22 Responses to “CONGRESSMAN JIM RAMSTAD TO RETIRE: WHO’S IN/WHO’S OUT”

1. MNDem Says:
   September 17th, 2007 at 1:39 PM

   The DCCC has been talking to Denise Dittrich.

2. DJZ Says:
   September 17th, 2007 at 1:43 PM

   The DCCC has been talking to ANYONE who calls them. I just got off the phone with the Political Director. For the record, they have been absent in the 6th CD too.

   The only one who would know is Congresswoman McCollum who is the Member in charged with recruitment and the DCCC point person in the upper MidWest.

3. Other potential candidates Says:
   September 17th, 2007 at 1:46 PM

   Fmr AG candidate Jeff Johnson on the GOP side. Now recovered alcoholic Andrew Borene on the DFL side. David Gaither always wanted it, but that’s not gonna happen. House DFLers Maria Ruud, Steve Simon or Ann Lenczewski. And any of the state Senators in the 3rd as it’s a free shot because they aren’t up again until 2010.

   The list goes on and on.

4. Down the Hatch Says:
   September 17th, 2007 at 1:52 PM

   We shouldn’t discount David Gaither…oh wait, yes we should.

5. Winner Says:
   September 17th, 2007 at 1:53 PM

   Note to posters: Take the 10 seconds to confirm that the person you list as a “potential candidate” actually lives in the district.

   GOP side – Paulsen would be the favorite over Gaither.
   DFL side – DFL State Senate favorite would be Bonoff. Favorite from the DFL State House would likely be Hortman.

6. GOP Optimist Says:
   September 17th, 2007 at 2:06 PM

   Given that the 3rd District is comprised of suburbs of all income levels and demographics, I’d conclude that this election in ’08 will be something of a toss-up.

   I agree with posts made citing Ramstad’s moderate votes, and the mention that the typical suburban family is more concerned with tax rates and the economy, and generally does not subscribe to hard-left liberalism.

   That said, Melissa Hortmann could launch a valiant campaign as long as she includes a moderate platform concerning social issues and how she would vote on foreign policy issues. Hortmann currently represents District 47B, in Brroklyn Park which contrary to popular belief, is a 50% DFL and 50% GOP voting block.

   Having met Rep. Hortmann in her office a number of times, it is clear to see that she is smart, charismatic and has her sights set on higher office.

   Current State Senator David Hann offers a more conservative approach to voters in MN 3. He is clearly a fiscal and social conservative, which may bring out solid GOP support that were disenchanted with Ramstad’s unpredictability.

   The same could be said for State Senator Geoff Michel. The positive aspect with these two is that MN cove to DC, and expect to maintain the seat in the State Senate where Hann represents Eden Prairie and Michel in Edina, respectively.

   It will be interesting to see where this leads us.

   In a general election year, one could easily throw your hands up and cede it to the DFL, especially with a high voter turnout rate and strong DFL tendencies at the polls.

   We shall see how effectively the State GOP Party runs the show in this one; If it’s anything like the Jr. Varsity job they did with Mark Kennedy, we’re screwed.

7. Chuck Colson Says:
   September 17th, 2007 at 2:09 PM

   I have a nickel that Stanek throws his hat in the ring.

8. Chuck Colson Says:
   September 17th, 2007 at 2:10 PM

   Didn’t Gaiter leave the Gov.’s staff under a dark cloud? That sort of thing usually comes out in big races

9. Chet Says:
   September 17th, 2007 at 2:24 PM

   Oh, please. Melissa (media)Whore-tman. Make my day and run….please!!!

   I guarantee that if she sees her name on any list of possible candidates she won’t be able to pass it up.

10. Winner Says:
    September 17th, 2007 at 2:33 PM

    Hortman would be a strong candidate. Especially against a male-GOP type.

11. Down the Hatch Says:
    September 17th, 2007 at 2:36 PM

    I have had some dealings with Melissa Hortman and like her personally, but I believe that the stress of a congressional campaign would be hard on her. She had a viable GOP candidate against her last election and that lead to some erratic behavior on her part that was chronicled in the local papers. Also, would Minnetonka, Eden Prairie and Edina folk like having their Representative be from Brooklyn Park?

