Bell gains support

Candidate achieves Bergland endorsement

By Kyle Johnson
Herald Staff Writer

Ford Bell has run an under-the-radar campaign for Mark Dayton's soon-to-be-vacant Minnesota U.S. Senate seat so far, a sharp contrast from opponents Amy Klobuchar and Mark Kennedy. But support from a well-known Democrat is beginning to change this.

Bell, a veterinarian and philanthropist, garnered the support of Roseau, Minn., farmer Bob Bergland in late April. Bergland's political career included six years in the U.S. House of Representatives, a stint as U.S. secretary of agriculture during the Carter administration and serving as a regent of the University of Minnesota from 1996 to 2002.

The two met during Bergland's regent days, as Bell was teaching at a college during that time.

"We're thrilled at the endorsement from such a revered political figure," Bell spokesman David Lilly said. "It was a real shot in the arm to the campaign."

Bergland originally had planned to offer only advice to Bell, but decided to endorse him after a brief meeting during the campaign's infancy.

"He's sort of the Eugene McCarthy of this time. He won't necessarily go with the flow, and will not take the easy side on the issues," Bergland said.

Judging by Bell's platform, Bergland's statement is accurate. Bell has called for a complete withdrawal of troops from Iraq by the end of the year, a stance that has likely cost him voters already. If that were not enough, Bell also has endorsed a single-payer universal health-care proposal, an issue that has scarred the campaigns of many a candidate.

Bergland said this kind of definitive stance on controversial issues may be just what the voters are looking for, however.

"The odds are against him for sure, but maybe the public will see the wisdom of Bells' ideas by election time," he said.

No stopping him

The pressure has been mounting for Bell to quit the race, but recent statements suggest he'll do no such thing.

During a debate last Friday with fellow Democrat Klobuchar, Bell said he will not seek the Democratic endorsement next month and instead will challenge likely endorsed candidate Klobuchar in the September primary.

Precinct caucuses in late March showed that Klobuchar, the Hennepin County attorney, held a commanding lead over Bell. U.S. Rep. Mark Kennedy is the only Republican candidate for the race.

Bell said he would step aside if Klobuchar committed to supporting his "core values" of withdrawal from Iraq and a change to the country's health-care policy, something that is not likely to happen.

"These are issues we just can't ignore anymore," Lilly said. "The time is right for someone to take a stand and do what's right."

Bergland said that Klobuchar is well regarded and would a good senator. "But I think Bell would be one notch better," he added.

Criticizing the Democratic tactic of "beating up on the Republicans without offering a better alternative," Bergland said an open and straightforward campaign such as Bell's is what the Democratic Party needs to score a victory this fall. He also believes that political unknowns need to be given a chance to run if the party is to succeed.

"We tend to go with the candidates we know the best," he said. "But Bell's a man of integrity, and I think his style would give the Republicans fits."

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