[Speed Gibson,
Tuesday February 15, 2005 at 9:39pm]
Bravo, Mark Dayton
As others have, let me also thank Senator Mark Dayton for his timely decision not to seek re-election. Though not unexpected, it has caught both parties somewhat unprepared by coming this early in the campaign.
I'm reminded of when long-time U.S. Representative Bruce Vento died in October, 2000, from lung cancer. He revealed his situation and announced his retirement about eight months before that. Vento ran all but unopposed throughout his career in the House. When the seat suddenly opened up, there was a flood of DFL candidates scrambling to put hasty campaigns together.
I remember thinking, healthy or not, Vento should have given up his seat a term or two sooner, for the health of his party. By giving the field adequate notice, more candidates might have filed, and the debates among them more substantial. Granted, no Republican was going to win that seat, but Minnesota's collective interest would still have been better served.
Mark Dayton has done that, and the field is filling out with an interesting array of candidates on both sides, all now with adequate time to organize and campaign. For that I thank you, Senator.
I'm reminded of when long-time U.S. Representative Bruce Vento died in October, 2000, from lung cancer. He revealed his situation and announced his retirement about eight months before that. Vento ran all but unopposed throughout his career in the House. When the seat suddenly opened up, there was a flood of DFL candidates scrambling to put hasty campaigns together.
I remember thinking, healthy or not, Vento should have given up his seat a term or two sooner, for the health of his party. By giving the field adequate notice, more candidates might have filed, and the debates among them more substantial. Granted, no Republican was going to win that seat, but Minnesota's collective interest would still have been better served.
Mark Dayton has done that, and the field is filling out with an interesting array of candidates on both sides, all now with adequate time to organize and campaign. For that I thank you, Senator.