Date: May 3, 2004
Subject: I'm shocked

According to an unscientific Strib Instant Poll, 87% of respondents think that the Senate Education Committee recommended against Cheri Pierson Yecke's confirmation because "DFLers [are] playing political power games" or "She's a target for anti-Pawlenty sentiment." Only 12% believe it's because "She's not the best choice for the job." As of today there were over 20,000 respondents to the poll.

In other news...

[Education Committee chair Sen. Steve] Kelley insisted that DFLers on the Education Committee aren't using Yecke's confirmation as a bargaining chip to leverage legislative concessions out of either Gov. Tim Pawlenty or the Republican-dominated House. But Sen. Sandy Pappas, DFL-St. Paul, wondered if a little horse-trading might come into play, especially if a confirmation vote is put off indefinitely.

"The longer it goes on, the more likely that the governor could try to make deals with individual legislators," said Pappas, one of six committee Democrats who voted to recommend Yecke's dismissal. "I don't really like linkage, but that does go on around here."

—"Republican senators line up behind Yecke," by Norman Draper, Star Tribune, April 29, 2004

As Capt. Renault would say, "I'm shocked, shocked" to find that there's politics going on here. Sen. Pappas tries to cast aspersions on the governor, but frankly either side could say "let's make a deal."

As the croupier said to Capt. Renault, "Your winnings, sir."