Posted: 10/02/09 00:22
by Dave Mindeman
Governor Pawlenty keeps moving toward a public confirmation of the worst kept secret in the state....that he wants to be President.
He has put together a really, quite impressive group of people to be involved with his Freedom First PAC. He does look serious.
But, quite frankly, I don't care. It is certainly his perogative to think of his two 47% or so wins in Minnesota as some kind of national mandate. Or, his near Vice Presidential selection forray as some kind of Presidential calling.
He can do that...it's a free country.
But my concern is for Minnesota. We will be enduring one more legislative session with his governance. I no longer expect anything good to happen in the remainder of Gov. Pawlenty's tenure. The best case scenario is that we minimize the damage.
There will be no problem solving in 2010. Pawlenty is committed to image making. National image making. That means dumping the real problems onto his successor. That means no major discussion of reform unless it involves eliminating programs. That means more partisan confrontation -- probably more partisan than in the past...if that's possible.
Democrats are no longer simple adversaries... they are the enemy. Taxes are no longer just unacceptable....they are unthinkable. Budget fixes aren't topics of discussion unless done with a machete.
The coming legislative session will become Pawlenty's showcase to the Republican base. He will relish and publicize any opportunity for the use of his veto pen. The rhetoric will get acidic. The public statements rife with ridicule and disdain.
Oh, it will be a fun time in February. Yes, sir. Pawlenty will soon be moving out of the Governor's mansion, but he has already forgotten that he still should be Governor Pawlenty.... not Presidential candidate Pawlenty.
As for governing Minnesota in 2010, can we just skip ahead?
First a comment for Bernie (aka belnie) , why bring up Obama and not McCain ? Second, there is a big difference since Pawlenty is THE head of the state … not one of 100 other Senators. Third, the presidential election isn’t until 2012 … and with Pawlenty’s term ending just about a year before the Iowa caucuses, there is no reason for his negligence. But most relevant to me is that Pawlenty broke a personal pledge involving his commitment to be OUR Governor over other activities. I recall in clear detail the anger that was expressed about Governor Ventura and his out-of-state travels. The question was posed during a debate broadcast over MPR and all the candidates were asked about it, and Pawlenty pledged that he would exclusively be OUR Governor. IF he doesn't want to be the Govenor, then pull a Palin and resign.
Now on to the premise of your commentary, even without an active Governor, the state must go on. The legislative session should be a good time to consider some of the ideas being promoted on the campaign trail. At the MN-GOP State Convention, eight Minnesota Republican governor candidates agreed there is no need to raise taxes to fix the state budget deficit.
Tom Emmer says entire state should be a "JOBZ Zone" and that DHS and MDH can be combined.
David Hann wants to reform education --- while Phil Herwig said they can downsize education.
Paul Kohls has a plan to cut state government spending by $3 billion and to freeze spending at the 2004-2005 level.
Marty Seifert has his Seven Point Plan.
Considering the financial crisis, there is no time to waste because the Governor has his mind on another job … let theses candidates put their ideas into legislation and let’s debate them. Why wait ? IF their ideas are good, and will positively impact the financial crisis – great; if not, let the voters know.