Good to know: If you outsource your campaign to lawyers, you can use attorney-client privilege to shield what you're up to from everybody, even the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance. Thanks, Treasurer Tim!

The Outraged Liberal wonders why Tim is wasting money on oppo research when he can just browse the Globe and Herald Web sites each morning.

First, don't drop your multi-page announcement speech on the floor. They have these things called Teleprompters, you know.

Second, don't repeat your critics' charges to rebut them. Remember when Nixon said he wasn't a crook? Right, everybody started thinking he was a crook. So when you bring up charges you "have no core convictions," guess what?

Tim for Governor.

Channel 5 reports he's becoming an independent as he gears up to run a campaign for governor that could possibly consist solely of whining.

Like not telling legislators about a $25-million hole in his budget.

Will Treasurer Tim agree to pay more for his own taxpayer-funded health coverage? You know, as a symbol of how concerned he is about state finances, or something?

In any case, looks like he's getting his wish.

Here are 2.3 million reasons why.

Deval Patrick likes his vacation days. But potential opponent Tim Cahill is like a well-oiled weathervane. The Outraged Liberal says if he has to choose next year, he'll take the well-rested incumbent:

... Conjure up all the stereotypes you want, but the decision by then-House Speaker Sal DiMasi to dispatch Ways and Means Chairman John Rogers and Quincy representative and Cahill friend Ron Mariano to chat with the treasurer has Hollywood overtones. ...

He releases Ethics Commission letter clearing him of allegations related to the state's dealings with a lottery-equipment vendor, which happened to pay a bunch of money to a Cahill fundraiser. Republicans had filed a complaint with the commission.

The Man Who Would Be Governor might first have to answer some pesky ethics questions.

Gladys Kravitz (yeah, yeah), lists them all.