Defeated legislative leader contemplates run for U.S. Senate (MN)

[brooklynite]

After losing his Minnesota Senate seat, DFL Majority Leader Dean Johnson said today that he might shoot for the U.S. Senate in 2008.

Johnson said on Minnesota Public Radio that running against Republican Sen. Norm Coleman is "a possibility."

"I'm not making an announcement, I'm not forming an exploratory committee," Johnson said. "But 23 months from now there's another election. I still care deeply about this state and nation and the direction we want to take it."

When pressed on his plans, Johnson said he's not "actively considering" a U.S. Senate run.

http://www.startribune.com/587/story/818606.html

Anyone know what Franken's current thinking is?

[DeeDeeNY]

1. The rumors I've heard

are that Franken will be leaving AAR very shortly to devote
full time to running for that seat.

[USA_1]

2. I'm Not A Johnson Fan ...

but (give the Devil his due) he has a great many friends among Dems & Pukes in both legislative branches at the State Capitol.

Coleman is an ass wiper who kisses up to Bush and who has demonstrated that his principle interest is in gaining power in Washington, DC. The interests of the local community here are only secondary to that selfish SOB.

My principle disagreement with Johnson is with his decision to push for another baseball stadium for KKKarl Pohlad even though he is a billionaire who does not need another half billion in corporate welfare. Johnson also pushed for a new stadium for the University of Minnesota Gophers though they did not need one. In both instances, there will be a number of wealthy elitists who will profit from Johnson's generosity. Naturally, we taxpayers are stuck with the goddamn bill.

[gratuitous]

3. Norm Coleman will attract a lot of consideration

I hope that any Democratic primary in 2008 is a collegial affair, with no lingering acrimony. Norm Coleman isn't representative of anybody I know from Minnesota, and they deserve a better Senator.