Ok, so what do you have against Patty Wetterling for Senate?

[Demrock6]

http://www.pattywetterling.com

But lets run this thread a little different from the other "So who should replace Mark Dayton?" threads. That is lets leave Betty McCollum out of it. She is staying in the house. That is that, it is not necessarily a debate on why she would be better or worse thread.


As a Wetterling supporter I want to know why you think Patty would be a bad choice.

1. She is already leading in statewide polls over Mark Kennedy- the guy who all but has the republican nomination, Rod Grams and many of the Democratic names tossed out here. See poll results in the news on her website. I am sure you can find the results elsewhere as well. The poll was out of 600 people so this is not much of an issue but should be taken into consideration.

2. She has a great ability to raise funds not only in Minnesota but the whole Country due to her name recognition.

3. A math teacher from a small town that values education.

4. Strong child advocate lobbyist after the kidnapping of her son Jacob some 15 years ago. Has been working with congress for all that time, across party lines if necessary to get the work done and keep kids safe. Those who say she does not have enough legislative experience I think are mistaken.

5. When she ran for the house she held the stance with Democratic positions. More people in this republican district voted Wetterling than Kerry. She can get swing votes like no other.

6. She almost beat a "now 3 term" incumbent in district 6. A narrow loss.

7. I live in district 6 and followed her and Kennedy very closely. She is a great debater, honestly.

8. Would be strong with Homeland security. Wants to put more police back on the streets after the repukes cut funding. Get firehouses up to adequate manned levels. Wants to finish the job in Iraq and bring the troops home.

9. We already have ammo against Kennedy due to him running negative attack adds against a women most Minnesotans love. That left a sour taste in peoples mouths. Much like Kerry's "if you ask Dick Cheney's daughter" remark.

10. She would win the senate seat.

If negative attack ads are ran again in a senate race more then just those in and around district 6 would see the slim balls Kennedy and Coleman really are.

I feel dirty for saying this but, we could use Karl Rove tactics against the republicans. If you don't vote for Patty, your children will be kidnapped. Kennedy wants to pull cops off streets with tax cuts, can you trust for family with Kennedy in office? Only thing is Patty had integrity and will not run negative ads. It would have to be a 527 group.

[goodhue]

1. Not a thing.

She is a compelling candidate and will be an excellent senator.

[Wickerman]

2. My apprehension is that she did, indeed, lose to a 2 termer

I admire the heck out of her and have appreciated her on MPR, great speaker. I just really want MN to be represented in the Senate by a DFLer and I still need convincing she is out best choice.

Kennedy? I can only hope the name works AGAINST him with the typically uninformed conservatives.

[goodhue]

4. She will do much better statewide than in the 6th.

The 6th leans republican. Statewide she will gain strength in the 4th & 5th plus out perform other potential dems in greater MN. Have you seen the Mellman poll numbers Demrock6 references in point #1?

Here they are:

National Journal: "Hotline" Patty Takes the Cake
Sunday, February 27, 2005 at 8:20 PM
Copyright 2005 The National Journal Group, Inc.
The Hotline

February 25, 2005 Friday

SECTION: SENATE 2006

LENGTH: 206 words

HEADLINE: MINNESOTA: PATTY TAKES THE CAKE

BODY:
A Mellman Group (D) poll; conducted 2/15-17 for '04 MN-06
nominee Patty Wetterling (D); surveyed 600 likely MN voters;
margin of error +/- 4% (release, 2/22). Dems tested: Wetterling,
Hennepin Co. Atty Amy Klobuchar, '00 candidate/atty. Mike Ciresi
and Rep.Betty McCollum (D-04). GOPers tested: ex-Sen. Rod
Grams, Rep. Mark Kennedy (R-06), and Rep. Gil Gutknecht (R-01).

