Pawlenty lays blame for GOP failures

[DearAbby]

Washington (CNN) - Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty appears to be distancing himself from the Bush administration and some national Republicans in an Esquire Magazine interview published Friday.

Pawlenty, a Republican and two-term governor, said in the wide-ranging interview that the Republican party "blew it" and "got fired for a reason."

"The Republicans had their shot not long ago to address the real needs and concerns of everyday Americans, and they blew it.... We got fired for a reason," Pawlenty told Esquire. "We just lost our way. You can't say that your hallmark issues are that we're going to control spending, keep taxes low, and make government accountable, and then go to Washington and do the opposite.... Let's face it, when Republicans had total control over it, they didn't do what they said they were gonna do."

Pawlenty told Esquire the difference between rhetoric and action had consequences. "We got our cans kicked – for two election cycles in a row. The marketplace measurement in politics is something called an election. It's a pretty good barometer – it's transparent, it's numerical, it's objective. It gives you a pretty good measure of what your customers think of you. And in 2006 and 2008, the marketplace was telling the Republicans, 'We prefer the products and services of your competitors.'"

Pawlenty also spoke out about "name-calling" when asked if he thought President Obama is a socialist.

"You know, I don't think name-calling is helpful. I've done my share of that, so I'm not Pollyannaish about how the political process works," he said. "But as a general proposition, I think these are serious times, the country's in significant danger, and I think we need people who are thoughtful. We're gonna have sharp differences, but we need to debate those in a way that's constructive and civil. I think President Obama is governing as a movement liberal. I don't think that rises to the level of being a socialist."


More at link
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/02/12/pawlenty-lays-blame-for-gop-failures/?fbid=Z_VLInFMkjJ

[gateley]

1. He seems to get it. Wish his fellow Republicans did. nt

[Raschel]

6. He speaks out of both sides of his mouth.

[gateley]

12. Yes, but so many of them aren't speaking out of THIS side, so he's to be commended

for even getting it out there.

[FiveGoodMen]

7. He completely screwed over MN with his refusal to raise the tax money to maintain the infrastructure

Don't trust him for a second.

[gateley]

13. Understood. It is just refreshing to actually hear one of them voice these

sentiments. I'm not thinking he'll actually walk his talk, but it's just nice to hear the talk!

[Cant trust em]

2. Does he have a shot at the nomination?

Will Romney and Palin wind up shouting him out of the race?

[Fuzz]

3. Talking like that? Not a chance.

[DearAbby]

4. He may be the one to watch out for

he is hosing the muck off of himself early to position himself. I bet this wont endear himself with the teabags. But the way they are imploding, in 2.5 yrs teabags may be a faded memory.

[AlinPA]

10. Are the teabaggers imploding? I don't see any sign of that. nt

[Raschel]

5. MOODY'S REVISES STATE OF MINNESOTA'S OUTLOOK TO NEGATIVE FROM STABLE

Feb 9, 2010. Under Gov. Tim Pawlenty

http://www.alacrastore.com/research/moodys-global-credit-research-MOODY_S_REVISES_STATE_OF_MINNESOTA_S_OUTLOOK_TO_NEGATIVE_FROM_STABLE_AND_AFFIRMS_Aa1_GENERAL_OBLIGATION_RATING-RU_496600_16337567

[Blue Owl]

8. Where was this Tim Pawlenty

during 2000-2008?

He was one of the Bu$h administration's most obedient lapdogs, licking the hands of the those he now says got us in this mess.

Pawlenty o' nothin'.

[AlinPA]

9. Rush Limbaugh will straighten him out on the "socialist" remark. He will be on the air with his

" 'ole buddy Rush" apologizing and begging for forgiveness.

[leftofcool]

11. By tomorrow I bet