Pawlenty: what a moron.

[trotsky]

The Strib has a piece today covering a taping for "Meet the Press" Timmy did yesterday. (http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/95078289.html)

The idiot contradicts himself plain as day. He first says that government "tyranny" is increasing whenever the government takes something away from the private sector. Then he drops this gem, without a hint of cognitive dissonance:

On the BP oil spill, Pawlenty ...question(ed) why Washington didn't have a "government-led" contingency plan for such leaks in place and said it should have reacted more quickly after the spill occurred.

Which is it, Timmy? Should the government get out of the way, or should it mobilize specialized resources (requiring $$$$$$$$ in taxes) to deal with a problem that an oil company should be able to manage?

Well we all know the answer, of course. If it can make Democrats look bad, then you blame the government for not doing more. While still keeping your conservative "creds" of hating it when government does ANYTHING.

On edit, I should add this gem of a quote from a questioner in the audience:

"I've found that you consistently have disdain when people strongly disagree with you and invariably treat them in a disrespectful kind of way. You tend to carry yourself as though you're the only adult in the room."

Brilliant. That's Little Timmy to a T.

[Bosso 63]

1. Cognitive dissonance?

This narcissistic flyweight of a dolt thinks he has what it takes to go up against Obama in 2012.
Now that's cognitive dissonance.

[loveable liberal]

2. First place in the race to the bottom! -sigh-.....

[SomeGuyInEagan]

3. How many times did he mention Sam's Club? The guy is a lightweight ...

... and will go nowhere in national politics. The last thing the Republicans want right now is someone who is not seething anger and ignorance ... right now Timmy only has the ignorance part down.

[dflprincess]

4. Timmy might be the perfect pawn for the powers that be

he wouldn't mind being the front man for the corporate interests running the company just so long as he got to put "president" in front of his name.

And he proved he'll follow orders when he dropped out of the 2002 senate race at Bushco's command so he might be favored by that crowed.

[SomeGuyInEagan]

5. True that he can take orders ...

... and I agree with you that he would do whatever the company wants in exchange for the title (as usual, you and I agree on many points).

I just think the "Golly, I'm a nice guy" persona won't fly with the Republican base in 2010 - they want fired up, seething rhetoric and hate. Of course, he could always try to ratchet that up.

[trotsky]

6. I think you're right.

I just think the "Golly, I'm a nice guy" persona won't fly with the Republican base in 2010 - they want fired up, seething rhetoric and hate.

Look at who they nominated for governor. Look at who their favorite MN politician is these days - Bachmann. Look at their favorite national politician/airhead: Palin. (Alternating with Rand Paul, of course.)

You are correct, the Repub base isn't interested in Smarmy Timmy. Oh, he'd likely be a formidable candidate because he's slicker than snot on a doorknob and no one ever holds him accountable for the wreck he leaves in his wake. But thankfully, he doesn't stand a chance of the nomination.

[dflprincess]

7. You guys make excellent points

but those in charge of the pary know the Rand Paul and Palin types run a big risk of scaring off more voters than they'll attract and both Paul & Palin may be more difficult to control while they can be pretty sure Pawlenty would be a willing stooge.

Their image makers can tough Timmy up a bit - they may already have started because I haven't seen much of "Mr. Nice Guy" lately. And while Tim himself may not start shrieking quite as loudly I'm sure those who want to see him as the nominee would be willing to use third party advertising to get the message of hate and bigotry across on his behalf. As long as Pawleny isn't spewing the stuff directly he'll have some deniability that may fool the slightly less insane members of the right.

[glinda]

8. Again I must say that no one should underestimate him and the monster behind him.

It is all based upon exterior perception and the fact that he is able to craft full sentences that have the appearance that he knows what he is talking about. Many average people do not know that he lies. All the photo opts for fishing and other things he has been doing is laying the groundwork for this.
His plain midwestern white guy thing is a great appeal to many. I fear he is actually the most dangerous candidate.
It is our duty to educate the public about him. Do not let his past die in regards to the Bridge, to the cuts, to the deficit, to his disdain and hate for the middle and lower class, hate for gays, hate for MN. die.