Good news: Pawlenty rounding up McCain strategists for 2012 run
posted at 9:34 pm on October 12, 2009 by Allahpundit
An all-star list of GOP strategists for his PAC’s first fundraiser. Hey — I thought Mitt was supposed to be the RINO candidate this time!
Among those interested in getting to know Pawlenty are Douglas Holtz-Eakin and Randy Scheunemann, two top policy advisers from the McCain presidential campaign who have joined the Minnesota governor’s host committee…
While Romney has a team of tested veterans to rely on if he runs again, Pawlenty is using his PAC to show off some who might come to his aid if he enters the race. Other McCain veterans teaming up with Pawlenty’s PAC are political strategists Bo Harmon, Jon Seaton and Terry Nelson, all of whom played roles in the 2008 campaign…
Earlier this month, Pawlenty rolled out a list of political and Web strategists who would serve as top advisers to his PAC — and, presumably, his eventual presidential campaign.
That list included Phil Musser, the former executive director of the Republican Governors Association; Nelson, a veteran of the Iowa caucuses who briefly served as Sen. McCain’s (R-Ariz.) campaign manager; Sara Taylor, President George W. Bush’s former political director; and Conant, a former press secretary at the Republican National Committee. The Web team includes Patrick Hynes, Liz Mair, Mindy Finn and Patrick Ruffini, all campaign veterans.
Randy Scheunemann? The same Randy Scheunemann who was Sarahcuda’s most loyal defender inside the McCain/Palin campaign? The same Randy Scheunemann who advised her on her Hong Kong speech? That Randy Scheunemann is hanging around with Tim Pawlenty now? At the very least, this means even her close advisors don’t know yet if she’s running. (Further proof that she’s not serious about politics?) At most, it means she’s decided against it and Scheunemann’s looking to latch onto someone else. Hmmmm.
Exit question: Seriously, why isn’t Mitt snapping these people up? He’s got the cash and much more name recognition than Pawlenty. Is his own campaign outfit already so well staffed that he doesn’t need any free agents?
Blowback
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Pawlenty’s a tool.
LibTired on October 12, 2009 at 9:37 PM
Dear Senator McCain…. Go AWAY!!! and Take your idiot daughter with you.
Oh Wait! She’s been gaining knowledge by hanging out with Tila Tequila.
roux on October 12, 2009 at 9:38 PM
blah blah blah…. till the RINO’s leave..we will never win an election so that we can shrink our debt nor the tyranny that is being bestowed upon us.
hawkman on October 12, 2009 at 9:38 PM
Me thinks Mitt is gonna team up with the Huckster for 2012…
And if Scheunemann has bolted away from the ‘Cuda already…Hmmmm….
JetBoy on October 12, 2009 at 9:38 PM
vooo…
voOoooo..
VOoOORooooo…
VOOOOORRRROOOOOSHHHHHHHH
CRASH!
5 spiral crash
jhffmn on October 12, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Pawlenty wants McCain’s people with him for 2012??
Why?? That alone makes you question his judgement.
B Man on October 12, 2009 at 9:39 PM
I really like Pawlenty. I would much rather have him than Romney.
deidre on October 12, 2009 at 9:40 PM
Oh yeah, collecting McCain strategists, now that’s a good idea. It worked so well last time!
Bad idea. Perhaps he should find strategists who aren’t formed and molded by D.C. .
Weebork on October 12, 2009 at 9:41 PM
I’m thinking it is a sign that she isn’t running, not in 2012 anyway. Scheunemann has said nothing but praise about Palin and has been loyal to her as far as I can see.
deidre on October 12, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Does anyone really believe Tim Pawlenty will ever be president og the United States?
billy on October 12, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Torpedo….to Pawlenty. He is in the same league with McCain, Goober Graham, Crist and Huckabee. Yes, Huckabee. Sarah is smart. I am a woman, and I wouldn’t trust any of the creeps that worked for McCain either. Fresh faces with no Washington ties that speak to real people. Yippee Skippee. McCain will be defeated in AZ – we are working on that. Goober goes next time he’s up. We have memories. Support Marco Rubio in FL. He’s a great conservative.
suzyk on October 12, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Romney/Palin 12
ginaswo on October 12, 2009 at 9:43 PM
Picking a bunch of losing strategist for what? McCain had no (zero) net funds coming in until “you betcha” entered the fray.
