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HawaiianGecko - So far, your list shows that Pawlenty does not stand for one core fiscal conservative belief.

It shows me he favors imposition of religious views: “teacher led prayer in school”.
He wants undermine tax support for the social security system when most needed by diverting it into privitized hands.

He is also ignorant in his belief that drug use is immoral - it is a physical function of brain chemistry. Addicts are compelled to use through a chemical hijacking of the drive system that creates basic feelings of need like thirst and hunger. At the same time, the drug supresses the parts of the brain that regulate impulses and the sense of right and wrong. It is a physical medical condition, not a matter of morality. This does not mean that the individual should not be held responsible for criminal acts he or she committed, which often provides the leverage and motivation to get an addict into the prolonged treatment needed for recovery.

Basic core ideological values of freedom that support real limited government, local control, lower taxes, and protection of private property rights have a broad appeal and should be the underlying appeal of the party. This includes the staunch protection of individual freedom, free enterprise and the American dream of being able to achieve based on hard work, innate talent and a culture of opportunity.

Other than the right to life, I believe the party should tone down its promotion of rigid religious tenets, creationist and other fundamentalist credos in its rhetoric. This is what alienates many who would otherwise align with a fiscally conservative small government party.

I would also like to see an expansion of the social positions of the party to own Community Development, capacity and leadership building programs. Re-building local ownership of solutions to local social problems is very consistent with our position as oppositive to big government. (The Greatest Generation were masters at this.) It would bring aboard many women who are currently democrats-lite, but are involved in their local schools and churches or employed in the health or social services field.

We also need to work on some easily articulated positions on our stance on the economy that shows us to be the party of idnividual opportunity and not the party of Tax breaks for the wealthy.

The problem with your argument is it comes from a libertarian point of view not a conservative one on these social issues you pointed out. The best defense I have of this is to compare your complaints with Pawlenty with those espoused by one of your state Reps, Duncan Hunter that most of us feel is the ultra-conservative. You can find quotes of his or actual votes where he wants "God" in Pledge of Allegiance, school prayer & academic support of creationism.

Voted YES on the Children's Prayers Resolution: Expressing the sense of Congress that schools should allow children time to pray for, or silently reflect upon, the country during the war against terrorism. Reference: Bill sponsored by Isakson, R-GA; Bill H.Con.Res.239 ; vote number 2001-445 on Nov 15, 2001

He voted YES on giving federal aid only to schools allowing voluntary prayer.

Motion to add language to the "Goals 2000: Educate America Act" to give federal aid only to schools allowing voluntary prayer.

Bill HR 1804 ; vote number 1994-85 on Mar 23, 1994

Hunter supports a Constitutional Amendment for school prayer. Hunter co-sponsored a resolution for a School Prayer Amendment:

H.J.RES.52 (2001), H.J.RES.66 (1999), S.J.RES. 1, H.J.RES.12, H. J. RES. 108, & H. J. RES. 55:

Nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to prohibit individual or group prayer in public schools or other public institutions. No person shall be required by the United States or by any State to participate in prayer . Neither the United States nor any State shall compose the words of any prayer to be said in public schools.

Hunter co-sponsored creating personal retirement accounts within Social Security

OFFICIAL CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY:

Amends Social Security Act to add a new tax-exempt "Personal Retirement Account Program".
Designates a personal retirement account for each such individual that is funded by deposits from amounts in the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund not otherwise required for immediate withdrawal, and by rollover and other contributions made by eligible individuals.
Directs the SEC to report to Congress on personal retirement account reinsurance.
Amends the tax code to provide for: (1) annual $300 contributions (tax credits) on behalf of each eligible individual to a personal retirement account; and (2) an excise tax on excess contributions to such accounts.

SPONSOR'S INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT: One of the things I have consistently heard from folks back home is the very simple idea that the first part of saving Social Security is making sure that Social Security taxes stay with Social Security. That is what this bill does because it takes the Social Security surplus, whatever that happens to be, and simply rebates it back to the people paying Social Security taxes, not to go out and fix up the car or buy a refrigerator with it, but instead to go into their own personal Social Security savings account that would be held by a fiduciary like the local bank.

The individual could not get their hands on the money until they turn 65, but they would get a monthly statement and for the first time, because of the private property rights that come with an account like that, for the first time have a firewall created between political forces in D.C. and their Social Security surplus.

LEGISLATIVE OUTCOME: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means; never called for a House vote.

Source: Personal Lockbox Act (H.R.4839) 00-HR4839 on Jul 12, 2000

Hunter hold the exact same position on the morality of drug use as Pawlenty:

Hunter Strongly Favors topic 19:
Drug use is immoral: enforce laws against it
(-5 points on Social scale)

Rated -30 by NORML, indicating a "hard-on-drugs" stance: Strongly Favors topic 19
YES on subjecting federal employees to random drug tests: Strongly Favors topic 19
YES on prohibiting needle exchange & medical marijuana in DC: Strongly Favors topic 19
YES on military border patrols to battle drugs & terrorism: Strongly Favors topic 19

Now I realize these are all Duncan Hunter's positions, but it's hard to argue he is anything but the quintessential conservative and you are claiming Pawlenty "does not stand for one core fiscal conservative belief" when his opinion on the very topics of your choice agree exactly with Duncan Hunter.

I need to explain that Tim Pawlenty is not even on my long list of 2012 candidates, but it's not because I don't believe he's a conservative. Come to think of it, nobody is on my short or long list. It's way too early.

I also need to explain that I personally agree in general with your narrated positions, but that's because I lean libertarian from a social standpoint.