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Iron Range DFL wall holds for Obama
Fears that racism and the culture wars might keep blue collar Iron Range voters from supporting Barack Obama have proven largely unfounded. Though Obama just slightly underperformed Kerry in some of the key precincts I’ve been following, he was within roughly two percentage points of the 2004 DFL share of the Range electorate. In general,…
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After hours
Oh, brother. I have to work tomorrow. Here’s what I know. None of my “seven precincts to watch” on the Iron Range have reported yet. Most of the core Range towns haven’t reported yet to the Secretary of State. So, while the presidential race is settled, the U.S. Senate race is not. I imagine that…
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YES. We. Can.
Barack Obama has been elected the next President of the United States of America. My kids are 3, 1 and 1, respectively. They don’t know who the current president is, but when they are 7, 5 and 5 — maybe older — the only president they’ll know is President Obama, the son of a Kansas…
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OHIO!
MSNBC calls Ohio for Obama. This is the ball game. Beer. More beer! The beer may affect my reporting of Minnesota results. I’m sorry. Related posts: No related posts.
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Tracking the results (Thanks, MPR!)
A hearty thank you to Minnesota Public Radio for providing free customizable election results widgets for blogs. As you can see on the right hand menu bar I will have the Secretary of State results for Minnesota President, U.S. Senate, and the Iron Range and Duluth Legislative races. I have also included 4A, 4B and…
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‘Can I get a witness?’ and other turnout tales
Voting is ongoing across the Iron Range. I just got a report of 1,000 votes cast by just after 11 a.m. in Chisholm, which is a third of all registered voters before the afternoon shift comes home from the mines. That’s big. I’ve been asking for stories from the front lines of voting and GOTV.…
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The Iron Range votes
These are the seven precincts I’m watching tonight to see how Obama’s and Franken’s numbers are holding in different parts of the Iron Range (My analysis was posted yesterday). I would not be shocked or overly alarmed if there is a small bit of underperformance, especially for Franken who is in a three-way race. A…
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Layoffs averted at Eveleth mine
Cliffs Natural Resources and the Steelworkers have reached a temporary agreement that will avoid layoffs at United Taconite in Eveleth. Workers will see 32 hour work weeks for three months. The fact that this coincides with rifle season for deer hunting and the holidays will make this a very popular compromise, especially since it lets…
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Election Day on the Iron Range
It’s here. By God, the day has finally come. With a coming tsunami of book publicity, a night up at the family deer shack and other shenanigans around the corner, I’ve decided to play it cool tonight and just blog from the deep woods. I’ve got to work bright and early tomorrow anyway. I haven’t…
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Seven Iron Range precincts that could decide the election
Today is election eve and, like most of you, I’m all charged up about what could, would or should happen tomorrow. On the Iron Range, I don’t expect any surprises in the legislative races. I also expect U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar to enjoy another easy re-election. The most interesting story on the Iron Range will…
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The joy of context
This is the kind of headline that lights up the Iron Range: “Yes, Virginia, Menards is coming“(Mesabi Daily News, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008) In case you’re wondering, Menards is a home improvement store. That’s a very important detail. Also, Virginia is a town on the Iron Range. Also another important detail. I’d hate to imagine…
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4A, 4B, 12A: not just random numbers and letters anymore
KAXE has a great roundup on three close legislative races in north central Minnesota: 4A (currently DFL, true tossup), 4B (currently GOP, leans GOP) and 12A (currently DFL, faint lean to DFL). Related posts: No related posts.
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Thoughts and prayers to Mike
My thoughts and prayers are with Mike Jennings, editor of the Hibbing Daily Tribune and one of the best working newspaper journalists on the Iron Range. He has been hospitalized with a heart condition and faces a difficult recovery. Tribune publisher Wanda Moeller tells the dramatic story in today’s edition. Join me in wishing Mike…
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Northland papers defend against Red Menace; Huzzah!
Unsurprisingly, the election year conservatism of the Mesabi Daily News and Duluth News-Tribune have led to McCain endorsements. Both endorsements used taxes as the primary justification. The DNT editorial board, which — during most of the year — advocates an active government that pays as it goes, has even reversed itself now in calling Obama’s…
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Era of awkward disagreement to end soon (we hope)
This is my weekly column for the Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008 Hibbing Daily Tribune. My new blog design allows you to look at past columns by clicking “Columns” on the menu bar. Era of awkward disagreement to end soon (we hope)By Aaron J. Brown Maybe you’re a Democrat. Maybe you’re a Republican. Maybe you’re an…