Can somebody give me some advice about the Governor candidates?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

There are a couple I wouldn't support for sure, but I don't know what to think about most of them. Any comments, opinions, etc., would be appreciated!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Hello? Hello? Is this thing on?

[dflprincess]

2. I haven't made up my mind

so I'm just not the one to be giving any advice.

I did have an awful thought driving home tonight listening to AM950 speculate that Normie may very well be getting into the Republican race. I suddenly flashed on the awful scenario that Norman winds up being their candidate and Entenza wins the DFL primary and we'd wind up with the 2 biggest parties running the two of the biggest political weasels the state has ever seen.

The very thought makes me feel ill.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. Blechh. That really would suck.

I don't like Entenza and I don't like the dude who wants public funding for the Vikings stadium. I kind of like Marty but I'm not sure he has much party support. The rest of them, I just don't know enough about. Guess I'll have to wait and see what develops.

[dflprincess]

4. I like Marty

especially his push for single payer, I just wonder if we're not better off with him in the Senate. I like Dayton as well and I've always supported him. And what I like about both of them is they both have a lot of integrity and neither one of them can be bought.

I hear good things about Paul Thissen from people whose opinions I trust, but I've been lazy and haven't checked him out yet.

[CatholicEdHead]

6. So do I

I think he will have an hard time in out-state Minnesota, which would make the general election more difficult, but I like his ideas and stances.

[Eric J in MN]

5. John Marty is progressive.

================
Minnesotans are eager for change. We don't want politicians to continually tell us that universal health care will never happen, or that decent wages for workers is unrealistic, or that adequate funding for schools isn't feasible. We want a governor who will work with us to make things happen. John Marty will provide that leadership.

John has the vision to lead Minnesota to a brighter future. Politicians of both parties might say that universal health care is “not politically realistic” but as Chair of the Senate Health Committee, John provided the leadership to author and introduce the MN Health Plan – legislation that will give every Minnesotan access to comprehensive, guaranteed, affordable health care including dental care, prescription drugs, mental health care, and chemical dependency treatment. He has been working to build a coalition of organizations and individuals to make the MN Health Plan a reality within three or four years.

http://www.johnmarty.org/welcome-message
================

[Minnesota Raindog]

8. The sad thing is, Marty may be too progressive for Minnesota now

He would be the best thing for this state, but I honestly don't know if he can win. Not because of who Marty is, but because of what Minnesota has become. There would have to be a surge of progressive voters, and I don't know if that's out there in 2010. If independents and other "nonprogressives" knew how much Marty has worked to get the influence of money and lobbyists out of politics, they'd realize he's on their side. If they knew what kind of health care they'd have under him, regardless of what happens at the federal level, they'd be all for him. I'll caucus for him and support him, but my gut says he may not be the most electable candidate out there at this time. Then again, anything is possible in a three-way race, which this appears to be for sure.

[becxx]

10. Interpersonal skills

I'm not sure JohnMarty has the interpersonal skills needed. He often acts as if he thinks he's superior to others and he can be abrupt enough that he appears to discount others. Also, he does not pay enough attention to non-verbal communication. He should take some lessons from Obama on non-verbal communication. But that might not help because in his heart Marty seems to think he does not need to be sensitive to the real upset and hurt people feel as a result of some of his non-verbal and superiority-based communication. That is not good. Leaders need to be sensitive to the feelings of others and avoid doing things that unnecessarily arouse distrust, upset, hurt and anxiety in others. Marty needs to learn how to relate to others on a one-on-one basis and to act as if he genuinely cares about others. It is not enough to have the right positions on issues.

[dflprincess]

11. I don't think Marty acts as though he thinks he's superior to others

I think the problem is that he treats everyone as though they are as intelligent as he is.

The first time he ran for governor I remember an older guy telling me that Marty was making the same kind of campaign mistake Adlai Stevenson made (the guy I was talking to had worked his heart out for Stevenson and still adored him.) and that mistake was thinking that all people were policy wonks and intensely interested in every issue, not just the ones that affected them.

So, in assuming that all people are political geeks and smart, Marty can come off as being a bit snotty - but he really isn't. He's an incredibly decent man and would never sell us out. I haven't had the chance to speak to him often, but when I have he's been a good listener and pleasant to speak to.

[becxx]

12. Brush offs

I wish I could say the same. I've seen Marty brush people off. I also seem him use nonverbal communication to indicate he thought someone else was stupid of wrong. He certainly does not have Wellstone's ability to make everyone feel important and liked.

[dflprincess]

7. I received a call from Paul Thissen tonight

He was very pleasant to talk to and, as I said above, I have heard good things about him from people whose opinions I respect.

I didn't keep him on the phone too long but I did find out that he would support Minnesota developing its own single payer system (as do Marty and Dayton). He's also grown up enough to admit that yes, taxes will be raised and that would mean the income tax, not more of the Pawlenty property tax. I didn't ask him at what income level, but I would guess, like most of the DFL, he's not looking at increases on everyone.

I'm still torn more between Dayton & Marty, though I think I'm beginning to tip a bit more toward Dayton. I haven't heard much from the Marty campaign (and that includes emails) and I'm starting to wonder how organized he is.

Anyway, for people on the fence, Thissen might worth taking a look at. There is an argument to be made for DFL to come up with some new faces and ideas. This is a link to his website

http://paulthissen.com/

[becxx]

9. Here's my take

Dayton - has name recognition and is a frontrunner for that reason. His campaign staff has had a lot of turnover and now consists of 20-somethings. One wonders why there are no older campaign workers. Not good. Also, Dayton is running a very poor campaign;. His web site has incomplete position statements on issues. Now Dayton is saying he will support a casino. All of these facts makes one wonder about Dayton and his ability to organize and lead.

Marty - has great positions on issues and is very progressive. Maybe too liberal for Greater Minnesota. Biggest weakness is the manner in which he discounts others and seems elitist. The is one of the reasons he lost his first race for governor with the biggest loss of all time. Currently, he shows up at times wearing black or grey suits and looking like anything other than a Governor--unfriendly, elitist.

Entenza - simply can't win. Is married to Lois Quam, a former vice president at United Health Group who made her missions rationing the remedies for suffering and pain. Many say she has blood on her hands. Entenza has too much mud on his.

Kelleher - can't win. When voters get to know her, she will be viewed as another slippery politician.

Bakk - wants to spend money on a Viking's stadium. Is an old boy's politician. Currently head of Senate Tax Committee and does support progressive taxation. He would not be the worst candidate if you can stromach his Viking's stadium support.

Rybak - likely to be viewed as slick in Greater Minnesota. His $50,000 water fountains are going to raise eyebrows in Greater Minnesota. His recent round of budget cuts shows too much politics as usual. Is personable but he surrounds himself with some snobbish types. Not good. His administration would not be very accessible.

Thissen - don't know much about him. He could be attractive if his positions are liberal enough. For example, would he push for passage of the Minnesota Health Plan?

Rukavina - no chance of winning. No way.

Susan Gaertner - not likable, no chance of winning. Elitist. No way.

Kelley - personable but a real spend too much liberal. Does not support the Minnesota Health Plan. No way.

Uncommitted - that is the candidate I'm supporting at this time. I find conventions to be boring so I will caucus uncommitted, go to the Senate district convention and then decide.