Its only been three hours since yesterday, Friday, June 16th. It was a busy day but I only added one post all day – the preceding post which is nothing more than my early morning press release. When some post particularly tickles my fancy I often stop posting for a while to let it sit there at the top of the page. I wanted the deliciousness of the Jaros endorsement to sink in. I have no idea if it was or will be mentioned in the press. As my wife pointed out its the eve of Grandma’s Marathon and in Duluth that event pretty much sucks up all the media attention for a few days.
We did watch the Friday political news on public television and I must say I was quite taken with the Lt. Governor debate on Almanac. I’ve been inclined to write off Rep. Margaret Keliher as being too bland for times that require a little vinegar. Its not that I particularly like vinegar its just that my political assessment is that a candidate this year ought not be too bland otherwise like that poor Democratic South Carolina US Senate nominee you can get beat by a nobody ex con with a good Green name.
I was intrigued when she selected John Gonyou to be her running mate. There is no question that he’s sharp having been my favorite Republican Governor, Arne Carlson’s, chief finance expert. The symbolism of his selection was great – bipartisanship even if the position is of no consequence other than on the occasion of the death of Minnesota’s chief executive.
Gonyou was not only charming and obviously well versed in the mechanics of state finance he actually managed to persuade me that the Governor would rely on him for much more than just window dressing.
I went to bed early without bothering with the news but woke up at 1:30 after three good hours of sleep. I knew sleep wouldn’t return easily so I tippy toed over to my office and grabbed a stack of papers strewn across my desk to sort through in the basement. That way the floor boards wouldn’t creek and keep my better half awake.
I’ve been busy with the upcoming DFL endorsement writing and polishing a letter to the 300 or so delegates and alternates that I’ve allowed my paperwork to build up. I’ve got candidate questionaires to fill out, some tardy candidate paper work for the state to send in. So far I’ve asked no one to help me and have just been doing the preliminaries like setting up a campaign checking account.
I’ve always pretty much campaigned as a lone wolf. That changed quite a bit with Let Duluth Vote. I enjoyed working with a small army of helpers. But I mostly did LDV fundraising my myself through mail solicitations. The cause allowed us to raise more money than a Senate candidate (who abides by spending limitations) is allowed to spend on his/her campaign. I don’t really figure that money will play that big a role in this election. Roger and I both have familiar names and most people have already made up their minds about us. (Claudia said tonight that Roger is a nice man. That’s her impression anyway because like me she has never really met him) It will make a difference if voters want someone with a reputation for not making people mad or if they want someone with a little “red in tooth and claw.” Natural selection being what it is in politics my argument is that the DFL could use a few gladiators.
Before I got to the basement with my pile of paper I decided to take a walk in the night air. I needed more file folders and I thought the mile walk to Walgreen’s would do me good. I’d lost out on a chance to frolic in the sun with my grandchildren during the day and needed a little stretch.
I was pleased to pass a number of police squad cars with lights flashing and their patrolmen paying calls on disorderly gatherings. I think evenings in our part of town have been a little more sedate over the past couple years. That makes for better sleeping conditions.
After my purchase I decided to pick up the Reader Weekly at the stand next to Jubilee Foods. I opened it to browse the first couple pages and grinned with surprise to see that Mike Jaros, bless his heart, had sent his endorsement to the Reader asking DFLers in the Senate Convention to nominate me. I’d already opened up my mail and found a post card from New Mexico where Mike is studying. It had a couple burros on the front and a note on the back from Mike telling me to take charge of those donkeys at the convention. Notwithstanding the difference in elevation walking home was not an uphill climb.
My day had not gotten off to a great start. I had to finish printing my letter to DFL delegates and label, stuff and purchase postage for the 300 letters. I was scheduled to cook for the Soup kitchen at the Damiano Center but that should only have taken three hours. However, because of a mix up it turned out my church team needed me to serve lunch as well so I ended up staying until a little after 1:30. I had to sacrifice a little more grandparent time if I wanted to get everything in the mail in time for Saturday’s delivery. I managed it.
I’ll claim this day as another victory on my march to the primary whether I eventually get the DFL endorsement or not. I’ve already got my campaign pretty well thought out. If anyone steps up to help me, and I might even ask for some help for a change, it could be a breeze. Campaigns are always fun and the prospect of actual success is a great motivator.
When I ran against Mike in 1976 I had a few liabilities. I was running as a Republican two years after Watergate in an election year that was a Democratic blow out. I was new to Duluth and only knew half a dozen potential constituent. I was out spent two to one and Mike Jaros had already canvassed the District door to door five time in the previous two elections. Oh, and even before Watergate my District had given 76% of its vote to George McGovern for President even though McGovern had lost to Richard Nixon in the worst landslide in US history.
This time, 34 years after my first campaign for the legislature, I’ve got something far better than a lucky rabbit’s foot on my side – Mike Jaros!
