Tom Emmer, the Republican nominee for governor of Minnesota, has made a few gaffes. He’s also running against one of the worst senators the state ever had — Mark Dayton, D — and an independent candidate who will perform strongly on Election Day, as independent candidates often do in Minnesota.

So I’ve been pretty confused so far to see Emmer trailing so badly in what is clearly shaping up to be a Republican year elsewhere. The latest poll, from Minnesota Public Radio, has him down by 11 points.