Let me admit that I was way off with my analysis on how the GOP Convention would ultimately end.  In having taken a step back with direct involvement on state political campaigns for a few years.  I realize my reading of the grass roots political pulse is not what it used to be.

Emmer won in quick and convincing fashion.  I think it surprised most seasoned politico’s, including, this small city mayor.  Given the connections Seifert had serving as MN House Minority Leader conventional thinking was everyone was in for a long process; but, conventional thinking was wrong.

What was even more surprising was watching how Margaret Anderson-Kelliher won her party’s endorsement.  A good friend of mine, and long-time DFL activist, (blue dog by own admission) was perplexed in attending the DFL Convention in Duluth.  He did not see anyone coming out with a legitimate shot at winning except Margaret Anderson-Kelliher, yet, she continued to move left on controversial issues.  Issues, in his opinion, that did not need to be addressed.    

The political tide that has benefitted Democrats for multiple elections has changed.  The outcomes this November will show if Democrats are now underestimating the political backlash that caught Republican’s by surprise for the last two cycles.  My guess at this point: Yes! 

The issue that created this political change is undisputable: Universal Health Care.  The first hand reports I have is Kelliher used Universal Health Care to sew up her nomination and it would remain a central plank of her campaign.  This was to win over Sen. John Marty's supporters.  In my opinion: Margaret’s Moment using Universal Health Care is Tom Emmer’s Gift.

My last two articles pointed to the fact that Tom Emmer has a lot of work to do in attracting rural conservative voters.  It is my opinion that he is losing to Margaret Anderson-Kelliher currently, and if this trend were to continue in Todd County: Emmer would lose just like Mark Kennedy did to Amy Klobuchar.

However, there is one issue that drives rural conservative voters crazy.  It is still a topic of coffee house conversation though the US Congress passed it into law long ago.  The topic: Universal Health Care, Out of Control Spending, and Deficits.  If Tom Emmer can frame this one issue correctly he doesn’t need to know what sound a cow makes.  (The answer for those not animal-ically inclined is: Mooo)

Emmer will hand DFLers another disappointing loss and will continue their exile when it comes to holding The Minnesota Governorship.  The Kelliher campaign will have been viewed as finished before it ever got off the ground because it got stuck on the left, and no amount of Universal Health Care will be able to breathe any source of life back into a poorly themed campaign.

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