A Question: On The Possible Franken Candidacy...

[WillyT]

There were one or two here, that expressed that an Al Franken candidacy would be a disaster. And that they would prefer people wanting to donate, from states outside of Minnesota, to butt out. That Minnesotans, and Minnesotans only, should determine the outcome of the future Democratic Primary in the 2008 Senate Race.

My question: What, do you suppose, Paul Wellstone would have counseled Al Franken in this case?

And better yet: What do you suppose Paul Wellstone would have counseled those pre-supposing a Franken "disaster", and a pleading for out of state funders to mind their own business?

Really curious here.

:shrug:

[Lusted4]

1. It is our business, because every senators vote affects all of us. nt

[Kingshakabobo]

2. Absolutely!

We're not talking about bringing pork home to Minnesota. We're talking about fixing the country.

[Snotcicles]

3. Yep I would rather see a million citizens donate five bucks each

then some lobby funnel twenty million anytime.

[WillyT]

4. One Of These Was A Minnesota DFL Member...

Not exactly your lobbyest bank vault.

Or maybe not... I really don't know.

:shrug:

[Lusted4]

5. I know I saw it. And what I said wasn't directed at her. It was a general statement. nt

[WillyT]

6. Oh, I Agree Absolutely !!!

Not trying to knock somebody; trying to understand them.

And hoping they'll answer the OP!

:hi:

[Snap]

7. What's the problem?

The word on Wellstone was also that he would never be elected, A loose cannon, far too radical.
I wasn't a delegate that year but heard all about the disaster thru the caucuses.
Wellstone had to fight every inch of the way. Why not let Al Franken do his stuff?
I think Al could squash Norm Coleman like a bug.

[ovidsen]

8. Al is unelectable

I don't hate the guy. In manys, I think he's a social and political genius.

He's a real brain, but he's not personable. Not that funny. And his abrasiveness sometimes borders on cruel.

Then again (for different reasons), I have serious doubts about Hillary, Biden, Edwards, etc. I'm hoping for a knight in shining armor who give the Repugs exactly what they deserve. But I'm not holding my breath.

My primary saving hope is that the Repubs have even fewer people with unblemished character who are possibly running. Rummy, Cheney? Gag me. Likewise with anyone else in his 'inner circle." Frist? Let him suffer with the Schiavo family. Lindsey Graham? A lap dog who owes waaaay too many political debts. Newt or Rudy? The family values crowd will make mincemeast of him. Romney? He's a Mormon. Nothing wrong with that, but "mainstream America" will never go fot it.

Hey, from my perspective, they've all got serious problems. Some will eventually fall into the George Allen "macaca" trap. Others will be ostracized for actually exhibiting genuine feelings (Remember Ed Muskie's tears?)

I realize we're talking amout Minnesota, and not the US. BTW, I love Minnesota, and have travelled well beyond the Twin Cities; from International Falls (in Februrary, no less!) to Otter Tail County (home to the most vicious mosquitoes that have ever attacked me.)

Frankin's smart, but he does't have that image of warmth and sincerity politicians need to win in Minnesota or anywhere else.

Paul Wellstone, I miss you every day. Now there was a guy who had the smarts, the warmth, the cunning (a necessary political evil) and the heart to have done just about anything. Well beyond Minnesota.

[WillyT]

9. Still Ain't Sure What Paul Would Have Said On This...

Link: http://www.wellstone.org/about/index.aspx

I think Paul would have encouraged Al, and all of Minnesota, to do their homework and vitalize the democratic process.

Al has no lock on this seat, and neither does anybody else.

Let the best person win!

:shrug:

[dflprincess]

10. As an active member of the Democratic Farmer Labor party

I would prefer to see someone else run - someone more like Wellstone would really make my toes tingle (though that is probably a problem I'll have forever - comparing all candidates to Wellstone and finding them falling short). My major concern with Franken is that I'm not sure how he'll go over outside of the Mpls/St Paul metro area. I would also like it if we got to pick our own candidate without interference from any out of state interests, including the DSCC. If that outfit had been around in 1990 when Wellstone first ran for the Senate, he would have been frozen out just like the other candidates in the 2006 Senate race. Wellstone was successful because of grassroots party work. As we are a caucus state, money is not as big a deal in the race for endorsement (this was also to Wellstone's advantage). I don't believe anyone has every run campaign ads before the caucuses. After the DFL picks its candidate, I don't care where the individuals who donate money live.

To date, I haven't heard of anyone else saying they're going to run. There are several names being talked about, but I haven't heard if any of them have actually expressed an interest. I hope we do have a contest as that will also be a clue as to how well Franken (or any other candidate) could do statewide. If he shows up at the state convention with lots of delegates from all over I'll feel better about his chances against Coleman. If there is no competition for endorsement, it will be very hard to tell how well he might do.

As I don't know who the other candidates may be, I can't say that I won't support Franken for endorsement. It might be that I'll see him as the best choice if we wind up with a bunch of bozos running. Certainly, if he gets the endorsement, I will support him. The most important thing for us will be to come out of the state convention united behind whoever the endorsed candidate is. The party endorses in June, but the primary isn't until September - I don't want us to waste the summer campaigning against each other when we should be going after Normie.