Almanac: At the Capitol

I think the next governor's race could feature the first shake up when it comes to gender in this state.  If Gov. Pawlenty does not run again, and I'm not sure why he would want to risk running again after watching the close recount and nasty campaign in the Senate race.  Plus, it would be something as Smart Politics writes no Minnesota governor has ever achieved (only gov's who had two-year terms got elected three times).  So having no incumbent could really shake things up and how about when it comes to gender?

Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner is running (here's a shot of her literally running in Grandma's Marathon). 

I still hear a lot of (if not the most) interest in Speaker of the House Margaret Anderson Kelliher who has rural and urban credentials, is greatly respected and was a hockey mom before it became politically popular.

But I wonder if the fact Rep. Paul Thissen is exploring a run means Kelliher is not.  They are close friends and allies and both from Minneapolis.  

Sen. Tom Bakk is also exploring, but it's been a long time since a Ranger made it statewide (think Doug Johnson and Jerry Janezich).

Of course there's the urban mayors Coleman and Rybak who are both able politicians with a built-in base.

On the Republican side, if Pawlenty does not run again Rep. Laura Brod is or could be on the top of a lot of short lists.  She's articulate, attractive and feisty.  I'd suspect Brian Sullivan to be in the mix as well.  Former State Auditor Pat Anderson is also a possibility.  Both women were spokespeople for the Republican Party in anti-Franken press conferences this year.

There's a wave at the Capitol wondering if Minnesota should scrap the caucus system and go to a presidential primary. Sen. Ann Rest apparently has a bill that would retain caucuses for party business but create a presidential primary. Sen. Dan Larson and Rep. Steve Simon both have bills to establish a presidential primary but the bills didn't advance past a couple of committees. After last night with voters being turned away from the polls things could change. Nearly every person I've talked to today wonders if reforms won't be on the way. Last week when I talked to the governor he was saying the Republican caucus system should be examined to at least have binding delegates. MPR had this classic quote from the gov who has no love for the caucus system:

"I lost the caucuses in 2002," Pawlenty said. "If I can't win them for myself, how can I win them for someone else? You'll remember that Brian Sullivan thumped me pretty good in the caucuses. So they're really one step in the process, but they really aren't good predictors of what the outcome will be.