MyDD :: MN-Sen: Kennedy Still Getting Trounced

MN-Sen: Kennedy Still Getting Trounced

by Chris Bowers, Mon Jul 24, 2006 at 04:43:01 PM EST

Hot off the heels of last week's poll showing Amy Klobuchar with a commanding 19-point lead in the Minnesota Senate race, the DSCC has a new poll conducted by Bennett, Petts & Blumenthal (Mystery Pollster's firm) that shows Klobuchar up by a very similar, 16-point margin:

Klobuchar: 50
Kennedy: 34
Other: 1
Undecided: 15

The poll was actually worse for Kennedy without leaners. Then, Klobuchar led 48-30, an even wider 18 point margin. So far, there have only been two telephone polls released on this race. One shows Klobuchar up 19%, and another shows Klobuchar up 16%. The Kennedy camp and the Minnesota right-wing will claim "bias." The truth, however, is that Mark Kennedy is not a very good campaigner, and the weakness of the conservative Minnesota netroots is starting to show.

In 2000, when Kennedy first ran for Congress, he won a squeaker with 48% of the vote in a district that Bush won by 13.8% in that same year (see district 2, 1992 redistricting data, in link). In other words, he under-performed Bush by over 13 points in 2000. He also under-performed relative to Bush in 2004. Now, when Bush currently has a 34% approval rating in Minnesota, we are supposed to throw away all polling on the race and believe that Kennedy isn't getting shelled? How can someone who consistently under-performs Bush possible be competitive in a state where Bush has a 34% approval rating?

I'm sure Kennedy has internal polling on the race. If his polls are so much better than this, then maybe he should release those polls to the public in order to show how wrong these other polls have been. But again, he hasn't done that. I wonder why.

Unless something dramatic happens, Amy Klobuchar is well on pace to become the next Senator from Minnesota, and Mark Kennedy's political career as an under-performing, conservative extremist will be over. It will also be nice that the vaunted Minnesota conservative netroots scene will look as ineffective as they really are. To name just a few, Power Line, Captain's Quarter's, and Lileks are major conservative blogs based in Minnesota. Just look at how much impact they are having.

Tags: MN-Sen, Senate 2006, Amy Klobuchar, Mark Kennedy, blogosphere, public opinion, election results (all tags)

Permalink :: 10 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: MN-Sen: Kennedy Still Getting Trounced (3.00 / 1)

Maybe this election can help end the ridiculous assertions that Minnesota is on a long slow march towards becoming a Red state. Maybe it's not a bastion of liberalism anymore, but MN is still clearly blue...

by HSTruman on Mon Jul 24, 2006 at 05:03:03 PM EST

Re: MN-Sen: Kennedy Still Getting Trounced (none / 0)

I could not agree more. I've tried to counter that assertion previously myself. If it's heading toward Red State status its heading towards it at a crawl. There is a strong sensible core in this state and this year at least, a few Republicans have committed fratricide which can't be good for them.

Also let me point out that Kennedy (and his allies) ran some anti-Klobucher ads about 10 days ago. They were countering Amy's first statewide TV add touting her commitment to due process without regard for political leanings. The anti-Klobuchar add used quotes from prominent DFLers in the state including Mike Hatch, RT Ryback and the State Senate president to indicate that they blamed Klobuchar for not doing enough on crime.

A short while later not only had all 3 fired back that their quotes were taken out of context, but the Star Tribune dug into it and found that it was indeed true. I'm not sure if it made it into the paper edition but on the front page of the website they posted their anylsis. The anti-Klobuchar add had cut and pasted much longer statements from the three that had nothing to do with Klobuchar at all--just as Klobuchar and the 3 quoted DFLers had said. I don't know how well these adds played, but they were quickly revealed as a fraud.

by MNPundit on Mon Jul 24, 2006 at 06:37:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: MN-Sen: Kennedy Still Getting Trounced (none / 0)

I've said it before, but this man has three arms.

