HuffPost's Howard Fineman Discusses Tim Pawlenty And Michele Bachmann On 'The Last Word With Lawrence O'Donnell' (VIDEO)

The Huffington Post's Howard Fineman appeared Monday night on 'The Last Word With Lawrence O'Donnell.'

Fineman spoke about Tim Pawlenty's video response to President Obama's 2012 campaign launch. Fineman explained, "He's [Pawlenty] got this young guy named Lucas Baiano, the filmmaker, who is on his own terms sensationally good at what he does. If you're looking for something that's halfway between a video game like Call of Duty, you know, and a movie trailer, and you want to try to make Tim Pawlenty exciting as a strong opponent to the President, that's the way to do it."

Speaking about another potential candidate from Minnesota, Michele Bachmann, Fineman observed, "if you're looking for people who are going to be in the Republican race who have a sense of how things work right now, I would put Pawlenty and Bachmann right up there."

WATCH (via MSNBC):

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

 

Comments

[shannington]

04:05 PM on 04/05/2011

I posted a comment below about Lawrence O'Donnell and how I wish he would stop saying that Pawlenty has no real or glaring issues. I received numerous responses to my post, and because of those responses, I decided to do something about it.

I emailed Lawrence O'Donnell today. I begged him to stop saying there are no major issues with Pawlenty. I laid out the facts and provided sources.

I just wanted to say thank you to those who responded to me. You motivated me to take action. If and when I hear back from Lawrence, I will be sure to let everyone know what he said.

Thanks again,

Shannington

[ThomasVeil]

11:46 AM on 04/05/2011

Notice how "talking about issues" is not one of the ways O'Donnell came up with of how to be taken seriously as politician. Raising money, dynamic speaking and flashy videos - that's the way to go.

And that this video had no time for talking about issues either just shows how complicit the media is.

[audiophileguy]

11:33 AM on 04/05/2011

So Mr. Fineman is saying that Pawlenty and Bachmann are qualified on the basis of "having a sense of how things work." I would respectfully submit that neither of these candidates could win a state-wide race in Minnesota. Pawlenty is widely disrespected for the job he did as governor, and began seeking another office when he recognized that he could not win re-election. Bachmann could never win a state wide election, as her gerrymandered district is among the most conservative in the state. Neither has any proven skills at leading so much as a girl scout troop. But they both "have a sense of how things work"..........Yikes.

[shannington]

04:07 PM on 04/05/2011

F & F

[Halfback]

11:14 AM on 04/05/2011

Reeeally?! Pawlenty, what the heck you did with MN?! No thanks...

[MosesDidItBest]

10:43 AM on 04/05/2011

Sorry, no more GOP or Tea Party candidates.

[Hillbilly49]

09:33 AM on 04/05/2011

Right wing republicans hope the economy gets worse.

[mnnyer]

09:24 AM on 04/05/2011

Glitzy videos and repackaging don't work all the time.
We won't be fooled again. T-Paw has nothing that makes him "that guy".

[ILoveTheUSofA]

09:17 AM on 04/05/2011

I have no idea why Fineman thinks those movie-trailer type ads will have any effect on swing voters. They leave you feeling more worried, maybe, but they do nothing to make you think that Pawlenty has any solutions.

[daddyG56]

09:53 AM on 04/05/2011

Sounds perfect for a Republican. Scare them, make them worry, offer no solutions.

Totally appropriate.

[beanie]

09:03 AM on 04/05/2011

The theme of Pawlenty's trailer does resonate. What has really changed for the better for the middle class? Has the President translated his campaign rhetoric into government policies that better the middle class? Will Pawlenty be any different if he is elected President? If campaigning and governing are unrelated why are we subjected to the constant din of election campaigns and their feigned significance? Should we not be concerned that a sitting President "announces" his candidacy with over 1/3 of his term remaining to govern and set policy?

We are in an endless cycle of constant campaigning. We elect our President and our representatives. Then the opposition constantly undermines the governing process of the electees. Then another campaign cycle begins with each side promising next time it will be different!

Would someone please hit the reset button?

[ArkayMI]

10:52 AM on 04/05/2011

Totally agree. I wish I could hit the reset button but the best I can do is to hit the 'Fav' button. We need campaign finance reform (like 30 years back)

[foxbat]

08:59 AM on 04/05/2011

Fineman said, "It's amazing how quickly American politics is changing ... how the grammar and language and tactics of it are changing ... as the media are changing ... everything is changing very quickly."

