Tension between Minnesota, D.C. on how to fill Franken's seat, sources say

[sarisataka]

Tension between Minnesota, D.C. on how to fill Franken's seat, sources say

As DFL Gov. Mark Dayton considers one of the most important political appointments of his career, he’s now hearing from a growing number of Democrats from Minnesota to Washington about how to fill the seat of outgoing Sen. Al Franken, according to sources in Minnesota and Washington.

The governor is now wrestling with whether to select a placeholder appointee who will not run for the seat or give a Democrat a year’s head start raising money and campaigning for the office permanently.

On Wednesday night, high-ranking Minnesota Democratic sources said the governor was likely to appoint Lt. Gov. Tina Smith, someone who would not run for the seat permanently. That would give both parties equal time to mount campaigns for the historic election next November in which both Senate seats would be on the line.

http://m.startribune.com/tension-between-minnesota-d-c-on-how-to-fill-franken-s-seat-sources-say/462676603/

[bagelsforbreakfast]

1. Anonymous sources? Couldn't resist😉

[sarisataka]

6. Anonymous sources

Really get around

[BeyondGeography]

2. Equal time for both parties in 2018?

Because we need to level the playing field for Republicans. After all, that's how they treat us...

Can't believe I'm reading this shit.

[Me.]

3. So Hoping They Don't Screw This Up

[Ninga]

4. Good fucking grief! Not a placeholder! Someone

Incumbent!

[grantcart]

27. +1

[FreeStateDemocrat]

5. Being the incumbent would be a significant advantage in this race, forgo the expense of a primary...

fight, and the incumbent can use the prestige of capably executing the duties of being a sitting US Senator. Also, greater name recognition, easier to raise campaign fund etc, so it is a pretty much a no brainer, unless the Governor is looking out for his own narrow political agenda.

[sarisataka]

7. Dayton doesn't need a personal agenda

He has already been a Senator and is term limited as governor.

Likely he wants to avoid a repeat of the 70s when the DFL mishandled the appointment of a Senate seat leading to a Republican sweep of both Senate seatsv the governorship and loss of majority in the state legislature in 1978

[crazycatlady]

8. Is there a rising star in the statehouse who could win statewide?

Never been to Minnesota so I'm unfamiliar with their politics. All I know is that the state gave us a batshit crazy congresswoman.

[sarisataka]

11. There are some very good people

Who are popular in the metro area. Unfortunately they are not slam-dunk when you consider the whole state.

I think that is why they are considering a place holder. It is a gamble but will let a Dem run on his/her merit without any leftover "baggage"

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

9. There really isn't anyone standing at the ready who could reliably hold the seat

Meanwhile, a variety of party big names are being floated for the U.S. Senate seat held by Franken: U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, who would be the state’s first black senator; two other U.S. representatives, Rep. Betty McCollum and Rep. Rick Nolan; or state Rep. Ilhan Omar, who would become the Senate’s first Somali-American member.

Of all these people only Nolan could potentially hold the seat, but Nolan's fundraising potential is limited.

I'm not even that confident Klobuchar will be re-elected, Franken only got 53% in 2014 and the Republicans are going to pour tens of millions into the dual senate races

[FarCenter]

15. If a House member is appointed, that seat stays vacant until filled by special primary & election

Meanwhile, a variety of party big names are being floated for the U.S. Senate seat held by Franken: U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, who would be the state’s first black senator; two other U.S. representatives, Rep. Betty McCollum and Rep. Rick Nolan; or state Rep. Ilhan Omar, who would become the Senate’s first Somali-American member.

Several current candidates for governor might also reconsider and run for Franken’s seat, including U.S. Rep. Tim Walz or St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. Attorney General Lori Swanson, also widely believed to be considering a run for governor, could run for the Senate instead.

Republicans would also try to mount a serious candidate, having not won a statewide race since Tim Pawlenty was re-elected governor in 2006.

U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer or U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen are also possibilities. State Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka and House Speaker Kurt Daudt could be contenders, as well.

[Dawson Leery]

17. Klobuchar has a 67% approval rating.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

24. the Republicans have a money gun and an energized base

[greeny2323]

10. Great job witch hunters!

Now watch the clusterfuck commence!

[carterbob251]

12. Someone brought it up earlier...

As the Dem's don't want him in the party, he should not resign and change to an independent. I am concerned about why he is resigning at all. Concerned he knows there is more out there. If not, why not say screw you and fight it. I don't get it.

[octoberlib]

13. Because no one in the Senate supports him and he wouldn't be effective at his job

[Dawson Leery]

14. The AG, Betty McCollum?

The replacement must be the candidate in the fall.
We do NOT need another primary.

[DeminPennswoods]

16. Appointing Alan Page would be a masterstroke

I believe he's now retired from the MN supreme court. Talk about instant gravitas. Page is 72, but I'm sure still have some good years left in him.

[Thor_MN]

18. D.C. can go fuck themselves. nt.

[NewJeffCT]

20. It seems like DC wants somebody who will run again in 2018

not a placeholder. That seems like a wise decision, IMHO

[Thor_MN]

23. When Franken resigns, the replacement is Minnesota's decision, not D.C.'s

They contributed to this fuck up, we will clean up their mess.

BTW, if the "CT" stands for the state where you live, no offense but, you realize that your opinion means jack shit towards who our Senator is, don't you?

[NewJeffCT]

26. I didn't realize this was the Minnesota forum

as far as I know, posts in GD are open to anybody from any state or country.

[Thor_MN]

28. You can have your opinion, but it means jack shit because you can't vote in MN.

If you need me to spell it out for you.

And rude to interfere in elections that are in a state that you can't vote in.

[NewJeffCT]

29. How is voicing my opinion on a message board

interfering in an election? Is Mark Dayton going to log into DU and say "wow, some anonymous dude from out of state has shown me the light, I will follow his lead?"

If the OP didn't want other opinions, he or she should have posted it in the Minnesota forum - link here - and said that they did not want out of state opinions.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1059

[Thor_MN]

30. No one has said you can't have your opinion. It just means nothing.

I have no idea what the OP wants.

D.C. can still go fuck themselves, and you can't vote in MN.

Sorry if those facts disturb you.

[NewJeffCT]

19. Why would Tina Smith not want the senate seat

on a permanent basis?

[bdamomma]

21. I thought I heard on Randi Rhodes

Ms. Smith is not interested.

[NewJeffCT]

22. Not interested

in running in 2018, or not interested at all?

[bdamomma]

25. not interested in the position

at the present time, I thought I heard.