Minnesota Republicans claim greatest gains in nation [Mega "Memorial" Mistake]

Minneapolis Star-Tribune ^ | 11-13-02 | Conrad deFiebre

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Minnesota Republicans said Tuesday that they made the greatest election gains of any state party in the nation last week, picking up the governor's and state auditor's offices, one seat each in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House, and 15 seats in the Legislature.

[Asclepius]

"The memorial had impact on swing voters all across the country, " Erlandson said. "It motivated and galvanized people against Democrats from the top of the ticket on down. Prior to that, we were holding a straight flush, and we threw the cards back at them."

But Rick Kahn was grieving. He spoke from the heart. He only wanted to bring people together, because that's what he's all about, bringing people together. And how dare you tell us how to mourn ... oh, wait, your'e a Democrat. Damn.

[arielb]

this is big news because Minnesota was the only state to go for Mondale against Reagan

[Credo]

Even without the memorial, which the DFL "had nothing to do with," the ticket was crippled by losing its most popular candidate, Erlandson said.

Erlandson is delusional that Wellstone was the DFL's most popular candidate. Coleman was probably going to beat Wellstone. IMHO, the Memorally Service had impact beyond the land of 10000 Lakes. It exposed the Democrats for what they really are.

[Real Cynic No More]

The extremist right wingers should also learn something from this. The voting public does not like gloating, arrogance, in-your-face politics. Those who don't want to support any candidates who aren't conservative enough must realize that if those candidates do take extremist positions - liberal or conservative - then those candidates will not have a chance to get into office to implement such views. The voters won't elect them.

[aardvark1]

if those candidates do take extremist positions - liberal or conservative - then those candidates will not have a chance to get into office

Please define "extremist positions." The term extreme seems to be used these days to describe any position a politician or reporter desagrees with. Please give some examples.

[OldFriend]

On the contrary, the gloating was all done by the democrats at the rally and all the world got to see it live on TV. Seemed they were thrilled that Wellstone's death had given them a new lease on the election.

Further, it seems to me that when Ventura won the governor's race, Coleman was second and the democrat was third. If it weren't for the celebrity of Ventura the state would have been governed by a Republican.

[mewzilla]

...politically tinged...

ROTFLMAO!!! Talk about an understatement.

[Dark Wing]

So the Republicans swept in a very high turn out election. Interesting as it has implicstions there for 2004.

[aristeides]

Even without the memorial, which the DFL "had nothing to do with," the ticket was crippled by losing its most popular candidate, Erlandson said.

So, tell us, Mr. Erlandson, if you and your state party had nothing to do with the planning of the ghoulfest, just who did?

[Guillermo]

The Evil GOP shows its stripes again...how dare they continue the campaign after they shot down Wellstone's plane?

Also, by fielding a candidate against the Widow Carnahan, they prove yet again how they hate seniors and women.

[copycat]

Please define "extremist positions." The term extreme seems to be used these days to describe any position a politician or reporter desagrees with. Please give some examples.

Extremist position...one held by 33% of the population or less. Remember the nation is evenly divided amongst Dem, Indy, and Repub., so an extreme position is one in which you cannot garner ANY indy support...a position which is opnly supported by the extremes of the political spectrum.

ie to name two on each side, Hillary Health Care, Total Gun Control, abolishing the Dep of Education, or repealing Roe v. Wade.

[alwaysconservative]

Bump for later reading.

[cricket]

"So, tell us, Mr. Erlandson, if you and your state party had nothing to do with the planning of the ghoulfest, just who did?"

. . .even with McAullife and Mr. Bill's fingerrints on this, they cannot deny their responsibility.

. . .am wondering, though, what the surviving Wellstones are thinking/doing these days,since these Dems immediately and publicly laid the fault for the entire scenario on their heads. . .

. . .when they just did what good Demrats do. . .and did it so well.

[tobesmom]

.am wondering, though, what the surviving Wellstones are thinking/doing these days,since these Dems immediately and publicly laid the fault for the entire scenario on their heads. . .

They have retained the flashiest personal injury lawyer in the state to sue the aviation company, that's what they are doing.

[Coop]

The closest contenders were the Georgia Republicans, who gained a governorship and a U.S. Senate seat,

Isn't it funny, looking back? Georgia was supposed to be the Dems' peach of the election, after their redistricting victories. LOL! And Maryland was another state that was supposed to be good for the Dems. Granted, they did go from 4-4 to a 6-2 Dem lead in the House, but that was completely overshadowed by a Pubbie winning the gov's mansion for the first time in 36 years.

[eureka!]

That and Hawaii and Maryland. My only sadness comes with California and with Thune. *sigh*

[Miss Marple]

I agree. The voters in the middle (necessary for winning) do not like arrogance, poor sportsmanship, smaash-mouth politics. This is why we are currently gaining, as the Rats continue their "in-your-face" attitude.

For a few months after September 11 the public got a view of a supposedly unified nation, and they liked it. They liked all America being on one page in the war on terror. Hilary's poor behavior when the President addressed the nation and Congress on September 20 caused her approval to nose-dive.

The Wllstone memorial rally is a good lesson to those who want us to humiliate the democrats in the lame-duck session. It is not a good idea, as the voters are still aggravated at that rank partisanship of the Rats in Minnesota. We do not want to look like we are cut from the same cloth. Patience, incrementalism, and decent behavior will get us further toward our goals.

[Sloth]

Why do you equate "extremist" positions with gloating and arrogance? Is it impossible to be a polite, civil, classy extremist?