Pawlenty: Congress not listening to voters concerned about jobs, not health care
posted at 3:36 pm on November 24, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Most of this segment covers whether the American public is “waking up” to the difference between Barack Obama’s rhetoric and his performance, but both Tim Pawlenty and Sean Hannity get to the details — especially on jobs and the economy. Pawlenty says that both Obama and Congress have stopped listening to the American people. Instead of pushing through big-spending, big-government programs, they should be “focused like a laser” on creating jobs and economic growth:
It has become obvious that the Tea Party movement tapped into a larger feeling among the majority that the Democrats had allowed their agenda to run off the rails. They voted for the Not-Bush in 2008, not a hard-Left progressive agenda of state control over vast swaths of the American economy. And while joblessness escalates, the Democrats seem to be dithering as much as Obama is on Afghanistan, afraid to admit that their $787 billion Porkulus has done nothing to foster job creation.
Pawlenty gets it right and offers a line of attack that the GOP should absorb quickly: the Democrats are far more interested in their own priorities than those of working (and increasingly non-working) Americans. They’re Nero to the economic Rome burning down all around them, fiddling with a health-care system that satisfies most Americans while watching more and more Americans lose their jobs.
Blowback
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Sorry, I’m not feeling the “PawlentyMania.”
UltimateBob on November 24, 2009 at 3:39 PM
No Youtube at work. But it’s good to know that Steve Perry is at least out there speaking his mind. Where you at, Mitt?
Doughboy on November 24, 2009 at 3:39 PM
Thanks for noticing, Tim.
Disturb the Universe on November 24, 2009 at 3:39 PM
I have had PawLENTY of time to evaluate this guy and I am not buying.
milemarker2020 on November 24, 2009 at 3:40 PM
And they could care less. I can`t wait for these dogs to have their day. The arrogance is amazing.
LSUMama on November 24, 2009 at 3:41 PM
Ed, best caption ever.
Geochelone on November 24, 2009 at 3:41 PM
Good stuff T-Paw, but until I see thousands coming to your events, you connecting w/ grassroots, and explaining some of your RINO positions as Governor, your a VEEP candidate at best for me.
That being said, the more GOP folks out there speaking out against Teh One the better.
davek70 on November 24, 2009 at 3:42 PM
BWAAA HAHAHAH!
Good to hear a voice against the liberalism run amok. Pawlenty has more spine than some other 2012 candidates who seem to be hiding.
portlandon on November 24, 2009 at 3:42 PM
Somebody say something?
Oh that was pawlenty I guess I can go back to sleep now.
When it comes to Minnesotta, Michelle Bachman yes, Pawlenty not so much.
kangjie on November 24, 2009 at 3:44 PM
Appears that Pawlenty listened to Palin on Greta last night.
debg on November 24, 2009 at 3:44 PM
I just don’t get why so many of you seem to dislike Pawlenty.
Abby Adams on November 24, 2009 at 3:46 PM
Yup! I actually really like Pawlenty. He is a decent Guv, although RINO-ish on some issues. He’s a good guy, and I’m glad to see he has some balls!
deidre on November 24, 2009 at 3:46 PM
“Thank you, Captain Obvious.”
Ed, give the guy a break…he’s started his campaign for 2012. At least he’s a real conservative. I’d say he’s somewhere between Mitt Romney and Duncan Hunter.
orlandocajun on November 24, 2009 at 3:47 PM
Only criticism I have is when he says his opposition to Obama isn’t personal, it is personal to those of us who are sick and tired of this poseur they call president.
fourdeucer on November 24, 2009 at 3:47 PM
On the other hand the republicans did pick John Mccain as the nominee only a year ago and you have to admit Pawlenty does have that Rino like non threating look and sound to him. Moderates all across states Republicans can’t win(New Jersey, New York, Oregon) are feeling the tingle in there legs right now.
kangjie on November 24, 2009 at 3:48 PM
Two reasons:
1) He supported crap-and-betrayed(or at least some form of it).
2) He’s bland and uninspiring.
Doughboy on November 24, 2009 at 3:49 PM
yeah im not feeling him either…
moonbatkiller on November 24, 2009 at 3:49 PM
I doubt Ed is calling Pawlenty “Captain Obvious,” unless he and T-Paw have had some sort of Minnesota falling out. Assume Bowbama is the aforementioned Cap’t O.
james23 on November 24, 2009 at 3:49 PM
It’s a quote from the interview he did with Hannity. It’s not directed at him.
