[Speed Gibson,
Saturday September 16, 2006 at 12:11am]
Ellison vs The Machine
I'm not surprised that Keith Ellison won the Fifth District DFL Primary, but I thought it would be closer. Ember Reichgott-Junge's poor showing did surprise me, finishing a distant third despite her successful fund-raising.
I'm not surprised that Erlandson did well. He's the machine candidate, after all, educated, experienced, and well-spoken on most issues. But in a district that went heavily for Ventura in 1998, the DFL insiders don't seem to be in charge any longer. It wasn't supposed to happen this way.
The DFL, your father's DFL especially, is or was big on "grooming" candidates for higher office. The introduction of party primaries changed that, starting with the demise of Warren Spannaus.
For what it's worth, I think Martin Sabo's retirement was well-timed to circumvent what happened Tuesday, forcing a quick campaign before the DFL convention. Erlandson, with his many years of service to the party and national party connections should have had little trouble securing the endorsement.
Keith Ellison didn't get the memo, though, and pounced on the opportunity. I suspect even Sabo was surprised by this outcome, especially given Ellison's baggage, much of it certainly known inside the party before Powerline chronicled it so well.
There is therefore some satisfaction in seeing someone, even if it is Ellison, interrupt the assumed right of succession as designed and designated by the party insiders.
For that, congratulations to Keith Ellison, the likely new Representative from the Fifth District.
I'm not surprised that Erlandson did well. He's the machine candidate, after all, educated, experienced, and well-spoken on most issues. But in a district that went heavily for Ventura in 1998, the DFL insiders don't seem to be in charge any longer. It wasn't supposed to happen this way.
The DFL, your father's DFL especially, is or was big on "grooming" candidates for higher office. The introduction of party primaries changed that, starting with the demise of Warren Spannaus.
For what it's worth, I think Martin Sabo's retirement was well-timed to circumvent what happened Tuesday, forcing a quick campaign before the DFL convention. Erlandson, with his many years of service to the party and national party connections should have had little trouble securing the endorsement.
Keith Ellison didn't get the memo, though, and pounced on the opportunity. I suspect even Sabo was surprised by this outcome, especially given Ellison's baggage, much of it certainly known inside the party before Powerline chronicled it so well.
There is therefore some satisfaction in seeing someone, even if it is Ellison, interrupt the assumed right of succession as designed and designated by the party insiders.
For that, congratulations to Keith Ellison, the likely new Representative from the Fifth District.