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Out: Tim Pawlenty Quits GOP Presidential Race

Aug. 14, 2011 8:55am Madeleine Morgenstern

Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty Quitting 2012 GOP Republican Presidential Race

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced Sunday he is ending his bid president. (AP)

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty dropped out of the race for the GOP presidential nomination on Sunday, hours after finishing a disappointing third in the Iowa straw poll.

“I wish it would have been different, but obviously the pathway forward for me doesn’t exist so we are going to end the campaign,” Pawlenty said on ABC’s “This Week” from Iowa.

The low-key Midwesterner, who had struggled to gain traction in a state he had said he must win, had told supporters on a conference call shortly before the broadcast interview that he was ending his White House bid.

“I thought I would have made a great president, but obviously that pathway isn’t there,” Pawlenty said. “I do believe we’re going to have a very good candidate who is going to beat Barack Obama.”

The two-term ex-governor of a Democratic-leaning state was on Arizona Sen. John McCain’s short list for the vice presidential spot in 2008. He had spent roughly two years laying the groundwork for his 2012 campaign and had hoped to become the alternative to the national front-runner, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

But this summer he unexpectedly found himself in a grudge match with Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, who shot to the top of polls in Iowa after getting into the race. Pawlenty struggled to raise money and connect with voters.

He poured most of his money and time into Iowa in the run up to Saturday’s straw poll, a test of organizational strength and popularity in the state whose caucuses lead off the GOP nomination fight.

Pawlenty had acknowledged that he needed a strong finish in the straw poll to show momentum and quiet concerns that his campaign was faltering. He put it all on the line, spending the bulk of his campaign account on TV ads ahead of the contest and on a statewide tour of Iowa.

But Bachmann won and got two times as many votes as Pawlenty, who came in well behind the second-place finisher, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas.

Despite that, Pawlenty suggested to supporters late Saturday night that he wasn’t dropping out. He called the test vote here “an important first step on the road to the Republican nomination and, ultimately, the White House.

“As I’ve said all along, we needed to show progress to do well, and we did just that,” Pawlenty said. “This is a long process to restore America – we are just beginning, and I’m eager for the campaign.”

Still, he said in a statement after the results were announced: “We have a lot more work to do.”

Hours later, he reversed course in the face of a daunting challenge: convincing donors who were slow to give in the months leading up to the straw poll that he was still a viable candidate.

Had he stayed in the race, he would have been competing for money in an expanded field. Texas Gov. Rick Perry, a prolific fundraiser with deep ties to the party’s biggest donors, became a candidate Saturday.

At first blush, Pawlenty, 50, seemed to have all the right ingredients as a candidate.

His blue-collar upbringing offered him a natural rapport with middle-class America. He governed as a fiscal hard-liner in a left-leaning state, winning his second term in a year when Republicans elsewhere got drubbed. He made inroads with the right crowds and assembled an all-star cast of advisers with loads of presidential campaign experience.

Pawlenty ran a traditional operation. In the lead-up to his campaign, he spread checks around to local politicians in key states through a political action committee while putting a heavy focus on small-scale events in places such as Iowa and New Hampshire.

But Pawlenty struggled to connect. He came off as bland and rehearsed next to more dynamic contenders. He languished in the polls. Perry’s candidacy shoved Pawlenty further to the side.

His inability to stoke the passions of voters the way other candidates and even noncandidates have was evident.

“He said the right things, that we’re going to limit the size of government and hold down spending,” Sam Buck, a retired veteran from Winterset, said last week after hearing Pawlenty speak. “I like him … but let’s see what Perry of Texas does.”

Pawlenty had been building momentum after a May campaign launch in which he framed himself as the one in the race willing to deliver the hard truths and confront public policy sacred cows. The climb screeched to a halt in a New Hampshire debate in early June, when he shirked the chance to back up prior tough talk about Romney when they were face to face. It reinforced worries among some Republicans that he wouldn’t be willing to take the fight to Obama as the nominee.

In that same debate, Bachmann declared herself a candidate and immediately cast a long shadow Pawlenty had trouble escaping. When he went on the attack against Bachmann in an Iowa debate this week, some wondered if he came on too strong.

His ability to raise money paled compared with Romney and others. The straw poll showing threatened to discourage possible donors.

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Comments (335)

Islesfordian
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:20am
So who will benefit most by his departure? To whom will his followers switch? Not Romney, probably, nor Paul. Maybe Perry will swoop them up. Maybe some will drift to Michelle or Santorum.

