Ford Bell on MPR

[dflprincess]

I've missed some of the interview because I was in a meeting (sometimes work gets so in the way of being a political hack). But, from what I've heard, I'm even more impressed with him than before. Very straight forward answers, no wishy washy stuff, you know where this guy stands.

[Demrock6]

1. Me too!!

Both got interrupted and more impressed with Bell.

Ford Bell is the clear choice. Klobuchar was all over the place yesterday. I noticed when she was asked about the UAE ports she rambled into middle class squeeze. Early front runner yes, best candidate, no.

Ford Bell has to be the guy. Bell didn't waffle on issues, very knowledgeable and informed, good speaking skills and very clear.

MPR is posting both of the interviews with Amy Klobuchar and Ford Bell on the candidate profiles. Check them out.

I am going to volunteer right now. He needs all the help to get the endorsment.

Amy's cash is just a drop in the hat with what it will take to win the election. If Bell gets endorsed he will get the resources.

[scoobydoo05]

3. Explain to me how....

So, how exactly do you think Mr. Bell is going to get the endorsment?
Don't get me wrong - I think Mr. Bell is a wonderful man, with a great message and he has done some amazing work in the community.
But, he has even less money than Amy - something like 1/10th, he has no field operation, no communications personel - hardly any experienced staff for a US Senate race, no real connection with the DFL party - besides having raised some money for some candidates - he probably couldn't even tell you how a caucus worked - since, I believe, he has never attended one.
And he has now clearly stated that he won't abide by it anyway - straight to the primary - so why should he get the endorsement?
While I am not a big fan of Ms. Klobuchar's (I was really hoping Ms. Wetterling would be my next Senator) - she has done the foot work necessary to secure the endorsement. I may not like her message - but that is not what really wins a race and it certainly is not what wins a party endorsement.

[dflprincess]

4. Sixteen years ago

people were saying the exact same things about Wellstone. I can't tell you how many people told me I was nuts to support him because he had no chance. (Many of these same people now talk like they were best buddies with Paul and supported him from the start.)

Wellstone got the endorsement by getting his people to the caucuses and on to the Senate District and County Unit Conventions. He overcame the money problems by having a strong grassroots organization and by taking his campaign to the people in the coffee shops and local festivals and fairs.

I will not support a candidate based on their war chest or "winnability". I will pick my candidates based on how they address issues and what their positions are.

[scoobydoo05]

5. No comparison

I am not saying not to supprt Mr. Bell - but please don't compare him and his campaign to Paul Wellstone - it does a disservice to both of them.

And really there is no comparison.

Paul had run for Statewide office before he ran for Senate - so he had some name recognition going into the race. He had a strong activist network from all of his social organizing and he had been involved with the DFL party before he ran - he didn't just come out of the blue to run for US Senate

Mr. Bell has never run for office before, has no politcal network to speak of, has no grassroots organization to speak of, has very little staff, most of whom have never worked on or run a US Senate race and no money. So, yea, his message is right on - but how is he going to spread that message? How is he going to drive people to caucus?

I am not saying that just because Ms. Klobuchar has more money - which helps - but she has all the other elements that Mr. Bell doesn't - she has a large staff that has been out on the ground for a year, she has rounded up almost all of the key players and most of the party faithful, she can give a rousing speech (it doesn't actaully say anything - but it does make everybody feel good) and she has experienced people guiding and helping her. She has the mechanism in place to drive people to caucus and get them to go on to be delegates to the State Convention.

Again, I do like Mr. Bell and I like what he has to say - but it will take more than that to win and his campaign is not structurally sound enough for the long haul.

[dflprincess]

6. I am not naive and I know what Bell's chances are

but I will support him as long as I can.

I don't think the party understands how many people are turned off by Klobuchar's refusal to take a real position on nearly every issue and how that will cost votes in the general election. There are people who are active in causes and not the party who will go Green, not in huge numbers but perhaps enough to hurt the DFL candidate.

I've probably been doing this too long and I'm burning out, but in a year when I should be fired up and ready to hit the streets, I'm getting very depressed at the thought that I could wind up voting for someone in November only because she's not Mark Kennedy. But I'll fall in line because the thought of Mark Kennedy being elected makes me sicker than electing another wishy-washy DLC type Democrat whose every vote will be based on how it will affect her chances of reelection.

[secretdj]

8. I know Bell has great staff

Including Wetterling's 2004 manager. Who else could be better prepared for Mark Kennedy?

[scoobydoo05]

9. Really?

You mean the campaign manager that lost to Mr. Kennedy once already. Really twice, if you take into account that he worked for Ms. Roberts as well.

[question everything]

7. This is something that I still don't get

who is electing them? We, the people, or the party?

[newyawker99]

10. Hi scoobydoo005!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[CatholicEdHead]

2. Here is the RealAudio archive link

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/02/24/midday1/