The Senate race in Minnesota is close, with incumbent Republican Norm Coleman facing challenges by DFL-endorsed Al Franken, and Independent candidate Dean Barkley in one of the hottest contests. Latest polls have Franken leading Coleman by 2-6 percentage range, with Barkley holding on to 18% of the electorate. Barkley’s support is coming roughly from pulling voters evenly from both camps, slightly more from Republicans. Barkley is a Ventura Independent and has a split in ideology with a social democrat view of issues, but a fiscal conservative on spending and government involvement. It is highly probable that the race between Franken and Coleman will come down to which candidate Barkley takes votes from.
Both Franken and Barkley represent candidates not aligned with the Washington beltway which leaves Coleman with little wiggle room having served as an Republican under a disastrous Republican President and Administration. Although Coleman’s election to the Senate came on the heels of the death of Democratic Senator Paul Wellstone right before the November 2002 election, and an ensuing scramble by the Democratic Party to mount a campaign in short order with veteran and former Vice President, Walter Mondale, it also signified a more conservative Minnesota. However, it may be that with the current debacle in Washington, Minnesota has learned its’ lesson and is returning to the Democratic Fold. Nowadays,the only thing purple about Minnesota may be the Minnesota Vikings. Because of the strength of the DFL Party, and the support for the populist Jesse Ventura, Coleman would have been better off if he had sought a more independent role during his term than his 86% voting alignment with the Republicans and President Bush.
Coleman gives the appearance of a moderate Republican, he almost has to in this Democratic bastion. However like Ronald Reagan, once elected his record shows continued adherence to the old party line and loyalties; even now, he tries to talk the talk, but his voting record proves that he doesn’t walk the walk for anyone but the GOP.
Relatively unknown, both Franken and Bartley have proven to be formidable opponents. Franken, a former SNL comedian and in recent years a host of an issue-oriented radio talk show, is a competent and knowledgeable candidate. He has been to the war zone several times in support of the troops, and has fended off the negative campaign tactics by Coleman. Dean Barkley was appointed by Gov. Jesse Ventura to serve out the remainder of Paul Wellstone’s term. He is an attorney, who recently took a job as a Metro Mobility bus driver for additional income. When conventional wisdom has proven that third party candidates largely have been unsuccessful, he is a viable candidate having tapped into the average voter’s frustration with government and big business. Both candidates have given this race some real straight-talking, and by participating in numerous debates around the state, have given the voters a real opportunity to learn more about the issues, the candidates, and their problem-solving abilities.
But As For Me...
It is apparent when the process is opened up to more than the 2 parties that voters win, and the candidates win. Voters win because there is a check on the regurgitating campaign rhetoric, and all the candidates are engaged in a more, meaningful way. I can only speculate, but I believe that had Nader and/or Ron Paul been included in the 3 Presidential debates and the 1 Vice Presidential debate, voters would have had a better understanding of where the candidates stand, their differences, and the direction they would take our nation if elected. Very similar to having 3 children instead of 2. Oftentimes, with 2 children you get them blaming each other, arguing, and pointing fingers–not particularly productive–the third child shifts the balance of power, keeps the contesting parties honest, and eventually gives rise to the truth!
