Almanac: At the Capitol

I just spotted Gov. Tim Pawlenty in the front row in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda at Pres. Gerald Ford's funeral. He is right next to the choir and got some serious face time on national television. He's been on camera at least half a dozen times and could be seen wincing as the elderly gentlemen just passed out. So why would a relatively little known Minnesota governor get just such a prominent spot at an important national event? Who knows, but it could have something to do with raising his profile as a national leader and vice presidential candidate.