And good morning. Welcome to mid-day here on Minnesota Public Radio. I'm Gary eichten. And today we're coming to you live from the Republican Party State Convention at the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis. Today is the big day at the convention the day when 2200 delegates who have come from all around the state get their chance to decide who they want to run for governor in the November general election and the candidates of all promise to let the gout delegates decide. They have all signed a promise to support whichever candidate is actually endorsed today. No offline. No second thoughts. They say they will not challenge the party's endorsed candidates in the September primary. So this is maybe the night as well as delegates decide who they prefer say Palm-Aire Norm Coleman lieutenant, governor, Joanne Benson or former state representative. Allen Quist will be hearing from all the candidates will be tracking their campaigns as they try to find that elusive 60% needed for endorsement.What we talkin with the decision-makers namely those delegates will be talking with our political analyst Time Warner and Sarah janecek by Meek and Sarah stays and if time permits were going to open the phone lines as well in a little while so that you can join our coverage. First of all, let's check in with the through three folks will actually be working the floor of the convention tracking each of those campaigns. Martin custody is with the norm Coleman campaign. And what's the strategy here Martin this morning as the man is going to try to prove that all the speculation about electable. He is and how appealing is and how well-organized he is will actually come true and so far just looking at his floor organization here. He certainly is making a powerful first impression. He seems to have the most for workers out here. They have distinctive blue vests on a star look like waiters, but they're everywhere and they and they're really really just working the crowd their identifying delegates one by one who look like it might be waffling. You might look like a my pillow.Change their mind. They're picking him out there. Take him outside there talking to them one of these sort of District captain that they have Coleman Captain's told me that they're going to have people stationed at the exits here blocking Coleman's border from leaving as things drag on tonight. If it turns out to be multiple ballots. They said they're they're going to they're going to catch their people before they can leave and and they say that they don't think the other campaigns are doing things quite that well and they hope that that in the end will win it for them. Your Aunt Louise both is with the Joanne Benson campaign lieutenant. Governor. Benson was the favorite to win party endorsement and tell Norm Coleman to join the race. She is the only woman running for governor this year and Karen Lee is what are you hearing? What I'm hearing from. The Benson campaign is some of the tactics by the other campaigns show that they're feeling desperate at the moment. That's the spin that I was given today doing Benson walked into the convention center this morning and gave a thumbs-up sign. So if there's any doubt in her mind about her chances of walking out of here today with the party's endorsement, you would never be able to tell by her demeanor.Campaign strategist are hoping to sway leaners their way including the soft support that Allen Quist has and let me just say about the quiz supporters here today. They're going to do a lot of soul-searching when they have to decide who's the most electable against City FL Challenger come November and at the same time one that carries the most conservative credentials in alignment with what they believe is, the party's ideologies. They have quite a floor operation in order to do what they're not wearing the blue vest that the norm Coleman people are wearing and they don't look like waiters, but you can identify them by a predominance of red and and of course the Benson buttons come on, the more recognizable names that they have working the floor here today people in the party wear a well-known. They have US senator Rod grams and former Governor Al quie working on their behalf of pressuring of delegates on the floor Benson campaign. Spokesman, John and Lee says according to their account on the floor. It's within five percentage points between Cullman and Benson with Coleman in the lead.But it down to get I talked with who is a strong Benson supporter says he'll actually jumped a Coleman if Coleman should hit his stride and tip over 50% So there is some Swain power here among the people working the floor today 1994 delegates to the Republican State Convention endorse to Allen Quist for governor, and a master quest former state representative is running again this year and marks it act like it's cracking the quest campaign and a lot of people continue to underestimate Allen Quist. It's funny how things work in this because there's an event would have a talent Quest also this morning thinks he has the endorsement wrapped up by price at this convention political insiders expect. He's being underestimated. He says he likes to be underestimated. He says that he's proven experts wrong before and he's looking forward to doing that again today. He is not that putting a huge amount of pressure on delegates as you watch his campaign walk around.They're not that seemingly as organized as maybe the Coleman campaign in there talking to delegates passing out some information, but they don't seem to be swarming around uncommitted delegates with the these quiz colors in the sir thing is the Coleman campaign is later on in his speech today. Allen Quist says she'll outline new plank of his campaign little separate him from the other candidates, of course, he's already talked about his opposition to profiles and learning he's talked about his opposition to the marriage penalty tax and he's talked about his opposition to the attorney fees in the tobacco settlement. He's going to talk today in his speech about his opposition to judicial activism and that if he were elected governor, he would require that the courts basically to enforce the law not to interpret the law and that sort of thing. He thinks that's going to be a big deal that that'll get a lot of positive reaction as far as the issue of competing with the other two Allen Quist says he thinks it's appropriate that the convention end in an endorsement. He says right now going into the convention if he is not the person to getAdd endorsement he has right now no preference for the Joanne Benson or Norm Coleman. So it's hard to say where where is a support might end up being thrown if he it looks like he won't be the the endorsed candidate but we're going to hear from all of the candidates will hear those speeches. They're coming up for yep during are you up today during our coverage? We're expecting the actual process of candidate endorsement to begin at about 12:33 candidates in the race. There was a fourth person running for governor in the Republican Party Waverly businessmen, Nick Burrell, but today right before the balloting is to get under way. Mr. Burrell announced that he is suspending his campaign essentially dropping out throwing his support to st. