The answer to that question is usually Only if I win the Powerball lottery, but Jim Ramstad’s announced retirement after 18 years in the House leaves yet another tough election campaign for the Republicans in 2008. The 3rd District will likely need as many GOP voters as it can get, because it’s one of the remarkable minority of Congressional districts that remains competitive after decades of gerrymandering:
U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad announced today that he is retiring from Congress next year and will not seek a 10th term. Ramstad has represented the Third District, made up of the southern, western and northern suburbs of Minneapolis, since he was first elected in 1990.
After 17-years of commuting to Washington as a congressman, Ramstad said he’s “burned out” in an interview before his official announcement.
“My passion for serving people remains as strong as ever,” said the Minnesota Republican, one of the last of what he called a “dying breed” of House moderates.
Ramstad has served with distinction in the Minnesota delegation. Like many Minnesotan Republicans, Ramstad has a moderate voting record, which represents the western suburbs of the Twin Cities. He wants to pass legislation mandating health care coverage for mental illnesses and addictions from private insurers, a project he started with the late liberal Senator, Paul Wellstone. He remarked after the last election that a Democratic majority would be beneficial in getting the bill passed, which annoyed some in the Republican Party.
Whether the GOP can hold the seat depends in large part who will win the nomination. It will probably take a moderate to be competitive, although that’s not quite as cut-and-dried as the analysts will argue. Minnetonka has a bit of a conservative streak, and it has enough wealth to help float a candidate who can articulate a conservative vision. Democrats will rightly see this as a good opportunity to help hold off a Republican effort to win back the majority, and they will sink plenty of cash in MN-03 to ensure a victory.
Republicans will need to secure every vote they can get out of the Third District. Perhaps a few will move from John Kline’s solid MN-02 to those western suburbs. If anyone wants to donate their summer home for a good cause, the First Mate and I would have no problems moving to the lake. No, no problem at all ….
Champlin and Coon Rapids are also in the 3rd District. You need a better excuse than housing prices. 🙂
That’s so noble of you, Ed. Your willingness to take one for the team is admirable.
Actually, do I read a hint of “…and I’ll run” in there?
Yes, Captain Ed. I think you need to take out a huge mortgage and buy a house on Lake Minnetonka-have confidence in your future. Many years ago when I was an out of state student at the U of M I had family friends who owned lake front property and built a modest home there. They graciously invited me out many a weekend and we had such fun on the lake. It was possible to buy property there then as it was considered quite a commute from jobs in Mpls to the lake and the concept of the middle class owning second homes was almost unknown. The middle class has come a long way baby but never fear Hillarycare is near and she will take it away for the common good.
Posted by Todd G | September 17, 2007 4:54 PM
Actually, do I read a hint of “…and I’ll run” in there?
Eric:
I got that too. Hope we’re both right.
Captain Ed,
You run a tight ship. I’ve seen recently that your site is one of the top 50 on the internet! Wish I could remember where. You would make a terrific Congressman — you should give it serious thought.
Seeing as how the democrats hava a hypocrite gay network that’s been effective for sliming political opponents, I’m starting to worry that Jim’s exit and his curious nickname of “The Rammer” might be related.
Just kidding of course. Everyone knows he’s a good man without a bone of bullshit in his body, and he will be missed.
So where the hell did the nickname come from?
Actually, Captain Ed. it looks like I gave you a bum steer…the name of the town was Excelsior not Minnetonka-I don’t know about Minnetonka but chalk it up to another senior moment for me.
Carpetbagging FTW!
Run, Ed, Run!
I hope ya go fer it!
While Al Franken is NOT letting his “comic” career hold him back from seeking a senate seat.
I think you’d learn a lot.
And, I think if you got “in” … then you’d be blogging from DC. Talk about a win-win!
From the way you post your columns, Ed, the most obvious thing is that you’re the fairest guy in the world. No one is able to articulate FAIR as far as it goes; when you put up your views.
I also think you LISTEN. You give others a very fair shake.
And, who knows? With the Internet, you could discover that running for public office isn’t about shaking people down for donations. You can reach out … and it doesn’t even cost ya a postage stamp.
They say, by the way, the there are so many seats in the HOUSE, that only a few really become players; everyone else sits in the bleachers waiting for their instructions.
2008? Hastert’s gone. Pelosi might not remain in the driver’s seat? It’s a whole new season to the ball game.
Where I had once hoped, as politics in this country changed hands … from one party to the other; someone would have figured out how to create a “farm team” as good as that there one: The New York Yankees.
Promise you’ll be Steinbrenner.
Shame you have to be 25 to run for the House. I’d run. Do any of the other NARN folks live in the 3rd district? I think Mitch lives in St. Paul. What about Chad, John, King, or Michael? I assume Saint Paul doesn’t live in the third.
We need some conservative talk show guys in the govt to counter Al Franken.
I don’t think the Cap’n is talking about running… just voting. At least I certainly hope so.
Being one of the top political blogs in the nation is an awesome accomplishment and a position of considerable power and influence. Being one of hundreds in Congress, spending all your time kissing babies and raising money so you can retain your seat… not so much.
I just read the pertinent section of the constitution, and unless I am missing something, you don’t actually need to live in the district that you represent. You only need to live in the state in which you represent.
Draft ED!
Ed/Fred 08…
Fred/Ed 08?
I think it’s just an excuse for a summer home on the lake and who can blame him(just kiddin Cap’n)
Morrissey for Congress! I’d chip in for that.
None of the NARNians live in the 3rd, but most of the Freedom Dogs do as do a few other solid center right bloggers in Minnesota. There is plenty of talent in the 3rd….
Cindy
Capt’n
You give us hope!
You’ll need a ship, of course. And a crew. And cold beer.
Ay, an the new site be nice on the eyes, indeed.
I live in MN’s 4th Dist. (St.Paul) but I’d move just to vote for Ed. If he got a house on Minnetonka, then he’d have to get a boat, so that the Admiral could have a command vessel!)