Dayton's approval plummets

[Dickie Flatt]

http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/5213310.html

Dayton, a Democrat who's up for reelection next year, took the heaviest blow: His approval rating declined by 15 points in a year, from 58 percent to 43 percent. The approval rating for Coleman, who just began his third year in office, fell by 7 points, from 54 to 47 percent. ...

Dayton's job approval decreased among all categories of Minnesotans, grouped by age, education, income, party and ideology, with the largest drop among men -- down 27 points -- and 18-24 year olds -- down 31 points. ...

Like Dayton now, Grams then was a question mark to a large number of Minnesota voters -- 28 percent had no opinion of him. Grams never got that number below 25 percent and was soundly defeated. That could suggest that Dayton's reelection might depend on his ability to make an impression on the one-third of Minnesotans who have yet to form an opinion of him.

"Very definitely -- and reaching them before my opposition does," said Dayton. He said he believes that he's "on the side of the best interests of the people of Minnesota" on issues such as pressing the Bush administration for "better answers to the situation in Iraq" and fighting for more federal aid to pay for prescription drugs for senior citizens and to educate disabled children: "I need to do a better job of explaining that to people."

[GetTheRightVote]

What can we do to help him get out his message ????

:kick:

[Nothing Without Hope]

2. Yes, he deserves help. Let's help him against the Rethugs. n/t

[Eric J in MN]

4. Send money or volunteer to raise money (nt)

nt

[CatholicEdHead]

1. 47 and 43 huh?

How much of this is right wing talk? Some recent Strib letters have come out against Dayton's attacks on Condi and espically his office closing.

While Coleman is at 47, he media will not be as hard on him as I expect them to be on Dayton come reelection.

Dayton should still have a second term.

[rodeodrive1]

5. Coleman is not up for re-elelction

Doubtful that Dayton will get a second term. He only got in because Grams had horrible personal problems. Again, Mark is a dreadful candidate. The Condi flap won't hurt him... the closing of his office WILL. Kennedy will have a FIELD day with that, and it looks like the GOP is closing ranks behind him. Kennedy knocked out Minge, I believe.

[Wickerman]

3. Most DFLer's that I know in the Rochester areas got fund raising

calls last week. Calls started off - "You may have heard that Mark Dayton, as a harsh and consistent critic of George Bush's policies is being targeted by the White House for 2006."

I talked to many who got the call. I didn't talk to anyone who didn't contribute. Its gonna take a lot of money to keep Mark in office - I for one am really tired of Karl Rove telling Minnesota who is going to be our representative in DC.

[rodeodrive1]

6. You are right

It is going to take a LOT of money this time, as Mark cannot pay for the race, as he did in 2000. Kennedy will have all he needs.

[loveable liberal]

7. its time to get down and dirty.

Kennedy barely beat Wetterling!! WTF? whats all the sad "mark is gonna get his ass whooped"...for crying out loud all he has to do is use the bushit given to us. Raiding social security, lying, no exit strategy, no osama, dirty air and water, unpunished corporate greed hogs, for christ sake the list goes on and on. Kennedy is a puke, a flake and a scumbag. What has he ever done? if you feel as strongly as i do, get off yer collective duffs and write letters to the local papers. Research screech, his stooginess will shine through!! Dayton is also a target of the religious wrong! he needs support just for that!

[rodeodrive1]

8. It doesn't matter

Dayton is viewed by the general public as an inarticulate BOOB. It really doesn't matter what WE think, or what Kennedy is. Sorry, that's just the way it is.

[katinmn]

9. I disagree. It does matter what we think.

If I felt otherwise, I'd just give up.

[rodeodrive1]

10. Don't give up

Yes, it DOES matter what we think, but too many people, even Dems, think Dayton is a FLAKE, just as even Republicans thought Grams was a LUNATIC. It's the perception that KILLS Mark, just as it killed Grams. Even the GOP RESPECTED Wellstone.... even if they didn't agree with him.

[suegeo]

11. The general public

My opinion of the general public: most of 'em are unthinking robots. And since all the news we get is slanted to pro-bush, well, here we are in hell.

For example, even in this story the spin favors the chimp and his boy, coleman. The comments from the public on page one of the story--i didn't get page 2 due to registration--favor Norm. Someone said he didn't like norm because when Bush says jump, norm says how high. Well, ok, that seems negative to me, but I hate Bush. To a Bush lover, this is a positive for Norm--Bush is America, America is Bush. Norm is great. Get it? Also, the anti-Dayton comment printed in this story is potent. Re-read the 84-year old nut job's comments.

Anyway, Dayton is an un-boob and I won't repeat the slogan they want me to repeat. And at least he is not a nazi/republican.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

12. The 84 year should break his hip then...

go into painful rehab. Then I'll laugh at him when he can't pay the bill!