Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota was swinging through Bloggers’ Row there, so of course we had to chat. Nice guy; very centered.

I was trying to think of some way of saying that I’m sorry that my little bit of extra monopolization of the Governor’s time was an inconvenience to a couple of staffers (I know some of those people, after all) without saying I’m sorry for the monopolization itself (because I’m, well, not); but then I realized that all I had to do was just write that out. As a writing strategy, it seems… remarkably straightforward. I should try it more often.

Moe Lane

Crossposted to Moe Lane.

Having enjoyed SE-779’s breakdowns of various state races, I figured I’d contribute with my own analysis of my home state of Minnesota.

Governor: Incumbent Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty is not running for re-election. Oddly, despite the fact that Minnesota has not voted Republican in a Presidential race since 1972 (yes, we even voted for Mondale in 1984, though probably mostly out of pity), Minnesota has also not had a Democratic Governor since Rudy Perpich was defeated in 1990. This year is probably the best chance for Democrats to change that. The Democrat nomination will likely come down to former U.S. Senator Mark Dayton and current Minneapolis mayor R.T. Rybak. The main Republican contenders are House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, State Senator David Hann, former Rep. Bill Haas and current Rep. Tom Emmer. Former U.S. Senator Norm Coleman has declined to run. I admittedly know little about any of the Republicans, but I do know that Democratic favorite Dayton didn’t fare well as a Senator, causing him to not run for a second term in 2006, and the people may remember that. I also recall that no one knew who Tim Pawlenty was before he won in 2002, but his Democratic challengers were not as well-known. This prediction is subject to change, but: DEM GAIN, certainty factor 4/10.

Senate: Neither of the reliable liberal votes – Amy Klobuchar or Acting Senator Al Fraudken – are up for re-election this year. Pity.

MN-01: Incumbent Democrat Tim Walz is running for re-election, and has no primary challengers. This is a seat Republicans are targeting, but no strong contenders have yet emerged. Current Republican contenders include Rep. Randy Demmer, longtime congressional aide Jim Hagedorn, military veteran Frank McKinzie, and former gubernatorial candidate Allen Quist. The national GOP seems unimpressed with this lot, as they have hoped to recruit either State Senator Julie Rosen or former Rep. Brad Finstad, but neither has joined the race as of yet. Walz won by a comfortable margin (30 points) in this southern Minnesota rural district two years ago (which Obama won 51-47), but the voter registration is R+1 and supported Bush in 2000 and 2004. Walz voted against ObamaCare in November, but for the most part has voted with Pelosi on everything else. This will be a closer race than in 2008, but Walz is fairly popular and the Republican field is not strong. Prediction: DEM HOLD, certainty factor 7/10.

MN-02: Incumbent Republican John Kline is running for re-election, and has no primary challengers. Democrat contenders include former state Rep. Shelley Madore and salesman Dan Powers. Madore will win the primary, but brings nothing to the table in this conservative district. As I live in both Kline’s district as well as Madore’s former state district, I know of what I speak here. Prediction: GOP HOLD, certainty factor 10/10.

MN-03: Incumbent Republican Erik Paulsen is running for re-election, and has no primary challengers. Democrat challengers include physician Maureen Hackett and PTA president Jim Meffert-Nelson. Neither challenger poses any reason for Paulsen to worry. Prediction: GOP HOLD, certainty factor 10/10.

MN-04: Incumbent Democrat Betty McCollum is running for re-election, and has no primary challengers. No Republicans have announced for this race. Prediction: DEM HOLD, certainty factor 10/10.

MN-05: Incumbent Democrat Keith Ellison is running for re-election, and has no primary challengers. No Republicans have announced for this race. Ellison has had some ethics issues, but with no serious opposition should still breeze through, thus illustrating a lot about what is wrong with our political system today. Prediction: DEM HOLD, certainty factor 10/10.

MN-06: This is clearly the main event. Incumbent Republican Michele Bachmann is running for re-election. Attorney Chris Johnston is challenging her in the primary, but is no threat. Democrat contenders include State Sen. Tarryl Clark and former U of MN regent Maureen Reed. Clark is the likely primary winner. Nancy Pelosi has made it clear that Bachmann is the top target for Democrats this year, and clearly wants very badly to see the conservative Bachmann gone. Bachmann has had three close races in 2004-2008 against fairly weak challengers, but she is becoming increasingly popular both locally and nationally. Sorry, Ms. Speaker, but Michele Bachmann isn’t going anywhere. Prediction: GOP HOLD, certainty factor 8/10.

MN-07: Incumbent Democrat Collin Peterson is running for re-election, and has no primary challengers. Republican challengers include 2008 nominee Lee Byberg and accountant Glen Menze. This is a safe Democratic district. Prediction: DEM HOLD, certainty factor 10/10.

MN-08: Incumbent Democrat James Oberstar is running for re-election, and has no primary challengers. Construction executive Michael Cummins is the only announced Republican. This is a safe Democratic district in the northern part of the state. Prediction: DEM HOLD, certainty factor 10/10.

SE-779: How’d I do?

…apparently, the negative fallout from going after actual Republican Senators was a bit much for the man, and of course he can’t just act like a mature federal legislator. Al Franken, remember?

Anyway, via Drudge here’s the latest loss-of-control:

Franken invited [Sen. bob] Corker to his office to discuss an op-ed that Corker penned in a Tennessee newspaper opposing an amendment Franken offered to a defense bill. The measure gave the employees of defense contractors who suffer rape or sexual assault at the workplace the right to sue in court.

The meeting quickly deteriorated when Franken began berating one of Corker’s aides, according to GOP aides familiar with the incident. Franken’s sally was so harsh that Corker told Franken to lay off his aide and direct the comments at him instead.

Franken’s tough approach came as a surprise because Corker scheduled the meeting to mend fences after Franken confronted him about the op-ed during an angry exchange on the Senate floor.

Franken also went out after another GOP staffer - female, of course - for the supposed crimes of Republican Senators. You almost have to feel bad for the decidedly junior Senator from Minnesota: after all, it’s been an entire year since the election, and he’s still just Al Franken. And he’s starting to subconsciously grasp that putting the title ‘Senator’ in front of his name won’t change that.

Moe Lane

PS: In the unlikely chance that he ever reads this: make me respect you, Senator Smalley.

Crossposted to Moe Lane.