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November 03, 2004

Now the Bad News

With all the excitement over the presidential victory, Margarent Martin has sobering news about the MN House:

The defeated Republicans:

Lynda Boudreau
Bill Kuisle
Bill Haas
Jim Rhodes
Carla Nelson
Peter Adolphson
Doug Fuller
Doug Lindgren
Stephanie Olsen
Lynne Osterman
Howard Swenson

Although the Star Tribune and the DFL are trying to spin it as a victory against Conservatives. But it's hard to discern a real pattern here except anti incumbancy. Boudreau was known as a strong social conservative, pro-gun and anti-abortion. Jim Rhodes was clearly a moderate. You have some of each in this group.

The house is currently 68-66 GOP, and many of those GOP votes are moderates - not much use.

Losing Bourdreau hurts. She was a solid social conservative and the majordomo of the concealed carry movement. CCRN has some homework to do.

Posted by Mitch at November 3, 2004 11:03 AM | TrackBack
Comments

Part of the problem lies in good strategy by the DFL. They knew Republican House candidates were weak in Minneapolis and St Paul, so they farmed their volunteers out to the 'burbs to help out their comrades there. Hopefully next cycle Republicans can run stronger candidates in the MSP urban areas, if nothing else to stop the flow of available help and cover the flanks.

Posted by: Just Me at November 3, 2004 12:22 PM

I think what happened is that voters weren't thinking about the MN house race, and voters voted down party lines, which ended up being bad for those candidates that needed cross over votes.

Boudrou was undone by an independence party candidtate, whose voters went for bush at the top of the ticket.

Way to go Independence party!

I don't think this is permanent at at all, and may even help in 2006, when the issues will be gay marriage and Concealed carry, again. Also Kennedy will be running against Senator Sanitarium, and Pawlenty will be running for re-election against whatever stiff the DFL comes up with. It will be sweet, I think.

Posted by: rick at November 3, 2004 03:21 PM

Mizzou tilted right for both president and governor!
Woohoo!!!!! and color me surprised.

Posted by: Eliza-beta at November 4, 2004 07:09 AM
hi