Wedge week!

It appears that the Legislature will send Gov. Pawlenty some legislation that could force him to take stands against some controversial legislation (aka wedge issues).

The Minnesota House started debating a bill that would allow state money be used for embryonic stem cell research. Gov. Pawlenty has said he would veto the bill despite polling that suggests the research is favored nationwide. Anti-abortion groups and Christian conservatives don't like it because of life concerns.

Meanwhile, a conference committee has reached agreement on a bill that would increase the minimum wage. The governor has raised concerns about the agreement and his position is being watched by some national groups on the measure. On the downside, vetoing the bill may not help Pawlenty with low income voters and could contradict his campaign line that Republicans "need to be the party of Sam's Club, not just the country club."

The House is also expected to take up a bill soon that would allow chronically ill patients to legally buy and smoke marijuana to relieve their pain. The governor has said he would veto the bill because he "stands with law enforcement." The problem is that a majority of those polled in a recent Survey USA poll don't agree with law enforcement or with him.

Pawlenty didn't address these issues in a recent interview with Human Events but he did talk openly about his faith and his conservative credentials. It's a fascinating read for Pawlenty watchers.

Here's the question: Will these vetoes help or hurt Pawlenty with the conservative base? With the general public?

I thought Democrats were sticking to the bread and butter and avoiding the divisive social wedge issues.

Making sure people at least not below the poverty line with what they make when they work 40 hours a week is a "divisive social issue"? Making progress in researching for cures to debilitating disease is a "divisive social issue"? Allowing chronically ill people to relieve some of their pain is a "divisive social issue"?

Lovely.