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- affinnity
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:42am
  I suggest they switch to whoever the Republican nominee for President is. We can’t afford to be divided and let the Communist Liberal Progressives and RINO’s continue to destroy our great society.
  
  Report this comment
- Sicboy
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:43am
  One Governor down, one to go.
  
  Report this comment
- Islesfordian
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:47am
  @Affinity,
  I meant to whom will they go in the battle for the nomination. Of course all of Pawlenty’s supporters will vote Republican in the general election. They aren’t Paul supporters.
  
  Report this comment
- jjoy
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:58am
  Good! One less liberal loser dressed in conservative clothing…
  
  Now… if only romney has enough sense to quit…
  
  Report this comment
- joei234
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 10:09am
  Too bad a guy with a shot at getting independent voters is gone. Bachmann is too religious to ever win. Anybody that claims God talks to them will have too many others thinking they’re nutso.
  
  Report this comment
- Sicboy
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 10:10am
  My Bad, two Governors.
  
  Report this comment
- Chuck Stein
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 10:29am
  @ SICBOY
  
  So which 2 governors would that be? There are 4 in the race: Romney, Johnson, Perry and Huntsman. Of those, I would expect Huntsman (the most “progressive” in the field) and Johnson (sort of like Ron Paul, but without the loony factor) to be the ones to go first.
  
  Report this comment
- bikerr
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 10:51am
  @joei234- Our money has “in God we trust” Yet, it’s against the law to pray in school. Are all people who us the money nutso?
  
  Report this comment
- Cobra Blue
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 11:25am
  Good-bye…thanks for doing us a favor. If you are this weak in the knees this early in the process you would have little staying power as President. Just as I figured. Your looks were not deceiving…you are weak…weak…weak. Will the next man stand up?
  
  Report this comment
- johnj1952
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 12:06pm
  Afinity is right, when in the months to cime the list of republicans gets smaller I hope that the ones that drop out give their support to a strong candidate. Right now they all have something to offer, but in the long run we have to get Odumbo out. The only way is to pull together as one party and one candidate.
  
  Report this comment
- TMan2020
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 12:38pm
  When we get down to the wire, none of the candidates can hold a candle to Newt. As the debates move forward, with less candidates, this will become evident.
  
  Report this comment
- IAMNOTKNOWING
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 12:46pm
  @BIKERR
  
  You just made the best point, to refresh that arguement!
  
  Hey you godless liberal crap-for-brains…. what about “In God We Trust” in addition to We, the People, and E. Pluribus Unum?! Jerks!
  
  Report this comment
- boomboom
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 12:56pm
  As Nelson from the Simpsons says : Ha Ha!
  
  Report this comment
- ree758
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 1:01pm
  Michele will take almost all of his votes The people who believed Michele is unelectable went for Pawlente
  
  Report this comment
- VoteBushIn12
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 1:05pm
  @IAMNOTKNOWING and @bikerr
  First off, it’s not against the law to pray in school. It’s against the law for a public school to encourage prayer – but any kid can pray if they want.
  
  Secondly,
  Our money didn’t always say that. It was added to paper money in the 50s (same as “under god” in the pledge) as a way to further distance ourselves from Communism; a government style that strips religion from the people.
  
  Instead of using that as an argument for why we should pray in school most logical minded people say remove it from the money because that would be more in tune with what our founders had in mind.
  
  More on on topic. I agree, glad he dropped out.
  
  Report this comment
- DarkFire
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 1:08pm
  open your eyes, PERRY IS A LIBERAL AND ROMNEY IS A RINO!
  
  oh and come on tim noone likes a quitter.
  
  Palin and Trump 2012
  
  Report this comment
- Ruler4You
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 2:05pm
  Interesting. Unfortunately the ‘pathway’ to the W.H. is never just ‘open’ to an individual. You have to make one. Another quitter we don’t need.
  
  Report this comment
- Jediusetheforce
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 2:14pm
  Grandpa Paul should quit also, except a bunch of addicts voted him into second place.
  
  Report this comment
- Islesfordian
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 2:33pm
  I actually found the entire exchange between the two embarrassing. It sounded defensive on both their sides. Both of them were trying to manufacture accusations against the other, unfairly I thought.
  
  And stairing down Tim Pawlenty is no sign of gravitas. The man wilts before a 30 watt bulb.
  
  Report this comment
- Valerius Poplicola
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 2:47pm
  I really like Santorum, he is a good man and he is not a person to compromise on principle. I believe he is the most undervalued candidate in the race. It bums me out because I would vote for him but unless some major shift happens, he probably won’t make it to the primaries.
  
