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Subscribe to RSSDon't call former Gov. Tim Pawlenty "boring," says the co- chair of the Minnesota Republican's presidential campaign committee.
"I never heard this criticism of Tim Pawlenty ever in Minnesota politics," former Minnesota congressman Vin Weber told Andrea Mitchell Reports. "I think when people get to know him, they'll feel he has a charisma that is deep and endearing to people. He relates to average people probably better than just about anybody I've seen in politics."
Weber also said Pawlenty, who officially announced his candidacy Monday to a crowd in Iowa, is "doing pretty well" raising money for his campaign.
"Nobody is going to be in the Romney class,” he said of the perceived front runner, Mitt Romney. “Mitt Romney has personal wealth, a donor base nationally that he developed last time, and he's kept it up over four years."
But Weber says the large funds the former Massachussetts governor has amassed will not deter Pawlenty from running a competitive campaign.
"[We] have all the money we need to run a campaign in all the early states particularly and capable of ramping up from there if we have success,” Weber said. “I don't worry about that at all."
Fred Malek, co-chairman of the finance committee for John McCain's 2008 campaign, echoed Weber's belief that Pawlenty is a strong candidate, saying Pawlenty is one of the "three former governors all of whom are outstanding...Any one of the three will be an outstanding candidate [and a] great president." Malek has not yet endorsed a candidate. The other two governors – Romney and former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman.
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Monotonous is more accurate!
Hey, maybe Bible Spice can lend him some of that 'fire' that's in her belly! ;o)
Yeah, Pawlenty is pretty boring. He gets this look on his face, like he is looking down his nose at everyone...can't possibly go over well.
TAgD,
Looks like their thinkprogress dumpster has been pretty well picked-thru, huh.
Hey-True---we libs didn't come up with boring----Pawlenty's own spokesperson is trying to say he isn't boring. And Republicans never go for charisma over substance----all the support for Sarah Palin is because of her well-articulated positions, I'm sure.
Breaking News from dear Rachel Maddow:
Former RNC chairman Michael Steele has been hired by MSNBC as, as, well, an Analyst!
Should be fun as he analyzes the GOP/TP/Birther candidates!
Hey Steeler Fan you started a sentence with AND.
Hillary 2012
If I was advising his campaign I would go with the boring thing for a while. Hello I'm Tim Pawlenty I only seem boring when compared to the pathological liars, raving nut cases, and game show hosts, and game show host look alikes who are also running for the republican nomination. I do have an exciting nickname, call me T-Paw.
Don't forget former Gov. Gary Johnson of NM! All but Gov. Huntsman had the pleasure of seeing their office go to a Democrat when they left.
Not a good day to declare your candidacy, Mr. Excitement, what with President Obama drawing a crowd of 25,000 in Ireland!
Amy B. Portland, ME
Not a good day to declare your candidacy, Mr. Excitement, what with President Obama drawing a crowd of 25,000 in Ireland!
I sure hope the people of Ireland get to vote here soon because on any given Sunday, this President has an approval rating of under 50%. That's 40% less than the people who post here.
Amy, I saw the crowds and heard the speech which was pitch perfect. It was terrific to see our President welcomed so warmly and enthusiastically abroad.
Yeah, the evening news will have the story of the wildly popular O'Bama entertaining 25,000 strong while chugging Irish ale and back-slapping the locals, followed by the pictures from Joplin.
As you say, not a good day . . . . .
Groucho -- just to keep on message: Gov. Pawlenty NEVER got 50% of the vote in his gubernatorial races. There were three candidates each time, and he got more than the others, but never even half of the votes in his state.
It's a reliably blue state, Kate. And Groucho, aren't you glad the posters on this site aren't representative of the majority of America?
kate 1855079..
I wasn't talking about votes but rather his approval rating. I'm new here and I read a lot of posts before I decided to join in. To read these posts you'd think he was going to win by unanimous decision. Except for the republicans who post here, I've RARELY read any criticism of him. He's not perfect and there is a lot to criticize. It seems from my perspective as a newcomer that ever time someone raises a concern they get called a name or otherwise derided. When someone calls him a name there is total outrage. I wonder if the outrage was there when these same people were calling Bush vile names. There is a double standard here.
JoAnna ~ Are you saying that if he had stayed here, President Obama might have done something to prevent those tornadoes? Otherwise, what's your point? Because I think he was already in Ireland when the tornado struck Joplin.
And what role does the federal government have in state disasters, anyway?
You mean, like Katrina?
You're really off your feed today AM. Problems? Anything you want to talk about?
Think the optics will look good on the news tonight AM, with our smiling and laughing President hoisting another brew, followed by a crane hoisting another tree off a house in the search effort in Joplin?
So that whole thing in New Orleans your side blamed on Bush, that was all a lie?
