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

[lovethesinner]

"... that half-naked Austrian fell onto the face of Eminem at the MTV music awards."

Tim is clearly a little more clued in than most as to the make up of the college republicans.

Clean-cut 'Craigslist Killer' suspect Philip Markoff gave off 'creepy vibe':
"At college, he was a member of the College Republicans and was fairly unremarkable except for the occasional offensive comment, said ex-classmate Joe Coe.
"He was someone that had issues with people of color, had issues with women,"

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2009/04/22/2009-04-22_smart_cleancut_kid_markoff_creepy_vibe.html

[TexasDem0]

The next great GOP role model, Eminem. . . because there was no one better qualified to lead them.

[jjgg5]

I hope Pawlenty's political career is coming to an end. Minnesota doesn't want him and neither does the rest of the country. Borat's butt isn't the only thing that stinks.

[Opt1musPr1me]

Wow Pawlenty is moving more and more to the nut right. This yet another sign that these Republicans have nothing to sell to the American people. They have no new message no new plan no new nothing. All they are doing is nit picking at ridiculous irrelevant stuff things. Note to Pawlenty: "Inside the Obama White House" is staged to some degree. Its a TV special. The interview with the President was planned into it. The Interview with Rahm was planned into it even though Rahm didn't really want to do it. Focus on your party and how you plan to come back. While you guys are nit picking, Obama is already looking at his next term.

[Topfeeder]

Dude. No. Just no.

[pakaal]

Eminem? The Eminem who, just before the 2004 elections released the bitter anti-Bush screed "Mosh", enjoining young people to reject the fascist policies of the Bush administration and vote him out of office? That Eminem?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOLMVQa0KD8

I agree with T-Paw, by all means young Republicans, follow Eminem's example!

[ajax2]

Eminem and Britany the Republican Book of Quotations.

[AgrippinaMinora]

Ummm... has Pawlenty ever heard "Mosh"? I believe it was released right before the 2004 election and it is scathing.

[Polichick66]

Fail

[factotem]

Yes, because nothing says "Republican" quite like a white punk rapping.

[AgrippinaMinora]

LOL! Ice, ice baby.

[LWilkinson315]

Does Eminem know he is the new inspiration for the republican party?? LOL

[joewalters]

Umm... somebody tell Tim Pawlenty that Sacha Baron Cohen is not Austrian. In fact, he is Orthodox Jewish and was born in London.

[PresidentRobertBooth]

College Republicans should follow the example of a staged skit on an awards show?


Hmm...OK then.

[Skyhawk]

Regroping? Oops I misread.

[inEugene]

Hey Tim, sniff my man t a i n t. Smells like GOP sprit.