Free Republic

St. Paul-AP) -- After several years of Republican gains in Minnesota, the scales tipped in 2003. Norm Coleman succeeded the late Paul Wellstone as senator. Tim Pawlenty followed Jesse Ventura as governor. And Republican lawmakers filled more seats in the Legislature than they had in three decades. The shift drove a significant policy overhaul in a state best-known for the politics of Democrats like Humphrey and Mondale. Lawmakers passed a streak of conservative legislation, including changes to Minnesota's abortion laws, handgun permitting requirements and education standards. The crown jewel? Erasing a multi-billion-dollar budget shortfall without raising state taxes. University of...

Political consultant Kevin Collins of Staten Island reports good news in the polls for Republicans in some key races around the country. Some highlights: • In the North Carolina Senate race, a Mason Dixon survey shows Elizabeth Dole leading Erskine Bowles 49 - 35 perent. • In Ohio, Mason Dixon also shows incumbent Governor Bob Taft leading his Democratic challenger Tim Hagan 48 - 37 percent. • In the Minnesota Senate race, Republican challenger Coleman leads incumbent Senator Paul Wellstone 44 to 40 percent in a poll commissioned by Coleman. • In New Jersey, incumbent Senator Robert Torricelli is trailing...