DFLer Andy Luger’s ability to attract the support of some of the state’s most powerful Republicans in his campaign for Hennepin County Attorney speaks volumes for his political skills, but you have to wonder what effect it will have on his progressive base at a time when partisan snipership is a de rigeur feature of any major political contest.Luger on Thursday introduced a number local Republicans who are supporting his campaign at a Hennepin County Government Center press conference. Among those who appeared were former Hennepin County attorney Gary Flakne, former U.S. Attorney Tom Heffelfinger, and Hennepin County Commissioner (and state GOP vice-chair) Penny Steele.

Other noteworthy GOPers supporting Luger are former Sen. Rudy Boschwitz, longtime party activist and former gubernatorial candidate Wheelock Whitney, broadcasting mogul Stanley Hubbard, and TCF executive and former state GOP Party chair Bill Cooper.

Now, Luger is your basic progressive DFLer, a guy who has navigated his way masterfully through the party process during the past 18 months and seems poised to neutralize Mike Freeman’s name recognition in the November election. What persuaded him to recruit some of the state’s most notable conservatives (Boschwitz and Whitney) and notorious right-wingers (Hubbard and Cooper) for his cause?

To hear Luger’s campaign manager, Gia Vitali, tell it, the candidate didn’t really seek them out. “Andy’s hard work has paid off,