[toast]

I feel here in the very liberal state of Minnesota, Pawlenty has been about as conservative as he could be and manage to get re-elected.

Corn farmers are a large voting block. Pushing ethanol was a one issue dealbreaker for most of them. The (female)running mate of the DFL opponent for governor made a large gaffe about not knowing what E-85 was. It tipped them into defeat. As it has become obvious in recent years that ethanol production is a losing waste he has shut-up about it. I doubt he would push it any longer.

He also payed lip service to the global warming crowd. He was all for initiatives that sounded good but he always stated he would fight any regulations that would hurt the economy. With the recent revelations about faked data and the -12 degrees below zero temperature this morning he may have adjusted his stance on this also.

These are the only 2 issues I have disagreed with him on in the past. And I don’t think he really believed them himself. He has done an awesome job of keeping spending down and preventing new taxes with one of the most liberal legislatures in the US. He’s pro-life, pro voter ID, toughened up the child predator laws, and calmed everybody down after Jesse Ventura left.

I know he doesn’t speak with fire and brimstone, but he is very non-threatening, easy going, and personable. I think it could be a very stealthy way to get a decent conservative into office.

[Opinionated Blowhard]

Corn farmers are a large voting block. Pushing ethanol was a one issue dealbreaker for most of them

That, sadly, is a great example of why we will never get spending under control. Every voting block has a spending or regulatory "deal breaker" and most politicians do not have the skill or will to override them.

[MillardFillmore]

Thanks Toast. I’m not familiar with Pawlenty. You make good points-people do learn from the past—nobody is good on all issues. An in-your face conservative who pisses off independents will have trouble getting elected. However being old and or boring (a la Bob Dole) won’t work either. A lot of voters just choose who ever they’d want to sleep with or drink a beer with. Maybe we need a good-looking non-boring “stealth” conservative (whoever that is?)

[ejdrapes]

Thanks for this reply toast. I'm from MN too and I really like Pawlenty. I heard him speak in New Hampshire and Iowa last year and he was very good, and the crowd really liked what they heard. I think the fact he's VERY religious and VERY pro-life are big plusses for him, and one of the reasons I'm drawn to him.