[Vigilanteman]

I think she goes no matter how she votes. When I left North Dakota in 1988, she was already making a career of running for office. The gist of her pitch is (1)I'm a woman, (2)I'm nice and (3)I survived breast cancer. Plus the unspoken accusation that if you don't vote for her, then you are sexist, unsympathetic and don't want the "moderate" Democrats in North Dakota to have any representation.

Before North Dakota became wealthy from oil money, that shtik was good enough to get elected because the mushy middle felt Democrats were more effective at bringing home pork to the state. I'm not so sure it works that well anymore.

[MUDDOG]

Hope so! Down in the flood.

[MplsSteve]

Your points about Heitkamp and North Dakota are true.

One also important thing to consider was her opponent in 2012 - Rick Berg. From everything I read back then, he ran a less than inspiring race.

Heitkamp racked up some really good vote totals in the Red River Valley. It was enough to offset Berg’s numbers elsewhere in the state.