Doughboy on November 24, 2009 at 3:51 PM
blatantblue on November 24, 2009 at 3:51 PM
You betcha’!
mwdiver on November 24, 2009 at 3:51 PM
Speaking of Cap’n Oblivious, last night he was on the News reminding us dumbies that we just can’t keep spending money we don’t have. I nearly heaved my beer bottle through the flat screen at him.
james23 on November 24, 2009 at 3:51 PM
If they’d watch the clip, they’d understand.
Abby Adams on November 24, 2009 at 3:51 PM
I (speaking only for myself) never said I disliked him. I just don’t think he’s a strong enough conservative voice. My opinion of him could change over the next couple of years.
Right now, I’m watching Palin, Bachman, and DeMint. Maybe a few others. Jindal is off of my radar screen, too.
UltimateBob on November 24, 2009 at 3:52 PM
We have tried the Rino way and global warming has been proved to a f**cking hoax now.
Sorry T-Paw Game over(or would be if Repubs had gonads)
kangjie on November 24, 2009 at 3:52 PM
Speaking of Captain Obvious, it should be obvious that’s a poorly written headline, Ed. Criminally so.
Splashman on November 24, 2009 at 3:52 PM
Hey, you can see Canada from here!
BobMbx on November 24, 2009 at 3:53 PM
Guys like Pawlenty are non-starters for me due to being stupid enough to buy into man caused global warming.
If he can’t figure out it’s a ruse to cripple industry, than he’s not smart enough to beat Obama & co.
He can be somebodys Sec. of Agriculture in 2013.
jjshaka on November 24, 2009 at 3:53 PM
Get used to it. By October 2010, almost every politician will have jumped on the bandwagon and be saying how gubmint doesn’t listen to the people and how they’re the exception.
hogfat on November 24, 2009 at 3:53 PM
When it comes to Pawlenty, I can feel the love. LOL Yeah…he’s a lil late for the train on this one. I think we all had this knowledge since last November.
Why help with jobs. The more people are without jobs, the more reliant they become on government goodies. However, I think they seriously underestimate the working American. We want jobs, and to make our own way, without some crummy government entitlements. We’ll be patient, and work things out, until we can vote a more desirable congress in, and get them to lower taxes, and help incentivize the private sector. I’d rather starve than go on the government dole.
capejasmine on November 24, 2009 at 3:54 PM
It is some kind of crazy that the economy is in free fall and the biggest issue for dems is how to sneak federal funding of abortions into a health care that will further sink the economy.
DanMan on November 24, 2009 at 3:55 PM
I don’t dislike him, but Dough’s 2 reasons above are same for me. Plus, I just get too much of a McCain RINO vibe from him (maybe that’ll change in 2012, but right now that’s where I stand).
davek70 on November 24, 2009 at 3:55 PM
Smells like rino Sh**t in here… oh thats just Pawlenty talking.
kangjie on November 24, 2009 at 3:55 PM
Mr. Excitement.
stenwin77 on November 24, 2009 at 3:55 PM
I think a lot of Republicans were just afraid to stand up to the environmentalists. Especially after 2005 and all the hurricanes. I’m willing to give most of them a mulligan on this one. But any GOP politician who backs crap-and-betrayed now after everything we’ve learned about “global warming” deserves to get run.
Doughboy on November 24, 2009 at 3:55 PM
I have nothing major against T-Paw, but then again I have nothing major for him either.
Lou Budvis on November 24, 2009 at 3:55 PM
As good an analogy the fall of the Roman Empire is to the US, I still have doubts that we will ever become a nation of maniac drivers and butt pinchers, as did Rome.
BobMbx on November 24, 2009 at 3:55 PM
Probably true. Just like in the last election, even some on the far left were calling themselves “fiscal conservatives,” which was completely laughable.
I guess their definition of fiscal conservatism is to TAX as much as you SPEND, not keeping both to a minimum.
UltimateBob on November 24, 2009 at 3:56 PM
Pawlenty’s a good guy — we conservatives could do a lot worse for a spokesman. But I feel about Pawlenty the way I do about Romney: a conservative of convenience, not conviction, and thus incapable of inspiring passion.
He’d make a good RNC chair. Steele is turning into a bad joke.
Splashman on November 24, 2009 at 3:57 PM
Thanks, Mr. Obvious…I never made the connection.
search4truth on November 24, 2009 at 3:57 PM
They hear us… they just don’t care. They are so close to destroying our economy, this country, and our way of life they can just taste it and they aren’t going to let a few grandmothers at tea parties stop them.
