Gov. Mark Dayton swept into office nearly four years ago with the stamp of a liberal determined to restore financial stability to the state through an income tax hike on high earners and by meting out economic fairness through taxation.
Now as he sets off on his battle for re-election, Dayton says he finds himself increasingly frustrated at the layers of bureaucratic machinery that too can often smother good intentions.
"I vacillate every day from being a liberal to a libertarian," the governor said in an interview before his overwhelming DFL endorsement for a second term. "Depending on what is happening, I sometimes go back and forth more than once a day."
Having seen the realities of governing close-up, Dayton said, he often is unnerved when layers of bureaucracy or second-guessing by the feds delays progress or even halts it altogether.
"I do believe in government, and I believe in the importance of government," Dayton said.
"I get more frustrated than anybody when I see government falling short, or becoming the obstacle rather than lending assistance."
The emerging portrait of Dayton since he assumed office reveals a more nuanced leader with a strong libertarian strain pulsing in his political blood line.
Dayton has never completely fit the liberal DFL mold. He is a pro-gun politician who legalized medical marijuana. He is a government official of decades standing who last session oversaw the wiping out of more than 1,000 antiquated laws or rules.