Much of the news about the congressional race concerns Senator Day's decision to duke it out in a primary. More fun than the barrel of monkeys we played with during our childhood. The Rochester Post Bulletin reports
Day wants to force Republican primary. The paper talked to a number of area Republican activists:
But Area Republicans say Day's decision was likely driven by more hard-headed political considerations.
Internal polling may have shown Day's delegate count not being on the "high side," said Bill Kuisle, a possible delegate to the 1st District Republican Convention set for March 29.
"He must have done the math and come to the conclusion that he was not likely to win endorsement," said 1st District Republican Chairman Duane Quam. . . .
. . .Kuisle called Day's decision a "bold move."
"Dick evidently thinks he has the name recognition to go into the primary," he said. He noted that he first won his state senate seat in 1990 by defeating an incumbent in the primary.
Randy Demmer shows some genuine class:
Demmer, a three-term state representative from Hayfield, said he had "great respect" for Day and would not criticize the 18-year state senator.
"I don't have bad things to say about it. It's just his choice," Demmer said.
Davis goes for some new spin:
Davis said it was too early to say whether a primary will hurt the eventual nominee. "It may mean nothing, it may give us a potential advantage," he said, "if we bring forward these issues (against Walz)."
Funny, but yesterday, Davis was attacking Day with the most Onionesque comparison we've read in a while:
Clearly Dick Day, just like Hillary Clinton, has seen the writing on the wall.
We don't think they read the same words though. The article concludes with a recital of fund raising in the district:
Among the three Republican candidates, Day led in total receipts as of Dec. 31 with $210,154, including $23,000 he loaned to the campaign. Demmer was second with $205,513 in total receipts, including $135,000 in personal loans. Davis reported $160,685 in receipts, including $44,467 in personal contributions.
Walz led all with more than $1.15 million in total receipts, all in donations with no loans or candidate contributions.
The PB also reports in Day decides to go directly to voters that the GOP is pushing back:
The other two Republican candidates, state Rep. Randy Demmer and Mayo Clinic physician Brian Davis, on Wednesday reiterated their pledges to abide by the party's endorsement.
Ron Carey, chairman of the Republican Party of Minnesota, had been in contact with Day in an attempt to change his mind. GOP leaders also announced plans to hold a signing ceremony in Olmsted County on Friday where the candidates would formalize their pledge to abide by the endorsement process.
Day's announcement is certainly working to draw more attention to the MN-01 than the candidates had been getting on their own, so maybe conservatives should start cutting checks to Day now so that the earned media continues.
There's plenty more at the Mankato Free Press (Day opts to bypass GOP convention) the Owatonna People's Press (Day to skip party endorsement in First District, and the Winona Daily News (Day passes on GOP backing). The Worthington Globe runs the short version of the AP story in Day to bypass GOP endorsement to run in 1st District primary.
Meanwhile, Tim Walz is getting some work done in the district while Congress is recessed for the Presidents' Day break.
The Albert Lea Tribune reports on Tuesday's economic summit for small businesses in Small businesses an integral part of economy. The lead:
Small businesses make up more than 80 percent of new jobs and have a $13 billion growth in the country’s economy, according to Rep. Tim Walz, of Minnesota’s 1st District. Since small businesses are an integral part of local economies, Walz said he wants there to be open communication about the issues small businesses and their owners have.
“It really is the economic engine that moves us forward,” said Tim Penny, former congressman and executive director of the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation. . . .
Go read the rest at the AL Tribune.
Another version of DFL state chair Brian Melendez letter about the
Lewis & Clark Rural Water System funding runs in today's Winona
Daily News under the headline Walz works for Minnesota. We're glad somebody is working, not just monkeying around.
You have to love an endeavor that allows you to write a headline like that.
Posted by: Jeff Hanneman | February 22, 2008 at 12:40 PM