Was this the death of our endorsement process in MN?

"At one time, when the endorsing conventions were over, it was time to rally around the flag. At one time. But those days might be over. Now the time to rally around the flag might be after the primary is over. After the primary, over is finally over. That is, unless a vanquished foe decides to run as an independent in the general election. And the beat goes on..."      

I am a veteran of Minnesota politics. I was state delegate three years in a row. I was tightly involved both times Jeff Johnson ran for governor. I voted as a delegate - way more than once. I was a fan, a devotee of the endorsement process. I considered it to be an honor to represent my BPOU in the voting process. But those days are over for me. I decided to step aside to let some of the younger folks also taste this honor. I am still interested, and as many know, I do my part now via the Very Angry Bird Blog.

I penned a few days ago that both the DFL and MNGOP conventions left much to be desired. In fact, the MNGOP was so screwed up using the "clickers" for voting, this convention might have been the last for endorsing candidates. As much as I fought the idea of going directly to a primary a few years back, if might now be time to modify my thinking. Why? Possible shenanigans during the "clicker" voting. Please note I used the word "possible". But also, the word "trust" went out the window long before Kandall Qualls got the nod after dark on Saturday night. 

Some are saying that Qualls will have a tough time beating Amy for one reason only. Name recognition. Other are saying the same thing about Schwarze having problems beating either Flanigan or Craig. Name recognition. Truthfully - I am in the same camp. I think both Qualls and Schwarze are qualified and quality men. But who are they? That is the question many voters will ask. And truthfully, there are many voters out there who not political geeks in either political party. They are just ordinary, underinformed voters who vote for a name they recognize.

Where does that leave us this year? We are headed for a wide-open primary. Many think the only Republican who has a snowball's chance at the open senate seat is Michele Trafoya. I know, I know. Michele flunks many of the MNGOP "purity tests". But that will be a "so what" if Michele can steal that seat away from the Democrats. Is it possible that Adam could win that seat? Sure - anything is possible. But maybe not probable.

At one time, when the endorsing conventions were over, it was time to rally around the flag. At one time. But those days might be over. Now the time to rally around the flag might be after the primary is over. After the primary, over is finally over. That is, unless a vanquished foe decides to run as an independent in the general election. And the beat goes on...