Comments on: OPEN THREAD: WHO RUNS AGAINST SENATOR COLEMAN IN ’08?

By: Mike Grimes

Mike Grimes — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 22:10:30 +0000

Tim Penny
Jim Gibson
maybe even Tammy Lee

By: Charlie

Charlie — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 18:36:42 +0000

my “sources” tell me that Coleman wants to come back to MN politics, likely as Governor. maybe it won’t happen in ’08, he may wait until 2014.

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 17:24:03 +0000

Norm won’t have any serious opposition on the Republican side. He’s done very well.

I would guess that Betty McCollum would give it a go, and I sincerely hope she does, as she’s a horrible congresswoman and if she leaves we might get someone less odious to represent us poor suffering souls in the 4th CD. There are a lot of other usual suspects. A long shot – Larry Pogemiller, since he doesn’t have to face the voters again until 2010. Franken will run but he’d be crushed.

By: kathy

kathy — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 16:54:53 +0000

I beg to differ with you, Walter, about Tim Walz. Tim will have many terms as Congressman of the 1st CD. Tim has a dynamic and passionate personality that draw people to him. He has a deep fire in the belly passion that Gil Gutknecht lacked.

Tim Walz made no campaign promises, but focused on the issues that needed addressing. Meaning, Tim Walz was willing to rock the boat while he was in it. Electing Tim Walz was no fluke. This man is for real, and Gil knew it.

Tim Walz has all the attributes of a leader who will get things done. He has the combonation of passion, yet is reasonable and thoughful. He impresses people after the first meeting with his intelligence.

One does not accomplish what Tim Walz has done with just luck and playing it safe. It takes a doer and go getter attitude to achieve higher accolades wether it be in Politics, Sports, Business, etc.

Do you think, Walter, that Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods got to where they are in life with luck? No!! They took the attitude of hard work, numerous failures, not giving up when the chips were down, and had that go getter passion to be the best in their respective fields. That applies to Tim Walz as well.

By: To the Left

To the Left — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 16:47:37 +0000

Heeeeeeeee’s Baaaaaaaack…. Teddy Mondale!

By: Shozzy

Shozzy — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 14:58:31 +0000

Tim Pawlenty more charismatic than Norm? You’ve got to be kidding. I like Pawlenty a lot and if we want to go back to the days of weak VP’s (Qualye) then he’d be an excellent choice. Tim would be eaten alive in Washington. Norm has the “it” factor for politcs, no doubt about it. And although I’m a native Minnesotan- I love the fact that he’s from NY and brings that more “in your face” ability to answer tough questions than Tim.

By: Titus

Titus — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 14:35:42 +0000

I have a tough time believing that Tim Pawlenty is going to be on a White House ticket. Sure he comes off as nice guy, and I am told that he is pretty fun to hang out with. However he has not received 50% of the vote in two elections, hardly bringing a strong support to the ticket.

By: kyle

kyle — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 13:59:19 +0000

No one will challenge him from the GOP side. My top DFL bets are:

- Stuart Smalley
- Pattie Wetterling (perennial candidate)
- Amber Richcotte-Jong … or however the hell you spell her name
- Brian Hanna, if he gets off his fat ass and actually does something.

By: Claire Miller

Claire Miller — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 10:36:59 +0000

Robert Fitzgerald joins the DFL to run for Senate.

Has anyone considered the possibility of Mike Hatch running either for congress or senate?

By: Walter

Walter — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 07:17:30 +0000

Boy what an interesting 30 posts I’ve seen. Okay lets see:

One term Walz will not have several terms. The Republicans with their act together will kick him out since the only reason he won was Democrat Gutnecht was his opponent and with an extreme liberal on the Presidential ballot and a voting record that will sink him along with the consequences of what his Democrat seats put in House Committees.

Two, candidates not mentioned: Democrat Arnie Carlson, Miss Crowley who apperently is still running for something because she hasn’t conceeded, Peterson probably won’t run because he now has chairmanship of an important committee, the other Mayor Coleman from saint paul (interesting race coleman versus coleman how do you determine which Coleman to vote for if you’re a dummy?), now that Missiouri has legallized cloning could it be a clone of Paul Wellstone or Hubert Humprehy? Not to mention that lady in the sixth district who was thinking of running for Senate before the House Patty something.

If I give it out some more thought some others will appear.

Two candidates to rule out: Ellison can’t win since he will be too busy trying to get reelected to the Fifth District and not having a state base like he has in the fifth district.

Frankin won’t run since not only with the Democrats big win he will think he’s not needed. Not to mention with all the candidates just named in these posts he would think he can’t win.

Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN

Lots of

By: Ron

Ron — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 06:16:00 +0000

I like Walz better as potential future governor rather than senator. The whole “coach” thing says chief executive to me, and maybe a “guy’s guy” type like him could lead them out of the gubernatorial wilderness.

By: Ron

Ron — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 06:14:23 +0000

If the Iraq War goes even further into the crapper, maybe Ford Bell is a possibility? It’s weird because Norm will certainly be vulnerable, but the DFL doesn’t have a slam dunk candidate right now. I just have a hard time seeing Franken as a viable candidate, but maybe I’m being naive.

By: Dan S.

Dan S. — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 05:49:03 +0000

#10 – gld,

Andy has not severed ties with the GOP. He’s trying to save it. Get a clue.

We need more like AAA speaking up and fighting the good fight!

By: kathy

kathy — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 04:00:15 +0000

My husband and I were discussing the 2008 Elections on the way home from Mankato last night after attending a victory Open House for Tim Walz. He will make a fine Senator some day, but not for at least 6 years or so. Let him get several terms under his belt first.

