Pawlenty Won't Seek Third Term-- Now Free To Veto Franken Forever

You think Minnesota voters have learned a lesson or two?

Tim Pawlenty is, basically a failed and unpopular governor who acknowledged just last week on Minnesota Public Radio that he knew seeking a third term would be an uphill battle. Today he announced he'll spend his energy on something less daunting. While we can be sure it won't be trying to govern Minnesota, it's likely that he'll throw his hat into the clown's ring of Republicans wanting to take on Barack Obama in 2012. (Although a friend mentioned he could also be thinking of challenging Al Franken for the Minnesota Senate seat in 2014, accusing him of being an absentee senator who missed a ton of votes and wasn't there for Minnesotans.)


And speaking of Franken, many folks are speculating that Pawlenty's announcement is proof that he will refuse to sign the election certification no matter what the Minnesota Supremem Court rules-- and despite the fact that 63% of Minnesotans want Franken seated now. Instead he will play up to right-wing zealots and obstructionists in Texas, Alabama and Georgia who want him to tough it out and not allow the Democrats that 60th seat.

Earlier today, when the rumors about his decision were starting to circulate, the Star Tribune reported that Pawlenty had already told GOP legislative leaders he wasn't going to seek re-election. Nationally, the GOP is in such dire straits that even a complete nothing like Pawlenty has as good a shot at any of the other kooks and loons vying for the worthless presidnetial nomination.

In the just-concluded legislative session, Pawlenty also took a hard line that played well with Republicans far beyond Minnesota, vetoing all DFLers' proposed tax increases and unilaterally cutting parts of the state's budget to whittle down its gaping deficit.
Political analysts have said a run for a third term could have been risky for Pawlenty if he harbors ambitions beyond Minnesota.

Pointing out that he has never cracked 50 percent of the vote during his two previous runs, they said he could have been vulnerable next year. And if he lost, it would have effectively ended his presidential ambitions.

In addition, if the state remained mired in economic hard times during that third term, forcing him to make potentially unpopular decisions, it could have diminished his standing among GOP White House hopefuls.

Ben Smith at Politico pointed out that if Pawlenty is serious about running for president or-- more likely-- vice president, this announcement "rees him from the strictures of tough Minnesota campaign finance laws, which made presidential fundraising tough."


UPDATE: Will Michele Bachmann Run For Governor?

Today's Star Tribune goes through all the garbage likely to look at jumping into the Minnesota gubernatorial race. They suggest Coleman might run and claim he's "the state's most prominent Republican."

Among other potential candidates are House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, and Senate Minority Leader Dave Senjem, R-Rochester.

Less well-known potential candidates from the Legislature include Rep. Laura Brod, R-New Prague; Sen. Geoff Michel, R-Edina, and Sen. David Hann, R-Eden Prairie.

Michel said a "boatload of Republicans" have been waiting for Pawlenty to decide on a third term.

Former House Speaker Steve Sviggum and former state Auditor Pat Anderson also are considered possible candidates, as is GOP activist Brian Sullivan, who ran against Pawlenty for the Republican endorsement in 2002.

Former U.S. Sen. Rod Grams and U.S. Rep. Mark Kennedy have been mentioned as theoretical possible candidates, as has been current Rep. Michele Bachmann.

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