In one of the sillier articles I've read, MPR is busy figuring out whether Gov. Pawlenty is qualified for Gold Elite on NWA. They even have pretty graphics. Does anyone check to see what the Legislature did for the month and a half before the Legislature even opened for session?

MPR is measuring inputs. What I care about is output. Has he delivered the production we expect from the governor? And how do I measure that? It's NOT based on how many times he talks with the DFL leadership.

"I've seen more of the former governors than I have of the current governor during the start of session," said DFL House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher.

Kelliher said she's worried that Pawlenty has not been meeting with her or other DFL legislative leaders. She said the last time she met with the governor was on Feb. 13, one day after the legislative session started.

DFL House Majority Leader Tony Sertich said he hopes to see the governor come to the table as budget negotiations intensify.

"I think it's shocking. It would be shocking to Minnesotans to know that their governor and their elected legislative leaders have not been in the same room since the start of the legislative session," Sertich said. "I've seen him more on the Sunday morning TV talk shows ... than I've been in the room with him."

Now, go to the last paragraph for the punchline,

House Speaker Margaret Kelliher acknowledged she hasn't invited the governor to any meetings. She said she'd be happy to hold one in her office if the governor would attend.

So first, he was traveling, they didn't want to invite him to a meeting, but they are criticizing his travel. Doesn't that put a pretty big hole in this story? Second, she is willing invite him to HER office. Would she go to his? He is, after all, the governor.

And he's home tomorrow. How do we know? Governor Pawlenty will be with Michael and me on the Northern Alliance Radio Network on AM 1280 the Patriot. The show begins at 3pm CT, and Governor Pawlenty will join us at 3:30.

Speaker Kelliher? Call us at 651-289-4488 and extend that invitation. Who knows? He might give you his cell, and you could reach out and touch him any time you want.

Labels: Minnesota, Pawlenty