Pawlenty Demands Obama ‘Stop Apologizing’ for America
- Posted on February 11, 2011 at 8:02pm by
Meredith Jessup
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Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty earned one of Friday’s largest applause lines at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) when he demanded that President Barack Obama “stop apologizing” for America.
Before a packed hotel ballroom crowd, the potential 2012 GOP contender ramped up his own foreign policy credentials by pummeling the president with unabashed criticism.
“Bullies respect strength, not weakness. So when the United States of America projects its national security interests here and around the world, we need to do it with strength. We need to make sure that there is no equivocation, no uncertainty, no daylight between us and our allies around the world,” Pawlenty remarked. “The current administration doesn’t seem to understand this principle. We undermine Israel, the U.K., Poland, the Czech Republic, and Colombia, among other friends. Meanwhile, we appease Iran, Russia, and adversaries in the Middle East, including Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood.
“Mr. President, with bullies, might makes right. Strength — makes them submit. Get tough on our enemies — not on our friends. And, Mr. President, stop apologizing for our country,” Pawlenty said. “The bullies, terrorists and tyrants of the world have lots to apologize for. America does not.”
On the domestic policy front, Pawlenty said that while Obama has excelled at duping reporters into comparing him to Ronald Reagan, the Democratic president has instead governed like Jimmy Carter.
“The individual mandate in Obamacare is a page right out of the Jimmy Carter playbook. The left simply doesn’t understand. The individual mandate reflects completely backwards thinking,” Pawlenty said. “They, the bureaucrats, don’t tell us what to do. We, the people, tell the government what to do.”
To restore America as a leader in the world, Pawlenty warned that there’s lots of hard work to be done. “My friends, none of this is going to be easy,” he told the conservative crowd. “If prosperity were easy, everybody around the world would be prosperous. If freedom were easy, everybody around the world would be free. And, if security were easy, everybody around the world would be secure.”
“It takes extraordinary strength to stand up to those who oppose these principles. But we can do it,” he continued. “Valley Forge wasn’t easy. Settling the West wasn’t easy. Winning World War II wasn’t easy Going to the moon wasn’t easy. This ain’t about easy. … This is the United States of America. We are the American people. We have seen difficulties before, and we always overcome. We can and we will do it again.
“We will rise up, as our forefathers did, with the assurance of our time-tested conservative values, the wisdom of the American people, and the courage of our convictions,” he concluded.
Prior to his remarks Friday afternoon, the former Minnesota governor sat down for a 45-minute Q&A session with conservative bloggers to discuss his record and possible campaign for the White House, weighing in on a few key issues. (h/t Hot Air)
In responding the unfolding situation in Egypt, Pawlenty criticized an incoherent American response from the Obama White House, as well as America’s overall lack of preparation for the eventual turnover in Egyptian leadership. Cairo is the “third largest American embassy in the world,” Pawlenty asserted, questioning how America lacked a plan of action for the democratization of Egypt.
Pawlenty also objected to repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell while the U.S. wages two wars, especially in light of objections from a number of active combat units.
When asked about his past support for a cap-and-trade energy plan, Pawlenty said he was wrong to support it and wouldn’t attempt to get “cute” in parsing words. Instead, he admitted it was just bad policy.
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Video of Gov. Pawlenty’s CPAC remarks available here.
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Comments (108)
Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 9:21pmThe loons will be trying to tear down anyone who could give Obama a run in 2012. That includes anyone with female glands, Chris Christie, Pawlenty, and any other true conservative who might start getting support. This isn’t to convince the true conservatives, this is to persuade the squishy middle and moderates. That way, we end up with another McCain in 2012, and Obama can get his second dynasty. At that point I would guarantee there would be a huge push to repeal the 22nd amendment. Then dictator for life. But I wonder if this dictator would bend to a popular uprising to oust him, or would hundreds of people be mowed down by a civilian force as well armed as the military (TSA?)
eyestoseeearstohear
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 9:18pmWe’re going to NEED a Candidate for President, LIKE CHRISTIE!