RightWinged on November 24, 2009 at 3:57 PM
Keep lying to yourselves. It feels better than reality, I know.
Grow Fins on November 24, 2009 at 3:58 PM
And it’s personal to those of us who get stuck with the bill. It is VERY personal. We are the ones who have to sacrifice vacations with our families, better education for our kids, that new car, the nicer home, etc etc all because of the additional tax burden being placed on us.
UltimateBob on November 24, 2009 at 4:00 PM
If he keeps this up, Tim could become a blogger!!
Me thinks it’s pretty easy to tell us what we already know.
Like so many others commenting above; I’m not anywhere near sold on this guy.
GoldenEagle4444 on November 24, 2009 at 4:00 PM
Maybe more like Cap’n Crunch under the weight of Palin’s heels. And what fabulous heels they are.
SouthernGent on November 24, 2009 at 4:01 PM
I hate to tell all of you anti-Pawlenters out there, but just wait until the primary debates.
You aren’t going to be happy.
Abby Adams on November 24, 2009 at 4:01 PM
Reminds me a little of the Charlie Crist guy in Florida but not as bad.
They will say what needs to be said only if they have to..
He will be pre-approved by all the right people in the media as a sensible canadate. Frum, Brooks, Noonan, Smerconish, Bill Bennet etc.
Come to think of it he will proably be our canadate in 2012 and of course lose.
kangjie on November 24, 2009 at 4:02 PM
I hope you’re right. But it’s going to take a lot more than just words, it’s going to take real actions to convince us that he’s a true conservative.
And just to reiterate, I am not anti-Pawlenti, I’m just not sold on him… yet.
UltimateBob on November 24, 2009 at 4:03 PM
Speaking only for myself, my principal reason for not trusting TPaw is his professed belief in man made global warming and his apparent openness to a form of cap n trade. This doesn’t make him wrong on all issues, but it is a major flashing RED warning sign for me. I have other gripes about him, but this is issue #1.
As a conservative, you can understand my concern, right?
james23 on November 24, 2009 at 4:03 PM
Hey, how’d you find a non-Palin thread?
davek70 on November 24, 2009 at 4:03 PM
Yawnplenty ….zzzzz
thirteen28 on November 24, 2009 at 4:03 PM
You are still lying to yourself….grow balls!
capejasmine on November 24, 2009 at 4:04 PM
Every thing you said and volumes more.
fourdeucer on November 24, 2009 at 4:04 PM
Written by someone who voted for the concept of “Hope and Change.”
Comedy gold.
Bishop on November 24, 2009 at 4:04 PM
Ok, I’ll bite
What exactly is your connection to Pawlenty? Are you from the North Country? Have a crush on him? Faimly Friend?
He does not typically inspire a great deal of passion either way.
kangjie on November 24, 2009 at 4:05 PM
I know it’s hard to resist, but please don’t feed the troll. If we ignore him, he’ll just go away.
UltimateBob on November 24, 2009 at 4:05 PM
LOL
lorien1973 on November 24, 2009 at 4:06 PM
The quotes make it look like someone in the video clip said this, but some of the commenters seem to think Ed was saying this.
I can’t see the video, so if someone could help me out that would be great.
BadgerHawk on November 24, 2009 at 4:08 PM
Thank you, Captain Obvious
DrAllecon on November 24, 2009 at 4:08 PM
Disregard my previous comment.
BadgerHawk on November 24, 2009 at 4:09 PM
They are not just after Sarah Palin…
Outrage, disgrace, and oh yeah, a day to live in infamy.
I am against true torture, but this is absolutely insane.
Mr. Joe on November 24, 2009 at 4:09 PM
Guess who doesn’t have school this week…surely you have some homework grow fins….
right2bright on November 24, 2009 at 4:09 PM
That’s what I’m here for Caller.
Left Coast Right Mind on November 24, 2009 at 4:10 PM
Until I see a video of T-Paw shooting and field-dressing a moose, then proudly beholding its eyeballs in his hands, I vote NOPE. Besides, he probably thinks field dressing goes on a salad.
(Sorry. I just feel like I’ve been beaten to a pulp by Obama and his Crips the last couple of weeks, while the republican Apple Dumpling Gang stood by watching.)
We need someone like Sarah.
ziggyville on November 24, 2009 at 4:11 PM
I will take bland and uninspiring over that thing we now have in the White House.
