Anyway, I just discovered that a Tim Pawlenty run for the Presidency is being taken seriously on the national level.
I'm not going to post that awful photo ABC News is showing - he looks like he's auditioning for the role of Mephistopheles. Of course, DFLers think he did that when he first ran for the State House as a Republican.
The participants [in a meeting of the Council on National Policy], including respected commentator Paul Weyrich and the Eagle Forum's Phyllis Schlafly, agreed that prominent conservatives should coordinate efforts to cultivate the candidate who best represents "values voters," and Pawlenty fits that description.
"He seems to be in line with the views of what we now call the 'values voters,' which are very important to the future of the Republicans," said Weyrich, who says he remains undecided about whom he'll support in 2008.
"There aren't a whole lot of candidates in that position. [Former New York Mayor Rudolph] Giuliani, he's not satisfactory. [New York Gov. George] Pataki is not satisfactory, you go down the list."
Pawlenty, 44, is a popular conservative governor in a traditionally Democratic state, and is open to a run for the presidency but he has made no decisions, according to associates. His representatives would not speculate about his plans, saying he is preparing for what will be a contentious legislative session this year.
"Governor Pawlenty enjoys his job and is focused on being the best governor he can be," said his chief spokesman, Brian McClung.
That means he's in.
He wins over audiences with his quick wit — often self-deprecating — his humble personal style and his ability to speak at length without notes.
Yes, he does. The guy's a great speaker in any venue.
Admirers compare Pawlenty to respected Republicans. "He has a sense of where he wants to lead the country, just like [smart-ass' note: widely respected Republican] President Reagan," said one top Minnesota Republican.
Democrats have compared his speaking skills and ability to frame issues to Bill Clinton's [Clinton always sounded to me like he was selling snake-oil, though I liked him very much in PBS' The Commanding Heights] and his political legacy has been compared to Hubert Humphrey — one Republican said Pawlenty could be for state Republicans what Humphrey was for state Democrats.
"He has demonstrated that he is solution-oriented," said Weyrich, whose guidance could influence some conservative voters in 2008. "When a problem is presented to him, he doesn't just say, well, this is my deal and you can take it or leave it. He really looks for constructive ways that he can compromise without giving away his principles."
Pawlenty will almost certainly run for re-election in 2006 and has begun to raise money at an expeditious clip. There is also speculation he may run for Democratic Sen. Mark Dayton's seat. Dayton has decided not to seek re-election.
On that last point, I'd say the Democrats strongest candidate is Hennipen County Attorney Amy Klobuchar--and she's very strong. I wouldn't mess with her, frankly. I think I'd vote for her for [MN] Attorney General or [MN] Secretary of State [both are elected positions here], but not for more political positions like Senator or Governor. Hey! I'd probably vote for her against Jim Ramstad in my district. Or maybe not. Ramstad's at least as good as she is. If they were running against each other, I'd probably decide it was time to throw my own hat in the ring as a Libertarian.
If it comes down to Pawlenty vs. Ramstad for the Republican nomination, I'm with Pawlenty, but the Rammer has proven his electibility in Minnesota. He gets called a RINO a lot (often by me), but he's better than any Democrat around.
