Almanac: At the Capitol

Gov. Pawlenty just announced that Indian firm Essar Global who took over a steel plant in northern Minnesota will not invest in Iran unless it's permitted under U.S. law. Pawlenty said the company was exploring business in Iran, but they made it clear they are not going forward. The governor says, "the project is now back on track." It was an interesting lesson for the governor on vetting a company in the world of global commerce. It was a chance for Pawlenty to weigh in to international politics and chart a successful course. Yes, he continues to deny any interest in higher office, but this was a good chance for him to prove he can negotiate in world politics. The best line of the news conference came when Iron Range newspaper editor Bill Hanna joined the press conference by phone and Pawlenty said he knew he "better clear this up before the governor's deer hunting opener in Hibbing or the hunter would become the hunted." The other big story of the week for the governor has been his new partnerships with liberal environmentalists. Last session this was clearly the issue he decided he could cross party lines on and now he's taken it a step further with upcoming events with Al Gore (j/k) and Will Steger. Pawlenty is a smart politician who probably knows that about 85% of Americans believe in global warming. Now those 15% who don't might be part of his conservative base, so it's a gamble too.