Tarryl Clark running for 8th District seat (against Cravaack -- Oberstar's seat)

[Brickbat]

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/198474/

Tarryl Clark, who tried to unseat Michele Bachmann from Congress in 2010, wants to take on Chip Cravaack in 2012.

Clark told the (Duluth) News Tribune on Saturday that she is filing papers with the Federal Elections Commission to seek the Democratic nomination for the 8th District seat and will send an e-mail and video to supporters on Monday announcing her intentions.

Clark and her husband, Doug, have purchased a condominium in Duluth where she will spend “a good chunk” of her time during the campaign, she said. They will maintain their residence in St. Cloud, Minn., where Doug Clark works. St. Cloud is just south of the 8th District border with the 6th District, where Clark won about 40 percent of the vote in her battle with Bachmann.

Clark, a former state senator, noted that redistricting is under way, and it’s possible St. Cloud and Duluth would be part of the same district. “There’s no lines yet, and we just can’t wait for people to be figuring this out,” she said. “I really believe the important lines are about fighting for our families and sticking up for people.”

This 8th District DFLer is less than thrilled.

[CatholicEdHead]

1. Is the DFL now conceding the 6th to Bachmann?

In that she is in there until she chooses to leave? (e.g. Presidential run commitment or run for Klobuchar's seat?)

[Brickbat]

2. I don't know who they're thinking of for the 6th, but I figure anyone is going to be a sacrificial

lamb from now own, because honestly, if Jacob Wetterling's mom (who, obvs, did not run the best campaign) can't do it and Tarryl Clark is the best they can come up with after that, then why bother? It might be some up-and-comer who surprises Bachmann. As I say, though, I don't know what they're doing down there.

[wellstone dem]

3. 6th will be redistricted

probably cutting out St. Cloud, making it even more difficult to win.

[Beth in MN]

4. Tarryl Clark and other Democrats - Expose ALEC

American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)is the conservative organization that is made up of state GOP and private sector like Koch, AT&T, and WalMart. The bills being introduced come from Alec; voter ID, gun rights, medicare, union, privatization, etc. Mary Kiffmeyer is the ALEC MN president and I'm sure her voter ID bill was an Alec template. She was on MPR and could barely speak to the mechanics of implementing her bill.

I am writing to all democrats representing MN asking that they introduce legislation that a legislator must swear they wrote and understand any bill they introduce.

Tarryl Clark and other democrats need to talk to voters about what is happening behind the scenes. Current Alec members from MN:

Sen. Mike Parry (R)
Sen. John Sterling Howe (R)
Sen. Chris Gerlach (R)
Rep. Paul Anderson (R)
Rep. Mike Benson (R)
Rep. Steve Drazkowski (R)
Rep. Sondra Erickson (R)
Rep. Mary Kiffmeyer (R)
Rep. Joyce Peppin (R)
Rep. LInda Runbeck (R)
Rep. Ron Shimanski (R)

http://becauseican-2old2care.blogspot.com/2011/04/current-alec-members-minnesota.html

[glinda]

5. We need a strong candidate against Cravaack. Not sure what Clark can bring to the table to beat him.

[trotsky]

6. Clark is a likable person, very intelligent, very smart politically.

But I can't imagine voters of the 8th going for a carpetbagger. Esp. one who is technically staying in St. Cloud but buying a condo in Duluth to qualify for residency.

I wish Oberstar would have started grooming a successor a few years ago.

[glinda]

8. It won't go over well but Chip Crack has to go. Somehow.

[trotsky]

10. Unfortunately, he's smarter than I gave him credit for.

He's bucked Repuke party line on a few things. Kind of like conservative Dems do in their districts (Collin Peterson, anyone?). Helps them hang on to the seat.

[Mister Ed]

9. I'm thinking maybe a monetary advantage?

I'm wondering if she may have a good chunk of change in her campaign coffers, left over from the $4 million raised in 2010. That, plus the campaign experience gained in '10, might put her at an advantage.

[dodger501]

7. "Opportunist" was the first thing to come to mind when I heard this

Maybe looking at riding a general Teabagger backlash or something?
Oh well, she has to get through the primary first.