[Speed Gibson,
Sunday October 29, 2006 at 1:59am]
Down to the Wire
I have a pretty well-reasoned post sitting in my blog drawer for why I will be voting for Peter Hutchinson. Briefly, I argue that if we have to have a non-Republican governor, let's at least elect the most honest, the most capable, the one with the most executive skills.
But it's still stuck in the drawer, for an increasing fear of the damage Mike Hatch could do to Minnesota in just four years. Pawlenty has done some damage, and will likely continue to do so. It's hard to say. His campaign promises are generally worthless.
Sure, Mike Hatch is obnoxious, on every level. We knew that already. Sure, Mike Hatch is running a nasty campaign. He always does, even against other Democrats. But since he hasn't been able to land the big jobs in the past, I really hadn't given thought to how such a man would govern.
The way the political winds are blowing this year, Mike Hatch could become Little Caesar. Those winds could carry his deputy Lori Swanson into the Attorney General's office. Swanson clearly would continue the Hatch policy of headlines before convictions. If MDE is right and Hatch appoints Judy Schaubach as his Education Commissioner, he will have total control of Education as well.
Senate Majority Liar Dean Johnson had little trouble finessing Pawlenty, but will get absolutely nowhere with a real street fighter like Hatch. Ditto whoever becomes Speaker of the House, even if it goes Democrat this year.
The judges are already on notice, both sitting and those who might be appointed. "Outcome-based Jurisprudence" will be the law of the land if Hatch gets his way.
Such a centralization of power, enforced by press conferences and lawsuits, is a real concern to me. But is it a big enough threat to make me give Pawlenty one more vote? I'll need more time on this one.
But it's still stuck in the drawer, for an increasing fear of the damage Mike Hatch could do to Minnesota in just four years. Pawlenty has done some damage, and will likely continue to do so. It's hard to say. His campaign promises are generally worthless.
Sure, Mike Hatch is obnoxious, on every level. We knew that already. Sure, Mike Hatch is running a nasty campaign. He always does, even against other Democrats. But since he hasn't been able to land the big jobs in the past, I really hadn't given thought to how such a man would govern.
The way the political winds are blowing this year, Mike Hatch could become Little Caesar. Those winds could carry his deputy Lori Swanson into the Attorney General's office. Swanson clearly would continue the Hatch policy of headlines before convictions. If MDE is right and Hatch appoints Judy Schaubach as his Education Commissioner, he will have total control of Education as well.
Senate Majority Liar Dean Johnson had little trouble finessing Pawlenty, but will get absolutely nowhere with a real street fighter like Hatch. Ditto whoever becomes Speaker of the House, even if it goes Democrat this year.
The judges are already on notice, both sitting and those who might be appointed. "Outcome-based Jurisprudence" will be the law of the land if Hatch gets his way.
Such a centralization of power, enforced by press conferences and lawsuits, is a real concern to me. But is it a big enough threat to make me give Pawlenty one more vote? I'll need more time on this one.