As others see it: Campaigning is well under way

Talk about it

Remember when election campaigns really didn’t kick into gear until after Labor Day, or at least the State Fair in the 10 days leading up to that unofficial summer-ending holiday?

Ah, the good old days.

Minnesota’s primary election was Aug. 10. Three days later on the “Almanac” show on PBS, which was broadcast statewide, the first gubernatorial general election debate was held. So less than 72 hours after Republican Rep. Tom Emmer and Independence Party’s Tom Horner secured their expected nominations on primary night and former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton won a hard-fought three-candidate battle to carry that party’s banner, the general election campaign was on in full force.

... And the Nov. 2 election is still 2½ months away. Whew!

This is an extremely important election for Minnesotans, especially with a new governor and Legislature facing a projected $5 to $7 billion deficit for the next biennium that begins July 1, 2011.

... When the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November rolls around, only a civic-deprived Minnesotan would be able to say he or she doesn’t know where the candidates stand on the issues.

And if that is the case for anyone, it certainly won’t be the fault of the candidates or the media.

The Mesabi Daily News of Virginia

Tags: mesabi daily news of virginia, primary, politics, editorials, campaigning, opinion