ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty says his Wisconsin counterpart, Gov. Jim Doyle, will join him at Monday's Vikings-Packers showdown in Minneapolis.
Pawlenty announced the plan on his weekly radio show on Friday.
The neighboring governors have already wagered beer from their respective states on the highly anticipated game, with former Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre now playing for Minnesota.
They're also betting food on Saturday's college football matchup between the Minnesota Gophers and Wisconsin Badgers.
Pawlenty says the date with Doyle offers the chance "to rib him literally and figuratively in real time."
For the college football game, Governor Doyle wagered a selection of Usinger's famous sausages and Carr Valley specialty cheeses. Governor Pawlenty offered Hormel pork tenderloin and Minnesota wild rice.
Doyle says Wisconsinites are intrigued "by what `Minnesota beer' might be," while Pawlenty says he expects thousands of Wisconsin residents to move west when the Minnesota teams win both games.
"In addition to two Minnesota victories, state officials will be on hand to welcome thousands of Wisconsinites who will likely decide to defect to Minnesota," Governor Pawlenty said. "Between a Gopher win at the new on-campus stadium and another great performance from Brett Favre, it's going to be an excellent few days in the land of Purple and Gold."
"Of course there are many deep, important reasons why Wisconsin will be counting on the Badgers and the Packers to win, but not least among them is that we're all intrigued by what 'Minnesota beer' might be," Governor Doyle countered. "This is a great and exciting rivalry and I'm sure all the Badgers and 'current' Packers will be up to the task."
(Copyright 2009 by KARE and The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)