Patterson's September 1 Plans

Patterson: Better things to do than contend with MSP International airport (Photo by Richard Whittaker)

It's no secret Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson has some big loyalties in life: his party and hunting are on that list. But when the Republican Party decided to schedule the first day of its national convention on the same day as the opening of dove hunting season in Texas, Patterson had a big choice to make. Take his automatic place as a delegate, or load up for bird?

So what's a land commissioner to do? He'll be dove hunting. "In Texas, it's probably the most important day of the year for a lot of middle aged men," said GLO spokesman Jim Suydam, who'll be tagging along with his boss on the day. "It's a combination of sitting, watching the sun go down and seeing how beautiful it is, and bursts of excitement."

Actually, Patterson (who was an early booster for Fred Thompson's White House run) never takes his slot, because the presidential nomination is always a foregone conclusion. But that doesn't explain why eight of the 49 Republican senators will be elsewhere. MSNBC reports that Pat Roberts of Kansas, Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina, Gordon Smith of Oregon and Susan Collins of Maine will all be 'too busy on the campaign trail.' Retirees Larry Craig of Idaho, Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Wayne Allard of Colorado all take a pass, as will Ted Stevens of Alaska, but probably for different reasons.