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

[springsm]

so I believe that is discernmen­t...Oopsy,

[caywen]

Yeah, McCain has the wrong attitude.

[kay]

It's him. It's what he is. I've known it for at least ten years.

The Maverick is a nasty piece of work. The rest is celebrity.

[gladys46]

Yes it's him ... a very meanspirited person ... he's not a happy person, observe his short choppy laughter & grins .... forced!! Whoever dubbed him a "Maverick" didn't get it!!

[SCG2]

I'm beginning to think this "Maverick" nonsense was groomed for AZ consumption all these years.

[Superbus]

The Dems have two young attractive and competent vp candidates who would add to Obama, Bayh and Warner.

The Repubs have three young attractive comepteny vp candidates who would add to McCain, Palin, Pawlenty and Portman.

Anybody else would be politics as usual.

[AMJordan]

And the Repulsives STILL have an old, unattractive, and INCOMPETENT pres candidate in John Mc-Cain. Surely you clowns could have come up with something better? Even old Slush Limburger would have been an improvement.

[alieninvader]

Slush Limburger definitely gives me the shivers.

[TheEmptinessOfTruthiness]

Nah, you actually found a comparison that makes McMavvy look (uhhh) good.

[TheEmptinessOfTruthiness]

Not Mavericky enough for you (Paid McCain Poster) Shortbus?

[TheEmptinessOfTruthiness]

Hey, who flagged me??

C'mon you guys, fight fair.

Ok I won't call Shortbus a paid McCain poster any more ... :)

[swooge]

Palin--under investigation

Pawlenty--0bama lover

Portman?--Because she was queen of Naboo but I don;t think she's old enough to qualify.

[Superbus]

Mr. Pawlenty has a point, but lately, Super Oz has become increasingly bitter over being exposed by the McCainiacs as an airhead.

[SCG2]

Perception is not among your keener qualities.

[ThunderclapNewman]

More lies from Shortbus the Liar.

[alieninvader]

"McCainiacs"? Do they waive their walking sticks around till they go to bed at 8:00?

[kay]

Nope. He was funny in Ohio. He has solid comedic timing. No bitter aftertaste. He pulled it off. I saw it early in a debate with HRC. The California one.

It's hard to pull off. The Maverick can't do it.

[SweetSydney]

You're so right, kay.

Bar-ry makes a much better comic than Mac, no question about it.

Hey, kay, you're in the know so maybe you can answer my question.

Are Dems going to let babydaddy Edwards speak at the convention?

[AuntieChrist]

Dearie me, "Super Oz" is not bitter about "being exposed"; if anything, he's doing a fine job of exposing the McCainiac campaign as being full of airheads.

...and Mr. Pawlenty's party DOES have a point, though his party is dismayed that it's not in their traditional garb: the pointy hooded white robes accompanied by burning crosses.

Auntie Chist

[AuntieChrist]

Errata: ...and Mr. Pawlenty DOES have a point, though his party is dismayed that it's not in their traditional garb: the pointy hooded white robes accompanied by burning crosses.

Auntie Chist

[thegreatgiginthesky]

Its tough to be honest when your sitting on so many lies Mr. Pawlenty. Now do everyone a favor and get lost, you and your kind need to crawl back down the gutter you came out of.

[BethinIllinois]

Why on EARTH would you be so insulting. Disagree with someone's politics. But that kind of attitude says a lot more about you than about him.

(Though I must admit, I was so incensed b/c I thought you said "you and your KIDS," which I think is over the top... I misread it.)

[vat6948]

Gov. Tim would be a fool to hitch his star to the McCain train-wreck. With bridges falling into rivers, Timmy needs to get back to work.

[maxdenn]

America is hurting. Because of the domestic and foreign policies of g.w.b. The president is barely skidding along on his rump relative to his popularity with the people of this country. He is even more disliked in other nations than here. The prez is a liar and a cheap swindler. And the GOP presidential candidate aspires to continue playing Americans like a cheap two dollar banjo. There is absolutely nothing to recommend elevating the repub candidate to the presidency. I'll be voting Dem this coming November.

