WoMN Focus

Via Minnpost:

Gaertner spoke of “stewardship” of the land and enforcing environmental laws. Kelley showed off his technical knowledge, what with his position as the director of the Humphrey Institute’s Center for Science, Technology and Public Policy.

Anderson Kelliher reminded folks of her agri-roots and her deer-hunting capabilities. Marty detailed his long environmental record, blasted big-energy lobbyists and called for 25-cent mass transit tickets.
….
And then there’s that other unannounced candidate, Madam Speaker A-K. She began the night saying, with a smile, that she is “exploring the possibility of running for governor,” and then proceeded to speak with energy about storing wind and solar energy, said she was prepared to “stick with the tough conversations” about economic development and touted her holistic message that education drives her entire vision, mentioning the power of two-year colleges in the state and declaring, “Science should lead us.”

Sometimes it sounded as if she were running against Pawlenty, who, I believe, isn’t running for re-election. More than a couple times she was critical of what “we haven’t had in Minnesota recently.”

No, she told MinnPost after the panel discussion, she wasn’t running against the ghost of the governor. She was running against an era of “self-interested politics” and what she views as “a slide towards mediocrity.” She’s seeking a “return to prosperity.”

Meanwhile, like Marco Polo, Ponce de Leon and Ann Bancroft, Anderson Kelliher is just “exploring” these days. Right.

Read the full post here.

And all signs point to his future plans being an exploratory committee for Pawlenty 2012, rather than seeking a third term as governor.

What does this change for Minnesota? We now have a completely open governor’s race in 2010. There will be no GOP incumbent in a state that has been trending less and less Republican-friendly over the last few election cycles. Obvious front runners for the GOP nomination are Minority Leader Marty Seifert, former Senator Norm Coleman (who may be too much damaged goods at this point in the never-ending contest saga), GOP activist Brian Sullivan, who lost to Pawlenty in 2000.

But it’s the not so obvious that could be interesting. Is Rep. Michele Bachmann interested in Governor, or has her national media campaign showed her hand in possibly running for senate against Sen. Amy Klobuchar? Is Minnesota Majority just an action group, or a way to get Mary Kiffmeyer back in the spotlight after losing Secretary of State to Mark Ritchie. And what ever happened to the Lieutenant Governor Molnau? Is she even around anymore?

This announcement will also lead to an onslaught of new DFL candidates. No one will want to let an open election go by without taking a swing. If Speaker Kelliher is interested, expect to hear from her in the next two weeks. She’ll want to be up and running before the 4th of July.

Minnpost speculates that Speaker of the House Margaret Anderson Kelliher may be close to announcing a run for governor in 2010:

It sounds as if there soon will be another bandwagon in the ever-growing DFL gubernatorial candidate parade. House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher all but said she will soon be announcing her plans to run for the big office in 2010.

“I don’t have a plan, but I’m thinking about it,” Kelliher told me Thursday.

In political-speak, that means she’s simply trying to pick the best day to announce.

Minnesota has never had a female governor, and is more than ready for one. Having Speaker Kelliher join the race with Susan Gaertner greatly increases this possibility. And with Tim Pawlenty looking less and less enthusiastic about seeking a 3rd term, the DFL has an excellent shot against a line-up of lesser known and regarded GOP candidates like Minority Leader Marty Seifert.

Today, Women on the Web published a Q&A with 2010 gubernatorial candidate Susan Gaertner, which touched on, among other things, negative campaigning, gay marriage, and even illegal substances.

SUSAN: I’ve experienced some very negative campaigning against me. On top of that, a lot of the decisions I make as district attorney are controversial, and I’m used to criticism — either I’m too tough on the criminal or not tough enough, and ugly things can be said. So I’m very prepared for whatever is said or done during the election.

wOw: If things were getting really tough in a campaign, would you turn nasty? Would you have your campaign strategists try to dig up dirt on somebody?

SUSAN: I wouldn’t expect to. I found that when people are negatively campaigning against me, that it’s best just to keep my head up and stay out of the fray.

Read the whole interview here…

(via Minnesota Progressive Project)

“As a county attorney, you have to make decisions every day that could end your political career. All kinds of things are said in the media, on the blogs. But it’s my job. When I’m Governor, I’m not going to be afraid to make tough decisions. The number one problem with Tim Pawlenty is that his decision-making has been about the future interests of Tim Pawlenty.

“Education issues, health care, environmental issues, public safety, all these issues to me come down to the need for leadership.”

more at the Minnesota Progressive Project