Rovin on October 12, 2009 at 9:43 PM
+1
And at least Pawlenty is serving out his full last term…unlike…
JetBoy on October 12, 2009 at 9:43 PM
deidra…. I am from Minnesota. Trust me… Pawlenty is trouble with a capital “T”.
suzyk on October 12, 2009 at 9:43 PM
No. Nor will Romney, nor will Huckabee.
ddrintn on October 12, 2009 at 9:44 PM
Most natural transition in the world is from McCain to Pawlenty. Don’t forget, Pawlenty was McCain’s lead guy in Minnesota from very early on.
And, while he’s done some admirable things as governor, he’s famous around here for reminding everybody that just getting the Republican vote is never enough to win anything worth having.
I once told him personally that HE had more of a chance to be President than McCain did, and I’m afraid he took it to heart.
Lew on October 12, 2009 at 9:44 PM
Mitt has his own group that is insular and very loyal to him. Mitt doesnt hire on talent he has his own cronies.
Besides Mitt does his own dirty stuff and he couldnt trust outsiders not to let it slip out.
William Amos on October 12, 2009 at 9:44 PM
Never happen. I’d rather see that Romney/Pawlenty juggernaut roll to a 40-state defeat. Yeah!
ddrintn on October 12, 2009 at 9:45 PM
Palin?Rubio 2012
bill30097 on October 12, 2009 at 9:46 PM
Just as long as it’s “rounding up and incarcerating McCain strategists for 2012 run”, then it’s all good.
cthulhu on October 12, 2009 at 9:46 PM
it would be nice to have a candidate who is running because he or she considers it a duty, honor, and privilege to serve as POTUS and who has a real vision for improving the country rather than another ladder climbing, cocktail party seeking, self-serving, unprincipled status seeker. Unfortunately good people rarely enter politics.
DerKrieger on October 12, 2009 at 9:46 PM
Wait, just because Schnuemann has decided to sign onto Pawlenty’s Host Committee doesn’t mean he’s joining Timmy’s campaign.
Jesus, Allah. Don’t get your hopes up. She’s going to run and she’s going to kick Mitt’s butt in the primary. It will be ugly.
victor82 on October 12, 2009 at 9:47 PM
Hey now, I love Palin; but I just like Pawlenty :)
I’m from Minnesota too, and he has done a good job considering. What he did with the stimulus funds was awesome, beat them at their own trick. Also, I still would rather have him than Romney.
deidre on October 12, 2009 at 9:47 PM
I wouldn’t be surprised if Pawlenty is in the top three during the primaries.
terryannonline on October 12, 2009 at 9:48 PM
And those that do are picked to pieces, at least on our side. By those on our “own side”. We’re always going to be left with the hacks.
ddrintn on October 12, 2009 at 9:48 PM
If there is a God in heaven, PLEASE send us a real conservative to send Obama back to Chicago where he belongs!
csdeven on October 12, 2009 at 9:49 PM
I can imagine the interveiw “So you were strategists that told your candidate to take a break when the stock market crashed and lost the election by 8 percentage points ? How is it your still unemployed ?”
Id suspect even Ron Paul “Pot” wouldnt hire them for his 1829 presidentual run with the slogan “Go for the Gold standard”
William Amos on October 12, 2009 at 9:51 PM
i don’t think there’ll be much left by 2012.
healthcare may be a watershed. aside from the shear irrationality of it, the bill is a way for rich libs (like pols and media types) to think good thoughts about themselve while making the little people into wards of the Leftist ideology
Peter Jennings, Katie, Brian and all the flaks and the pols will always have the best healthcare. what’s an extra 10K, 20K or 30K for these guys, nada.
so, as with most class warriors, it will come down to a compression of the poor and middle cleass into one class.
it will be a two-class society, and guess which one the press will be in….afflicting the afflicted
r keller on October 12, 2009 at 9:52 PM
Bad idea! Massively bad idea!
These are presumably the same strategists that have been back-biting Sarah Palin despite she being #2 on McCain ticket?
Pawlenty would be better served by taking Glenn Beck’s staff on Fox as campaign aides; McCain brought little winning strategy to 2008 campaign with the exception of Sarah Palin. Matter of fact Pawlenty should be talking to her for strategy….
IntheNet on October 12, 2009 at 9:52 PM
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UGH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please,NO,not Capt’n Queeg and McCains Mutiny again,
Part Deux!!
canopfor on October 12, 2009 at 9:52 PM
My point precisely B man.
Chaz706 on October 12, 2009 at 9:52 PM
I’ve had Pawlenty of McSame and that dopey daughter of his. If he’d been halfway serious about campaigning in the first place, he would have called out 0bama Bin Laden and told his daughter to get a clue or keep her piehole shut.
