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Capitol View®
Tom Scheck

The State of the State blueprint

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Gov. Pawlenty will deliver his State of the State speech on Thursday at noon. MPR News will provide live radio coverage of the speech.

Since this is the governor's seventh State of the State, there have been some familiar talking points that he's relied upon.

Here's a handy dandy checklist (which you can mark off if/when the items come up):

1) He will use the term "innovation."

2) He will mention a hard working entrepreneur who was down on his/her luck but then turned that luck into something groundbreaking (Medtronic, Mayo Clinic, Sister Kenney, etc.).

3) He will bring up the term "shared sacrifice."

4) He will single out an individual in the audience for inspiration.

5) He will mention the cold weather as something that Minnesotans can shrug off, but turn serious and say it's a challenge we need to overcome to attract jobs.

6) He will criticize the state's tax policy.

7) He will highlight something that is/will be "nation leading."

8) He will showcase the strength and spirt of Minnesotans.

9) He will bring up a well known Minnesotan (Charles Lindbergh, Kirby Puckett, etc.).

10) He will mention Minnesota's high rankings in health care, education, etc.

11) He will mention at least one Minnesota Fortune 500 Company.

12) He'll blame the economic mess on the national climate.

13) He will threaten to use his veto authority.

14) He will say the economy can't sustain a tax increase of any kind.

15) He will mention a successful Minnesota system but will then call for "needed reform" to the system (K12 schools, health care rates).

16) He will talk about the Ipod generation.

17) He will mention an important part of Minnesota history.

18) He will appoint a task force or a commission.

19) He'll use the phrase "job killer" in relationship to taxes.

20) He'll use the term "unsustainable spending."

21) He'll criticize attempts to add money to the state's credit card.

22) He will quote a bible verse.

23) He'll warn against being complacent.

24) He'll mention the sacrifices of previous generations.

25) He'll mention Democratic governors from other states who don't want to raise taxes.

26) He'll mention veterans or those in serve in the military.

27) Not only does he mention the military, he will point out a service member in the gallery for a standing ovation.

28) He'll mention Tom Friedman, Peter Drucker or another "big thinker."

29) He will say something like "The state needs to tighten its belt, just like families have to do..."

30) He will propose a "21st Century education reform."

31) He will use the phrase "veto pen."

32) He will ask God to bless the State of Minnesota.

In a rebuttal...

1) Democrats will say the speech didn't offer specifics.

2) They will say he is turning his backs on the poor, school children, hard working Minnesotans.

3) They will call for a "balanced approach" to the budget.

4) They will say his speech was more style than substance.

5) They will say he's running for President.

6) They will heartily avoid questions about their intent to raise taxes.

7) They will call for him to be more engaged with the Legislature.

8) They will say the governor didn't offer any new ideas and will call other proposals "rehashed."

9) They will ask that he doesn't wait until the last minute to strike a budget deal.

10) They will talk about job creation as their main focus.

11) They will call for public meetings.

12) They will encourage him to provide them with details of their budget proposal.

13) They will also ask for the budget to be provided in "bill form."

14) They will call on Pawlenty to be less political/partisan.

15) They will say they really, really want to work with the governor, not clash with him.

Question of the Day:

Are we missing any?

UPDATE: See how we did in the comments section.