MAJOR DEMOCRATIC DAMAGE (Why the "Memorial Service" will cost Mondale the election)

RealClearPolitics.com ^ | October 30, 2002 | John McIntyre

[Timesink]

Wednesday October 30 2002
MAJOR DEMOCRATIC DAMAGE: "TV networks and radio stations have been bombarded with angry calls. The Democrats greatly overplayed their hand and violated the tradition of "Minnesota nice." The only two Democrats who seemed to instinctively realize how overboard they had gone were Gore and Daschle. It is also being talked about around the water coolers at businesses and schools, and people across the ideological spectrum did not like it. In all, it gives Norm Coleman a fresh start.

State GOP chair reported late last night that Coleman brought in over $150,000 last night alone from angry moderates and conservatives across the country. I was also informed that the phones continue to "ring off the hook" at Coleman headquarters" This from a reader of ours in Minnesota and we have gotten many more emails exactly like this one. With only five full days between now and the election Mondale may not be able to recover from this fiasco. The sympathy vote for Wellstone may have been completely incinerated in 3 1/2 hours last night. JM 5:14 pm

MORE MINNESOTA: "I feel used. I feel violated and duped over the fact that that turned into nothing more than a political rally. Like in the case of Senator Lott flying all the way up here and being booed when he is supposed to be going to a memorial service. I think the Democrats should hang their head in shame." Independent Governor Jesse Ventura

"What a complete, total, absolute sham. The DFL clearly intends to exploit Wellstone's memory totally, completely and shamelessly for political gain. To them, Wellstone's death, apparently, was just another campaign event." Fmr. Rep. Vin Weber (R)

Last night has turned into a disaster for the Democrats. Powerline has delved deeper into the Star Tribune's poll showing Mondale up 8 and has found out that the poll sampled 51% DFL/Democratic supporters and only 36% Republican or GOP leaning supporters, a total of 11% more Democrats than their previous Wellstone/Coleman poll.   JM 4:49 pm

MINNESOTA: My initial feeling that Coleman was going to be swamped by the sympathy vote for Wellstone is beginning to fade, and quickly. While it hasn't gotten huge play in the national media, the "memorial service" for the late Senator Wellstone and the other victims was so over the top, and distasteful, it has the real potential to backlash hard on the Democrats. Our friends at Powerline have been all over this story and they report that the "rally" is getting a lot of coverage in Minnesota.

"There is a lot of buzz this morning about the fact that television cameras showed Jesse Ventura and his wife, Terry, getting up and walking out on the Democrats' pep-fest at Williams Arena last night. I heard Ventura being interviewed on the radio this morning. He said that he found the Democrats' misuse for partisan ends not only of Wellstone's death, but of the families of the other victims of the crash, to be deeply offensive. He said that his wife was so shocked and offended by the Democrats' conduct that she was brought to tears, prompting their walkout."

When NPR and William Saletan at Slate also characterize the event as more a political pep rally rather than a memorial service it is clear it isn't just Republicans who think the Democrats went too far. Not to mention I don't take the recent poll from the Star Tribune showing Mondale up 8 as terrible news for Coleman. That poll of 47%-39% may very well be the high water mark for Mondale from here on out. It's reasonable to assume that the sympathy factor is going to be at its peak immediately following the tragedy. Furthermore a poll done by the NRSC, the same time as the Star's poll, had Mondale up only two points, with the Star Tribune's polls long time poll bias for Dems that puts Mondale up 5 points averaging the two polls. The clear politicization of Wellstone's death by the Democrats last night is not going to play well among the average Minnesotan and it will definitely serve to energize Coleman's base. Expect that five point gap to close.

The bottom line is I am close to doing a complete 180 on this race. I think the offensive nature of the "memorial service" last night has put this seat right back into play. And the trump card in Coleman's hand are all those absentee ballots that can not legally be counted for Mondale. This can very easily be a potential 2%-5% boost for Coleman and if he can get this race close in the polls, which I suspect now he will, that absentee difference will be enough to give him the win. The Dems lawsuit to get those Wellstone votes counted for Mondale shows just how seriously the Democrats think those absentee ballots might be.

If Coleman can run a positive, mistake-free, proactive campaign these next few days (and there's no reason to think he can't) these polls will close and this will be a nail-biter. With the absentee ballot edge I think Coleman now will win. But, hey, this is a very fluid situation and Coleman's got to close the poll numbers. I have to give credit to Hugh Hewitt and Ramesh Ponnuru who dismissed the conventional wisdom, including my own, that Coleman couldn't win. JM 1:02 pm       Comments

[pgkdan]

The only two Democrats who seemed to instinctively realize how overboard they had gone were Gore and Daschle.

I watched the clintons yukking it up and other rats too...but I couldn't help but notice how awfully uncomfortable algore looked every time the camera picked him up. At least he has some shred of decency.

I noticed the paragraph about that 8% lead in the polls that Mondale's enjoying...nothing like a fair sample!

[Geezerette]

Bill and Hill were probably stoned ... at least Bill.

g

[RobRoy]

I agree that this may have national consequences.

