Race to take on Kline is start of long climb

Dan Powers and Shelley Madore both want to take on Republican Congressman John Kline in November.

They are united in their disagreement with his rigid anti-earmark stance, think they can create more jobs and want to tackle transportation and infrastructure issues.

As the Aug. 10 primary election approaches, they also disagree -- in this instance, with each other -- on what matters more as they vie for the DFL spot on the ballot: experience or a party endorsement.

Madore, who was passed over for the endorsement but is quick to note her experience in the state Legislature, said voters should choose the person "who's best to face John Kline."

She served one term as a state representative and said she knows better than Powers how to navigate the political system. As a factor for voters, she said, "My legislative experience is huge."

Powers, who won the DFL endorsement and would be new to public office if elected, disagrees.

"Someone can win that's not in politics all the time," he said. "We won that endorsement. I'm trying to concentrate on John Kline now."

Money is heavily in Kline's favor, too.

As of July 21, Kline's campaign had $456,649 cash on hand. Madore had $6,473 and Powers had $13,372 after giving himself a $35,100 loan.

Both DFLers say they expect fundraising to pick up once the primary is over.

That's true, said Carleton College political science professor Steve Schier, but he thinks it will not likely be enough to topple Kline.

"It would have to be a pickup of world-historical dimensions in order to make them competitive, in terms of resources, with Kline," Schier said.

Both Powers and Madore pledge to bring more federal money to the district by reversing Kline's policy against requesting "earmarks."

They say the district has lost out on federal money for transportation projects and amenities such as the Minnesota Zoo because Kline isn't willing to ask.

"Thirty-five cents on the dollar goes back to this district," Madore said.

Powers said he would be transparent in asking for and justifying earmarks.

"If I request it, I'll list it and put it on display for people in the district," he said.

Critiques of campaign styles, however, fly back and forth.

Madore, who broke her vow to drop out of the race if she lost the party endorsement, accused Powers of avoiding opportunities for public debates. She also questioned his knowledge of issues and his ability to get things done.

She has the ability to translate politics into terms people quickly grasp, she said. "People listen to me," she said. "They don't walk away."

Powers countered that he hasn't seen Madore putting in that much time or effort in the community, something he said he has done through dozens of town hall meetings, parades and informal conversations.

"We haven't seen her doing any of this stuff," he said. "I'm running the type of campaign we need to win."

But in this race, Schier said, it's not clear that voters know either candidate.

"This has been about as low a profile primary as I've ever seen," he said. "There's a real random element to this."

No matter who wins, the November challenge against Kline will not be easy.

"It's the first steps to the top of Everest in terms of resources," Schier said. "It's a really tough situation."