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Mon Jul 24, 2006 at 05:06:12 PM EST

Three arms? What does that mean? NT (none / 0)

by EricJaffa on Mon Jul 24, 2006 at 05:10:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Three arms? What does that mean? NT (none / 0)

It means you should click the link.

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Mon Jul 24, 2006 at 07:41:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Sponser a Viking funeral (none / 0)

We can buy a longship replica and send Hindrocket and Captain Ed off to a blazing end in the cold depths of Lake Superior. As a bonus we can put the body of a dog at their feet, Lileks being a perfectly good stand in for this role.

Hey a boy can dream.

But if these bloggers are going to flame out anyway, a little authentic Minnesota Viking ship funeral seems to be the least we can do. I'm in, I'll even kick in for some lutefisk. And some lefse for the kids.

by Bruce Webb on Mon Jul 24, 2006 at 05:16:12 PM EST

Re: MN-Sen: Kennedy Still Getting Trounced (none / 0)

Unless something dramatic happens, Amy Klobuchar is well on pace to become the next Senator from Minnesota, and Mark Kennedy's political career as an under-performing, conservative extremist will be over.

You're leaving out one element of this - not only does it look like Klobucar's going to successfully defend the senate seat, but Kennedy gave up a Congressional seat that he probably could have held for many terms, to run, and his party may lose both seats now. Wetterling brought so much cash into the Congressional race that it is really in contention despite her being perhaps a bit further to the left than the district would go for, in a normal year. AND she takes out an extremist state senator, if she wins.

Dominos. my favorite game... when my side wins it.

by Christopher Walker on Mon Jul 24, 2006 at 05:34:54 PM EST

Survey USA poll not as favorable (none / 0)

Klobuchar leading 47-42, according to Survey USA. That's a new poll as of today.

Terrible in the gov race, worse I've seen. They have Pawlenty ahead of Hatch 50-36.

Maybe the internals were slanted. I haven't checked them yet.

by jagakid on Tue Jul 25, 2006 at 01:02:35 AM EST

Re: MN-Sen: Kennedy Still Getting Trounced (none / 0)

Kennedy is also paying the price for his last campaign. Trashing Patty may have worked in his district for that race but he alienated a lot of folks in the rest of the metro media market. He may have been able to retain his house seat if he chose to, but he really hammered his statewide appeal by not playing Minnesota nice enough.

by Judeling on Tue Jul 25, 2006 at 11:34:57 AM EST

MN-Amy Klobuchar Still mistreating her employees (none / 0)

