1 Y'know, right after reading this post, I looked out of my window and gazed upon the 6 inches of "global warming" on the ground.  What's TPaw's position on "Global Warming", Ace?

2 He's got nice hair!

3 Been living here in the frozen tundra since 2002. Thank God for Pawlenty or else taxes would be unreal here. He stood the line on most things, gave in on others. In other terms he Governed. And Effectively. It does suck that he raised cig taxes and even more troublingly banned smoking everywhere.

4 Come to the light, Ace ....

5 Yeah, Pawlenty's AGW stuff bothers me.  It's indicative of sloppy thinking, or political calculation.  Either or both gets in the way of my whole hearted support.

6 Is this "candidate review day" or what? Barbour, Pence and Pawlenty...another look at Teh Fred coming next?

Frankly, I'm "none of the above" for these three. Until they run, and their records and beliefs are put out for all to see, there's not enough substance to justify supporting any damn one of them.

7 His cave-in on the Franken-Coleman race indicates to me just how much backbone he'd have defending conservatism or any reductions in the growth of government.

8 T-Paw has never struck me as a RINO (of course I'm probably a RINO by your def). He's just more in the 'feh' category for me. He needs to be more vocal (read: less of a nice guy).

9 This post helps one man......

10 I could see Pawlenty end up being the consensus/compromise candidate though, after Mitt crashes and burns.

11 In before the "See? This is all Mittens was doing too" crowd

12

Get serious Gabe -- the MFM is gonna pick Romney the Commie for the GOP in 2012.

13 lacy...if he becomes more vocal he'll be labeled a bitch...oh wait that's only for women

14 Didn't he basically decide not to run for another term as governor because after the 2008 election he thought he would have no shot so didn't even want to put up a fight. 

15 Hey fuckers, we are talking about Haley Barbour today. 

Get with the program.

16 Even Al Gore has admitted that ethanol is good for nothing but buying votes, and Pawlenty apparently still hasn't gotten the memo.
His official site wants me to download a pdf of his "goals, vision, etc." so this is just from wiki:

"Minnesota has mandated a 10% mixture of gasoline and ethanol (gasohol) since 1997, while most cars are designed to handle 15% safely. Pawlenty signed into law in May 2005 a bill that will raise the minimum mandated mixture to 20% in 2013. Pawlenty has also lobbied the Governors' Ethanol Coalition to mandate higher ethanol use nationwide"

17 Governor Pawlenty; that's what gets my attention. That's where Presidents should come from. Thanks to Obama, McCain, Kennedy, Dole, Kerry, and Hillary for making this crystal clear.

18 Yawnplenty has a list of nanny state legislation behind him as long as a laser. Pass.

19 Pawlenty is rated "conservtive" at the "On The Issues" site and on the statements he is a conservative on everything except he is a little squishy on gun control.

Don't know his actual record though. I could support him in a run.

20 If we say Obama's a socialist based on what he would do if permitted Using that criterium, he's a Marxist, not a socialist. The laws of economics and the rules of golf, however, continue to pound him up the ass.

21 From his state website

“Like most Minnesotans, Will (Steger)and I share a great respect for nature and the outdoors. By highlighting impacts of climate change right here in Minnesota, we hope to bring greater attention to this important issue,” Governor Pawlenty said.

Until he can recognize that AGW is a scam I will not vote for him in a primary. I would vote for him in the election though since he's better than Barry.

22 Well Governor Dayton !!! will make you appreciate him more, sheesh

23

I wouldn't trust Minnesota voters with a pair of child's safety scissors.  They are that stupid, clueless and liberal.*  These are the dumbshits that elected Jesse Ventura, Paul Wellstone and Al.  Fucking.  Franken.

Even if gave a damn about Pawlenty, which I don't, he's a non-starter.  The guy will not even carry his own state in a general election.

 

 

*Triple-redundancy word score.

24 If No Labels sings the praises of Pasty Pawlenty, it'll be the sure sign that he'll dump conservative policy like an ugly prom date with a little heat from the MFM

25

Can somebody do a breakdown of which conservative dealbreaker each major/semi-major Republican candidate has in their closet?  I'll try, but I suck at this:

TPaw - Global Warming and ?

