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PORTAGE, Mich. -- It's possible that Tim Pawlenty is days from stepping onto a stage before thousands of cheering supporters as Mitt Romney's newly-minted running mate. But you wouldn't know it from his swing through central Michigan on Wednesday, where the former governor appeared at nondescript campaign offices and addressed just dozens of supporters as they snacked on cookies and lemonade.
"Mitt Romney didn't spend his entire life in government," Pawlenty said to a small group of GOP devotees in Jackson. "He knows how to get jobs going."
Who will Mitt Romney pick as his running mate? NBC's Claire Leka reports.
Even after dutifully delivering laugh lines – like calling the president "all foam and no beer" – Pawlenty didn't escape "veep" speculation from his audience, with one supporter in Jackson asking him if he'll return to the state as vice president.
"I've been back to Michigan a fair amount," he demurred. "But as to the vice presidential thing, we'll know soon enough."
Devoid of the camera platforms and elaborate sound systems typically on hand for political celebrities' events, Pawlenty's appearances showed him to be anything but a campaign diva. When the fold-up table he was supposed to sit behind in Portage was in the wrong place, he helped to carry it to a more suitable spot. When a portable microphone in Jackson proved too loud for backers' ears, he ditched it over the complaints of reporters eager to record his every word.
"We don't want them to get the sound!" he joked to the crowd.
The trip, which involved an early morning flight to the Great Lake State and several hours of trekking in an SUV driven by an aide, showed Pawlenty's talents as an approachable and disciplined pol even as national reporters dogged him with questions about the vice presidential selection process.
Is he stopping by Romney's Boston headquarters on his way to his scheduled New Hampshire events this weekend?
"I'm flying into Boston and then traveling immediately up to New Hampshire to start [my] schedule."
Will he be meeting VP selection guru Beth Myers?
"We have a policy, the campaign just doesn't talk about the vice presidential vetting process."
How's the process going?
He rattled off the names of GOP up-and-comers, scattering in other possible Romney running mates including women and minorities breathing new life into the GOP: Susanna Martinez, Bobby Jindal, Marco Rubio, Nikki Haley, Bob McDonnell, Chris Christie, Rob Portman and Paul Ryan.
"And David Petraeus," he added, perhaps a sly nod to a flurry of speculation that surrounded a now-debunked story on the Drudge Report that the CIA director was in the running for the job.
Jim Cole / AP
Widely regarded as one of the Romney campaign's most loyal surrogates, Pawlenty insisted Wednesday that there's no job title that motivates his determined campaigning on behalf of a man he once fought against for the GOP nod.
"The objective here isn't about a position or about some title for any of the candidates or the people trying to help. We are trying to get the country back on the right track," he said. "For me that's meant doing things like this as a volunteer where I can go out and speak on Gov. Romney's behalf in places where he can't be."
And many of those places aren't glitzy, politically or economically. In past years, Jackson has suffered a poverty rate twice that of Michigan as a whole. The Kalamazoo area clocked in for an Obama win of 20 points in 2008.
As Pawlenty wrapped up a brief stop at a strip-mall campaign office in Portage, his possible second-in-command competitor Sen. Rob Portman was wrapping up an (albeit smaller) event outside of Mile High Stadium in hotly-contested Colorado.
Still, the former governor of Minnesota has one psychological advantage that possible running mates Portman and Paul Ryan lack -- the experience of going through the lengthy vetting process only to be greeted with a "thanks but no thanks."
"In 2008, I was on some speculators' list as John McCain's selection for VP," he told reporters. "It's an honor to be considered. It's an honor for anyone to be considered, but also it has some deja vu qualities since I've been through it before."
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ROMNEY 2012
Obama 2012
Boy, you showed her. That was really a comeback.
How's that hope and change working so far?
2016. Maybe? Three strikes and he's "out" though, right? Or, when Mitt "struck-out" last time as a nominee, was that considered a "foul ball"? So maybe he's at 2-1?
Joe Bob is quoting Sister Sarah. Now there's a source of inspiration.
Oh well, "What's sauce for the goose..." WTF? Is Mitt even of this culture?
