This is when it's handy to be vanilla. You think it's the vodka that's going to land a blow to your head, or the decadent chocolate a blow to your heart.
But since Pawlenty is so Pawlenty, he can point fingers without anyone noticing the middle one's also extended.
Source: GOP 12
Showing posts with label 2012 Presidential Race. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2012 Presidential Race. Show all posts
Thursday, August 20, 2009
T-Paw on Health Care
Add health care to the issues that Republican Punk loves Tim Pawlenty, the governor of Minnesota, on for the 2012 election. Politico has a new article on the way the good governor has thrown himself into the health care debate as the middle ground between the Massachusetts model of Mitt Romney and the harsh rhetoric of Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich:
Pawlenty said he has three major objections to Democratic plans: the public option, possible tax increases on small and medium-sized businesses and the “massive spending disaster” that would result if health care were added to a federal budget.
The Minnesota governor also supports the right to pool insurance risk across state lines, opening up private insurance markets to allow consumers to buy a policy from nearly anywhere, creating an electronic billing and prescription system, the prohibition of coverage denials based on pre-existing conditions, portability guarantees and incentivizing hospitals and patients to reduce the cost of individual visits.
His approach doesn’t always land him in the headlines, but it’s winning him notice as a serious voice in the debate without damaging his Minnesota Nice brand.
This approach is almost identical to what this blog would like to see done, and is almost certainly a middle ground that could pass through the Senate (though probably not the current House, which has too many liberals to accept giving up the public option while allowing people to buy across state lines.) The article is highly recommended reading for those who haven't already jumped on the Pawlenty band wagon.
P.S.
There is also a great one sentence description of the man I've come to adore:
“That’s Tim’s nature. He’s a quieter sort, he’s more about policy. I just don’t think it’s in his nature to use heavy rhetorical flourishes,” said Donatelli. “I think if he becomes a candidate, his message will be that he has been a successful conservative, pro-free market governor in a very blue state. That would be the one-sentence description of his political career.”
Pawlenty said he has three major objections to Democratic plans: the public option, possible tax increases on small and medium-sized businesses and the “massive spending disaster” that would result if health care were added to a federal budget.
The Minnesota governor also supports the right to pool insurance risk across state lines, opening up private insurance markets to allow consumers to buy a policy from nearly anywhere, creating an electronic billing and prescription system, the prohibition of coverage denials based on pre-existing conditions, portability guarantees and incentivizing hospitals and patients to reduce the cost of individual visits.
His approach doesn’t always land him in the headlines, but it’s winning him notice as a serious voice in the debate without damaging his Minnesota Nice brand.
This approach is almost identical to what this blog would like to see done, and is almost certainly a middle ground that could pass through the Senate (though probably not the current House, which has too many liberals to accept giving up the public option while allowing people to buy across state lines.) The article is highly recommended reading for those who haven't already jumped on the Pawlenty band wagon.
P.S.
There is also a great one sentence description of the man I've come to adore:
“That’s Tim’s nature. He’s a quieter sort, he’s more about policy. I just don’t think it’s in his nature to use heavy rhetorical flourishes,” said Donatelli. “I think if he becomes a candidate, his message will be that he has been a successful conservative, pro-free market governor in a very blue state. That would be the one-sentence description of his political career.”
Monday, August 17, 2009
More T-Paw Goodness
Tim Pawlenty has always counted on dry humor while still addressing the issues as a prime advantage as (likely) seeks the White House in 2012. (See him knocking the Obamacare here.) Well, at his speech to GOPAC this weekend, he has added some new strong statements to his reportoire:
“It appears that President Obama is making great progress on climate change, he is changing the political climate in the country back to Republican,” Pawlenty said during a speech to the second annual GOPAC conference in Chicago.
“He went around the country last fall promising ‘change we can believe in,’ but now we see it’s about changing what we believe in,” said Pawlenty, an anticipated 2012 Republican presidential contender. “We need to be calling out the flaws and misguided decisions of the Democrats in Congress and the Obama administration.”
“Medicaid is essentially bankrupt, Medicare is essentially bankrupt, why the heck would we give the federal government another entitlement program to manage?” asked Pawlenty.
“We had people, leaders in the Republican Party and conservative movement, saying we couldn’t talk about [health care],” the Republican governor said. “Are you kidding me? There is no other pocket book issue that directly affects people as much as this.”
“We need to be more than critics of the Obama administration,” he said. “We can’t just be critics in chiefs.”
“We have an educational system in the United States that isn’t cash for clunkers, it’s clash for flunkers,” he said. “This idea in this country that anyone is forced to go to a bad school is disgraceful.”