Mittens - Loves him some Mandates

Pence - ?

Barbour - ?

Sarah Palin - ?

Who else and what else?

 

26 I don't really think Pawlenty is going anywhere, but I think it's a bit of a shame that he's not even seriously considered at all.

I wouldn't bet on that. Pawlenty's biggest, really only, problem is lack of charisma. But that may prove to be a plus in the end. I would say that he is the goto guy should Palin cause an all out Civil war. Romney is dead in the water. If he wins the nomination that means the Conservatives have tuned out ala McCain in 2008. He, and the establishment,  thinks he can win enough Independents to overcome that in the general. He's wrong.

27 Minnesota -- home of Al Franken, "Poppin' Fresh" and Jesse Ventura, among others. And don't forget Teh Hube, free-spending socialist and loudmouth.

I'll pass on Pawlenty. In fact, I'll pass on Minnesota until the dumb shits up there get their minds right.

28 Tim has a Manbearpig poster in his garage. Not a good sign. Don't call us, we'll call you. Next.

29 Many conservatives call Obama a socialist. (I agree.)

He is far more than a "socialist" if you go by Marx's definition of socialism.  He is a hard core communist. Look at all his czars, they are all acknowledged communists.

30 For those few who hadn't heard about this:

President Obama, Secretary Solis and key White House staff met last week with a dozen leaders from several national labor unions to discuss ways to work together to strengthen the economy. The group talked about creating good jobs for the American people, and how the partnership with labor unions is essential to growing our economy and continuing our recovery. The president and the labor secretary also highlighted critical steps that the administration has taken and pledged to continue to work closely with organized labor in the coming months on important economic issues.

I'd vote for pretty much anyone over the current dumbfuck.

31 The GOP should seriously consider him. I'm awed by his tie clip and cufflinks

32 fracking sock

33

Posted by: Loyal Romney Supporter at December 27, 2010 01:38 PM (fLHQe)

Mittens - Loves him some Mandates / RomneyCare (still supports it)

Pence - (according to commentors here) Not a Governor

Barbour - RAAAAACIST! (the MFM says so)

Sarah Palin - Quitter!

34

***pulls pin and cooks it off for a couple of seconds before rolling it into the thread***

 

What about Christine O'Donnell?  She could run!

35 I'll pass on Minnesota until the dumb shits up there get their minds right.

Being a Minnesotan I should take this as an insult but since I agree with you I won't

36 TPaw - Global Warming and ?

Is he on the AGW train? They didn't have that at "On the issues". Said there were no statements on environmental issues.

They did say this though under the energy topic:

Stop harmful EPA regulation of greenhouse gas emissions. (Mar 2010)

37 Google Pawlenty and you get a Powerline article about his not running for re-election because of the Liberal Leg. And it's very boring.

I'm not saying that as a negative, I'm saying that as the most boring thing ever. Palin may be too out there to truly unite the country, but if you google Palin, the Huffington Post "Sarah palin" section pops up, and if you google Romney, at least his web site pops up.

To sum: Pawlenty only has a political presence to political junkies, and that can't translate into Presidential ambition.

38 >>At any rate, analogizing that to conservative-leaning governors in blue states: Doesn't this sort of thinking work in reverse, to their advantage, too? It should. But that requires a lot more thinking than just screaming RINO! I like Pawlenty but he is charismatically challenged. Not a good thing for a modern presidential candidate.

39 8 His cave-in on the Franken-Coleman race indicates to me just how much backbone he'd have defending conservatism or any reductions in the growth of government.
Posted by: kbdabear at December 27, 2010 01:27 PM (vdfwz)

There really wasn't anything he could do about the Franken-Coleman fiasco, you can blame that on our corrupt ACORN-member Secratary of State Mark Ritchie.  I'm more concerned about his numerous junkets to the Arctic with Will Steger to prove "ZOMG teh polar bears is drowning because of global warming!!11!!!!11!", the statewide smoking ban, tax money for Target Field, increased ethanol mandates and subsidies, parole for a sex offender who went on to molest a bunch more kids, and more money for light rail boondoggles.

