John Marty was at the Sixth District DFL convention. That's a reminder of what a good person, and long term progressive state official he has been.

Bottom line: Beyond any doubt, John Marty would be an excellent Governor. That's basically how I gravitated to see him as my own favored choice. Under my perspective you discount all else but - in a perfect world aside from elections and voter uncertainty, who would you like to see have the job?

It was Marty, easily, although there are other really sound candidates I surely would favor over Siefert or worse, Tom Emmer. Yet, I would feel bad playing the "so-and-so would be stronger out state" or "stronger on the Iron Range" or "able to get the Sixth District" or whatever - it is all far, far secondary to who is best for the job so that if elected you would be happiest.

I would be happiest seeing John Marty as our next Governor, in office doing what he's promised.

And with Marty you know the promise is take-it-to-the-bank trustworthy. He's been in office long enough to see what his record has been, what issues are key to him, and to see he's not ever over touted one thing and then left it out of his view once elected.

This screen shot, below, from the Marty Campaign Website; this link; and please go to THIS PAGE and donate. Nobody can run without funding and a person committed to not take PAC or lobbyist or corporate money needs ordinary citizens to respect that and contribute accordingly.

[as always, click on the image to enlarge and read]

A likely outcome in Duluth, a stalemate, no endorsed candidate. In that event my abiding hope is that Marty would continue onward, into a primary. And if the April 23 party convention in Duluth endorses a different candidate, and Marty abides by the endorsement as is likely, then still look at whatever options exist in a primary. With a primary a certainty there will be a choice, in August now, not later. And then whoever prevails ultimately as the DFL candidate going to the general election, remember how bad for the State the Pawlenty years were, and how his veto scratch pen did havoc, and vote against any continuation of Pawlenty-like cloning from the GOP. It was bad. It is bad. It would be bad.

End of rant.

_______UPDATE_______
Not quite end of rant. Tommy Thompson, a Republican former four-term Wisconsin governor and former Bush administration Secretary of Health and Human Services - a no child left behind unfunded mandate maven - might run against another good guy, Russ Feingold. If it happens be sure to send Feingold a contribution - because the GOP would be funding any such challenge with big pots of cash, and losing Feingold in the Senate would be awful. Fight to keep him there. Contribute.