“This is the civil rights issue of our time,” he said, describing the plight of inner city schools and urging the state lawmakers in the crowd to address the lower performances of schools in some of their states more depressed areas. “It is a disgrace and it is a moral imperative…we need to rise up and fix this.”
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0809/26138.html#ixzz0OSI6rsaw
“It appears that President Obama is making great progress on climate change, he is changing the political climate in the country back to Republican,” Pawlenty said during a speech to the second annual GOPAC conference in Chicago.
“He went around the country last fall promising ‘change we can believe in,’ but now we see it’s about changing what we believe in,” said Pawlenty, an anticipated 2012 Republican presidential contender. “We need to be calling out the flaws and misguided decisions of the Democrats in Congress and the Obama administration.”
“Medicaid is essentially bankrupt, Medicare is essentially bankrupt, why the heck would we give the federal government another entitlement program to manage?” asked Pawlenty.
“We had people, leaders in the Republican Party and conservative movement, saying we couldn’t talk about [health care],” the Republican governor said. “Are you kidding me? There is no other pocket book issue that directly affects people as much as this.”
“We need to be more than critics of the Obama administration,” he said. “We can’t just be critics in chiefs.”
“We have an educational system in the United States that isn’t cash for clunkers, it’s clash for flunkers,” he said. “This idea in this country that anyone is forced to go to a bad school is disgraceful.”
“This is the civil rights issue of our time,” he said, describing the plight of inner city schools and urging the state lawmakers in the crowd to address the lower performances of schools in some of their states more depressed areas. “It is a disgrace and it is a moral imperative…we need to rise up and fix this.”
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0809/26138.html#ixzz0OSI6rsaw
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Mike Huckabee Talks About The Public Plan And Abortion
This blog is unlikely to support Mr. Huckabee in 2012, unless it is as weak a field as 2008, which won't happen if Misters Pawlenty and Gingrich have anything to say about it. The former Governor of Arkansas politicizes religion too often and is too loose with the public wallet. However, anyone who challenges his ability to talk about his prized social beliefs in the language of intelligent policy needs to watch this video.
On a related note, the current plan that has passed the three committees in the House would allow companies taking advantage of federal subsidies funded by your tax dollars in the exchange to support abortion and would "leave it up to the Health and Human Services Secretary to decide whether the public plan would fund abortion."
We would hope this wouldn't be acceptable to most pro-choice people, who will join us for a common sense apporach that, even if abortion is a woman's choice, no one should be forced to fund it against their will with tax dollars. True choice has been protected since the 1970s, and there is no reason to change it now just because we have the most liberal president since Johnson.
On a related note, the current plan that has passed the three committees in the House would allow companies taking advantage of federal subsidies funded by your tax dollars in the exchange to support abortion and would "leave it up to the Health and Human Services Secretary to decide whether the public plan would fund abortion."
We would hope this wouldn't be acceptable to most pro-choice people, who will join us for a common sense apporach that, even if abortion is a woman's choice, no one should be forced to fund it against their will with tax dollars. True choice has been protected since the 1970s, and there is no reason to change it now just because we have the most liberal president since Johnson.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Gingrich's American Solutions Group Pulls in $8.1 Million
Well garsh, Newt, that's quite a bit of money for someone to play around with. With that kind of dough, you can probably explore quite a few different approaches to get your message out in the next few years, especially that 2012 year coming up.
Just saying.
Source: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25666.html
Just saying.
Source: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25666.html
Americans Still Not Willing To Make Choices
Since the stimulus package, Americans have seemed to understand that it is better to ride out a recession than to pour out what little is left in the federal purse. Unfortunately, they continue to refuse to accept, to fix the hole Presidents Bubama (as in, Bush & Obama) have torn in the budget, that they will have to take some combination of spending cuts and tax raises.
A new CBS News/New York Times poll shows 53%-31% refusing to take cuts in services (that number increases to 42% if you let them only cut "a few things"), with 56%-41% opposing tax hikes.
The good news, politically, is that people are (slightly) less willing to accept an increase in taxes than they are to letting go of some domestic/economic aid. That will help Republicans in 2010, and especially 2012, when the President is forced to make some tough choices.
Unfortunately, this crisis is not about politics. It is about an American government that is threatening to lose all sense of fiscal reality and fall into a debt trap that would ensnare every citizen, and probably the entire world. The next Republican leader will hopefully be the one who can combine conservative austerity measures with the Roosevelt-Kennedy skill at rallying the country behind a necessary cause. And he is probably going to have to raise taxes too. It is impossible to know who that is (David Petraeus, if he chose to enter politics, comes to mind), but for the sake of everyone, pray they're out there.
A new CBS News/New York Times poll shows 53%-31% refusing to take cuts in services (that number increases to 42% if you let them only cut "a few things"), with 56%-41% opposing tax hikes.
