Former Minnesota senator Norm Coleman (R), fresh off a losing battle for re-election in which he won half the votes, is now rumored to be considering a run for governor. However, Coleman's extended post-election legal battle to keep his former Senate seat has negatively affected his stance among voters, a new survey finds.

The poll, conducted by PPP (July 7-8, 1491 RV, +/- 2.5%), finds 52% of voters have an unfavorable opinion of Coleman, and 54% said the way he handled his post-election campaign made them less likely to support him in a future campaign for governor.

Coleman is less popular than former senator Mark Dayton (D), who declined to run for re-election to a second term in 2006 due to low poll numbers and no money. Dayton is viewed unfavorably by 37% of voters, 15 points less than Coleman.

Matched up against potential Democratic oppponents, Coleman leads only State House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, who's unknown by nearly half of voters. Coleman trails Dayton and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak.

Dayton 41 - Coleman 39 - Und 20

Rybak 43 - Coleman 37 - Und 19

Kelliher 34 - Coleman 42 - Und 24

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 12:00 PM | Email Author | Permalink

After announcing he won't seek re-election, Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-Minn.) dodged questions about a potential presidential bid in 2012. But he certainly made a subtle case for such a run, arguing that the Republican Party needs "new ideas and new faces."

Pawlenty said his immediate focus would be finishing his term and helping elect a Republican to succeed him in 2010. "As time and circumstances allow, I'm going to try to lend voice to the need to raise issues and ideas for my party here and elsewhere if I'm asked," he added.

The 48-year-old governor said he wants to play a role in helping the GOP determine its future course, saying he'll work to "develop new ideas" and "new energy in the party."

"It's gotta be a party that can accommodate both Colin Powell and Rush Limbaugh if we're going to be successful," he said. "It's not either or, it's both. We need to be a party of addition and not subtraction. I think I can help with that effort."

Pawlenty said he "absolutely" thinks he would have won a third term if he chose to run, citing a Rasmussen poll that showed his approval rating is relatively high, especially for a governor who represents a state "that's opposite of their party." He also referred to a SurveyUSA poll that showed him leading all potential Democratic opponents.

Continue reading "Pawlenty Mum On '12, Says He'll Follow Court Decision On Senate Race" »

Posted by Mike Memoli at 04:20 PM | Email Author | Permalink

Last week we noted that Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-Minn.) planned to announce his future political plans "this summer." His timeframe appears to have sped up, with his office planning a press conference at 2 pm local time.

WCCO-TV reports that Pawlenty will not seek a third term. The decision is sure to trigger speculation that the "hockey dad" will focus his energies on a 2012 presidential bid. It may also ratchet up pressure on Pawlenty, who will eventually have to sign a certification of election in the contested Minnesota Senate race.

Contenders had also been already lining up to seek the governorship. An open seat contest would give Democrats a strong chance of reclaiming the governorship in the blue North Star State for the first time in 20 years.

UPDATE: Here's an interview I conducted with Gov. Pawlenty last summer, when he was believed to be high on John McCain's short list for the VP nomination.

Posted by Mike Memoli at 11:50 AM | Email Author | Permalink

Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-Minn.), considered a potential presidential candidate in 2012, has a big decision to make before he tests the waters in Iowa and New Hampshire: whether to seek a third term in the North Star State. This morning, Pawlenty told Minnesota Public Radio that an announcement will come soon.

"I'm going to be making that decision sometime this summer and announcing it sometime this summer," he told the station. "Everybody will know shortly."

Pawlenty said his decision will be based in part on whether feels he still has something to offer, adding that he likes serving as a check on the Democratic-controlled Legislature. "I have a lot of energy and ideas left," he said, adding that there are family and "career considerations" that might lead him to step down.

Part of the dilemma he faces is this: as a Republican in a Democratic-leaning state, a third term is no certainty. His first two victories came with less than 50 percent of the vote, and he's now considering deep cuts to the state budget to balance the books. "Anytime you're somewhat conservative in Minnesota and you run for election or re-election, it's always an uphill battle," he said.

A 2010 loss could torpedo a White House bid, and the specter of national candidacy would likely be an issue in that race. Stepping aside would, on the other hand, leave a lot more time for the rubber chicken circuit.

Posted by Mike Memoli at 11:15 AM | Email Author | Permalink