Time For A Change In Minnesota

Hope and change were Barak Obama's campaign theme. Perhaps an ideological change in Minnesota would create new hope for citizens of Minnesota. The ideological change would be a true Conservative Governor. Since "Governor Green Jeans," Tim Pawlenty has announced that he is not seeking a third term, Minnesota has the chance to elect a True Conservative Governor. We endorse State Representative Tom Emmer from Delano as our first Conservative Governor in many years.

Has Minnesota had a truly Conservative Governor? In, my lifetime (61 years), I would say NO! Our definition of a true Conservative would be say Barry Goldwater/Ronald Reagan. Given the list of Republican that Minnesota has elected over the years, let's look at their ideologies.

1. Tim Pawlenty (Republican) - Affectionately called "Governor Green Jeans" because of his Liberal views on energy. Some have likened Governor Pawlenty as a John McCain clone without any military experience. Our assessment is that Governor Pawlenty is a Progressive rather than Conservative.

2. James Janos (aka Jesse Ventura) (Reform Party) - Janos was a paradox; He did some things very well; other things very poorly. Governor Janos was fiscally, fairly Conservative, but ideologically would be Libertarian.

3. Arne Carlson (Republican) - We refer to Governor Carlson as "DFL Arne" becuase he was a liberal Republican (another Progressive Governor).

4. Rudy Perpich (Democrat) - Often refered to as "Governor Goofy," Governor Perpich was a liberal Democrat.

5. Al Quie (Republican) - I was not living in Minnesota when Quie was Governor and have no first hand personal knowledge of Governor Quie.

6. Wendell R. Anderson (Democrat) - The Governor who gave himself a job (US Senator) and didn't show upfor work. This Governor Anderson was a liberal Democrat.

7. Harold LeVander (Republican) - Governor LeVander gave Minnesota the Metropolitan Council and Sales Tax. Neither of these gifts are Conservative.

8. Karl Rolvaag (Democrat) - Governor Rolvaag was another liberal Democrat.

9. Elmer L. Anderson (Republican) - This Governor Anderson was at best a moderate Conservative.

10. Orville Freeman (Democrat) - At best, Governor Freeman might be considered a moderate liberal or "JFK Democrat." Freeman was more liberal than JFK.

11. C. Elmer Anderson (Republican) - I was too young to know anything about this Governor Anderson.

12. Luther Youngdahl (Republican) - as above, I was too young to know anything about this Governor.