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Pawlenty's Problem

By W. James Antle, III on 8.12.11 @ 1:10PM

So why is a nonbinding 2011 straw poll a do-or-die event for Tim Pawlenty? Largely because he has failed to perform up to expectations to date.

Pawlenty was supposed to be the electable conservative alternative to Mitt Romney. Rick Perry is about to sweep in and take that mantle away from him. And large numbers of Republican primary voters seem to be less concerned about the "electable" modifer than the "conservative" one. Thus Michele Bachmann, Ron Paul, and perhaps even Herman Cain have outperformed him.

What has kept Pawlenty from being written off entirely is that as a Midwestern Republican and an evangelical, he was expected to do well in Iowa. And he has arguably built the best campaign team there. Fairly or not, a poor showing at Ames would undermine donors' confidence that Pawlenty will do well in the caucuses, especially since Romney, Perry, and Sarah Palin won't be competing with him. Without the belief that he can do well in Iowa, there goes Pawlenty's path to the nomination -- and probably a number of his donors.

View all comments (7) | Leave a comment

Prester John| 8.12.11 @ 2:02PM

I am thoroughly underwhelmed by T-Paw and I don't understand (well, actually I do) why is going after Bachman the way he is. T-Paw may be smart, but he is neither dynamic nor inspiring.

With the target rich environment know as the Obama administration he spends his time going after BB?

It seems pretty clear to me that he is doing Romney's dirty work for him in and attempt to be Romney's VP.

"Stupid people are ruining America"
Herman Cain 2012

Spicy Joker| 8.12.11 @ 2:08PM

Nobody had any expectations of Pawlenty. He's unaccomplished and annoyingly dull. He also must be incredibly full of himself to think he can be President.

Trinacria12| 8.12.11 @ 2:13PM

Pawlenty hasn't performed up to expectations? On the contrary, he's performed precisely according to expectations for a weak and spineless candidate who is out of his depth and utterly lacking in any recognizable leadership qualities.

His performance in last night's debate was, to be sure, a disgrace and an embarrassment; it was not, however, surprising. Small men always look small in the company of men (and women) of character, competence, and confidence. True to form, T Paw did precisely what an overmatched, outclassed, and desperate politician does (as were witnessing on a daily basis with Mr. Obama) - point fingers and through grenades in every possible direction without regard to the certain collateral damage. His attack on Representative Bachman was shameful and unfounded and betrayed a shocking incapacity for nuance and grace. So much for Reagan's sage doctrine (though shall not speak ill of a fellow republican).

His now certain departure from the race cannot come soon enough.

bubba16123| 8.12.11 @ 9:45PM

Sitting here in Annandale, Minnesota I'm glad that others around this country have him pegged for the weasel he is.

Bo| 8.13.11 @ 11:11AM

It's Bachmann with two n's. And she's a lightweight nit-wit that has done nothing to move the ball forward on conservative issues. She throws bombs and gives red meat to her supporters and alienates and annoys everybody else. Pawlenty actually helped move Minnesota in a more conservative direction by appealing to everybody not just the 12% of flamethrowing right wingers. In order to run things you have to win elections. You think Michele could win in a statewide race up here in Minnesota. A monkey would have a better chance.

Trinacria12| 8.12.11 @ 2:44PM

That's "THROW" grenades ( geez "through" grenades was almost as bad as Herman Cain still thinking there's an "F" in "with"....)

bluecollarbytes| 8.12.11 @ 10:36PM

The - "electable" modifer- will not take over the selection process until it's down to several candidates, I hope.

If a true conservative can't win now, with Obamagenda having having put a choke-hold on the American economy and increasingly, civil liberties, we never will, in my opinion.