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman and he says he expects that most of his delegates the ones committed to him about a hundred. I guess we'll do the same that they're going to be supporting Norm colon.Kakashi ask him why it's a matter of pragmatism but it's also a matter of conservative issues. I think I trust Norm will govern as a conservative. He said that one of the things that we need to do is delegates is to look at at what he has done and really come to trust that he will continue to govern as a conservative not so we're looking for that was a dick Burrell Waverly businessman who is weld was running for governor, and he is now suspended his campaign. So we're down to the big three and delegates today will in fact be endorsing or at least try to endorse a candidate there have been some talk earlier that maybe nobody would get endorsed. That's because all of the candidates presumably were coming into this convention with good solid blocks of support Norm Coleman about 40, maybe 45% of the delegates support up 30% more or less for both Joanne Benson and Allen Quist. And of course if nobody switch that was absolutely guaranteed deadlock, but as we've heard that apparently is already some switching going on folks, you know all about that kind of thing are political analysts and here on their home court this time Republicans Time Warner and Sarah janecek and the visiting team Rd FL commentators, Bob. Me and Sarah stays. Good morning everybody. They have but we should tell you. Those. Are you listening at home are commentators are a bedecked today in those official sports announcer headphone deals. If you know where they that looks like headphones mic coming around and I were expecting any time. They'll get up and start singing here to go right to the fundraising clutch driver that strikes me as being a really interesting about this convention is that the delegates are actually going to decide who the candidates going to be on the November general election ballot traditionally, of course, the delegates come to these conventions, they vote they endure somebody usually and then there's generally a big challenge in the primary and that really settles the thing in the September primary, but not this time but I think 1996 really sent a message to the Republican party. And that's your birth mackesy running for the Senate came into the convention and Duluth expecting to get endorsement Rudy boschwitz the deformity State senator join the race and end made the case to the delegates that he was the more electable neither could quite get over that 60% threshold. And and one of the things that happened, I guess you remember sitting there in the wee hours watching the sunrise over Lake Superior that more and more of the delegates left. And the rule at that time was that you had to receive 60% of the delegates registered for the the the DeCamp for the convention. They sense change the rules so that now it's 60% of the delegates who are actually see did not just those who are registered and secondly and just as importantly there's a drop-off rule candidates who don't get 20% after the third ballot automatically are excluded. So I think all of that combined with the delegates real intense desire to come out of here with a winner with with with a unified party. I think we're going to have an endorsement. I think it might take a while, but I think the delicate Going to come out of here with the message the tenant Governor Joanne Benson. Tom Horner says it may take a while for these delegates to make a decision. You think that's true? Pain while though, I'm really for the last number weeks have been hearing people who are moving from the undecided to the Benson Camp, which is good for me and I as we're working the floor for hearing the same thing. And of course some Senator Graham's wanting to work with Governor Benson same ideas not asking him to do things in Washington them that he shouldn't be asked to do the Minnesota keeping our tax money in our pocket fewer regulations better education better safety. He's our basic issues, but he knows me he's working with me in the past and he trusts and we keep here we keep hearing that. Well, Coleman is really building up momentum beer and that he's going to wrap this up fairly quickly that can fit all your Gear Solid. I am solid. I'm solid and this time I didn't moving up is the best place to be not over and over expecting not over. Estimating and then having to lower your estimation with the delegates that are decided. It's really a combination of things here at 1 they know me. I've been at these conventions for years. They don't have to question my belief system. They don't have to question whether I'm a Republican or door how long have you know that sort of thing so they know me that leads to trust That leads to them some specific issues and I've been talking about since I started this campaign a long time ago. The things that I hear from people they feel over tax in over-regulated and underestimate an under-appreciated. I've heard it over and over and over again get down to some other issues of whether it's property rights or whatever. It might be that resonate with a particular groups of people and their particular delegations. Basically what they're saying is government stop intruding in my freedoms in my right and and let me as a citizen via Citizen and be part of you part of Minnesota in a more productive in a more free at way consensus seems to be that Allen Quist solid block of support doesn't really have a chance here to get the endorsement when all is said and done. Assuming that's accurate. Where are those delegates going to go and she going to support you today to going to come out indoors you you know, I don't know about Alan him what he's going to do, but I know what I'm hearing his delegates say to me and that is you