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Friday, January 20, 2006

MN-Sen: Wetterling to Make Annoucement Today - Is She Dropping Out?

Posted by DavidNYC

MN's Patty Wetterling is going to make some sort of announcement today about her candidacy for US Senate. I think you only make candidacy announcements in two situations: To tell people that you're running or to tell people that you're dropping out. What I don't get is why she'd scheduled it for a Friday afternoon. If she's gonna drop out and endorse rival Amy Klobuchar, that's newsworthy. And if she's gonna instead run for Congress in MN-06 again, that's also newsworthy. So why try burying the story?

Anyhow, the announcement is schedule for 2pm local time, so it's not for a bit. But the AP is already claiming they know that she'll drop out. Since Wetterling's opponent in 2004 (Mark Kennedy) is now also running for Senate, a race again in MN-06 is particularly attractive because it's now an open seat. The district did go for Bush by 57-42, but Wetterling out-performed that (losing 54-46). She could definitely win this time around. (Though I'll note that there's already a Dem candidate running, Elwyn Tinklenberg.)

In any event, we'll know soon enough.

UPDATE: So Wetterling has indeed dropped out. She endorsed Klobuchar, but refused to discuss possible future plans. Options include MN-06, Lt. Gov. or Secretary of State. Some commenters think the current candidate in MN-06 (Tinklenberg) is strong and that Wetterling ought to run for another office.

Posted at 01:22 PM in 2006 Elections - Senate, Minnesota | Technorati

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Tinklenberg is definately a better candidate for the 6th congressional distirct. A lot of the talk has been about Patty joining Mike Hatch's ticket as a Lt. Governor candidate. I would expect this announcement would come soon after her withdrawal from the Senate campaign.

Posted by: DFLer22 at January 20, 2006 02:01 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

I confess I don't know much about Tinklenberg. Why do you think he's a better candidate than Wetterling? (Did she max out, as some people claim about Cegelis, last time around? NB: Not trying to get into a fight about Cegelis!)

I'm sure Mark will also have something to say about this one....

Posted by: DavidNYC at January 20, 2006 02:12 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Tinklenberg served as Transportation Commissioner under Ventura, and Mayor of Blaine. He was widely successful in both positions and is well qualified to be a Congressman. What hurt Patty big in her last run in the 6th was her views on the social issues: abortion, gay marriage, and guns. Tinklenberg is a former Minister and an avid hunter, he tends towards the conservative side of those issues. I personally disagree with him, but the voters in the 6th don't seem to.
At this point in the race, El Tinklenberg is the DFLs best option. Patty has over and over again said that she will not run in the 6th in 2006. I wish she would have run there from the beginning. But now, I say that we go with El, and let Patty latch on to a gubernatorial candidate.

Posted by: DFLer22 at January 20, 2006 02:20 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Wetterling has officially dropped out and endorsed Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar.

Posted by: DFLer22 at January 20, 2006 04:16 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

DFLer22 - where's your evidence that the social issues hurt Patty Wetterling's campaign in 2004? The ads used against her went after her on the issue of terrorism and being weak on the war on terror. Wetterling did significantly better than candidate Janet Robert (who also ran against Kennedy) - who is a zealot in opposition to abortion (not only opposing abortion, but also emergency contraception).

When Rebecca Otto ran for reelection after voting for the Bachmann amendment (in Tinklenberg's district) - she was the only democrat who lost. Elwyn Tinklenberg is the only candidate apart from the notoriously anti-gay Michele Bachmann who has taken a public stand in support of the Federal Marriage Amendment.

Take a look at Tinklenberg's fundraising numbers - he went down in fundraising significantly between the second and third quarters.

A recent special election in St Cloud (supposedly a bastion of so-called "pro-life" sentiment) had the pro-choice democrat winning by over 10 points.

If Elwyn Tinklenberg wins in Minnesota, he would be the second Democratic congressman in MN to support the Federal Marriage amendment. The other is Colin Peterson in the 7th district, who told the Human Rights campaign lobbyists that he didn't believe any gay people lived in his district.

Posted by: lloydletta at January 20, 2006 09:11 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

I'm getting in on this late because I've been spending the day moving OUT of Minnesota and into (gasp!) Iowa.

