Session 2004 Bonding Education Finance and taxes Gambling Health Care Public Safety Social Services Stadium Issues Transportation Audio Pawlenty's energy, media savvy upstage Democrats (story audio) Photos Jan. 12: At the zoo Jan. 8: A crackdown on sex offenders Jan. 13: In Anoka View full slideshow (5 images) More from MPR Pawlenty's bonding package totals $760 million (01/14/2004) Your Voice Join the conversation with other MPR listeners in the News Forum.

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Pawlenty's energy, media savvy upstage Democrats
by Laura McCallum, Minnesota Public Radio
January 15, 2004

Pawlenty was petting the dolphins at the Minnesota Zoo on Jan. 12, the same day DFLers were taking his corrections officials to task on treatment of level 3 sex offenders. (MPR file photo)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty just wrapped up a week of press conferences highlighting projects in his bonding proposal. After cutting budgets last year, the bonding proposal gave the governor the chance to dish out some spending around Minnesota. The statewide media blitz was typical for a high-energy governor who has proven adept at dealing with the press. Pawlenty has released a flurry of initiatives in recent weeks, and some Democrats believe the activity level is designed to deflect criticism of his administration.

St. Paul, Minn. — The last week was a fairly typical one for Gov. Pawlenty. He delivered two speeches, appeared on a television news show, hosted his weekly radio show, participated in a fundraiser hockey game and held eight news conferences, all on his bonding proposals.

The governor went around the state to draw attention to projects ranging from housing for the homeless to the Northstar commuter rail line. His press secretary, Leslie Kupchella, says it was Pawlenty's idea to roll out his bonding proposal over the course of a week.

	Jan. 8: A crackdown on sex offenders

"I think it just makes it digestible for the public. Because otherwise, it is a huge package, and it just sort of gets lost in those details," says Kupchella. "I think it's just really great for the public to know exactly what he's doing, and it's just a better way to communicate."

Kupchella says Pawlenty has an uncanny ability to make his policies understandable to the public. She says he's an avid news consumer, and has a good sense of what the average viewer or reader would be interested in.

He's also demonstrated an ability to dominate news coverage with his agenda. Earlier this week, on the day that Senate Democrats held a hearing questioning Pawlenty administration policies on sex offenders, the governor held a press conference at the Minnesota Zoo. All of the newspapers and television stations showed pictures of Pawlenty patting a dolphin. DFL state party chair Mike Erlandson says Pawlenty is a master of public relations.

	Jan. 13: In Anoka

"We have a governor that is focused on press release politics, to provide cover for himself with the people that pay the least amount of attention to what's going on in politics or in public policy. And he's done a great job of that," Erlandson says. "He's happy to have hockey games with former Governor (Wendell) Anderson, who actually did do something to turn around Minnesota in the early 1970s."

Erlandson says Pawlenty's blizzard of press conferences has diverted public attention from criticism of his administration over budget cuts, property tax increases, and the release of the level 3 sex offender charged in the disappearance of college student Dru Sjodin.

DFLer D.J. Leary, co-editor of the newsletter Politics in Minnesota, says Pawlenty has used the media to upstage Democrats.

	Jan. 14: Total bonding package

"What the Democrats, unfortunately, are doing -- they're on a different news cycle with what they're talking about," says Leary. "The governor's out there with the Minnesota Zoo, surrounded by cuddly, furry animals and kids who love things. And people aren't interested in talking about type 3 sex offenders, which was last week's news."

Leary says Pawlenty is smart to release a number of new initiatives in the typically slow news time between the holidays and the start of the legislative session.

"Listen, he could go stand on a street corner in downtown Minneapolis and announce a research grant for hangnails, and get front page coverage," says Leary.

Leary has been involved in Minnesota politics for decades, and says Pawlenty isn't the first governor to take his agenda around the state. But he does think Pawlenty's approach is unique in the sheer volume of his policy initiatives, a near-daily release of proposals in areas ranging from education to crime to prescription drugs.

Political scientist Chris Gilbert of Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter says Pawlenty has been an extremely active governor in his first year in office.

	"Politics by press release"

"By and large, citizens are willing to give credit -- even to a governor of the opposite party -- if they believe that person is working hard," says Gilbert. "Pawlenty is clearly working hard -- it's not just show, putting forth all these proposals."

Gilbert says Pawlenty has shown incredible savvy in dealing with the media in his first year. Pawlenty has long demonstrated a gift of the sound bite. He was one of the most frequently quoted legislators during his 10 years in the House, and was known for quips like "DFL stands for do-not-follow-or-lead."

The new DFL leader in the Senate, Dean Johnson, says Pawlenty may be quotable, but Johnson says he is, too. Johnson has been a minister for 30 years, and says he's comfortable speaking to groups and thinking on his feet.

Democrats will have to be quick on their feet. Pawlenty press secretary Kupchella says the governor won't slow down.

"This is really I think when he's happiest, when he's working at this kind of pace," says Kupchella. "We're just running non-stop, and he's just energized by it."

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