Lori Swanson set to run for MN Governor, with Rick Nolan as running mate.

[Progressive Pessimist]

What a twist!

[Maxwell]

bqhwhatever

[OneJ]

I don’t see what’s wrong with Swanson although I do agree that the way she announced her bid is a little nerve-wracking. If she wants it this bad, I feel like she deserves a shot at it just as Walz. Both seem to have strong chances at winning the general anyway.

[Nyvin]

Swanson kind seems like a Republican plant in some ways.   I think she's a bit too right wing for MN Dems.

[Zaybay]

Still support Walz. He is actually a good politician and Swanson is rightwing and a poor fit for Minnesota, perhaps even more so than Murphy.
What I find interesting is that Swanson's support is the exact same in both polls, and so is Murphys. It's Walz that moves. Could this be reflective of more rural voters who were pushed to Walz in his poll and not in Swanson's? Could this mean that Walz has room to grow compared to the others? Am I overanalyzing two polls that are internals that have a high undecided rate? Perhaps.

[Jeppe]

Swanson kind seems like a Republican plant in some ways.   I think she's a bit too right wing for MN Dems.

That’s a hell of a long con, she’s been Minnesota’s elected Attorney General since 2006.

[scutosaurus]

To those calling Swanson "right wing," how exactly is she? I'm not all too well versed in MN politics, but from what little I know it seems like both her and Walz would make fine Governors.

[Yellowhammer]

To those calling Swanson "right wing," how exactly is she? I'm not all too well versed in MN politics, but from what little I know it seems like both her and Walz would make fine Governors.

Because to the Democratic base in 2018, just about anybody to the right of Bernie Sanders is a right-wing conservative.

[Mycool]

In spite of how she got into the race, Swanson is definitely my pick for the primary. I think she will do equally as well as Walz in the general, and the critique of her being right wing compared to him is a little too cute.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

My problem with Swanson is that her positions are too opaque. I don't even know where she stands on marijuana legalization for example (Walz and Murphy are for it)

Swanson is not right wing by any standard, but the main things she was attacked on by Pelikan and that she's been the most criticized for is being pro-gun (not really something Walz can attack her on granted), not doing enough to protect immigrants and stop ICE raids (she did take a lead in suing against the travel ban though), and being too soft on the pharmaceutical industry. But calling with "right wing" with her record on protecting debtors, Obamacare and unions is pretty absurd.

[henster]

Swanson was endorsed twice by the NRA but so was Walz, it's difficult to really pin her down ideologically because she doesn't have a voting record. Some people have been attacking her over pulling out of the travel ban lawsuit but legal stuff is always way more complex than people think.

[ON Progressive]

Swanson was endorsed twice by the NRA but so was Walz, it's difficult to really pin her down ideologically because she doesn't have a voting record. Some people have been attacking her over pulling out of the travel ban lawsuit but legal stuff is always way more complex than people think.

In fairness, her last NRA endorsement was in 2010, when the NRA was actually still willing to support some Democrats. It was also 8 years ago so I don’t care much anymore.

[Free Bird]

There's humor here. Walz is just cruising then suddenly Swanson jumps in with a haphazardly picked running mate just to spite the DFL for denying her the endorsement and just derails the whole thing. But if she's generally centrist and was endorsed by the NRA, doesn't that take a whole lot of wind out of T-Paw's sails, especially with the whole "middle class first" angle he was taking?

[America Needs R'hllor]

Swanson was endorsed twice by the NRA but so was Walz, it's difficult to really pin her down ideologically because she doesn't have a voting record. Some people have been attacking her over pulling out of the travel ban lawsuit but legal stuff is always way more complex than people think.

In fairness, her last NRA endorsement was in 2010, when the NRA was actually still willing to support some Democrats. It was also 8 years ago so I don’t care much anymore.

Yeah, same. I'd be disturbed if the NRA endorsed a Democrat today, but eight years ago isn't a big deal. She's not some principled gun rights proponent, so it doesn't really matter, she'll sign whatever gun control bill gets to her desk.

[Nyvin]

Swanson was endorsed twice by the NRA but so was Walz, it's difficult to really pin her down ideologically because she doesn't have a voting record. Some people have been attacking her over pulling out of the travel ban lawsuit but legal stuff is always way more complex than people think.

In fairness, her last NRA endorsement was in 2010, when the NRA was actually still willing to support some Democrats. It was also 8 years ago so I don’t care much anymore.

As far as I can tell she's also against marijuana legalization.

[BuckeyeNut]

Dayton should have just appointed Swanson to Franken's seat. Smith is a fine person and has been a fine enough Senator, but she's just not ideal.

[Dr Oz Lost Party!]

Dayton should have just appointed Swanson to Franken's seat. Smith is a fine person and has been a fine enough Senator, but she's just not ideal.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Dayton should have just appointed Swanson to Franken's seat. Smith is a fine person and has been a fine enough Senator, but she's just not ideal.

One rumor is he offered it and she declined. She probably doesn't want to move to Washington.

[Maxwell]

My issue with Swanson is that she seems to be running for Governor to save face rather than because she actually wants to do it.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

My issue with Swanson is that she seems to be running for Governor to save face rather than because she actually wants to do it.

[MAINEiac4434]

^^^^Exactly. It seems like an incredibly petty move by her after she lost the AG endorsement to Pelikan.

This entire fiasco is good reason for (much) earlier filing deadlines in Minnesota.

If we had Maine-style RCV in this race I’d put Murphy first, Walz second and not rank Swanson.

[henster]

She wasn't endorsed by the NRA in 2014 but by some other gun rights group.

http://www.startribune.com/gun-owners-pac-goes-for-dfl-ag-swanson-anyone-but-dayton-for-governor/270025961/

[Co-Chair Bagel23]

She wasn't endorsed by the NRA in 2014 but by some other gun rights group.

http://www.startribune.com/gun-owners-pac-goes-for-dfl-ag-swanson-anyone-but-dayton-for-governor/270025961/

Walz needs to use this to gain the upper hand.

[Skunk]

She wasn't endorsed by the NRA in 2014 but by some other gun rights group.

http://www.startribune.com/gun-owners-pac-goes-for-dfl-ag-swanson-anyone-but-dayton-for-governor/270025961/

Walz needs to use this to gain the upper hand.

Walz actually was endorsed by the NRA, so...

[YE]

She wasn't endorsed by the NRA in 2014 but by some other gun rights group.

http://www.startribune.com/gun-owners-pac-goes-for-dfl-ag-swanson-anyone-but-dayton-for-governor/270025961/

Walz needs to use this to gain the upper hand.

Walz is also pro-gun himself or at least was until Parkland when he decided to favor an AWB.