The Big White Smile in the Room! MN-Gov Poll

Speaking of RepublicanMussen, some MN numbers make it look likes Senator Smiley (not to be confused with Senator Smalley) is all but a lock to enter the race (emphasis mine):

A new Rasmussen Reports poll of likely Republican voters in the state finds former Senator Norm Coleman with 52% of the vote in the contest for the GOP gubernatorial nomination. All of his challengers are in single digits, marking little change from a survey in November.

Among likely Democratic voters in Minnesota, Mark Dayton, who served in the U.S. Senate from 2001 to 2007, now captures 34% of the vote to lead three other hopefuls in the race for his party’s nomination. In November, Dayton and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak were tied with 30% support each. Rybak now picks up 25% of the Democratic vote.

Not surprised that Sen Coleman is leading, but somewhat taken aback by how he just out distances the competition

52% - Coleman
09% - Seifert
09% - Emmer
05% - Anderson
07% - Other
18% - Not Sure

Dayton's lead is as insurmountable, but certainly shows why he has not only chosen not to abide, but has totally forgone the caucus process all together be seeing that his name isn't even on the caucus ballot.

34% - Dayton
25% - Rybak
12% - Kelliher
05% - Entenzaw
10% - Other
13% - Not Sure

After the parties get together in a few weeks, things will thin out, and polling at that point will give us a much better picture.

As for Norm, the GOP still likes him, but his statewide electoral success is spotty at best, a lost this time pretty much ends his political career, I still questions whether he is willing to take that risk.

Flash