Over eggs and coffee Saturday morning, Minnesota Republicans shined up what the party chairman called the "crown jewel" of this election year -- newly endorsed candidate for governor, firebrand Tom Emmer.
"We don't have any doubt about what Tom Emmer stands for or what his values are," Gov. Tim Pawlenty said, ceremonially passing the torch to Emmer, the Republican endorsed candidate for governor. "He is strong. He is steadfast. He is clear. ... He is going to be the next governor of the state of Minnesota."
But now the House legislator, who received his party's nod Friday, has to prove to Minnesotans that his values are what the state needs.
His campaign will have to broaden from a smattering of die-hard activists to hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans in the political middle, not deeply beholden to either party. He's got company in that quest. The same pledges and promises candidates make that turn on the party faithful may raise doubts among general election voters. To secure her endorsement, DFL House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher promised to sign a universal health care bill, while DFL primary challenger Mark Dayton has pledged to raise income taxes on the state's wealthy. Meanwhile, both parties need worry about the coming candidate from the small Independence Party, who will pitch that he represents the middle ground.
Emmer appears to be to the right of Pawlenty. State government, he says, should shrink by a full 20 percent and the welfare system dismantled. He considers Arizona's controversial new immigration law that has local police checking immigration status a "wonderful first step."
But the former Division I college hockey player, who has offered more passion than detail in his campaign, is confident his positions will find broad appeal.
"They want their government not telling them how to live -- they want their government serving them and there is a huge difference and that's what we are going to be about all summer. And that's what makes us mainstream," Emmer said.
Moving to the center
