Not surprised by the strib endorsements: Walz and Pawlenty

[question everything]

As soon as Pawlenty announced, I knew that in the Trump days, Pawlenty is a "winner" while Johnson is a "loser."

http://www.startribune.com/star-tribune-endorsement-for-governor-in-gop-primary-tim-pawlenty/490031421/

And Walz has rural background, won in 2016 while Trump won the district. Also liked his early selection of Flanagan as his running mate. She is not a "token" but "brings geographic, racial and gender balance to the ticket plus the knowledge of state lawmaking that comes from two terms in the Legislature."

And, as I posted here as soon as Murphy selected her running mate: "Murphy undercut her claim that she can bridge the rural-urban divide when she chose a one-term suburban legislator, Rep. Erin Maye Quade of Apple Valley, as her running mate. While Murphy’s 18-month quest to win the DFL endorsement was successful, she has struggled to become a known quantity among the voters who are not party insiders."

http://www.startribune.com/star-tribune-endorsement-for-governor-in-dfl-primary-tim-walz/490031391/

Was also an interesting letter condemning Murphy for earlier "jumping" on the dump Franken move.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

1. Possible battle of the Tims?

First off, Tim Walz needs to win the Primary on the 14th first. Which I am confident he will. He polls the best against Tim Pawlenty.

Second, Tim is a superb debater. He does not suffer fools, nor is he arrogant. I have seen him in numerous debates, crucifying opponents with the facts when they attack or mislabel him. He comes out smelling like a rose.

Third, Tim has remained humble throughout his time in Congress, though there have been votes I have debated him on and he acknowledged fault on his part. He has remained a close friend regardless. He listens to me.

Fourth, Tim Pawlenty has no idea who he is up against if it does come down to him and Tim Walz. Walz is an expert strategist, having won 2 State Football Championships with Mankato West. He knows how to go on offense with the greatest of ease that causes an opponent to play defense with little if any backup.

Fifth. With the FACTS on his side, Tim Walz desecrates an opponent without personal attacks. It is like poetry in motion. I hope to get to some of the debates before I leave for Australia in early October.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. I will support whoever has the best chance of beating Pawlenty.

Walz is a bit too centrist for my taste but I think he is more likely to beat Pawlenty than the others. There's a lot to like about both Erin Murphy and Lori Swanson (although Swanson pulled kind of a fast one by declaring at the last minute the way she did, and her running mate might have a bit of a #metoo problem for failing to deal with his aide), but the most important thing right now is to be sure Pawlenty is squashed like a bug on a windshield.

[dflprincess]

3. My biggest problem with Murphy is that she was very quick to jump on the

"throw Franken under the bus" bandwagon. And, she's made a couple other moves that make me question her judgement.

I have days when I wish Rebecca Otto had not stuck to her pledge to respect the endorsement and gone on with her campaign.

That said, I'll support whoever wins next week and I'm leaning more toward going with Walz in the primary.

[dflprincess]

4. The Strib on Pawlenty "...he's proven not only that he can do the job.."

Has the editorial board forgotten how he did the job?

[trotsky]

5. Remember, they answer to Glen Taylor now.

Timmy will lower Glen's taxes, so...

[traladeda]

6. +100000