know, where with Alan we've been with him in the past. We're going to give him our votes maybe one maybe two and then Joanne where we're going with you Helen Chris tonight, you know, we've been on a campaign Trail all this time and those delegates resonate to the again the same thing. I've been here, I'm a Minnesotan. I trust they know and I know what common ordinary minnesotans lives are like and I think that's something that dumb that is very important when I call the radio stations out in Ortonville friends, if they say we love it. When you call Joanne, we know that you know, where art and Bill is we know that you know where it feels in Minnesota, but I know that about all the towns in Minnesota I get around, you know, whether he's out for tourism or whether it's out for Snowmobiling what you know, whatever it might be like they've asked me for 4 years is Lieutenant Governor come out and be with him and live their lives with him and I've been there and they won't forget that in there waiting to have that opportunity to vote for me because they're not all here. Are they and that's why it's such an awesome responsibility for about two thousand people to be making this decision. It is a huge decision, but I left my campaign office the other day. There was a volunteer there card-carrying Democrat a Union steward for the mea a teacher in St. Paul. She's working for me not just been a vote for me. She's working for me. Why because two years ago when the scores came out and reading up the reading scores and Saint Paul weren't as high as we'd hoped and she was a teacher in that classroom instead of starting a government program instead of asking taxpayers for their money. My son and I got on the email and read sent out messages to estate employees and said would you come and join us? We're going to go read with these kids and give them more practice. We've done it for Years. It didn't cost the taxpayer 1% didn't cost any bureaucracy. But this teacher said if someone at your level of government with your busy schedule will not just tell others what to do, but will come out and do it yourself and then bring others along at the person. I'm going to vote for whatever you ever run for again. She's doing it. That's one of many many many people who say the same thing. Good luck to you. Thank you. Very good luck. Thanks to the Jenna Governor. Joanne Benson joining us here at our broadcast table. If you're just tuning in we're broadcasting live today from the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis. Republican state convention is underway. And today really is the big day here at the convention. This is the day when I believe it's 2215. I think that's the official number 2215 delegates will be voting on who they want to represent party as their gubernatorial candidate and all other candidates say well we're going to we're going to go by by the decision of the delegates here. We're not going to go on to the primary. So this is really a Winner-take-all convention very unusual really in this day and age and then pretty pretty exciting three solid candidates. So Norm Coleman Joanne Benson Alan Quest. This is a great time to be a delegate you bet it is scary. We should point out that your listeners that are Democrats that we operate differently here on the Republican side. We don't have caucuses like a livable communities caucus it indoors we have opinion leaders and it was interesting what Joanne said for 10 years a liquid has had good control over his rank-and-file opinion leaders in the party this year. I'm not so sure. I think they'll be all over the map. When I think the lieutenant Governor's other message that is starting to resonate with these delegates is that Greater Minnesota vs. Urban issue that the lieutenant governor comes from the st. Cloud area, She has been in the trenches for a long time the Republican party going out to all the local events, and she she does go out and she talks real issues and and there is a canoe. Turn among the some of the delegates. That woman is too much of the the big city mirror and we've certainly seen that issue Drive politics in Minnesota in both parties over the years we have to as we said to visit India Fowler is here. They managed to sneak in. We're back by the stage door here so we can slide in and out and wait we brought them in under the cover of dark by Bob naked Sarah stays and we're going to hear from them as well in a few minutes. But right now we're going to be talking with the st. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman who joins us just as everybody's getting ready for the big the big moment. Mayor Coleman. I'm losing my voice. We're in the retail business is at 121 so I can get delegates. What are you dancing around Quest and because I have governed people have seen the results of that. I have one eye in a heavily Democratic area getting folks to vote for the 1st Republican mayor and 35 something. And the things that we do work, I hope that I'm a poster child, but for the Republican Vision, we cut taxes cut regulation put more cops on the street at 5000 small jobs at greater sense of hope and opportunity that the Republican vision and it works and it works as powerfully in our ethnic neighborhoods as it does in rural Minnesota on the rain. So that's part of my message if we can win and Saint Paul we can win throughout Minnesota. There isn't the city or place in this in this state in which our vision won't work. And I'm going to be out there to sell it Joanne Benson was saying couple minutes ago that one of the things that seems to be working well for her is the fact that she's so familiar with Minnesota, Minnesota 90 Saul the nooks and crannies of the state. How do you how do you tell her that? I can't count on her being a lifelong Minnesota. I'm here by choice. I've made a choice and I think you know those who make a choice and make an affirmative reason for choosing someplace become very strong and very very passionate. I had great opportunity. All over the state. I tried cases in Thief River in Crookston in Mandeville and Slayton, but I am going to continue Gary to listen and learn from the people of Minnesota. You don't come in here nipotent and all knowledgeable you come in and you trained your listening like I'm a pretty good listener and I have a great lieutenant governor, by the way, great lieutenant. Governor Jen Olson why I really think represents Minnesota if she grew up on a farm sheep actually grew up on the phone that you helped her dad built. She was an only child her dad's son and her mother's daughter. She