The American Spectator

Washington Prowler

p> KENNEDY COUNTRY br> Could a "Draft Al Franken " movement be far behind? Rep. Betty McCollum , thought to be one of the stronger Democratic options to fill the seat of retiring one-term Minnesota Senator Mark Dayton , announced that she would not seek the DFL nomination in 2006. /p>

McCollum was considered one of the stronger potential challengers to Rep. Mark Kennedy, who is quickly solidifying his position as the presumptive Republican nominee. Former Sen. Rod Grams is also seeking the Republican nomination, but according to a Republican National Committee aide, there are ongoing discussions within the party of how to clear for field for Kennedy.

Already, Sen. Norm Coleman and Gov. Tim Pawlenty have endorsed Kennedy. Pawlenty was expected to reach out to Grams at some point in the near future to discuss what could be done to draw out of the race the man who lost to Dayton four plus years ago.

"Grams may have his back up now that what he views as the state party establishment has backed Kennedy," says the RNC source. "He felt that this was an opportunity to regain what he had lost. But Kennedy is just a stronger candidate this time around."

As for the Democrats, there appears to be nothing left but second-tier candidates, unless current state attorney general Mike Hatch throws his hat in the ring. Hatch had let it be know that he had his eye on the governor's race, but given Pawlenty's strong position, most Minnesota political observers believe Hatch might opt for the seemingly more competitive Senate race.

Either way, Republicans are feeling good about their prospects of taking yet another Democratic seat on what they hope will be the cheap. "We know Pennsylvania and probably Tennessee are going to be highly competitive for us, and we're going to be putting a lot of resources there," says a Republican Senate staffer. "That's why a situation like Minnesota that can cleared up quickly is helpful to us."

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