To name a few, who COULD STOP OBAMA -
Allen West, Christie, Herman Cain….for beginners!
Report Post »chickenlittle
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 9:37pmTotally agree! I took what Trump said about Palin and Paul to voice exactly what I feel. I like what they say, but we need a kick butt aggressiveness or we’re gonna be out of it. I just don’t get that feeling of electability out of most of the talkers… and I don’t doubt their sincerity (much). Romney strikes me as just another clean-cut politician. I for one don’t particularly feel like “compromising” anymore. The real issues seem more like good vs. evil nowadays and we need to take a real stand without appeasing for votes or popularity. The hell with PC.
Report Post »franknshadow
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 9:47pmMike Pence… Great candidate.. Or Herman Cain…
Report Post »cykonas
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 9:57amAlan West-Patriot, warrior, but no legislative/voting record
Mitt Romney-Businessman, Governor, only 4 year legislative record with a lot of big government in it.
Herman Cain- Businessman, but no legislative/voting record
Donald Trump-Businessman, but no legislative/voting record
Sarah Palin- Governor, businesswoman, but only 2 year legislative record
Mike Pence-Legislator, fair to good voting record, but withdrew from race 2 weeks ago
Ron Paul-Legislator, doctor excellent 20+ yr. voting record
The choice is pretty evident when broken down logically. Five compromises, one drop out, and one ethical, Constitutionally sound legislator with a long and consistent record. Hmmmm.
Report Post »docgreen
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 9:17pmI just thought about something! Do you know how muslims are supposed to treat the Infidel? Like when a muslim is talking to a non believer, and another muslim comes up they’re supposed to greet the muslim or muslims rather than the non believer? I just figured out why Obama hates the US! It‘s because he’s a muslim and he’s supposed to treat the Infidel like an inferior person, and not equivalent as another muslim! Does this sound familiar? He treats US as inferior people and not equals!…..
Report Post »commonsenseguy
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 9:14pmnever apologize for me, NEVER. we are and will always be the greatest place in the world to live, if you don’t love this beautiful nation, then get the heck out and go live with the dictators you love so much, who keep their people in chains of poverty and allow them to starve.and see how quick you will try to get back the freest nation in the world,so please leave now and don,t come back and we real Americans will continue to live free and respect this country and flag that stands for FREEDOM.
Report Post »SlimnRanger
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 11:23pmYes sir we will live free and die proud
Report Post »Enuff Zenuff
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 9:14pm.
Report Post »The only thing America needs to apologize for is electing Obama.
JiminyCricket
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 9:13pmI’m a native Minnesotan and Tim Pawlenty was a good governor for the “Land of 10,000 Liberals” because the electorate thought he was a moderate; but don’t let his new found voice mislead you — he’s NOT a Reagan conservative. He never cut the size of state government, his tax increases were called “fees,” and he left us $6 billion in the hole. He’s pretty liberal in many things — remember, he was McCain’s campaign manager for Minnesota — need I say more?
As much as I love what I’m hearing, a leopard doesn’t change its spots — support for Pawlenty is really desiring more McCain-type PROGRESSIVE policies/views.
Report Post »tifosa
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 9:26pmIn fact, wasn‘t he on McCain’s short-list for VP?
Report Post »republitarian
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 9:53pmWell, he certainly talks a good game. But you‘re saying he doesn’t walk the walk. This is interesting. We must not get sucked in by our own rhetoric. On the other hand, (Oh noes! Watch the other hand!) he was honest about Cap + Tax. It could be that he is really coming around like so many Americans are.
Report Post »JiminyCricket
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 10:46pmWe’ve lived under Pawlenty for 8 years, trust me, this guy is saying all the right things now, but didn’t stand up to the Democrats in the Legislature during his tenure (except when he turned his eye to the national prize last May). Please look into his record before you swollow the hook — conservatives can’t survive another RHINO candidate.