40 Have the dynamic duo, Mitch Daniels/Paul Ryan, been scratched off your top 10 list? 

41 Pawlenty Supports Mileage Tax

But as cars and trucks get better mileage, the gas tax isn’t keeping pace with the need for roads and road work. So another option is gaining traction in Minnesota — a high-tech mileage-based user fee.

“We realize that in the future, cars aren’t going to be powered by fuel, probably,” said Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who signed into law $5 million for the current biennium to study the mileage tax.

Pawlenty said the state is now working on a pilot program to try it out, with an eye toward cars that arenÂ’t even on the road yet.

42 40 - I like Pawlenty but he is charismatically challenged. Not a good thing for a modern presidential candidate. ^yes. I know it sounds shallow but something about Pawlenty gives me the creeps when I see him on tv. I would like other comment said vote for him against Obama but that is all.

43 It's pretty easy to get off the Global Alarming bandwagon. He's in Minnesota. Freaking look outside! Even the highway to hell is freezing over. Change course, change course publicly.

44 Aside/until from his terrible defense of MassCare, that is why I had given Romney some leeway. Its f'n massachutsetts. Same with MN.

45 As a firm lifelong registered Republican who intends to vote Republican in 2012, I feel all warm and squishy about Pawlenty. He makes me feel all comfy

46 Pawlenty endorsed McCain while he was pushing amnesty.  That's an automatic  disqualifier for me.   

47 15 Didn't he basically decide not to run for another term as governor because after the 2008 election he thought he would have no shot so didn't even want to put up a fight.

Didn't his fatigue from fighting the hard-leftist Democrat Legislature also play a part in his decision not to seek a third term? 

/He regretted that decision IIRC.

48

Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) at December 27, 2010 01:40 PM (8y9MW)

I'm with ya, but I was hoping to just get each candidate and which ones are guilty of violating the strictly conservative dealbreakers (i.e. amnesty/immigration shenanigans, climate change crap, 2nd Ammendment bullshit, Healthcare, drunk on spending)...(and how the hell I left Schmuckabee off that list is beyond me)

The reason is because it's becoming increasingly clear to me that this arbitrary idea that someone should be a governor or have more experience as a governor is just that - arbitrary and needlessly self-limiting.  We've got a few major Republican "establishment" players who have plenty of "experience" and are complete fucksticks for candidates. 

I'm just not buying it anymore.

49 2008:  Tim Pawlenty and  Janet Napolitano sing praises to Gaea

http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/14167711.html

50

“We realize that in the future, cars aren’t going to be powered by fuel, probably,” said Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who signed into law $5 million for the current biennium to study the mileage tax.

Pawlenty said the state is now working on a pilot program to try it out, with an eye toward cars that arenÂ’t even on the road yet.

Posted by: The Mega Independent at December 27, 2010 01:45 PM

Well, that seals the deal for me! A conservative that we in the educated center of the universe can accept with open arms

51 Wonkity, wonkity, blah, blah, blah.

Where's the red meant?!?

52

Can somebody do a breakdown of which conservative dealbreaker each major/semi-major Republican candidate has in their closet?  I'll try, but I suck at this:

 

TPaw = Global Warming

Mittens= Romney Care

Pence = unknown

Barbour = Possible Race issues, would sink him

Sarah Palin = Not qualified(yeah, I said it. it wasn't okay that Obama isn't qualified and it shouldn't be for her either. And if someone compares her to reagan again I am going to go batshit crazy)

Huckabee = Bush III compassionate conservative and will pardon anyone who comes to jesus

Gingrich = didn't he divorce his wife who was dying of cancer? Oh and the Global Warming thing

Giuliuni = New York Republican doesn't sell south of the mason dixon or west of the mississippi

Ryan= perfect in my mind but doesn't want the job

Paul = the jews will stop him from winning, they always do with their matzos made of the blood of gentile children

Daniels = his truce(while it makes some sense in this election) came across as politically deaf consider who votes in republican primaries

 

who am i leaving out?

 

53

To sum: Pawlenty only has a political presence to political junkies, and that can't translate into Presidential ambition.

Posted by: William at December 27, 2010 01:42 PM (+zM6M)

And really only to the political junkies in his home state.  I doubt that if the Powerline fanboys didn't spend so much time talking about him there would be zero buzz about him as a presidential candidate.

