Pawlenty once praised Bachmann's “leadership” and "guts"

The Hill ^ | July 14, 2011 | Christian Heinze

[ejdrapes]

Pawlenty once praised Bachmann's “leadership” and "guts"
By Christian Heinze - 07/14/11 06:00 AM ET

Despite his recent remarks that Rep. Michele Bachmann’s (R-Minn.) record in Congress is “non-existent," Tim Pawlenty praised her “leadership,” “guts,” and “persistence” at a fundraising dinner last year.

He gushed over his Republican rival for the presidential nomination in March 2010 at a fundraising dinner for the Susan B. Anthony List, a group that opposes abortions rights.

“I can give a personal testimony only to what you already know and what you are witnessing on television and the halls of Congress and in advocacy all across this country," he said.

“This,” he said, describing Bachmann, “is one of the finest leaders in the country. She has guts, she has brains, she has integrity, she has determination, she has persistence, she has the skills, ability, and passion to change this country, and we need your leadership, Congresswoman Bachmann.”

Bachmann was at the dinner, where Pawlenty was the keynote speaker. Neither had announced their presidential campaign at the time but Pawlenty was laying the groundwork.

But recently, as Bachmann has surged in the polls, Pawlenty has increased his criticism of her.

On Sunday, he told NBC's "Meet the Press" that her “record of accomplishment in Congress is non-existent.”

One day later, he was on the attack again, telling Fox News that Bachmann gave “great speeches” but lacked the executive experience to lead the nation. And once again, he dubbed her congressional record “non-existent.”

That characterization has become so prevalent that his campaign’s spokesman, Alex Conant, tweeted out the attack on Monday.

Pawlenty has picked up attacks on Bachmann in the past few weeks since a number of polls have shown her vaulting to a lead in Iowa, the early caucus state that’s considered a must-win for both.

An American Research Group poll released Wednesday showed Bachmann leading the entire field in the state, with Pawlenty managing only 2 percent for eighth place. And in an Iowa Republican Poll released Monday, Bachmann picked up 25 percent of likely caucus-goers’ support, while Pawlenty only scored 9 percent.

His campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

[ejdrapes]

Quite clear now that Pawlenty's recent statement about Bachmann is just political desperation because she's cleaing his clock in Iowa. Makes me wonder what he really believes and how much of what he says is just coming from paid political advisors.

[SC_Pete]

I’m not pushing Pawlenty, but there is nothing incosisten in his statements: She does not have executive experience. That’s not Pawlenty’s opinion, that’s a fact.

[9YearLurker]

TPaw is politically desperate, but his statements aren’t necessarily contradictory.

[newfreep]

Regardless of the reason, T-paw’s statements are accurate re: Minnie-me Bachman’s thin resume of no significant accomplishments, no executive experience, no record of successfully fighting corruption, etc.

Add her chosen relationships with GOP elites Rollins and Tokyo Rove among others and her continued refusal to criticize Romneycare, Minnie-me is just another fake Tea Party conservative.

And that’s the facts, Jack!

Thanks, but no thanks!

[samtheman]

I remember a lot of speculation in 2008 that McCain was going to pick Pawlenty as his running mate. If he had, he would have lost in a bigger landslide than Goldwater.

[The Bronze Titan]

Pawlenty has no business in competing for this nomination!

Can someone please tell me anything exceptional about why this man should even be running?

From what I can tell, the only reason I see this guy out there is that someone must have put a thought in front of him at some point that he “should run” for President, and he just looked up and said “yeah, why not?”! That’s it.

[DelaWhere]

Greta gutted and filleted him last night.

I can’t help it, but every time I see and hear Tim, I keep thinking Gomer Pyle.

[ejdrapes]

Sorry your opinions do not equal facts. I’m just waiting for Perry to jump in; then we’ll really see deperation from the Palinistas.

[ejdrapes]

Exactly. It’s as if he’s doing it because it’s the next step on othe ladder not because he’s really passionate about anything. Same thing with Romney.

[gov_bean_ counter]

“This,” he said, describing Bachmann, “is one of the finest leaders in the country. She has guts, she has brains, she has integrity, she has determination, she has persistence, she has the skills, ability, and passion to change this country, and we need your leadership, Congresswoman Bachmann.”

So much potential and so little to show for it. Real shame.

[ejdrapes]

I saw Bachmann on Great (who was great btw) but turned it off before T-Paw came on. There’s something about the guy that bugs me. I don’t get the sense he has core convictions, except maybe on social issues.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Perhaps if she were her own person and not Marcus’ marionette, things would have been different.

[SC_Pete]

Here’s two reasons: He did not hire Ed Rollins and Carl Rove.

[M-cubed]

someone must have put a thought in front of him at some point that he “should run” for President, and he just looked up and said “yeah, why not?” <<

I also wonder about the “money factor”....seems like alot of the 2nd and 3rd tier candidates end up with a stash of cash left over when they finally drop out...
I haven't researched this...just a gut feeling from reading articles in the past......

[ejdrapes]

Hey if Palin KADs want to make the primaries about experience go ahead. I doubt Palin comes out on top in that battle either. Especially if other people get into the race (as she keeps saying she wants). I think Rick Perry’s 10+ years as governor of Texas (being re-elected 3 times) trumps Palin’s half term as governor of Alaska.

[Dr. Thorne]

Pawlenty os one more “go along to get along” RINO. If he is elected, the train we are on that is currently going over a cliff might slow down from 100mph to 95mph.

[lonestar]

And Sarah would still be Gov. of Alaska--with 95% approval rating--and Bristol would be a "nobody."

Tina Fey...Who?

[gov_bean_ counter]

I'm fine with Perry or Cain or Palin or Pawlenty or Santorum. I'd even take Newtie or Ron Paul before Romney or Bachmann.

[Elendur]

Perhaps if she were her own person and not Marcus’ marionette, things would have been different.
///
Amen.
Like Pawlenty, i also once praised Bachmann.
Other FReepers here, have donated money to her before,
who have also changed their minds recently.

but my opinions are not set in concrete.
they change when NEW documented facts appear.

Since hiring Rollins, Bachmann HAS changed.
and she has made many gaffes in the past month.
(her own words, not media inventions, as the MSM did with Palin.)
and, sorry if the truth hurts, but she has said things, that are simply not true, like about
farm income (50k is “not a penny”?,
clinic income (6 years is “one time”?),
and conversion of gays (which i APPLAUD her husband for!, so why deny it?).
(and that’s ignoring simple mistakes like “John Wayne” - on the day she announced???).
after Obama, we can’t afford a mistake prone President.)

and sorry, but honesty and integrity mean a lot to me.
and, i fail to see why she is better for us than Cain.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/search?m=all;o=time;q=quick;s=cain
We need someone like Herman Cain, who has PROVED what he can do, in turning things around economically.
(and how about a US President with a MATH and computer science degree, instead of another LAWYER?)

and if Bachmann is the nominee, these things WILL affect undecided voters. They are not MSM inventions, they are her OWN words, denying facts in her OWN tax returns, etc.

if we can’t honestly discuss facts,
then we aren’t any better than the DU types who think “Obama is Awesome!”.

I do agree with ejdrapes about many things. Palin and Cain also don’t have much “traditional” experience.
I still like a LOT about Bachmann. her fostering children, etc. and i WILL support her, and vote for her, if she is our nominee!
But the only criticisms i have about her, don’t come from the MSM, but from her OWN words in the past month.

[newzjunkey]

I’m not pushing Pawlenty, but there is nothing incosisten in his statements: She does not have executive experience. That’s not Pawlenty’s opinion, that’s a fact.

Bears repeating.