The trouble with Minnesota

Yesterday in “The trouble with the Star Tribune poll, cont’d,” I questioned the accuracy of the current Minnesota Poll showing Democrat Mark Dayton leading Republican Tom Emmer 39-30 percent. Today Minnesota Public Radio reports on its joint MPR/Humphrey Institute Poll showing Dayton leading Emmer by 38-27 percent. The poll results reflect likely voters; MPR’s description of the poll sample and methodology is here.
The MPR/Humphrey Institute poll sample reflects 48 percent Democrats, significantly higher than even the Star Tribune Minnnesota Poll’s. The MPR/Humphrey Institute poll results are widely reported today. The poll’s sample is not noted in the news accounts. It should be noted that the MPR/Humphrey Institute poll results tend to support the Star Tribune Minnesota Poll’s, though it seems to me that they both raise similar questions regarding the validity of their sample.
Mark Dayton is Minnesota’s contribution to the psychiatric profession. When he last spoke about his personal issues publicly, he was under treatment for depression. He certainly appears to be medicated. He is also an alcoholic who relapsed only a few years ago during his last year in office as a United States Senator. Before Minnesotans are presented with the choice of voting for Mark Dayton to hold another high office — this one with serious executive responsibilities — someone who covers politics for a living really should ask Dayton to disclose his medical records.