Breaking: Sen. Mark Dayton (D-Minn.) announces retirement!

[Vadem]

Just came on C-Span as breaking news!

Does anyone know anything more about it?

[sabra]

1. More in LBN

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1224246

[question everything]

2. A weak senator that can easily be defeated by a Karl Rove's

hand picked candidate (lamentably)

This is the chance for the MN DFL to put forward a real strong candidate.

[wheresthemind]

11. Yeah, a weak canidate, just like that Wellstone guy... (sarcasm)

It is up to us MINNESOTANS who wins, not Rove...

Don't look for anyone who would have voted against IRV, Condi, or Gonzoles. Apparently that is political suicide!

[MNDEM2004]

3. Yes it's true.

It's to bad because he stood up for vets.

[jsw_81]

4. Darn

Minnesota has been trending Republican in recent years (Coleman, Pawlenty, Kerry's narrow win etc.) and it will be hard to hold onto this seat.

[NationalEnquirer]

5. Really?

Wow, can we at least stop the bleeding?
This will be a test of Deans abilities..

[eowyn_of_rohan]

6. Interesting how many states are trending Republican...

At least according to those who tally the votes!

[Al-CIAda]

7. "At least according to those who tally the votes!" -INDEED! -EOM

[Carolab]

9. Sorry, that's just WRONG. Minnesota picked up Dem seats in this election.

Minnesota is most assuredly NOT "trending Republican". That's a LIE being pushed by the Repukes. In fact, the traditionally blue Iron Range went even BLUER this time. I live in St. Paul and I KNOW that Pawlenty and Coleman did NOT win. Their elections were rigged. A REPUBLICAN Governor in Minnesota--AFTER we elected Ventura last time? And Coleman? The worst St. Paul mayor ever? The guy who switched from Dem to Republican after he won? Everybody here HATES him. Give me a break.

This is Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer's doing.

I hope Mike Ciresi steps in to run in Dayton's place. THAT guy has some cajones.

[Peace Patriot]

8. A great loss! The speech Senator Dayton gave on the Senate floor...

...during the Condaleeza Rice debate was thrilling! Brilliant, laser-like focus, passionate. I was mesmerized. It was a speech that will live in history--and that was in the context of a number of great speeches.

I'm so sorry he's retiring. We desperately need him to help speak for the disenfranchised majority in this country.

Do you know when it's effective? Will he serve out his term? Does his term end in '06?

[merh]

10. Other thread (LBN) has posts that he won't seek re-election in '06

On it's noon news, WCCO the locale CBS affiliate reported that Mark Dayton will not run for reelection in 2006. There has not been an official announcement, the story is coming from "sources".

We can only hope the sources are wrong. Mark sure sounded like a candidate last Saturday at the State Central Committee meeting.

[Mister Ed]

17. Maybe this will free him to give many more such hard-hitting speeches

in the two years that remain in his term.

[candice]

12. Is this the seat Al Franken will run for?

[FogerRox]

13. LOL my thought too---LOL

[Laura PourMeADrink]

14. big time BUMMER...Let's drag out Mondale again !!!

[Wilms]

15. Will that work?? n/t

[Kip Humphrey]

16. Odds just went up: Al Franken for Senate

With Mark going, going, gone, you can bet Al Franken will run in 2006.