anyway?"
Dr. Jack Shepard says:
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
August 4th, 2006 at 5:18 am
Dr. Jack Shepard says, This letter written by AMY KLOBUCHARS 'own employees TELL US the real character of Amy Klobuchar.
They say Amy Klobuchar is running for the Senate only to satisfy her manic hunger for power and to create mass self importance. These are classic actions of a person struggling to overcome a classic inferiority complex which is created by a real inner feel of self impotence.
Read the Klobuchar letter below, It is a shocker!!
You have to; read it yourself below!!
My fellow Minnesotan's would be crazy if they do not listen to the advice of Amy Klobuchar own employees.
Who in Minnesota knows Amy Klobuchar better?? They have worked for her for 7 years!
AMY KLOBUCHAR'S EMPLOYEES SAY DO NOT SUPPORT HER!!! THEY KNOW HER, WE DO NOT!
Her employees say, "Amy presents herself as a dedicated public servant acutely concerned with the public's safety when her only dedication is to her own self-promotion."
URGENT READ: http://www.amysrecord.com/
______________
VISIT:http://www.shepardusgov.com/McCollum-ins ults-AIPAC.htm
See how Al Jazeerah is using Rep. Mc Collum's statements against AIPAC.org
(a Jewish American Lobby)to try to damage our Israeli-American relationship of friendship!
______________
WHEN AMY KLOBUCHAR'S OWN EMPLOYEES SAY WE DO NOT SUPPORT HER TO BE ELECTED.
What kind of person is the real Amy Klobuchar???
They say Amy Klobuchar is running for the Senate only to satisfy her manic hunger for power and to create mass self importance. These are classic actions of a person struggling to overcome a classic inferiority complex which is created by a real inner feel of self impotence.
HER I BELIEVE THEM 100%
PLEASE READ AMY'S EMPLOYEES LETTER ABOUT HOW AMY KLOBUCHAR TREATED THEM.
Read this Klobuchar letter below.
1)"She presents herself as a dedicated public servant acutely concerned with the public's safety when her only dedication is to her own self-promotion."
2)"Throughout her tenure as Hennepin County Attorney, Amy Klobuchar has demonstrated her disdain for the very employees that have placed her in the position to run for the office she now seeks."
3)"The purpose of this letter is to tell you why Ms. Klobuchar continues to be wholly undeserving of AFSCME's endorsement."
4)"As County Attorney, Amy Klobuchar has created a hostile work environment."
The strong feelings of our membership compel the Executive Board of Local 2938 to write you regarding AFSCME's contemplated endorsement of a candidate for the United States Senate. Our local represents the attorneys and legal professionals in the Hennepin County Attorney's Office who have worked under candidate Amy Klobuchar for seven years.
Thus we are in the unique position of providing you with the most comprehensive information necessary to judge Ms. Klobuchar's performance on the issues germane to our organization. Four years ago, this local asked Council 14 to withhold the endorsement from Amy Klobuchar. This request was ignored. We do not want that to happen again.
The purpose of this letter is to tell you why Ms. Klobuchar continues to be wholly undeserving of AFSCME's endorsement.
Throughout her tenure as Hennepin County Attorney, Amy Klobuchar has demonstrated her disdain for the very employees that have placed her in the position to run for the office she now seeks.
She has denigrated these lawyers both publicly and privately. She has refused to support their efforts to obtain a fair wage adjustment. She has taken credit for the hard work of her employees. She has severely damaged the morale of the office.
As County Attorney, Amy Klobuchar has created a hostile work environment.
This has resulted in increased grievances from employees as well as informal disciplinary matters in which the union was asked to intervene on the employee's behalf.
Ms. Klobuchar's hiring practices have further evidenced disdain for her own employees. Qualified personnel from her own and other public offices have been rejected because her priority has been to choose candidates who support her ambitions.
In a dispute with county investigators, Ms. Klobuchar made no effort to keep these qualified team members in the office. She has even succeeded in diminishing the union ranks by promoting retirement among a group of employees, and then rehiring them as independent contractors.
In short, Amy Klobuchar is exactly the kind of candidate that AFSCME should oppose.
As you are aware, Hennepin County attorneys were seeking a market increase during the last contract negotiation so their wages would be representative of the work they do, and competitive with the wages of attorneys in neighboring jurisdictions. Local 2938 sought Ms. Klobuchar's assistance. For months, Ms. Klobuchar refused to support these efforts. Last October Ms. Klobuchar attended a fund raiser for Senate District 19.
A former AFSCME member, Lori Schmidt, asked for her position on the market increase. Ms. Klobuchar did not offer any words of support. Instead, she ridiculed the request and characterized it as unreasonable and unfair.
