Posted on 03/29/2011 6:06:41 PM PDT by bronxville
Tim Pawlenty: Courage to Stand for Renewable Energy
Two weeks ago State Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL -- Inver Grove Heights) invited former Governor Tim Pawlenty to testify against HF 72 (Beard), a bill which calls for a repeal of a greenhouse gas emission reduction law spearheaded by Gov. Pawlenty in 2007. The former Governor did not respond.
In the absence of Governor's testimony, Atkins played a short video for the House Commerce committee at today's hearing which included several public comments by Governor Pawlenty's in support of renewable energy policies which HF 72 would repeal.
"Governor Pawlenty has shown the courage to stand for renewable energy and its job growing potential in Minnesota," said Atkins. "It seems appropriate for us to get his input before we dismantle legislation he signed that made Minnesota a nation leader in the emerging renewable energy economy."
**Speech at 2:00 given to Midwest Ag Energy Network Summit, not Great Plains Institute**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlT8VekUnBM
- Since last year, Pawlenty has transformed himself into an orthodox Republican, quickly shedding the forward-thinking, “Sam’s Club” conservatism he once personified as governor. Pawlenty has even come under fire for dropping his Minnesota accent in favor of an invented Southern drawl while speaking to audiences in Arkansas. As he gears up for a 2012, Pawlenty has shown a willingness to do a complete 180 on a number of key policy areas:
Tim Pawlenty’s Top Five Flip Flops (contin)
1. FROM CAP-AND-TRADE CHAMPION TO CLIMATE DENIER: As chairman of the National Governor’s Association in 2007, Pawlenty called for the nation to move “boldly and aggressively” to develop and promote clean energy initiatives. The next year, in a joint radio address with then-Arizona governor Janet Napolitano, Pawlenty urged Congress to pass a cap-and-trade law. Yet last month Pawlenty told Meet the Press that “cap and trade, I think, would be a disaster” and denied that human activity was causing global climate change.
2. “NAKED CYNICISM” ON A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN:
In 2005, Pawlenty told the Associated Press that a government shutdown in Minnesota would be painful and regrettable. “Anyone who considers the negative impacts of a shutdown should see it as a reason to seriously get back to the negotiating table,” Pawlenty said. When the state government did shut down, Pawlenty blamed it on the “naked cynicism” of his political opponents. But earlier this year Pawlenty said the 2005 shutdown should have lasted longer, and supported a federal shutdown, declaring at a gathering of Tea Party activists that “a dramatic month” was “what we need.”
3. REJECTED HEALTH CARE LAW EVEN WHILE ACCEPTING HEALTH CARE FUNDS:
Despite signing an executive order that blocked implementation of the federal health care law in Minnesota, Pawlenty allowed state agencies to accept $10 million in grants allocated by the law. Pawlenty even applied for abstinence-only education funds provided for by the law.
4. HYPOCRISY ON “RECKLESS SPENDING”:
Despite calling a $26.1 billion federal aid package for the states “reckless spending” and a “bailout” that Minnesota did not need, Pawlenty asked for $263 million from the package to bolster his state’s Medicaid program.
5. RAISED TAXES THEN CRUSADED AGAINST TAXES:
Earlier this month, Pawlenty told ThinkProgress that “the corporate tax rate in Minnesota and around the country is too high.” Yet in 2008, Pawlenty supported a $109 million corporate tax increase. And during his eight years as governor, Pawlenty instituted a number of new fees and taxes that shifted the tax burden on to Main Street.
Pawlenty is not the only potential GOP Presidential candidate to move right and obscure his record, and as the Republican field grows in the coming months, ThinkProgress will continue will keep you informed about the latest flip flops and turnarounds.
http://thinkprogress.org/2011/03/21/pawlenty-flip-flops/
Birds of a feather flock together.
Tiny Tim should be off any conservative’s lost from this point on. He’s jumped the shark.
Polenta has signed his political death warrant.
Which is exactly why this RINO should be given a hearty thank you and sent home.
Now it’s coming back to my why I didn’t like him last time around.
He sounds like Romney’s Mini-Me.
i’m not voting for this jerk.
Hard to believe anyone would push this guy for POTUS - bad news bore.
Why do clowns like Pawlenty even bother to run.
Herman Cain seems to be the only one to run with a pair, so far.
is another "Watermelon" Jackwad !
I’m just listening to John Bachelor radio show with Larry Kudlow. He just said he couldn’t get a committment from Pawlenty on a Flat Tax. Pawlenty is a Dem/Progressive in sheeps clothing. He just said the same thing about Barbor and Daniels...I believe these are the guys who have been “chosen” for us.
He sounds like Romney’s Mini-Me.TweedleTim and TweedleMitt.
I’ve heard of being politically tone-deaf, but this one takes the cake.
What the HELL is wrong with the (R) party?
“Herman Cain seems to be the only one to run with a pair, so far.”
I was all for him until I learned he supported Romney last time. Thereagain there wasn’t much to choose from...
Ego, and these clowns can't do anything productive off the public dole.
Pawlenty is a classic RHINO wussy. Strike him from your list immediately.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.