The Governor of Minnesota has said he will appoint his Lt Governor to replace Franken, Since the Lt

[still_one]

Governor has said that she has no interest in pursuing Franken's full term to 2020, that guarantees Minnesota will be a seat up for grabs in a special election in 2018, and for those who believe a republican can't possibly win in Minnesota, I would like to remind you that Norm Coleman occupied that seat before Al Franken, and lost it to Franken by a very narrow margin

https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/06/al-franken-senate-smith-211125

[FBaggins]

1. Not uncommon, but I wish he would pick someone who planned to stay

This means that there will be three statewide races in MN next year (all currently blue). One of them is already competitive (Dayton)... I'd prefer that Franken's seat be locked up.

[still_one]

4. It is a very risky move. He should have appointed someone who wants to stay

[FBaggins]

7. It's almost certainly Democrats who forced him to do that

He's up for election next year too. The last thing he needs is to alienate one or more Democrats who think that it's their "turn" to run for that seat.

[still_one]

10. If that was the case, he should have appointed one of those Democrats. This is a risky move

I wouldn't be surprised if Coleman goes for it again. His loss was very close the last time

[alarimer]

2. A milquetoast nobody.

Leaving it wide open for Repigs to steal.

Fuck you, Dayton.

[Blaukraut]

3. The DNC might want to have a word with Dayton

Why is he making it as easy as possible for this seat to be taken by Republicans? He can't be THAT stupid, can he?

[still_one]

5. I don't know, maybe he wants to convey the impression of fairness

[Blaukraut]

9. Appointing someone better known and willing to run for the seat in '18

Isn't unfair. It's smart.

[still_one]

12. I should have inserted scarcasm in my original comment

[Blaukraut]

13. Ah, got it :)

[Bettie]

19. The DNC has already signaled that they don't

care if we lose that seat, by getting rid of the guy chosen by the electorate of Minnesota.

[book_worm]

6. Dayton may be appointing his Lt. Gov as a place setter so that he can run for the job in 2018

the last time a governor appointed himself to a Senate Seat was in the late 70's when Mondale was elected VP and Gov Wendell Anderson resigned and had his Lt. Gov appoint him to the senate. He lost in 1978.

[libtodeath]

8. Another reason they went after him.

Now a safe seat will be up for grabs next year.

[spanone]

11. Enter norm coleman

[JustAnotherGen]

14. Yep - Coleman most certainly did

I think the Republicans will win both of those seats.

The Democratic voters in MN just found out what folks in NJ learned in 2013 -



Their vote doesn't really count.

[Demsrule86]

15. That is just what the GOP wanted....how nice we made it easy for them (sarcasm)

We couldn't have put someone in who could be an incumbent...not of course not...that might help us win...fuck everyone involved in this debacle.

[RandomAccess]

16. Well there's ANOTHER thing a Republican wouldn't do

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

[eleny]

17. I can already see the Republicans sharpening their knives and licking their lips

[FreeStateDemocrat]

18. Fuck you gov!!!

[Bengus81]

20. Ahhhh....it's all going EXACTLY according to Republican plan.........

1. Get Franken tossed out on sex allegations
2. Watch Dems quickly appoint someone who doesn't want the job
3. Bring in the Koch Bros,$50 MILLION and an endless smear machine in 2018 for the seat
4. Bring in their OWN guy with name recognition and easily win

Thanks Dems!! Happy now?!?!