Should Carol fade from the background to black?

If Tim Pawlenty seeks his third tour of duty, should his loyal lieutenant be dismissed?

It was a political equivalent of betting your mortgage payment on Mind That Bird when the low-profiled St. Rep. Carol Molnau joined Tim Pawlenty’s ticket early in the 2002 race.  Starting months later than self-funding businessman Brian Sullivan, Pawlenty looked more likely to return to St. Paul as the House Majority Leader than as Governor.  In some respects, that Molnau was Pawlenty’s running-mate said much of the weakness of the campaign – Molnau’s five terms in the House had earned her some transportation cred with policy wonks, but her biggest accomplishment to that date was beating Jesse Ventura in a beer keg throwing contest.  Molnau brought some experience, gender balance and an outstate presence to the ticket, but little else.  But then, the same could have been said – and worse - about almost every Lt. Governor in State history.  

Now more than seven years after Molnau’s gamble initially paid off with more authority – and scrutiny – than any Lt. Governor in recent history, keeping the politically damaged Molnau on the GOP ticket may be a bet that Minnesota Republicans can’t afford to wager.  With Republicans in the legislature at near historic lows, few identifible leaders on the horizon, and a governor with potentially one foot out the door, the GOP can ill afford to have it’s only other statewide elected official carrying the duel burdens of a low profile and low confidence level among the electorate.  Although the Lt. Governor position is one that is rarely polled, if ever, Molnau’s approval rating in 2008 was at 40%, with 37% disapproving and a high percentage – 23% – unsure or unaware of Minnesota’s gubernatorial successor.  Not horrific numbers considering the vendetta placed against her by the DFL and media over the 35W bridge, but one that had many asking last year what exactly would happen if Pawlenty left mid-term and made Molnau governor:

But that doesn’t make her the presumptive nominee at the party’s state convention. A major bridge fell during her watch, people died, and the commissioner’s response was less than stellar. The Legislative Auditor hammered Molnau and her agency in a report that was critical of MDOT’s funding and maintenance of the state’s road system.

“Her tenure as lieutenant governor has been rocky, to say the least, and even Republican insiders thinking clearly would have to agree that her negative public image is not just a creation of DFL attacks or simply politics as usual,” [Gustavus Adolphus College political science head Chris] Gilbert said in an email response to MinnPost questions. “Does [Molnau], who did not effectively run a state agency, have a strong case that she could run the state government as a whole?”

Even setting aside the sizeable issue of Molnau’s popularity, with so few conservative voices holding office, the Minnesota GOP need a vocal and. frankly, somewhat more politically ambitious lieutenant – regardless of whether that ambition is directed at the governor’s office in 2014 or towards a different race.  And while on the issues Carol Molnau would please many in the Republican grassroots, there’s little evidence she has any aspirations outside of her tenure with Tim.  Indeed, the most her name has come up in relation to higher office was a private trial balloon of her following Gil Gutknecht among 1st congressional GOP leaders in early 2005 – a trial balloon that was quickly popped by her own disinterest. 

While the GOP bench is thin, it isn’t completely bare.  A handful of female legislators at the Capitol might have the requisite combination of gender balance, experience, ambition, and political skill to utilize the Lt. Governor’s platform.  Reps Laura Brod, Joyce Peppin, and Rep/former Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer all have developed some “buzz” among St. Paul watchers, as has Julianne Ortman in the State Senate.  Pawlenty could also go outside the Capitol walls, perhaps selecting conservative potentials like Eden Prairie Mayor Phil Young or former State Auditor and current Free Market Institute President Pat Anderson. 

Any number of names could be added to such a hypothetical list.  Indeed, a future Lt. Governor pick could even be a relative unknown, because regardless of who else might be considered a quality running-mate, the Minnesota GOP needs more from the post than just the loyalty that Carol Molnau has provided since 2003.  Republicans should thank Molnau for her service during thankless times and kindly ask that Tim Pawlenty’s lieutenant stand down for the next campaign.