54 Meat, red f'ing meat.

55 Posted by: Vic at December 27, 2010 01:35 PM (M9Ie6)

I haven't seen any indication that he's a squish on gun control.  I'm pretty sure it was him who signed concealed carry into law.  He's a squish on everything else, though.

56 Semanko is one of those internet assholes that sling shit all over the place, then when they get called on it act all butt-hurt and then say shit like "I'm so sorry you feel that way, please have a wonderful day and God bless."

It ain't just Steele that needs to be run out of town, it's fucksticks like Semanko that need a seat on the rail as well.

57 I'm not sure people get it. Ronald Reagan isn't the dream. He's the bare minimum at this point. 95% of the government needs to be eliminated. We have trillions in debt that requires immediate and major cuts in entitlements. The entire tax code must be rewritten and simplified. Constitutional amendments will need to be passed to restrain government. The public sector must be de-unionized. And so on. We don't have time for half-measures floated by lackluster politicians. Name one candidate who has the stones and ability to drive these issues through congress. Name one candidate who could survive the criticism. Name one candidate with the charisma and vision to lead people in supporting these programs. Hell, not even programs. A major power change in the structure of government. Who will face these countless battles and win?

58

Posted by: Ben at December 27, 2010 01:51 PM (wuv1c)

See my post @ 50

59 and I put that in the wrong effin thread.


stupid interwebs.

60 If we rejected every politician that didn't by into the Green pretendustry one way or another we wouldn't have any candidate, christ even Palin pissed away 100 million in Alaska from windmills to methane to geothermal.

61
Pawlenty supports curfew legislation
Pawlenty touts farm bill
Pawlenty signs smoking ban

Ugh... make it stop. Please... make it stop.

62 In this day and age, government is little more than an administrative scheme for managing transfer payments. Executive experience in this environment is not compatible with small government principles because a major chunk of any executive's job description is fighting tooth and nail to grab the best and most he can from the next-higher-level's handouts teat for his constituents before other execs representing other constituents grab it first. We're fucked, and there is no way out of this mess that doesn't pass through civilizational collapse.

63

Burn the Witch,

I'm just not buying it. Saying "experience" is a disqualifer is a crazy as saying "inexperience" is a qualifier.

I understand that some stuff on these people's resume is junk, but I don't want a total novice. See emocratic Presidential Candidate 2008

64 I haven't seen any indication that he's a squish on gun control.

It says he supported mandatory Statewide background checks and training in order to carry a gun.

Supported statewide standardized training and background checks for law-abiding citizen to carry firearms.

65 Right now anybody with a R by his name is better then this Piece of garbage we have now !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

66 Until Pawlenty recants his idiotic global warming statements, I will not even entertain the idea that he is a serious conservative.

Next.

67 “Like most Minnesotans, Will (Steger)and I share a great respect for nature and the outdoors. By highlighting impacts of climate change right here in Minnesota, we hope to bring greater attention to this important issue,” Governor Pawlenty said.
Posted by: Buzzsaw at December 27, 2010 01:37 PM (tf9Ne)

Apparently by "impacts of climate change", he means the five fucking feet of snow we have before December's even over.

68

“We realize that in the future, cars aren’t going to be powered by fuel, probably,” said Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who signed into law $5 million for the current biennium to study the mileage tax.

We're not fuel?

69 OK, research shows that he initially supported the crap and tax scheme but has now flip-flopped. 

That is a big negative.

70 I always being climate change.

71 Posted by: Vic at December 27, 2010 02:00 PM (M9Ie6)

Prior to that, CCW permits were at the discretion of the county sheriffs, who often denied them for no good reason.  Now anybody who passes the background check, takes the training course, and can hit a target at 5 yards can get a permit, so it's an improvement in my book.

72 That is a big negative.

Yes, I'd say not being able to recognize a genuine shit sandwich at point blank range calls one's presidential timber into question.

73 Ace KNOWS what evil lurks in the mind of Obama. He KNOWS

74 Prior to that, CCW permits were at the discretion of the county sheriffs, who often denied them for no good reason.

OK he is OK on that issue then.

