The Minnesota primary has only just ended, but the state Republican Party is already out with an attack against the Democratic nominee, former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton, slamming him for his performance in Washington — and his personal demeanor.
“He was absolutely positively, one of the worst Senators in America,” the announcer says, referring to an “honor” that was bestowed on Dayton and several other Senators by Time magazine in 2006. “And Mark Dayton agrees — Dayton gave himself a failing grade. Time magazine called Dayton ‘erratic’ after he closed his office, fearing a nonexistent terrorist threat. Dayton’s behavior was called ‘a strange aberration,’ ‘perplexing,’ ‘panicky.'”
This ad is mostly true. The Time cover with Dayton’s photo and the word “erratic” is a mock-up, but otherwise it’s fairly accurate. In the years since he left office, Dayton has openly discussed his struggles with alcoholism, saying that he had relapsed before the end of his Senate term, and has also disclosed that he has been medicated for depression.
Then again, as we’ve all been figuring out, Republican nominee Tom Emmer isn’t exactly all that together, either. The TPM Poll Average gives Dayton a lead of 42.9%-32.4%-10.2% over Emmer and Independence Party nominee Tom Horner.