BAIN outsourcing. TAX deceit. LDS worldview.
...and it's only August.
If by 'this culture' you are referring to Lady Gaga, et al... then HELL NO! Thank God!
Lady Gaga isn't running for leader of the free world, Laura, with the lives of our militray sons and daughters on the line.
BAIN outsourcing.
TAX deceit.
LDS worldview.
Just plain dangerous.
Lady Gaga gets my vote over Romney any day! She is actually a very thoughtful, kind person. Hot too!
Clinton 2016 /Gaga!
T-Paw is a poopie-pants...how about that for name calling?
Did anyone get to see Mitt stick his foot in his month in London? London news says, Mitt Twitt
Now isn't that clever? (Must be a real brainstorm for a lib).
Since when do we give a care what London says? I think we stopped caring in 1776 or there abouts....
As the English pointed out...
ABO 2012
ABO 2012..African black Obama..yep ..thats it
You must be one of those 'smart libs'. I.Q. about 10?
you said it not me?
I figured if I put your I.Q. out there the other libs wouldn't think you were bragging. (Glad I could help).
So Elvis I guess you are one of those people that believe Obama was born in Africa...cats out of the bag.
yeah you got me..soon we will all be running around in a diaper and a bone in our nose huh
I see some people are already doing that think where they make that huge hole in their ear....but I don't think I will ever go there....or the nose bone....although I might throw a spear if there is meat attached to the end of it.
hahahaha
So what is ABO 2012 supposed to stand for?
I have noticed that when some people on here have nothing good to say about their choice for the president, all they do is say negative things about who they oppose. Please grow up and act like an adult.
Thank you, Tommy
Oh, I forgot................. Romney 2012 !!!
I was guessing he would go for somebody from the south to gather up some southern states. I am not a political expert by any means but maybe Mitt wants those 10 electoral votes in Minnesota.
Pawlenty won't carry Mn he pissed everyone off. Norquist obstructionist, caused bridge to collapse killing 14 people because he tried to push bridge repair funding down the road to avoid having to raise taxes. Shut down government because he would not compromise on social issues and raising taxes. Created fees, which are taxes, but calls them user fees to say he did not raise taxes........flip flop!
why don't he pick the born again Born again born again born a again newt
There you go showing off that amazing brain again.
hey am i wrong??
Yeah.
so he is the devil??
Obunga? Yeah.
Born again? Sounds more like reincarnation to me.
8)
Message to Mitt: Choose Pawlenty and you're bound to lose! From an Obama supporter in Minnesota.
Romney will lose no matter who he chooses so it's moot....
LMAO
That is just pathetic, you two. Or should I say three, although I'm really having a hard time counting trouble.
If you have anything to say about real issues, then you would get respect.
Bashing...you're just going to get others, like yourselves, who aren't taking the time to research the issues. There is a LOT of fodder out there right now to believe in something, either side, but when you resort to smears, yeah, you kind of lose all credibility.
just another clueless, egregious android to despise
Pawlenty would not be a terrible pick. Pawlenty is an up and comer. He was a successful Govenor. Voters in the center like him.
Pawlenty is a failed politician who campaigned for high office all his life. Cut funding for bridge repair killing 14 people. NO CHANCE!
I am of no party
As a matter of fact the party's @!$%#ing over
But look at the photo of these two M F's
do you really think they got your back
a hell no
I wounder what the born again fox news polls have him at now
Romney 2012.....time to build the presidential library Obama ....finally you will create some jobs...
Everyone will have to become a beach bum if Obama stays .... "LOL"
Eating coconuts and living in palm frond huts ...."LOL"
Obama's ahead ....
Ahead of a snake .... "LOL"
How is it going Ben...I have not been on much...one of those silly job things keeps getting in my way.
You have a job in this Obama economy .... ??
Do you work at an Obama food stamp distribution center .... ??
"LOL"
Good to see you thebeachbum66 ....
how many flowers did you make today at the beach ..made from sea weed...did you make enough money to pay the rent?
Yeah I make those food stamp credit card things .......making a good living now...plus I can use them to buy beer and hookers.
