Almanac: At the Capitol

With primary opponents out of the way, Al Franken sought to "kick off the general election with a rally."  You'll recall he also kick-started his campaign after Ciresi got out of the race and got criticized for not being available to the media.  Today's event press release was careful to note that "a media availability will follow."  Franken's camp created some strong images with supporters rallying around.  The site was the Paul and Sheila Wellstone Center, obvious symbolism there.

Since, Sen. Norm Coleman is in D.C. today, his campaign manager Cullen Sheehan had a press conference rolling out three new ads.  Sheehan also noted at Franked "failed to get the support of one-third" of voters in the primary.  They want former Sen. Dean Barkley in the debates and think Barkley will appeal to possible Franken voters.  Sheehan said "what Barkley does is put Franken in third place on public service" since he's never held office.

Political reporters are expecting a pretty predictable campaign, more of the same for the next 6 weeks.  But if Minnesota history holds true, big races bring big surprises at the last minute:  Boschwitz/Wellstone, Grunseth/Carlson, Wellstone/Mondale/Coleman, Pawlenty/Hatch.  Expect the unexpected in Minnesota politics.

First District Republican congressional candidate Brian Davis has to big the night's biggest winner.  He took on a well-known and well-liked sitting Senator Dick Day and won.  Day is a maverick who doesn't mind upsetting the party elite and that didn't help him in a primary that's usually filled with party activists.  If Farmfest was any indication, Davis will still have a tough road against Congressman Tim Walz who stills seems popular with the rural people in his district.

Next, on the winner's list is Dean Barkley.  The former U.S. Senator should have won this primary race, still he was running against an endorsed candidate and party chair.  He just needs to raise some money and start buying some media.  An IPer with name-id really makes the Senate race interesting and ultimately harder to predict.

Finally, the biggest legislative winner is probably Rep. Jim Abeler from Anoka.  He was one of the famous override-six and listening to his speech the last night of session it sounded like he even thought he was a goner.  He voted his heart, not necessarily his future and it was an emotional decision to watch.  It's never fun for a lawmaker to defy his caucus.

Now, in the loser category, Sen. Dick Day.  He's such a nice, fun guy who's a great sport.  The press corps really like the guy.  He's plain-spoken and colorful.  He just isn't into pleasing the party as I mentioned above.  The question now is if he'll retire from the Senate after once serving as the minority leader.  It's tough for former leaders to go back to being just rank and file members of the legislature.  It wasn't a great year for state lawmakers looking to move up.  Sen. Terri Bonoff was also defeated in a congressional run.  The legislature used to a springboard for higher office, we'll see if it works for Erik Paulsen in the 3rd or if the recent trend ends with Keith Ellison and Betty McCollum.

Priscilla Lord Faris spent some serious time and energy on a losing race.  Nearly 30% of the vote is not bad. The fact she did motivate some voters to the polls shows some dissatisfaction with Franken, but he may have time to overcome that.  Although the nible Coleman is still running a spot-on campaign. 

Finally, another well-liked lawmaker and one of the override-six concludes my list of the top winners and losers.  Rep. Neil Peterson fom Bloomington had character and spunk and that's always appreciated in the press.  But once again, you can't bite the hand that feeds you:  local party activists.

A couple of honorable mentions in the loser category:  Mpls. Rep. Willie Dominguez and Rep. Mark Olson who won't be elevated to the Senate. 

"Welcome to Minnesota" is what Gov. Pawlenty said while a huge image a very un-Minnesotan canyon projected behind him.

A few minutes later a huge forest fire seemed to his background. Okay, really it was an enormous yellow, glowing grove of trees. Who came up with this stuff? I can't tell you the number of complaints I've heard about totally random unrelated odd images appearing behind the speakers at the RNC.