75 I think minimum to get in is executive experience. We got a bunch of Senators running last time. See how that turned out. So, no sitting or former legislator who has no former executive experience. I think also the Republican candidate needs to be genuinely Tea Party friendly - not a Johnny come-lately, or someone who has been negative on the Tea Party in the past. Doesn't need to be a card carrying member - just don't forget who they are and what they want. And as much as we hate politicians, it is politics after all. You can be the biggest rock star ever, if you can't put a campaign together, you can't win. So someone with demonstrated electoral success. That reduces the field a good bit right now. In my estimation that leaves Barbour and Pawlenty and Palin, and it is also my estimate that Palin isn't running. So you have Pawlenty and Barbour, and that's why Politico is going broadside on Barbour right now. Maybe Pawlenty is off of their radar, but if they think he's interested in running, they will be after him soon enough.

76

I'm just not buying it. Saying "experience" is a disqualifer is a crazy as saying "inexperience" is a qualifier.

I understand that some stuff on these people's resume is junk, but I don't want a total novice. Seeemocratic Presidential Candidate 2008

Posted by: Ben at December 27, 2010 01:59 PM (wuv1c)

We got a so-called "novice" in 2008 who is a committed leftist.  We all like to talk about how incompetent he is, but has he advanced a leftist agenda?  Yeah?  Then he's not exactly incompetent is he?  And this despite his "inexperience".

I didn't mean to suggest that experience is a disqualifier, just that this idea that there is one type of experience track for the POTUS.   

77 Another plus for T-Paw: he was reelected in 2006, of all years, in Minnesota, of all states. Basically, once you get to know him, you can't help but like what you hear, regardless of what side of the political spectrum you're on. He does that awesome thing that only a few politicians can do: governs as a conservative while managing to not seriously offend liberals.

Unfortunately, some conservatives have taken the lack of liberal offense as a sign that he's a RINO, and that could be the kiss of death in this climate. In my opinion, though, it's not a sign that he's a RINO -- it's a sign that he's really good at framing issues and messaging.

78 The Powerline guys were also the ones touting that conservative T-Rex, Norm Coleman, who was going to steamroll the unsuspecting George Galloway. 

79 Yes, I'd say not being able to recognize a genuine shit sandwich at point blank range calls one's presidential timber into question.

Anyone who supported the AGW scam as legislated in the House bill can't be anything other than an idiot or a communist.

There is no in-between on that one.

80

Welcome to the Peoples Republic of Minnesota. Pawlenty, like many of the pols up here are sock puppets for Cenex and other Big Agra operations. Hmmmm, Big Agra.... ethanol subsidies.... hmmmm, AGW is 'fixed' by putting ethanol into gasoline... I'm sure there's a connection there somewhere.

In addition, the out-state farmers are now wholly addicted to government handouts and 'price supports'.

We're a state of junkies and enablers. I'm leaving. ha ha

81 Unfortunately, some conservatives have taken the lack of liberal offense as a sign that he's a RINO, and that could be the kiss of death in this climate. In my opinion, though, it's not a sign that he's a RINO -- it's a sign that he's really good at framing issues and messaging.
Posted by: sayyid412 at December 27, 2010 02:27 PM (z375o)

It's more likely the fact that the Sierra Club and Big Ag have their hand two feet up his ass.

82 Minnescrota.  The state that brought you Senator Stewart Smalley.  'nuff said.

83 I read the House Cap and Trade bill in its entirety when it got passed.  It was up on line at a site for a few days before someone realized that it was probably better to hide it.

It had things like all new homes had to be inspected for energy efficiency and rated (with the goal of moving to inspecting ALL homes as they were sold),  a "cash for clunkers" appliance trade in program,  with incentives for dealers to sell the MOST energy eficient models (as rated by 10 university centers set up around the country), allowable light wattages with exceptions for work usage (like...oh...SURGERY) only granted by the Secretary of Energy,  etc. etc. etc.

If Pawlenty supported that boondoggle and power grab,  he is unfit to be president.  No softening of me on that opinion. He's either an idiot or a closet Marxist.

84 85.

If Pawlenty supported that boondoggle and power grab,  he is unfit to be president.  No softening of me on that opinion. He's either an idiot or a closet Marxist.

