The first Spotty award . . .

Spot has decided to recognize people who write an op-ed article, a letter to the editor, or some other piece that Spot wishes he had put in a post. So, here is a letter in today's Star Tribune, and the winner of the first "Spotty" Award:

I'm not a Kelly Doran supporter, but I had to laugh when I read state GOP chair Ron Carey's histrionic lambast of Doran for switching from the U.S. Senate race to the governor's race (Star Tribune, Sept. 22).

According to Carey, "... Minnesotans aren't interested in giving away the governor's office to an impulse buyer."

Carey's pathetic attempt at spin has backfired: His favorite candidate for governor, Tim Pawlenty, also switched from the U.S. Senate race to the governor's race.

Pawlenty's "impulse" switch to the governor's race came as he was driving to announce his Senate candidacy and received a phone call from the Bush administration telling him they'd prefer Norm Coleman to run for Senate.

Apparently, the Republicans think it's only OK to switch races when it's done on the orders of Dick Cheney.

Lori Peterson, Minneapolis.

Tags: Tim Pawlenty Dick Cheney Ron Carey Spotty Award