Christopher Truscott - CD-6 Candidate Bob Anderson: ‘I'm in a Battle Royal'

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Christopher Truscott - CD-6 Candidate Bob Anderson: ‘I'm in a Battle Royal'

Even under the best of circumstances, waging a third party campaign for Congress is a bit like trying to endure a Minnesota winter with little more than a sweatshirt, jeans and tennis shoes.

Two years ago, Independence Party candidate John Binkowski impressed audiences from Woodbury to Stillwater to Anoka to St. Cloud. But on Election Day he garnered less than 8 percent of the vote in a three-way race against well-funded and well-known candidates Michele Bachmann, a Republican, and DFLer Patty Wetterling.

Binkowski's experience is enough to make many observers say besting the dominant parties in a high-dollar federal race is an impossible feat, but Woodbury dental technician and mental health advocate Bob Anderson says the climate is right for exactly that kind of upset in the 6th Congressional District.

"People are starving for an independent voice," said Anderson, who earlier this month became the only person to file under the IP banner in the 6th District. "There's never been a better time for an independent."

Getting to this point wasn't easy. At the IP's state endorsement convention last month in Bloomington, party activists, at the urging of the party's biggest names, picked DFLer El Tinklenberg as their candidate to take on the high-profile Bachmann, who's seeking her second term in office. (State law, however, prohibits candidates from filing for office under multiple party labels, so Tinklenberg will only be listed as a Democrat on the ballot.)

"I'm in a battle royal," Anderson said. "I'm going against the Democrats, the Republicans and a certain faction in the Independence Party."

That "certain faction" includes Binkowski, 2006 IP gubernatorial nominee Peter Hutchinson, and party founder and current Senate candidate Dean Barkley. But Anderson contends by cross-endorsing a DFLer, the IP was "missing the boat" since both big parties are dominated by their respective "extremes."

"The best way to beat Michele Bachmann is not throwing a similar candidate out there," he said. "It's to contrast and I'm the contrast."

Though he's voted for Republicans and Democrats in the past, making him a "purple" candidate, Anderson said he has "more conservative values than liberal." But more than ideology, people are looking for a responsive representative willing to listen to their concerns and "not do the tele-townhalls Michele Bachmann does."

Anderson, who's in his first campaign for public office, has spent July making the rounds of parades and other events in Washington County. He's hearing a lot about the economy (he's especially concerned about out-sourcing) and gas prices (he's not taking any options off the table, including drilling).

Spreading his message throughout the sprawling district will be tough since he's decided not to accept any campaign contributions. But in a year like this, Anderson thinks people will look beyond politics as usual.

"It's only (a two-year term)," he said. "People can take a shot on someone for two years and if they don't like what the person does they can vote him out."

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From the Notebook

On Iraq and War on Terrorism:

The world is better off without Saddam Hussein and American troops are making a difference in Iraq, though war planning "could've been much different."

"After the first war, (Saddam) broke every … rule that has been in place."

"I do think we have to stay on the offensive against terrorism."

"If we don't show strength—I think that's why they came after us (on 9/11)."

On Energy:

"All options" should be on the table, but "I don't think we're going to drill out way our of this problem."

Supports "all means possible to make changes."

Supports investment in renewable energy, but is leery of ethanol. "I'm not a big one for burning food for fuel."

On Immigration:

National Guard troops shouldn't be serving in Iraq. They should be working to secure the border. "Seal borders first before we do anything else."

On Michele Bachmann:

From what he's heard talking to 6th District residents: "There's a lot of negatives out there about Michele Bachmann."

She's a "rubber stamp" for President Bush.

"People want to see someone who's going to go in and represent the constituents."

On Change:

"To really make change in Washington, we do need to put someone in there who is more connected with the average worker." (Citing his experience as an employee and small business owner."

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