our campaign progressed at a faster pace and made a greater impact in a short time than any in recent history.
Our polling is proof of that. People have responded to our message and especially like our approach. We are a campaign of ideas, principle, and great energy.

Be assured that we will take that energy and bring it to the race for governor. We will be the campaign of hope and innovation. And I will be a governor who respects the legislature, respects the people and leads them toward resolution for the good of all Minnesotans.

It is for these reasons that I am a candidate for Governor of the State of Minnesota; and I promise you, I will work with people to lead our state out of the shadows of politics, and into the light of principle, into a new era of family prosperity, tolerance, innovation, and education for every resident of the state.

I hope you will join me.

________________________


So, cites the two top problems as higher taxes and fees, and quotes from a Republican.

At least Hatch took on the tobacco killers and won. I'm not "from" the party, so I couldn't care less who he pissed off there.

So far, Doran does nothing for me.

DPB

[indigo32]

3. I agree

about Doran. I still wish we had someone really inspiring to run for Gov, Hatch ain't that, though I'll support him if it comes down to it.

[Demrock6]

4. Doran 06'

I think Doran would be a great Governor. I think he hits the issues that are important to a very wide range of people. He talks about: property taxes on the rise along with the fee gimmicks, but points out we are getting nothing in return. That is why he goes into lager class sizes, Minnesotans getting kicked off of health care, ect.

The Republican quote came from Dave Durenberger I bet. He, like Arnie Carlson, are appalled at where the extreme right are taking their party.

2006 is the test for Timmy. If he can hold office in a blue state his presidential ambitions could be realized in 2008. That is why the Republicans in New York are going to try to take Hillary out now. Kicking Tim out is very important. I would cringe to hear him say to people on a national level "I worked with both sides for an efficient Minnesota" and such.

I think Doran can win, and would do a good job. But, to be honest I really only heard his positions on federal issues.

Why do some call him a DINO? Just because he is wealthy?