Oh, forgot . . . under Pawlenty we got two government-funded (Twins and U of M Gopher) sports stadiums and a 2nd light rail system that’s being installed right now (the first one is still being subsidized because it is not self sustaining — MN doesn’t have the population density to make this work!).
Report Post »eyestoseeearstohear
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 9:11pmTHAT headline SHOULD READ:
AMERICANS DEMAND….STOP OBAMA.
Report Post »tifosa
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 9:00pmVANGRUNGY, were you talking about this? http://www.investigativeproject.org/2506/gov-christie-strange-relationship-with-radical I read it and related articles. This looks like a far-right blogger group’s racist smear campaign against Christie.
Report Post »S_Malc13
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 8:58pm“…and the courage of our convictions,”
This country is very much divided on our convictions. Until there is some solidarity on defining ONE issue that is, the dismantling of America as we know it, we will not have the COURAGE he speaks of. Christianity, can NOT be supplanted with the world’s growing evil.
Report Post »dcwu
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 8:56pmAmerica stands tall and proud. Obama is apologizing for himself.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 8:52pmPresident Obama needs to understand that to constantly apologize for things our country is supposed to have done, in his eyes, and get on with being a true president. All he cares about is the destruction of our great country, and to try and become the next great saviour of the world. He has no skill at diplomacy without making America into another laughing stock about the world even worse than the record of president Carter.
And mind you, at least Carter did have a plan to rescue the hostages, it just did not work; unlike Mr Obama who only plans to destroy everything, and cannot understand why everything is not going just so with his great work.
Report Post »mill
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 8:49pmVAN GRUNGY….>>>>>>>>>>
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 8:39pm
no…
Christie is a shariah supporter…
Report Post »(sharia)
***********************************************************************
tell us how you would know something like this??????????????????????????????????
Red Meat
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 8:47pmAs mentioned, Christie is a Shariah supporter, Amnesty supporter, Gun Grabber, and it pro-choice. Perhaps you have mistaken this blog for HuffPo?
roxee
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 8:46pmObama, makes our Founding Fathers roll in their graves! That guy has to get out of the District of Criminals a.s.a.p!
Report Post »Thighmaster
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 8:43pmSuddenly Tiny Tim wants Obama to stop apologizing for our country? Why so late? Sarah Palin asked him to stop immediately when it happened. Methinks Tim just wants the votes.
Report Post »11:11
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 9:01pmtotally agree! all of a sudden it’s an issue NOW. just like nobody made an issue of ” I’d just like to give a shout-out…”
Report Post »PlanetXenu
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 8:43pmstart apologizing for richard simmons
Report Post »AKMIIKEUS
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 8:43pmI‘m sorry but I didn’t get the memo that Pawlenty was in charge. Anyone?
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 8:42pmPlease don’t apologize for me, Mr President. I have nothing to be ashamed for, my country should not be ashamed, the only regret we should have is electing you.
Quote of the day, Some minds are like concrete, mixed thoroughly, and permanently set.
Report Post »Channel3
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 8:41pmEverybody needs to understand that it is President Skid Mark’s mission in life to degrade and weaken our great country. It is the one thing that he is succeeding at.
Report Post »psycodad36
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 8:57pmyeh.the one thing he does’nt need a teleprompter for ,he’s been training all his life for the destruction of this gr8 land,and bullshatted enough people to vote him into a position to implement his evil designs
Report Post »cnsrvtvj
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 8:41pmI couldn’t agree more. Enough with the apologies already Barack. It’s interesting that he went around apologizing for George Bush imposing America’s will on Iraq, yet he felt perfectly justified imposing America’s will on Egypt. The guy is the king of hypocrites.
http://www.donsmithshow.com – see the Obama mixed message on Egypt video
Report Post »VanGrungy
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 8:40pm“Pawlenty also objected to repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell while the U.S. wages two wars, especially in light of objections from a number of active combat units.”
not to be a stick in the mud, but “when did Congress authorize the current wars?”
