November 10th, 2009 • 12:23 amDNC Targets Paulsen
It isn’t surprising that the DNC is targeting Erik Paulsen. In fact, it’s pretty predictable. The DNC’s targeting of Paulsen, though, doesn’t mean that he’s in trouble. It just means that the DNC is challenging GOP freshmen.
Forget, for a moment, about Michele Bachmann. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has put Minnesota Republican Erik Paulsen on their list of Republican targets in next year’s elections, largely on the strength of Barack Obama’s win in Paulsen’s suburban Twin Cities district in 2008.
Paulsen, a freshman who took over the seat of former boss Jim Ramstad, generally doesn’t get mentioned as Democratic cannon fodder. But he’s the only one of three GOP House members from Minnesota on the DNC list, which was put out today, in the wake of the big health care vote in the House Saturday night.
With the Democrats needing to defend seats they won in 2006 and 2008, Democrats have to pick wisely which races they’ll put money into. The fact that they aren’t targeting Michele tells me that they’ll have to see proof that the DFL challenger has a legitimate shot at defeating Michele. (It’s quite possible that Tarryl runs a decent campaign but is still defeated by Michele.)
At this point, I haven’t seen anything that indicates that Rep. Paulsen is in trouble for re-election. Quite the opposite: I’ve seen indications only that he’s doing a good job and that his constituents are happy with the job he’s doing. combine that with this being a decidely pro-GOP cycle and it’s easy picturing Rep. Paulsen getting re-elected.
It’s difficult picturing Terry Bonoff winning, though it’s possible she’ll run a good campaign and put up a decent fight.
When the confetti and balloons settle on Election Night, expect Erik Paulsen, John Kline and Michele Bachmann to get another term in office.
Technorati: DNC, Terry Bonoff, Tarryl Clark, DFL, Erik Paulsen, John Kline, Michele Bachmann, MNGOP, Election 2010
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Now, if we could just get 4 or 5 more Republicans in our Congressional delegation, we might make some progress in Washington, the opposite of Congress.
Comment by J. Ewing • 10Nov2009 @ 8:40 am
I think Representative Paulsen will have a problem getting reelected. I as a conservative will no longer accept people not doing anythng just to keep from making a mistake so that they can get elected again.
Coleman lost because the conservatives deserted him. We are looking for candidates that support our values not just behave like a nice Republican so he can get elected again.
Comment by Bob Carity • 10Nov2009 @ 9:33 am
You’d rather have a liberal democrat representing you in Congress than someone who’s stood up against raising taxes, wasteful spending & Pelosicare? Get back to me when your brain is functioning.
Comment by Gary Gross • 10Nov2009 @ 9:38 am
Personally I can’t believe that they are really going to waste money going after Rep. Kline. Fer cryin’ out loud they have not gained any traction against John in the last 2 campaigns and every back bench prospect that I have heard they talked to has said oh heck no!
LL
Comment by The Lady Logician • 10Nov2009 @ 6:17 pm