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Minnesota GOP desperately seeking strong Klobuchar foe

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Aug 22, 2011 at 7:36 am

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - The Republican field of potential candidates to challenge U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar next year is more notable for who's not running than who is.

Last week, former Gov. Tim Pawlenty made it clear he wouldn't take on the Democratic Klobuchar. Former Sen. Norm Coleman bowed out months ago, and a gallery of both veterans and rising stars on the GOP side all said no.

The only declared candidate is former state Rep. Dan Severson. But his fundraising has been poor, and many GOP leaders want more candidates.

Klobuchar's approval ratings are high and she's a strong fundraiser. But Republicans say she's beatable if the economy remains weak and President Barack Obama's approval ratings continue to suffer.