Tim Pawlenty, Possible McCain Running Mate, Says GOP Needs Obama's Positive Message

ARLINGTON, Va. — Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, often mentioned as a possible running mate for Republican presidential candidate John McCain, said Wednesday GOP candidates would do well to adopt a positive tone like that of McCain's Democratic rival, Barack Obama.

"Say what you will about Barack Obama," the Minnesota Republican told a conservative group, "people gravitate when you have something positive to say." He added that McCain has been positive as well.

"People want to follow hopeful, optimistic, civil, decent leaders," Pawlenty said in a speech to GOPAC, which helps recruit Republican candidates. "They don't want to follow some negative, scornful person."

Ronald Reagan still offers important lessons for today's Republican Party, Pawlenty said, because the former president was civil, optimistic, pragmatic and a good communicator.

"He actually had some ideas," Pawlenty said, adding that the Republican idea factory has seemed "a little stagnant in recent years."

Pawlenty, 47, said he came of age during President Reagan's tenure in the 1980s, but acknowledged the Republican icon is ancient history to young people.

"If you're under 40, that was a long time ago, man," he said to laughter.

The party needs to update its message to appeal to voters who want new ideas and government results and to counter the perception that Republicans are "not for the working person," Pawlenty said. He advocated policies like better training and performance pay for teachers, online college education opportunities and reworking health insurance to reward providers that show good results and save money.

Pawlenty shied away from talking about joining McCain on the ticket.

Comments

[ohiodem250]

Basically, all of these young Republican leaders are telling John McCain, "The writing's on the wall. You're not going to win and we're not going to let you take our budding careers with you."

[soundfury]

You hit the hammer on the nail.

[argent1]

McCain offered his wife up for a lewd pageant. Isn't that positive enough for all us greedy whiny americons?

[nanoscare]

Welcome to the New, Improved... Republican First Lady.

[mh01]

Apparently no one can recognize a joke around here....

[soundfury]

I don't think his wife appreciated being the object of a joke delivered to a bunch of horny bikers.

[SilkySoul]

If you think this republican wondered off the reservation and made these positive comments about Obama on his on, I have some land in the Florida everglades I can sale you.This is a GOP plan to
pivot from the 2 weeks of throw the kitchen sink strategy.Please dont drink the GOP kool aid served by Pawlenty.

[soundfury]

You're right. Trust no one on the right.

[FaceYourFears]

I'm not sure the motive behind him saying that but JMC scares me with those dark eyes. Did you see the pic of him standing behind Pawlenty......it's scary.

[JonW]

The GOP needs more than the message. How about a younger ,articulate, intelligent candidate instead of a old relic from the past.

[Cowtippin]

I live in Minnesota and Pawlenty has not raised taxes. Oh I forgot to mention that he raised every other conceivable fee for anything and everything....like DMV fees, permits, parking meters, tickets....you name it...this guy is the worst...So he would be a great choice for Mccain. So all you chuckle brian GOP supports can vote for Mccain/Pawlenty. You are going to regret it. And if you do not want to vote for Obama....just stay home on election day like all the young Kerry supporters did in 2004

[wm1066]

He also cut funding to public libraries, cut funding to traffic radio, cut funding for people with cable to see the traffic cameras. Our standard of living has dropped greatly from this evangelical freak. But the super rich got more tax relief!

[mh01]

So you mean when the super rich taxes went from 8.5% to 7.85% in 1998 and 1999 (.65% decrese) they were the only ones that got a tax relief?

What about the not rich people when their taxes went from 6.0% to 5.35% (.65% decrease)?

They didn't benefit too?

FYI- apparently super rich in MN means you make more than $100,000.

Blame your declining standard of living on one guy and traffic cameras? So we shouldn't blame the dems who have controlled the state house for 42 out of the past 56 years? Or the senate, controlled by dems for ALL of the past 46 years?

Nope, not buying it.

[MNCurler]

How has your standard of living decreased? The Minnesota house and senate have been democratically controlled for years so if your standard of living has decreased I guess you should also put some blame on them- right?

[mh01]

I don't know how I'm going to be able to make it without being able to watch traffic on cable.

[emcd]

"Say what you will about Barack Obama," the Minnesota Republican told a conservative group, "people gravitate when you have something positive to say." He added that McCain has been positive as well.

"People want to follow hopeful, optimistic, civil, decent leaders," Pawlenty said in a speech to GOPAC, which helps recruit Republican candidates. "They don't want to follow some negative, scornful person."

The timing of this is a bit strange. It's almost like they are putting this comment out there -- AFTER THE MC CAIN NEGATIVE CAMPAIGNING -- in order to paint Obama as the bad guy if he hits back now!