And therein lies the biggest issue.  Last time around, the reason that McCain's campaign looked so gimmicky, including the pick of SP, was that he couldn't move/react quickly enough.  Toss in a candidate that his campaign hadn't planned on having to fight ... McCain's camp had eight years to prepare for Clinton or a Kerry-esque opponent ... and Obama made their plans look like the Maginot Line.  On the other hand, President Obama understands nuance and subtlety and tends to be fairly quick on his feet; especially in pressure situations.  He and his team understand the idea of the changing 21st century dynamics better than most.  In the long run, for at least this component of the campaign, if the most that Pawlenty can coem up with is a video that looked like something from the 70s, minus the mushroom cloud, then it's advantage Obama.

[shannington]

08:45 AM on 04/05/2011

I really wish Lawrence O'Donnell would stop saying there aren't any glaring issues with Pawlenty. He has a lot of issues, including the fact that Minnesotans don't even like him. Not even Minnesota Republicans. There's also the 35-W bridge collapse, he lied about tax increases and he also gave MN the largest deficit in the history of our state.

[mnnyer]

09:23 AM on 04/05/2011

I'm a Minnesotan who agrees with you completely.
Pawlenty had our legislature run details of policy through his evangelical church. He is a panderer at his best, a flip-flopper at his worst. Not ONE redeeming factor.

[shannington]

10:16 AM on 04/05/2011

I couldn't agree more, mnnyer. Already a fan of yours.

[Defender of Truth]

11:02 AM on 04/05/2011

If it is true that TP ran legislature details through his evangelical church, then this is another reason why he should be opposed. I am truly angry that this country is being pulled around by the evangelicals and some of their outlandish beliefs; i.e., the earth is only 6000 years old, that mad and dinosaurs walked together. And those are but a couple of the many issues that are detrimental to the education of children to name but one result of their belief system.

[Insightfulgrl]

10:29 AM on 04/05/2011

I too am from Minnesota. Pawlenty came out and said he did not listen to us, because "he knew better". This is crazy talk that got Wisconsin in trouble. We as Americans need someone who values "We the People" not "Me the People" or even "You the People" I did not vote for him and will not vote for him.

The comment on Michelle. I hope she does decide to run we will finally be rid of her in Minnesota. Her district is not mine. She is leading the Christian cause?. Christianity is estimated to be 70% of America leaving out the other 30%. Bachmann talks to the Evangelist which make up .3%. Seems like the more because this is so glaringly loud. I am tired of the .3% and the 1% getting most of the attention.

This country was founded on "We the People" GOP needs to realize this. They can not talk about workers right to me. Really? Look at their track records. Obama can't get anything done because we have so many GOP in office right now. I wish no one party had a majority. It would not be balanced and in the best interest for all of "We the People" Check and Balance. 30rep - 30 dem- 10 independent and the rest maybe even some of those other parties out there like the green party or others Wonder what it would be like with someone truly new and different in power?

[GunnyJ]

08:33 AM on 04/05/2011

The Republicans simply have no plan. No plan. No plan. No plan.

[ArkayMI]

10:54 AM on 04/05/2011

But unfortunately the Democrats in house/senate could not agree on a plan either between Jan 2009 and Jan 2011.

[jamerican negril]

08:28 AM on 04/05/2011

g00pers are great at letting us kn0w what they're against. EVERYTHING president 0 supp0rts. what are they actually for and what are their plans?

[cybersense]

08:37 AM on 04/05/2011

not much that has helped, or will help this nation. I think they would love to take over a third world country so that they can have their way.

[callforchange]

08:18 AM on 04/05/2011

I would love to see a candidate run against Obama with a different plan, ideas, or be able to discuss what they would do. But those on the right, can't. They don't have a plan, solution or anything positive to tell the American people about how they would create jobs, bring back our jobs, make everyone pay their fair share. The are not like that. Have you ever heard them say anything about how they would make HC better for all? Secure seniors in their retirement age? They don't want that. They want to run by bashing Obama, without a plan and we the people elect them. We would be fools again to do so. 2010 proved that. Many governors and those elected now have done 0 for the middle class and poor. They are doing everything they can to cut jobs rather than create jobs. Don't fall for it.

[cybersense]

08:39 AM on 04/05/2011

It wouldn't matter. You see - you campaign, you get in, you have to deal with the swamy political forces. You wouldn't be all that happy with someone different because of the political climate right now. Just is - people need to understand that part.

[HeadlessHessian]

07:39 AM on 04/05/2011

"HuffPost's Howard Fineman Discusses Tim Pawlenty And Michele Bachmann "
Short discussion! :-)