  Report this comment
- Islesfordian
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 3:24pm
  Valerius, with Pawlenty dropping out this opens up some room for Santorum to make headway. It’s still almost six months to Iowa. A lot can happen. Michelle’s support isn’t all that firm, and Pawlenty was right about her lack of experience. She’s only been in Congress 4 years, with one term as State senator before that. That is a pretty thin resume and people may start to rethink her as a viable candidate. I think Cain has gone as far as he will go. People don’t seem THAT excited at the idea of a total novice at government becoming President. it’s a nice idea, but rather a long shot.
  
  Newt and Romney will bypass Iowa. That efectivley makes it Bachmann, Paul, Santorum and Perry who will make a run for it. I think Paul is capped out, which then makes it a three way race. those are good odds for Santorum. If he can pull out a second place finish in Iowa he can take that to NH and SC where he has been doing good retail politics as well. It’s a long shot, but the pathway is there if things break well.
  
  Report this comment
- JJ Coolay
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 4:01pm
  Pawlenty and Michele are both from Minny, so she probably scoops up most of whatever votes he would have gotten, though I don’t think that will be much of a spoils.
  
  Report this comment
- the hawk
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 4:39pm
  I’m not going all in untill I see if Michele can win NH, SC, I dont think she can
  But I will support Rick Sandborum with alittle $ to help get him in the Prims……………………………
  But I WILL vote for The REPUB winner ………………..OBAMA MUST GO BACK TO CHICAGO !
  Actually I think that would be a better campaign Slogan than ” oNE tERM pRESIDENT ” KINDA SOUNDS CHEERLEADERISH !
  SO FOR ME IT’S………………..Santorum -West….2012 !….. or…… Perry–West….! <- prob best chance !
  
  Report this comment
- Jack2011
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 5:00pm
  1 Governor down
  
  2 more to go down. Romney and Perry = horrible. Worse than Pawlenty
  
  Report this comment
- the hawk
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 5:15pm
  Also a little of topic but Romney Is a Christian ! As far as Mr. Cain ( which I LIKE ALOT) not thinking the Southern baptist getting behind a Morman . They’re not to crazy about Catholics either !
  I think the big Repub donars wanted a Conservative A little right of center(Perry)!
  I’m a libertarian myself, but a realist as well. And Mr. Paul just cant win this thing!
  It’s to bad the JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES DONT VOTE that would be about 15 million Conservative Votes ! ! !
  
  Report this comment
- Quagmir
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 7:36pm
  Happy days are here again.
  Pawlenty quit the race just then.
  Let’s all sing a song of cheer for him.
  A loser just left the race.
  
  Report this comment
- toto
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 11:47pm
  The candidate we must ultimately support is the one that can navigate the liberal media the best. Hopefully, that person will also have the morals, ethics, and conservative gravitas to make it worth our while. Liberty is at stake. Freedom is at stake. Our former American way of life is at stake. We need someone that can articulate that.
  
  Report this comment
R and K
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:20am
The media decided the success of Tim Pawlenty. We were told he was too nice, too bland, blah, blah,blah, from day one. Unfortunately it looked liked he started to believe them.

Michele Bachmann doesn’t have a prayer of getting elected, and she’s as prone to shifty politician non answers as anyone I’ve heard. Don’t know what excites so many about her.

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- darkrage000
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:34am
  To be bluntly honest, i wont vote for Bachman…
  I watched her during the Iowa debate and she kept saying ‘i did this, i did that’ which kinda put me off as a ‘look at what i did!’ kind of thing.
  
  Report this comment
- joei234
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 10:11am
  She is a flake, plain and simple. She will never get elected. Never.
  
  Report this comment
- Look4DBigPicture
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 10:22am
  I agree. I’m weary of Bauchman’s predictable cheers. I want to be behind her, but her speeches lack substance. I like Cain, but his speeches are also becoming too predictable. I was surprisingly impressed with Santorum yesterday. He hasn’t had a lot of media coverage, so maybe we’ll get a chance to know him better (although the media is favoring Romney and Perry.)
  
  When Pawlenty first entered the race, the pundits said he was too nice. When he tried to become someone else, it backfired on him. Too bad…I liked his solutions. (Lessons learned … don’t listen to the pundits.)
  
  Report this comment
- Wilma
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 10:23am
  I agree. Bachmann does not always answer the question she is asked. While I agree with her on the issues I cannot live with that. Santorum is not afraid to give an unpopular answer. He reminds me of Chris Cristy in that respect.
  
  Report this comment
- bikerr
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 10:53am
  @joei234–You are wrong.
  
