This was a very satisfying outcome.

Not so much because the Democrats won big (but that's part of it), but because the right Republicans won, too.

Recall that I cast my vote in favor of divided government, since I think recent events prove that it can be dangerous to have one party controlling everything.

The Democrats taking over the U.S. Congress restores divided government on the national level, and we're already seeing change for the better with Donald Rumsfeld's ejection as secretary of defense.

At the state level, though, I was concerned that the Democrats would sweep both the legislature and the governorship. But Republican Pawlenty held on to his job (just barely), ensuring at least another two years of divided government at the state level, too.

One other thing: remember two years ago, when I suggested that Pawlenty might make good presidential material in 2008? As one of the few Republican governors left standing in a Democratic state this year, it seems that he's suddenly on everybody's short list.

Just remember that you heard it here first.