DFLers, don't be sad.....we WON in more ways than we lost!!!

[no name no slogan]

So, it appears we lost the 6th, and the Presidency (tentatively speaking), but we DID win quite a lot in this state:

* The State House is virtually TIED, with almost even numbers of DFLers and GOPers. We now have a STRONG and POWERFUL opposition to the right-wing agenda of Pawlenty, Sviggum, Day, etc.

* Look at Kerry's numbers in MN: believe it or not, he CARRIED THE SUBURBS! IMHO, this is the biggest victory for us: it proves that Dems can run (and win) in the "safe" GOP burbs.

* Even though Kennedy pulled out a squeeker in the 6th, his statewide ratings will be DOWN after his sleazoid campaign. How do you dare go negative on a woman whose son was abducted? What a jerk.

All these alone are good points, but they point to EVEN BETTER news for 2006!

Think about it: Pawlenty's #s are down. He's shaking down the Indian casinos for $$$ because he "won't raise taxes". People in the state blame the Repubs for the gridlock in St. Paul.

Furthermore: If Kennedy does oppose Dayton in 2006, he's got some serious negatives to overcome from this year. Not only that, if he does go against Dayton, Wetterling has a huge advantage going into the race next time.

And even furthermore: Kerry proved that a "liberal Democrat" CAN win in the 'burbs! This is TREMENDOUS NEWS for us, as it means that a GOP stronghold is now competitive!


And furthermore, still: keep in mind that the state/local government has MUCH MORE influence on your daily life than the Federal government does. In these days of a decentralized Fed government, many more programs are administered at the state/local level. And THIS is an area where we have been VERY successful!


In my 18 years of on again/off again party activism, I have NEVER seen the DFL so united, so organized, and so powerful at the grassroots level than today. Even during the Wellstone campaigns. Even though the primaries were tough, we came together and put up one hell of a united front against the Bushistas.


I was excited about 2004, but I'm even MORE excited about 2006. Let's take a breather, and start preparing for 2006. Because we're going to TAKE BACK THIS STATE!

:toast: :thumbsup: :hi: :bounce:

[Love Bug]

1. Where did you find the data on the 'burbs?

I hadn't heard that Kerry led there--I'd like to see that.

It's a good thing the DFL is more organized than ever---we're going to need all we can get to protect Dayton's seat and remove Pawlenty from his. What we really need is a viable candiate for governor--do you have any ideas?

[no name no slogan]

2. I heard it on 'CCO TV last night

I heard that Kerry was doing very well in the 'burbs for a Democrat.

IMHO Kennedy did more to hurt himself this year than he did to win. This guy is so weak in so many ways. He's NEVER won an election by a big margin, and he's a third-termer! By now he should be winning by at least 10%.

His negative ads in the Twin Cities put off a lot of people-- who will certainly remember them in two years. Dayton has taken on the role of senior Senator amazingly well, and will continue to be an outspoken progressive in the Senate.

Pawlenty is desperate. He's looking under every rock to find more $$ for the budget-- from his "Drive To Excellence" project to reduce state expenditures to his shakedown of tribal casinos. He will have NO CHOICE but to raise taxes before 2006-- and he's VERY aware of this (FULL DISCLOSURE: I work for the state, and see a lot of interesting stuff).

This party is totally over 2002. We're back, with a vengeance, and we're ready to rumble!

[dodger501]

3. Except for Hennepin and Ramsey counties

Bush won everything else in the 7-county metro, as well as Chisago and Isanti.
Haven't seen a breakdown of the individual burbs yet, though.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

4. Perhaps, but both the exit polls and my own eyeballing of lawn signs

tells me that the ratio was more like 51-49 than like the mirror image of the 70-30 for Kerry that we saw in the urban areas. Even in the rural areas, there was no landslide for Bush.

[cynthia]

5. R.T. Rybak

The mayor of Minneapolis is my projection for governor. I have seen him a lot these past few months at caucuses, city convention, senate district convention, the rally for Kerry at the Metrodome, and last night at Zuhrah Shrine before we headed out to canvass. He is a great speaker and I think he would make a great governor.

[katinmn]

6. I like Rybek, too

I've been really impressed with him every time I've heard him speak, which isn't that often since I live in St. Paul. Was really impressed when he came out in support of "Roadmap out of Iraq." He's a solid Democrat.

He could take Pawlenty on very ably.

[Randomthought]

7. No way

It will be Mike Hatch. If Hatch doesn't get the DFL endorsement he will mount a primary challenge. He threatened to do it last time and he intends to be the next governor.

[no name no slogan]

10. Hatch can't win statewide-- people have long memories

Hatch ran against incumbent governor and endorsed candidate Rudy Perpich in 1990. He pretty much pissed off EVERYBODY with that run, including those of us who didn't really care for Perpich.

Because of this, it's doubtful that Hatch will win any statewide office higher than Attorney General. In his climb to the top, he's made a lot of enemies in the party, who will do whatever they can to keep him from winning the primary.

Most party activists have had enough of Hatch. The reception to his overly-long speech at the state convention this year was underwhelming, to say the least.

I'm not too sure about Rybak, either. I literally sat across the table from him at the state convention this year, but he wasn't there most of the time (he lives in my SD, and was a delegate). He was off working the room, shaking hands, etc. He's been an okay mayor, but nothing inspiring. The corporations still have too much control over the city. Our taxes keep going up, while our services decline. And it still seems like the city is still looking for a vision.

[myrna minx]

8. Kerry swept Edina.

http://www.startribune.com/stories/357/5067470.html

This is historical!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

9. I'm not surprised

I live near that part of Edina, and it was full of Kerry/Edwards signs.