  Report this comment
- bringbackSAC
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 11:29am
  Michelle sticks to what she says no checking the wind for her. I thinks she has the biggest balls of all of them, reminds me of Margret Thatcher (talk about a set).
  
  Report this comment
- Islesfordian
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 11:44am
  Sorry, Bringbacksac, but Bachmann doesn’t have the imposing demeanor that Thatcher did, and she needs it more than Maggie did. We are a more conservative country and she is a tinier woman. She needs to have scrap to show the wider populace that she can’t be cowed. She hasn’t shown that yet. She hasn’t folded under pressure, and that’s good, but it’s not enough. She needs to make others fold under her pressure.
  
  Report this comment
- Stoic one
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 12:58pm
  ISLESFORDIAN
  SO what do you call the stare down between Pawlenty and Bachmann???
  
  a tupperware party?
  
  seems to me Pawlenty folded.
  
  Report this comment
- Islesfordian
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 2:41pm
  Posted this in the wrong post above:
  
  I actually found the entire exchange between the two embarrassing. It sounded defensive on both their sides. Both of them were trying to manufacture accusations against the other, unfairly I thought.
  
  And stairing down Tim Pawlenty is no sign of gravitas. The man wilts before a 30 watt bulb.
  
  Report this comment
- Islesfordian
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 5:32pm
  I have to give Michelle her chops. She did excelently against David Gregory on Meet The Press today. She came off well informed and fully in charge. He couldn’t phase her. She could answer the submission question better, but she doesn’t have me ther advizing her, alas. :-)
  
  The one thing she could do better is challenge his bullsh*t and take the interview to HIM more. Put him on the ropes, Stop being so NICE. But few politicians are comfortable doing that. Only Newt is really good at that. So, all in all, I was really impressed. It will be interesting to see her continue on this.
  
  She might grow her Thatcher bones yet.
  
  Report this comment
Skippy Toes
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:19am
Voted in the Straw Poll. Crowds were huge. Most folks were wearing Ron Paul or Michele Bachman
t shirts. Randy Travis was funny and fantastic. The winner gave a great speech. Let’s go! On to the White House!

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- joei234
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 10:12am
  Dream on. You fools really screwed up.
  
  Report this comment
- rightwinger76
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 10:54am
  @joe1234
  If Ron Paul would give up the drug legalization, bash Israel, pro-****, pro-infanticide, isolationist elements of his campaign, he might be a viable candidate.
  
  Report this comment
- bikerr
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 10:57am
  @joei234— A Fool says in his heart there is no God. These people believe in God. You are still wrong.
  
  Report this comment
- Skippy Toes
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 12:30pm
  Geez,guys I was just commenting on how the events went yesterday because I was there. Joe…. lose some of that hostility.
  
  Report this comment
- Valerius Poplicola
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 2:50pm
  Joe1234, it ousted Pawlenty, I think that is a good outcome. Perry is about to suck all of the oxygen out of the room so don’t get your panties in a bunch about Bachman or Paul just yet. There is a lot of time between now and any primaries.
  
  Report this comment
- JJ Coolay
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 4:06pm
  Out with Pawlenty, in with Perry… that is a big shift in power. We just saw the weakest link of the chain cut off and added one of the strongest links.
  
  Report this comment
- IsthisheavennoIowa
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 4:09pm
  I was there too. I was greatly surprised at the number of supporters for Ron Paul. I had no idea so many, young and old, were rallying behind him. Althouh I like Bachman a lot, I did not vote for her. Instead, I voted for Santorum to try to help keep him around longer, hoping he might get more press time to get his views out there.
  
  Report this comment
- Rabidconservative
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 4:13pm
  @joei234
  
  Hate to break this to you, but being a christian will not hurt her in the election. Sure there will be a fringe minroity that will hold that againat any canidate, but a majority has respect for that fact. AS far as paul who many dogging Bachman support is unelectable, he kind of crazy will not only destroy the conservtative movement, but the country as a whole; we already have a radical nutter in the Whitehouse and don’t need another. Paul is exactly the kind of canidate obama wants to run against, so that our party can be painted as nutty ensuring his victory.
  
  Its funny that a fringe minority can make the majority believe that they are wrong, and their principles to the wind. Howeveer, the good thing is that the people see through this nonsense, and another McCain will not happen in 2012. The majority shares Bachman’s beliefs, both socially and especially fiscally.
  
  Report this comment
hogtrashhd
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:18am
to me he didn’t seem to even want to be in the race.. so good luck to him.. he’s a good guy.. looks to me it’s going to be between rhino romney and perry.. don’t know much about perry.. and what i know about romney i don’t like.. ABO….

