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Charley Shaw, Staff Writer, Saint Paul Legal Ledger Capitol Report's picture

Poll says national political trends bode well for state House DFLers

Posted 6:12 pm, November 3rd, 2008 by Charley Shaw, Staff Writer, Saint Paul Legal Ledger Capitol Report

A Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs/Minnesota Public Radio poll over the weekend found that state Democrats have increased their edge over Republicans as they try to expand their majority in the state House of Representatives in Tuesday’s election.

Forty-nine percent of likely voters in Minnesota told the survey they prefer Democratic candidates in state legislative races. Thirty-three percent surveyed said they prefer Republicans.

The 16-point lead for DFLers is a “slight increase” from their 11-point lead on Oct. 4, according to the poll’s findings.

The poll doesn’t predict how particular districts will be decided. But Lawrence Jacobs, director of the Humphrey’s Center for the Study of Politics and Governance, said the results indicate that broad, unrelated events like President Bush’s approval ratings and the economic downturn are hurting Republicans’ chances in down-ballot contests.

Bill Clements, St. Paul Legal Ledger Capitol Report managing editor's picture

Franken gets DFL nomination

Posted 1:27 pm, June 7th, 2008 by Bill Clements, St. Paul Legal Ledger Capitol Report managing editor

Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer has just taken the podium and declined the nomination and called for an acclamation endorsement of Al Franken for U.S. Senator.

The convention delegates accepted a motion in support of that, meaning Franken has the DFL endorsement after one ballot. The word swirling around the press area is that Franken secured 61.8 percent of the endorsement votes.

“I want to congratulate Al Franken. You have selected Al Franken, and I will abide by your decision,” Nelson-Pallmeyer said. He thanked his family and his volunteers and the delegates.

“We are determined that we are going to change the direction of this country and we are going to do it in this election,” Nelson-Pallmeyer said.

One delegate, a middle-aged woman in line getting a sandwich while the votes were being counted, said she personally was not offended by Franken’s satiric writings that included “jokes” about rape and violence against women. And she voted for Franken because she wants someone who can beat Norm Coleman. “I want a fighter,” she said.

Franken is approaching the stage for his acceptance speech -- to rousing applause.