Cook Political Report puts MN-8 in play with just 12 days to go
NORTH BRANCH, Minn. – The independent, non-partisan Cook Political Report, one of the nation’s most reputable firms which analyzes elections and campaigns, announced today that Congressman Jim Oberstar’s race is no longer a “safe” seat for the 18-term incumbent. With less than two weeks until Election Day, the report lists the race for Minnesota’s 8th congressional district to be just “leaning Democrat,” confirming political unrest that hasn’t been seen in northern Minnesota for generations.
The change in political wind comes just days after Congressman Oberstar’s erratic behavior Tuesday at a debate in front of 1,800 Minnesotans in Duluth. As several media outlets reported, Congressman Oberstar frequently scolded those in attendance. He shouted to audience members who disagreed with him and arrogantly called them “members of the Flat Earth Society.” When asked about President Obama’s health care reform, he angrily pointed at the audience claiming their health care is better after the law.
The Cook Political Report’s analysis reflects a recent poll that showed Cravaack within 3 points of Oberstar – within the margin of error – which is a strong position for a challenger going into the final stretch of the race. The poll was conducted by Public Opinion Strategies, a national firm who polls for the Wall Street Journal and NBC News.
Cravaack looks forward to debating Congressman Oberstar again on Friday, Oct. 22 at 7:00 p.m. at Itasca Community College in Grand Rapids.
Cravaack, who the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) recently named to be part of its “Young Gun” program (“On the Radar”), is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and served in the U.S. Navy and Naval Reserve for 24 years during which he served at the Pentagon and NATO. After retiring from the Navy, he flew commercially for Northwest Airlines and served as a union representative for the Air Line Pilots Association. Cravaack lives with his wife and two young sons in Lindstrom and was president of the local Parent Teacher Organization.
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Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District race in the media 10/21:
POLITICO: Newly vulnerable chairmen have money issues http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1010/43877.html
MINNPOST: Tighter race for Oberstar receives national attention http://www.minnpost.com/politicalagenda/2010/10/21/22584/tighter_race_for_oberstar_gets_national_attention
5 Responses
Its nice to see some portion of the media paying attention to the voter displeasure of what is going on and why. Its hard to understand why the public and voters are ignored and labeled as malcontents but we thank you Chip for your efforts and your determination to serve us in the Eighth in Washington DC. You might just find on November 03 that you’ve got a little more support than you ever expected.
DougYour Comments
Its nice to see some of the media paying attention to the voter displeasure of what is going on in the Eighth and why. Its hard to understand why the public and the voters are ignored and labeled as malcontents if they don’t agree with the status quo. We thank you Chip, and all your crew for your efforts and determination to serve us in the Eighth in Washington, DC. You might just find on November 03 that you’ve got a little more support than you expected.
Doug
Campaign Manager -
Please have Chip ask Union members what their stock was worth during the Bush Administration – over $100 per share – compared to $43 per share today! Also tell them that it was the Bush administration that placed a tarrif on imported steel – saving jobs. What has Jim Oberstar done???
Mark Vukelich, Donor and Huge Supporter
Virginia, Minnesota (now residing in White Bear Lake, MN)
Go get him Chip. We need your hometown Cincinnati conservative values in Congress to turn that traditional blue state red.
Looks like a tight race and I hope Chip can pull it out. Just hope we don’t see another Franken/Coleman debacle.