SEN '06 General Matchups
Wetterling 47% Grams 40%
Wetterling 47% Kennedy 38%
Wetterling 47% Gutknecht 29%

Klobuchar 40% Kennedy 39%
Kennedy 42% Ciresi 36%
Kennedy 38 McCollum 36%

Fav/Unfav Fav/Unfav
Wetterling 51%/25%
Grams 37 /37
Klobuchar 36 /11
Kennedy 33 /25
Gutknecht 27 /11
Ciresi 18 /17
McCollum 23 /15

Wetterling is the only Dem "who wins swing voters and leads
across the state." Among indies, Wetterling leads Kennedy by 9,
while Ciresi (-2), Klobuchar (-4) and McCollum (-10) "would all
begin the race with deficits in this central segment. Wetterling
also displays far more strength among moderate voters than the
other potential" Dems (Wetterling +16, Klobuchar +3, Ciresi +1,
McCollum -3).

[Wickerman]

5. Excellent!

thanks for spelling it out for me. I had forgotten the 6th was so Red and her favorables are indisputable. Kennedy, oddly, seems fairly unknown. I say its time for the DFL to make some hay on that name...

[Dickie Flatt]

12. She outperformed Kerry in the red 6th (and Kennedy didnt match up to Bush)

Kennedy: 53.99%
Bush: 56.58
Kennedy -2.59

Wetterling: 45.94
Kerry: 42.22
Wetterling +3.72

If she does this well compared to Bush/Kerry numbers statewide (and I have no doubt that she can pull it off), there's not even a race here.

She also cut Kennedy's margin of victory from 22.28 in 2002 to 8.05.

[Frances]

3. Where does she stand on social security?

nt

[Demrock6]

9. Not sure at the moment.

But thus far she has stood with the Democrats. She took down her issues page on her website.

[Dickie Flatt]

13. NO to privatization, retirement age increase, benefit cuts

"Wetterling spoke against the privatization of Social Security, arguing it would put the program at the 'whim of the stockmarket.'"
http://www.hometownsource.com/capitol/2004/october/15wetterling.html

"'I do not support privatization,' Wetterling said. 'I think it puts those dollars at risk.'

Wetterling says she does not support investing any Social Security money in the stock market. She also opposes raising the retirement age or cutting benefits to the program.

'We need to maintain its integrity. This is honoring the promise to the people who paid into Social Security that those dollars will be there when they need them.'"
http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2004/10/04_scheckt_6debate/

[jschadl]

34. Patty Opposed to Privatization

I worked with Patty on the last campaign and am helping her out in her senate bid. She believes that Social Security needs to be protected and preserved in its current form and would not support the proposals of the Bush administration or the GOP.

Kennedy, has supported private accounts in the past. Even though he backpedaled during the 6th District race in 06.

[Snap]

6. She'd be great.

I think she's gutsy and disciplined.
Kennedy is a halfwit who was elected by power of the republican mezmerization, "safety from terra in Stearns County" thing.
I mainly like the fact that she keeps on keep'n on. Also, Kennedy has that whirly eyeball b'dah b'dah thing going.

[Krupskaya]

7. I'd vote for her, but....

...she reminds me of that Janet Jackson song. "What have you done for me lately?"

[goodhue]

8. making this world safer for our children perhaps

From her website . . .

http://www.wetterlingforcongress.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={E1A70CEB-227D-4C5C-B212-43AE5A8258E0}

Patty Wetterling has been fighting for safer American families since the abduction of her son Jacob fifteen years ago. Since then, Patty has become one of the nation's most respected and effective child advocates.

As a private citizen, she worked across party lines, passing more legislation than many members of Congress. Patty was instrumental in the passage of the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children Sex Offender Registration Act on both the state and federal level. Additionally, Patty helped initiate and pass Community Notification (Megan’s Law) and the launch of the Amber Alert system in Minnesota.

Patty has used her expertise in the issues of child exploitation and abduction to educate and raise awareness among law enforcement officials, parents, and community leaders. Patty has trained FBI Agents at the FBI Academy in Quantico and police officers around the country on preventing and responding to child abduction and abuse cases.

In her career as a child advocate, Patty has received numerous awards from local, state, and nonprofit organizations including: the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s "100 Most Influential Minnesotans of the Century" award; the President’s Award from the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association; the Governor’s Award in Minnesota for Unique Individuals for providing Community Leadership; and the "First Alert Award" by Larry King of CNN.