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- macpappy
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:50am
  A agree, everytime I see him i think of the cartoom of the little Vulture saying ” Momma done tole me, bring home something for supper”. Just did not have the “Fire in the belly” .
  
  Report this comment
- Knucklenose
  Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:53am
  @macpappy,, diddley dittos’. I’m bringing home a baby bumble bee, won’t my mama be so proud of me… ah-yup I’m gonna do what my mama tole’ me.’
  
  Report this comment
ddg7
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:17am
The media, including FOX, will still try and force Romney or Perry off on the voters.

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- Stuck_in_CA
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:48am
  FOX is pushing Perry, it seems. And why wouldn’t they? He’s the choice of the boys of the NWO crowd. They picked him. He’s who we’ll get.
  Romney is not liked by TPTB. That alone, would cause me to vote for him, if given a choice between Romney & Perry.
  
  Report this comment
- affinnity
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:49am
  They have to do this. The Democrat and Republican parties are run by the same wealthy elites and they don’t like real people who aren’t part of the NWO becoming the President of the United States. Real people might actually care about real people – how terrible?
  
  Report this comment
- Jack2011
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:52am
  Have you noticed that also? What is it with FOX shoving Romney and Perry down our throats?
  
  Big Govenment RINO’s Carl Rove, Bill Orilly, and Dana Perino practically drool just saying Romney or Perry’s name. Even Ann Coulter is pushing BIG RINOS like Chris Christie and Romney.
  
  It is bad enough the LSM is pushing RINO Huntsman CONSTANTLY but Fox shoving their choices down our throats is just nauseating.
  
  Sorry MSNBC and Fox – If Huntsman or Romney or Perry get the 2012 Republican nomination, I am voting for whoever is the 3rd party candidate. I did it before with Perot because I could NOT stomach another 4 years of Bush Sr (who I voted for the 1st time) OR Clinton. Clinton won.
  
  If Obama wins like Clinton won, it is the Republicans FAULT for KNOWINGLY SPLITTING THE PARTY by CONTINUING to choose big crony capitalist elitists like both Bushes, Romney(Care), Perry and Huntsman. President Obama(Care) is a huge crony capitalist big government guy just like Bush(s), Romney, Perry and Huntsman so the country will fall off a cliff with any of them in power.
  
  Report this comment
- Jezreel
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:56am
  I am sick and tired of Bill OReilly pushing Romney too. I am fed up with Fox being biased as they say they are not.
  
  Report this comment
- Wilma
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 10:30am
  DDG7, you are absolutely correct. Fox is shoving certain candidates down our throats. They gave more coverage to potential candidates than actual candidates. They ignored Bachmann until they could no longer avoid her. They colored our perception of Pawlenty and continue to avoid Santorum and the others.
  
  Report this comment
- drattastic
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 10:59am
  Folks if our favorites aren’t picked for nomination, we better go ahead and hold our noses while we vote for the nominee because the alternative is four more years of the POS we have in the White House now. You can just write this country off if that happens. Winning half the battle is much better than losing .I would vote for a hat rack at this point. Think of our children and grandchildren. Don’t take your ball and go home cause there will be a commie waiting on your doorstep.
  
  Report this comment
- loriann12
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 11:04am
  To anyone who votes for the 3rd party candidate:
  
  Thanks for re-electing Barack H. Obama.
  
  Report this comment
- rox
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 11:05am
  How about Perry-Bachman?
  
  Report this comment
- standswithafist
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 11:08am
  romney i never cared for yet they still push him, perry also has ties to the bilderbergers from my research, and his stance on illegal immigration is troublesome . and the ole lamar alexander is for romney so far begs questions. i expect he will come out behind perry soon from the chatter here.
  
  Report this comment
- rose-ellen
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 11:33am
  The only thing fox cares about is its’ right wing zionism and anti-muslim propaganda agenda .Aside from that they are as liberal as the main stream media.
  
  Report this comment
- Rational Man
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 11:43am
  @Jack2011
  
  So voting for a third party candidate, who has no posibility of winning, is your answer to the problem?
  What a genius you are. And proud of it!……Way to make a difference………………..
  
  Report this comment
- NancyBee
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 12:17pm
  @ Drattastic…….You are absolutely right…….If my candidate doesn’t win….I will be running to the polls and holding my nose to vote….If Obama wins AMERICA IS FINISHED!
  
