Minnesota's Governor: Tim "Howard Dean" Pawlenty

Does anybody else find it a bit ironic that all of a sudden, Governor Pawlenty has come out for a program to provide universal health care coverage to all Minnesota children, a program that was a centerpiece of former governor Howard Dean's political career? Can a leopard change his spots that quickly?

Make no mistake: I think any program that provides health insurance to more people is a good one (pending details). Universal coverage of children is a step on the way to universal coverage for everybody, something that I think is long overdue.

But can we please stop with all of the talk about Pawlenty having a shot at higher office? You don't get the Republican nomination by taking after the much-vilified (on the right) chair of the DNC. Pawlenty has as much chance for higher office on the Republican ticket as pro-gun control, pro-gay, pro-choice Rudy Giuliani. Which is zero, for those wondering.