DFLers for Governor in 2010

Betsy Sundquist captured the spirit of last night's event, including the fact that Mark Dayton was beaming. Rumor has it that Dayton spent $100,000 on last night's party. He worked it hard, personally greeting and chatting with every delegate who came through the door.

Worth noting is that for many of these delegates, this is their first one-on-one conversation with Dayton. Traditionally, about 80% of any DFL or GOP state convention is comprised of people who have attended previous conventions.

Not this year. Democrats estimate that about half of the 1300 or so DFL delegates are first-timers this year. For the DFL delegate newbies, this was their first exposure to Dayton's candidate M.O. -- sponsoring swank parties before declaring he's running for office.

Starting with Dayton (hey, it was his party), here's the skinny on possible 2010 DFL gubernatorial candidates:

Former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton. PIM named him 2005 Politician of the Year (the old snail mail newsletter and thus not linkable) in large part because he had the audacity to say what everyone knows: Washington is a cesspool where nothing gets done. [Witness the last two years...the only policy bill to be passed by both the Senate and the House and successfully confereed.] Had a terrific presence this weekend because of his party.

Sen. Tom Bakk (DFL-Cook). Another PIM Politician of the Year (2007). Worked the hallways, yesterday.

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. Has not filed a committee or formally declared any intentions, but he's been everywhere on the floor and in the halls today and yesterday.

Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner. Has filed a committee and ran a booth this weekend. Working the floor hard this Sunday morning. Most organized so far.

House Speaker Margaret Kelliher. Someone is circulating little red buttons that simply say, "Margaret."

Secretary of State Mark Ritchie. Worked the convention Saturday.

Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak. Has not filed a committee but says he is thinking about it. Was at the convention Saturday afternoon.

Two years out, there's no clear favorite on the DFL side, unlike the GOP one.