Around this time, Ms. Klobuchar met with AFSCME leaders in an attempt to obtain AFSCME's early support. They, too, questioned Ms. Klobuchar's support for the attorneys' wage adjustment, pointing out that new associates from her former law firm were receiving starting salaries greater than the non-supervisory attorneys in her office that were at the top of the pay scale. Ms. Klobuchar responded that such a comparison was irrelevant since none of the attorneys in her office were competent enough to work in her former firm. AFSCME correctly withheld an early endorsement.
Ms. Klobuchar was finally forced to meet with our local 2938's bargaining team in mid-November. She said she would support a "fair increase" but refused to define what she meant by a "fair increase." She promised to assist us, but refused to do so publicly. She promised to support us "behind the scenes" by advocating for a fair market adjustment with county board members prior to our scheduled mediation. We understood Ms. Klobuchar's comments as a promise that she would actively lobby the county board on our behalf. We do not believe Ms. Klobuchar kept her promise to AFSCME. In the end, her "behind the scenes" assistance was so tardy, weak and grudgingly given that only one member of the County Board clearly recalled having any contact from either her or her management team. Any perception that Ms. Klobuchar sincerely helped our members on this issue is incorrect. We fear that AFSCME will support Ms. Klobuchar based on her unfulfilled promise of assistance.
The fact that Ms. Klobuchar holds so little regard for her employees has not stopped her from taking credit for their work. She has used the publicity from the many successfully prosecuted criminal cases to give the public the false impression that she was actively involved in those cases. She was not.
She presents herself as a dedicated public servant acutely concerned with the public's safety when her only dedication is to her own self-promotion.
AFSCME represents thousands of working men and women that have dedicated themselves to fairness in the workplace. Council 5's slogan is: "One strong unified voice for Minnesota workers." Amy Klobuchar assumes she will receive AFSCME's endorsement. She believes that AFSCME's fear that a Republican will be elected will preclude any fair review of her labor record. This must not happen. AFSCME must hold Amy Klobuchar responsible for her shameful treatment of her employees. We, the members of Local 2938, demand that you deny Amy Klobuchar endorsement for the United States Senate.
Sincerely,
James Appleby
Minnnesota's "PROSECUTOR????" KLOBUCHAR "RARELY INVOLVES HERSELF IN A PARTICULAR PROSECUTION"
"Amy Klobuchar likes to talk about being a prosecutor but a review of the record has now revealed that she `rarely involves herself in a particular prosecution.' Combined with her `hostile work environment,' penchant to take credit for the work of others and dedication `to her own self-promotion,' Klobuchar's real prosecutorial record underscores her growing credibility problem.
"Minnesotans have a right to know which cases Klobuchar actively participated in, what was the nature of her role in those cases, and how does she determine in which cases to participate?" - Ron Carey, Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman
Klobuchar "Rarely Involves Herself In A Particular Prosecution":
Rothenberg Political Report: Klobuchar "Manages Her Staff, But Rarely Involves Herself In A Particular Prosecution." Klobuchar "presides over the largest county attorney's office in the state, managing a staff of 400 (not all of whom are lawyers). In Klobuchar's case, she manages her staff, but rarely involves herself in a particular prosecution." (Barry Casselman, "Minnesota Senate: Takeover Or Makeover?" Rothenberg Political Report, July 28, 2006)
Klobuchar Staffers Have Criticized Her For Her "Hostile Work Environment," Penchant To Take Credit For The Work Of Others And Dedication "To Her Own Self-Promotion":
AFSCME Local 2938 On Klobuchar: "She Presents Herself As A Dedicated Public Servant ... When Her Only Dedication Is To Her Own Self-Promotion." "The letter also said that Klobuchar `has used the publicity from the many successfully prosecuted criminal cases to give the public the false impression that she was actively involved in those cases. She was not.' The letter continued: `She presents herself as a dedicated public servant ... when her only dedication is to her own self-promotion.'" (Patricia Lopez, "Klobuchar's Work With Staff Is Focus Of A Union Battle," Star Tribune, February 19, 2006)
###
President, Local 2938 on behalf of the Executive Board of Local 2938
Posted by: Dr. Jack Shepard; Veteran America Service Officer announces he will run for the GOP nomination for the 4th Congressional District in the GOP Primary on Sept. 12, 2006

by DrJackEShepard on Sat Aug 05, 2006 at 07:00:22 AM EST

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