C.J.: Rep. Walker looks forward to life with a husband named Steve

State Rep. Neva Walker wouldn't divulge much about her new husband.

When Walker announced in January that she would not seek a fifth term for the District 61B seat, rumors circulated that she was leaving because she wanted time for a personal life with her fiancé or new husband.

"My personal life isn't the reason why, except for finances. I NEED TO MAKE SOME MONEY! The public doesn't know how much money we don't make," Walker said Friday. "Unlike [many] of my other colleagues who have either pension funds or [a] spouse or another real job, I've never had that. I've just been doing all my public speaking, free; my trainings are free."

When constituents need community info, Walker said, "I sit down one on one." She also does, "How to get involved in policy and politics [training sessions] if you want to run for office. I do a little bit of everything, all free. I've done my service to the public. Once I decided not to run for office, I decided I can go ahead and start focusing on me.

"Actually, I got married in December.

"I'm such a private person, I snuck off. Once I made the decision, I said, 'Let's do this.'"

Sounding new to politics, and unfamiliar with the concept of politicians being accomplished gossips, Walker said: "I never knew how much interest getting married would cause from my colleagues at work."

The Minneapolis DFLer said colleagues have speculated she is leaving the Legislature after eight years "because I got married, I'm pregnant or I got a cushy job. And I'm like 'All three are false. Now if you have a cushy job offer, let me know.'"

When asked for her new husband's name, Walker stuttered and fumbled before divulging almost nothing: "His name is Steve; there's not much to know. I'm really happy. We're just a private couple; hopefully, we'll be able to be like all other Minnesotans. I'm just trying to have a personal life. I had always said I wouldn't stay in office forever."

Mrs. O, the trendsetter Trendy people who want to vote for a presidential candidate based on style need look no further than "the lovely Mrs. Obama," according to Edina makeup artist Carroll Britton.

She's a friend who often leaves unsolicited fashion observations on voice mail, as she did after seeing Michelle Obama's interview with "CBS Evening News" anchor Katie Couric.

"She was a picture of trends for the spring," said Britton, reminding me that these comments were coming from "a seasoned professional. Oh, girl, that makeup was A plus! Stellar. Just absolutely beautiful eye makeup. I don't know if she has a makeup artist or not, which is not to say she doesn't have a lovely face to work on with those huge baby doll eyes."

In addition to the subtle shades of Obama's eye makeup, Britton noted Michelle was wearing "Lilac, the color for spring. Hats off to Mrs. Obama. If I'm going to vote for somebody, I vote for her husband because, as I look at it, all the presidential candidates are kind of the same thing. I vote for the First Lady I want to look at the longest."

To see video of the lovely Obama on a trip to Minneapolis in the fall, go to www.startribune.com/video.

I'm guessing Bill Clinton would wear a lilac-hued suit and eye makeup, if that would secure Britton's vote. I would also guess that Obama hired a makeup artist for the Couric interview.

In other presidential styling talk I've been party to, Michelle Obama's Marilyn Quayle flip has been driving some people absolutely crazy. Didn't bother me until I saw how appealing Obama looked in the bob worn for Couric. Never forget, people, that the most beautiful element of Michelle Obama is her mind.

FM107's Lori Barghini resisted weighing in on this until she realized her protestations were bogus.

"Why do we have to always talk about the women? Nobody talks about that Brillo pad on President Bush's head," Barghini said Monday. "I guess it goes back to Nixon, who didn't wear makeup in his debate with JFK. We did talk about John Edwards because he was so pretty. I guess I'm reversing myself," said Barghini, whose positions can induce whiplash. "And why does McCain have that dust mop on the top of his head?" We all know why.

Will Tim be the one? While Gov. Tim Pawlenty claims that he and presumptive Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain have not discussed being running mates, our guv's name is on the lips of political pundits.

There was a reunion Sunday of members of CNN's "Capital Gang" on NBC's "Meet the Press." When Tim Russert asked them to speculate on McCain's vice presidential choice, this is what they said.

Kate O'Beirne, Washington editor of National Review: "Maybe [former budget director] Rob Portman, maybe Gov. Mark Sandford of South Carolina or Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota."

Mark Shields, syndicated columnist, said: "Got to be worried about John McCain-Fred Thompson. You don't need two grumpy old white men on the ticket. ... A Latino would make sense. ... I'd bet on Pawlenty, at this point."

Al Hunt, Washington managing editor of Bloomberg News: "I agree with Kate -- either Sandford or Pawlenty."

C.J. is at 612.332.TIPS or cj@startribune.com. E-mailers, please state a subject -- "Hello" doesn't count. Attachments are not opened, so don't even try. More of her attitude can be seen on Fox 9 Thursday mornings.