The Official FOX 9 Newsroom Blog

Knew it.  You had to click.

Just got back from the Governor's Fishing Opener.  My (admittedly selfish) favorite moments were:  1.  Governor Pawlenty asking me why my dachshund, Munter, was not there.  Answer:  Fear associated with being mistaken for muskie bait. 

2.  Governor Pawlenty asking Tom Butler and Alix Kendall how much they'd pay for him to toss me in the lake (joking.  He was JOKING.) 

While much has been made of Governor Pawlenty's "sex joke" gaffe, I truly think it came from being in high spirits at an event he really, really enjoys.   Perhaps it's not the smartest comment to make when you are under the media microscope, as a possible VP candidate.  But I can assure you, the man who might be VP is taking NO chances when it comes to swag.

In Pequot Lakes, I visited Kris Kristufek who crafts handmade, one-of-a-kind fishing poles.  Works of art, really.  He had been working on one for Governor Pawlenty,  when the gov's people called and said, 'stop, cut--he can't accept that fishing pole.'  Kris would have been happy to have the Governor simply use the pole, then give it to a local kid as a souvenir.  But from a political perspective, it's foolhardy to  risk having the taint of accepting swag--even something that is a heatfelt gift--on your resume.  A resume that may soon--if it's not already--being dissected.

----M.A. Rosko