Carey makes prediction about 1st Congressional District race
Republican Party of Minnesota Ron Carey has never been shy about expressing his disdain for state Sen. Dick Day's decision to run in the Sept. 9 primary and to challenge GOP endorsed candidate Brian Davis for the nomination for Congress. He has said, in so many, words that Day's candidacy is a sideshow and irrelevant to the larger battle going on between Davis and DFL Rep. Tim Walz.
Davis and National Republican Congressional Committee chairman and Congressman Tom Cole of Oklahoma held a press event this morning in Rochester, and afterwards Carey confidently predicted that Davis' fundraising totals for the second quarter would significantly outpace Day's numbers. He said the discrepancy will reinforce what he has been saying all along: that Day's candidacy is a minor distraction and that if Day gets the message, he will drop out of the race.
"Dick Day was quoted in the Pioneer Press as saying, 'well, people are waiting until after the primary to make a decision (about giving money to the eventual nominee).' That's what they're telling Dick. They're not doing that when it comes to Brian. They're opening their checkbooks. The numbers he's going to show next week are going to be very impressive and it's going to show that there is one candidate who is going to be on the ballot, and it's not Dick Day. It's Brian Davis," Carey said.
Do you suppose the Davis campaign will release its figures before the July 15 FEC reporting deadline--the state's filing deadline for candidates as well--in order to scare Senator Day off from filing?
Posted by: Ollie Ox | July 04, 2008 at 11:24 AM
Was that a run on sentence? You should enroll in English 101.
Why is Walz afraid of Brian Davis? His campaign has been sending a tracker to Brian's events, a Michael Dietrich (I may have the spelling of his last name wrong). You'd think that an incumbent congressman with a big campaign war chest would be more secure in his reelection.
Posted by: OdaSilva | July 04, 2008 at 10:34 PM
I have been to many events and town hall meetings where Congressman Walz has appeared, and invariably there has been someone from the Republican party or a Republican candidate's aide recording the event. So what is the big deal?
Can Mr da Silva expound a bit on why he chooses to throw out insults such as, "You should enroll in English 101."
Posted by: L D Nelson | July 04, 2008 at 11:23 PM
That's not a run-on sentence, Othelmo. Didn't you ever learn how to diagram sentences? Too bad you didn't get a chance to study the forgotten art from the legendary Mr. Harvey at St. Peter High.
Nelson is right about the trackers--both parties use them.
Let's apply your logic to the U.S. Senate race. Haven't you read the stories about the GOP tracker for Coleman at Minnesota Democrats Exposed? You'd think an incumbent U.S. Senator with a big campaign war chest would be more secure in his reelection. Why is Norm Coleman afraid of Al Franken?
I'm really getting concerned about you, Othelmo. You're slipping. Loyal readers of this site expect better spleen from you than this.
Posted by: Ollie Ox | July 05, 2008 at 09:26 AM
Ollie Ox,
I know you watch politics closely. Do you really think anyone can intimidate Dick Day? When you look at all of the battles and skirmishes Day has been involved in at the Capitol with the likes of Roger Moe and Dean Johnson, I surely doubt he can be intimidated by a naive political newcomer.
Posted by: mncollegeguy | July 05, 2008 at 10:37 AM
Mncollegeguy--
No, I certainly don't think Carey and Davis will deter Day. I should have been more clear that I meant that this is probably their purpose.
My friends who worked in the Senate Majority staff in St. Paul tell me that neither Davis nor Walz should underestimate Senator Day.
Posted by: Ollie Ox | July 05, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Regardless of who captures the GOP Primary in September to face Tim in the General Election, that person will fave an uphill battle to raise mucho bucks.
The 1st CD looks to be in Tim's good hands during the coming years.
Posted by: Kathleen Castrovinci | July 06, 2008 at 10:47 PM
Indeed, Davis has filed his FEC report today, as I'd predicted above. One can read about it here:
http://www.bluestemprairie.com/a_bluestem_prairie/2008/07/davis-campaign.html
Posted by: Ollie Ox | July 07, 2008 at 11:45 AM
Well, I wasn't exact about the day of filing, but certainly accurate about his turning in the report before it was due on July 15.
I'm curious what sort of performances Walz and Day will enjoy.
Posted by: Ollie Ox | July 07, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Ollie,,,
I heard through the grapevine that Tim exceeded his goal for the 2nd Quarter of $250K.
There is a lot of support for Tim in the District.
Posted by: Kathleen Castrovinci | July 07, 2008 at 03:37 PM