  Report this comment
- JJ Coolay
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 4:07pm
  You make it sound like there is someone else that is more worthy AND electable.
  WHO, pray tell, would be better than Perry that can ALSO beat Obama??
  
  Report this comment
- JJ Coolay
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 4:11pm
  There are candidates that are better and cannot win.
  There are candidates that can win but are not better.
  Perry, in my estimation is both. He can win and he is better.
  He would be a better leader than Cain, Romney, Michele, Santorum.
  He is more electable than Paul and Newt.
  
  Report this comment
- Islesfordian
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 4:33pm
  “If Obama wins like Clinton won, it is the Republicans FAULT for KNOWINGLY SPLITTING THE PARTY”
  
  You know what’s funny Jack? Your reasoning here is identical to Obama’s on the budget deal. He said that if they sent him a deal he couldn’t accept that he would vetoe it and then a default would be the Republicans’ fault, not his. No, he would bear no responsibility. “Look what you are making me do”, the excuse of wife beaters everywhere, of Obama on everything, and I guess of you if you don’t get your way in the nomination. Nope, it won’t be your fault at all, even though there is a direct causal link between voting third party and Obama winning re-election.
  
  Report this comment
- jjoy
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 6:58pm
  @LORIANN12
  
  “To anyone who votes for the 3rd party candidate”
  
  So you think we should support whichever loser boener, mccain and the rinos nominate???
  
  Report this comment
- JJ Coolay
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 8:32pm
  JJoy.. yep.
  It’s kind of a no-brainer.
  I DID NOT want McCain in 2008, but what was the alternative? Obama or a wasted 3rd party vote which is basically a vote for Obama anyway?
  Yeah, it sucks, but it is what it is. You can choose to vote for the lesser of 2 evils or take 4 more years of Obama. This is not a hard thing to figure out.
  
  Report this comment
- jjoy
  Posted on August 15, 2011 at 1:22pm
  @JJ COOLAY
  
  Sorry JJ, but I am weary of voting for losers like mcCain as the “lesser of 2 evils”…
  
  If the boehner, mcCain, and their rinos are dumb enough to nominate another loser like romney, rudy, newt, gun-grabber christi, etc., obama will be re-elected…
  
  I am 72 years old, have been voting in Presidential elections since 1960… Other than Ronald Reagan, it has ALWAYS been a “lesser of 2 evils” choice…
  
  I am weary of the rino’s attitude that they will get the conservative vote simply because their loser candidate is the “lesser of 2 evils”…
  
  Face the facts… There is not a nickle’s worth of difference in the rinos and the dimocrats…
  
  It’s time for a 3rd party… Tea Party are you up to it???
  
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MaggieRose
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:17am
hmmm… maybe somebody offered him the VP spot?

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AndreaCristiano
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:17am
In the end this was inevitable, just like Rick Perry winning the nomination and handing obama his ass

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- YepImaConservative
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:19am
  And there ya’ have it.
  
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- hcayUSA
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:50am
  yes he will…lol
  
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- LostInWashington
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 3:50pm
  Yup, during the last election, early in ya already knew (unfortunately) obama would win. This time I’m just waiting to see who (fortunately) Perry will choose to be the VP.
  
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trackmaster
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:16am
Let’s see. He didn’t attack Romney in the first debate, but then goes after Bachmann in the last one, someone from his own state. An attack on her is a metaphor of an attack on the Tea Party and it reminds voters of what MSM does (can you say MSNBC). This demonstrates poor judgment by Pawlenty and also makes him look like a wimp.

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- essence428
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:41am
  Watching the debate and his attacks on Michele, he reminded me of the democrats…nasty…no way would he have gotten my vote…
  
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- Jack2011
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 10:10am
  http://www.armytimes.com/news/2011/01/military-michele-bachmann-veterans-budget-cuts-012811w/
  Bachmann plan would cut veterans benefits
  
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- iarefounder
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 10:31am
  His attacks on fellow candidates was the turn off for me. BO is the opponent. Tell us why you are better than him and your plan for the future of the USA.
  
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cntrlfrk
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:13am
‘
Okay, T-Paw, now don’t go out and get a gig on the talk show circuit bashing your former competitors.

Stay in the fight, on a different level.

.

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liberalsarealiens
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:11am
No losss here!

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- robgc1
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 11:01am
  Agreed
  
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solabola71
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:10am
What’s a matter there Timmy, did a little girl show you for what you really are and now you’re going to run away with your tail between your legs? You pounded your chest day after day trying to convince the voters that you were some tough conservative but those who know you (good conservative Minnesotans) know you were nothing but a RINO who grew the state budget by double digits and favored liberal/progressive policy. Now, come on back to MN, smoke a pack of cigs that you put a “health impact fee” on instead of a “tax”, and go Target Field and watch the pathetic Twins play in a stadium you gave Hennepin County the authority to do an end around to tax their citizens for and then you signed into law. Good riddance.