No, no, JoAnna. You completely misunderstood me. Your side is the one that lies about New Orleans and says that the federal government has no business in state business -- until they need help, of course. Irony is something that never seems to reach that part of your brain that would appreciate it. Pity that.
So now you're saying that Obama should be home pulling trees off houses personally? Certainly a trip to Ireland before the tornado hit is bound to play better than Bush's by-passing New Orleans when the storm was bearing down and the levies were breaking, just so he could have birthday cake with John McCain in Arizona, and then showing up for his big photo-op with his ideas disheveled and his casual blue shirt mis-buttoned. Don't you think?
Anything I want to talk about? If you were really my friend, maybe.
JoAnna,
Do you really think the lamestreamers like MSNBC will put Obama having a good Irish time on tonight?
Anyway, I'm sure Moneygall O'bama's heart is in Joplin, he has probably already ordered an aide to save a box of Obama "Is feidir linn" T-Shirts for the victims of Joplin.
Hopefully Missouri hasn't done anything to piss Obama off. If a reporter, newspaper or government official hasn't offended the thin skinned one, I'm sure Obama will make up for it, maybe a nice memorial service. His speech writers have plenty of time to put together a great speech, aides will find the best victim stories ...... heck he may even wring another bump out of the tragedy.
showing up for his big photo-op with his ideas disheveled and his casual blue shirt mis-buttoned. Don't you think?
Anna, Little over the top. Don't you think?
Yes his new homeland I didn't know it was O'bama.
Groucho
Not a double standard. First Read is sponsored by NBC.
It's just another Obama worshipping liberal blog. His supporters don't care how incompetent he is. They just dream about the crease in his slacks and it gives them a tingle up their leg.
Hopefully Missouri hasn't done anything to piss Obama off.
Well they where one of the few states that voted for McCain, and the Cardinals and Cubs are arch rivals, but Obama will do the right thing, as he has proven time and again since taking office. If he really wanted to be mean he would have "Brownie do a heck of a job" on them.
".....ramping up from there IF we have success"
Now thats what I love to hear.
"I never heard this criticism of Tim Pawlenty ever in Minnesota politics,"
Well, we're not in Minnesota any more, are we? And since Minnesota represents less than 2% of the US population, I'd say it's a poor measuring stick...
How would you relate this to a former democratic president, Bill Clinton who was an unknown before he became a national candidate? No, Clinton was not boring, but there were fauldt that were noticed on the national state which may not have been present in Arkansas.
Boring? I'm not even sure he's alive.
If he were elected as a Democrat I bet the Republicans would shift from demanding to see a birth certificate to demanding that someone checked his pulse.
"He relates to average people probably better than just about anybody I've seen in politics."
Well, better than Donald Trump, anyway......
I guess the 2012 campaign has now officially begun. For me, it's never quite campaign season until somebody starts talking down to all us "real", "hard-working", and oh-so- "average" Americans like we're a totally different species.
"talking down to all us real ...."
Kinda like talking about you clinging to your religion and guns, slurpees, needing to ride in the back .......
Of course Obama wasn't talking down to you ...... you are not that class of real, hard working, average American.
No Obama talks down to you in code.
Shovel ready jobs, then a year later laughs that is no such thing as shovel readyjobs. Funny that the reports are now in and Obama's stimulus / shovel ready infrastucture jobs actually cost highway construction jobs!
Funny...... you don't read much about that here at FR, huh.
Obama talks about taxing the rich, and you guys believe that the rich will actually pay more, when Obama doesn't even pay "his share."
There is no spending problem ....... borrowing $4 billion a day is no big deal. Who needs budgets? If the other guys come up with one - just make fun of them.
Who says the recovery is not going well ...... what's wrong with 9% unemployment year after year?
Medicare? Just demagogue the other guys .... who needs a realistic plan?
You guys fall for myth after myth ....... buy it all.
Obama insults your intelligence ...... and it goes completely over your heads.
And you think you are not being talked down too?
Well, i'll be daumed, theres Bob-1805084, the POS poster!
Still Groveling in Your Misery BOB?
Well, I'll be daumed?
you Spelt POS correctly.
good Job kentugee.
Ad hominem - when you cannot dispute what was said, call names. Brought to you by Rick, Ky.
Bob,
You don't get out much do you?
Huntsman is not interested in 2012; though he will run to build his network for 2016. LOTS of rebuilding the grand ole party after 2012 for this guy.
T-Paw henchman: "He's not boring! We can do this. We can crank up anywhere if we get some traction. Big money doesn't scare us." T-Paw made of straw.
And then there's poor Romney, from the wrong end of the bible belt being Morman and all. Got the cash but he will have to trash his religion in the end to succeed. And he won't and that will be good on him.
Bachman too crazy.
Herman too glib.
That other governor, from NM I think...too unknown.
Silly Sarah.TOO known.
Did I miss anyone? The voters sure won't.
Not much else to say on the field here.
