McKasy stays in Race
Karen Boothe, 6/4/96

Minnesota Republican U.S. Senate candidate Bert McKasy says he's running "full bore" to the September Primary. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports:

Surrounded by family, friends and campaign workers...Bert McKasy announced he's not dropping his bid to unseat Democratic Senator Paul Wellstone. McKasy, who went into the state party convention confident of winning the endorsement, FAILED to get enough delegates votes. Even so, he lead each of the 14 ballots, and says his grassroots supporters are urging him to stay in the race.

BITE: :16-secs "applause fades."

McKasy appeared to be rejuvenated following the weekend's disappointment, and says he needed a few days to talk with his family and campaign supporters to consider whether to continue his campaign. McKasy's failure to win party endorsment followed a divisive convention where around the clock balloting over a period of two days resulted in No Endorsment.

Afterwards, State Party Chairman Chris Georgacas was VISIBLY discouraged by the balloting process. But in an attempt to cast a positive light on the outcome he called it "an embarassment of riches" saying delegates simply had two comparable candidates to choose between.

But McKasy rejects that notion...and says he'll take a DIFFERENT message to voters:

BITE: :11-secs "ripe to listen."

McKasy even goes so far as to say Rudy Boshwitz and Paul Wellstone are like two peas in a pod (this is a quote) and that it's HE...who's the proper choice for the 90's.

Rudy Boschwitz will need to position himself as a candidate who truly wants to return to Washington on the ISSUES. He's vulnerable to an allegation that he's motivated more out of revenge against Wellstone..the man who defeated him in 1990, than for a political VISION. Bert McKasy, is making it an issue. During his announcment, he said the contest should be about the FUTURE, not about personal redemption for past failures.

BOSCHWITZ is seen as the party's frontrunner right now. Could McKasy's campaign further divide the party and spoil a republican victory? Republican National Committeewoman Evie Axdahl says no.

BITE: :16-secs "go forward."

Republican National Committeewoman Evie Axdahl.

Rudy Boschwitz favors an open primary and has invited ALL U.S. Senate candidates to remain in the race. But none has the riches in his coffers that Boscwtiz does. Boschwitz has remained entrenched, and has been able to rely on his long list of potential supporters nationwide. Even so, McKasy is DOWNPLAYING his financial status, and points out that Democratic Senator Paul Wellstone was able to beat Boschwitz in 1990 with only a FRACTION of the amount of money Boschwitz had.

Following McKasy's announcement, State DFL party chairman Mark Andrew was walking through the hallway of the State Office Building. He was seemingly amused by the news...hinting that it only further factionalizes the republican party:

BITE: :16-secs "let them have at it."

As for the Democrats...THEY Get down to business later this week when they convene their state party convention in St. Paul.

SOC