We don't have to pay rent under Obama elvis ....
We get to abuse that section 8 housing thing .... "LOL"
You know ....
This is the 21st century ....
No seaweed things elvis ...although tomorrow I am going to do some surf fishing since I will be off for the day......looking for some big specs.
they will be sitting in lawn chairs
That sounds like fun thebeachbum66 ....
That wasn't a racisit comment was it Elvis?....I was talking about speckled trout.....{specs}
hey you live in Alaska..has your ice burg headed to Texas yet big
nah you will be putting them in lawn chairs??
I'm not there now elvis ....
But it's been record heat in many places for a month now ....
We need some relief badly ....
Elvis never ceases to amaze -- Just think, out of a couple hundred thousand sperm, he was the fastest...
"LOL"
Elvis is pretty quick with responses also .... "LOL"
I know you love me?
wow. The things you get to see on here...
Not too worried about who Mitt decides to pick for VP because All I need to know is that whoever it is will UNDERSTAND that success in not the reselt of Government but the result of hardworking people who take risks, create dreams and build lives for themselves and their families.. That is good enough for ME.. and should be be good enough for anyone in this sad economic situation most of the country is in.. .. i am for sure voting for Mitt !
You're a wise one Amy from PC Beach ....
Obama sure didn't create this economic mess. He walked into a bunch a crap that the republicans screwed up. So you go ahead and vote for that fake Ken doll but he is sure not going to pull it off. Sorry it is a wrap for Mitt dummy.
When you walk into a diaperload of crap, you grab the Vicks, a few wipes and clean up the damn mess. America's been sitting in it so long our diaper rash is getting infected. Obama needs to stop plugging his nose and screaming and get with the program! It's what he was elected to do! If he can't handle it, he needs to step aside and let a real man take over!
Nope, success is NOT the result of our government. The government is a result of our TAXES, which he wants to increase.
I'm not a $250, 000 or above person for my family, very far from it, but dog gone it, I'll give a tax break to someone making more than $250,000 per year, if our government will quit kicking the can down the road, give these guys that have that kind of income regulation that lasts more than 6-12 months so they can actually do long term planning for the businesses THEY created and hire someone! Most businesses have to plan out at least FIVE years. They aren't going to hire someone based on one year regulations.
I think Obama KNOWS this. He has failed.
Get someone in office who will at least give us some certainty, not someone who loves executive power.
Aralee wants to pay for more tax breaks for the rich......ahaahahahahahahahahaha
Just throw your money out the car window next time you go for a drive...same thing!Voter suppression, you won't be able to vote. lose your Soc sec, your medicare, Medicaid, your post office....aahahahahahaha you get what you vote for. Tax dodger hiding money in offshore accounts to avoid paying taxes, lies on his taxes because documents show he was working for bain whan he now claims he didn't. Liar and flip flopper. Romney for a worse tomorrow today!
Romney caught lying About Obama's speech, then caught saying the exact same thing in numerous of his speeches.......ahahahahahahahaha the liar!
Hope he chooses Pawlenty. That will assure Obama of every vote from the state of Minnesota. Can't ask for much more than that.
Obama should keep Biden ....
That will assure that Obama will get the boot ....
Biden is a gem...
Yea ....
A rarely seen gem too .... "LOL"
Who was the last VP we had??? What was his name... What was his name.. Can't remember what his face looked liked either... Never was around much.. Mmmm... Maybe someone can help me out here. He was the VP that was aways in an "undisclosed location" most of the time. Ideas anyone??
Just Pondering,
"I know ! I know! Call on me!"
It was Dick Cheney, he of the heart transplant last year! You know, the transplant which violated national organ assignment policy and should never have been allowed.
Well, Dick...two people died in order for you to live a few years longer: Your donor and the rightful recipient of the organ.
Even out of office, Cheney is a murderer.
MSNBCMFE........Thousands more died and thousands more wounded because of Cheney Bush lie nation into Iraq war crimes. Repubs know how to pick em. Romney lost to Palin who with McCain lost to Obama?Biden!!!!