Patty is a middle school math teacher by training. She and her husband Jerry live in St. Joseph, Minnesota, and run a local chiropractic practice together. They have four children: Amy, Jacob, Trevor and Carmen. Patty’s first grandchild, Lili, was born in September.

* Patty is a consultant with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and Fox Valley Technical College in Wisconsin.

* She presents a victim impact session to CEOs at the Jimmy Ryce Training Center and law enforcement training programs across the country (REMAC).

* She has also been instrumental in establishing a national parent support group (Team H.O.P.E.) for families of missing children.

* Patty co-authored the book, "When Your Child Is Missing: A Family Survival Guide," along with four other families. She spoke on behalf of victim families at President Bush's White House Summit Conference on Missing and Exploited Children in October 2002.

* Patty was instrumental in the passage of the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children Sex Offender Registration Act on the state level as well as part of the 1994 Federal Crime Bill. Patty is grateful to Congressman Jim Ramstad for his sponsoring this legislation in Congress.

* Additionally, Patty helped intitiate the Community Notification (Megan's Law) and the statewide launch of the Amber Plan in Minnesota.

* In June 2003, Patty was invited to the Rose Garden at the White house by President and First Lady Bush to witness the AMBER Plan's signing into national law.

Patty has received numerous awards for her work to make this world safer for our children, including:

* Patty was selected by the Minneapolis Star Tribune as one of the "100 Most Influential Minnesotans of the Century".

* In 2003, Patty was honored with the President's Award from the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association.

* In 2002, she earned the Governor's Award in Minnesota for Unique Individuals for providing Community Leadership.

* She has received a variety of awards including "Eleven Who Care" sponsored by KARE 11-TV in Minneapolis.

* In addition, she has received several honors from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, including "10th Anniversary Award", "The Rainbow Award" and the "The Vision Award".

* In 1996, Patty was selected as a Community Hero Torch Bearer for the Olympic Games in Atlanta.

* She was awarded the First Alert Award by Larry King of CNN.

* Patty continues to serve on the Board of Directors for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

* She is also a founding member and past president of the Board of Directors of the Association of Missing and Exploited Children's Organizations (AMECO) and the Program Director and co-founder for Team H.O.P.E.

* She is a co-founder and past board member of the Jacob Wetterling Foundation.

Although she has become a highly recognized citizen advocate, Patty often says, "I'm just Jacob's mom trying to fight for the rights of children to grow up safe and to be able to follow their dreams."

[SupormomFreeAtLast]

10. I like Patty Wetterling...

And would love to see her kick Kennedy's a**!

[no name no slogan]

11. She'd be great, IMHO

HUGE name recognition, very high positives, and no 'controversies' that can be dug up by RoveCo's operatives.

Plus, many Republicans like and respect her. Even John Walsh (from "Americas Most Wanted") did campaign commercials for her in 2004, defending her against the Kennedy smears.

Plus, her political inexperience may be a plus for her against Kennedy. She doesn't have a voting record to trash, she hasn't taken any controversial stands, and has a wholesome sort of 'average Minnesotan' appeal to her.

Kennedy may have won his last three elections, but he's still very weak, IMHO. He's never won a decisive victory-- all of his races have been within 5-6%, in very conservative districts. He should be able to win by landslides at this stage in the game, but he has yet to do so.

IMHO almost any DFLer could take him down in 2006, especially the way the Repubs are (mis)managing the federal and state governments.

[MinneapolisMatt]

14. As a resident of Minneapolis...

...most of my friends live here, but I grew up in Hastings, so I know a few pepople there too.

Anyway, without a shadow of a doubt, every single person I have talked to about Patty Wetterling possibly running for Sentor has expressed 100% support and would vote for her.

Even my die-hard, born-again christian fundie repub parents love her! (I was around the same age as Jacob was when he was abducted, so I'm sure that DOES play into it...but still. If it keeps Kennedy out, I'll take it.)

Kennedy may have won re-election last year, but do not under-estimate the power of the Wetterling name state-wide. I think people on both sides of the aisle would like to give her a chance. She's a fighter and a survivor, and has already shown Minnesotan's she can unite us, albeit through the tragic abduction of her son.