hot sheep farm Hogs and sheep and chicken at the same time. She not represent an area that's been very Suburban. So between gin and I you got Urban suburban and Rural all in one package to pretty good baggage Minnesota. Now another thing you always hear all that Coleman. He supports subsidies for the the richest Sports owners. I think the term is what luxury suites Suites for billionaires are there is a lot of opposition to spending public money on on the hockey arena. What do you say about that other things I say is is that Go to the people who you've represented go to the people st. Paul or Community fully supported that business supported dfl legislative support it and then they could have got me on it. They would have got it was a good deal. You know, what you got to do is not need your kind. I don't know. I'm not happy that certain sportsbooks make 120 million-dollar contracts and I'm not happy about the cost of luxury Suite but if we have an opportunity to bring economic Vitality that is in a fiscally prudent way to the people st. Paul and take what is a facility in which I've got a TENS of millions of dollars of capital debt obligation on at that old Civic Center. The taxpayers would have paid for I got a new business coming in and that's actually going to help us replace that without any property tax dollars at risk. That's a good fiscally conservative responsible thing to do property values are finally coming back in downtown st. Paul that's good for my tax papers. I am a vigorous and organ Defender the taxpayer interests. There has been great economic vitality and in the in the downtown st. Paul Gary you there you see it's probably tough finding parking fee. Nowadays as there are people on the streets, but I want to stay and it's a profound Shane from what it was about five years ago. And you see the hole in the ground for Lawson software in the hole in the graph of Minnesota Mutual you talk about thousands more job. I think that's a net gain rather than a negative trait even in this convention people understand that the other charge, of course that you here comes up to you and said mayor Coleman, I like what I hear from you but by golly just a year-and-a-half ago, you were two years ago. You were standing up on the 8th at the dfl convention that enthusiastically in boarding Bill Clinton and Paul wellstone of all people that was a painful experience. I'm I'm I must confess that was my last active trying to do the party thing. But clearly after that I publicly didn't support wellstone's back September of that year when the vice president came to town. I wasn't even invited when Clinton came in October. I I didn't show up and end in December I left before I had to side. Do yard quietly back as I was a Democrat and I've asked on the prodigal son come home to Folks at this convention there by the way, awesome X Democrats that here as a republican Republican Governor. I will build the party and I will pursue our agenda which will really mean really mean not just rhetoric less taxes government that works better for Less safest streets more quality education with parents and teachers being involved in directing that education. I'm sure you're confident you're going to win how many ballots I leave that to the smart political folks you got for him here probably a lot smarter than I am about that. But I'm very hopeful and very confident that I will win this party wants to win. They really do want to make sure that was sitting there end and cutting taxes significantly permanently cutting taxes cutting on Nessa regulation fighting the safest reason of gangs and violence and I just problems in St. Paul. They're all over Minnesota. We can address that effectively aggressively. This is the party of Minnesota's future. They got the vision. I'll carry it and I'm looking forward to starting that today. Thanks. Thank you very much. Sir. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman joining us here at our broadcast table on the floor of the Target Center side of the Republican State Convention underway. This is the big day. If you're just tuning in the delegates today will actually be endorsing someone for governor and will be here right on through the balloting process. We're going to take a quick break your catch up on some weather news from Tim pugmire back in a moment Tim. Thanks Gary the state forecast for today scattered showers and thunderstorms in the north and Central sections partly cloudy in the south high temperatures from the mid-sixties in the Northwest to around 80 in the South tonight. Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers in the north partly cloudy in the South Lowe's from the mid-50s to the lower sixties and then Saturday partly, mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms in a high from the mid-seventies to the mid-80s. Take a look at the Twin Cities forecast this afternoon partly cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower or thunderstorm a high in the middle to Upper 70s tonight partly cloudy skies or lower around 6 on Saturday partly sunny breezy and warmer a 40% chance of an afternoon thunderstorm Saturday with highs in the middle 80s and around the region at last report in Fargo 62, Sioux Falls 70 Rochester 63, St. Cloud 67 International Falls, 65 Duluth 64 and in the Twin Cities 68°, the time is now 11:30. And we're back here at the Republican State Convention coming to you from the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis joining us here at our broadcast table or those smart people that Norm Coleman was talking about the just a couple of minutes ago political analyst Tom Horner and Sarah. Janecek. There are the Republicans and RD FL commentators Bob make Sarah states are here as well. And so we've heard now folks from the two acknowledged FrontRunner for the for the endorsement hear Alan Quest is also a strong can it was strong black of votes, but it since it seems to be he's just not going to be able to get endorse this time. Is that right after the third fourth ballot ballot and I will be surprised if Ellen last of the 4th ballot Leverage is going to come after the first ballot about I would expect that on the first ballot. He'll come in around the mid-20s. But about half of that I think is a first-ballot boat to send a message with Republican party needs to be more committed to some of these social issues more conservative and those people are ready to move on the second ballot to a person who can win the general election. Once they start moving with that 20% rule Ellen quit quickly loses his