At Farmfest former Governor Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) virtually ignored his Primary opponent Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson (R-MN) and made most of his critical comments toward Congressman Tim Walz (D-MN01). Similarly, Attorney General Lori Swanson (DFL-MN) began running television ads criticizing Walz for missing votes in Washington DC while running for Governor. With this clear attention shift, it appears both the Pawlenty and Swanson campaigns see Walz as the frontrunner. When asked her opinion on these issues DFL endorsed candidate Rep Erin Murphy (DFL-64A, St Paul) says this is what Minnesotans dislike about politics.
As Pawlenty takes tough hits from the Alliance for a Better Minnesota he is taking body blows which will have their full impact in the General Election. Likewise, Swanson taking her own shots from The Intercept, which declares her to be the DFL frontrunner along with the #MeToo problem in the office of her running mate Congressman Rick Nolan (D-MN08).
This morning on At Issue the three DFL Candidates answered questions posed by Tom Hauser. At the end of the program, Hauser asked questions about the perceived negatives. With Murphy, he asked about the metrocentric campaign and its ability to appeal statewide. She spoke about knitting the state back together and opening eight regional offices. With Walz, he asked about the Swanson commercial to which he expressed disappointment of Swanson going down the low road and spoke of running an aggressive statewide campaign. To Swanson Hauser asked about the allegations of staff working on behalf of her campaign of which she explained they did so on their own time, by their own choice.
As we move into the last two days of this Primary Election, it Is hard to distinguish which issues will have an impact on the electorate. Last minute claims are expected, but the question is which candidate can shake off the effects of these late-stage attacks and survive.
If the opposing camp on the other side of the aisle is already sharpening their knives and the other candidate you are seen to be jockeying for the lead with is attacking you, then likely you are in the lead.