A smear campaign featuring doctored photographs helped elect Harold Stassen as governor.

In its 152-year voting history, Minnesota has elected only three third-party candidates for governor.

In the wake of last week’s Supreme Court decision calling into question the scope of Minnesota’s unallotment statute, a bill that would substantially change the way Minnesota governors could use that power is cropping up on finance committee hearing schedules again.

At times, we here in Minnesota can profit from reflection on national events and developments in politics.

The one-two punch of line-item vetoes and unallotments that Gov. Tim Pawlenty will use to balance Minnesota’s budget represents a claim of executive power that’s ...