Final Thoughts From Draft Ciresi!

Draft Ciresi! was created following the DFL convention in order to express the concerns of many Minnesotans over Al Franken, specifically, his ability to defeat Norm Coleman. We have criticized Franken for his faults and Norm Coleman for his downright sleaziness, all while emphasizing the potential candidacy of Mike Ciresi. We have made our position clear on all three candidates.

Earlier today we learned that Mike Ciresi would not be entering the DFL primary to challenge Al Franken. This has brought us disappointment, but also the confidence to say that Norm Coleman will unfortunately be our Senator for the next six years.

In the coming months, Republicans will assail Al Franken for his comedy, satire and character. Al Franken’s history that we have come to term as ‘baggage’ will not appeal to rural or Independent or Conservative voters, and even some Democrats. Republicans will unite behind Norm Coleman, not in support of the Senator, but in a general determination to defeat Al Franken. The Republican attack machine will push Independent and moderate voters to both Norm Coleman and IP candidate Dean Barkley. Republicans will be able to distract from the issues by releasing the mountain of opposition research that has been conducted on Franken, all while Norm Coleman pretends to be a moderate, bipartisan Senator. By mid October, Franken will be trailing Sen. Coleman in the polls and Dean Barkley will have little support.

Norm Coleman will be reelected by a wide margin of at least 10 points on election day; a landslide victory by any standard. The Senator will view his reelection as a mandate to continue his partisan policies, rather than as protest vote against the Democratic candidate. This election will be divisive, partisan and damaging to Minnesota. It is a depressing prediction, but a truthful one.

We understand the reasons why Mike Ciresi passed on challenging Al Franken in the primary, even though he could have achieved victory had he run. A lengthy, bitter primary fight would only sully Mr. Ciresi’s name and created a divide in the DFL party.

Those of us who had wished for Ciresi to reenter now find ourselves in a great deal of difficulty in what has turned to a depressing Senate race. We are faced with Al Franken, the man who returned after thirty years to continue his career of partisan attacks. There is Norm Coleman, who has spent his life doing what is best for himself over the interest of Minnesotans. And, of course, there is Dean Barkley, who has settled with running for Senate because he has nothing better to do and because he thinks the job is easy; that is true commitment to Minnesota. All other candidates in the race will not amount to anything deserving of mention. It is not our role to influence who you will support.

Many have suspected us of being a Republican creation; that is surely not true. Now that Mike Ciresi is no longer viable, our site will discontinue. We do not mean to affect the discussion further, not that have at all. We only ask that as the election unfolds that you remember what we have said in this short time and remember that it could have been different.

Thank you to those who applauded our efforts, criticized our motives, and merely observed from a distance.

The Draft Ciresi! Team

Ciresi Passes On Primary Challenge

Mike Ciresi did not file for Senate to take on Al Franken in the DFL primary, virtually assuring a Coleman victory. Please stay posted for an important final Draft Ciresi! Statement later tonight.

Election Turmoil

KSTP is reporting that Dean Barkley will enter the race. His entrance will not affect the polls to the degree that Ventura has and would have. Priscilla Lord Faris should not be a major obstacle for Al Franken to overcome. No major candidate has emerged to challenge Al Franken in the primary.

Jesse Ventura's decision not to run is good news for Franken, so long as Ventura's decision does not push Ciresi into the election. In the Survey USA/KSTP poll released yesterday, Al Franken was 13 points behind Sen. Coleman. The poll also shows that Mike Ciresi trails Sen. Coleman by 18 points. This is not surprising because Mike Ciresi has not been in the race since March. If Ciresi enters the race and begins to define himself once again, he will defeat Franken. Candidates must file by 5:00 tonight, stay posted.

Jesse Ventura: I'm Not Running #2

As predicted here on Draft Ciresi!, Jesse Ventura has decided not to run for Senate in 2008. We will not disparage him because of his decision, even though this charade has been for selling books. Recent polls have shown that Jesse Ventura would have been a formidable candidate in the race. This is because Minnesotans are looking for an alternative candidate in the Senate race.

With Jesse Ventura not running, the only remaining viable potential candidate is Mike Ciresi. Minnesotans are looking for change but are not comfortable with Al Franken. Mike Ciresi can serve as the change Minnesotans are looking for while being a candidate of experience and integrity.

With Ventura out, all eyes should be on Mike Ciresi.

The Writing Is On The Wall

The writing is on the wall: MDE is reporting that a new Survey USA/KSTP poll released tonight gives Sen. Coleman a 13 point lead. The DFL must realize that the Franken campaign is dead in the water and sinking quickly. A powerful new candidate must emerge to save the Democrats from defeat in November. Mike Ciresi is the only candidate who has the support, finances, and recognition to enter this primary, win, and defeat Norm Coleman in November.

Doug Grow: Mike Ciresi Back Into The Race?

"One of the many questions that Lord Faris' entrance into the race raises is whether it will nudge Mike Ciresi back into the race. Ciresi, who dropped out of the race before the DFL's convention, has indicated that he might get back into the race for the primary, but has been silent for weeks. He was not immediately available for comment." Source: Doug Grow, MinnPost.

Lord Faris' entrance into the race reinforces our belief that Minnesotans are discontent with the current DFL endorsed candidate and are looking for an alternative candidate. Mike Ciresi is the most viable alternative candidate not in the race.

Crunch Time

Well folks, we are getting down to the wire on this Senate race. Whether or not Ventura or Ciresi get into this race, it will be wild, partisan and bitter. This election will not advance the cause of political bipartisanship, even if Ciresi chooses to enter. If Jesse Ventura chooses to run, it will be an even more rocky election. If Ventura decides not to enter, it leaves a gaping hole for Ciresi to fill.

While we firmly believe Mike Ciresi is the only candidate who can defeat Norm Coleman, while we firmly believe Mike Ciresi is the only candidate who would fulfill his promises and work honestly for Minnesotans, if Ciresi chooses not to run, we cannot chastise his decision. We respectfully understand the decision not to run. However, we cannot implore Ciresi more to enter.

We have consistently stated that unless Mike Ciresi enters the primary and defeats Franken, Norm Coleman will be our Senator for the next six years. Nether Jesse Ventura nor Priscilla Lord Faris will defeat the Republican strategy for victory.