Well well well, What do we have here. A bunch of cowardly kool aid drinking Obama supporters taking stupid cheap shots at Romney and a still un-named VP. Obama is a piece of trash who has done absolutely nothing good for this country. I'm voting for Romney no matter who he selects for a VP. We had almost four years of your lousy version of America. Romney is much better qualified to lead this country. If your best argument is blaming Bush for Obama's ineptness then give someone else a chance.
Disgusted at Ignorance - Your name is fitting. Exactly how I felt when I read your post.
Please...save that nonsense. You sound ignorant. Don't blame Obama on something that was already happening before he stepped into the office. So you think Romney will turn things around? HAHA! It won't happen because he doesn't stand a chance.
What happened to Obama's promise of cutting the deficit in half? Employment around 6% if we approved his stimulus and that he only deserved one term if he couldn't make it happen?
Give me a break. How many promises can this guy make and you guys never get a clue?
Disgusted ........has a pretty hard time looking in the mirror everyday. Dems provide facts that rt wingers can't handle.
Aralee....really .....try current events for a penny, you might at least get a penny for knowing the date today. You embarrass yourself with each post......
Success is not the result of Governement but the result of hard work...Mitt understands this... thank goodness he does... Business man that wants Americans to be successful,.... its about time... The only thing I worry about is what would happen if we go through another 4 years.. now that is a scary thought and do not even like to think about it.. it is just THAT Bad... I stand with Mitt all they way for sure.. anyone should be at this point... LOL..
I hope so because weak is good. Two weak is better
good night all.
Don't have any Obama night mares thebeachbum66 .... "LOL"
Dont have any day-mares..because i know you Beach bums like to stay up all night and sleep at day time?
You tell them Elvis! I am laughing my ass off at these fools.
yep
Mitt Romney deserves to be severely criticized, no matter who he selects as his running VP.
That is the real problem with Romney. He is totally misguided in foreign and domestic affairs. And not only in foreign affairs: The GOP nomination has been won by a perfect nobody in the sense of not being able to govern this country, Harvard BS or not -- big liar Mitt Romney who has spent his life in the “real” economy and not in DCA.
His money does not even make him elite. Obama on the other, by his political accomplishments, yes!
In 2002, to be Governor of Mass., Romney offered less government, less debt, better business, less tax, but the result was more fees, less business, more debt, and bigger inefficient state government. He did not get the job done, as his dubious accomplishments, to be president, attest to. He is already crippled and weakened physically and morally by his riches. He bears no similarity whatsoever to the average American and is therefore not likeable by a vast majority of the country.
Romney with real world applications, Harvard BS – less than 15% effective rate taxpayer, instead of 30%; off shores' money manager man, Swiss banks and Cayman bank accounts, instead of putting the money in US banks; domestic job destroyer that buys companies for profit and then dissolves them, firing everyone in sight, instead of using his business background to turn around these companies´ economy and boost job creation; immigrant hater; not concerned about the poor, 47 million Americans; his economic plan is just a list of good intentions with no ideological base; posthumous Jewish baptizer; and, too filthy rich to be president now wants to eliminate Chavez, a dying man, by simply inventing threats to the USA, based on alliances with Iran. And, of course, in this last respect, supported by cheap propaganda spitted out by far right frustrated CIA-backed Cuban exiles or their off spring that have done well in this country, except Rubio who is bankrupt and might accompany Mitt as VP. In the meantime, no one else wants to come here, the planet of the dying-off middle class; and, rapidly increasing poverty levels. Obama is right: Chavez is no threat to this country.
Finally,
(1) Mitt Romney refuses to release multiple years of taxes, ignoring decades of precedent.
(2) He won't disclose his "bundlers," the people raising millions for his campaign.
(3) He is the sole owner of a questionable shell corporation in Bermuda.
(4) Until recently, Romney kept cash in a Swiss bank account.
(5) According to the Globe, he hasn't been honest about when he was running Bain Capital, even though legal documents refute his claims.
Instead, vote Obama and win, win, win!
Win a bigger debt and deficit .... "LOL"
German 304 you hit the nail on the head and you summed it up quite nicely and your data is factual...Thank you!!! I have nothing else to say after your post. You rock!!!
