Ventura Not Entering Minnesota Senate Race
Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura announced tonight on Larry King Live that he is not running for Senate, citing a desire to spare his family from the media scrutiny that would come along with a return to politics.
This race is a top target for Democrats, as incumbent Republican Norm Coleman will have to seek re-election in a state that is likely to vote for Barack Obama for president by a decent margin. Had Ventura entered, it's unclear whether he would have taken more votes from the Democratic column or the Repubican one -- but it sure would have things more confusing.
Meanwhile, Al Franken got some good news tonight in a new Rasmussen poll: He has a slim 44%-42% lead over Coleman, within the ±4.5% margin of error, after Coleman had led 48%-45% a month ago.
Coleman is certainly vulnerable with numbers like these, but Franken has generally had problems in making the transition from comedian to politician. However, Franken might be starting to turn the situation around.
Woohoo!! Go Franken!! We'll get that seat, wait and see, the Obama bump will carry it for us, just like many other places.
July 14, 2008 10:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
I guess the personal grooming bar was just a little too high for the former wrestler/governor. I suppose this is good news for Al Franken, but not being a pollster, I have no fucking clue. I can say I hope it is.
July 14, 2008 11:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I remember a poll at some point that showed it hurting Franken more, so I think it is probably a good thing. Although it was only one poll, and it wasn't a huge change.
July 14, 2008 11:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
At first I wanted Jesse in, thinking it would take some of the kook vote from Coleman.
But from the polls I saw, it appeared that Ventura's vote seemed to break evenly.
July 15, 2008 12:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Star-Tribune had it pegged correctly. Ventura did this to sell books.
Thank God he is not running. He would easily have gotten 20% of the vote, mostly from the Dems.
July 14, 2008 11:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
I swear ( or is just me and the wife?) that Jesse Ventura looks more and more like Stephen Seagal by the day. Or is it the other way around?
July 14, 2008 11:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree! It is good for him that he is not turning into Jean Claude Van Damme. That would be political suicide.
July 15, 2008 3:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not from MN but I love Franken and have watched this race a bit. Coleman made the dumb China drilling 50 miles off Florida comment in Mankato a couple weeks ago. I sent all my research http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/7/2/1543/23452/652/545495 to a Star Tribune columnist, Lori Sturdevant hoping she'd try for a retraction like Eric Zorn at the Chicago Trib did but alas her auto reply said she was on vacation. I have no idea if she's even sympathetic.
Sadly the Star Trib apparently has way more "lifestyle" and "sports" reporters than any locals writing about politics.
My simple google research is available above to anyone willing to promote it for Franken. Knock yourself out. Anybody who delves into it knows drilling for oil off the coast of Florida is drilling for fools gold. Except Republicans like Norm Coleman.
July 15, 2008 12:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
Love Franken, he is smart and would be an asset to the Senate. Having lived in MN, I still am on my friends there to push Franken.
Minnesota, in my humble opinion, will favor Obama. The rural areas are buying into the whole muslim B.S., but these are still pretty under educated folks who's parents made their livelihoods as farmers.
Frankly, (Franken?) I don't get their whole Coleman thing at all.
July 15, 2008 3:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
Muslim as in not voting Democrat due to Obama. Late here and not making as much sense.
July 15, 2008 3:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
I sent the Chicago Trib's story to the Mpls. Star Tribune's "corrections" email address as well, so they could ask Senator Coleman for a retraction.
July 15, 2008 10:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
Jesse!
We have always and will continue to support you as the State official spokesman and representative of the Minnesota State Bird,
"The Common Loon".
Go away Jesse, you're an embarsement to Minnesota
July 15, 2008 1:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'd be surprised about the whole "Muslim" thing in Minnesota. As you may recall, Keith Ellison, US Representative, hails from Minneapolis. Of course, those same people who fear the Koran also label that fair city (and my home) "Murderapolis." Some people are simply ignorant.
July 15, 2008 8:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
As for this race, right now Franken would lose. The new Survey USA poll has him down 13 points. The problem is he has had to many controversies...the not paying taxes, the Playboy article, etc. He might be a candidate we all like but he is severely flawed.
Coleman has 7 million in the bank and the NRSC will kick in whatever they need to keep his seat. They know they will likely lose other races so they will probably concentrate on keeping endangered incumbents like Coleman who are slightly ahead.
The race will probably get tighter in the fall but the DEMS really missed a great opportunity to take this seat by having such a flawed nominee. Someone like Rep. Betty McCullom would likely be leading his race.
July 15, 2008 10:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
Betty McWHO?
13 points down, I find very hard to believe.
July 15, 2008 11:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
IIRC, he paid some state income taxes to the wrong state(s). I'd like to see him spin this as having overpaid some taxes!
July 15, 2008 1:54 PM | Reply | Permalink