Bachmann Leading in CD-6 - C&B Weighs In

Checks & Balances shares their opinion regarding the endorsement process and situation for the Republicans in CD-6.

Are the Concession Speeches Being Written in the 6th Congressional District?

Reading the comments of Bill Walsh, Krinkie’s Campaign “Strategist”, Pioneer Press this morning, he sounds like someone searching for a little Dutch boy to stick his finger in a dike to hold back the flood waters. He expects Sen. Michele Bachmann (R-52, Stillwater) to win the first ballot. If that happens then some magical coalition between Rep. Phil Krinkie (R-53A, Lino Lakes), Rep. Jim Knoblach Z(R-15B, St. Cloud) and Republican Party Activist Jay Esmay is too appear to prevent her from securing the requisite 60 percent in subsequent ballots. The problem is that Knoblach, Krinkie and Esmay would need to set their egos and aspirations aside and form an agreement up front: after the first ballot, the two candidates trailing need to withdraw and support the second place candidate. If they structure this agreement in advance and abide by it, they may have a shot at stemming the tide of support for Bachmann. Currently, the expectation game is in her favor and all of the opposing campaigns are trying to maneuver themselves into better positions. The rules of this convention are far different than on the DFL side. The drop rules only kick in when a candidate falls below a particular figure. On the first ballot candidates are required to surpass a 5 percent threshold. Any candidate that falls below 5 percent on the first three ballots is removed from consideration. On the 4th ballot the percentage moves up to 10 percent. Again any candidate that falls below the 10 percent figure on any subsequent ballots is removed from consideration. A candidate maintaining 11 percent can continue to participate throughout the process until one candidate receives 60 percent and the Republican Party endorsement. These Rules seem structured to prevent candidates from be forcibly removed from the ballot by process and are actually counterproductive to the ability to endorse a candidate. The Krinkie campaign helped to establish these “Hanger on” Rules and there still is a possibility the Rules may be ammended on Friday evening. We will be on hands [sic] Saturday for the balloting so keep tuned to our site for regular updates.