bargaining power. So if he's going to be cutting deals, he's got to cut it right after that first Ballot or right before the first ballot and use the leverage when he has it. Would he be interested in getting out of this Dimension security want to be education commissioner? That won't be done. But kind of one of the fun things that will happen here today is ultimately Eliquis will endorse somebody and that maybe we should take bets on which one when I think you could see some some deals cut the weather there there explicit or or quietly done around issues profiles of learning their the education standards that elmquist has campaigned against Talk about judicial activism. He might try to to work some deals on judicial appointment. I think it's those kinds of things because there is absolutely right that he probably is too much of a lightning rod for either Norm Coleman or Joanne Benson commits naming him as commissioner of children's family and learning or some high-profile position like that from the two front-runners here astute observations. I think wealth and power has returned to the Republican party and it was we noted earlier that the people in the jackets for Norm Coleman work centers or something. That was the comparison. I I would say it's more apt to use Ted Mondale set description of Norm Coleman as the bellhop to the rich and powerful and that these same people on the floor of just adopted that uniform and II credit Norm for having the the great political listens to mark his people that way I'm going to be conservative social issue delegates here at this convention will be able to really unite around this strongly pro-business candidate in Norm Coleman. This is a challenge for them. This is going to be something new for them in a sense. Can they move beyond their entrenchment in this really the sort of right wing? Army of the last 10 years that tired of losing elections and they have learned. I think that while the social issues are important to them the business issues nine times out of ten toes of the issues that are being decided and I think the way they drive their social issues is by having a strong economy. Will joining a snow is a Allen question if you could put those on so you can make it here a little bit. And we're getting all set to go. Thanks for coming by today. Well, I was here anyway, so I thought I might as well stop by right opportunity to go Full Speed Ahead. Yeah. I know. I delays on takeoff. We're ready. How do you see the convention playing up its is very unpredictable. It's just amazing. The number of balance is unpredictable. The outcome is unpredictable. I think it's some point there is something is going to happen there going to be some kind of surd some kind of movement some kind of mood swing and the convention is going to go a certain way. I don't know when that that happened. I force know the way I'd like to see it happen, but but nobody knows. Let's assume for a moment that somewhere down the road. It becomes clear to you that you're just not going to win the endorsement. What are you going to do? You know, I really don't think I'm going to be there but I honestly don't know why I do not have a plan B. I don't not like being a king maker or queen maker. That's not who I am. I know some people like that roll. I don't I don't want to make decisions for other people. So I am not the kind of person who is likely to say to people you really ought to vote for and swing support someplace plus the people that support me are very independent people. So they are not going to do something just because I tell them so I don't think that would work very well, even if I were inclined at to do that you were on NPR the other day and you talked about Joanne Benson's wrong vote on women's right to know folks that support you. Is that a huge issue for them? It is for some of them different people have different than what you might call hot-button issues. And and I honestly don't know what percentage of my supporters would see that is as a defining issue, you know, I could guess that maybe 20% but but I really don't know you don't bother people that's taxes for other people at the whole matter of integrity and government. So so what's an important issue, is it the all-important know you think the party has become too obsessed with electability oil as opposed to a good start solid understandable stand on the issues. I think it has the ability is kind of become the Mantra of some people in the Republican party and then like Billy is important. But but I believe the way that you become electable is goes to buy is by putting a clear positive Vision or message out before the before the public. I don't think that pulls make somebody electable. I think the fact that George Bush had a 90% approval rating and they had one time after the Gulf War and ended up losing the next election by a landslide demonstrates. That goals are not the deciding factor at leadership and that good positions good issues a good vision is what makes somebody electable, but you think we're defining in this is for both parties, are we to finding candidates? So narrowly that people are losing interest in candidates and politicians and politics because the issues don't resonate with most minnesotans. Well people who really believed in principles and and let me go to the dfl side and talk about Paul wellstone and you don't fall and I disagree on most things but people that believe in issues like Paul wellstone attract voters because people see that they that they have a vision that they have a mission that they're not just all over the place and And I believe the same thing is true. When the Republican party again. I think that was the strength of Ronald Reagan that he put forward a very certainly conservative Vision but a very clear one and unappealing one. So I don't think you win elections by being in the middle. I think you win them with a vision and I don't know if Visions are in the middle. I suppose they can be but most the time. I don't think they are. I think they're usually anchored in one party or the other if a delegate comes up to you today, and I'm sure some of them have already and so I must request I want to vote for you tell me why it is that I should vote for you rather than North Coleman. The reason that I that I give them is that guy is a candidate have by far the clearest message the message that is going to resonate best with what the voters and I would just take education as an issue as an area because on education I have been avoiding generalities. I don't go out there and say hey