12. I can see it now... Says:
    September 17th, 2007 at 2:37 PM

    I’ve uncovered David Gaithers future campaign announcement:

    I’d like to be the first to announce to all my loyal subordinates that I am running for Congress in the 3rd district.

    I’m pretty awesome and my hair is frickin sweet, so I think I’ve got a real chance at this. Plus I pop my collar on polo shirts and ladies love that shit.

    I’ve already nailed down (literally) my campaign manager. We’ll save the name for another big announcement, but If she’s half as good at running my campaign as she is at….well, never mind. Let’s just say I’m feeling pretty good about this.

    Big Ups Western Burbs,

    D-Gaith
    Gaither for Congress ’08

13. Down the Hatch Says:
    September 17th, 2007 at 2:44 PM

    It is important to pay attention to your staff.

14. Down the Hatch Says:
    September 17th, 2007 at 2:47 PM

    D-Gaith:

    You forgor to mention that your kid plays (um..played) QB for the Gophers. They totally would have beaten Florida Atlantic with him as their field general. Didn’t you also run track at the U?

15. jds Says:
    September 17th, 2007 at 2:51 PM

    Erik Paulsen would be an excellent candidate in that district. He would seem to have the edge over all other republican elected officals in that district.

16. Chet Says:
    September 17th, 2007 at 2:59 PM

    Hortman would be a strong candidate. Especially against a male-GOP type.

    Oh, please. She’s well known now as a media whore. She’s sold her soul to the DFL devil and is controlled by the leadership in the House. She’s also made a similar deal with the transportation and global warming wackos. The people in her district won’t have a thing to do with her.

17. gld Says:
    September 17th, 2007 at 3:07 PM

    I’m sure Aplikowski is urging Repya to run.

18. Chuck Colson Says:
    September 17th, 2007 at 3:12 PM

    gld -

    That can’t happen, Repya has a residence issue. Looneyland isn’t in the district.

19. ResidualForces.com Says:
    September 17th, 2007 at 7:02 PM

    Word of advice to any potential candidate: if you want to have any chance in the race, don’t have Andi Aplikowski endorse you or get involved in your race.

    Any campaign Andi involves himself with is destined for failure — look at the list: Repya for Chair, his mom’s race for Mayor, his own run for CD Chair, Krinkie for Congress, Jeffers for Governor, Biers for State house, Wolf for State Senate…..and the list goes on and on.

    Candidates beware: Andi is a cancer on campaigns.

20. Eva Young Says:
    September 17th, 2007 at 7:56 PM

    If Denise Dittrich is considering running, she’s got serious problems – she voted for the Bachmann amendment after telling gay supporters she would vote against it.

21. Jack Says:
    September 17th, 2007 at 9:53 PM

    Yep, the gay vote in the Third is going to get Dittrich. . .

    How about her votes to line her pockets? She’s got the cash for a congressional run for sure but not the ambition.

    Hortman has the ambition but is a loose cannon. It would be great for the GOP if she ran. She can’t hold herself together in public. Any of the prospective GOPers would clean her clock.

    Run Missy, run.

22. Rhino not RINO Says:
    September 18th, 2007 at 1:10 PM

    Media (w)hor(e)tman has an ego bigger than Mike Hatch. She has always wanted to shoot all the way up to to the White House if possible, and this is her golden opportunity to take the next big step. She already had a taste of the big time interning for John Kerry in Boston, and Al Gore in Washington, and she consistently steps on legislator’s toes by getting involved in everyone else’s district as if she was our DFL Governor.

    There is nothing holding her back. Both her and her husband collect fat checks from her daddy, so it’s not like either would be putting their career on hold if he stayed with the kids while she went off to DC.

    The thought of her in Congress is literally making me ill. Excuse me while I pack my things to move to Bachmann’s district just in case.

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