The Wall Street Journal‘s “Washington Wire” blog says Dean Barkley, “a bus driver, former U.S. senator and major X-factor in the race,” could swing the Minnesota U.S. Senate contest. The latest polls show the contest between Republican incumbent Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken “is a dead heat (Franken, 41%, and Coleman, 40%). But 8% of likely voters say they want to send Barkley back to Washington.”
The Journal continues, “If you sneezed in late 2002, you might have missed his Senate stint. Barkley, who had been former Gov. Jesse Ventura’s campaign chairman in 1998, was appointed in November 2002 to serve out the remainder of the late Sen. Paul Wellstone’s term. He cast a tie-breaking vote in the Senate to pass the Homeland Security Act, and went on to advise Arianna Huffington during her brief gubernatorial run in the 2003 California recall election. Lately, Barkley has been driving buses for the elderly and disabled — and running for the Senate. His support seems to come primarily from voters who see the country on the wrong track — just the voters Franken needs to unseat Coleman in November. Franken would be in the lead if it weren’t for Barkley, according to the director of the latest poll.”
I didn’t know you were a neocon, Ross.
If I was old enough to vote and lived in Minnesota, I’d vote for Franken.
I don’t live in Minnesota, so it doesn’t affect me. However, if I did, I would either endorse the LP candidate or the CP candidate.
In light of Barkley’s completely unlibertarian votes–you ought to vote for the CPers.
I’m either voting for Barkley or the CP candidate in this Senate race. Still wish Ventura had stepped up though…
Wow.
That’s horrible news about his vote.
He should be tarred and feathered at a minimum, and should never get any support.
There is both a LP and a CP candidate for Senate in MN
Homeland Security Act was a big deal. I don’t think it’s excusable, especially when you consider it was tie-breaking. Meaning just about half were in support and half opposed. Wouldn’t have taken much guts to vote the right way.
Hugh Jass,
So now you support….who exactly? Is there is a Libertarian candidate in that race? Or a CPer?
I was supporting him until I heard that about the Homeland Security Act.
Apparently Barkley has become slightly more libertarian over the past 6-12 months,just like his friend Ventura.
Of course–both could simply be posturing.