The Incredible Shrinking Governor: Back In The Closet?
By Mitch Berg
Nancy LaRoche had a conversation with a MN State Senator – and was amazed at what she heard:
One of the most remarkable comments the Senator made was how Governor Mark Dayton has transformed his office.
He installed cubicles into his office space for staff, and moved his office into… a closet. My first reaction was, “that sounds like a panic room.” The Senator replied that some Democrat legislators are struggling with how to work with him. This office space raised my concerns for his handling of leadership, and the location sounds like a physical way to insulate himself. The State Senator is also wondering about the state of Dayton’s mental state.
True North is going to be looking for more on this.
In the meantime, some more meaningful shrinkage, if you’re a Minnesota taxpayer; not a single DFL legislator, as of yesterday, had sponsored the Dayton budget in the Legislature.
That could change at any moment, of course.
But this budget has been on the record for nearly a week, now.
UPDATE: Dayton’s office was noted in a Strib piece a month back. According to the story, he prefers a small, spartan office.
No word yet on whether he prefers small, spartan support for his budget among the DFL caucus.
February 21st, 2011 at 9:15 am
The State Senator is also wondering about the state of Dayton’s mental state.
Strange, we have reached a consensus in this forum months ago. It’s pretty obvious.
February 21st, 2011 at 11:07 am
I assure you, Kermit, Governor Dayton will bring to the governorship of Minnesota the same level of professionalism and responsibility he brought to the office of United States Senator.
February 21st, 2011 at 12:12 pm
Beyond any doubt, Terry.
February 21st, 2011 at 12:58 pm
Governor Dayton will bring to the governorship of Minnesota the same level of professionalism and responsibility he brought to the office of United States Senator.
I’d be pleasantly surprised if he did that well.
February 21st, 2011 at 2:31 pm
:He installed cubicles into his office space for staff, and moved his office into… a closet.”
Bids are now being solicited from contractors for lining the closet walls, floor, and ceiling with rubber.
February 21st, 2011 at 3:27 pm
We demand that the DFL sponsor the governor’s budget right now! What are they waiting for?
February 21st, 2011 at 3:47 pm
Maybe some day Dayton will come out of the closet.
February 21st, 2011 at 3:54 pm
He wanted to be a lumberjack!
Interesting take, BTW, that instead of being seen by his CCCP/DFL colleagues as humble for taking a smaller office space, he’s being seen as trying to insulate himself by the same. One would figure that, no matter what the real reasons, the class warriors would protect him from this.
Personally, I’d not begrudge the Governor an expensive office if I could be assured he’d be easy on us with other state spending.
February 21st, 2011 at 4:49 pm
Mark’s a lumberjack and he’s ok! He sleeps all night and he hides all day.
February 21st, 2011 at 5:01 pm
http://tinyurl.com/49dmrvq
February 21st, 2011 at 7:00 pm
It says a lot–unfortunately–that Governor Dayton prefers a closet sized office.
February 21st, 2011 at 7:47 pm
Beach Boys aren’t psycho enough, Swiftee:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7_1o-fuRAQ