Um, I would only point out that Minnesota has a large MAJOIRTY Republican House and a Democratic Senate by only 1 seat, not an even split as suggested in the analysis. It also has a VERY popular REPUBLICAN Governor in Tim Pawlenty who balanced an almost $4 billion deficit WITHOUT raising taxes. Norm Coleman, a Republican Senator, won the state in 2002 by about 40,000 votes. In addition the State DFL leadership is from the kooky Moveon.org portion of the modern Democrat party which may not play well with the average working class voters in traditional Democrat strong hold of Northeastern Minnesota. I admit it is an uphill fight to carry a state for Bush that has not gone Republican since 1972 but consider this. Minnesota's unemployment rate is currently around 4.5% one of the lowest in the nation. The Minnesota Bush Campaign has all ready organized over 6000 precinct volunteers and has an organization in ever Minnesota country. I think Minnesota is in play this year.
I would only point out that Minnesota has a large MAJOIRTY Republican House and a Democratic Senate by only 1 seat, not an even split as suggested in the analysis.
Here is what I wrote: "Minnesota's legislative seats are split right down the middle. Half of the Representatives, half of the Senate seats, and one of the state legislative chambers are held by each party."
I suppose it is less clear than I wanted, but when I said it's legislative seats are split down the middle, I am talking about it's US Congress legislative seats, not the state legislature. The only thing I said about the state legislature is that each party controls one chamber.
In the US Senate, there is Coleman and Dayton. In the US House, the Dems have McCollum, Sabo, Peterson and Oberstar to offset the Republican quartet of Gutnecht, Kline, Ramstad, and Kennedy.
Apologies for any lack of clarity.