America does not need a RINO like him in the White House, and we will deserve whatever we get should we foolishly elect him.
Dark-Star on October 12, 2009 at 9:53 PM
Bye bye, Pawlenty.
Ronnie on October 12, 2009 at 9:53 PM
We are all going to have to accept that the dingbat messiah is going to be president for 8 years. There is no Republican who can beat him.
Really Right on October 12, 2009 at 9:54 PM
I’m seriously thinking that Palin might not want to run in 2012.
terryannonline on October 12, 2009 at 9:54 PM
Ummmmmm,so the needs of one,(McCain) will outweigh the needs of the many(Republican Party)!!!!!!!!!!!!
canopfor on October 12, 2009 at 9:55 PM
None of the above.
txag92 on October 12, 2009 at 9:55 PM
Sorry, sorry…heh
Oy I’ll never understand the Palin aura. But I digress.
JetBoy on October 12, 2009 at 9:56 PM
AP you forgot the “what could go wrong” line.
farright on October 12, 2009 at 9:57 PM
It’s all good. Just like I’ll never understand the Jet aura…heh!!!
deidre on October 12, 2009 at 9:57 PM
ThePrez on October 12, 2009 at 9:58 PM
I would prefer to watch paint dry than watch a Pawlenty speech.This man is more boring than McCain and that is saying some thing.No one more deserves McCain,s strategist than Pawlenty.
thmcbb on October 12, 2009 at 9:58 PM
Ghoul aid on October 12, 2009 at 9:58 PM
McCain strategists? Oh Lord…
disa on October 12, 2009 at 9:59 PM
Pawlenty’s greatest strength is that he fully understands that the Executive’s job is to be a gatekeeper and not a deal guy. He likes to reference his hockey playing days and say he’s used to being a goalie. He knows that the job is to keep the legislative branch on a short leash, and that it’s just fine to see that they get stymied when they try to do stupid things.
The problem he has is that he sometimes allows himself to get squeezed by the short term pressures to get elected, and ends up throwing a bone to the wrong crowd. He’s got a strong set of conservative instincts but a pragmatic streak that can be pretty scary.
Lew on October 12, 2009 at 9:59 PM
+1
President Palin.
dogsoldier on October 12, 2009 at 9:59 PM
You can vote Democrat (Statist)with a big “S”, or you can vote republican (statist) with a little “s”. Hot air bloggers will tell you if you vote for anyone else you are throwing your vote away. So what is it the quick screw or the slow screw?
paulsur on October 12, 2009 at 9:59 PM
Why does Randy Scheunemann taking an interest in Pawlenty mean anything definitive regarding Palin?
Lots of conclusion jumping going on.
powerpro on October 12, 2009 at 10:00 PM
Your an absolute idiot.
terryannonline on October 12, 2009 at 10:00 PM
Knock the birther crap off!
TimeTraveler on October 12, 2009 at 10:01 PM
Yeah, well, I didn’t think the American voter would fall for Obambi’s crap, either. Somebody’s gotta win. If we, as conservatives, don’t get in the fray and make some loud, loud noise, we’re gonna end up with a) One of the above RINOs or b) four more with Teh One.
uncivilized on October 12, 2009 at 10:01 PM
The two-party blindness doesn’t just afflict HA.
Dark-Star on October 12, 2009 at 10:01 PM
Hey now, I love Palin; but I just like Pawlenty :)
Sorry, sorry…heh
Oy I’ll never understand the Palin aura. But I digress.
JetBoy on October 12, 2009 at 9:56 PM
JetBoy: Thats an Alaskan Aurora!!:)
canopfor on October 12, 2009 at 10:01 PM
Pawlenty has VP running mate written all over him.
Hellrider on October 12, 2009 at 10:02 PM
Any announcement is over a year away, so there’s no sense in speculating. But I’ll be pretty disappointed if the crop of contenders is limited to Romney, Huckabee, and Steve Perry….errrr, Pawlenty.
Then again, Obama is shaping up to be such a disaster that a hamburger might be able to beat him in 2012.
Doughboy on October 12, 2009 at 10:02 PM
so much for Pawlenty’s chances… moves from favorite to also ran
phreshone on October 12, 2009 at 10:02 PM
And birthers claim it has nothing to do with racism. That was a straight up racist comment by ghoul.
terryannonline on October 12, 2009 at 10:02 PM
I’ve always thought that Sarah was held back by the people around her. If Sheunemann was part of McCain’s campaign, then I think Sarah could do better. His working with Pawlenty doesn’t indicate to me that Sarah’s not running- just that’s she’s looking for different/stronger people.
parteagirl on October 12, 2009 at 10:03 PM
I think we will get some idea about what Palin’s plans are after she goes on that book tour.
