After raising nearly $600,000 over the past two months to fund her campaign for U.S. Senate Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar announced Sunday she actually wants the job. MPR's Mark Zdechlik has some details of where Klobuchar stands at the start of her campaign:

Klobuchar, 44, is in her seventh year as Hennepin County attorney. She touted her record as a prosecutor. She pledged to bring "Minnesota common sense" to Washington.

Klobuchar denounced Republican proposals to allow some Americans to invest a portion of their Social Security withholding in the stock market. She called for fair trade agreements for farmers, for protecting the environnment and for a strong military and safe communities. She said the Bush tax cuts unfairly favor wealthy Americans, and she spoke out against the growing federal budget deficit, vowing to promote a "pay-as-you-go" approach if she makes it to the Senate.

"You want to do some spending; that's fine, but you better show that you have the money to pay for it," she said. "You want to give some more tax cuts. OK, but you better show that you have the money to pay for it."

In the Pioneer Press, Bill Salisbury notes a key reason why Klobuchar made her announcement at her mother's house in Plymouth:

In a state where being a big-city liberal can be a political liability, the site of her announcement emphasized her roots in the suburbs, where voters often decide statewide elections. She also stressed her outstate ties: Her grandfather was an iron ore miner in Ely, and her husband, John Bessler, is from Mankato.

So far Republican Rep. Mark Kennedy is the only other candidate to delare officially that he's running for Senate in '06.

The budget debate at the Capitol is expected to pick up this week as Senate Democrats release their plan. In the Star Tribune Dane Smith has a profile of GOP Rep. Dan Dorman, who may become a key swing vote:

State Rep. Dan Dorman has bucked his Republican governor and House caucus on cuts in state aid to local governments and schools, made common cause with DFLers in a demand for a bigger state budget and broken with conservatives by supporting a minimum-wage increase. Lately he has hinted that he might not support Gov. Tim Pawlenty's plans to expand gambling unless there is compromise on other matters.

He thinks there are other members, especially rookie Republicans, who might eventually join him.

"But they're not ready to stand up yet. I guess they're thinking, 'Who are you gonna follow, the speaker who helped get them elected or the crazy tire dealer from Albert Lea?' "

The crazy tire dealer has evolved into a confirmed centrist and outspoken outlaw in the GOP House caucus and a member who at any time can turn the 68-66 Republican majority into a 67-67 tie. With just a little help from GOP friends, he can give the DFL minority a victory, although that hasn't really happened yet.

It certainly didn't happen last week when the House GOP majority passed its budget resolution on a party-line vote.

The biggest political story of the week in happening in Rome, and it's all behind closed doors. The politicing around the election of a new pope is absolutely fascinating. Here are some basics from the Associated Press:

Although the conclave could last for days, a pope could be chosen as early as Monday afternoon if the red-capped prelates opt to begin casting ballots after their solemn procession from the Vatican's Apostolic Palace to the chapel.

If they decide to wait a day, they will hold four rounds of voting - two in the morning, two in the afternoon - on Tuesday and every day until a candidate gets two-thirds support: 77 votes. If they remain deadlocked late in the second week of voting, they can vote to change the rules so a winner can be elected with a simple majority: 58 votes.

An election without TV ads, rallies or conventions. Wow.