German 304, I actually laughed as I was reading your post. I won't insult any ones intelligence by getting in the gutter, but I do want to point out a few things:
Obama had NO experience with foreign affairs before taking office, which is apparent, because the rest of the world now thinks of us as weak. Downgrade of credit rating ring a bell?
Obama, by comparison, from Mitt Romney, comes from a political view from Chicago, cutt-throat, certainly, but dirty. He won some elections. I will give you this. His teleprompters sure make him look good. Town hall treated him well. Have you looked at his latest super pack's ads? If that's not dirty, I don't know what is.
We won't even look at college because Obama, not Romney, touts his college experience but buries the records. He wants to see Romney's tax returns? Let Obama show his passport history and his college transcripts and applications. I'd sure like to know how Obama afforded college.
This whole overseas account stuff? You can bet if Obama, and I've looked at both his and Romney's tax returns, including the supporting documents, had that kind of income, after paying taxes on that income in the US, would have deserted the US too for holding his money. I think that's why Romney wants to make the US's tax rates more COMPETITIVE! To bring money back to the US!
I'm part of the middle class now, but, growing up I was part of that food stamp, welfare, social security environment that Obama keeps trying to preserve. Let me tell you something about government bureaucracy, it doesn't really want to help you. It just wants you to exist so they can keep having a job, and belittle you at the same time and keep building power off YOUR back in the name of help. They build it on YOUR helplessness.
Aralee, we'll be the judge of when you are or aren't in the gutter, and judging by the tripe you spill, you're in up to your neck.
It isn't a sign of becoming weak in foreign affairs that our credit rating was lowered. It's a sign that the reckless Wall Street financiers backed by their crony capitalist Republican sycophants led by Bush, Paulson, and Norquist successfully sucked the lifeblood out of what was a vibrant and bustling economy under Bill Clinton, an economy upon which the world continues to depend.
You speak of world view. I would take the blue-collar pluralistic grit of Chicago over the exclusionary sexism and racism of the temple culture out west any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
You speak of your membership in the middle class today as if it wasn't the things which you left behind that provided the resources to bring you out in the first place. Without food stamps, welfare, and support from Social Security when you appear to have needed it most, how could you possibly be where you are today, all the while making the claim that those programs did no good?
Sounds more like you have issues with your upbringing than with the very government programs which fed you, clothed you, and provided you medicines. Be thankful that anyone ever thought to establish these programs in the first place rather than spiteful that you were forced by the 1%, even then, to have to avail yourself of them.
Talk about ungrateful.
Who the heck is this nobody? I thought that the republicans learned their lesson when John McCain selected that loser Sarah Palin as his VP. For the love of Christ is that the best that they could do? Obama 2013 is a sure win and I can't wait.
Obama's getting the boot ....
NOT!!!
Obama NOT gonna win .... "LOL"
I read a few comments and got tired of the nastiness from both sides. I will vote for Obama in November, but Pawlenty seems to be a grounded, decent guy and I have no reason to take shots at him. I would probably be more supportive of him as vice president if there were a different presidential candidate he was involved with, but he seems like one of the more decent men in the debacle that was the Republican nomination. What happened to Republicans who, as a left of center moderate, I could relate to?
In my view Pawlenty's career likely crested at Governor.
In general, though, I find him more palatable as a politico than his Party rivals, and I wouldn't necessarily mind if he served one day as Vice-President, but NOT with Romney in the Oval Office. Romney is the danger, not Pawlenty.
Now that's what I'm saying. Romney is not going to do anything for these critics of Obama. This man is only out to gain and to hide all of his wealth. Something that he's quite good at.
I was at a CVS the other day and a woman driving a Lexus had a bumper sticker that said ( Get the Brown man out of the White House). Disgusting.
Too bad most of the Obama-Biden bumper stickers were taken off the road with that failure "Clash For Clunckers" program.
Cash for Clunkers was a failure? WTF are you talking about? It was so successful that it's credited with being a major part of saving the auto industry.
And added how much to our debt .... "LOL"
That was "Tanorexic Boehner" visiting Obama asking for a cig.