Novak: Coleman an underdog but Pawlenty on the ticket will help him

Posted at 4:38 PM on April 23, 2008 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

Robert Novak is ranking Minnesota's Senate race as "Leaning Democratic Takeover" between GOP Sen. Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken. It's a lengthy analysis but here's the meat of it:

This race, more than most, will come down to turnout. The two men who could drive turnout are Obama and Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R), who squeaked by to reelection in 2006. If Pawlenty is McCain's running mate, that might motivate otherwise depressed or apathetic Republicans. If Obama is the nominee, his huge bloc of support here (he beat Clinton 2-to-1 in the primary) could push Franken over the top. If Clinton is the nominee, however, it could have the opposite effect-energizing Republicans and depressing Obama's backers.

Comments (1)

I agree that Pawlenty can increase Norm's chances. But then again, the latest Rasmussen poll makes Norm's chances look even better. The Dems can turn out voters to win the Senate two ways: They can have Obama on the ticket; or they can have Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer on their Senate ticket. If Jack is on the ticket, it will turn out their base, the voters who are more attracted to clear progressive politics of courage and hope.
Either way, the Democrats in this state turn out voters with the politics of hope, and that is what they need to do to win the Senate seat once held by Paul Wellstone.

Posted by Paul Roz | April 24, 2008 11:11 AM

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