As southern Minnesota goes, so goes the nation?

The Republican Party thinks 1st District Congressman Tim Walz is one of the country's vulnerable freshman Democrats. Two Republicans, Dr. Brian Davis and State Sen. Dick Day, hope to oust Walz. One analyst says Walz has inoculated himself against a Republican challenger. But will it be enough this November?

A referendum on Rep. Tim Walz

by Sea Stachura, Minnesota Public Radio
July 24, 2008

St. Charles, Minn. — It's Saturday morning at Mike's Food Center in St. Charles. Democratic Congressman Tim Walz holds court in front of a display of baked beans and ketchup. Ten or so shoppers form a circle around him, nodding their heads.

"Get together and compromise. Make it work. Even those who are staunchly opposed to drilling are saying if takes a little compromise on that to get them to compromise to move toward investment in renewals, do it," Walz tells the group.

One woman chimes in, "That sounds really good."

Walz talks fast. In 2006 he beat another fast talker by six percentage points. That was auctioneer and Republican Congressman Gil Gutknecht. Gutknecht had served the district for 12 years, and in 2006 most political scientists said the district was too conservative for Walz. They said a tidal wave of anti-Republican sentiment was the only way he'd get into office.

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