Next week Governor Dayton is gonna undergo surgery to fix a problem with
his hip. The 67-year-old who is a former hockey player says though
stitches are a badge of honor. You know that you're married to a hockey player. I
know and I do not.
I think stages make me sad. But you know the way he feels about it, right?
They're little tougher - they're a tougher breed those hockey guys. Exactly, exactly. Well I got to spend some time with
the governor yesterday
and his residence in Saint Paul. Had a chance to ask about his reelection and
his health, but
the thing that he really got excited to talk about was his two dogs.
Governor Dayton: I signed a letter to the President. Chris Egert: This is not
the Governor Mark Dayton you're used to seeing on TV.
He's taking me out back behind the governor's residence, dressed
in ripped Levi blue jeans,
a rugged jacket, and a camouflage hat.
Governor Dayton: You ready, Wanamingo? Ready?
Drop it. Drop it. Chris Egert: This is how he looks when he's doing his favorite thing in
the world.
Spending time with his dog. Well, this looks like they definitely keep you busy, Governor.
Governor Dayton: Oh, they're great friends, you know? I come home from work and
everybody hates me, and they wag their tails.
Just great. Just great friends and companions.Christ Egert: Was it President Truman who said "If
you want to have a friend in Washington, bring a dog?" Governor Dayton: And I said if you bring two dogs, the dog will always have a friend. Chris Egert: Dayton
grew up with a black German Shepherd, and knew that was the kind of dog that he wanted as an adult.
He took a pair with him to Washington DC while serving in the US Senate.
Governor Dayton: They're just so smart, and they're so sensitive,
they're so loyal, and they're just so much fun.
Oh, yeah, you gonna give me that frisbee, Itasca.
See, Itasca's not even close. I've never even got -
I don't think I've ever touched Itasca's frisbee.
Christ Egert: Wanamingo, a female, and Itasca, a male, are fun, energetic, and quite frankly a little stubborn when it
comes to sharing their frisbee.
Governor Dayton: She does not believe in letting go. You gotta let go.
Chris Egert: She's tenacious. Governor Dayton: Oh yeah, she's tenacious
and she's used to winning. Chris Egert: Governor Dayton is currently seeking reelection.
How are you feeling about the reelection?
Governor Dayton: You know, ask me on November 5th.
There's just too many uncertainties and too many unforseeable.
Christ Egert: Where are you at on a running mate? Governor Dayton: Pretty close.
Better give me that frisbee. I want that frisbee. So she'll play keep away now, you see, she'll fake
and
she's very good. Chris Egert: He also shared some new details about the hip surgery
that he has planned for February 6th at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
Are you apprehensive at all about this procedure? Governor Dayton: No.
I mean I'm not now looking forward to having a brace on that immobilizes the hip.
Doctor first preferred a full body cast, but
I didn't think - I'm packing enough down here as it is; I don't need a body cast to
further expand myself. Chris Egert: Sure, they give you an idea as far as like incision or
any of that kinda stuff?
Governor Dayton: Uh, you know, I'm an old hockey player, so incisions
are badges of honor. I lost count of my stiches
quite a while ago. Christ Egert: Honestly, it was a lot of fun to spend time with him in this relaxed
atmosphere.
Mingo and Itasca bring him great joy.
He hates to leave them while on the road for state business or on the campaign
trail.
Governor Dayton: Give me that frisbee, Mingo. I want that frisbee right now.
It's like talking to legislators, you know? You say you wanna do something, and they
have - they just ignore you, you know? Christ Egert: While the governor does have a regular dog-sitter that he
uses from Burnsville,
he did kind of offer me a shot at the job.
C'mere boy, let me have that. Huh? C'mere. C'mere.
Let me have that. Governor Dayton: You're hired.
You got a couple hours a day, see what happens when a challenger comes in, you just wipe out the incumbent.
He just just said you're hired. The governor hired me.
Elizabeth Ries: That's great. That's very good to have a backup plan. Chris Egert: Awesome. Now Governor Dayton
was supposed to leave
tomorrow to go to New York and help lobby to bring the Super Bowl to the new Vikings stadium in
2018, but he decided to stay behind help deal with the state of emergency
due to the propane shortage that's happening right now.
We only got to spend about a half hour with him, then it was back inside
off with the camouflage hat, off with the with the ripped up blue jeans and then back into the
business suit.
Elizabeth Ries: Back into the suit, business to attend to. Well, that was very nice of Governor Dayton
to have you over.
Very fun.