Voters in the 6th District face a distinct choice on election date -- Republican candidate Michelle Bachman or DFL nominee Patty Wetterling. Independence Party candidate John Binkowski is not a factor.
The 6th District race is one of the hottest races in the state, if not the nation. The district runs from Paynesville and Stearns County extending southeastward to Washington County. Dominated by northern Twin Cities suburbs, the district has a conservative base.
Bachman has made a political career of her narrow focus on moral crusades and divisive politics. Her recent comment about following her husband's career advice because "the Lord says, 'Be submissive, wives -- you are to be submissive to your husbands' " is embarrassing. She campaigns for lower taxes, but offers little substance on other issues.
Wetterling is a compassionate moderate who knows how to build consensus. She has demonstrated her leadership through her child advocacy efforts, following her son's disappearance 17 years ago. She demonstrated remarkable resilience in face of a mother's greatest tragedy -- the loss of a child.
This is Wetterling's second campaign for the 6th District seat. The St. Joseph politician has improved since the 2004 race, where she narrowly lost to Congressman Mark Kennedy.
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She is not afraid to speak out on important issues -- be it on child protection, the page scandal or transportation. She is an inspiring human with effective skills which would benefit the district.
Wetterling should be elected to the 6th District seat in Congress.
