Posted on 04/13/2011 5:45:15 AM PDT by FreeManDC
Tim Pawlenty implied Tuesday that there are some less-than-serious presidential hopefuls eyeing the race, with a quip that seemed to lump Sarah Palin, Michele Bachmann and Donald Trump together with wrestling icon Hulk Hogan.
"You're going to have, you know, Mitt Romney who will start out as the front-runner with the most name-ID and money..." Pawlenty told CNNs Piers Morgan in handicapping the race. "And on the other end of the continuum, you'll have perhaps Sarah Palin, Michele Bachmann, Donald Trump, or I don't know, maybe Hulk Hogan will get in the race too. Who knows? But I think in between those two things on the continuum, there's a role for a serious person who has tackled these kinds of issues. We live in very serious times and the country's facing a grave challenge. And if we're going to restore America's promise, we're going to have to get back to leadership that is steady, clear and strong."
Pawlenty was quick to emphasize that he means no disrespect to those others, and he pivoted to say that President Barack Obama has never run anything before and is clearly in over his head. But the message of holding himself up as a serious alternative to other potential candidates was a clear one.
"We just can't afford another whimsical election," he said.
There was a brief kerfuffle between Pawlenty and CNN before the interview aired, as the network promoted it with a quote of Pawlenty saying "I'm running for president." While he said that in passing, Pawlenty's camp insisted he was taken out of context. He quickly clarified that he's still in the exploratory phase.
“Pawlenty is a pretty solid Republican”
“We would be wise to nominate him.”
Seriously, wow I will have some of what your smoking. McCain loves Pawlenty, ie the man is a total rino. Pawlenty has never met a green plan he did not like. Light Rail, clean water (tax), cap and trade.
Pawlenty lowers himself by making personality judgments of other potential candidates as he announces his own candidacy. As he enters the campaign he should focus on his platform and the problems with the current administration.
However, I think he’s a good guy. But am not giving up on Palin until she gives up on us.
This idiot had a slip in an interview and said he is running for president and is condemning the news agency for “taking him out of context”. The most polite way I can describe the guy is slippery.
He let Al Franken steal an election and he has the nerve to talk about other wannabes?
Go away Tim...this level of politics is for ADULTS!
He got an A rating as governor from the Cato Institute. He’s taken on his communist legislature and won nearly ever battle. He’s a friendly, upbeat guy, but as any MN leftist how much they like him.
If a stump is in the middle of a forest and no one is around to see it, is the stump even there?
Maybe he should just talk about his political positions. Or, if he feels the need to slam someone, maybe he should focus on Obama.
Total RINO that got an A-rating from Cato? Who would you prefer - Trump, who gives $ to Chuck Schumer? Palin, whom isn’t running? Bachmann, who argued for dropping the Planned Parenthood rider? This circular firing squad nonsense is ridiculous and counterproductive. Pawlenty is fine.
i don’t think he’s too far off. mitt will probably be one of the first big names to announce, he’s got enough money and name recognition to be towards the top of the field, and he’ll probably take MI again.
don’t take this as support for him, because i don’t, but fact is, he will be a presence.
I would NEVER vote for this moron, ever.
"We just can't afford another whimpy candidate this election," I say.
Politico is just egging-on Hulk Hogan.
A Trump-Hogan GOP dream ticket would have all of their legs a tinglin’
T-Paw, he of DEAD LAST, who loses out to “Someone Else”. LOL!
What a delusional tool.
Trump 19%
Huckabee 19%
Palin 12%
Romney 11%
Gingruch 11%
Paul 7%
Bachmann 5%
Daniels 3%
Someone else 3%
Santorum 2%
Pawlenty 2%
Well, Jesse Ventura would like to run, but he’s afraid The Powers That Be would have him whacked if he did.
But kidding aside, Tim why aren’t Palin and Bachmann serious candidates? I mean, Trump’s screwed just as soon as his fans remember there are other issues they care about besides the birther thing, and maybe care more about them than that. But the ladies are joke candidates? I don’t think so.
Here’s a thought, Tim. How about less about how the rest of the field sucks and more about why you don’t.
I would vote for Hulk Hogan before I’d even think about voting for Milt Romney.
I agree. I’m a former Minnesotan who escaped to FL over a decade ago, but I still discuss local politics with friends and family who remain behind. One friend has literally chased Pawlenty around at fund raising events trying to get answers on light rail, outstate tuition breaks for UofMN students, support for professional sports stadiums, etc.
If his stories are true, the guy has more problems than just that of rolling over on Franken.
“McCain loves Pawlenty, ie the man is a total rino. Pawlenty has never met a green plan he did not like. Light Rail, clean water (tax), cap and trade.”
I agree with you. Pawlenty is on my list of whom I refuse to give my vote along with Gingrich, Romney, Daniels, and Huckabee.
Then there’s you TPaw. You will be dead last you RINO.
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