Grams considers Senate run against Dayton

According to the Minnesota Star-Tribune, former Senator Rod Grams is considering a run against Mark Dayton in 2006.

Former U.S. Sen. Rod Grams is exploring a rematch in 2006 against U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton, who defeated him in 2000.

Grams said Tuesday that he's had about a dozen conversations with Republicans and former supporters who have asked him to consider a run for the party's nomination, so he intends to begin talking to other activists and party leaders.

"If it looks very promising, and I think it might, then I would toss my hat in the ring," said Grams. "I just want to be a little more sure."

As the article mentions, Rudy Boschwitz tried to do something similar in 1996, and lost to Paul Wellstone by more than he did in 1990.

Mark Kennedy is the name that has been speculated the most, but perhaps Patty Wetterling's strong run against him has the GOP re-thinking that approach.

Also remember that Dayton did vote against Condoleezza Rice for SoS.  Although he has had some bizarre behavior (such as closing his DC office because of "terrorist threats"), he seems to be getting his act together.  You can get more information on him at his re-election page.  Although he may be the "most vulnerable Democratic incumbent", I think he can definitely beat Rod Grams.

•  Grams has problems

  Grams has quite a few skeletons that spilled out of his closet. His son has had numerous run-ins with the law, including a sensational arrest in New Mexico (or was it Arizona?). While the sins of the son should not be held over the father, Grams' response to his son's troubles were very disgusting and not well-received by Minnesotans.

  Another problem Grams had was the revelation of an affair with his campaign manager. I think there were some questions of dubious use of campaign money related to her. Not exactly the best kind of behavior to be engaged in when running as a Republican.
  

  by puppethead on Wed Feb 02, 2005 at 02:42:23 PM PDT

  •  You Mean "Democrat"

    Another problem Grams had was the revelation of an affair with his campaign manager. I think there were some questions of dubious use of campaign money related to her. Not exactly the best kind of behavior to be engaged in when running as a Republican.

    You misspoke, er, miswrote. You meant to say, "Not exactly the best kind of behavior to be engaged in when running as a Democrat."

    As A Republican, he can say:

    (A) It was a youthful indiscretion.
    (B) It was actually Mark Dayton who had the affair with his campaign manager, while he, Grams, was defending our freedom in the National Guard Boosters Club, wearing his George W. Bush Flight Suit.
    (C) Mark Dayton is objectively pro-terrorist.
    (D) It's all lies from the liberal media.
    (E) A, C and D, but not B.
    (F) All of the above (including E)
    (G) All of the above (excluding E, but not F)
    (H) How 'bout them Vikings?

    See?
    

    by Paul Rosenberg on Wed Feb 02, 2005 at 03:11:26 PM PDT

•  Dayton is great

  He spends his own money to bus seniors to Canada to buy their medicine.

  I don't really need to know much more. These days, that alone makes him a saint, compared to the rest.

  by karenc13 on Wed Feb 02, 2005 at 02:45:18 PM PDT

•  Reelect Dayton

  IN celebration of his stand against Rice, I donated to his reelction campaign. He seems good. I have heard a handful of mixed things about him, but even if he is no Wellstone, he seems closer to the progressives than to the DLC.

  by mole333 on Wed Feb 02, 2005 at 02:54:34 PM PDT

•  bring it on

  Grams would fare poorly against the incumbent Dayton.  I think the Boschwitz analogy above is pretty apt.

  I'm still pissed Dayton bought the DFL nomination after the party convention endorsed the incredibly excellent Jerry Janezich, but I've come to accept him as pretty good, as millionaire-heir Senators go.

  But Jerry Janezich was supercool.

  by Trapper John on Wed Feb 02, 2005 at 02:55:37 PM PDT

  •   a fellow Minnesotan?

    Trapper - are you from MN or just
    observing from a distance?  

    I liked your old front page comments on
    labor.  Not many labor folks here.

    by aenglish on Wed Feb 02, 2005 at 03:48:46 PM PDT

    •  nope

      I love Minnesota, but I followed that race from afar.  Intensely.  This is how big a loser I can be when it comes to politics -- I spent a late afternoon in July in my apartment in NYC, getting high and listening to MPR (on the internet!) to see if Jerry could pull off the endorsement at the DFL convention.  When he did, I whooped so loud . . .

      But that was because of Jerry Janezich.  The guy was unlike any serious senatorial candidate we've had in forever.  He was a regular guy who never forgot where he came from, and would have out-Wellstoned Wellstone.  Jerry was the first political candidate I ever gave money to on the internet, and I'd max out if he ever ran for Congress again.

      by Trapper John on Wed Feb 02, 2005 at 04:02:17 PM PDT

•  Mark Kennedy? Ewwww.....

  Isn't ONE Norm Coleman enough?

  by Dallasdoc on Wed Feb 02, 2005 at 03:42:35 PM PDT