TimeTraveler on October 12, 2009 at 10:03 PM
How is that Good News? I thought McCain and his staffers must be outed. So Gov. Pawlenty was not able to get better people?
Trainwreck.
Nah… make that TRAINWRECK.
antisocial on October 12, 2009 at 10:04 PM
And I’m thinking you’re right. I think, if she ever does run, she’s going to wait until things settle out from the Age of Obama. If (heaven forbid) he gets another four years, this country is gonna be so forked up, we’re gonna be screaming for someone to fix it.
uncivilized on October 12, 2009 at 10:04 PM
Are there any new strategists around? I mean the GOP says they need to reach the younger generation, well start hiring some of these younger strategists who know a thing or two about what young people want.
deidre on October 12, 2009 at 10:04 PM
YES! I AM NOW A RACIST ACCORDING TO BOTH PARTYS!!!!! WOO-HOO!
Ghoul aid on October 12, 2009 at 10:04 PM
Maybe Randy is just checking out T-Paw to see if he’s V.P. material for his boss, Palin. ;)
yogi41 on October 12, 2009 at 10:04 PM
Touche ;)
JetBoy on October 12, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Never too early to stat vetting. Just ask Team Obama.
ThePrez on October 12, 2009 at 10:06 PM
Do you not remember the end of the primaries?
Weight of Glory on October 12, 2009 at 10:06 PM
By 2012 Homer Simson will get more votes than Kenyan Man. He’s lost most of the Independents and he’s only been in office nine months! Be patient… he’s Carter II (Lite)…
IntheNet on October 12, 2009 at 10:06 PM
I yigh yigh.
MB4 on October 12, 2009 at 10:06 PM
So far, most of the competent strategists who have any idea how to reach young people have gravitated to the Democrats. Wonder what it would take to poach a few of them for our side…
uncivilized on October 12, 2009 at 10:07 PM
Knock the birther crap off!
TimeTraveler on October 12, 2009 at 10:01 PM
Oops !! I think I am on the wrong site , thought I clicked HA, wound up on LGF!
cableguy615 on October 12, 2009 at 10:07 PM
OH MY GOD…YOU RACIST!!!!!!! OH…..MY…..GOD!!!!!!
Ghoul aid on October 12, 2009 at 10:07 PM
Ahhh…One day I’ll get up and out that far to see those lights. As it is ’round here, the light pollution is so bad I can barely make out a few stars on a clear night.
JetBoy on October 12, 2009 at 10:08 PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_Roosevelt
William Amos on October 12, 2009 at 10:08 PM
Hate to be a negative ninny, but I don’t see the GOP fielding a strong candidate in ’12. Pawlenty certainly ain’t it, and unfortunately I can;t think of anyone who would be.
changer1701 on October 12, 2009 at 10:08 PM
What ghoul said was absolutely racist.
terryannonline on October 12, 2009 at 10:09 PM
Listening to him, Steve Wynn would be a better candidate than most of the political class running for the GOP. Most of them have that beltway sympathy that infects the party. He at least gets what’s happening with the economy, something the current Frosh doesn’t care about at all. He just wants to bury it.
StevefromMKE on October 12, 2009 at 10:09 PM
This election is Obama’s to lose. We just have to hope he does and the Republican keeps their gaffes to a minimum.
Speedwagon82 on October 12, 2009 at 10:09 PM
Scratch Romney, Pawlenty & Huck. We need a real conservative.
Tasha on October 12, 2009 at 10:09 PM
By 2012 Homer Simson will get more votes than Kenyan Man. He’s lost most of the Independents and he’s only been in office nine months! Be patient… he’s Carter II (Lite)…
IntheNet on October 12, 2009 at 10:06 PM
OH MY GOD…YOU RACIST!!!!!!! OH…..MY…..GOD!!!!!!
