Fellow Conservatives: What is your opinion of Tim Pawlenty as McCain’s running mate?

Question

The Washington Post has called him the most conservative Minnesota governor since Governor Theodore Christianson in the 1920s.

Some excerpts:

TIM PAWLENTY is regarded as one of the nation's most innovative, energetic, reform-minded and accomplished governors. Now serving his second term as the 39th governor of Minnesota, Governor Pawlenty has brought increased accountability to state government, held the line on taxes, improved K-12 education standards and made Minnesota a leader in energy reform.

Governor Pawlenty grew up in South St. Paul, Minnesota. The only child in his family to graduate from college, he attended the University of Minnesota (B.A., J.D.) and practiced law in the private sector. His public service career includes serving as a city councilmember and ten-year member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, including four years as House Majority Leader.

As Governor, he has balanced Minnesota's budget three times without raising taxes, despite facing record budget deficits. Governor Pawlenty's most notable accomplishments include proposing and signing into law significant new benefits for veterans and members of the military; enacting a property tax cap, eliminating the marriage penalty and cutting taxes; toughening the state's education standards; reforming the way teachers are paid through a nation-leading performance pay plan; instituting free-market health care reforms that increase accountability and provide tax credits to encourage the use of health savings accounts; and implementing a plan to Americanize our energy sources by generating 25% of the state's electricity from renewable sources by 2025.

http://www.governor.state.mn.us/welcome/aboutgovernorpawlenty/index.htm

He’s very conservative, not entrenched in DC politics and appears as though he’s done an excellent job for his state.

What are your thoughts?

Answer 1

Yes, that would be an excellent and so would anyone Mr. McCain chose. And I hope he picks someone that will help him get our Country going to become even better than it is now.  God Bless America.  

Answer 2

I like the information you have given us about him. This is often the problem with not knowing a person, we tend to think of only the commonly known people on the short list. I know more about Romney, and though I like him, I don't think Romney is a bigger asset then what you have shown me with Pawlenty's record. Plus unfortunately, Romney's religion may not be an asset, or at least it needs a lot of excuses made. Thanks for sharing!

Answer 3

I dont care who McCain picks.  He could pick Bozo the clown for all I care and i will vote for the McCain/Bozo ticket.

Answer 4

Pawlenty would be a fine choice as far as I am concerned. So would Romney. Either choice will present strong opposition to the weak Obama ticket.

Answer 5

I'd rather have Romney.

Answer 6

He's okay. I just don't have any real gusto towards him. He'd be alright.

I can't help it, my heart still wants Condi Rice, even though it seems impossible....maybe one day, I can call her President...only time will tell...Am I lost in dreamland?

Answer 7

I honestly didn't know much about the guy until recently. When his name began to get thrown around a bit, I began to read up on his credentials.

This guy is EXACTLY what McCain needs to complete his ticket.

He looks to be an actual "Reagan" type Conservative. While McCain tends to be able to be more bi-partisan, which I feel is something we need more of from a president anyway, Pawlenty will lend a hand in getting more of the Conservative and Christian base on board.

I like Romney. But unfortunately he would hurt McCain's chances given that the Christian right are very uncomfortable with him being that he's Mormon, which is indeed unfortunate, because his policies and politics are right on as far as I'm concerned.

When more of the Conservative and Christian base gets more excited about the Republican ticket, which I'm sure will begin by next week. Obama can say bye bye to the White House. Especially given that before the DNC began, Obama was BARELY ahead and basically tied with McCain, and even now that the DNC is about over, not much has moved in the polls. Most candidates historically get a good 5 to 8 point bounce after their respective convention. Obama basically got nothing. The RCP average is only Obama up by 2.5 percent.

Suthrn: My feeling is that with a McCain/Pawlenty ticket. This will be a trounce.

