Posted on 08/28/2008 5:22:12 PM PDT by Fred
I'm confident enough to put this up now, but willing to be wrong.
Right now though, every sign, signal, and background chatter indicates John McCain will pick Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota's governor, as his running mate.
UPDATE: A source close to the campaign now confirms for me that it "more likely than not" is Pawlenty. He does, however, caution me that the campaign does not actually want to leak tonight lest the Obama camp get too much of a chance to play the victim card with a sympathetic media.
Below the fold, I've compiled data on Pawlenty that you might find useful. Protecting the Unborn
*
Recognized as a pro-life leader by “Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life” *
Has appointed judicial conservatives to the bench, and recently drew praise from pro-life advocates for his appointment of Eric Magnuson as Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court *
Fought for and signed pro-life measures including: Woman’s Right to Know (requiring 24 hour waiting period and required information be provided before an abortion), a fetal pain awareness act (requiring notice and information regarding pain experienced by fetuses) and positive alternatives to abortion act (providing funding and support for organizations promoting alternatives to abortion). *
Believes life begins at conception *
Strong desire to overturn Roe v. Wade *
Opposes embryonic stem-cell research while supporting adult stem cell research
Protecting the Taxpayer
*
Achieved long-standing state goal of moving Minnesota out of the top ten highest taxed states according to the U.S. Census Bureau *
In 2003, resolved the largest budget deficit in state history and the largest budget deficit in the nation at the time (as percent of state budget) without raising taxes *
Vetoed all bills which increased taxes, including setting single session record for vetoes (34) by a Minnesota Governor *
Supported Performance Pay for politicians, which would dock the pay of state office holders if a balanced budget is not passed by the constitutional deadline *
Has keep state employment roles essentially flat during his 5+ years in office. *
Proposed and signed into law welfare reform that requires able-bodied people to seek work *
As majority leader in Minnesota legislature, fought for and achieved historic tax cuts. *
Supports an Initiative and Referendum Amendment to the state constitution to empower citizens to make and repeal laws
Potecting Law Abiding Citizens
*
Cracked down on meth dealers and sex offenders with tougher penalties *
Required released sex offenders to wear GPS tracking bracelets *
Proposed re-introducing the death penalty in Minnesota *
Fought for and signed conceal-carry legislation *
Strongly supported and endorsed by the NRA
Fighting Illegal Immigration
*
Required visa expiration dates printed on driver licenses for legal resident aliens *
Blocked passage of the DREAM Act which would have allowed in-state tuition for illegal immigrants *
Fought Minneapolis and St. Paul ‘sanctuary’ laws, which prevent police and other city agencies from inquiring about immigrations status *
Proposed state law enforcement task force to crack down on illegal immigration *
Proposed state fines for the hiring of illegal workers *
Proposed increased penalties for using false identification documents
Protecting Marriage
* Strongly supports constitutional amendment to protect traditional marriage and authored statutory changes supporting traditional marriage as a legislator
Promoting Faith-Based Solutions
* Established an office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives to assist social organizations increase their effectiveness by gaining better access to the financial resources of state and federal governments
Accountability in Education
*
Developed and implemented nation-leading reforms in education, including performance pay for teachers. *
Strong supporter of school choice.
I will be SO happy if it’s not Bombney.
This is a complete disaster pick. just think of the headlines and the new direction this could have all gone if he had picked Palin. A strong women conservative. Instead he picks a boring nobody from an upper mid west state.
Hello President Obama.
I have heard the same thing with Palin which would make the Dems heads explode — Governor and a woman! My sources said who it wasn’t going to be and left the rest to guess.
Schtick's old, Fred.
"Pawlenty will not carry MI or probably MN."
Perhaps not.
"Romney can carry MI"
No proof of that whatsoever. No member of his family has won a majority of the vote for an office there in 42 years. His mother lost in the single greatest landslide for a Republican for a U.S. Senate seat in Michigan history.
"and he can also handle Biden in the debates."
What fun. They can one up each other in the bullcrap department. They're both masters. The poor audience will be buried alive.
Pawlenty seems too be a decent guy, but not a political heavyweight. I'm concerned about how he will fare against Biden.
McCain should pick someone who is perceived as being capable immediately assuming the role of POTUS in the event he cannot finish his term of office, which at his age is a greater concern than it will be with Obama.
To be honest, Pawlenty doesn't strike me as someone ready to be POTUS. Of course, Obama doesn't seem ready to be POTUS either and there is the problem with picking Pawlenty, or Palin or Cantor for that matter. They may be good up and coming conservatives, but are they ready for the immense responsibilities and challenges of being President at this stage of their careers?
If you are going to declare Obama unfit for office because he lacks the experience to be President you can't pick a young VP who also lacks enough experience for that position.
Romney would be the better choice.
See, now, you just hate LSD members. Yup, yessirrebob.
Oh, wait...
LDS.
Nevermind. Muh bad.
Hmmm... Romney making a little comeback on InTrade.
ABM
Pawlenty dropping like a rock on InTrade. It ain’t gonna be him. Numbers don’t add up - someone else must be getting some action!
I have been told it is not Romney, Ridge, or LIEberman earlier this evening but I also think it is not going to be Pawlenty from info received not too long ago. My guess is Palin or Cantor now. A lot of disinformation being spread but my money is on Palin until the next email.
I’m with you...that’s where my money would be. Honestly, that’s what I hope he does too. It just feels right.
Huckabee not going to Dayton per FOX. Does that point to Romney?? Or not??
“I think that Lieberman is being used as a decoy so that conservatives will swallow someone like Pawlenty.”
I believe you are right.
Of course, point that out to his unhinged supporters that you’re judging him as an individual and nothing more and they’ll still call you anti-Mormon... no diff than “You’re racist if you don’t support Obie.” All a big steaming pile...
Darnit Nana!! You had me googling “Michelle Steele” hoping to see a hottie! ;)
Huck’s attacks on Romney over the last few days leads one to believe that he thinks its going to be Romney.
Paelenty's position is that of a liberal RINO bum.
I take offense at that comment. I married a Mormon and never found her to be bigoted in any way.
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