Pawlenty Is As Good As It Gets
National Review
Aug 2008
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/08/15/opinion/main4354062.shtml
... “Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska was my choice for most of the summer. She is conservative, tough-minded, attractive, has a great life story, including a blue-collar husband and five kids, and seems like a real can-do politician. Furthermore, putting a woman on the ticket this year is the smartest thing McCain could do. It would add missing sizzle, and would help with disgruntled, middle-aged female voters who think Hillary got shafted by a younger, less qualified candidate. Those women include both upper-middle-class professionals who identified with Hillary and working-class women who regarded her as their champion. Palin might appeal to their male, blue-collar counterparts as well.
My infatuation ended, however, when she gave recent interviews which demonstrated that she needs more time in office, and she is insufficiently sophisticated for the national stage right now. A term or more as governor and a good D.C. PR firm to work on her media skills and knowledge of national issues will help.
Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana has been discussed to death. Another year. He wisely took his name out of the running - which is yet another sign that he is politically shrewd.
This brings us to Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. He is the last man standing; at first glance a default choice rather than a dazzling one. He is smart, which is important, and thoughtful on the issues of governing a state. He is conservative, but not easily tarred with the “right wing nut” brush - so he won’t push away moderates. He is from a working-class background and is a true meritocrat. Ditto for his wife, who was a judge. They themselves are “Sam’s Club” Republicans from unpretentious Minnesota. It’s hard to imagine him confusing arugula with a major Midwestern crop. He is good looking, with no hint of “pretty-boy.” And he has what seems like an attractively low-key demeanor, that suggests the ability to listen rather than raw ego and ambition. He was one of a very few GOP governors to push alternative energy over the past few years.
The Pawlenty family is a perfect counterpart to the Obama family. They are the same age. As with the Obamas, Tim and Mary met in law school. They, too, have two daughters. Just as Barack followed Michelle to Trinity United, from unbelief, Tim, raised a Catholic, followed his Baptist wife to an Evangelical church. Same generation, similar paths, totally different substance. This contrast is pretty compelling, if you ask me.
Pawlenty’s downsides are limited to a few tax increases after promising not to, and a question about what kind of conservative he is. He can easily learn to speak with more compelling inflections. Otherwise, with his clear upsides, and limited downsides, he is as good as it gets.” -
Bwahh!