doodledee

Yesterday, Vice President Cheney came to town to stump for Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim Pawlenty. A lot of people, myself included, believe the $500/plate luncheon -- which raised $250,000 -- was a thank-you gift to Pawlenty for withdrawing from the US Senate race last summer. At the time, the Whitehouse supported Norm Coleman in the Senate race, but Pawlenty was still planning on running because local Republican Brian Sullivan had already built a lot of momentum in the gubernatorial race. On literally the morning of Pawlenty's Senate campaign announcement, Cheney called him and asked him not to run against Norm. Pawlenty immediately backed-out.

What I don't understand is why this is such a big deal to people. Yesterday in the media, the local DFL was highly critical of the visit. They called it "part of an elaborate payoff to Pawlenty". Well, duh! It's obviously a payback. Me confused. Me not understand your point.

In reality, the creepiest angle you could take is to play-up how/why Washington is so interested in a gubernatorial race in po'dunk Minnesota. I personally don't get it. Plenty of recent Presidents have been ex-Governors, but I don't see Pawlenty as Presidential material. Maybe they forgot we elected Jesse? Maybe they're hoping to save the Twins? Maybe Cheney has a secret crush on Carol Molnau? Hmmm.