[copycat]

Last night has turned into a disaster for the Democrats. Powerline has delved deeper into the Star Tribune's poll showing Mondale up 8 and has found out that the poll sampled 51% DFL/Democratic supporters and only 36% Republican or GOP leaning supporters, a total of 11% more Democrats than their previous Wellstone/Coleman poll.

This is one way Dems influence elections...they get out front with a favorable poll, even if they have to "Kobiyashi Maru" it. (Remember the Mellman poll in NJ?)Getting out front allows them to make some people think their neighbors favor the Dem more than they really do. The Mellman poll KILLED Forrester in NJ and quelled any outrage over the illegal decision. NJ ers simply thought their neighbors weren't that concerned.

That's why Reid was so pissed off that the Pubs got a "dead heat" poll out there ahead of the Star Trib poll that showed Mondale up 7.

[Ole Okie]

Ok, so the rhyme is strained, but not much rhymes with Wellstone. Hailstone. Hell's tone. Bell tone. Mail phone. parsy the hurried.

LOL, parsy the hurried.

Don't give up your day job to seek the Poet Laureate position in NJ.

Fritz Mondale: "I'll raise your taxes." (1984 debate with RR)

'Nuff said. Okie the thoughtful.

[RadicalRik]

Whoever votes for Mondale is without honor. If the state of Minnesota elects him, the entire state is disgraced.

One of the networks...ABC, CBS or NBC reported that the Republicans were upset at the free 4 hour commercial for the Democrats and wanted (or demanded) equal time because Mondale's statewide poll numbers are way up...
Is this true, or just media hopeful wishing?

[longtermmemmory]

The death of Welstone is now the democrat party talking point. Every slimy one of them is doing the "win for welstone" shuffle. FNC just had a commentary that it would not be surprising that the democrat party had "vote for mondale" carved on welstone's tombstone.

They are trying to create a "gipper". If this works, then all democratic senators should be nervous. They may be the next human sacrifice.
((picture lighning and thunder effects))
((cue maniacle laughter))
BWAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHH

[copycat]

Ok, so the rhyme is strained, but not much rhymes with Wellstone. Hailstone. Hell's tone. Bell tone. Mail phone. parsy the hurried.

Well known?

[2nd Amendment]

The Democratic "memorial" service made the Ayatollah Khomeni's funeral appear respectful. When will Americans wake up and realize that the only issue that unites Democrats is the killing of the unborn. This party is without morals, ethics, dignity, or values.

[The Great Satan]

I watched the clintons yukking it up and other rats too...but I couldn't help but notice how awfully uncomfortable algore looked every time the camera picked him up. At least he has some shred of decency.

Nah. He was just the only one who wasn't on coke. Oh, yeah, and Daschle too.

[Argus]

What I saw of that Nuremberg Rally in Minnesota felt like nothing so much as the cast of THE WEST WING shaking their Emmys in each other's faces. The liberals are so deep into their own bubble of delusion that they forgot that you have to win the election before you celebrate.

[Binghamton_native]

The leadership of the Democrat part is increasingly showing their affinity for leftist totalitarianism. Note their request that Republicans "stand down" and allow a one-party election.

[Paul Atreides]

I would love to stone both of them!

[GoMonster]

I agree. amazing. my mother who is apolitcal called to tell me this bothered her. she is going to vote. she hasn't voted since 1994.

[AGreatPer]

"it has the smell of Clinton/Carville/McAuliffe all over it."

Rush said today that someone had to make this decision and you all know who is running the DNC.

[duckbutt]

I know Harkin is in a close race in Iowa -- with that evesdropping scandal fading away, I think all his Republican opponent would have to do is show clips of him at the Wellstone pep rally - - I'm hoping there are enough sensible Iowa folk left that are totally disgusted by this old pantload.....

Possible to take Harkin out with the rest of the trash??

[San Jacinto]

The "apology" today shows the Dems are getting stong negative feed back on this. The NYTimes tried to help by reporting it was only one guy (kahn) who caused all this. And Harkin called him an "inexperienced" speaker who got emotional. Yeah, Harkin, I guess you're right. I heard your stem-winder, too, and I noticed how shocked and offended the crowd was. Especially Fritz, Dimwitz (gore), and Ice-on-itz (you know).

That's why Jessie told Lott, "Let's splitz." And Trent said, "No shitz."

[Geezerette]

Right now, I'm listening to Bob Dornan (subbing for Michael Savage) really getting into this subject! "We have audio clips for you!!"

This is going to be a fun program ... I love B-1 Bob Dornan. Now talking about Harkin. Heeheeheehee!

g

[Paul Atreides]

It would be bad enough for the dims to invade a somber memorial for Wellstone, but for the sons to go along, even take part, in that disgusting circus, is beyond comprehension.

[Paul Atreides]

BILL, ARE YOU AS BROKEN UP OVER THE DEATH OF PAUL WELLSTONE
AS YOU WERE OVER THE DEATH OF RON BROWN?