Appealing to Undecideds

As the race for MN governor comes to an end, candidates are trying to win as many extra votes as possible. An article posted online at StarTribune.com this Sunday night reviewed the last debate between the candidates that took place earlier Sunday. The article briefly covered the debate stating that the "candidates [seemed] more determined to drive home their major themes than attack each other." During the debate, there was time for a few people from the audience to ask questions. The article included two of those questions and the answers from each candidate.

One man asked how the prospective governors would avoid partisan politics when legislative and congressional districts are redrawn next year. Horner and Dayton said they favor leaving redistricting decisions to an independent commission or judicial panel.

Emmer said: "If I'm in the governor's office, it will be fair, absolutely."

When a member of the audience asked how the candidates felt about the new federal health care overhaul, Emmer said it gave too much power to the federal government. "I think it's a mistake," he said. "I don't think it's got a future."

Dayton defended the overhaul, saying it has been the target of "a lot of fear-mongering."
Horner said, "There are challenges, problems, weaknesses in the federal health-care reform." But he said Minnesota should be "bold and innovative" to get the most out of it.

In the last few days before the election, this article seemed to leave a positive light on each candidate and showed what makes each candidate stand out from one another.

"I will makes taxes fair and will invest that money on education," Dayton said.

Emmer distinguished himself from both Dayton and Horner, who has proposed lowering but broadening the state sales tax. "I'm the only candidate that will not raise taxes on middle class Minnesotans, or any other Minnesotans," Emmer said.

Horner, who has been slumping in recent polls, sought to dispel the notion that a vote for him would only help one of the other two candidates. "A vote for Tom Horner is a vote for Tom Horner," he said.

View the complete article here.