I believe in good education have been very explicit. I've been very explicit about what I say. Is bad profile of learning and what I think is good, which is the whole matter of a drill and skills and phonics + 2 + 2 equals 4 and the building blocks of an educational system. That's how I think that's all you're successful and you can take it in any area people that put the the really clear of bold message out are the ones that that are the movers and shakers, and I think the people get elected like it's going to be a good clean floor fight here or we going to end up with one of those deals where people are passing around scurrilous pamphlets and papers, you know, if you have something good has come from the letter exchange from a candidate's is not primarily myself, but I think what happened is that people probably have decided that the negative campaigning isn't going to work. So I would be surprised if there is such a scurrilous stuff spread. I think it would be pretty clean. I sure hope so. Thanks a lot of good luck to you. Well in the pleasure is mine, I think will be very exciting afternoon and fact, I think it's going to be incredible. So it's going to be a Super Show. I think the best show in town and I'm glad we're all here while we're going to be here as that show unfolds a live coverage coming to you here on Minnesota Public Radio. That was a former state representative. Allen Quist, who was the party's endorsed candidate for governor in 1994 and back again with a strong core of support here at the convention. Of course, mr. Quest was ultimately defeated in the September primary by sitting Republican Governor Arne Carlson. That won't happen this year. Whoever is the endorsed candidate is the candidate all the candidates here have said that they're going to abide by the endorsement they're going to stick with it. And so whatever these delegates decide And I can't get past this folks. I mean, I think this is just amazing. Whatever these delegates decide. That's it. This is my number of different factors not the least of which is the divisiveness perceive divisiveness of the dfl convention two weeks ago and six people in the gubernatorial Primary in the dfl side. It's also driven by Bill Cooper who's running this party since he was elected like you would run a bank cuz he happens to run one and you know your set goals and the goals are to endorse people into a lectum. It's a very very simple Mission and then we have all of this stuff about people unhappy with the caucus system unhappy with the conventions and it's all kind of gel in here. And I think it's very exciting in a sense because this party and its party convention really is a shaper and a selector of candidates the delegates here have had a real influence on the positions at the vet. The candidates have taken and on the platform on which they will run because the candidates have all agreed to abide by Endorsement. So this is a very different experience in the dfl experience recovery chair those of you listening at home. If you'd like to call in with a question or comment our analysts are standing by give us a call and I will put you on the air to 276 thousand is our Twin City area number to 276 thousand if you're calling from outside the Twin Cities 1-800 242-282-8227 6001 800-242-2828. Join our live coverage hair from the Republican State Convention. Again, we're going to be here the nominating process when all the candidates to give their little speeches and and their demonstrations and the rest that is scheduled to begin at about 12:30 should take about maybe an hour and a half and then they start validating and that will go on for a while and she probably of course could be done with one ballot that won't happen. We don't know how long it will take, but we're going to be here until If I get done anyway, would love to have you join our conversation now 227-6102 for 22828. We've been talking about these delegates in the important role. They're playing at the convention Martin. Koski is standing by now with the delegate who I think is undecided. Is that right Martin? Well Gary, I think she's probably tending towards the Benson, But the reason I decide to talk to her is she's also from a rural area. Her name is Arles cupola. She's from New York Mills that's near Detroit Lakes and the end and she thinks that the sum of the real issues that are important to people from areas like hers have been overshadowed here. What what issues are really important in do you think are separating from the candidates out in your mind and we have no Really don't have the access to the stadiums that we like and I'm using the state pushing stadiums. As one of the big issues that we out there don't really care about we don't that is one of the things that sort of Us Versus Them issue that the cities are profiting and then and you're being left out the pain chords. Does that fit into this race then? the hockey arena Can you stop it for Saint Paul? He's sort of pushing it to the people that are working with him. I've kind of pushed it that's his kind of one of the things that keeps him out of tune from Minnesota. You also you you were telling me how you felt a little bit snubbed by by mr. Coleman. out there We haven't seen him until just now the election. We haven't heard anything from Amex of literature. So actually, what do we know about him? We don't know whether he why you really actually stands for only what the media has told us. A lot of Coleman backers in your delegation. Is there a sense perhaps that he doesn't mean it when he talks about being conservative. Yes, I I guess I don't quite trust it. You know, he hasn't been a lifelong Republican like been like Joanne Benson has she's been a lifelong Republican. She's always stood for the issues. She's never wavered is very consistent and what she believes in and that's what I really why I'm there with her education. I think you're retired teacher and the whole question of curriculum for the new standardized curriculum from the state. Is that little hotter out to in upstate Minnesota to prep in the Twin Cities? Oh, yes. We're very much. We like local control. We want Google to control. We don't want to control by the state. We don't want to control over the federal government where we have a lot of homeschooling in our area. We have a lot of people that really believe in private schools and because of the things that are taught in the curriculum some of the sexual leanings that the freaking music that we don't think our kids need to know in the lower levels and that type of thing on that