I think Wetterling is clearing a path for a run at Lieutenant Governor running mate with Mike Hatch. My dad got an inquiring call from her campaign last weekend and accurately assessed that she was taking one final look at how ferociously the current was flowing against her before deciding to hang it up. Tinklenberg seems to be generating some decent buzz and I suspect Patty would be viewed upon as a villain if she tried to run for that race now.

That's kind of a shame because I suspect Wetterling would have a very good chance of beating any of the Republicans running in MN-06 where I doubt the unknown entity Tinklenberg will be able to beat anybody except Bachmann, and even that's a maybe given Bachmann's base in the otherwise centrist Stillwater area in addition to fast-growing Sherburne and Wright Counties very unlikely to vote for anybody with a (D) next to their name for at least a generation. The fact that Wetterling came within seven points of incumbent Mark Kennedy in 2004 was a pretty impressive feat given the district's demographics, making it all the more sad that she didn't choose the MN-06 run this year when the gettin' was good.

I have to imagine Collin Peterson was kidding when he said there were no gays living in his district. I'm sure a few gay or lesbian students in Moorhead and Bemidji were insulted, but he's probably not too far off about the rest of district, which is about as Norman Rockwell-painting authentic as they come. Peterson isn't one of my favorite Democrats in Congress by any stretch of the imagination, but I prefer him to the conservative Democrat who grew up in my home county and represented my district for more than 10 years (Tim Penny....future shill for the Cato Institute and cheerleader for Bush's Social Security privatization scam).

Posted by: Mark at January 20, 2006 11:52 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Mark, congrats on the move. Whereabouts are you now? And will you soon become an expert on Iowa politics, too? :)

Posted by: DavidNYC at January 20, 2006 11:57 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

David, I'm moving from southern Minnesota to the Des Moines area. It's about 2 1/2 hours away. And I expect I will become rather versed in Iowa politics since the job will be fairly closely related to the Legislature.

Posted by: Mark at January 21, 2006 09:30 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Information and interviews with Tinklenberg here.

Audio from Wetterling's news conference here.

Posted by: C2006 at January 21, 2006 09:34 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

I heard this from Human Rights Campaign lobbyists - and they weren't under the impression that he was kidding. There certainly are gays in Peterson's district - and not just in the college towns - but he clearly is pretty unaware of that.

What decent buzz is Tinklenberg generating? Here's what is on his website.

http://www.tinklenbergforcongress2006.com/

When Scott Mortensen was running against him (and had only raised $2000.00), Tinklenberg's campaign was leaking items attacking Scott Mortensen to Michael Brodkorb - Minnesota Democrats Exposed.

From the MPR website linked by another commenter:

SNAPSHOT
Former state Transportation Commissioner Elwyn Tinklenberg announced his candidacy for the 6th District congressional seat on June 14, 2005. Tinklenberg, a former Methodist minister, says DFLers should not shy away from talking about faith and moral values. His announcement speech focused on restoring faith in government and ending the divisive bickering in Washington. Tinklenberg opposes legalized abortion, favors gun rights and supports a federal ban on gay marriage, provided there are some legal protections in place for gay couples. Those views are to the right of many Democrats, but could play well in the socially conservative 6th district.

EY: So that means that Tinklenberg wants to criminalize abortion - what punishment is he proposing for women who get abortions? Life in prison for murder 1? On the Federal Marriage Amendment - Tinklenberg said he'd support a federal marriage amendment - well the current language bans gay marriage and "legal incidents thereof" - civil unions, domestic partnerships, wills?

From the AP:

The former Methodist minister has gotten the national backing despite views on social issues that put him to the right of his party. He opposes legalized abortion, supports a constitutional ban on gay marriage and opposes increased restrictions on gun ownership.

"There's a sense among Democrats that the person who wins this seat will have to come from a more conservative background," said Tinklenberg, a former mayor of Blaine. The 6th District includes northern Twin Cities suburbs and extends northwest to the St. Cloud area.

"It's going to be a struggle," Tinklenberg said of winning the conservative district. But he said he thinks he can appeal to voters who support Democrats on economic issues but not cultural ones.

EY: In other words, his strategy is going to be to pander to anti-gay democrats.

