Election 2010: It's Almost Over

Image via WikipediaHere in Minnesota, we don't have politicians who avoid the mainstream media, denied ever being a witch, threatened violence or run racist attack ads against their opponent.  None of that Tea Party craziness for us, thanks.

Oh wait.  We have Michele Bachmann.

The Third District Republican Congresswoman (and conservative superstar) is favored to keep her seat against Democratic challenger Tarryl Clark, but only after spending millions of dollars on some of the worst campaign ads ever seen in these parts.  "Mount Spendmore"?  "Jim the Election Guy"?  "Taxin' Tarryl"?

Clark has responded with her own ads claiming that Bachmann is more interested in being a publicity hound than in serving her constituents, but it may be too little and too late.  Clark has a better shot two years from now, should Bachmann decide to run against Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar.

The Minnesota governor's race has been relatively civil, with all three major candidates--Democrat Mark Dayton, Republican Tom Emmer and Tom Horner of the Independence Party--leaving the attack ads to well-heeled outsiders (unknown or not) while debating countless times over the past few weeks.

This race is Dayton's to lose, unless he says or does something stupid.  His record as a U.S. Senator shows he's done a little of both. 

Emmer has been campaigning as an outsider in comparison to his rivals, even though he's been a state legislator for the past several years.  In his ads, Emmer comes across as a Hollywood tough guy, willing to pick a fight against those who cross him regarding tax cuts and government spending.  But do Minnesotans really want a bully as their governor?

Horner's message that he's not as extreme to the left or right as Dayton and Emmer are have won him endorsements from nearly every newspaper in the state, as well as from former Governors Arne Carlson and Jesse Ventura.  But Horner doesn't have much of a chance because (A) he's not as flamboyant as Ventura, (B) he's too close to his public relations clients and won't reveal who they are, and (C) a vote for him is really a vote for the other guy.

Now a word about the Third District congressional race between Republican Erik Paulsen and Democrat Jim Meffert.  Incumbent Paulsen is the heir to Bill Frenzel and Jim Ramstad, Republicans who had the respect of rivals and constituents alike.  So why is Paulsen resorting to attack ads against Meffert, who because of limited finances restricts himself to a website and media appearances?  Paulsen has since come out with more positive ads, but the damage has already been done.

Tuesday, November 2nd, is the day when the final chapter of this election takes place.  It is to be written by we, the people, who march down to our polling places and decide the fate of the men and women who want to lead this state and nation.  But before you do that, study up on the candidates and make up your own mind.  Don't take our word for it, or those ads on TV.  See you after the election.