After moderating the first governor's debate featuring both Democrats and Republicans for Hunger Solutions, here are a few observations on the candidates that showed up (in the order they were seated).
Tom Bakk: He was my biggest surprise. At the Capitol Bakk can be a bit of a boring policy wonk. While he was still wonkish today, he expressed serious passion and stood out in the crowd. He was the only Democrat I noticed who talked directly about reaching Independent voters. What really sticks in my mind was when he got choked up, nearly crying talking about his new grandchild and the importance of this race for this new generation. It was personal and emotional.
Mark Dayton: He was not surprisingly passionate and stuck up for going to a primary as being the most democratic way of electing a governor, versus having a cadre of party activists decide the winner. He also stood out for being the only candidate to literally stand up when answering each question.
Tom Emmer: The often-described bombastic lawmaker was much more sedate. Actually all the Republicans seemed to dial down their rhetoric a bit for this debate, perhaps it was the topic of hunger and poverty had them not wanting to look mean or heartless. I missed his quotability.
Margaret Anderson Kelliher: The House Speaker was solid and consistent, as she has seemed to be in most forums to date. No big surprises, but steady is probably the right idea for her at this stage. She was willing to mix it up a bit more than her GOP colleagues, but she didn't take any real tough shots.
John Marty: The earnest unbending liberal bled for the audience. You could feel his pain for the poor and hungry, good for the crowd, not that that's going to win him an election.
Marty Seifert: He's clearly seen as the real Republican frontrunner because all the Democrats beat up on him throughout the forum. Audience members were disappointed he wouldn't differentiate himself from Emmer when I put him on the spot. Several said he should have hit his positives harder when asked why he was the better candidate.
Susan Gaertner: After criticizing me for trying to force her hand on taxes, the Ramsey County Attorney finally gave me an inch by saying she was a better choice than Kelliher because she represents a fresh start.
Michael Jungbauer: He's funny and quirky and often provides some needed comic relief while still addressing the policy questions.
Tom Rukavina: The Croatian Sensation probably handled my one-on-one match up questions the best when he said he's had a lifetime of "doing more with less" referring to his height disadvantage. He confessed he would tax everyone in the room, including himself!
Paul Thissen: When asked how the nice guy in a crowd of lawmakers would stand out, he certainly tried, owning the health care issue and even taking issue with some of his fellow DFLers.
Leslie Davis: He recited poetry, repeatedly, what more can I say.