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azsmitty
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:09am
Reagans 11th commandment plays out. With so many directions of policy and ideology between the parties democrat and republican it isn’t neccessary to go on the offensive interparty. Pawlenty had plenty of opportunity to distance himself from previous stances he may have taken, after all Reagan was Democrat, President of the Screen actor guild and yet he was able to distance himself from both by stateing simple facts, his eyes were opened to the directions of his former party and he made the choice to change. Those who fail to recognise previous errors tend to repeat them. Congratulation to Michelle Bachmann.

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vonclausewitz
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:08am
To my mind he would have been a good president. It’s a shame he got/took bad campaign advice.

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qpwillie
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:08am
I hope this will be a signal to the other RINOs that the tea party movement is not just some fringe group of extremists. All the media shows about us is the highly misrepresented tip of a very large iceberg and many think that’s all there is to it..

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- YepImaConservative
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:16am
  It’s not so much the Tea Party is “fringe group extremists.” Just the Libertarians who reside within it.
  
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- Liberty 4x4
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:17am
  No, it’s not a signal to anyone that the TEA party is inconsequential. See this article/pol from CNN. They make you want to puke. 2012 will be their wake-up call!
  
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- Liberty 4x4
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:20am
  Sorry, left out the link. http://news.yahoo.com/tea-party-fortunes-fading-even-star-michele-bachmann-225000526.html
  
  Report this comment
- qpwillie
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:39am
  Liberty 4×4,
  It’s sickening for sure. I’m just glad that most people know CNN polls are worthless.
  
  Report this comment
- EddardinWinter
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:50am
  As a libertarian, I sincerely view the comment labeling me “fringe and extreme” relative to existing power brokers in DC as a compliment.
  
  Report this comment
- Hefsmaster
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:59am
  The libertarian mindset threatens the conservative base. Know they would have to follow through on their mantra of self sufficiency. When TSHF. You will all be libertarians. Sink or swim with no political power to back you up. So get off the high horse and quit demonizing those closest to your own values. If anything, your are still just a “mere Liberal” to me. Hanging out your dust mop with hopes of collective salvation from the rino jerks is different how from the liberals you despise. There’s a hypocrite in the room. Can you spot him?
  
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- YepImaConservative
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 10:17am
  The Libertarians lure you in with talk of small government, Conservatism and the Constitution… and then when they think they’ve sold you the free market goods, start babbling about drug legalization, gay marriage, prostitution and their loverly Code Pink stance. And could Ron Paul have been more idiotic looking in that debate regarding Iran and nukes. Libertarians are like naive 6 year olds, with the nasty mouths of liberal teenagers for the most part.. Libertarians are frauds especially when it comes to todays important cultural issues.
  
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- Oldphoto678
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 11:14am
  I’ll tell you what the tea party movement is going to be in 2012. The movement of shattered dreams. Most of America will always view the tea party as radical extremists, and you will never be able to field a viable presidential candidate. The mainstream repugs will decide who runs against President Obama, not the tea party.
  
  Tea Sucks!!!
  
  Report this comment
- Hefsmaster
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 12:45pm
  The epitome of freedom you spout. If woman wants to sell herself. who cares? oldest profession on the planet! Still not your business. Someone wants to plug the wrong hole. Still has no bearing on you, except being mentally disturbed. Some idiot wants to fry his brains out, I really could care less, the idiot proves he is not worthy of mine or your compassion. you can sit here all day and justify anything you want, that is the art of politics. The basis of libertarianism is that fundamentally you stick and hold to your values minus emotional input, other wise we are just a mob mentality democracy. From a fundamental standpoint, you need some baseline rules. The l/r paradigm you subscribe to shifts these constantly. So agree to disagree on anything you want. The one key point is and i will repeat it. When TSHF, you will all be libertarians…
  
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- EddardinWinter
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 1:04pm
  If it is the naive nature of a six year old that recognizes we cannot go on like old guard republicans and democrats wish to, call me niave and childish. Calling libertarians frauds puts you in the company of the administration and its tendency to demonize any opposition to its own narrow world view. Hope it comforts you to be so dismissive, cause it wont make us vanish. Our views cannot be so easily snuffed out.
  