The good news, politically, is that people are (slightly) less willing to accept an increase in taxes than they are to letting go of some domestic/economic aid. That will help Republicans in 2010, and especially 2012, when the President is forced to make some tough choices.
Unfortunately, this crisis is not about politics. It is about an American government that is threatening to lose all sense of fiscal reality and fall into a debt trap that would ensnare every citizen, and probably the entire world. The next Republican leader will hopefully be the one who can combine conservative austerity measures with the Roosevelt-Kennedy skill at rallying the country behind a necessary cause. And he is probably going to have to raise taxes too. It is impossible to know who that is (David Petraeus, if he chose to enter politics, comes to mind), but for the sake of everyone, pray they're out there.
Monday, July 27, 2009
T-Paw Named Vice-Chair of the RGA!!!
Title says it all. New national spot for the leader of the (self-titled) Sam's Club Republicans.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Gingrich Shows Obama Love
For most prospective 2012 presidential candidates, you can judge their interest by the rabid way they go after the president. But for former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, it is important he improve his negatives with moderates. Which may explain why he tweeted this (deserved) praise:
President Obama’s strong commitment on education reform is a good start and he is showing considerable courage indemanding real change
Hat Tip: The Hill
Friday, July 24, 2009
T-Paw Has Some Strong Words For ObamaCare
On what has apparantly (and unintentionally) become the most talked-about topic on Republican Punk, the favored 2012 candidate of this blog has stepped up with some strong rhetoric on the topic:
What you don't see in this video is Governor Pawlenty urging the party to not make health care about Obama, but rather attack the (very bad) policy behind it. He also takes an early 2012 shot at one of the frontrunners, Mitt Romney, by pointing out that the Massachusetts health plan did not contain costs and that the state is now looking for a federal bailout.
What you don't see in this video is Governor Pawlenty urging the party to not make health care about Obama, but rather attack the (very bad) policy behind it. He also takes an early 2012 shot at one of the frontrunners, Mitt Romney, by pointing out that the Massachusetts health plan did not contain costs and that the state is now looking for a federal bailout.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Obama/Romney Tied In Potential Matchup
This is a few days old, but I forgot to post it. Sorry, my bad. Anyways, here goes the good news for the GOP from Rasmussen:
If the 2012 presidential election were held today, President Obama and possible Republican nominee Mitt Romney would be all tied up at 45% each, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.
This is especially good considering Romney has emerged as the frontrunner (assuming David Petraeus and Condi Rice stay above the fray, as expected). All of this, the frontrunner status and the running neck-and-neck with Obama, have to do with the economy. As long as the economy is struggling and people worry about the deficit and taxes, Romney's CEO "run the government like a business" appeal will be potent. This is especially true now that he has quit the ridiculous attempt to paint himself as an arch-conservative party leader. He is who he is, and like it or not, that is the Republican's best chance (right now) to take back the White House.
Other interesting notes from the survey:
The president, seeking a second four-year term, beats another potential GOP rival, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, by six points – 48% to 42%.
With a margin-of-error of 3%, that is much closer than she has ever run before. At first glance, it would appear that she would have a serious chance. However, if I was a betting man, I would say that her poll numbers will never go higher. The people who don't like her are almost certainly not going to budge, and now that she has left public office, it seems unlikely she will have the platform to swing the very small minority of independents who would be undecided. President Obama does.
Finally, it is very important that she doesn't try to start any third-party bologna:
If Romney secured the GOP nomination and Palin chose to run as an independent candidate, Obama would win the resulting three-way race with 44% of the vote. Romney is the choice of 33% of the voters under that scenario, with Palin a distant third with 16% support. Three percent (3%) like some other candidate, and four percent (4%) are undecided.
She pulls almost entirely from Republicans, moving only 1% of would-be Obama voters into the "undecided" column (which was 3% in a 1-on-1 race) while taking 12% away from Romney (over a quarter of his support). There is no way should could come up with the funds to be anything more than a Ross Perot in 1992 electorally, and makes a Romney win very, very hard since all her support comes from the right.
Source: http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2012/2012_match_ups_obama_romney_tied_at_45_obama_48_palin_42
If the 2012 presidential election were held today, President Obama and possible Republican nominee Mitt Romney would be all tied up at 45% each, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.
This is especially good considering Romney has emerged as the frontrunner (assuming David Petraeus and Condi Rice stay above the fray, as expected). All of this, the frontrunner status and the running neck-and-neck with Obama, have to do with the economy. As long as the economy is struggling and people worry about the deficit and taxes, Romney's CEO "run the government like a business" appeal will be potent. This is especially true now that he has quit the ridiculous attempt to paint himself as an arch-conservative party leader. He is who he is, and like it or not, that is the Republican's best chance (right now) to take back the White House.
Other interesting notes from the survey:
The president, seeking a second four-year term, beats another potential GOP rival, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, by six points – 48% to 42%.
With a margin-of-error of 3%, that is much closer than she has ever run before. At first glance, it would appear that she would have a serious chance. However, if I was a betting man, I would say that her poll numbers will never go higher. The people who don't like her are almost certainly not going to budge, and now that she has left public office, it seems unlikely she will have the platform to swing the very small minority of independents who would be undecided. President Obama does.
Finally, it is very important that she doesn't try to start any third-party bologna:
If Romney secured the GOP nomination and Palin chose to run as an independent candidate, Obama would win the resulting three-way race with 44% of the vote. Romney is the choice of 33% of the voters under that scenario, with Palin a distant third with 16% support. Three percent (3%) like some other candidate, and four percent (4%) are undecided.
She pulls almost entirely from Republicans, moving only 1% of would-be Obama voters into the "undecided" column (which was 3% in a 1-on-1 race) while taking 12% away from Romney (over a quarter of his support). There is no way should could come up with the funds to be anything more than a Ross Perot in 1992 electorally, and makes a Romney win very, very hard since all her support comes from the right.
Source: http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2012/2012_match_ups_obama_romney_tied_at_45_obama_48_palin_42
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
T-Paw Becoming More and More Popular
In his own state...but still, it's a REALLY blue state that just elected Al Franken.
That a boy, Paw!
Very favorably: 28%
Somewhat favorably: 27%
Somewhat unfavorable: 15%
Very unfavorable: 28%
(Courtesy: Public Polling)
Hat Tip: GOP 12
That a boy, Paw!
Very favorably: 28%
Somewhat favorably: 27%
Somewhat unfavorable: 15%
Very unfavorable: 28%
(Courtesy: Public Polling)
Hat Tip: GOP 12
Monday, July 20, 2009
Bobby Jindal: Eliquent In Prose As Always
I am a Tim Pawlenty man in 2012, but Governor Jindal shows again in his new Politico editorial why he has so much potential. His ability to argue strong, sometimes complex policy in ways everyone can understand (unfortunately, in writing only thusfar) is comparable to Newt Gingrich, but he is without the baggage and character problems. Combined with the success of Lousiana post-Katrina and through the recession (employment that is actually projected to grown in 2009 and expanded health coverage without a government takeover, among other things), there is no doubt why he is a voice that should be listened to. Just not on video or audio. Yet.
Read his short editorial on health care: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25136.html
Read his short editorial on health care: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25136.html
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Obama Within Margin of Error With "Someone Else"
...In looking ahead to 2012, the Poll finds that 42% of voters say they would vote to re-elect President Obama, while 39% say they would vote for someone else. (Note: MoE was 3.5)
Source: http://www.diageohotlinepoll.com/
Update: Left this out from the post. Obama's approval ratings are now below 50% with independents, males, and rural voters, all of which decreased by 15 percentage points. This means that these groups seem to be driving his slowly sliding approval ratings single-handedly. Expect the President to abate the speeches about community colleges and public plans, and increase the amount he talks about farming, self-reliance, and improving the efficiency of government.
Source: http://www.diageohotlinepoll.com/
Update: Left this out from the post. Obama's approval ratings are now below 50% with independents, males, and rural voters, all of which decreased by 15 percentage points. This means that these groups seem to be driving his slowly sliding approval ratings single-handedly. Expect the President to abate the speeches about community colleges and public plans, and increase the amount he talks about farming, self-reliance, and improving the efficiency of government.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Majority of Republicans Don't Find Palin Qualified
This is obviously the biggest line of the new CBS news poll concerning Sarah Palin:
"Do you think Sarah Palin would have the ability to be an effective president?"
Yes No Unsure
% % %
ALL
22 65 13
Republicans
33 51 16
Democrats
6 86 8
Independents
30 55 15
Which justifies my lack of worry that she will win the nomination.
Source: http://www.pollingreport.com/p.htm
P.S.
Another interesting note in this poll is the fact that 51% of Americans believe that the media either treats Ms. Palin the same as everyone else or EASIER. So her claims of conservative martyrdom aren't really ringing true among the majority.
"Do you think Sarah Palin would have the ability to be an effective president?"
Yes No Unsure
% % %
ALL
22 65 13
Republicans
33 51 16
Democrats
6 86 8
Independents
30 55 15
Which justifies my lack of worry that she will win the nomination.
Source: http://www.pollingreport.com/p.htm
P.S.
Another interesting note in this poll is the fact that 51% of Americans believe that the media either treats Ms. Palin the same as everyone else or EASIER. So her claims of conservative martyrdom aren't really ringing true among the majority.
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