[fieldmarshaldj]

I view the Dayton seat as the top target for the '06 Senate races. He barely won in '00 utilizing his massive fortune to purchase the seat out from under Sen. Rod Grams (who had been hammered constantly by the MN Red Rags), and has been a thoroughly dreadful Senator since. His voting record was/is identical to the late Paul Wellstone, but unlike Wellstone, he doesn't seem to have the zest for the office (he similarly bought the State Auditor job back in 1990, but grew so bored with it, he didn't bother to run for a 2nd term). The MN DFL'ers have urged Dayton to step into Wellstone's shoes, but he has failed to do so. I have said that I would not be surprised if Dayton declines to even run for a 2nd term, it seems all he likes about his job is the title. I believe Rep. Mark Kennedy is warming up in the bullpen to take him on.

[AuH2ORepublican]

"I have said that I would not be surprised if Dayton declines to even run for a 2nd term, it seems all he likes about his job is the title. I believe Rep. Mark Kennedy is warming up in the bullpen to take him on."

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It's no secret that Congressman Mark Kennedy is the GOP's top choice to take on Dayton in 2006. 2006 should be a good year for the GOP in Minnesota, with Governor Tim Pawlenty running for reelection, and I think Kennedy will beat Dayton by at least 5%. If Dayton declines to run for reelection, it could be a much more difficult race for Kennedy if a less extremist Democrat runs.