Predictions please! Who will be the DFL endorsed candidate for governor be?

[becxx]

I'm curious about who is likely to emerge as the DFL endorsed candidate for governor? I'm betting it will be one of the following three:

Rybak
Kelleher
Thissen

As I listen to these candidates I like Mark Dayton more and more all of the time and am likely to vote for him in the primary if the DFL does not endorse Thissen. I definitely won't vote for Kelleher for dog catcher. John Marty would be good but he doesn't have a chance. I also like Thissen better and better as time passes. Kelleher seems like a complete political phony to me and Rybak seems insincere these days too.

That's my two cents. What are others thinking? I'm still a little wishy washy on some of this and haven't committed to someone 100%. There are some I won't vote for but I'm not sure for whom I will vote.

[mzmolly]

1. Dayton?

:shrug:

[dflprincess]

3. Dayton is not asking for endorsement

he's skipping the convention and just going to the primary.

[mzmolly]

9. He should ask.

It's an important endorsement. :hi:

[Randomthought]

2. Rybak

I think the endorsed candidate will be Rybak but I won't vote for him in the primary.

[becxx]

5. Why do you feel that way about Rybak?

As I watch Rybak, I am inclined to feel like you and to feel that I will not support him in a primary. I think Thissen is the only one of the top three candidates for DFL endorsement that I would support in a primary.

I am wondering, however, why you feel as you do about Rybak. Please let me know what issues you think are relevant with Rybak.

I do like Dayton and am not bothered by his going directly to the primary. Dayton keeps his promises and I think he would be a great progressive governor.

[Randomthought]

6. it's personal I think

I just don't have a good feeling about the guy. I "met" him at Camp Wellstone when i was having dinner with a former city council person. He, the council person, introduced me but Rybak barely acknowledged my existence even though Rybak was the joiner at our table.
The other thing is the way he railroaded Bicking off the Civilian Review board and his failure to hold Dolan accountable for police brutality issues.

[qb]

4. I spoke to Senator Dibble yesterday and he is predicting Kelleher.

[dpbrown]

14. After the budget disaster, I can't support Speaker Kelliher

Rybak is the best candidate for people who want an effective Governor who'll create liberal change.

[Brickbat]

7. Not who I want.

But then, that's pretty much the case every cycle.

[becxx]

8. Thanks for ideas -- will be interesting

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. It will be interesting to see what happens this weekend.

[djkevvy]

10. From the floor...

As a delegate today, I saw a lot of activity with the big three- Rybak, Margret and Thissen. Out of the three, Rybak had the most vocal/biggest group of supporters, but that doesn't mean they're delegates. You can hoot and holler, but when it comes down to it, if you don't have a vote, you don't mean much.

Margret's campaign is well run, but she wasn't working the floor much.

Thissen's campaign is like a machine, and he was working the floor all day. I look for him to be a dark horse.

Rukavina was shaking hands with anything that had a pulse, but he doesn't have much of a chance.

Same for Marty.

Ole Savior had a kickas booth complete with smiley faces, tiki balloons, Vikings stuff, and toy slot machines. He told me that he was trying to get the Vikings cheerleaders for tomorrow, but they were booked, so he got Elvis instead. I think during out 2 minute conversation I actually left this planet. No shit.

[CatholicEdHead]

11. I am listening on MPR right now

It sounds interesting. They just had that rules suspension vote for tribal leaders. I also thought it was interesting that Dayton was nominated by others but still withdrew his name.

[becxx]

12. It all comes down to honesty and true progressiveness for me

I was just watching the streaming tape from the convention on Uptake and was surprised to find myself liking what candidates such as Kelleher said and not believing a word of it. This general distrust of politicians is new for me. It seems that I have at long last shed the naivete of my youth. Obama and Klobuchar have definitely helped contribute to my general disgust of politicians.

I'm still curious to find out who the Dems will endorse but, unless it is Thissen, I will probably vote for Dayton. Of the politicians out there, Dayton seems among the most honest and progressive.

[dpbrown]

13. Rybak - the best candidate with an executive record of liberal achievement of all the nominees

The DFL Progressive Caucus interviewed all the DFL candidates for Governor, including Dayton (even though he's not seeking the endorsement) and Rybak really came across as a person who "walks the walk." He came into the Mayor's job as an outsider who subsequently achieved results, including converting the power plants in the metro area from coal to gas - an awesome and real change that benefited the environment and made real progress on acidification and pollution.

Although the DFL Progressive Caucus ultimately endorsed Senator Marty because of his more pure stances on issues, Mayor Rybak was, of all the candidates, the one who best combined executive experience, liberal credentials, and a record of achievement.

I've become more cynical of the political process lately, but should Rybak get the endorsement, I will work to get him elected. He will make a massively effective Governor.

[DFLforever]

15. I agree completely with your assessment.

Maybe I'm too optimistic, but I don't think Dayton will win the primary.

[a kennedy]

16. Well here she is...... Kelliher is Dems' choice for Minnesota governor

DULUTH, Minn. - House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher outlasted a slew of rivals Saturday to emerge as the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party's choice for governor.

Kelliher wrapped up the endorsement after a daylong floor battle that ran to six ballots and did not end until Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak conceded shortly after 11 p.m.

Kelliher becomes the first woman backed by a major-party for the state's highest elected office. No woman has been governor of Minnesota, and Democrats haven't held the office since 1990.

``Are you ready to make some history? Are you ready to make history together?'' Kelliher asked the convention as she accepted the endorsement.

Kelliher's path to November is far from clear, with three major Democrats - former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton, Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner and former state Rep. Matt Entenza - committed to run in the primary.

In his concession, Rybak called for all three to step aside for Kelliher.

``The stakes right now are too great for us to delay and divide any longer,'' he said.

About 1,350 DFL activists convened at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center to make their endorsement.

full article: <http://www.winonadailynews.com/news/local/state-and-regional/article_b9b38f96-5054-11df-98d9-001cc4c03286.html>

[glinda]

17. Kelliher is a miscalculation. Firstly, her speaking skills are lacking. Secondly, just because

they seem to throw a "woman" into almost every race does not mean that the person is the best for the job let alone will garnish the votes needed to win. R.T. was hands down the best bet. He has name recognition as well as a record of accomplishment.
I am disappointed in the National and Regional Dems approach when the fact is they are facing tough challenges ahead. This is not the time to be selfish or idealize the situation. All decisions should be keenly calculated at this point.
If the Dems decide that they will go on as usual picking the same formula, they will loose momentum and this is NOT the time to do that with so much at stake.

[CatholicEdHead]

19. I think the idea was her rural past growing up

so she can communicate with both the urban and rural areas. Rybek has the urban areas down but would have to make his name known more in greater Minnesota (not saying he is not up to the challenge or have a good chance to overcome this).

[glinda]

20. I do not hear it in her speaking. She is boring. And do not count on votes from rural

people just because she says she is from "rural". They tend to vote conservative. And for "men". (sad but true) Big stupid mistake as usual. No wonder we loose so often.
If a person cannot communicate as well as give hope to the public nor clarify where they stand, what the hell are they doing getting the endorsement? Was it mostly "women" that showed up in force for her?
I am tired of loosing. I am tired of not having the smarts and planning to defeat this Republican monster full of lies and destruction.

[CatholicEdHead]

21. I don't count those votes

that is the Conventional Wisdom. Rural Minnesota can be won, there needs to be a DFLer who can connect beyond just the metro, Iron Range, and southeast along the Mississippi.

Western and north central can be won. It means connecting with the moderates in those areas. Even a fair showing of independent leaning people out there will really put Siefert on the defensive.