Knucklehead on November 24, 2009 at 4:14 PM
T-Paw’s is not afraid to stand up to the Dem majority in MN while keeping the nice guy persona. I might not agree with him on everything but he, IMHO, has kept MN from being in the top 10 list of the worst managed states by telling the Dems NO! We may elect crazy people, Franken come to mind, in this state but sometimes we get in right.
Sweetness0726 on November 24, 2009 at 4:14 PM
No connection. I just can’t understand all the animosity towards someone on our side. (Other than maybe his cap-n-trade flirtations a few years back… such as james23 on November 24, 2009 at 4:03 PM)
I think Pawlenty stands to surprise a lot of you. I’ve said in the past that he was my early, early pick for the GOP nom in 2012, and until some more things change, I’d guess it’s a matter of “defending my guy.”
Abby Adams on November 24, 2009 at 4:15 PM
Just saw that myself, though it appears there may have been some other things going on to warrant charges; only the most foolish of commanding officers would charge a soldier with giving a douchebag terrorist a bloody lip.
I’m on the wait and see boat with this one.
Bishop on November 24, 2009 at 4:15 PM
I like Tim Pawlenty.
Sweetness0726 on November 24, 2009 at 4:16 PM
The thing with Pawlenty for me is he doesn’t inspire. He seems a day late and a dollar short on important issues. Smells of gauging the political winds instead of getting in front of an issue and trying to lead. Then add his support for global warming and I question whether he’s the man for a conservative. We should all give him a chance, but he’s got a long way to go to win me over.
search4truth on November 24, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Plus he’s willing to call out Romney. So I like that.
Abby Adams on November 24, 2009 at 4:16 PM
All I know about the 2012 Presidential race is that whoever the MSM endorses in the primaries for the Republicans, I’m going with the exact opposite.
Left Coast Right Mind on November 24, 2009 at 4:16 PM
What an awesome comparison! I can’t help but picture Barry et al smacking us around, taking our wallet, turning us upside down to shake the change out of our pockets.
The GOP sees it and after staring google-eyed, Don Knotts goes for his gun, but it’s stuck in the holster, so when Tim Conway tries to help him pull it out, he accidentally shoots both of them in the foot instead. As we’re yelling for help, they’re yelling louder, each hopping around on one foot.
We need help…soon.
DrAllecon on November 24, 2009 at 4:17 PM
I was just giving a reason why he’s not very popular with the conservative base. There’s nothing wrong with Steve Perry. I’d vote for him in a heartbeat over Obama. And BTW, for those(like me) who can’t watch YouTube at work, the interview is available at Hannity’s page on FoxNews. He did very well articulating why Obama sucks.
But let’s not kid ourselves here. Palin has an ability to connect with people that Perry can only dream of.
Doughboy on November 24, 2009 at 4:19 PM
Pawlenty would be the equivalent of Kerry in 2004 minus the Vietnam drama. A snooza-palooza.
Jeff2161 on November 24, 2009 at 4:22 PM
It may be obvious, but it needs to be said often and loudly. They are trying to tell themselves that the people want this communist crap they’re shoveling. Dingy, Piglosi and Bozo need a wake up call.
dogsoldier on November 24, 2009 at 4:23 PM
See, I kind of see it a different way. To me, and this has only been intensified as she’s been on her book tour, Palin has no depth on most issues. On energy and life, she’s spectacular, but on other issues, including the economy, it just seems like she’s got 2 talking points, and no substance.
She can connect with people, but on what level. On the other hand, while some people might find Pawlenty a bit boring, he can clearly articulate his message, and that message ain’t that different from Palin’s.
Abby Adams on November 24, 2009 at 4:24 PM
Pawlenty should run for the Senate. He may be pushing the level of his incompetence by being a US Senator from Minnesota but if you contrast him to Stuey Smalls Franken, the plausibility of becoming a Senator in Minnesota looks very positive. Save your money & time Tim. Minnesota needs you more now than ever. McCain didn’t pick you for VP because you had the same appeal to the Republican base as he did. Do the honorable thing by running for the US senate because you are an honorable man. Huckabee should have ran for the US senate too. Why didn’t Huckabee run for the senate when it was clear that the 2008 presidential nomination was beyond his grasp? I really don’t think that Huckabees advisors did him any favors by allowing him to pass up on a golden opportunity to become a US senator. We sure could have used him in the senate especially now with this Hemorrhoidcare debate going on.
