The position of lieutenant governor in Minnesota is essentially powerless. Apart from a possible advisory role to the all-powerful Minnesota governor, they broaden a candidates appeal during the election, only to serve as a prop at official functions during the administration. Because of this, the science of choosing a gubernatorial running mate is pretty sketchy, based on assumption and political superstition.
There's the schools of thought that focuses on distributing the ticket across demographic lines: geography and gender (every major ticket DFL and Republican is mixed gender), see Mark Dayton's choice of state Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon of Duluth.
There are also attempts to score points with the base, see: Tom Emmer's choice of Conservative think-tanker Annette Meeks.
Finally, wonkiness. Margaret Anderson Kelliher chose surprisingly witty budget nerd John Gunyou.
Now, what is up with Matt Entenza's choice of professional Fox9 news-reader Robyne Robinson?
She's high-profile in the state. That helps Entenza's campaign, which is struggling to get his name out there -- Republicans pointed this out right away with an onslaught of press releases (all Republican talking points are always echoed at Minnesota Democrats Exposed if you care to see them).
There's the schools of thought that focuses on distributing the ticket across demographic lines: geography and gender (every major ticket DFL and Republican is mixed gender), see Mark Dayton's choice of state Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon of Duluth.
There are also attempts to score points with the base, see: Tom Emmer's choice of Conservative think-tanker Annette Meeks.
Finally, wonkiness. Margaret Anderson Kelliher chose surprisingly witty budget nerd John Gunyou.
Now, what is up with Matt Entenza's choice of professional Fox9 news-reader Robyne Robinson?
She's high-profile in the state. That helps Entenza's campaign, which is struggling to get his name out there -- Republicans pointed this out right away with an onslaught of press releases (all Republican talking points are always echoed at Minnesota Democrats Exposed if you care to see them).
But Robinson is also relatively popular. She's inoffensively progressive and a common sight at community events. She's an easy plus with the general public and casual DFLers who might vote in the August primary, where Entenza is currently focused.
The addition of Robinson is ethically problematic if we consider her a journalist (to describe her as a journalist further confuses the public about what actual journalists do, as MinnPost's Joe Kimball hinted at when Robinson declared she had 20 years experience covering the Capitol).
By choosing Robinson, whose political stances are fuzzy -- rather than someone chosen for geography, ideology or expertise -- Entenza can reap the publicity from someone whose job is to sound and look good. Entenza's choice of Robinson could be looked at as cynical, but he might have hit on the most effective approach for a position that's largely decorative anyway.
The addition of Robinson is ethically problematic if we consider her a journalist (to describe her as a journalist further confuses the public about what actual journalists do, as MinnPost's Joe Kimball hinted at when Robinson declared she had 20 years experience covering the Capitol).
By choosing Robinson, whose political stances are fuzzy -- rather than someone chosen for geography, ideology or expertise -- Entenza can reap the publicity from someone whose job is to sound and look good. Entenza's choice of Robinson could be looked at as cynical, but he might have hit on the most effective approach for a position that's largely decorative anyway.
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