Opinions on Terri Bonoff or Ashwin Madia or Jim Hovland for MN-3?

[Eric J in MN]

I'd like to hear opinions on any of the three people above, who would all like to be the next US Congressperson from MN-3.

[PleaseSayItAintSo]

1. Candidate forum - tomorrow afternoon 2:00 to 3:30

Bloomington City Hall

It should be a good chance to see and hear them all.

I just returned from a Madia House Party. He's impressive and spoke with conviction and passion about civil liberties and the war. I like the idea that he's a former Marine and actually has some idea of what he speaks about re: the war.

He looks like a strong candidate in the GE to me.

[CatholicEdHead]

2. Do they all have web pages with stances on issues to compare?

[dflprincess]

3. I'm leaning toward Madia.

All three candidates were at my senate district meeting a while ago and he really blew the other two out of the water. There's something about Bonoff that really puts me off - and it's nothing rational I can explain to you, just a feeling. Jim Hovland seemed like a decent guy certainly a good fit for the district, but he didn't strike me as having any fire in him. I gather he's not as well organized or financed as the other two as I haven't received any literature or phone calls from his campaign while I've had several pieces of mail from the other two.

The websites listed on their literature is:

http://www.madiaforcongress.com

http://terribonoff.com

I don't have site for Hovland.

[trotsky]

4. Bonoff is very popular, even among Repubs.

When she won the special election to fill the state seat, she took on a pretty strong Repub candidate. She might not be the most progressive Democrat, but she'd run very well in the district.

[PleaseSayItAintSo]

5. MnBlue candidate comparison

[trotsky]

6. I'm excited for this election.

Three solid candidates for us.

[PleaseSayItAintSo]

7. Me, too.

I read that CD-03 has been Repug for 48-years. I want to see a Dem take it.

[dflprincess]

8. Great link!

Thanks!

[PleaseSayItAintSo]

9. My pleasure. Did anyone else attend?

I'm curious.

[Demrock6]

10. From outside the district.

But I really like Ashwin Media’s back ground. Son of immigrants, gung ho Marine, and a lawyer of one of the top firms around.

We have the benefit of knowing who we are running against. Media makes Eric Paulson look like a puke.

[suegeo]

16. Eric Paulson doesn't just look like a puke...

Eric Paulson IS a puke.

[IronLionZion]

11. I'm in that district and I support Ashwin Madia

while it would appear that I might be supporting him only because I'm Indian-American, in reality I don't know anything about the other candidates. I've heard Ashwin's ads on Air America many times and have been to his website. I like what I see. Let's put a Marine Iraq veteran in Congress from MN-03. Let's beat the Republicans.

[dflprincess]

12. I signed on with Madia at my Senate District meeting Monday night

I've heard him speak a couple times and his ad on Air America. I was impressed with him from the start, but held back on decision until I gave the race more thought. While many of his positions aren't a lot different from the other two he projects a sense of outrage that I really like - we need some outrage. He is also extremely well spoken and has done his homework on issues and actually seems to listen to people and is open to suggestions.

Bonhoff has been babbling about his lack of experience, but he has pretty much as much experience as JFK did when he ran for the House in 1946 and is about the same age (I believe he turns 30 this spring) In fact, I like Madia's youth I have hopes it means he may have some fresh ideas and not be so locked into the status quo.

[PleaseSayItAintSo]

13. Same here.

I was at the forum Sunday. IMHO, Madia swept the floor.

He is bright, young and he's certainly raised impressive amounts of cash - all from small donors, I believe.

<http://mnpublius.com/2008/01/breaking-dfl-3rd-cd-candidates-release-stunning-q4-numbers/>

I like his background - attorney, former-Marine, served in Iraq, fights LGBT discrimination, STRONG civil liberties positions, strong position on fiscal policy.

His performance on "Almanac" and in other public forums has been very strong. He's recently received some impressive endorsements - six of 12-Senate District chairs in CD-03 and Rep Honda.

I'm impressed with this man and think he'd be great against Paulsen.

He's my choice and I signed up, too.

[The Urban Man]

14. Hovland is the most qualified

Jim has the greatest command for the issues. It's obvious in the debates - I wouldn't say he talks circles around the others, but I'm convinced in he abilities. He's got the experience and I think he's the most electable.

[northernsoul]

19. Don't live in the 3rd, but I like Madia's stuff

don't know much about the other guys.

[ProudBlue08]

15. I support Madia

I really like his background and I find myself in agreement with just about all of his positions.

[suegeo]

17. Bonoff, then Hovland, then Madia

If past experience is an indication of future results, democrats need a candidate that can appeal to independents and left-leaning republicans. This district has a lot of conservatives in it, and I think dems are outnumbered.

Bonoff won the Rammer's old seat and proved she can win an election in a conservative area. Hovland might appeal to a left leaning republican. They might not be as fiery as Madia because they realize fiery rhetoric might scare off the indy and r voters.

Madia is progressive but I don't see how he siphons off enough indy and r votes to win the seat.

Eric Paulson is a right winger to the max. Pawlenty's little buddy. YUK

[dflprincess]

18. When I've seen the 3 candidates

Bonoff has not impressed me at all. Madia and Hovland both seem to be better informed on issues and able to think on their feet - especially Madia.