My first choice is Mary Kiffmeyer, a pro-life Catholic statewide officeholder. She would be particularly effective if Alan Page were the 'Rat nominee. But Mark Kennedy has been a good Congressman, and his background as an accountant is a big plus.
"My first choice is Mary Kiffmeyer, a pro-life Catholic statewide officeholder."
She'd be my first choice to replace Mark Kennedy (also a pro-life Catholic) in the House. But I think Kennedy would be a better Senate candidate, since he has proven to be an excellent fundraiser and one who has been able to win under difficult circumstances. In 2000, Kennedy beat popular, pro-life incumbent Democrat Congressman David Minge in a huge upset. In 2002, he was drawn out of his district by redistricters and he ran in the new 6th CD, which only included 14% of his old district, and he beat a pro-life Democrat state legislator by a wide margin. In 2004, he was challenged by Patty Wetterling, who was well known throughout Minnesota due to her relentless advocacy of missing and exploited children since her own son was abducted 11 years ago, and Kennedy won by 8%, much more comfortably than predicted. I think that Kennedy's experience in tough races, as well as his experience in federal issues, makes him the GOP's top Senate candidate in 2006. I just hope that Congressman Gutknecht reconsiders and runs for reelection to the House.