Memories of Governor Skip Humphrey

Minnesotans look back fondly on the administration of former Governor Skip Humphrey. Humphrey brought his well-known personal charisma and decisive character to bear in solving myriad issues the state faced following his 1998 election victory over former St. Paul mayor Norm Coleman and wrestler-turned-politician Jesse Ventura. Governor Humphrey was able to parlay his Minnesota successes all the way to the White House, where he ably serves President John Kerry as his Vice President.

Wait, you don't remember that? Really, it was all right there in the Star Tribune. I remember reading the results of their Minnesota Poll back in 1998, and it said that Humphrey has a comfortable lead over Coleman and Ventura. It was pretty much in the bag, as I recall, but then something really strange happened. The election took place, the lines at the polling places were out the door, filled with giggling guys with mullet haircuts, and somehow lead-pipe cinch Skip ended up finishing third. I always thought that was really strange, that somehow the Minnesota Poll could be so wrong.

Now we learn from today's Minnesota Poll that DFLer Amy Klobuchar has a 19 point lead over Congressman Mark Kennedy in the U.S. Senate race. The poll says that Klobuchar leads in all demographics, including outstate farmers. They find the results "surprising." Somehow, I think they picked the wrong word....