'Purple' Minnesota in national spotlight

[Freddie Stubbs]

Rob Hotakainen, Star Tribune Washington Bureau Correspondent
April 8, 2005

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- If you're wondering why Democratic Sen. Hillary Clinton and Republican guru Karl Rove will be in Minnesota this weekend, Larry Sabato has an explanation: It is on the list of "permanent purple" states.

He said it is neither Republican red nor Democratic blue and is bound to be competitive in the 2008 presidential election. "That guarantees Minnesota lavish attention from both parties regularly," said Sabato, director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics.

Rove will appear at a fundraiser this evening at the Minneapolis Convention Center for Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Clinton will speak Saturday night at the DFL Humphrey Day dinner at the Hilton Hotel in Minneapolis.

Officially, the visits are aimed at revving up state party troops for 2006. But many Minnesotans are looking beyond next year. Democratic Sen. Mark Dayton said he's ready to sign on as a charter member of Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign. "The political glass ceiling that has prevented a woman from reaching that high office needs to be shattered," he explained.

more: http://www.startribune.com/stories/587/5336563.html

[formerrepuke]

1. Minnesota: the ONLY state that didn't get swept away by the 'Red tide' in

the 1984 election. How long will it be before Rove gets a pie in the face? (not that I condone such behavior, hee hee)

[Freddie Stubbs]

2. That was more of a 'favorite son' phenomenon

rather than a reflection of state's political culture.

[loveable liberal]

3. Favorite son, and he happened to be right!

5 to 6 years of Ronald Reagan. Guy was a dip. And I say 5-6 years because I dont believe the 7th and 8th the guy was really around. Those two years 1987 and 1988 is when the repelicans found out that they could use a president as a figurehead and let the shadow people run the country.

[mzmolly]

7. I think it was a bit of both.

;)

[dpbrown]

5. The only blue state to get bluer in 2004

That's a distinction I can live with!

[CatholicEdHead]

6. Yes it is

It is mostly because most of use are used to Arne Carlson-style Republicans. This current bunch taking marching orders from DC is alienating more and more people.

[SupormomFreeAtLast]

8. I was surprised to hear they were still spewing that garbage...

after the 2004 election. The DFL had a superb year!

[Tweed]

9. Wisconsin got 'bluer'

[saltpoint]

4. Well, let's hope it goes a deep blue-ish purple, then, & --

-- all good wishes to progressives and DFL liberals, etc.