Posted on 06/29/2009 7:52:13 PM PDT by Clintonfatigued
Republican Gov. John Hoeven, who has avoided questions about whether he will challenge Democrat Byron Dorgan for his U.S. Senate seat, says he is likely to decide by early September whether he will make the race.
North Dakota's Republican state chairman, Gary Emineth, said he hoped to recruit Republicans to challenge Dorgan and North Dakota's Democratic congressman, Earl Pomeroy, by Labor Day, Sept. 7. Candidates against both men will need a long head start on campaigning and fundraising to improve their chances of winning, Emineth said.
Hoeven, in an interview, said Emineth's goal is reasonable and said his own decision will be made at about that time. "I don't have any specific time line, but that's probably a reasonable range," the governor said.
"Obviously, whoever is going to run has to do all of the things that go into running a strong campaign, and that takes time," Hoeven said. "Putting together a good, strong organization, making sure you do your fundraising, building a team, and getting to work getting your message out."
Emineth wants Hoeven to run against Dorgan, and he has promised to enlist national Republican leaders in the lobbying effort.
"We're putting on a full-court press ... to reach out to the governor and talk about the type of assistance that would be there," Emineth said. "It could be the race to watch in the country."
(Excerpt) Read more at pddnet.com ...
John Hoeven is our only hope of winning this race. I hope he makes the right decision.
Does the governor have a realistic shot at winning?
Emineth and Hoeven need to get a certain female governor in there to campaign a little and help raise some cash.
I'm sure he will, but I hope he makes the right decision for North Dakota and for the Country!
“Does the governor have a realistic shot at winning?”
He does. In fact, he’s the only Republican who has a realistic shot at winning.
He has to run. We are in serious danger of dropping to between 35-37 seats in the Senate. It will have been 30 years since we last won a Senate seat in ND.
Buggs Bunny should be able to beat any Democrat in 2010. What is wrong with the voters up there????
Thanks - go for it then, Gov. Hoeven.
Dorgan has never faced a serious first-tier GOP challenger (and neither has Conrad since 1986).
Power of incumbency, pork, and the GOP giving them a pass. North Dakota last elected a federal Republican in 1980 (Senate) and 1978 (House).
What's sad is Dorgan or Conrad would most likely be considered right of center if they came from the Northeast.
This guy would make a great dark horse candidacy for President. In fact, I don’t know why he didn’t run in 2008, we could have used more Governors in the race. He’s pro-life, pro-traditional marriage, pro-energy, and opposes Card Check and federal drug laws. Elected to 3 terms, has experience in banking. Supports the troops. Classic Reagan Republican - he’s got his work cut out for him against Dorgan. Dorgan has that traditional lunchbox Democrat appeal and he’s not a moonbat. I don’t see him beating Dorgan now that the establishment is whispering in his ear. The last thing he needs is beltway Republicans.
Nothing. Like I said, Dorgan is a throwback to the Democrats of old. He opposes amnesty so that right there will blunt any attack by Hoeven. Dorgan is also one of the most powerful Senators and ND isn't going to give up that representation easily. Hoeven should decline and let a Republican state Senator or Mayor be the sacrificial lamb. I just don't see Dorgan losing his seat.
Escape. While it is still legal to leave...
Could I tempt you to rephrase this, friend?
If unemployment is high enough, I think Dorgan could lose his seat.
I'm just putting it in ND's perspective. Unfortunately, Dorgan is not a moonbat Boxer type of Senator. He opposes amnesty and supports restoring our manufacturing base. He'll be very tough to beat, that's all I'm saying.
Dorgan and Conrad run full page adds near the election giving a line by line tally of what they bring to the state.
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