Former Republican U.S. Sen. Dave Durenberger provides the voice-over on two new radio ads for Tom Horner, the Independence Party endorsee for guv.
The ads, which you can listen to below, are both on the general theme that Horner, as the centrist in the race, would not be captive to the agenda of the DFL or the Repubs, the right or the left. No specific Horner positions are mentioned to explain how that would work, but it nonetheless seems to be fundamental argument that will get Horner into serious contention, if anything can. The most recent Strib Poll showed Horner running in third place with between 13 and 15 percent of the vote, depending on who the DFL nominates. (And Horner still has to survive the IP primary next week, where he is challenged by the feisty Rob Hahn.)
Durenberger has not attempted to take this public a role in any campaign for decades. Horner got his start in politics as an aide to Durenberger in the late 70s and 80s, before moving to his career in public relations with the Himle Horner firm. The two remain close friends and Durenberger has told me that he will help Horner in any way that he is asked.
Durenberger was Minnesota’s senior senator from 1979 to 1994, before his political career crashed and burned over financial improprieties that caused him to be denounced by the Senate. In recent years, he has run a health care think tank, based at the University of St. Thomas.
Here are the ads:
and
What think?
Here come the RINO calls…
The ox that is being gored by the independent in this race is probably that of the GOP.
Where do moderate GOP people have to go?
Durenberger is loyal and getting more and more sensible in his old age – sorry Dave.
Let’s hope that Horner’s good ideas get into the mix. Some of them should be incorporated in the re-tooling of Minnesota, no matter who gets elected. I hope that it isn’t Emmer or Horner, but at least Horner could do the job and knows how to play well with others.
Tom Horner is a good choice for those that would like to see a moderate elected to the governors office
For the vast majority of folks that vote candidate and not party, Tom Horner offers a clear difference between the GOP and the DFL candidates. Horner’s policy of using new revenue by reforming and broadening the tax base along with budget cuts is just one example of a pragmatic policy to deal with the long term structural budget. I believe Tom Horner will offer the state meaningful solutions that will help move the state forward.
Does anybody know if Arne Carlson is supporting any candidate? That is whom I want to hear most.
JJ, I concur with that thought.
Horner’s becoming the only logical choice. It’s more about the others losing your vote than Horner winning it.
Good, effective ads that will appeal to many, including me. Depending upon who comes out on top in the DFL primary, Horner could see a rise in his polling.
Based on last night’s polls…
The likely DFL nominee – Dayton – seems to take more from Horner than do Kelliher or Entenza. Or put another way, enough people seem to dislike K&E enough that they would vote for H. The only way Horner could do it is if enough Republicans are willing to support him, having realized that Emmer is dead in the water, so why waste your vote on him? (seems unlikely)
It is a long time ’til November and things could change. Who knows what stupid things any of the major candidates might say between now and then?