Plus, a lot of people who didn't get the chance to vote for her last year haven't forgotten Kennedy's HORRENDOUS attack ads against her, saying she had accepted money from "terrorist organizations"! That crap did not fly down here (in Minneapolis). At all!

Matt

[wellstone dem]

18. I think you are right

I'm outstate, and none of the other names I've heard will bring in anyone but the traditional democrats out here, even some of the democrats aren't going to recognize those names, but Patty brings all democrats, many independents, and some republicans. No Democrat could have won the 6th from Kennedy. (She would have come even closer if she'd been pro-life, as I know she lost some votes because of that stance.) But Patty learned alot from the campaign, and kept on improving. I think she is our best shot.

Someone told me that she had trouble walking in parades (more than other politicians), because so many people--especially victims of abuse--wanted to talk to her personally. She connects with people. And her not being a career politician, but someone who has made a career out of protecting our children, may work in her favor. Especially since she learned alot in the 6th Dist. campaign about how to portray a commitment to children as a Big Tent issue.

I just don't see any other Democrat doing as well.

[Demrock6]

15. Still waiting for the nay sayers.

Where you guys at?

[Deja Q]

16. Many have said "no experience" and then vote for the "career politician":

Not only are the career politicians vile in their attacks to keep REAL PEOPLE out, they convince the public that career politicians are better.

If you ask me, all career politicians should be summarily fired with nore retirement benefits (that'll save taxpayers a TON of money), replaced by REAL PEOPLE. From both Repub and Dem sides. We're more likely to compromise. The career politicians are such human garbage that all they do is give themselves more money, say "my way or the highway" (or if you're a Dem you say "Well I'll go with you but only so far until you put your foot down in which case I'll go with you all the way", and point fingers at each other claiming the other is partisan and stonewalling. :eyes:

Mark Kennedy had didn't have much to go on, apart from baseless slurs. What Patty had against Kennedy was mountains of the truth. Yet he won. All the people I know said "she has no experience".

So, people obviously want more of the same. So why should I care for those people then?

[CatholicEdHead]

17. So true

our system was NOT DESIGNED for PROFESSIONAL politicans. In the culture in the late 1700's the entrie idea of houses of governement were to be part-timers who would come for a few days to months, do their job and go home to work on the farm. They would be paid fair stiepends for their work but not much else.

[Deja Q]

28. My, how things have changed.

And while they want to cut government jobs, those in power see no need to cut their own pay, benefits, and post-service benefits either.

In other words, they're bloodsucking leeches. All of them. The career ones know what's up.

And the few good folks who want to make a difference ultimately get to conform.

I'm so disgusted with how things have devolved. :-( Hell. :cry:

[Demrock6]

19. Seems the only reason people.........

Did not want Patty to run was only because she is not Betty. So is it lack of experience that people will try to attack. At least here.

I would say that is pretty good, because I feel she has wisdom and common sense to do good.

[stackhouse]

20. not one dam dime goes to the dfl... !!!

first of all i dont like it when a candidate is being shoved on me, she a one two issue candidate at most .....

second..i did not like it when rick kahn expolited wellstones memorial and now pattys doing it with her son.......ie: the two messages... (the whole state world owes me because of my son )or (feel sorry for me vote for me) mn. sec of state or congress maybe, but not senate


Give me Tom Daschel or Colleen Rowley.....

[MinneapolisMatt]

21. the thing is...

..Patty ISN'T exploiting her son.

The only reason I brought it up was because of my republican parents who use that incident to justify why they'd vote for her and not a republican!

Whether we like it or not, her son was abducted, and some people might use that as a reason to vote for her. BUT, she does NOT run on this! (She has used this issue in the past to raise awareness for different children-related functions and foundations, but I have NEVER heard her say "Feel sorry for me and vote for me because my son was abducted.")

I'm actually surprised Kennedy didn't throw Jacob into the last campaign. It's certainly not beneath him.

[Krupskaya]

22. There was plenty of innuendo flying...

The old rumors about Mr. Wetterling having something to do with the disappearance sprouted up again, right before the election.