Americannodash on November 24, 2009 at 4:26 PM
Ashamed to say I haven’t noticed the resemblance until you mentioned it. Now if he’d just throw in a double cluth of his hands towards his body, and give a anguished face while he rails on Obama….then he’d really have it down pat.
stldave on November 24, 2009 at 4:35 PM
That is part of my problem with him. He seems like he sits back until he sees what the approved opinion is and then chimes in his me too.
katiejane on November 24, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Yeah, exactly!
Oh, wait…d’oh!
DrAllecon on November 24, 2009 at 4:48 PM
chickasaw42 on November 24, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Forehead Begala was just on CNN and said that the Democrats should keep blaming O’bama’s failures on the evil Boosh for….the next 80 to 90 years
Del Dolemonte on November 24, 2009 at 4:56 PM
Hello! Freaking F-with a cherry on top! Just say it!
JellyToast on November 24, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Pawlenty needs a crew cut to look older
PrezHussein on November 24, 2009 at 5:14 PM
What the hell do you purists think you can afford anyway? You will have few choices, likely all of them will be governors. You want the governor who ‘quit her job’ (whom I love btw), or Pawlenty? It will come down to those two. Get off your all-or-nothing high horses and look for the good in both… we don’t have many choices.
leftnomore on November 24, 2009 at 5:17 PM
Cap-n-tax supporter.
farright on November 24, 2009 at 5:18 PM
Any Republican who was in favor of C’n'T now has the opportunity to climb down by using the science email scandal as an excuse to say they were duped. I will let them do that, and let bygones be bygones.
If Tim was guilty of supporting other liberal issues, or showed some philosophical soft side for illegal immigration, then no. But for you to already have a snarky opinion (“he’s too bland”) is idiotic.
leftnomore on November 24, 2009 at 5:25 PM
What the hell are you talking about? The NY23 endorsement? Get over it.
leftnomore on November 24, 2009 at 5:27 PM
Brava! Very well said. As someone mentioned the other day, elections are either “winds of change” or “back to basics.” Pawlenty strikes me as a good “back to basics” guy.
LASue on November 24, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Hello Mr Obvious..long time listener…first time caller
JJKRN on November 24, 2009 at 6:08 PM
http://veteranoutrage.com/?p=1678
Check this one out
seems obama and the democrats approved
Three major projects all to be done
by chinese communist wokers..
So thats what they meant by shovel ready..
Just a small problem..
All of those shovels
are being held by
Chiense communist state workers..
I wonder how many shares obama and the democrats got
in return for steering contracts to beijing?
Oh and if communism is so great
as the dumb broad ajalina thinks
then how come the communist chinese
are sending all their workers over to the USA
looking for jobs..
you friggin morons..
http://veteranoutrage.com/?p=1678
veteranoutrage on November 24, 2009 at 6:09 PM
I disagree Ed. They may have voted against Bush, but they also voted for BO. Anyone who did minimal unbiased investigation into BO would have soon realized he was extreme in his views. The same goes for many of the others voted into office at the same time. Saying they didn’t vote for a hard-left agenda lets them off the hook. They made an uniformed decision that is now putting our country in peril. We should not be so dismissive of their reckless actions. When you see someone proudly sporting their BO for president bumper sticker, it should be translated to “I’m A Dangerous Moron” (intentionally uninformed and dangerous) or “I’m A Marxist” (intentionally dangerous). Those are the only two options.
ClanDerson on November 24, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Your reasons are your reasons but you need to be truthful at least with yourself
If he looked like a troll would you really be defending him?.
He will surprise and change my mind if he lays the wood to some libs by name. Call some people out and pick a fight. Make fun of Al Franken every 2 or 3 weeks in public for the record and just for the hell of it. Make fun of Pelosi
He could say something like this to a reporter ‘I think Al Franken gives midgets a bad name and you can quote on me that’
or he could say ‘Al franken could not hold Michelle Bachmans underwear and the next time I see that commie I will tell him so’
Think you will ever that from him? Nah
Radical times call for something with a little more sac
kangjie on November 24, 2009 at 6:32 PM
I put a rino trap out on the property with some global warming bait and caught me a T-Paw.
wheelgun on November 24, 2009 at 6:34 PM
I know this is a day late, but this is absurd. First, Pawlenty isn’t that good looking. He’s kind of got a pointy face (if you know what I’m saying). Plus his hair is horrendous, obviously. Romney is much better looking, but you don’t see me jumping up defending him.
It’s not about looks.
Abby Adams on November 25, 2009 at 9:48 AM