Ghoul aid on October 12, 2009 at 10:07 PM
YEAH you birfer blah blah blah…
cableguy615 on October 12, 2009 at 10:10 PM
John McCain is a has been and will continue to be a democrat appeaser. Go away John, Don’t leave mad, Just go away and leave us alone
bluegrass on October 12, 2009 at 10:10 PM
What ghoul said was absolutely racist.
terryannonline on October 12, 2009 at 10:09 PM
ok
cableguy615 on October 12, 2009 at 10:10 PM
You sicken me.
terryannonline on October 12, 2009 at 10:11 PM
The racist won’t need ACORN to get them to vote this go around
bluegrass on October 12, 2009 at 10:11 PM
If Pawlenty is the nominee, prepare yourself for 4 more years of Obama.
outOfElement on October 12, 2009 at 10:11 PM
1. Jobs
2. Jobs
3. Jobs
4. Job security from illegal aliens and outsourcing
5. Legal protection from health insurance companies dropping you from coverage
6. Increase/refit of useful public transportation
My college just teamed up with the city bus to offer free transportation to and from college classes. Results in a useful product – people with college educations – doesn’t cost the taxpayers a mint and is fairly abuse-resistant.
Dark-Star on October 12, 2009 at 10:11 PM
Still sayin’….
John Boehner 2012!
JetBoy on October 12, 2009 at 10:13 PM
Great stategy, Tim. Hook yourself up to the great thinks that piloted a losing Rino campaign. There is an entire country that needs to respect and support you. Not just the Beltway Elites.
kingsjester on October 12, 2009 at 10:13 PM
This is 2009. We won’t know what makes sense in 2012 until we are much closer to that election.
In the meantime, scapegoating McCain about the 2008 election is unproductive. McCain unwisely pulled his punches, but that did not decide the 2008 election. According to what the polls consistently showed over time, McCain was the only electable Republican in 2008 (every other GOP candidate was far behind in putative national matchups), and there were plenty of “headwinds” in 2008 that precluded a McCain-Palin win: (i) a financial meltdown that created economic anxieties that have historically favored the Democrats and did that year; (ii) a Bush Administration financial bailout that muddied the waters of what was a Reaganesque economic message delivered by McCain and Palin on the campaign trail; (iii) the unpopularity of Bush, which is unfair but which is the result of unceasing attack by the Left and Bush not using the bully pulpit to defend his Administration; (iv) money and more money, some of it illegal, that Obama had; (v) media bias that was absurdly in the tank for Obama and that operated effectively day-in, day-out as a propaganda machine for Democrats (e.g., Obama, the tax cutter); and (vi) demographic changes (if the USA had the same demographic composition in 2008 that it had in 1992 and the same votal percentages held per group between McCain and Obama, McCain would have won).
Phil Byler on October 12, 2009 at 10:13 PM
I will take that bet. By 2012, the irreversible Statist/socilist imposition of our new economy will be fully underway. I bet he gets re-elected with roughly about the same vote count.
paulsur on October 12, 2009 at 10:13 PM
Charlie is a nutjob that clearly needs seriously help having said that, that doesn’t mean that we should be engaging in these stupid baseless conspiracies.
TimeTraveler on October 12, 2009 at 10:13 PM
Ahhh…One day I’ll get up and out that far to see those lights. As it is ’round here, the light pollution is so bad I can barely make out a few stars on a clear night.
JetBoy on October 12, 2009 at 10:08 PM
JetBoy: I haven’t seen one either,but I’ve seen some good
pictures tho!:)
http://www.spaceweather.com/
Aurora Gallery.
http://www.spaceweather.com/aurora/gallery_01sep09.htm?PHPSESSID=21acen5159l1e8ahcaogkbe0i3
canopfor on October 12, 2009 at 10:13 PM
So…Pawlenty plans on following McCain into irrelevancy?
Good Lt on October 12, 2009 at 10:14 PM
that would equal 4 years of Obama lite. Slow screw….
paulsur on October 12, 2009 at 10:15 PM
TimeTraveler,
It wasn’t just about engaging in baseless conspiracies but what ghoul said was racist.
terryannonline on October 12, 2009 at 10:15 PM
John and Acornhead both wanted Cap and Tax
John and Acornhead both want this country full of illegals
John and Acornhead both supported the stimulus and TARP bills
John and Acornhead are two peas in the same pod
Need I say more?
bluegrass on October 12, 2009 at 10:15 PM
It probably depends on how the midterm elections go. If Republicans get enough gains in both houses to prevent Obama from doing more damage, people may just reelect him. But if we don’t get enough gains and he continues to cause serious damage people may be voting against him rather than for anyone in particular.
Rose on October 12, 2009 at 10:15 PM
Sometimes the most impressive people are the ones who aren’t going out of their way to impress you.
CDeb on October 12, 2009 at 10:15 PM
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