St. Cloud Attorney to Challenge Bachmann

[ellisonz]

Updated: Sunday, 11 Mar 2012, 3:46 PM CDT
Published : Sunday, 11 Mar 2012, 2:08 PM CDT

ST. CLOUD, Minn. - The first person hoping to challenge U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann this fall has stepped forward.

St. Cloud Attorney Anne Nolan has officially launched her campaign, and said she was inspired to run by those taking part in the Occupy Wall Street movement.

Read more: St. Cloud Attorney to Challenge Bachmann http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/politics/st-cloud-attorney-to-challenge-bachmann-mar-11-2012#ixzz1otHzlj00

Video at link.

[MineralMan]

1. Given the nature of the district's new boundaries,

only a well-known Democrat with very broad appeal stands a change against Bachmann. That means someone who has been involved in Minnesota politics for a long time and who has support from moderate Republicans. The new district is probably about +10 Republican. There may be a couple of candidates who could give Bachmann a very tough race to win, but an unknown will have no chance whatever, I'm afraid.

This is a time to bring out a big name candidate. Since House candidates don't legally have to live in their district (Bachmann doesn't anymore), someone whose name is a household word would be a good choice. Anyone with less name recognition won't come close to winning.

That's not how I wish it were, but it's how it is in the new CD-6.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. Do you think Patty Wetterling should try again?

[MineralMan]

4. That might be a good choice.

Given the deep dissatisfaction with Republicans in Congress, it might work. It's also been suggested to Margaret Kelliher, but she says she's not interested, because it's not her district.

I'm certain, though, that no political newcomer will have any chance at all.

[MineralMan]

5. Thinking more about that...

The more time that goes by, the weaker a candidate she probably is. Sadly, she has a tragedy that is her main reason for being known. The more time that has passed since that tragedy, the less impact it has. Having lost elections for that district twice, I doubt that a third try will work. Seriously, unless a really strong DFL candidate with terrific name recognition appears, it seems likely that Bachmann will probably win again. She's beatable, but only by someone who can really bring it to the campaign and who doesn't have to explain who he or she is. Alignment with the Occupy movement isn't going to be nearly enough in that district. In fact, that would work to the detriment of the candidate there.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. You have a point. She has name recognition

but was not an especially effective campaigner. Elwyn Tinklenberg came a lot closer last time. That's a name you aren't likely to forget (seriously - if your last name is Tinklenberg, why would you name your kid Elwyn? Poor guy probably got beaten up a lot in junior high). There has to be someone with enough clout in the party and name recognition outside it to take on Bachmann, especially now that the district has changed - I just can't think of anyone offhand because I don't know the usual suspects.

[Viking12]

2. In this day and age, a candidate has to be more internet savvy

She's made the announcement but hasn't launched a website? (her current site, http://votenolan.org/ , is devoted to her State Rep campaign)

[MineralMan]

6. That website is currently "under maintenance"

and now says Anne Nolan for US Congress as its title. She'll have something up soon, no doubt.

[Viking12]

8. It wasn't this morning.

She announced Friday. I bet many people heard the announcement and looked her up only to find an outdated website. No a good first impression.