Pawlenty's defense of Palin

The Washington Post's The Fix ^ | January 7, 2010 | Aaron Blake

[2ndDivisionVet]

Tim Pawlenty takes aim at critics of Sarah Palin in his new book, which is set to released Tuesday and a copy of which was obtained by the Fix.

And in doing so, the former Minnesota governor seems to be saying something about his own blue-collar appeal as he weighs a run -- perhaps against the former Alaska governor and 2008 vice presidential nominee -- for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination.

The book, called "Courage to Stand," represents the latest in a series of steps Pawlenty has taken to emerge on the national stage in advance of his near-certain presidential bid in 2012.

And the book is particularly kind to Palin, devoting several pages to her pick as vice president in 2008 (Pawlenty was on the short list for the spot). Pawlenty, who often plays up his everyman image and calls himself a "Sam's Club Republican," commiserates with another candidate from a less traditional background. The governor says Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) made a "courageous" pick with Palin, but that the senator was doomed regardless of his running mate.

Here's a sampling of the pro-Palin comments in the Pawlenty book:

* "Those who blame the loss that November, even in part, on [McCain's] choice of Sarah Palin as running mate lose sight of the big picture. In truth, it didn't matter whom he would have picked. Once the economy collapsed, Barack Obama was going to win that election."

* On his conversation with McCain after the pick was announced: "I told him it was a gutsy pick. A good pick."

* "On the basis of executive leadership experience alone, [Palin] had many times the experience of McCain's opponent."(continued)

[Cpl. Dwayne Hicks]

Little Dude, look up the definition of "appealing" and you'll understand. No wait, you won't. You'll have to know how to use a dictionary. I suggest you wait until Big Bird talks about appealing on Sesame Street. If you haven't used up your TV time for the day , maybe your wife will give you permission to watch it.

This does raise another question. If Palin took a sh%t in the woods, would you eat it? What is sad is that you probably had to pause before answering in your mind. So sad, Little Dude, so sad.

[Gator113]

That was very nice of Palin to loan him her shirt.

[9YearLurker]

Ha!

[aphid]

This is Pawlenty indicating he’s open to being her VP. Thune, on the other hand, said that “if she were to get into the race, it would clearly change the equation for a lot of people,” he said.

[editor-surveyor]

This one is easy.

Palin is already as good as nominated, and has a national following of tens of millions, so he correctly avoids offending any of them.

Where he loses lots of points is when he asserts that the economy collapsed, when what we all know is that the economy was deliberately taken down by the powerful democrats that controlled all but one of the major financial institutions. He must know that too, so why the gaffe?
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[editor-surveyor]

Palin will win Minnesota easily; Pawlenty looks silly even trying to run.
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[editor-surveyor]

After all the damage he has done, Paws had to have lottsa courage to have that phony book written for him.

[editor-surveyor]

>> “... or a wish to run WITH her ....” <<

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He stands no chance. Palin will beat him in his own state, and he would be of no help anywhere else.
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[editor-surveyor]

>> “Maybe someday someone will come out with one in comic book form for you.” <<

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Glen Beck already did... “Arguing like an Idiot” or something like that.

[editor-surveyor]

.
. Fail!
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[budwiesest]

You're on a roll! Keep 'em coming! I agree, the collapse was targeted (surprise) and had the added effect of allowing the articulate (and might I add- unique) brown candidate to blame any solution taken or not, on Bush.

If I recall, everything was Bush's fault and wrapped around McCain's neck, from the economy, unemployment (whopping 5.5%), inner-city schools, two wars, deficits (one third the current incompetent's budgets), and the heartbreak of psoriasis.

[goat granny]

Just because you enjoy reading political books doesn't mean your more informed or more intelligent that those that think political books are boring and have nothing new to say that hasn't already been said, by them or the many other politicians that have written books or given speeches....

I read books for pleasure and entertainment. If I want to know what a politician really is I look at their history, what they have said and what they have actually done. Won't pay 25 dollars to read someone else's opinion on life..

I do like Sarah, I liked Reagan, didn't feel the need to read everything they wrote.. Actions speak louder than words. You do sound a bit arrogant..

Of course you can usually buy the same books at a garage sale for 50 cents...Thats how I bought Nancy Reagans book My Turn. It was interesting but not all that political. Her experiences in the W. H. and she elbowed a few of her critic's really good..

[Friendofgeorge]

What cost us the election IMHO, was McCain staggering and stumbling around debate stages while yelling at his supporters.

Also should have gone full tilt about Rev Wright. We can, Sarah can still do that in 2012! She just has to point out that he lied when he said he did not share Rev Wright`s views.

Obama completely shares Rev Wright`s views