Obligatory Franken Potential Replacement Poll

[IceSpear]

Yeah, Ellison wouldn't have problems getting elected statewide.  Republicans are not picking up a Senate seat here any time soon and the average voter doesn't know or care that he's Muslim.

He may still be able to win on the coattails of Klobuchar, but the idea that the average voter in Minnesota wouldn't care that he's Muslim is incredibly naive IMO. Minnesota isn't just acres and acres of BRTD's hipster neighborhood.

[IceSpear]

- It is very unlikely Franken resigns unless something else drops.

- Ellison would be a horrible choice and would likely lose statewide.  I live in rural Minnesota and sadly a black Muslim from Minneapolis would do even worse than Clinton did outstate.

Why would someone who voted for Barack Obama twice in 2008 and 2012 not vote for someone based on being a Muslim?  

Because Obama wasn't a Muslim?

[IceSpear]

Peterson easily

First of all he could hold the senate seat for as long as he wants a true moderate
Second the GOP would finally pick up Minnesota 8th.

-Peterson would get crushed in the 2018 Democratic Primary.

- He represents the 7th, not the 8th.

Peterson would be the worst possible replacement appointee, because he would hand over the 7th district for the next 25+ years without a fight and as you mention, he would have no prayer in the primary. 

Plus he's old.