Posted by: Miss Marple at December 27, 2010 03:24 PM (Fo83G)

Idiot is the likely diagnosis.

85

If Pawlenty supported that boondoggle and power grab,  he is unfit to be president.  No softening of me on that opinion. He's either an idiot or a closet Marxist.

Over the past couple years he's backed away from the global warming stuff; recently he referred to Cap and Trade as a "disaster".

86 I know he isn't a southerner, but whenever I start thinking about T-Paw, I start thinking about Hee-Haw!

*shakes my head*

87 Posted by: Miss Marple at December 27, 2010 03:24 PM (Fo83G)

Not only that for "new" homes but any work that was of sufficient scope to require a building permit also required upgrade to CA Green standards. It would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars for that upgrade of older homes here.

88 Paw seems like a good man, but he got snookered on AGW. WTF?!? Until I see a great explanation of that, I couldn't support him.

89 I don't really think Pawlenty is going anywhere, but I think it's a bit of a shame that he's not even seriously considered at all. Like Duncan Hunter, he's one of those guys you really think should be seriously considered even though in your heart you know they won't be. Oh please. The guy said the following about global warming: ---------- One of the biggest issues, global climate change, is what motivated the pair to join forces — warning of what they say will be grave consequences if individuals, businesses and governments don’t act to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. “It is an important issue — I think one of the most important of our time,” Pawlenty told the 400 researchers, resource managers and educators gathered in Duluth this week. Steger praised Pawlenty for having “the guts to take on bold initiatives” to reduce greenhouse gases and for his leadership on that issue in his capacity as chair of the National Governors Association. [ ... ] Pawlenty, who wants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the state 80 percent by the year 2050, expressed disappointment that more steps aren’t being taken on the national level, and he challenged individuals, communities, and states to show the way. “Maybe we can lead them [the federal government] or even shame them into action,” Pawlenty said. “It’ll become de facto national policy.” ---------- That right there should eliminate Tim "The era of small government is over . . . government has to be more proactive, more aggressive." Pawlenty from ANY consideration. Period.

90 Is he on the AGW train? They didn't have that at "On the issues". Said there were no statements on environmental issues. Posted by: Vic at December 27, 2010 01:42 PM Well then that site is fucking useless. He has been on the AGW train since 2006. So they are deliberately hiding his record. He has made plenty of statements on AGW and Cap and Trade, including this one: In April, Mr. Pawlenty delivered the remarks that probably best reveal his views on the environment. “It looks like we should have listened to President Carter,” he told the Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group. “He called us to action, and we should have listened. . . . Climate change is real. Human behavior is partly and may be a lot responsible. Those who don’t think so are simply not right. We should not spend time on voices that say it’s not real.” Now, I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm not supporting or voting for anyone who thinks we should have listened to Jimmy fucking Carter. Seriously, read that statement and try and tell me that Pawlenty is a conservative. Give me a fucking break. There is no fucking way anyone should be supporting this asshole. Anyone that much of a dumbass to fall for AGW and say everyone else is wrong and should not be listened to... has NO business being a GOP leader, let alone President.

91 His cave-in on the Franken-Coleman race indicates to me just how much backbone he'd have defending conservatism or any reductions in the growth of government. Posted by: kbdabear at December 27, 2010 01:27 PM Why would Pawlenty reduce the government when in 2006, his statement was... "The era of small government is over . . . government has to be more proactive, more aggressive." If Obama said that, he'd be called a socialist. But when Pawlenty says it, ace classifies him a "conservative-leaning Republican in a Blue State"? WTF?! For crying out loud, the guy said we should have listened to Jimmy fucking Carter on energy policy and AGW. Yet people are still considering him a viable candidate for the GOP nomination?! Again, WTF?!

92

Why would Pawlenty reduce the government when in 2006, his statement was...

"The era of small government is over . . . government has to be more proactive, more aggressive."

I looked into that, because it didn't sound like something he'd say.

Turns out it was from a Star Tribune article (which immediately makes it suspect) and the "The era of small government is over" line was a referring to a David Brooks article titled as such.

The Star Trib later issued a "clarification"; they have a habit of misquoting / selectively editing Republicans to suit their own needs.

Couldn't find the original Star Trib article; found a blog reference here.