I have to say that it takes a lot of balls to vocally support Bush in a blue state like Minnesota, but that's exactly what Gov. Tim Pawlenty has
done.
Pawlenty waved off any concerns about Bush, Hatch or other DFLers on Wednesday. "I'd stand with President Bush if his approval rating was 2 percent," Pawlenty said. "I won't abandon my leader just because times are tough."
The story went further into depth on the race for Governor. Like Bush, Pawlenty has seen his numbers decline.
Incumbent Republicans everywhere look more vulnerable as President Bush's approval ratings have plummeted precipitously and economic warning lights flicker.
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Pawlenty's unfavorable rating percentage has climbed to almost even with his favorable percentage in Morris' recent polling, he said, adding that "History suggests that people do base their state election voting on what's going on in the country as well as the state."
Who's the man do bring back the cup? Some say Mike Hatch.
Hatch, who was ahead of Pawlenty by a few statistically insignificant percentage points in a recent Wall Street Journal/Zogby poll, is declining all interview requests on campaign matters before his announcement Monday.
"[Hatch] wishes everybody well and looks forward to debating the issues that are important to move the state forward," said spokeswoman Leslie Sandberg.
Despite the larger field on the DFL side and disenchantment with Hatch among some liberal activists, Morris thinks Hatch enters the race as a strong favorite to get the party endorsement, and a favorite in the primary election if he fails to get the endorsement.
And who else is running?
Lesser-known DFLers see this, and instead of getting a coronation ride, Hatch now may face at least four viable contenders for the party endorsement or the primary election.
They include: state Sens. Steve Kelley and Becky Lourey; real estate developer Kelly Doran, and former state Rep. Bud Philbrook. Also running is frequent candidate Ole Savior.
So there we have it. A blue state and a Republican governor whose numbers are slipping while he wraps his arms around Dubya. If this isn't a pickup opportunity, I don't know what is. I don't know the candidates well, but it sounds like this hatch is a good candidate. I remember the night the DFL lost this office. It's been 15 years and way overdue. Unless I find out something seriously wrong about him, I hope the DFL can get behind him early.