Tinklenberg bails out of 6th CD race

[Minnesota Raindog]

This certainly puts a new wrinkle in things:

http://minnesotaindependent.com/41022/tinklenberg-withdraws-from-sixth-district-race

Elwyn Tinklenberg is terminating his campaign for Congress. The former Blaine mayor, who lost to U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann by just three percentage points in 2008, made the surprise announcement in a press release issued this morning.

“This is obviously not an easy decision for me, but I have come to the conclusion that it’s the right one,” Tinklenberg said in a statement. “While the image of the next campaign against Michele Bachmann is certainly energizing, the path to that campaign is becoming increasingly improbable.“

http://www.tarrylclark.com

[Eric J in MN]

1. One week from announcement he's running to announcement he's dropping out.

Kind of strange that he changed his mind in a week.

Maybe he got a phone call from the DCCC or the DFL asking him to quit. (I have no inside info.)

Maybe after a week of making phone calls asking people for money, he decided that he doesn't want to make those phone calls, anymore.

[dflprincess]

2. My money is on a call from the DCCC

it just sounds like something they'd do.

[Morning Dew]

3. He says the focus should be on defeating crazy Michele.

Dear Katherine,

I am announcing that as of today I am terminating my campaign for Congress. This is obviously not an easy decision for me, but I have come to the conclusion that it’s the right one. While the image of the next campaign against Michele Bachmann is certainly energizing, the path to that campaign is becoming increasingly improbable. I'm proud of our last campaign. We did better than almost anyone outside the campaign expected. We built a national support base and proved that a strong Democrat with enough time and resources could win in the Sixth District.

Now, however, we are faced with the prospect of the next thirteen months being a battle among Democrats. In a difficult district during tough financial times we will be spending large amounts of time and money trying to defeat each other rather than defeating Michele Bachmann. That is not a campaign I want to wage nor is it the kind of campaign that strengthens our chances of electing a Democrat next fall.

This has never been about me, it's about restoring responsible productive representation to the Sixth District. It is my hope that by removing myself from the race, I am advancing our chances of achieving that goal.


Sincerely,

El Tinklenberg


bolding mine

[mascarax]

4. I give him credit

I'm sure he really wanted to run, but an extended primary fight is not the way to get rid of her.
And she's gotta go. She's gotta.

He can move to another district and fight Paulsen, Peterson or Kline!

[dflprincess]

6. There is a good opponent runing against Kline (Dan Powers)

he needs a little polishing as a candidate but that's why he's starting early.

Running against Peterson would pit him against the party power structure (unless he ran as an independent in the 7th) - that leaves the 3rd and the DFL needs a candidate there. Last I heard no one has come forward about running and I'd think Paulsen might be beatable.

[annm4peace]

5. shows he is great man.

[Minnesota Raindog]

7. Maureen Reed has a lame interview on MinnPost

http://www.minnpost.com/ericblack/2009/08/06/10711/maureen_reed_offers_vague_positions_on_abiding_and_abortion#comments_section