February 10, 2010

Pawlenty: When I suggested Vikings stadium ideas, I didn't mean me

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who's made a career of sending mixed messages on stadium proposals, now says that he won't introduce a Vikings stadium bill this session, just days after proposing a bunch of funding mechanisms for a stadium, including lotteries and tax-increment financing. "We don't have a proposal," he told reporters yesterday, insisting that the state legislature would have to take the lead: "They could actually have a creative thought on their own, where they initiate something."

The legislature, for its part, hasn't shown any interest in pushing a Vikings stadium, so they could rightfully ask why Pawlenty is getting all snarky on them. But in stadium politics, accusing your opponents of inaction is a common ploy — especially when you might have some other reasons to not want to stick your neck out yourself.