Here's a gut reaction on where the political dynamics - much like circling sharks - are headed with an eye on the Governor's mansion in 2012:

1) Lisa Brown: by intent or not, steadily becoming the potential candidate of younger progressives, the netroots, and other emerging forces in the Democratic party.

2) Jay Inslee: positioned, as always, to be the candidate of Jay Inslee.

3) Establishment candidate: this could be Gregoire if she makes another run at it, but the older school of Democrats will have their candidate in the race, the only question is who will that be and how serious a primary run can they mount?

I note the above because the Lisa Brown twist is worth watching as this clearly contentious legislative session unfolds - with a hefty dose of progressives (raise taxes!) vs. pragmatists (we don't want to lose seats!).

Yes, we're a long way off from 2012, but if there is anything the 2008 race for Governor taught us, the seeds of a highly successful campaign in a high profile environment are most often sown over time...and lots of it.