Pawlenty potpourri: Emmer, Seifert, conservatism, Huckabee and a little Norm Coleman

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty came into a Thursday afternoon whistling and, after posing for an official with a new Ramsey County Judge -- Robyn A. Millenacker -- he invited her children to give him "rabbit ears" for a second, more fun, shot.

But despite the chipper mood, the Republican governor still had some fire in him.

Asked about DFL chair Brian Melendez's contention that Pawenty's record will ease the way for the next governor to be a Democrat, Pawlenty said: "I think it is going to be a good year for Republicans in Minnesota and nationally...for a whole variety of reasons. ...Minnesota is increasingly waking up to the fact that government has overreached and spent too much for too long and has to be reigned in. Democrats aren't going to do that. Republicans will. That work needs to continue. I've started it but now somebody has to take the baton for the next leg of the race....Democrats haven't elected a governor of this state since 1986 for a reason. The people of Minnesota don't like their agenda."

Pawlenty has said he's not "planning on" endorsing GOP gubernatorial candidate before next weekend's Republican convention and advised Reps. Tom Emmer and Marty Seifert, who may be locked in an all night battle for endorsement, to "wear comfortable shoes."

Asked about Wednesday night's debate of the John Adams Society over whether " "Tim Pawlenty has failed Conservatism" was "laughable."

But the debating society didn't think so, it wrestled over the issue for about two hours and the forty or so who voted concluded that yes, Pawlenty has failed.

Among the points brought up against the governor: his support for mandatory seat belt legislation, his embrace of the federal education push "Race to the Top," his "green thumb," his push for more public land in the form of a new state park and other matters.

Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney recently made trips to the state and Mike Huckabee is coming next week. Pawlenty appeared with all of them but so far, they, not he got the bulk of the attention and received more recognition in early 2012 presidential polls.

"These are my friends. I know them well. I've served with them as governors. We know each other from previous occasions and events and circumstances so I welcome them to Minnesota and enjoy seeing them, in each case," Pawlenty said.

And for people still wedded to the 2008 Senate race: Pawlenty said he hasn't looked at former Republican Sen. Norm Coleman for the upcoming vacancy on the Minnesota Supreme Court.