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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSigh...Mark Dayton just doesn't get it
This is part of a story written about how he will fill Franken's seat. My question is, if the shoe was on the other foot, would a GOP governor offer the Dems the same golden opportunity? Fat chance. This is why we are doormats.
"On Wednesday night, high-ranking Minnesota Democratic sources said the governor was likely to appoint Lt. Gov. Tina Smith, someone who would not run for the seat permanently. That would give both parties equal time to mount campaigns for the historic election next November in which both Senate seats would be on the line."
http://m.startribune.com/tension-between-minnesota-d-c-on-how-to-fill-franken-s-seat-sources-say/462676603/
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,684 posts)By appointing Tina Smith to fill Franken's position until the special election next year, he's actually making it tougher for the GOP because they won't know right away who they'll be running against. It now appears that their most likely candidate will be (ick) Tim Pawlenty, not sure whether (double ick) Norm Coleman is interested. But if they don't know for certain who the 2018 candidate will be until some time next spring, probably after a primary election, they're at a disadvantage. In the meantime the DFL can start planning and fund-raising.
If he'd appointed someone now who was planning on running, they'd have plenty of time to prepare their campaign and dig their dirt. And now they won't.
Wellstone ruled
(34,661 posts)Remember,Petters BK and Fraud case will bite Coleman's Spouse and we know People and Bankruptcies are a death wish in Minny. Just hope to hell,the DFL does not do a Wendy Anderson flop. And you and I know the players who screwed that up. That Party Seniority thing killed us big time.
Is Tim Walz and RT still in this?
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,684 posts)But I hope Pawlenty groped someone at some point in his life (eww!). I doubt very much that Dayton would pull the same stunt that Anderson did - anyhow, I think he's already said he's retiring from politics after his term as governor is up.
MineralMan
(146,288 posts)He doesn't look well. His back is a source of constant pain. I think he's going to simply retire and be a background in DFL politics from now on. He's done his innings, I think.
MrsMatt
(1,660 posts)or so I've heard.
My own experience with Coleman was limited to his inability to move his above the chest to address me to my face.
LenaBaby61
(6,974 posts)I'm starting to feel that Franken's senate seat won't be a 100% lock for Dems as time goes on.
genxlib
(5,526 posts)He barely won it the last time.
GoCubsGo
(32,083 posts)I would hardly call that "barely."
I was thinking of the first time when it was tied up in recount for months.
I stand corrected
Just the fact that we have to defend the seat at all when it should have been D until 2020 sucks.
BeyondGeography
(39,374 posts)genxlib
(5,526 posts)Was thinking of 2008
Response to LenaBaby61 (Reply #2)
Caliman73 This message was self-deleted by its author.
book_worm
(15,951 posts)After all, he is a popular governor and it would not be politically wise to appoint himself so he's making sure there is no competition because he wants to run. He'd probably be a strong candidate.
MineralMan
(146,288 posts)His back hurts all the time. He's retiring from public life, I'm quite certain. He's worn out.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,684 posts)He was already a senator, and in that position he had some problems:
That stuff would definitely come back to haunt him.