Report Post »chickenlittle
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 9:23pmCongress (along with a lot of outspoken Dems) DID endorse the Iraq war… you may have forgotten… Bush wasn’t the only one to believe there were weapons there, and Saddam had defied YEARS of UN resolutions and sanctions… we were the main people willing to do more than just let him thumb his nose at our unglorious, ineffective UN resolve. Too bad we had to give him 6 months warning and basically our battle plans. As far as Afghanistan… well that was well supported by most everybody after 9/11… go back and read your history (if it’s still available). I don’t recall any difficulty getting the funds from Congress to go after Bin Laden… they declared war on us… and Afghanistan is where he and the Taliban were.
As far as “lying” about the weapons… I’m one of those that believe Saddam had plenty of time for moving them out of the country. I‘m sure he didn’t use all of them on up his own people (documented attacks on Khurds) and then didn’t make any more.
Report Post »8jrts
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 9:51pmChickenL
Report Post »I remember reading about a number of stripped down passenger planes leaving Iraq just before we went looking for weapons. Those planes went to Syria empty. Gotta wonder if they were really empty or had those missing weapons on them. I tend to think the latter.
chickenlittle
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 10:16pm@8JRTS… I’m with you… used to be a time when countries that wanted to win wars didn’t have to “telegraph” their intentions and strategies to the public for debate months in advance… and then tie the hands of their combatants with PC rules of engagement. The generals and admirals used to fight the wars, not the politicians.
PS… I’ve got a nice old Jack Russell like the one in your moniker pic… fantastic, fearless animals aren’t they?
Report Post »docgreen
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 1:48am8jrts
Report Post »From what I‘ve heard the Russian’s stripped those planes down, and flew them out! If your familiar with Michael Drosnin he wrote two books Called “The Bible Code I, and The Bible Code II” to make a long story short! He came up with a computer program that uses ELS skip tracing! It takes every sequence and skips letters! He uses it on the the Old Testament! From what I‘ve read those WMD’s were flown into Damascus Syria, and then transported to the Bekaa Valley! The Bible also talks about Damascus ending up in a ruinous heap, of course in the End Time! So I feel like this may be true!
old white guy
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 8:41amchickenlittle, 500 tons of yellowcake were shipped through montreal canada for disposal. it came from iraq.
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 8:39pmNice guy, but it ain’t happening!
Report Post »davecoolworld
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 12:21amI agree…he’s not “the one”. Is Allen West our George Washington?
Report Post »ANTISOCIAL-IST
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 12:37amdave: why don’t we all just be george washington? let’s not put everything on another human being; plus, as you know, we are the power, and only need someone to speak for us, and that’s it. representative rebublic doesn’t stop at senate, congress; it goes all the way to the top.
Report Post »davecoolworld
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 1:11amANTISOCIAL-IST…..right on.
When I speak of George Washington, I am referring to the history of the man and what he did and when he did it. Would we have accomplished our ultimate goal without him is something we will never know.
With him, we completed our mission to be an independent republic.
We need a George Washington in a practical matter to be the President. A strong man, an honorable man, a thoughtful man, a righteous man…a true warrior who also understands our founding father’s wisdom in forming our government and writing a six page document that still guides us today.
Our next President needs to be ALL of those things or we are finished. A revolution WILL ensue and WE THE PEOPLE will have lost our own country by our inaction.
Report Post »VanGrungy
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 8:39pmno…
Christie is a shariah supporter…
Robert-CA
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 8:39pmit’s a waste of time to convince Obama of anything let him bow & apologize as much as he wants , 2012 is @ the corner .
Report Post »psycodad36
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 8:38pma man saying what im thinking.enough said ,time for action,and not romney
Report Post »hereandnow
Posted on February 14, 2011 at 12:22pmDon’t rule Pawlenty out… He was governor of the most liberal state in the nation, elected for 2 terms serving from 2003 to 2011
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