This has to exceed the senator’s fondest dreams … Public Policy Polling reports: “Al Franken's in good shape heading into his reelection cycle. Our newest poll finds 52% of Minnesota voters approving of him to 41% who disapprove. Those solid numbers are pretty consistent with where we've found him for most of the last year. One thing that may help Franken's reelection chances, on top of his own popularity, is the weak Republican bench in the state. The top choice of GOP voters in Minnesota to take on Franken is Michele Bachmann. 45% say they would like her to be their candidate with no one else even coming close — John Kline is at 19%, Chip Cravaack at 13%, Erik Paulsen at 11%, Laura Brod at 4%, and Rich Stanek at 2%. Bachmann fares equally strongly with voters in the party who identify as 'very conservative' (46%), 'somewhat conservative' (45%), and moderate (also 45%). The problem with GOP voters in the state wanting Bachmann as their Senate standard bearer is that she does the worst of anyone we tested against Franken, trailing him 54/40, including a 50/39 deficit with independents. Only 35% of voters in the state have a positive opinion of her, compared to 59% who see her in a negative light.”
Those turkeys wanting that must have a party death-wish. Or what? Many are unaware, Bachmann's "law degree" was from Oral Roberts University. Really. Fifteen years ago. ORU's first "law school" class. Not mail order, not from a Cracker Jack box, (with a prize of nominal value inside), but on the premises, Tulsa, etc.
____________UPDATE___________
From the Glean as quoted above, " ... she does the worst of anyone we tested against Franken, trailing him 54/40, ...". So the GOP faces, "Fifty-Four Forty or Fight." My bet is they fight, with PAC-Man Pete. See earlier Crabgrass, here, here, and here.
__________FURTHER UPDATE___________
For PAC-Man Pete, it can get so deep you need hip-waders:
It was the heroes of Wanamingo, and small towns across Minnesota, who compelled me to serve. Their example, and the demonstration of patriotism on that Main Street (and later in Forest Lake), are what motivated me to join Army ROTC at Princeton University. I signed up four months before the 9/11 attacks–an event that validated and solidified my commitment to military service. I’m honored and blessed to have served three tours since 9/11, guarding detainees at Guantanamo Bay, patrolling streets in Iraq, and training soldiers in Afghanistan.
Residual Forces, here.
It is this background of service–exemplified by my parents faith, exhibited on patriotic main streets, and forged on foreign battlefields–that I will bring to the United States Senate. Elected officials are public servants, and you can rest assured that I will always remember who I work for, who came before me, and where I came from. I have always been–and will always be–a consistent conservative with the courage to fight for what we believe in.
If Hegseth were thinking of soliciting an appointment to some Pentagon post, or a defense contractor job, great; but my view of GOP Senators Who Served and have their head on straight is Obama's appointee designee, Chuck Hagel. I don't see anything in the PAC-Man's self promotional materials suggesting he has any Chuck Hagel in him. I see more neocon than anything, and Bush wars have been too heavy already, especially since Bush financed them by deficit ballooning smoke-and-mirrors, without a conscience in doing it. Hegseth represents more of the same, and we are lucky now, with Al Franken, not perfect, short by far of being a Wellstone, but in the upper 10-25 percent of the Senate (for what that's worth given today's Senate, where Mitch McConnell and Max Baucus are living proof that low end porcine bipartisanship flourishes in the upper house of Congress). Al should be able to easily handle a charge of the light brigade, but that's my bet for the GOP's bet against Al. As long as Al is not caught sleeping, which after the Oberstar ambush is unlikely for DFL federal candidates.