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- JJ Coolay
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 4:15pm
  Oldphoto.. that’s what the MSM wants you to believe. But the Tea Party is just a bunch of American Patriots that want smaller government and a leader to follow the Constitution.
  THAT’S EXTREME?????
  
  Report this comment
kurupt76
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:08am
Nice guy but not one of my choices anyway. Pawlenty and especially Romney just seem to “want” to be president a little too much in my opinion. For some reason when people really seem to constantly “want” that type of power it worries me a bit about their possible hidden intentions of power and glory. Call me crazy….haha

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- JJ Coolay
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 4:20pm
  You mean like BO?
  
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burr99
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:07am
Seems to me the better candidate has surfaced, and Pawlenty realized it. Bachman clearly came out on top in the skirmish.

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- Look4DBigPicture
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 10:50am
  The winner of the Iowa straw poll was the candidate who invests the most money at the event. Bachmann provided free food, free entertainment, lots of free stuff, including the purchase of 6,000 voting tickets (at $30 a ticket) to hand out to anyone who visited her tent. Buying people off works — it matters not whether you’re democrat, republican, libertarian, or a free-loader.
  
  PS – Those tickets could be used to vote for anyone, but if you’re torn between two candidates for something like a straw poll, you’ll likely go with the person who gave you something rather than the person who didn’t.
  
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Airdoc
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:07am
Agree, it was way to early to start attacking his fellow republican candidates. Right now we have to convince the 35-40% Kool-Aid drinkers that Obama is destroying our country!!

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- joei234
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 10:18am
  A religious zealot like Bachmann is a sure loser to Obama. STFU about Jesus if you want to get the independent vote. Bachmann was also an IRS attorney. STRIKE 2 and 3 on that one. If the Republicans choose her as the nominee, they’ll McCain us into 4 more years of big ears and his traveling commie show.
  
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- psst
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 11:24am
  @Joe.Soo, STFU about Jesus to get the Independent vote?
  Um, the marxists have been saying same for many moons.And trying like hell to make it happen. And succeeding in many instances.
  Could be the reason why the country is in the mess it ‘s in right now.
  The precious Independents are fence straddlers. They sit on the fence w’ the spike part up their kharses and then jumps which way the wind blows.
  it’s best the country goes totally communistic and falls apart than STFU about Jesus..
  When that happens, many who wants US to STFU about Him will be crying out for His Salvation,
  By then, it will be much too late.
  BTW. It’s tooo late already. In 25-30 yrs, The NWO/OWG will happen.
  The country is awashed in Abominations and Slothfulness.
  It says in Leviticus 18:22: “You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination.” And Leviticus 20:13 and slothfulness. With this form of slothfulness, as Proverbs 24:34 says, “Poverty will come on you like a bandit, and scarcity like an armed man.”
  But then again.That’s just comic books talking.
  The comic books seems to be hitting the nail on the head. These things are happening right now.
  
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50Caliber
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:07am
Anyone but Obama. This man is ruining our Country, and 40% of us are cluless. Wake up People!!!!

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- ree758
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 1:08pm
  Not just Obama we need to get rid of all the commies,marxists ,or whatever they are!
  
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TomFerrari
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:05am
“And another one’s gone, another one’s gone, another one bites the dust.”
.
.
.

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jedi.kep
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:04am
Oh darn. The wet noodle isn’t running. I’m so dissappointed. NOT.

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Welcome Black Carter
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:02am
And she deserves the win. The titianium spine wins…

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- YepImaConservative
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:14am
  LOL, Great sign-in name…. “WELCOME BLACK CARTER.” Lmao!
  
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- LostInWashington
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 3:56pm
  Screen name WIN!!
  
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MidWestMom
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:01am
I’m not surprised

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jbohanon
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:01am
He didn’t win any points by having that stupid back-and-forth with Michele Bachmann in the debate. Neither did Bachmann, in my mind.

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- TomFerrari
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:06am
  That was courtesy of Chris Wallace.
  
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13th Imam
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:00am
Thanks Tim

It will be interesting to see how YOU handle this. The objective is to get this Traitor out of our Whitehouse.

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betterthantv
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:00am
This is for the best. His attack on Bachmann during the debate was ridiculous. Karma will always get you in the end!

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- TomFerrari
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:07am
  I agree Pawlenty needed to drop out. But, the debate angst was set up deliberately by Chris Wallace.
  
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- NotaLemming
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:32am
  I knew that rift with Bachmann was his undoing.
  
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- swenk
  Posted on August 14, 2011 at 11:44am
  I agree, I liked his talk and ideas but his attacks on Bachman just turned me off- out of place, unnecessary!
  
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