Tim Pawlenty Urges College Republicans To Follow Eminem's Example

Having previously attested to the belief that Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty has real potential to take on a leadership role in the GOP, I'm naturally chagrinned to see TPaw out in public, doing things that make me look foolish for saying so. Via Hotline On Call comes the news that Pawlenty recently addressed the College Republicans National Convention, and offered up a metaphor that he maybe should have thought through a little better:

Opening his remarks with a reference to NBC's "Inside the Obama White House" special, Pawlenty told the gathering of about 200 students, "I haven't seen something that staged since that half-naked Austrian fell onto the face of Eminem at the MTV music awards."

"Eminem was mad," he continued, to laughter and applause. "And so, just like Eminem getting dumped on, we've got to kind of regroup. We've got to continue to fight. And we've got some things worth fighting for."

In the first place, Pawlenty seems to be unaware that Eminem was not genuinely "mad," but that the stunt was "all rehearsed, right down to Eminem's mock disgust." Beyond that, how far does Pawlenty want the College Republicans to do in "regrouping," Eminem style? Does he want them to spit insulting rhymes at Sarah Palin? Threaten their spouses with bodily harm? Sue their mothers? Naturally, if this leads the College Republicans to do a duet with Elton John, I'll be the first to suggest that such a pairing would, indeed, make for an enchanting night of song.

Anyway, I am going to infer from his dislike of the Bruno/Eminem stunt that Pawlenty is not bullish on the Tea Party movement.

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Comments

[J Matthew Wampler]

Seriously? This guy made a comment about a popular college-age award show to a college age audience. Why beat him over the head for simply using a pop culture analogy in a speech? He didn't say 'Republicans should follow Eminem's example and release our anger on homosexuals and women.' It was a vague analogy at best, and writing an article berating him for mentioning an event that his audience might understand is completely ludicrous; and also subtracts from Mr. Linkin's credibility rather than Tim Pawlentys.

[SweetBabu]

It would be OK for if the analogy was apt. But what he's talking about was a stunt concocted by Eminem and an actor playing a part. There's no "Austrian," Eminem wasn't mad and didn't need to regroup. It's an apt thing to ridicule because Pawlenty (and apparently his audience) didn't get it. It shows how out of touch he and his audience are.

[JamesLM207]

Well, maybe because M+M is a misogynist homophobe who's written raps about raping his mother? Hardly a role model type.

[We-Are-The-Ones]

I disagree. It goes to show how Pawlenty is trying to appear knowledgeable about this crowd, but it shows that he is not. He seemed grossly out of touch and mis informed.

In essence, he seemed like the regular republican. Sad.

[LooktotheLeft]

What's w/ Pawlenty's face? He looks like he's had it stretched more than Za Za Gabor. How come is it that these "c*hristiany" types look so plastic. He should donate his face to Madam Trussaud's

[PeaceIsMyName]

Inside the Obama White House was staged? LOL

I guess the same special NBC did for the Bush Administration back in early 2002 was also staged. What a stupid and pointless thing to make an issue about.

And the whole Eminem comparison was just awkward and failed.

[Lane4411]

Suggest VERY STRONGLY THAT each of you

y-tube: Generation CHICKENHAWK

OH THOSE YOUNG REPUBLICANS - A CLASSIC

After watching get back with me!!!!

[gregrocker1]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFGit_tZDqs

Priceless. Perfectly catches the Little Lords Fauntleroy working to keep the world safe for Father's inheritance. Their conventions are a hodgepodge of gay bashing seminars mixed with nightly gay orgies of pasty flab.

[Lane4411]

Gregrocker1:

Could not help myself twittered Newt, Vitter, with the attachment

Those kids at the convention were absolutely pathetic!!!

[jweider]

if they are going to follow pawlentys advice and follow eminems example, I think it would be wise for these college repubs to wait until after they graduate to sue their mothers.
It makes it tough to call home for cash while the lawsuit is pending.

[Tom Payned]

Don't they have enough spousal violence?

[haval2]

Great Timmy...along with Family Values and your right wing nutters a side order of misogyny is a great direction to swing to....damn big tent all right!

[xtiangodloki]

It's almost impossible for Conservatives to act "cool" and "hip". When they try most of the time it just backfires. They should just stick their anti-anyth­ing-but-wh­ite-and-ch­ristian rhetoric..

[kvet]

Too Bad Sasha C Didnt fall On Tims Podium so he could get a good View....

LOL...

[CessnaDriver]

In case you missed it, Norm Coleman said over the weekend that in order for the Repugs to become relevant to youth, they should get busy on the "Ethernet".

[drumz]

And what college did M&M go to?

Somehow republicanism and the school of hard knocks doesn't jive.

[pwiecek]

And another OWG shows his ineptitude in dealing with the new media...

...Oh, wait...

...I guess the OLD media is too newfangled for them too.

[Bramble8]

Eminem supported Kerry in 04??

[nowarpleez]

And Obama in 08. This guy has no idea what he's talking about; also that half naked Austrian is a British commedian and the whole thing was a stunt.

[BobDobbs757]

What?!? Urging young republicans to get teabagged and be all peachy keen with it.. I thought they don't take kindly to same sex devilish acts.

[drumz]

Shhh! They still don't know what teabagging means.

[mindara65]

Oh and how delicious it was for the rest of us to watch all the teabaggers teabagging!!
And now, Eminem??? I wonder what he might have to say about that? LOL

[nini516]

WOW!! Rush Limbaugh now Eminem. Great GOP leadership!! ROTFLMAO

More entertainers leading the party. It's crazy SNL and Mad TV comedy writers don't even need to create material, GOP put's their foot in it every single day.

[GLT21]

If the Rs want crotch in the face.

They got it.

[dillydawg]

LOL

[bowthai]

Has he been hanging out with Michael Steele?

[Pupadup4oBama]

fo'shizzle