AM.MN: Coleman coulda but woulda been ‘waste of public’s attention’

By not running for governor, Norm Coleman joked Monday, he’s “free at last, free at last.” Newspaper editorialists miss him already. Coleman’s exit “leaves a void,” says the Star Tribune, though rehashing his record for the race would’ve been “a waste of the public’s attention.” It’s “too bad,” says the Grand Forks Herald, because moderates have “nowhere to go” in the GOP. A Coleman run couldn’t succeed so soon after the “recount debacle,” opined the Worthington Daily Globe; anyway, he isn’t “tea party” enough for conservatives.

Elsewhere in Minnesota news this morning …

OWATONNA: Al Franken stumps for Jason Engbrecht. Massachusetts’ isn’t the only special senate election. [Waseca County News]

MINNEAPOLIS: Something besides benefit concerts. Freelance musicians can get annual checkups through new program. [Workday Minnesota]

MARSHALL: Marty Seifert preens. He’s on top among GOP guv candidates now that Coleman’s out. [Star Tribune]

DELANO: Tom Emmer begs to differ. He’s working his University of St. Thomas connections to close the gap with Seifert. [Politics in Minnesota]

MINNEAPOLIS: Teamsters back Mark Dayton. It’s his second union endorsement; six DFL guv candidates can lay claim to labor support.  [Politics in Minnesota; Polinaut]

STATEWIDE: Everything’s earlier on electoral calendar. And Seifert can’t wait for the State Fair. [Minnesota Public Radio]