Answer 8

Is he attack capable &expendable!!!cause I think that's what McCain wants.. chow & (<HUGS>) for you DINO

Answer 9

I think he's more like the traditional vice president, not exactly well known outside of his state and not a personality that would compete with the president, like Biden.  I really don't think there's ever been this much emphasis put on the VP.  They're usually asked to be on the ticket without much hoopla.  But everything this year is pure hoopla.

He sounds good to me.

Answer 10

He should choose a funny black comedian since Obama chose an older experienced guy.

Answer 11

Because I haven't gotten around to view the VP choices, his name was one that failed to get my attention. But based on the information you have provided, I would say he is a lot better choice then Romney. But as long as McCain doesn't choose Liberman, I guess I can support his choice if indeed he TIM PAWLENTY. I have been debating the choice of going with a third party option. I've done it before so I am no stranger to it. But I will read further on Governor Pawlenty.

Thanks for the update.

Answer 12

Sounds like a good conservative pick for McCain.  

Not sure it will give him much of a bump overall, but McCain could do a lot worse.

Answer 13

I will be voting for McCain in any matter but I just hope that he doesn't do like Obama and pick a VP that would cut the throat of his friends...

always nosnod

Answer 14

He seems to be a better candidate than McCain.  I think they would conflict as the Presidential ticket though.  McCain is against increasing benefits for veterans.  He opposed the new G.I. bill and made an effort not to be present when the roll call was made in the Senate.

Tim Pawlenty would serve his political career best by waiting until the end of his gubernatorial career.  

Answer 15

That sounds pretty good. I like most of the Minnesotans I've met in my trips to the Midwest. Good souls, and some of them are as wickedly funny as anyone I've ever heard.

Only good things can come from a state that gave us MST3K!

Answer 16

Its an interesting choice and surely not the safe pick that the DNC made for and forced upon Obama.  Ive never heard of Gov Pawlenty to tell the truth and that would concern me! Would anyone outside the state of Minnesota know who he is either ?

Answer 17

a true Conservative in the correct way

fiscally responsible yet socially progressive

he could be a Rep or Dem or even a Whig , I would look further into the choice........

Answer 18

Big mistake. Young white guy with no experience.

Answer 19

I have been following the career of Tim Pawlenty from the time he was in the MN house.. He was sent to law school with the help of his 4 older siblings after his mother died of cancer when he was 16.. a promise they made to their mother.. He grew up 5 miles from me in the very blue collar South St.Paul, MN.. at the time they had the worlds largest meat packing industry....

If this is true.....Obama and Biden are in big trouble as anyone who knows Tim has seen him shred MN DFL'ers in debate after debate... He is moderate in my opinion and very adept at fiscal issues.. He had maintained the State of Minnesotas AAA bond rating despite the best efforts of Tax and spend DFL'ers to bankrupt us.

I hope this is true although We will miss having our goalie as Governor... He has stopped countless spending pucks over his term!

Answer 20

"As Governor, he has balanced Minnesota's budget three times without raising taxes, despite facing record budget deficits."

That is the sentence I was looking for.

Sound good to me!

The 2nd issue I would look at is whether this guy is of the religious right or not.

If Tony H is right - Forget McCain for Pres!  Lets have Pawlenty for pres!

Answer 21

I think Pawlenty would be a good choice.  He certainly couldn't hurt McCain as some of the others on the 'short list'.  And he certainly may bring the swing-state of Minnesota into the McCain camp.  Whoever he chooses, it will be someone who has always thought that McCain is experienced and 'ready to lead', and doesn't have to change their mind at the last minute, like Biden.

Answer 22

He should have gotten Sarah Palin. This is as bad a choice as that leftist plagiarist and Iran fan boy, the Author of Clinton's Gun ban, that Obama got.

...well, not that bad.  

Answer 23

he would be a great choice. i really believe he or romney will get the nod.

Answer 24

From what you have here, he sounds better than McCain!

Are you sure he's the one being picked?  I'd heard the choice wouldn't be announced until tomorrow, and I haven't seen anything online mentioning the choice being announced.