Poll: Coleman's Numbers In Minnesota Are Lousy, Damaged By Recount Fight
So now that former Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) finally conceded the much-litigated 2008 Senate race to Democrat Al Franken, and Franken was sworn into office six months into the term, does Coleman have a political future as he reportedly eyes a run for Governor in 2010? A new survey of Minnesota by Public Policy Polling (D) suggests that Coleman has still got a long way to go if he wants to come back.
The numbers: Coleman's favorable rating is only 38%, with 52% viewing him unfavorably. Coleman was also tested in potential general elections against former one-term U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton, state House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak. Dayton edges Coleman out 41%-39%, Rybak leads 43%-37%, and Coleman leads Kelliher 42%-34%, with a ±2.5% margin of error.
This question is also pretty rough: "Did the way Norm Coleman handled the recount in his Senate race make you more or less likely to support him in a future campaign for Governor or some other office?" The numbers: More likely 26%, less likely 54%, and no difference 20%.
From the pollster's analysis: "You have to wonder how much more goodwill he would have been able to earn with voters in the state if he had decided to take the high road and concede six months ago."
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Coleman has never been a clear winner in state wide elections. He lost in a three way to Jesse Ventura and Skip Humphrey. He only won the senatorship in the wake of Wellstone's death, and didn't even carry the city of which he was mayor, St. Paul, Minnesota.
July 9, 2009 11:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is just so wonderful. I also would like there to be a photo of Norm and Al and Norm is handing Al the check for the legal fees-you know, one of those giant fundraiser style checks? And Al is smiling and taking the check from him. sigh
July 9, 2009 12:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
His numbers will really tank if the FBI continues the investigation of the $75,000 bribe funneled to his wife.
July 9, 2009 12:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Minnesotans won't forget how he stopped progress in Minnesota in obedience to the RNC. His first duty is to the people of the state. They'll vote him out in the next election.
July 9, 2009 2:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
There's a total less than 100% in the polls..Coleman isn't that far behind and a third party candidate could throw the election to him-- that's why Minnesota has Bachmann. Hopefully that won't happen.
July 9, 2009 3:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
The interesting thing about former Rep. Dayton and former Sen. Coleman is that both of them were involved in the coronation as "King" of Rev. Sun Myung Moon at the Dirksen building a few years ago. Wonder if the Coleman connection to Moon cost him 400 votes or so? It certainly should have, since Moon condemns American democracy and advocates a world-wide theocracy centered on he and his organization. Among other things, Moon says that the holocaust was "indemnity" that the Jews suffered because "they killed Jesus". Dayton and Coleman both said that they were duped, but in the era of the internet where Moon's outrageous positions are only two clicks away, how does anyone claim that.
July 9, 2009 5:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Coleman could beat Dayton. I'm sorry he left the Senate because he voted to the left of Klobuchar but he would not be a good governor. He's a bit of a flake to say the least - not the executive type.
July 9, 2009 5:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
All things considered that's not too bad; don't forget he only got 42% in the election.
July 9, 2009 6:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
I believe it highly, highly unlikely that the Minnesota DFL will put up Mark Dayton for governor. He's been around Minnesota politics a long time, and we know him too well. The first time he ran for Senate, he lost. Later, as state auditor, he took personal potshots at a sitting DFL governor, Rudy Perpich, and worked against some traditional DFL interests. Very bad form. When he finally won the Senate seat, he was lackluster and peculiar, and ended up quitting the senate. He has become known as a behind-the-scenes hothead given to tantrums. Having been given many opportunities, and basically blown them, why would the Minnesota DFL give him a shot at the governorship when there are so many other candidates in the party stable.
My choice would be Mark Ritchie, the current secretary of state, who is given credit for running the very successful Coleman/Franken recount. Many outside the state don't realize it yet, but Minnesota is very proud of the way the recount was handled, and give Ritchie most of the credit.
July 10, 2009 9:13 AM | Reply | Permalink