issue. In some ways that I believe in a lot of things down quiz says he's done a lot of research. I agree with a lot of things he said but I still believe that Joanne is the one that we can leave Minnesota because I think she's more of a mix. Finally, is there anything that means not Norm Coleman Spas where he was born or would you know, perhaps not even what party started out in everyone starts this replaces young person is everything he could do or say to give you more confidence in his conservative credentials. I don't know what it would be but I I mean, I think he he has never miss. Like I said, he's never met with us. We don't really know what he stands were. We don't really know where he's coming from except that he seems like he wants he's done something for Saint Paul. That's it. That's Arliss cupelo from New York Mills and I really appreciate your time think Carlos lots of callers on the line and I'm going to ask those of you who are hanging on the line. Now, they're questions and comments to be patient here. We'll get to as many colors as we can. Just hang in there right now though. We're going to check in with yet. Another one of the delegates. One of those folks is going to be making this big decision today are in the ways both standing by go ahead Karen. Thank you. I'm standing here with Chris and Joanne Benson. Do you know when we were talking earlier with that with Norm Coleman it he turned to me and he said, you know, you got to like the guy so Chris I've got to ask you what is it about Joanne Benson? Over Norm Coleman that went to your vote will originally I was with Norm but as I checked out checked out Jo-Ann's records and stuff and she was a lot more detailed on her vision on what she wants to do an alarm tends to be a little more Vision but really the problem that I have that I can actually I really like Norman died in the future. I think it'll be do really a lot of things for a car for our state. But when I look back at Norm, he had not, you know, obviously helped any Republicans become get endorsed and it and get their jobs and Joanna's health over a hundred candidates and I just feel that she's been a part of the party longer. She can win Norm can win. I really believe that but I just really believe that you have to pull the elephant for a while before you ride on it. And and that's what you want has done. Now you're here and you and others in the Benson campaign are working the floor. You're trying to approach the undecideds your even having conversations with people who I am usually say they're going to be supporting L. And what makes you think you can get the undecided and the quickest supporters coming your way to 80% of the delegates have put Joanna second. If they don't have her as first which means if any candidates drop out makes her numbers even better and I also believe Chris the quiz campaign in what they believe is is closer to what Benson would a spouse and it would be harder for a a die-hard quiz supporter to to jump the Coleman on what issues that he did sign with Sharon sayles Belton did sign a gay rights issue that two years ago. He was the on the board of the co-chairman to allow. Black re-elected President Clinton in awhile stone that was only two years ago, you know and then three years before the five years ago. He said he was a Centrist moderate three years ago. He he said he would he was a Clinton Democrat and then three months ago. He's he said he's a Reagan Republican now, he's staying at his his model is imagine the possibilities the one thing I'm trying to imagine with what he might be in a year and I'd like to see that in a year to see exactly who he is and he did say when he ran in the mail race that he would complete that term and I don't know if you can do them both. Okay. Thank you. Chris Lane from Prior Lake is in recess for the time being. I got to get a little lunch and they're supposed to be back at 12:30 this afternoon to start voting for governor. Lots of callers on the line with questions and comments for our political analyst or Rick your first go ahead, please. Armon and therefore, I think Lily in the general election to pizza dough. Skip Humphrey and Ice. I think that that's an incumbent upon me Republican delegate to think about this in terms of weather is going to be people that are across party lines to vote and who would be best for him and who's going to be bestowed political stumping in trying to get votes. Are you on OK who's the who's the best campaigner of this group? The first of all, let's not assume that it's going to be Hubert Humphrey who's going to be the dfl standard-bearer, September 15th primary date, but I think both Norm Coleman and Joanne Benson have very strong attributes. Although very different kinds of campaigners. I think Coleman is is Far and Away the most articulate. I think he's the best speech Giver. I think he's the one who really can get people excited in a speech at a convention at a rally on the other hand. I think Joanne Benson connects very well with people on a one-on-one basis. I think there are there is a lot for a lot of people who would jump at the opportunity to cast a historic vote and elect the first woman governor of Minnesota state presents. It seems then Norm Coleman does of the moment who has a fairly strong Metro base but a questionable Bay State wide somewhat reminiscent of the Latimer campaign. This campaign probably is going to be won or lost in the suburbs of the Twin Cities that the Republicans will continue to do well in their Greater. Minnesota area is dfl will do well in their areas. I think it's the suburbs that are going to be the the swing voters Vincent your question, please Hello sound like Vincent is on the line with a question right now. I guess all of the colors are temporarily on hold in the Great Space here and we can talk about the big deal will be the Floor shows between Joanne Benson and Norm called and I understand that Coleman has a laser show. And of course our Democratic friends here at the table know that that's the doll kind of Glitz and glamour but it's showing the kind of grass roots support. You have among folks sitting in the delegation surprised someone and impressed by the strength of a Coleman florigen ization. They did this campaign seems to be a very well-run manage campaigns have a very strong Thornton ization compared to the other two. I was expecting to see greater for strength from the other two candidates. I thought the atmosphere also, it's exciting and then unlike St. Cloud where the physical environment didn't lend itself very well to