Also worth noting - when "culturally conservative" Janet Robert ran in that same district against Mark Kennedy, she lost by over 20 points - 57-35. When Patty Wetterling ran against Kennedy, she lost 54-47 - and Wetterling unlike Tinklenberg, opposed criminalizing abortion.

I understand it was the DCCC who advised Tinklenberg to support the Federal Marriage Amendment. Tinklenberg will lose against any Republican candidate - including Bachmann.

There is nothing on Tinklenberg's website that clarifies any of this. If the AP has the story wrong, it's up to the Tinklenberg campaign to correct the record. Notably they have failed to do so.

Posted by: lloydletta at January 21, 2006 02:11 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

I heard this from Human Rights Campaign lobbyists - and they weren't under the impression that he was kidding. There certainly are gays in Peterson's district - and not just in the college towns - but he clearly is pretty unaware of that.

What decent buzz is Tinklenberg generating? Here's what is on his website.

http://www.tinklenbergforcongress2006.com/

When Scott Mortensen was running against him (and had only raised $2000.00), Tinklenberg's campaign was leaking items attacking Scott Mortensen to Michael Brodkorb - Minnesota Democrats Exposed.

From the MPR website linked by another commenter:

SNAPSHOT
Former state Transportation Commissioner Elwyn Tinklenberg announced his candidacy for the 6th District congressional seat on June 14, 2005. Tinklenberg, a former Methodist minister, says DFLers should not shy away from talking about faith and moral values. His announcement speech focused on restoring faith in government and ending the divisive bickering in Washington. Tinklenberg opposes legalized abortion, favors gun rights and supports a federal ban on gay marriage, provided there are some legal protections in place for gay couples. Those views are to the right of many Democrats, but could play well in the socially conservative 6th district.

EY: So that means that Tinklenberg wants to criminalize abortion - what punishment is he proposing for women who get abortions? Life in prison for murder 1? On the Federal Marriage Amendment - Tinklenberg said he'd support a federal marriage amendment - well the current language bans gay marriage and "legal incidents thereof" - civil unions, domestic partnerships, wills?

Posted by: lloydletta at January 21, 2006 05:51 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

AP:
http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/news/state/12171364.htm

The former Methodist minister has gotten the national backing despite views on social issues that put him to the right of his party. He opposes legalized abortion, supports a constitutional ban on gay marriage and opposes increased restrictions on gun ownership.

"There's a sense among Democrats that the person who wins this seat will have to come from a more conservative background," said Tinklenberg, a former mayor of Blaine. The 6th District includes northern Twin Cities suburbs and extends northwest to the St. Cloud area.

"It's going to be a struggle," Tinklenberg said of winning the conservative district. But he said he thinks he can appeal to voters who support Democrats on economic issues but not cultural ones.

EY: In other words, his strategy is going to be to pander to anti-gay democrats.

Also worth noting - when "culturally conservative" Janet Robert ran in that same district against Mark Kennedy, she lost by over 20 points - 57-35. When Patty Wetterling ran against Kennedy, she lost 54-47 - and Wetterling unlike Tinklenberg, opposed criminalizing abortion.

I understand it was the DCCC who advised Tinklenberg to support the Federal Marriage Amendment. Tinklenberg will lose against any Republican candidate - including Bachmann.

There is nothing on Tinklenberg's website that clarifies any of this. If the AP has the story wrong, it's up to the Tinklenberg campaign to correct the record. Notably they have failed to do so.

Posted by: lloydletta at January 21, 2006 05:53 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Lloydetta -- With all due respect, what should the DFL in the 6th district do then? If Tinklenberg is such a horrible person, would someone more liberal really do better there? I don't discount your concerns about him, especially as an openly gay, born-and-raised Minnesotan who still has a ton of friends and family in the state (and a few in that district). I'm also someone who volunteered I don't know how many very early mornings doing clinic defense at the one abortion provider within hundreds of miles in southern Indiana. I don't take that issue lightly. However, as someone living deep in red state America, I've seen situations where we have made stupid but "feel good" decisions in Democratic primaries, and we've got a right wing Republican legislature here to show for it.

