Almanac: At the Capitol

In the days before Christmas, my partisan goggles have become clouded by a renewed spirit of "peace on Earth" and "goodwill towards all." It is in this holiday-haze that I offer my hope for the upcoming legislative session: true bipartisanship.

It may surprise the readers of Minnesota Democrats Exposed that I am not hoping for a tax cut or a reduction in government spending. Maybe it's the eggnog.

Nope, I want true bipartisanship. I want the DFL-controlled legislature to work with Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty to help pass initiatives pushed by the other.

I know this means that I'm asking Governor Pawlenty to work with the DFL-controlled legislature. But more importantly, I'm asking the DFL-controlled legislature to work with Governor Pawlenty.

Incoming Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller was quoted in a Twin Cities newspaper saying "[w]e would like to help him [Pawlenty] be successful as governor because that will make the Legislature successful and the citizens of the state successful."

My response: prove it.