Polinaut: October 12, 2006 Archive

Minnesota TV markets analyzed

Posted at 10:51 AM on October 12, 2006 by Bob Collins

University of Wisconsin Madison's NewsLab has issued a "report" today looking at Minnesota TV coverage of elections and finds we're "above average," I guess. (h/t Laura McCallum)

Not too good on the old issues front, however, with more emphasis on the "horse race." As this election has gone along, by the way, I've become more aware of a third angle that's relatively ignored: who the candidates are as people.

It would be also neat to analyze campaigns to find what percentage of what they do tries to define the other candidate vs. tries to define who they are.

The Daily Digest: 10-12-06

Posted at 1:13 PM on October 12, 2006 by Tom Scheck

Ballot splitters lead the digest today. The Star Tribune's Dane Smith takes a look at those voters who say they'll vote for Pawlenty and Klobuchar:

A whopping 27 percent of voters who told the latest Star Tribune Minnesota Poll that they are leaning toward Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty in the governor's race also said they will vote for Amy Klobuchar, a DFLer, in the Senate race.

They also have quotes from eight of the ballot splitters.

MPR has a story on where the senate candidates stand on taxes.

KARE-11 says Iraq has resurfaced in the senate race. Former Georgia Senator Max Cleland campaigned with Klobuchar yesterday.

The Arkansas News says Arkansas Senator Blanche Lincoln will campaign for Klobuchar later this month.

New York Senator Hillary Clinton will join Lincoln and Washington Senator Patty Murray for a fundraiser on Tuesday.

Kennedy campaigns with HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson in Minneapolis today. Kennedy was in St. Cloud yesterday and focused on public safety.

The Washington Post mentions Klobuchar in a story saying candidates can get to Washington by distancing themselves from Washington.

The Star Tribune has a story saying the 6th Congressional District could be the most expensive congressional race in state history. Republican Michele Bachmann, DFLer Patty Wetterling and I-P candidate John Binkowski are in the race.

KARE-11 has a story on yesterday's debate in the sixth.

The Star Tribune has a profile on the race in Minnesota's Second Congressional District. They also profile Republican Congressman John Kline and DFL challenger Coleen Rowley.

Senator Coleman names a new chief of staff.

Minneapolis City Council member Paul Ostrow and former state senator Ember Reichgott Junge endorse Keith Ellison. What about Congressman Sabo and Mike Erlandson?

Peter Hutchinson, the I-P candidate for Governor, wants to give back some of the surplus in tax relief.

A judge says DFLer Mike Hatch can look into UnitedHealth. Hatch is running for governor.

Finally, WCCO-TV asks: Do blogs matter?

Swing voters blog

Posted at 1:55 PM on October 12, 2006 by Bob Collins (1 Comments)

I mentioned this last week but I had jumped the gun so I removed the post. So here it is again, because I guess everyone is now ready for prime time. There's a new blog of "undecided" voters available here.

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Pawlenty on Midday

Posted at 1:59 PM on October 12, 2006 by Tom Scheck

Governor Pawlenty was on MPR's Midday program today. You can listen here.

LPOV

Posted at 3:26 PM on October 12, 2006 by Bob Collins (6 Comments)

This is the time of the year when just about every press release, every stump speech, every ad, sounds like every other press release, stump speech and ad.

So we give big points to Jesse Mortenson, running for the House in District 64A (Matt Entenza's old seat) whose press release announced his endorsement by the "League of Pissed Off Voters."

I thought it was a joke, until a little Googling found there really isa League of Pissed Off Voters. Well, sort of, I guess. Google the term and you get sent here...the League of Young Voters.

There is Another site, that does not betray its name, It also says,

The League of Pissed Off Voters is a GOTV organization run by young people in 6 different states.

It lists those states as Maine, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Ohio.

You may notice.... that's 5.

Maybe there's a story there. Maybe one state..... made 'em mad.... and they kicked it out.

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Wetterling ahead in poll, getting attention of national pundits

Posted at 4:06 PM on October 12, 2006 by Tom Scheck (3 Comments)

A poll by Constituent Dynamics has DFLer Patty Wetterling leading Republican Michele Bachmann. You can view the results here. The poll does not include Independence Party member John Binkowski. This is the first poll that shows Wetterling with a lead. A previous Constituent Dynamics poll done with generic GOP and DFL candidates in August gave the GOP candidate a nine point lead.

The 6th is getting plenty of attention by national political handicappers. The Rothenberg Political Report includes the race as a part of its Dangerous Dozen House races:

Minnesota's 6th. While Rep. Mark Kennedy (R) runs for the Senate, his party's nominee for his old seat is state Sen. Michele Bachmann. Democrat Patty Wetterling has name recognition from her race in the previous cycle, and she also has no legislative record to defend. Now, the Congressional page scandal plays into her strength. But Bachmann, an ardent social conservative in a district won by Bush with 56 percent of the vote in 2004, is personable and articulate. Bachmann began the general election trailing by a few points, but this race is still very close.

The National Journal says the 6th is one of several races that could be impacted by the Foley scandal.

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Political fashion statement - Thursday edition

Posted at 4:48 PM on October 12, 2006 by Bob Collins (2 Comments)

Navy blue blazer.... check
Diagonal, striped, primary color tie. Check
American flag pin on the lapel. Check.
White shirt.... whoops

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More candidate announcements

Posted at 5:02 PM on October 12, 2006 by Bob Collins

We're giving candidates a couple of minutes or so on the radio to say whatever they want to say. As they trickle in, I'm also posting them here.

The new ones are:

Leslie Davis

Peter Hutchinson

Real Audio