Posted by: IndianaProgressive at January 22, 2006 04:16 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

i think patty wetterling could win in the 6cd. people know her and trust her-and that means ALOT in politics these days-just ask tarryl clark. the problem with wetterling is she would have to take back a promise that she apparently made to el tinkelberg. and i definitely agree with eva that putting up someone like tinkleberg MIGHT hurt dfl/liberal/progressive turnout for that race. ive been calling on wetterling to drop out of the senate race and get back into the 6cd race-shes got a much better chance there and people know her already. and i really dont think people in MN are going to go for michele bachmann crazies this year like years past

Posted by: jcb at January 22, 2006 11:36 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

If there's noone but Tinklenberg in the race, then the DFL should endorse him - but they are going to have problems getting the base out to work for him - especially if he doesn't reverse his position in support of the Federal Marriage Amendment. I just don't see it as particularly "pragmatic" to endorse someone with Tinklenberg's socially conservative views in this district - especially if you look at what the voting numbers for Janet Robert (who strongly opposes abortion - and also opposed stem cell research, emergency contraception - maybe even family planning - not sure what her position on gay issues was) vs Patty Wetterling - who was pro-choice - and also opposed the federal marriage amendment. Patty Wetterling came within 10 points of Kennedy. Robert lost by over 20 points - so my question is why is Elwyn Tinklenberg's campaign listening to that loser Janet Robert? The voters who are going to vote for a candidate based on a pro-FMA stand are going to vote for the Republican.

Posted by: lloydletta at January 24, 2006 12:30 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

"So that means that Tinklenberg wants to criminalize abortion"

Good grief, no. If you aren't from the area, then you might not know, but Tinklenberg has made his positions plenty clear in the local media. His stated positions on gay marriage and abortion are conservative, but his actual instincts and policy proposals are pretty reasonable. He isn't for criminalizing abortion, he's against it. He's FOR reducing abortion with better healthcare and sex education. And whenever the gay issue comes up, the first thing out of his mouth is that the issue is just an excuse for bashing gays and denying them equal rights. He supports civil unions. Wellstone supported the FMA for goodness sakes.

All and all, he's well within the DFL mainstream and perfectly acceptable, and exactly the right sort of commonsense guy who'll appeal to his district full of conservative leaning indepedents (the Ventura factor is good for him there too). Here's a pretty lefty local blogger:
http://www.mnpublius.com/2006/03/el_tinklenberg_for_us_house_of.html

Wetterling blew her chance. Kennedy went REALLY easy on her for fear of attacking her grieving mother persona too harshly, and they aren't going to make that mistake again, especially now that she's played that image a little thin. And comparing her run to Janet Robert is silly: that wasn't ever a competative race nor she ever a viable candidate.

As it is Wetterling has lost the shine of her public advocate/impassioned mother image, and gained the image of a perrenial loser and political opportunist. Comments like "I can't win this district" and "Well, I only said that because I'm stupid about politics" haven't helped, and it will be easy to paint her as a wishy washy liberal screech. She also pretty much backstabbed Labor and all the work the party had put into laying the groundwork for Tinklenberg's unopposed run.

Posted by: plunge at March 7, 2006 03:18 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

I live in Minneapolis, but I have friends in Stillwater and visit there regularly.

Tinklenberg said on Almanac he doesn't want to criminalize abortion, and said he supported the proposals by the Democrats for Life to reduce the number of abortions. It would be interesting to hear what those are. Janet Robert is the big organizer of Democrats for life, and Janet Robert is extreme on this issue - opposing emergency contraception (it's abortion) and stem cell research.

Tinklenberg needs to be asked specifics about stem cell research, emergency contraception and also he needs to comment specifically about federal legislation on the topic.

Wellstone supported DOMA. He died before the Federal Marriage Amendment became an issue. The FMA as currently written not only bans gay marriage at a federal level - but also civil unions - something Elwyn Tinklenberg claims to support. Both DOMA and the Federal Marriage Amendment are motivated by anti-gay animus.

The question isn't whether Elwyn Tinklenberg wants to marry a gay couple in his church - the question is whether he supports the effort to write discrimination into the federal constitution. He has not clearly answered that question.

Minnesota is home to two original house sponsors of the Federal Marriage Amendment - one is Mark Kennedy - a Republican who is now running for Senate, and the other is Democrat Collin Peterson - who told the Human Rights Campaign lobbyists that there aren't any gay people who live in his district. That is one of the stupidest things I've heard from a congressman....

Posted by: lloydletta at March 11, 2006 12:16 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment