[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: Re: The Party of Pawlenty (Part 3)

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Posted by Speed Gibson:
Re: The Party of Pawlenty (Part 3)
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1185076037.shtml


   Continuing my series on Pawlenty being the very model of a modern
   major conservative, it's easy to find strong evidence of "kinder,
   gentler" aka "compassionate" conservatism in our Governor.
   As good as we might feel about the results of the 2007 Legislative
   session, spending still went up almost 10 percent, about double the
   inflation rate. But while I can certainly question his negotiating
   style, I have to give him and the GOP leadership considerable credit
   for holding off the near veto-proof DFL majorities he faced.
   No, it's the stupid stuff like the Twins Stadium bill that exposes the
   real Tim Pawlenty. Don't forget, he originally campaigned against
   this, and against light rail, too. A conservative doesn't raise taxes
   when there is no need, and Carl Pohlad has no need of state money to
   build a new ballpark on his own.
   The real crime was yanking the prescribed referendum ballot out of our
   hands, we the taxpayers of Hennepin County. He even went so far as to
   snub us by signing it at a game, wearing a Twins jersey. Forgive me if
   this sounds like an ad hominem attack, but this demonstrates a real
   character flaw in the man.
   Pawlenty can be clever and glib, but he doesn't have the political
   courage to do what's right for its own sake. The best example of this
   was his signing of the smoking ban. In fact, he was rather eager to
   sign it. Now whatever else Pawlenty may or may not be, stupid he
   isn't. I have to believe he knows this second-hand smoke "danger"
   fades quickly under even modest cross-examination. The data just isn't
   there. It's another blow to rural Minnesota, especially the border
   towns, and will significantly add to the growing list of closed bars
   and restaurants - for nothing.
   Pawlenty is a populist, a Republican populist, or should I say, a
   populist Republican? He somewhat reminds me of Bill O'Reilly, another
   smart guy in my opinion, but one too willing to suspend that intellect
   to, say, decry the big bad oil companies.
   So why is this Pawlenty of Populism such a hit with voters? That's
   next, in part 4.