Lao Wei Bud (Chao Xiong reports on Burnham Philbrook)

Philbrook dubbed the crux of his campaign E3: quality education, a strong economy and environmentalism.

To meet those ends, Philbrook said he has had very preliminary discussions about a program that would give students no-interest loans payable over decades as long as they remain in Minnesota. He advocates higher taxes for top earners and said he would prioritize clean air and water.

On hot-button national and local issues, he said he is opposed to abortion for religious reasons but doesn't believe government should make it illegal.

He said he opposes a state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and supports state recognition of civil unions between gay couples.

The DFL gubernatorial race includes real estate developer Kelly Doran, state Sen. Steve Kelley, DFL-Hopkins, Ole Savior and a possible bid by Attorney General Mike Hatch.

Recognizing his long absence from political life, Philbrook said he would use his "outsider" status as leverage to bring Republicans and DFLers together. The self-described "moderate Democrat" also proffered his international ties from work with Global Volunteers as an asset to the state's economic growth abroad.

"I have not been lobbing hand grenades at the other side for the past 10 years," he said. "There are no scores to be settled."

Invoking the late Sen. Paul Wellstone on Sunday afternoon, he called upon supporters to rally behind his grass-roots campaign, which has raised about $100,000 of an allowed $2.5 million for the 2006 race. Philbrook has held more than 120 house parties across the state and said he will embark on a weeklong, 16-community tour.

During a break from the picnic where he announced his candidacy, Philbrook said he has heard from Minnesotans who are tired of political rhetoric about taxes vs. fees, an oblique reference to the state's new, Pawlenty-supported health impact fee of 75 cents on a pack of cigarettes.

"I think [Pawlenty is] very vulnerable," he said.

"I'm running because I am deeply concerned about where Minnesota is being taken, not where we are willingly going," Philbrook said at his campaign launch at a Maplewood park.

Too bad he didn't choose Maplewood STATE Park to announce. He would have had a crowd of Leaf Peepers - 800 cars Saturday and 600 yesterday - to listen to him.

This noon I asked 56572's most prominent Democrat - you may use the comment button below to guess who this might be - what he thought of Bud's chances to win the Governor's Chair. "Bud who?" was his reply. When asked if the President's counsel was the most qualified person in the land to sit on the Supreme Court? "Of course she is!" When asked who will be the DFL Gubernatorial candidate? "Amy Klobachar." By now it's obvious who I was talking to, right?