From today's edition of The Hotline:
"Despite persistent rumors" that Sen. Mark Dayton (D) could face a major primary challenge, no "big-name" Dem has come forward. Three prominent Dems whose names have been mentioned "whole-heartedly threw their support behind Dayton" last week, even though some Dems think that "the party ought to search for a stronger potential nominee."
Ex-Rep. Bill Luther (D): "Mark Dayton is a good friend of mine. I am not saying I would never run in the future (for political office) but I would never challenge Mark Dayton. He's a close friend, and I'm a big supporter." '00 candidate/atty. Mike Ciresi (D) said he would "absolutely, in a nanosecond" consider running if Dayton decided to retire, but would not run against him, despite their ideological differences. Ciresi: "I don't think that would make any sense. If Mark's going to run, we should all get behind him. It's going to be a tough battle." Ciresi would not rule an '06 bid against Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R), but he said it was unlikely. He also wouldn't "rule out challenging" Sen. Norm Coleman (R) in '08, "though he said it was too far in the future to think about seriously." Ciresi: "That'd be fun just to do it. Norm's core value is Norm. He'd be a lot of fun to take on in a campaign."
Some Dems "have turned longingly" to publisher/Dem donor Vance Opperman and "urged him to run." Opperman: "I support Mark Dayton 100 percent, I would never run against him. ... The republic will do just fine if I'm not involved." More Opperman, on why there are so many rumors about a primary challenge: "There are far extreme Republicans who would love for Mark Dayton to have lots of problems. ... Mark will be easily endorsed (by the party) and I'll doubt that he'll have any major competition of any kind."
GOPers "are salivating at the possibility of taking Dayton down." He has said that he cannot spend the $12M "from his own pockets he expended" in '00 and that he is looking to the DSCC for help. Dayton has just $191K CoH as of the end of '04. Reps. Gil Gutknecht (R-01) and Mark Kennedy (R-06) are both considering, as is ex-Sen. Rod Grams (R). Kennedy, who is seen as the early favorite of nat'l GOPers, had just $66K CoH as of the end of '04. Gutknecht had $361K CoH. Ex-Rep. Vin Weber (R) "has also been mentioned as a potential candidate" (Duran/Kurtz, Roll Call, 2/8).
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