October 13, 2006 was a momentous day in the Walz campaign: little Gus was born, the high point of a week that showed the congressional race his father was running had become increasingly competitive.
Two years later, Gus's dad will be debating his own challenger:
. . . More convenient for Mankato-area residents will be a 7 p.m. debate on Oct. 13 between Congressman Tim Walz, DFL-Mankato, and Dr. Brian Davis, R-Rochester, at Ostrander Auditorium at Minnesota State University. The debate, sponsored by the nonpartisan Debate Minnesota, is free and open to the public.
MN-01's not the same barnburner it was in October 2006.
To put this year's race in perspective: by October 13, 2006, Newt Gingrich had already been the headliner at a Gutknecht fundraiser in Rochester in mid-September. Then Majority Leader John Boehner was in Mankato stumping for Gutknecht on October 12. Former Georgia Senator Max Cleland toured Southern Minnesota with Walz on October 11. Later in the race, both Senator Barack Obama and First Lady Bush would make separate appearances in Rochester.
The national talent was coming through the district; we see little of that this year, another indication that this race isn't on the national party and caucus frontburners. An independent poll conducted between October 8-10 had the Gutknecht-Walz contest in a statistical dead heat. Is any independent polling taking place in this district at all this year? Has any independent organization or news source thought it worth the time and expense?
One thing we do know is that the Walz campaign is working its tail off with phone banking, door knocking and other voter contact. Four ads are running. It's the largest grassroot campaign Southern Minnesota has ever seen. Volunteer to help keep Tim Walz working for the district (and contribute if you can).
Then turn out for the debate. Birthday party hats optional.
Photo: Gus and Tim Walz share a moment. From Cornerhouse Comments.
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