Presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) must be joking. Beyond making news with his attack on fellow Minnesotan candidate Michelle Bachmann, what is more incredible is that he actually touted the fact that he set a record for the number of vetoes and shut down the Minnesota state government with his policies. It's insane that something so counterproductive is now seen as an accomplishment to his potential Republican constituents.
Where is the alternate universe, from where Tim Pawlenty gets this logic, because we're not seeing it. You're proud of the fact that the sum of your efforts brought down the ability for the state government to serve its people creating more hardship in the general society?
And the upside is?....
Mr. Pawlenty explained that he stuck to his conservative principles and showed courage in his actions. Conversely, and here's where the news was made, Mr. Pawlenty said that Michelle Bachmann's record in Congress of accomplishment is 'non-existent.' And just before that, in so many words, he believed that Mitt Romney could not be the nominee strictly on healthcare because Mr. Romney enacted a policy that is now considered the ultimate sacrilege amongst his party patrons.
But then he said that he distinguishes himself from the other because he is a successful leader, that it is not argument, it's fact (his words). Simply stated, a successful leader would not preside over the closure of his/her government. A successful leader gets two differing sides to come to reason, understand what the priorities of each side of the argument and then bring a compromise to everyone agrees upon. But we're in a climate where compromise is not an option for the Republicans and candidates have to play to that notion because they feel it strengthens their position with the base of the party. Given that, we still don't see how touting the fact that you shut down the government promotes good leadership qualities. Does that mean that Mr. Pawlenty will shut down the U.S. federal government if Democrats control the Congress?
He said that he breaks with his party in regard to the minimum wage, which Republicans would like to do away with. Mr. Pawlenty is all for defending the $7.25 per hour... thanks a lot. We said it before and we'll say it again... Tim Pawlenty's campaign for President of The United States is toast. He will not be the nominee. And when a Presidential candidates consistently repeats standard party talking points with no other in-depth explanation, people tune out, and in the case of Mr. Pawlenty, "Cut taxes, cut spending and lessen regulation." Blah Blah Blah...
The New York Times speculatively asked if Mr. Pawlenty will be the first one in and the first one out. This is a poor prediction given that Newt Gingrich is in the race. He'll be the first out, or should be. The Los Angeles Times said that Mr. Pawlenty is soft-spoken and bland. Mr. Pawlenty dismissed these assessments, but in the multimedia age don't underestimate the significance of these qualities, or lack thereof in the case of Tim Pawlenty. It just seems that Tim Pawlenty is trying to be someone he's not. He's like George Constanza in that everything he does seems counter-intuitive to everyone else.
He described himself as a hockey player, someone who is tough, but when questioned about Mitt Romney's healthcare plan at the debate, he didn't go for the kill and he repeated that same lame shying-away on today's program. The writer of this column played hockey, and a coach once said that if you're a nice person on the ice, you're in the wrong 'effing sport. Tim Pawlenty is in the wrong sport.
If all that wasn't enough, with regard to Libya, Mr. Pawlenty suggested that we send in special forces to target Khadafi, he cited the actions of Ronald Reagan in toppling governments. What the hell is Mr. Pawlenty talking about? Let's do something like Iran-Contra?! With all due respect, Mr. Reagan cut and run in Lebanon, bombed Libya from a far (like we're doing now), and Grenada... Please, was that really a war? And there is the aforementioned Nicaragua.
And lastly on Mr. Pawlenty, and here is where is really breaks with his party. With regard to homosexuality and whether or not it's genetic or a choice, Tim Pawlenty said that the science isn't clear on that. Yes, he mentioned science, an actual reference to science. There's a real break.
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The one thing we know for sure about Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is that he would make a lousy politician, which makes one conclude that as Treasury Secretary he knows what he's talking about. What we mean by that is when the interview started, Mr. Geithner said that this is a great moment for the United States, but toward the end he used the word 'grave' to describe the situation.
And given that he is no politician, what would be the political motivation to lie to Congress and the American public about the severity of a default. His simple presence on the program itself, serves as a warning that we're playing with fire. He explains it in this clip which is the essence of why default (not raising the debt limit) is not an option.
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Like substantial savings... defense. entitlements down the road
Republicans should not walk away now. Need both sides...
4 trillion - biggest deal possible. payroll tax cut - 1000, investi in future
revuneu increase? you have to have balnace.
which means yes
if no revenue, deep cuts in care for the edlerly...
nancy pelosi.. quote
balanced way
medicare cuts? will not debate it here.
Republicans special intest tax breakers
are uncomfortable raising revenues, even on the richest americans
smaller deal? very tough too.
August 2 - we're not going to default. everyone understands that. Boehner understands
more risky the more time we take
80 million checks a month.
effects our credit rating.
they will downgrade our credit rating.
failure is not an option.
This is catastrphic - hard deadline.
grave moment for the nation.
the economy has slowed - oil prices, terrible weather, japan,
predictions are it will get better in the second half.
twitter town hall
i think he's being too hard on himself there.
stimulus
healthcare
nothing has stemmed the tide...
congress - trade agreements, rebuild America, tax benefits for working families.
a long time still...
look at what reagan did to toppled a government.
not necessarily. what does that mean?
special forces... what the fuck is he talking about.
not for gay couples having the same rights as married couples.
science is in dispute - no current conclusion its genetic.
Eugene Robinson
Chuck Todd
chcuk - first time some one went hard at her.
gene - amazingly tough given commandment.
no republican candidate is cutting him any slack.
sarah palin?
chuck - wants to go out on her own terms...
stay on the margins
gene - unconventional.
gadfly
she can't get nominated.
rush limbaugh wouldn't get nominated.
going for the big deal.
speaker boehner couldn't get a deal on taxes within his own caucus.
eric cantor said no and it's no.
chuck - admin trying to be straight with the people.
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