[separatingwheatfromchaff]

Cheap Swindler,that's got a nice ring to it,I like it.

[Superbus]

FYI - America is doing fine, even though times are tough. Of couse liberals can't make it during hard times unless they get hand outs from rich conservatives.

[ThunderclapNewman]

Why can't you offer proof for the claims you make, Shortbus?

[VolvoBirkenstock]

Poor ShortbusTheLiar.

Still showing his ignorance.

[Dreamers101]

Fames quote from BO

"It's like these guys take pride in being igno'rant"

[AMJordan]

Honestly! I think you should stop this and go away. Every single time you've posted the last couple of days (at the very least) you have shown yourself to be an complete and total ignorant dimbulb who is probably not even an American. Any American who knows anything about cars knows that keeping the tires inflated correctly saves gas. You don't, so I have to assume you're a plant from some country like Russia or China.

[gladys46]

So why would Mc order congress back to work!!??

[nelore]

go drill somewhere

[blurredtruth]

What planet is the governor from...Plu­to? This shows how out of touch these people are.

[separatingwheatfromchaff]

It's easy to get in the same groove Mr.Pawlent­y,just start prosecuting and convicting all the criminals the GOP has given a pass the last eight years.I guarantee you things will get better for the GOP.Quit talking about the GOP brand.When a criminal commits a felony his future is clouded because of the felony,not his name.

[SCG2]

CNN now: Ben Stein is upset with Paris Hilton for ridiculing Mc Cain's age etc.

This is from a member, who's party ridicules the poor and sick numerous times. Republicans ridicule constantly, yet the shoe pinches when it's aimed back at the dealer huh?

Spare me the indignation. I'll save it for those you deserve it, not bullies.

I

[Superbus]

The more we see and hear Paris Hilton, the more it helps John McCain.

[ThunderclapNewman]

Wrong again, Shortbus.

She eviscerated him in that ad---she handed him his own wrinkled white @ss on a platter.

It was a joy to behold.

[swooge]

Because you think she's a viable third-party candidate and will take votes away from 0bama or that when she ridicules McNovacain the kiddies will think he's "supacool" in a counterculture type way?

heh......Y­ou and blow_job..­....you guys should start you own act.

Thank you for all you do to brighten my day. xxoo swooge/SI

[VolvoBirkenstock]

Still repeating the OxyAddict's daily talking point, ShortbusTheLiar?

[Dreamers101]

Oh really so how many of the young people that love Paris and maybe was thinking voting Rethuglican this year but now was turned towards Senator O like her parents for instance?

[ZHarris]

No... it's reminds people that McBooosh brought her into the campaign as an "issue".

[thegreatgiginthesky]

What he is really mad about is the fact that clear eyes has decided to go with Hilton instead of him.

[kay]

Is this going to work? O is traveling the country, talking to people, and The Maverick, a 72 year old candidate for President, is engaged in some 2 week tit for tat grudge match with....Pa­ris Hilton?

Was this supposed to go like this? Maybe I'm missing the brilliance.

[SweetSydney]

"Is this going to work?"

See? I knew kay was getting anxious.

Shoulda gone with the vetted one, kay.

[Superbus]

What planet are you on? Are you sure you're not channeling Danbury/Thalia?

[AMJordan]

Isn't it great? If only Hunter Thompson had lived to see it.

[SCG2]

Yes, even Paris has more credibility than the Maverick now a days. lol

[SCG2]

Kay, Paris has more credibility these days, than Mc Maverick.

[lornejl]

Anyone else find the endless speculation about v.p.'s as boring as daily polls ? Do some real work MSM, stick to issues, real stuff.

[SweetSydney]

"According to Olber-mann’s post on The D-aily K-os (how perfectly appropriate), it seems Mil-bank notified Olber-mann that after four years of appearing with him, Mil-bank accepted another television offer. Olber-mann was apparently irate about a column by Mil-bank last week that created difficulty for Bar-ack Oba-ma, and therefore banned Milb-ank from his program. Olber-mann alleges that Mil-bank took a comment by Oba-ma out of context (readers can decide for themselves whether that is in fact a fair charge) and would not explain himself. And so Dan-a Milb-ank, who after four years of playing up to Olber-mann deigned to write a single critical column on The Great Oba-ma, was quickly censured. Such are the exacting journalistic standards of Olber-mann, and, apparently, the network for which he works."


