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In 1st District, National Guard veteran has fighting chance
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| Parent(s) |
Race
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| Contributor | Eric |
| Last Edited | Eric Jul 15, 2006 02:14pm |
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| Category | News |
| Media | Newspaper - San Jose Mercury News |
| News Date | Saturday, July 15, 2006 08:00:00 PM UTC0:0 |
| Description | ALBERT LEA, Minn. - Tim Walz waded into the crowds lining the parade route in this industrial town of 18,000. Trotting from one side of the street to the other, he yelled his 20-second pitch: teacher, retired Army National Guard, ready and willing to go to Washington.
Backed by chanting supporters in yellow "Walz '06" shirts, his voice was raw as he shouted, "Give me four months to earn that vote!"
In his first run for office, this Democrat is turning heads as he tries to unseat a congressional incumbent who came to power with a wave of Newt Gingrich Republicans a dozen years ago.
Walz has enough money to put up a fight. He's also got presence - a coach's beefy enthusiasm combined with a resolute gaze that shows how this command sergeant major climbed to the top of the ranks for enlisted men.
At least one GOP strategist calls Walz the Democrats' best hope to pick up a congressional seat in Minnesota. But Rep. Gil Gutknecht didn't seem overly worried as he walked the same parade route July 3.
"The people here in Albert Lea are very good to me. They voted for me for six times," Gutknecht said. "It will take a real strong message for them to say, `You know, I think we better fire Gil.'"
Democrats could take control of the House by gaining as few as 15 seats. Minnesota's 1st District isn't considered one of the toss-ups, but appears on some deeper lists of potential battlegrounds. |
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