Minnesota Mayhem

[BlueNomad]

I just read some data that showed GORE winning Minnesota by like 8 points last time. What shifts are taking place in Minnesota to warrant such a tight race this time. I get the McGreavey/ 9/11 issues for Jersey and that has finally moved back to Kerry ( or as my good Jersey boy priest friend says, don't worry we've got NJ covered...) but Minnesota? Does any one know what gives there?

[Dickie Flatt]

1. Gore won by 2.4% in 2000

Now we have two GOP "rising stars" :eyes: thanks to the terrible 2002 elections: Governor Tim Pawlenty and Senator Norm 'BushBoy' Coleman. From what I hear, the suburbs around here have been growing at a good speed and they're going GOP. So that's working against us. And we have one of the nastiest state Repub parties.

But, we do have two competitive House races with DCCC attention - a rare thing here in Minnesota. In our other six districts, the incumbants won in 2002 with well over 60% of the vote. One of the incumbants, a Republican, got 72%. So, like I said, it's nice to have two competitive races. And I think it shows that people are less than happy with the Bush agenda. Plus, we have the REAL most liberal Senator, based on career-average National Journal rankings. I think Kerry will win here, but it'll be close.

[BlueNomad]

4. okay thanks.

..obviously a typo or I need to put my contacts in ..lol

[mzmolly]

5. I thought it was close in 2000.

:hi:

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

2. I wonder about this myself. What is happening in some of these states,

that voted for Gore by a little or a lot last time, to have ANY shift towards Bush rather than Kerry?

[mzmolly]

3. Honestly, I don't know. I live in Minnesota and haven't a clue.

Some thoughts are:

We've had alot of people move here from other states?
The DLC influence on the party.
The weakening of Labor Unions around the nation.
The weakening of the family farm around the nation.

There have been so many changes in our economy in MN over the recent past, and it's had a political influence.

I really think Kerry will take MN though. But our party really needs to DIFFERENTIATE itself from the Republican party again in a way that matters to the working class. Edwards positions on NAFTA would be a good start.

[mediaman007]

6. You're right, its a combination of these factors, plus

the third party in the gubernatorial elections creates more independent voters.

As Democrats, we have been a disinterested party since Rudy Perpich. The loss of Paul Wellstone has taken away our moral compass. Most of the decisions are made by proxy in the primary elections. We are also in transition and are developing new leadership.

[mzmolly]

7. That's true. I hadn't considered the third party effect.

And we are in REAL need of new leadership here! :hi: