Klobuchar easily beats any 2012 opponent

[trotsky]

Public Policy Polling matched up Klobuchar against hypothetical Republican challengers, and only one of them (TPaw) gets within 10 percentage points.

http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_MN_12071023.pdf

Outgoing Governor Tim Pawlenty comes closest, but Klobuchar still beats him, 53-43. She could breathe easy if the Tea Party grassroots elevate one of their firebrands to the nomination, leading Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, 56-39. And she would give two victims of a recount a bigger run for their money than did Mark Dayton or Al Franken. She is ahead of former senator Norm Coleman, 54-40, and likely defeated gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, 56-38. Finally, she tops Congressman Erik Paulsen, 52-34.

[MineralMan]

1. She's incredibly popular here.

Despite not being a staunch progressive, she has support that seem to be unbreakable. Probably because she's so good at helping individuals with battles with the government. She's built a very loyal constituency.

[dflprincess]

2. Where's "here"?

The activists in my SD aren't overly impressed with her - but then we have a few AFSCME members who have clued people in about her.

[MineralMan]

3. Statewide. Overall. There's no Democrat who can beat her,

and likely no Republican. She's a moderate, no doubt, but remains popular. It's a statewide race.

[dflprincess]

4. I haven't seen a poll of what would happen if a DFLer challenged her

Given that it's activists that show up at the caucuses I wouldn't be surprised if someone couldn't give her a run for her money (literally) for endorsement.

People who pay real attention to what she does are not impressed and there are a lot of complaints about the arrogance of both Amy and her staff - and I've heard some of that from people who aren't that active anymore.

[MineralMan]

5. I don't see it happening, but it's a long way until the 2012

caucuses and conventions. I'll be running the caucus for my precinct next year. I'm going to try to get a better turnout at the caucus than in the past. Even in 2008, we didn't get enough people to fill our delegate list for the senate district convention. But, we didn't have an active precinct organization then. We're going to be trying harder in 2012.

Electability is going to be a major issue in 2012, because the GOOPers are going to try to find a very strong candidate for that seat. It's going to be a very expensive and very serious campaign.

I'm going to wait a bit before making any decisions, I think.

[dflprincess]

6. You can't be sure you'll be running the caucus until a Caucus Chair is elected that evening

If you're the precinct chair, you'll probably be tapped to convene it - but an election must be held to determine who will chair the caucus itself. If your precinct is like mine, there won't be a challenge and the attendees will all be more than happy to let someone else do it. Though, occassionally, there have been challenges to the covener.

I wouldn't hope for a big turn out if there are no challenges to either Obama or Klobuchar.

[MineralMan]

7. Yeah, I know. Anyone willing to do it will do it. I'm willing.

We've always had a convener from outside the precinct until last caucus. Now I understand how it works, so I'm sure I'll chair the caucus. My precinct is pretty casual, and I know everyone who normally shows up. We had to recruit everyone there to fill our precinct offices. We were way short for the Senate district convention, and I'm determined to have a full slate in 2012 for that convention. I want to go to the state convention in 2012, and I'm going to need votes. Still, I'm getting known pretty well in the senate district, so it may not be as difficult as I think. I'm working on a seminar for precinct chairs where I'll be showing them how to set up a precinct website. The district leadership was pretty amazed that I had one all set up a couple of days after the precinct caucuses.

2012 will either be a yawner or a really active year in the caucus system. We shall see.

[mascarax]

8. Your website is great

Honestly, you should be training some of the SD's!

[CatholicEdHead]

9. She does cross across party lines

And given how much the GOP is alienating moderates, a moderate DFLer will do well.