[dflprincess]

23. Patty Wetterling has never asked for sympathy

What I've seen is a woman who took what has to be the worst thing that can happen to a parent and use it to help others.

I would have no trouble supporting her.

[ISUGRADIA]

25. I'll support a Minnesotan, thank you

Daschle can run for governor in 2006 in his OWN STATE. And Rowley hasn't expressed any interest in running.

It's offensive to try and compare Wetterling to Rick Kahn. She's a fine woman who lost a son quite a while and instead of wallowing in sorrow she has tried to help other families to never have to go what she has gone through. That's bullshit, your saying she's running on a sympathy campaign. Promote your fantasy candidates but don't belittle fine Democrats in the process.

[Mister Ed]

24. I actively supported her campaign. I just wished her campaign was more...

active!

The campaign seemed disappointingly late and lackadaisical to me. A little more oomph could have put her in Congress.

If Patty chooses to run, she will have my support again. But let's light a fire under the campaign this time!

[KitchenWitch]

26. Perhaps her campaign for Congress was a bit unorganized

I think Patty and whomever she choses to help her with this campaign have probably learned about what it takes to run a successful campaign (BTW, even though she lost, I still think she ran a successful campaign against Kennedy - she lost by less than 10% to a third term incumbent in a traditionally republican district - not bad for a first run!)

She has name recognition because she used the tragic situation in her life to educate and reform, this proves that she has nearly boundless energy. I think the republicans want to spin it in a way that makes Patty Wetterling *LOOK* one dimensional. She is a good democrat, and in spite of the fact that she has no experience in elected office, she has a lot of experience in governemental affairs because of her foundation and advocacy. Since it is NOT 2006 yet, I think it is a good idea for DFLers to keep an open mind as far as possible candidates for Dayton's senate seat. I would love to see Betty McCollum, Amy Klobuchar, and Patty Wetterling run. They all have wonderful attributes and would represent our state very well.

[Mister Ed]

30. Whoo hoo! Time to put my money where my mouth is...

I just got a letter in the mail from Patty Wetterling, in which she announces that she's in the running for Senate. Nothin' late or lackadaisical about that. I'm sending her fifty bucks pronto.

My favorite quote from her letter:

"When I was first approached to run for political office, I wrote three things on my fridge:
* I will not lie.
* I will not promise more than I can deliver.
* I will not sacrifice my integrity."

That settles it. She's my candidate.

Somewhere, Paul Wellstone is smiling...

[cynthia]

27. she would be a great senator

connected to real people, smart, approachable and passionate.

We need her.

[trotsky]

29. I am 100% behind Wetterling.

I don't know that we could find a better candidate. Go Patty!

[awsmith89]

31. Klobuchar for Senate and Wetterling for the 6th

I don't see Patty Wetterling as a good state wide candidate for the reason that she has no experience. I do however think Wetterling would win in the 6th, especially against Yeckie. Klobuchar on the other hand is far more organized and capable to run a statewide race. I will not support Wetterling for Senate, but I will give her my money and support if she decides to run in the 6th.

[Dickie Flatt]

32. I agree

But if Patty does win the Senate nomination I will support her with my time and money.

[no name no slogan]

33. Wellstone didn't have any experience, either

...and he won the endorsement over two others who actually HAD experience.

In fact, having "too much" experience can be a detriment for prospective Senators. The Senate has traditionally been seen as the "upper" house of the legislature, where statemanship and diplomacy have been more important than partisanship and "politics".

The House, OTOH, is another beast altogether: it's where the gloves come off, partisanship is encouraged, and where the "real work" of lawmaking takes place. It represents "the rabble", and conducts itself that way, too, in most respect.

Wetterling, being a political 'outsider' and not having a controversial record to run on/against, is a much better Senate candidate that House candidate. She doesn't have the baggage that comes with a long political career. And because her past work has been as a non-partisan advocate on childrens' issues, she can appeal to Democrats, Republicans and Indenpendents.

The 6th district is too small for a candidate of Patty's appeal-- considering her national reputation. IMHO she'd be much better as a Senate candidate.


PS: welcome to DU! :hi: