Inside WCCO's building we have one tenant. A company called "Ascent Media." If you ever see someone being interviewed on CNN or Fox News Channel or MSNBC, often they'll be right inside our building, in front of a cheezy Minneapolis skyline picture.
Jesse Ventura did Larry King Live from here, for example.
So today when I got back from shooting my story, I saw what looked like Secret Service outside our back door. Then inside the hall (outside Ascent) there were two guys in suits outside the studio. Everyone in the newsroom was wondering-- "Who's in the building?"
Being the hard core investigative reporter I am, I went to investigate. Actually, I just walked down the hall.
In the make-up room, being sprayed with air-brush foundation, was the big shot. The man much of Washington, D.C. is buzzing about.
Tim Pawlenty.
When I saw him, I said, "Oh. It's just you." He replied, "No one important." I pointed out that he had the whole newsroom buzzing trying to find out who it was. He said, "You guys want the next, new fresh thing." I concurred, "We're familiar with your act." He was pretty funny about the whole thing.
The Governor pointed out that he thought he read that I was leaving WCCO, and I told him maybe he was thinking of Ben Tracy, the guy who did "Good Question" before me. I told him Ben went to CBS in Los Angeles. He asked if that was a promotion, considering the cost of living in LA. I said I wasn't sure... and that Ben was a St. Paul guy so it was too bad to lose him.
The Governor asked if maybe Paul Magers wishes he hadn't left. I pointed out that I liked it here, and wasn't really looking for a promotion. He said, "The grass is always greener, isn't it?" I laughed and figured he might find out soon enough.
The Governor was about to do a number of interviews on cable TV, I wished him good luck, and went back to work. Mystery solved.
There's something funny about watching the guy who could be the Republican Vice-Presidential nominee getting sprayed with make-up, and joking around with him about the danger of getting a promotion. Say what you will about his politics, but I've had nothing but very pleasant interactions with Gov. Pawlenty. Good sense of humor.