[MaryanneAZ]

I think he's trying to get himself disqualified as a VP choice so that he does not have to find an excuse why he is unwilling to be on the ticket. If you blow it before the decision is made, then you can stay clear of the trouncing. It's a very saavy move. I do not see anyone credible running on the McC ticket. I do not think even attaching a cash prize to the offer would attract any takers. Anyone top-tier or up and coming is not going to jeopardize their careers to run on a potentially losing ticket. Oh, well....

[SilkySoul]

My sentiments exactly..

[tony2008]

Some accuse his no tax policy has contributed to budget cringe which led to the decay of infrstructure that may have caused the collapse of I-35 bridge. What does he say about that?

[kladinvt]

It's pretty funny to hear Pawlenty talking about 'new ideas' since his own ideas are directly out of the Rovian playbook, from fear-mongering about terrorism, gay marriage, taxes, to downplaying global warming & ignoring vital infrastructure (think the Interstate 35W bridge collapse) he's merely the same as all the other republicans. No Change Here!

[jackjack]

I think the way Pat Buchanan orgasms when he discusses negative ad strategy shows the heart and soul of Republican politics. They LOVE wallowing in the mud. Absolutely love it. Lies, cheating, distortions..hey! Its the American way to them.... They are devoid of decency unless they are using it to sway well intentioned albeit ill-informed evangelicals. Being positive is simply not the Republicans cup o tea.

[LynnDee]

Keep rewarding the Insurance companies? This is a new idea? What a positive message. Same old Same old! How about treating the person who is sick and not the bottom line?

[Kenne]

Tim Pawlenty, the young governor of Minnesota has been tossed around like an over-baked scone, doing the "Step 'n' fetchit to harbor goodwill with the McCain enterprise. With his name floated as a possible V.P. choice it is coming down to support or opposition for his selection by the citizens of the state. As a youthful figure Pawlenty neither possesses nor displays any of the political charm and acumen of Barack Obama, if that is what the McCain handlers are trying to offset.

McCain obviously hopes, with futility that with the grabbing of Gov. Pawlenty for the V.P. slot he will gain some traction in the state and possibly push the state into the Republican and therefore, November win column in the Fall electoral race. Whether or not the nearly octogenarian McCain really wants the school boyish Pawlenty, is questionable. Pawlenty and the state of Minnesota are essentially just stepping stones in a twice biennial political gambit.

Tim Pawlenty has gone from a poppet to a Pinocchio like puppet, trumpeting the McCain mantra of deception as gospel. Pawlenty is doing the, "Yes sir, me sir" routine to a T. Good old Pawlenty is mouthing the McCain cynical talking point of the moment in the hopes of garnering points over other contenders for the veep spot. He should know better. But, as with other highly aspirational politicians, he is walking that razor thin tight rope, trying to leverage his own political ambitions and, hoping he is not cut.

[bodo]

McCain's problem, ironically, is the same as Obama's. They both have to face a powerful opposition within their own party. While McCain has to battle the arch conservatives like Bob Barr and Limbaugh, Obama has to deal with the bitter Clintonites. Thus both of them are forced to fight a war of two fronts which can only weaken their position.

[VSamuels]

Excellent points. Many ole Clinton supporters saw a clear path to personal enrichment with Hillary, but are finding the path for poltical gain slowed by an Obama administration. When it really comes down to brass knucks, people are selfish and often are only motivated to do good because there lies some personal reward for themselves. Shelia Jackson Lee (D-TX) and her other knee-jerk colleague Tubbs (D-OH) are visibly absent from the scene now that Obama bested Clinton, even though both of their districts voted overwhelming for Obama; these two weasels will be among the weakest of the long standing black politicians should Obama prevail, it is difficult to imagine if either of them actually think an Obama win is a good thing for them personally in light of how they shrilled for the candidate who abandoned the 'black vote' for the hard, working white folks.

[Cyclone]

VSamuels

Thank you for that. I feel exactly the same way.

[vippy]

Not only the Clintons but the oldtime senators and congressmen/women. We need to help him
out and fire them and get new blood. Term limits would be great. There is nothing McCain can
do to sway voters. he is a dumb, old and feeble and he proves it every day.

[texanna]

Well, I don't think "anything says we're for the people" quite like letting the bridge fall down that they have to use to go to what few jobs are left.

[mh01]

Minnesota's unemployment 5.3% is and has been below the national average.

and, by the way, the national average of 5.7% is well within the historic average, and lower than at certain points in the clinton administration.

http://data.bls.gov/PDQ/servlet/SurveyOutputServlet

[sullydog]

10 points for you!

[Le_nombril]

"People want to follow hopeful, optimistic, civil, decent leaders," Pawlenty said...

All of the things that Pawlenty is not.

[k6007]

O should make a utube ad from it. :)