a convention atmosphere combined with the fact that they knew that accept. This was just the first step toward selecting their candidate because so many of them had committed running the primary here. Not only do you have all the steaks on the line, but at the Target Center you have an environment that supports a convention atmosphere the balloons ready to drop the big sign all the delegates in a single spaced. It looks and feels like a convention. Disagree. I guess little be the premise of the discussion is that all of these candidates are going to be back in Allen Quist if he pulls off a miracle here today or Joanne Benson if she somehow combines forces with Alan quit I don't think those are very likely possibilities. I think the norm Coleman has agreed to be a republican right up until the point that the Republicans would disappoint it. And if he isn't indoors today, I would hate to put all of my savings in an account that says boy Norm. Coleman is going to back the endorsed candidate. I just don't know that that's going to happen and maybe that's because I'm a Democrat who has seen Norm Coleman changes positions over and over again. He said a lot of things at the 96 dfl convention. He's signed a lot of things as mayor I saw him on the almanac program in March talking about how important it was to have equal rights in employment for every citizen in Minnesota and bingo three weeks later he turns around and he's decided he's going to repeal Minnesota's human rights act at a Like the gays and lesbians. I think the norm Coleman is and I have nothing against ambition. But it's it's what Hubert Humphrey often often. Sometimes it noted about his mother and and that would great great person just a wonderful person but you know politically unreliable she cast a few Democrats and a few Republicans now Vincent's ready with his question. Go ahead sir. Sorry for the problem. What advantage is there that you can see off the Republicans planning to stick to the confirmation of a single delegate over the Democrats come election time the primary care. What is the what is the advantage of picking a candidate here? Assuming that everybody abides by the endorsement versus the primary, but I think there are a number of advantages first of There's there's the advantage of being one candidate where you get all the attention you get all the party supports you get the party financial and volunteer resources. Secondly, I think there is the advantage of not being in a crowded field and certainly what's going to happen on the dfl side. Is there going to tear each other apart and they're going to do it in very public ways and they're there already are rumors that Mark Dayton is going to take two to three million dollars of his personal wealth and dump it into TV advertising advertisement attacking the other candidate and in very negative kinds of ways. So it's the advantage of having a free summer to to Define yourself and not having to expend your own resources. So you can save it for the general election. I also want to go back to what Bob was just saying, I think maybe Bob has been disappointed by too many dfl office holders that are the date and the cynicism is showing I believe that the panda are the delegates are the candidates here are going to abide by their pledge and Anna The candidate who emerges from this convention is going to be the Republican standard-bearer that he will abide. If you couldn't spend 3 million dollars, that would be Beyond marks get the eclipse the spending limits. Sir, I was just going to say there's something as a Democrat. There's something a little bit Eerie about sitting here and watching Norm Coleman campaign on this Republican platform having seen him in a number of CFL conventions in the past it sort of feels like deja vu but not really it's a it's a strange kind of feeling and I think that really is that it is a sort of Achilles heel for this candidate Norm. Coleman is such an enigma. It's very unclear who he really is what he really believes what he really stands for. It appears that at the moment he stands for pro-business republicanism with a strong dash of social conservatism tossed in for good measure to try to guarantee him the endorsement of his convention, but it's very unclear how long that positioning will last with Norm Coleman and it will be interesting to see where we're all sitting in 4 years and where he is standing and what convention he's addressing and what he saying in four years because he's changed his position so many times and That leaves of an odd kind of feeling in the minds of many voters and really does draw a distinction between a politician like Norm Coleman in a politician. For example, like Allen Quist or like Paul wellstone who while they may have strongly to find views that may not always be popular with everybody in the state are very clear as to who they are and quick final point on this issue. I think that Minnesota Republicans will take a lesson from California Republican to watch Ronald Reagan as the Democrats and easily accepted his vision for what Republican us and should be here. Okay. We are broadcasting live from the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis the Republican State Convention right now. The delegates are having a little lunch getting ready. We are laying in a nice solid base because they could be here for a while. They're going to be voting today on who they want to endorse for governor. It's a strong 3 person field Norm Coleman st. Paul Mayor. Can a governor Joanne Benson and a former state representative Al encuesta parties 1994 gubernatorial indoor see The Unofficial headphones coming into the convention indicated that there Coleman was in the lead with about 40 maybe 45% of the delegates support. That's a good solid base of support but 60% is needed for endorsement. He has a ways to go yet accountants in about twenty-five 30% Looks like it could be a very very Lively afternoon and you will hear all the coverage here on Minnesota Public Radio going to catch up on some news headlines in our coverage will continue Mainstreet radiohead's North to International Falls for our next show on Border issues. I'm Rachael Ray be join us Tuesday at 9 on Minnesota Public Radio. Can a w FM 91.1? You're listening to Minnesota Public Radio. We have a cloudy Sky now 68 degrees at Kendra W FM 91.1 Minneapolis. And Saint Paul should be a partly cloudy this afternoon 30% chance for some rain with a high temperature reaching the upper 70s partly cloudy tonight, maybe a thunderstorm in the Twin Cities by tomorrow afternoon.