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PIM: “DAY IS PROBABLY THE MOST FORMIDABLE OPPONENT FOR WALZ”
By Michael B. Brodkorb | July 4, 2007
"Second, our assertion that Day might be at a disadvantage in Rochester was simply stupid. Day was born and raised in Rochester. His older brother was mayor of Rochester. Day grew up blocks from the Mayo clinic, has been a member of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce for years and has worked on every Rochester project and issue that has come before the Legislature. But perhaps our most glaring oversight was in neglecting the fact that Day represented Olmsted County for 12 years before redistricting, including Hayfield, Demmer's hometown and what we called 'the blue collar union town.'
Also worth noting is that prior to running for the Legislature, Day was an IBM sales rep. whose territory included southern Minnesota.Finally, we wrote that Demmer might be 'more ideologically in line with [GOP endorsing party] activists.' The reality is that Day's conservative credentials actually put him at an advantage with the GOP endorsing crowd. Day scores notably higher than Demmer on lifetime ratings with the Taxpayers League, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and the Minnesota Family Council. Day has a 100% voting record rating with the MCCL and he has always been endorsed by the NRA.
What we didn't write at the time but do note here is that Day is probably the most formidable opponent for Walz. We don't know Meyer, and Demmer is a good solid legislator, but besides all the above, Day has the gift of gab. Make that Everyman's gab. The kind of plain talk from a regular guy, not a politician, that helped Walz defeat former GOP U.S. Rep. Gil Gutknecht in the first place. And, don't forget Day is the guy who fixed the meters on the freeway ramps. Voters won't, if reminded." Source: Politics In Minnesota Weekly Report, June 28, 2007
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9 Responses to “PIM: “DAY IS PROBABLY THE MOST FORMIDABLE OPPONENT FOR WALZ””
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July 4th, 2007 at 5:15 PM
There will still be a heavy anti-Republican vibe next election season, I wish you guys good luck in taking out Walz, you probably need it.
July 4th, 2007 at 6:16 PM
Lots of Democrats won last cycle only by the skin of their teeth. I can’t remember where I saw this figure, but in Minnesota, if 4500 votes went the other way, the House would have remained republican.
I know national trends were similar. There are at least a dozen democrats sitting in Washington right now thanks to a couple percentage points. I realize that’s all it takes… but I also know that many of those Democrats ran as conservatives… and look what happened… the most extremist liberal and dysfunctional legislature in the nation’s history now rules Capitol Hill.
July 5th, 2007 at 12:40 AM
Andrew,
Olmsted County DFLers are scared to death of Walz’s challengers. They know that Walz’s margin of victory was not all that impressive. Gallup has been reporting that the approval rating of the current Congress, dominated by Democrats, is 14%! The lowest since before the 1994 mid term elections. You do remember the Gingrich Revolution, don’t you? Walz is going down, baby.
July 5th, 2007 at 8:49 PM
My brother and sister-in-law have that Demmer guy as their state rep in Rochester. They say he’s realy good, but I have to think that Walz will be tough to beat.
July 5th, 2007 at 9:48 PM
There’s not been a good track record for 70 year old freshmen in Congress. I’d think someone else younger would have a better chance to win.
As to Walz’s margain of victory not being impressive, please. He beat an incumbent which is always hard to do and a well entrenched one at that. With the President’s approval ratings under 30% it’s hard to say 2008 is shaping up as a good year for Republicans.
July 5th, 2007 at 10:59 PM
Othelmo!! What rock have you been hiding under??
If there isd anyonme who should be scared, it is those running against Tim Walz!! Let the GOP spend the money to try to defeat Tim Walz. He has been at more places, met with more people, made more connects with people than what Gil did in 12 years! Who are you kidding??? DFLers scared of the challengers? Hardly!!!
Tim Walz will be tough to beat!! He has been doing things right by the people in the 1st CD. Wether it be about the upcoming Farm Bill, Veterans Isues, Alternative Fuels, etc. I cannot recall over the years a more visible and accessible Congressman ever in the 1st!!! What Tim is doing is connecting with the people and the people like that.
July 7th, 2007 at 4:46 AM
Since when is lying about being a moderate democrat when you are an ultra liberal doing whats right for the 1st CD? So the question is kathy, can we all have some of whatever it is you’re smoking?
July 7th, 2007 at 1:10 PM
kathy,
I’ve only seen Walz at a few parades all summer long in the First District. I’ve seen Dick Day at over a dozen so far. None of the other Republican challengers are hitting the parade circuit too hard for some reason. It looks like Walz is starting to get complaicent?
July 8th, 2007 at 9:31 PM
Walz will crack under the pressure to perform. He is a Jekyl-and-Hyde Democrat: one thing in the district and another in Washington.