He "relates" to "average" people??? condescendingly arrogant.
Meaning with his 3K house and used Ford, he is a little less rich than other Republicans with their hands in big business' pockets. Only a matter of time till he finds himself a Koch Bros.
Nice he can relate to the living from paycheck to paycheck crowd, the ones who finance their junkers at buy here pay here. lol
Republican Congressman Vin Weber says Pawlenty has charisma that is deep and endearing to people. Apparently, Weber only speaks to republicans in Minnesota--charisma, like beauty, is in the eyes of the beholder.
The question is can Pawlenty--dull, boring or charismatic--pass the Tea Party litmus test and if he does, he probably cannot get back to center for the general election.
i am a Minnesotan. Pawlenty's mantra for governor was no new taxes. So he passed a budget that just kicked the can down the road by one time fixes, federal stimulus money, and delaying state payments to the school districts. Local property taxes went up , dispite sinking home values, because state aid to local governments was cut. Currently the state still has a big deficit.He is a evangelical Christian. Raised RC in a working class suburb.His wife was a district court judge. He is a nice guy but not presidential material. He is way right of center from pass Republican officials: Govern. Arnie Carlson, Al Quie, and Senator Dave Durenberger.
"Who, MSNBC faux journalism, boring (and biased)?"
Typical day at First Read...Obama worship, and snarky posts about Republicans..Looking for journalism? You came to the wrong place.
This snark only encourages the clueless Obama worshippers like Feisty..it is a boring circle...
Why do you post here, Bob, if it is so offensive to you?
Yes Bob, please leave if you don't like us. I thought we gave you that warm and fuzzy feeling.
"Typical day at First Read...Obama worship, and snarky posts about Republicans..Looking for journalism? You came to the wrong place."
Look, A$$ Wipe Bob, for the last time , it's "The Place For Politics". Get it? Yet?? No??? Didn't think so.
I LOVE it when Booby talks all dirty to me! lol
xoxo
Your Favorite Moonbat! ;o)
Bob. Is a ditto head, so he is not used to an arena where all points of view get expressed. His preferance is the Fox/Limbough/Right wing format.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz……………………
"Who, Pawlenty, Boring?"
"What, Me Worry?"
Same thing... I'll choose Alfred E Newman. He is more exciting and just a entertaining!
Boring? No.
A cure for insomnia? Possibly.
True American,
Last week you where talking about trolls on this blog, what did that mean?
"Monotone Man" is so soft talking and seems very spineless on the issues. His poltical and economic record in Minnesota is not good. If you are a Middle Class, Working Poor, elderly, and disabled American the "Puke Pawlenty" agenda is a disaster. Read his record Ameirca for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. As for the rights of women? They are going to be great peril, and alot of ground would be lost culturally, and socially. Timmy likes to mix cultural issues with political policy, and economic budgets. His favorable politics for the support for big Wall Street Bankers, big corporations, and large insurance companies is troubling. That is fact!
If you say "That is fact!", please provide quotes, policy or other information that led you to that statement. Can you differentiate that from the likes of Chris Dodd, Barney Frank, Timothy Geitner or a host of other democrats?
if one were to ask donald trump he would probably say he had his team of investigators to every place tpaw said he went over seas and they could not find a single person who remembered seeing of meeting him---now thats boring!
Boooo.
Pawlenty.
Waste of money being used to fund his campaign. Not going to win-
recent minnesota poll Obama 54 Pawlenty 44.Al gore didnt win his own state,if that is any consolation.He would take Texas,you could put elmer fudd as repub in texas and they would vote for him.Florida is not too happy with paul ryans medicare plan.
.
Pawlenty is boring man walking!!
Boring? Who called him boring so his people would have to respond?
Does "boring" mean he's not shown himself to be crazy (like Bachmann), embarrassing (like Sarah), or with a scandalous past (Newt)? If so, and if he's coherent, I'm thrilled, and will take boring over the excitement of hope and change any day. Without shiny metal objects, though, the media will be very frustrated.....
With todays American Idol electorate, it appears you need to be a headline grabber with scandal or other issues in order to be considered legitimate. Too bad people, in general, really don't review what is going on and make informed decisions in their vote.
Pawlenty - no one knows who he is....The only one who could have raised enough money to run and win the primaries, bailed out! Others are looking for benefactors and benefiters!
You are pathetic! You have nothing to do but start the criticism of any Republican candidates.Apparently you did not research about your candidate in 2008.Do you really think people are taking you seriously anymore?
"You have nothing to do but start the criticism of any Republicqan candidates."
Actually, the criticism starts when any of them steps out of the gate... and much of it comes from their own Party.
What is difficult to take seriously is the Republican circular firing squad.
Compare that to the number of democrats that ran in 2004 & 2008. The party that is not in the White House always has several candidates when the campaigns begin. There is not one iota of a difference between the republicans and the democrats pre presidental election campaigns.