By: Jack

Jack — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 03:10:00 +0000

No, I don’t think that Norm has any serious challenges from the Republican party. I am of course, assuming that since being Republican is no longer in vogue, Norm will switch parties. And Pawlenty is about ten times more likely to be selected as VP, much more charismatic than Norm, comes across as nicer, plus, he’ll be coming from outside of Washington.

By: Mr. Semiteizm :)

Mr. Semiteizm :) — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 02:26:09 +0000

How about… Hitler. I heard he knows how to get things done

By: Dave of the VRWC

Dave of the VRWC — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 00:57:14 +0000

“Ciresi: Figures 8 years is long enough for everyone to forget that he was beaten by the worst MN Senator in history in the DFL primary.”

Ciresi will have to come up with a few more lawsuit scams to fund it. A slimball trial lawyer for Senator. Please DFL, if not Al Franken, then the trial lawyer.

By: Dave of the VRWC

Dave of the VRWC — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 00:54:55 +0000

heh heh, RT Rybak.

The man who makes Sharon Sayles Belton look like George Washington.

By: Dave of the VRWC

Dave of the VRWC — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 00:52:24 +0000

“Iâ€™d have to say Franken at this point (will get the nomination, will not win).”

Yes, I’m a right wing hack, but seriously, that’s what I see. Crazy Al has quietly been making appearences around the state (like Mit Romny has nationally).

By: HUH

HUH — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 00:14:09 +0000

Osama Bin Laden – the way the Lefties think-he is in line with their hidden agenda to destroy America.

By: Th3 Garbage Man

Th3 Garbage Man — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 00:06:17 +0000

I think that Jesus should run. I bet he would win.

By: Shozzy

Shozzy — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 00:03:49 +0000

Mark Kennedy? He’s done and Norm would kick his ass.

Nope- Norm gets tapped for VP on the GOP ticket and gives his acceptance speech in Excel Energy Center- so-weet

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 23:11:50 +0000

I’m going to stop paying my taxes and parking tickets and convert to islam so I can run and win without being questioned.

By: Master of None

Master of None — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 23:08:19 +0000

Amy Klobuchar

Being just one senator will not be enough for her.

By: Titus

Titus — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 23:06:07 +0000

I certainly think that Erlandson could be a plausible. Experience outside of running a campaign and party could be a small issue.

By: Southern Minny Moderate

Southern Minny Moderate — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 22:51:38 +0000

With Ellison winning the primary, could Erlandson jump in, call himself a “Minneapolis Moderate” (I get the oxymoron, believe me), and then use all those contacts and connections from his chairmanship to run a successful statewide race?

Sort of a “I know I was too moderate for the 5th, but that moderation would make me a great Minnesota Senator.” I’m not saying I believe that line of spin–but he does have a name, the connections, is telegenic, etc etc.

Crazy or plausible?

By: PB

PB — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 22:50:51 +0000

Whoever Sam Kaplan decides to back…

By: Doug Hester

Doug Hester — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 22:48:32 +0000

I’d have to say Franken at this point (will get the nomination, will not win).

By: Kyle Talent

Kyle Talent — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 22:44:23 +0000

ROD GRAMS! HAHAHA

By: P.J.

P.J. — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 22:22:37 +0000

Kiscaden ran with Penny and the IP party. Her only future is with them, and that’s not much of a future.

By: CR

CR — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 22:21:13 +0000

Watch out for Mark Ritchie…I have heard the only reason he ran for SOS was to run for senate in ’08

By: Southern Minny Moderate

Southern Minny Moderate — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 22:12:02 +0000

What about Buck Humphrey?
Can Kiscaden make the jump?

By: Mason6883

Mason6883 — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 22:10:28 +0000

Hike Hatch.

I will donate $100 to his primary campain.

Who knows, maybe the DFL can enlist Tammy Lee.

By: gld

gld — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 22:08:56 +0000

Andy Aplikowski.

He’s clearly severed all ties with the GOP so he may as well join the DFL.

By: Tim from Woodbury

Tim from Woodbury — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 22:06:52 +0000

Mark Kennedy. He hasn’t ruled it out.

By: CCK

CCK — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 22:04:24 +0000

Does anyone really believe it will be anyone other than Al Franken?

By: MplsSteve

MplsSteve — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 22:00:36 +0000

Rybak as a US Senator?

God forbid!

If he does to Washington what he’s done to Minneapolis (and I’m a Minneapolis resident), we are so screwed!

By: NorthernDebater

NorthernDebater — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 21:58:17 +0000

RT Rybak. He’s had his eye on that senate seat for awhile now…

By: Rocco

Rocco — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 21:49:38 +0000

Possibilities:
Mike Hatch
Al Franken
Tim Walz

By: P.J.

P.J. — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 21:47:23 +0000

McCollum: Even though she’s moving up the leadership ranks with Pelosi I doubt she’ll be able to resist moving to the upper chamber.
Franken: Egomaniac, hasn’t figured out that he hasn’t been funny in two decades
Ciresi: Figures 8 years is long enough for everyone to forget that he was beaten by the worst MN Senator in history in the DFL primary.
And just for fun, Steve Kelley: because he just runs for everything.

By: Jack

Jack — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 21:43:53 +0000

It’ll be too early for Walz, who I think runs for Guv, (or should) in 2010. Of course Al Franken will run, but I’m not sure he gets the endorsement, or wins the primary. And even if he does, I think he needs an opponent for the nomination so he can get used to campaigning. One mistake Franken has made is constantly badmouthing Ventura, since if he’s going to win, he needs people that voted for Ventura, the anti-establishment vote.

By: Tim Walz

Tim Walz — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 21:43:19 +0000

I will

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 21:36:15 +0000

Michele Bachmann