It's fun watching the left destroying itself over Bar-ry.

I can't wait to watch KO's coverage of election returns.

[ThunderclapNewman]

SweetSydney
As long as he doesn't smile or stare.
posted 07/18/2008 at 20:14:41

SweetSydney
Anybody know where ole purple lips is going tomorrow?
Maybe Iraq?
Flagged Posted 09:23 PM on 07/19/2008

SweetSydney
"Watermelons don't even have any food value, and they're heavy and fragile and impossible to ship." But they sure taste good on a hot summer day! Ask O, I'll bet he agrees.
posted Jul 16, 2008 at 09:39:04

[Superbus]

Playing with yourself again. VW out of town?

[robertsandimas]

Thanks for that compilation. Wish we could ban posters by vote. He'd be gone.

[swooge]

HAHAHAHAHA­HAHAHAHAHA­HAHAHAHAHA­HAHA!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!

Oh yes! The left is destroying itself because a guy changed jobs over a disagreement at work.

Do you actually have a job? Because it doesn't seem to me that you get out much. Unwind little Blow_Job..­.....relax­......cool a minute.

You may just come to your senses.

Nah, you're a tool. Keep up the good work. I can't buy comedy this good.

Thank you for all you do :) xxoo swooge/SI

[BradPittsburgh]

KO is the leader of all O followers and you do not say anything negative about O messiah as Dana found out and as many here on huffington post have found out.

[ThunderclapNewman]

What utter nonsense.

You post lie after lie after lie.
It's what silly P-UMAs do.

[swooge]

"many here on huffington post have found out"?????

HAHAHAHAHA­HAHAHAHAHA­HAHA!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!

You're trying to horn in on BJ's and Superdopes comedy routine.

You wants I should rub 'im out Blow_job?

[BigFootJesus]

Journalistic integrity confounds you. Go back to sleep. Everything is O.K.

[GuyFawkes]

Neither can I. Should be fun covering McW's inevitable meltdown when he gets rolled worse than Bob Dole. I mean, if he stays up late enough to see the results, Sweetie.

[kay]

Are they really going to try this? Pretend they're not low-down and nasty?

The people that IDOLIZE Karl Rove?

After 8 years of incredibly thuggish behavior?

They should just stick to what they know. Attack ads and smears. Really. Diversifying at this point is silly.

[Podewumun]

How sweet.
Governor "In Favor Of Lower Taxes Even If The Bridge Collapses" waxes philosophic.

[AuntieChrist]

Oh my my...
Dearie me...

Your Auntie Chrἱst sees that the unthἱnking masses of that fellow who likes to play with puppets are out in full force today.
Dear me, what is his name?

Oh, that's it: Sυn Myυng Mοon.

Your Auntie has also noticed that your evangelἱcal brethren are also here; all in support of that old wrinkly whἱte gυy.

You pοor wretched dearies are really pathetἱc, and that makes your Auntie Chrἱst sad.

Poor dearies, craning your heads back like little birds for the rich punditocracy or the equally rich modern day Pharisees for them to regurgitate their vile bile into your receptἱve and hungry little mouths.

A diet of ἱgnorance flavored with fear and heated by hαte.

Haven't you dearies noticed that most of the other birdies flew the coop?
Your numbers are so VERY VERY low.

You must be the little penned quails who keep telling themselves that their party would never do anything to endanger THEM.

You poor pathetἱc empty heαded little buffοons (your Auntie Chrἱst means that in a loving way), your party has already shοt America in the face and bagged so many other birdies...

Still, you think that YOU'RE more important than all of the rest?

Tsk tsk tsk...

Go ahead and continue with your belief in the goodness of the GOP, maybe as you flap your arms in desperation to get away you wont hear that final shοt.

Auntie Chrἱst