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

[AlwaysFairDem]

The guy is toast...he appears like a supporter of no one to me. No VP pick!

[BabsfromKansas]

He supports the good larwd - a right-wing evangelical through and through

[vegasobserver]

Does Pawlenty eat polenta?

[Podewumun]

She'll never kiss and tell.

[BabsfromKansas]

Perfect!

[johnmorgan]

Pulenty of polenta !

[swooge]

Puhleeze, Pawlenty eats plenty of polenta processed and picked pleasurably from plantations in Pawtucket.

[gazissax]

I find it laughable that Pawlenty is fobbing off McCain as someone who is delivering a positive message, but that's the "never criticize the candidate GOP".

[nonconformist2]

"They don't want to follow some negative, scornful person". This is the very definition of the Mc.Cain of 2008.

Despite their best efforts, sometimes the truth breaks free!

[SCG2]

The best thing for America, is the GOP is rendered to third party fringe status, where it belongs for the generation of damage it's done to this country.

[nonconformist2]

Be still my heart! One can only dream!

[ShamusNYC]

Afterwards, McCain took the young whipper-snapper over his knee, spanked him, and sent him to bed without any dinner.

[BabsfromKansas]

I bet he liked the spanking!

[Mark01]

This is the stupid headline on the CNN

"Potential McCain VP pick slams Obama's 'life oratory'

[SDnavyPROUD]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: The addiction to MSM is what's killing our election system! Turn off the TV and read a book, walk your dog, or call the family! Only they can save us.

[gloriar8]

McCain in the background looks like he's glaring at Pawlenty, saying "oh no he didn't". Lollolololol

[Exit]

See the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KheM688oddk&e

[BabsfromKansas]

Thanks!

[gladys46]

Did he not give glowing review of O .... then thought to add Mc!!?

[Dreamers101]

Thank you very much

[SweetSydney]

Are the Dems still going to let babydaddy Joh-n Ed-wards speak at the convention?

[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

Why is Cheeeny not speaking at the Repub convention?

[nonconformist2]

Enough said!

[EarthToZoey]

Keep up the good work, Newman :)

[CaptainVideo]

They do need to check whether there actually is any fire under the smoke the National Enquirer is blowing just to be on the safe side. But so far, the only thing the Enquirer has offered on this is a lot of phony baloney.

[NotGuilty]

Is McCain's black 'love-child' going to speak at the GOP Convention?

[SweetSydney]

Wouldn't that be great?

[swooge]

We'll tell you if you reveal which public restroom your speaker is going to "orate" from.

[EarthToZoey]

D'oh!

[lornejl]

You really don't want to bring up repub scandals do you gossip boy ?

[BabsfromKansas]

Snap!

[SweetSydney]

Is that a yes or no on babydaddy John?

[Skepticat]

Stephen Covey the motivational speaker/writer once used an analogy of driving around Chicago using a mislabelled street map that due to printing error was actually a map of Detroit.
It wouldn't help if you were positive and upbeat , tried harder, cheered, sang motivational songs or drove faster, or even called other drivers names because your original premise is flawed.
This is the plight of the current crop of Republicans.

[BabsfromKansas]

Great analogy!

[nonconformist2]

Good analogy.

[kay]

The Maverick jeered at O's voters. There are 18 million of them. The candidate HIMSELF did that.

It's freaking unprecedented. Political candidates don't sneer at VOTERS. Particularly political candidates who have never, ever won 18 million votes.

[nofltwlt]

A VOTE FOR McCAIN IS A VOTE FOR A POLICE STATE.

Truly patriotic Americans would never vote for McCain who has facilitated the illegitimate, corrupt, shadow, puppet government that has been installed right before our eyes, in plain daylight.

[gladys46]

Maybe they want to be conscripted in 100 yrs of war, war ... as wards of the state! Mc's state of military rule!!

[nonconformist2]

Oops, another republican "accidentally" telling the truth. Bring out the white van and whisk him away to the laboratory until his neural implant can be adjusted, can be adjusted, can be adjusted, can be adjusted, can be a.d.j.u.s.t.e.d...........

[Mayoyo]

There only two reasons he would say that at this time: He knows he will not be the VP or he decided he no longer wants the job...I like the latter better
And after Mccain stunt last night at the sturgis, I do not blame him.

[kay]

O got more votes in the Democratic primary that The Maverick has ever pulled in any race.

I think this guy probably figured out that jeering at 18 million Americans isn't a sound strategy. It's not "persuasive".

I've never seen a major Party candidate actually jeer at the opposition's VOTERS. I mean it. Think about it. It's as if John Kerry taped one of those wacky quasi-religious Bush rallies and just HOOTED and POINTED at the Bush voters. Not even Bush did it. It's insane.

The candidate HIMSELF did that. I think it's a new low for conservatives.

[TovSquirrel]

"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."

St. Ronnie was ancient then. The great dissembler.