A Closer Look at the Senatorial Race

By Matt Martin
Saturday, November 04, 2006 at 8:00 am

At the outset of the mid-term election cycle Minnesota was rated nationally as the best chance for a Republican Senate seat pick-up in 2006. A year later and four days away from the finish line, the extent of the reversal of those early predictions is nothing short of astounding.

A combination of national anti-incumbant, anti-republican sentiment, and Klobuchar’s impressive campaign discipline has left her far ahead of her opponent in the polls. In the last month alone only one of the seven major polls published has shown Amy Klobuchar with a lead of less than 10 points over Congressman Mark Kennedy; the average Klobuchar lead of those polls was 16 points, a practically unheard of margin in a swing-state Senatorial race. The effect of these polls coupled with the seemingly insurmountable momentum of the Klobuchar campaign has lead almost all national political forecasters to downgrade the race to a safely Democrat one.

Still, anything can happen in four days; so let’s take a closer look at where Amy Klobuchar and Mark Kennedy stand on the issues:Rep. Mark Kennedy, GOP

Energy: Does not support drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge but he did vote for a Defense bill that included a provision for drilling in ANWR. Supports encouraging fuel conservation through various avenues but does not support the Kyoto Treaty. Of note: Pat Shortridge, Mark Kennedy’s campaign manager, was the senior lobbyist for Enron during the 2001 secret energy talks with Dick Cheney.

Iraq War: Does not support immediate withdrawal or a timetable for withdrawal. Has historically supported the Bush Administration policy in Iraq but has recently acknowledged that mistakes have been made and that we need a strategy “focused on adapting to win.”

Social Security: Kennedy has yet to officially clarify his position on Social Security and privatization but his voting record indicates at least past support for privatization plans. Among other indicative votes, Kennedy has twice voted to keep avenues towards privatization open [Vote #78, 3/6/05; Vote #273, 7/25/01].

Health Care: Opposes universal health care plans. Supports tort reform that limits malpractice lawsuits. Does not support drug reimportation programs but did support the President’s medicare prescription drug benefit program. He has received 0% rating from the American Public Health Association; “the oldest and largest organization of public health professionals in the world.”

Immigration: Supports and recently voted for fencing off the border. Supports an increase in border patrol. Does not support amnesty for illegal immigrants.

Amy Klobuchar, DFL

Energy: Supports expanded incentives for renewable energy and technology. Supports adoption of renewable fuel content standards (10% by 2010, 20% by 2020) and raising the fuel economy standards for all cars. Supports ant-price gouging legislation.

Iraq War: Supports the development of a timetable for bringing home the troops but does not support immediate withdrawal. Calls for a renewed commitment to funding and providing the best possible equipment for our troops.

Social Security: Opposes privatization but wants to introduce further incentives for supplemental retirement options like IRA and 401(k) accounts.

Health Care: Supports a universal health care plan. Calls for the government to negotiate for lower prices with pharmaceutical companies. Opposes taxpayer subsidies for pharmaceutical advertising.

Immigration: Supports increased border patrol and the fence. Calls for more rigorous enforcement of immigration laws through cracking down on employers who hire illegal immigrants. Supports earned citizenship plan.

Other segments in this series: CD1, CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD6, CD7 and CD8. Stay tuned for a closer look at the Gubernatorial race.