[glinda]

23. Having lived all over the whole State, there are plenty of rural people that would vote for

a reasonable candidate. Still you need someone who has speaking skills and a certain amount of charisma as well as direct/clarity in "speak". Generally speaking though, women are not top runners. Plus dollars to donuts she will not travel where she could make an impact. I do not see that she she has the guts to. I think she is a weak choice. Could be wrong but that is my observation.

[dpbrown]

34. 60 percent of Minnesota lives in the metro

The argument that we need Anderson-Kelliher (what is it with these hyphenated Minnesota candidates?) to poll outstate is a red herring.

[dflprincess]

36. If you're a female politician who took your husband's last name

and your original name has a nice Scandanavian sound to it, you hyphenate the day you file for your first election.

Or, if you've been in the state legislature for several years and you decide to run for Congress so you need to appeal to more people you go from being Martin Sabo to Martin OLAV Sabo.

Ya sure! :hi:

[Puglover]

22. Yep

Prepare for another Repuke Governor. She's about as exciting as an old sock. RT is a winner through and through. I cannot believe they choose her.

[glinda]

24. I know. It is really really sad.

[Brickbat]

18. Bleh.

But then, I would have said "bleh" to almost any of them.

[glinda]

25. I was excited because of so many choices. MN needs a strong assertive voice not a mouse.

[djkevvy]

26. You are wrong.

As a delegate to both the 2008 and 2010 state conventions, I have seen Margaret command the attention of an entire room, and have been impressed with her strength and poise. As a speaker, she can come off as being over-rehearsed, but is much better off the cuff.

Rybak spent very little time in the rural areas and knows very little about rural issues. People need to realize that the other half of Minnesota lies OUTSIDE of the Twin Cities.

I think you will be surprised at how she carries herself. She's tough but genuine.

[wellstone dem]

27. You are wrong

as a delegate to the convention from outstate. Rybak was the only candidate to call me the day after I got the elected a delegate. Rybak came out and met with our senate district. He was EVERYWHERE. I was a Rukavina supporter originally, but moved to Rybak. I am very disappointed. I did not find Kelleher electable. When he met with our District he was very knowledgeable about rural issues, and had good ideas about connecting rural assets with urban needs.

Also, all the Entenza supporters, including a field organizer in our District were supporting Kelleher, because they thought she would be the easiest to knock off at the primary.

[dflprincess]

28. Another example of what a weasel Entenza is

and while I will not vote for him should (God forbid) he wins the primary.

Sure, he was just playing smart politics and all politicans have egos, but we need a governor who will put what's best for Minnesota ahead of what they think is best for themself.

[glinda]

29. I hope so but am not impressed. RT is not ignorant of issues facing the whole State.

[dpbrown]

33. Well, there's an argument for using RCV at DFL conventions for you

Kelliher. Inside baseball. Look for a fractious primary and a depleted DFL candidate facing whichever teabagger survives.

[ISUGRADIA]

35. How do you get to 60% with IRV?

And if that is the process then just do it caucus night to get the endorsement. Better RCV with 22,000 than 1400.

[dflprincess]

37. It could be done the same way it is now

A percentage cutoff is set and anyone who doesn't get to that drops off. It would take longer but it could be done.

Even with RCV do you think Ole Savior would have made it past the first ballot?

That, and maybe it's time to do away with the "super" delegates. They're the ones who put Kelliher over the top.

[glinda]

30. heard Margaret on MPR today. Wy does she keep talking about being the Dairy Princess?

He voice lilts up and down drolly. She needs to find a more authentic style of speaking. Am really sick of the Dairy Princess thing though.

[dflprincess]

31. I suppose she may think it reminds people that she grew up in rural Minnesota

And don't the dairy princesses actually have to live on a dairy farm? Most importantly, was she immortalized in butter when she was a princess and are there pictures?

I heard some tape of a speech she gave on AM950 and you are correct, she really needs some help with her speaking.

[glinda]

32. Margaret! Call me! I will help you to speak better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She sounds like one of those

rural town housewives that sits on the local Chamber of Commerce or something.