« GROW ON POGEMILLER’S ELECTION AS DFL LEADER: “THERE’S A LEADERSHIP VOID IN THE [DFL] CAUCUS” | Home | ELLISON TO GIVE KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT CAIR CONVENTION »
PIONEER PRESS ARTICLE LISTS POTENTIAL CANDIDATES AGAINST COLEMAN IN ’08
By Michael B. Brodkorb | November 12, 2006
"Before Tuesday's election, the only clear indication of a Coleman challenge was the return of Minnesota native Al Franken. The talk-show host moved back to the state last year to work the Democratic vineyards and test support for a run, which he sounds likely to make.
But Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, a feisty vote-getter, said in an interview that Minnesota needs more change on Capitol Hill and he's 'not closing any doors' on a Senate contest. His election would come 60 years after another Minneapolis mayor made the jump. His name was Hubert Humphrey.
Franken, who's planning a fourth trip to Iraq to meet with American troops, appears ready to take on Coleman and his backing of Bush on the war.
'I'm very grateful for the energy here, for a change in Congress, to stop being a rubber stamp,' Franken said in an interview, adding that he'll make a decision on entering the race shortly after the holidays.
Political black belts say Franken and Rybak would have company; that Klobuchar's cakewalk over Republican Mark Kennedy will have Democrats quickly starting to raise money toward a move to the nation's Capitol.
Their numbers likely will include completely fresh faces, given the Tim Walz phenomenon. Walz, a Mankato teacher and military veteran, defeated incumbent 1st District U.S. Rep. Gil Gutknecht as part of the Democratic tsunami." Source: Pioneer Press, November 11, 2006
Click here for complete story.
###
"Meanwhile, Minneapolis lawyer Michael Ciresi, a former Senate candidate who spearheaded Minnesota's $6 billion court victory over tobacco companies in 1998, is on several short lists.
'Ciresi was smart to pass on this cycle, since it would have been hard for him to get past Klobuchar,' said Carleton College political science professor Steven Schier. 'He has the financial resources, candidate experience and ambition, so I would put him' in the top tier of potential candidates.
Informed sources said Ciresi, who grew up in St. Paul, is interested in the race, but in an interview he said 'it's too early to make that decision.'
Although they've not indicated a desire to run, others mentioned as potential candidates include Mike Hatch, who lost the governor's race by a small margin; Judi Dutcher, Hatch's running mate; and state Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson, who lost a re-election bid in his hometown of Willmar." Source: Pioneer Press, November 11, 2006
Click here for complete story.
Tags: Uncategorized
Topics: Uncategorized | 3 Comments »
3 Responses to “PIONEER PRESS ARTICLE LISTS POTENTIAL CANDIDATES AGAINST COLEMAN IN ’08”
Comments
You must be logged in to post a comment.
November 12th, 2006 at 2:13 PM
I would not be surprised to see Keith Ellison throw his hat into the ring.
November 12th, 2006 at 5:16 PM
I would be. Unless he makes some sort of major screw up the next two years, he has a seat in congress as long as he wants it.
November 13th, 2006 at 2:07 PM
Republicans can only hope Dutcher runs. Like her dad, she’s dumber than a box of rocks.