Local leaders of the DFL and GOP have one thing in common. Neither of them can predict which presidential candidates will nab their parties’ respective nominations.

A potentially wide-open race should lead to some interesting debate on Feb. 5, when both parties will conduct their precinct caucuses.

Who will emerge as local Republicans’ favorite?

“I wouldn’t have a clue,” said McLeod County GOP Chair Julie Schaffer. “It’s so split. Our own governor went with (John) McCain. Our state party chair went on board with (Mike) Huckabee.” She also noted Sen. Norm Coleman has endorsed Rudy Guiliani.

According to McLeod County DFL Chair Paul Wright, “Clinton is still polling highest in Minnesota (among Democrats), but there’s still a lot of movement toward Obama. Out here in rural Minnesota, there’s been a very strong segment that supports John Edwards … Minnesota tends to support ... How shall I put it? Very interesting candidates.”

McLeod GOP Treasurer Bob Anderson also said the results of Super Tuesday’s local straw poll should be “interesting.”

“As I pick up on it,” he said, “a lot of people are going different ways. We have about four or five candidates that have some strong points, but they’re so limited in scope.”

For example, Anderson said he favors Ron Paul’s stance on tax and finances, McCain on defense and Guiliani on homeland security issues.

See the Leader’s Tuesday, Jan. 22 print edition for a full preview of the upcoming precinct caucuses.

(Jorge Sosa is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader. He can be reached at sosa@hutchinsonleader.com [2])