Environment

Pawlenty Explains Climate Past: I ‘Flirted With’ Cap and Trade

Pawlenty Explains Climate Past: I ‘Flirted With’ Cap and TradeIs he reversing course — or was he just “flirting?” Tim Pawlenty’s views on climate change and cap-and-trade are certainly evolving. The former Minnesota governor, it seems, has been trying to change perceptions about his past environmental record. According to Politico, Pawlenty appeared on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” to chat about his take climate change and green policymaking:

“I’ve said that cap and trade would be a bad idea for the country, Jack. It’s a mistake,” Pawlenty said in response to a question from guest host Jack Welch, the former General Electric CEO.

“I looked at it, like most of the other leading candidates did, some years ago — flirted with it, for sure — but I’ve just admitted my mistake and said I was wrong,” Pawlenty added. “It would be harmful to the economy. It’s based on flawed science, and we should throw it out the window.”

But, just a few years ago Pawlenty was recording ads in support of this same “flawed science.” Below, you can watch the CNBC interview. What do you think? Flirtation or flipflop (or a mixture of the two)?

Comments (38)

  • Phantom II
    Posted on June 16, 2011 at 1:02pm

    What I don’t understand is that these so called Republicans allow themselves to be manipulated by the commies at these debates. We miss the point. We don’t know how to fight. It shows us who we are. We are supposed to be choosing a leader who can defeat these commie bastards. This is a war and the Dems beat us at every turn. What a disgrace. We can’t be nice when the future of the Republic is at stake.
    I don’t want mediators from the enemy camp questioning our candidates at this point. They must question one another and have their agendas exposed. I want Caine and West and Palin attacking Romney, Pawlenty and other imposters before we the people choose qualified candidates that in turn will attack our enemies that are within. Only then may we proceed to battle.

    We must dictate the terms, not the enemy. We must choose the time and place for Democrat debates as they have done ours and stand our ground.

    Bi partisan debates must be held at neutral venues and may not be edited by the media. Only the candidates may ask questions amongst themselves with no time limit. Any false statement or leading question must be exposed and the candidate disqualified. The nominee of each party must be required to pass a written exam on the constitution, economics and American history. All elected leaders should be required to do this anyway. All laws past and present must pass the ‘Constitutional Test’. Palin/West ticket. Yeah.

    Report Post » Phantom II  
  • Omnivore
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 4:07pm

    Too little too late I say. If he “flirted” with something that blatantly stupid and evil, it means he hasn’t the mental capacity for the job. It shows extremely poor judgment, which means he cannot be trusted to do the right things in the future. Same goes for Newt. Maybe in 20 years I could give him another chance, but these recent converts-of-convenience don’t impress me one little bit.

    We don‘t need someone who’s just been convinced. We need strong leaders who already have it figured out and can stand on principle when it’s not popular with the Beltway crowd. I‘m already sick to my stomach of the tacticians who’ll sway with the wind. Enough already!

    Report Post »  
  • eramthgin
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 2:53pm

    Some of the easiest words to say and the most respected are “I was wrong”. It is a shame that most politicians can never say those words.

    Report Post » eramthgin  
  • Independentcrusader
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 2:14pm

    Get rid of the EPA and any all all environmental regulations! We can trust corporations not to pollute our environment for profit – drill baby drill – go BP go!

    Report Post » Independentcrusader  
  • This_Individual
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 12:17pm

    If these are your choices so far my Republican friends, I wish you luck. I’m still voting Libertarian.

    Report Post »  
  • DAGNY
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 11:46am

    But isn’t this the real problem? Politicians going along with the cause of the day rather than doing a little homework and coming to their own rational conclusions?

    Great, he’s seen the light – now – after regulations have already been pushed down our throats. How many votes did he contribute to it already? The Pawlenty’s, the Juan Williams, and all the other newly enlightened ones of the world are as much of a problem as the true original fools.

    They come to senses TOO LATE! We cannot turn things around waiting for half the country to finally get it. Only those who think on their own from day one are allowed in my club house.

    Report Post »  
  • LukeAppling
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 11:13am

    I left global warminmg right after global cooling and right before Climate Change. It was easily researched and once I saw who received the benefits and money it was apparent it was a huge scam to redistribute the wealth of America and drive business elsewhere with the Cap &
    Trade scam When I saw the professors who received grants the more they praised Global
    Warming it was apparent it was a big scam, If I realized that in the 90′s why is anyone still discussing it?

    Report Post »  
  • TRILO
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 10:37am

    He “flirted” with it. If he fell for that bunch of lies who knows what he will fall for. It should have only taken 30 seconds to understand the harmful impact on our economy.

    Report Post » TRILO  
  • Entropy
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 9:31am

    Sorry if some of you don’t like this but Cain, Paul and Gingrich impressed me. All the the others were mincing and parsing their words, trying to appeal to “everybody”. When Romney and a few others were sucking up to that Navy guy with 3 kids on the water, I thought I was gonna puke. They were just buying time to think of a good answer. What idiots.

    Report Post »  
  • Entropy
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 9:29am

    Get this mealy-mouthed RINO out of my face. Please…..yawn

    Report Post »  
  • nomercy63
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 8:30am

    Go Away!!!!!!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • Islesfordian
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 8:08am

    It doesn’t matter if he was just flirting and then changed his mind. It doesn’t matter that he is now four square against it. The problem is that he is running on his executive experience and political judgment. This just shows that he isn’t too smart about these things when they first come out. Anyone who didn’t immediately know Cap and Trade was an anti-free trade jobs killing stinker doesn’t have the political smarts we need.

    Only those who have had a massive political conversion, a Damascus road experience, can overcome the political baggage of Romneycare or dancing with the Global Warming nazis. To be soo wrong on policy means that your political philosophy is seriously flawed. So the question then becomes, “What has corrected your flawed political instincts? What has corrected the erroneous way of thinking that made you think that those policies were ever a good idea?” If they, Pawlenty, Romney, Gingrich, aren’t ready to answer those questions, Bye bye, thanks for trying.

    Report Post » Islesfordian  
  • Tony
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 7:51am

    It sounds like Pawlenty has been doing a tiny bit of independent research and is breaking from the “herd mentality” on “climate change”. Apparently, he now realizes it is a scam when he said it is based on “flawed science”…finally another opens his eyes. Tim joins Rick Santorum who fror some time has been doing the best job articulating what a scam “climate change” is and what the goal of this horrid sceme is …power, absolute power.

    Report Post »  
    • one yrs. food ration like Glenn says..
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 8:15am

      Yes, and amazing how he found all that out “ AFTER ” he decided to run for president… It’s a ruse, these guys just say what we want to hear when they want something in return…

      Report Post » one years food ration like glenn says  
  • Pat Alexander
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 7:22am

    Any of the 7 would make a vastly better President than we have now.

    But Herman Cain is really standing out so far. He really is a no B.S. guy…

    Of course, there will be more to declare: Perry, Huntsman, maybe Palin and probably one or two others.

    Report Post »  
  • SheriS
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 6:55am

    All I could think about while watching the debate was no wonder CNN has no viewers. All the CNN people that were on during the debate were pathetic! It proved how bad they are and their employees as represented by the two commentators were so bad! Both acted like “angry old men”!

    Report Post »  
  • ginpa
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 6:55am

    Pawlenty did not do his homework on Cap and Trade the first time around. Every being in the universe knows right from wrong. Glad to see he saw the light—-a little too late.

    Report Post »  
  • kestrel27
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 6:20am

    What is it with all the Republicans that feel Democrat lite is the way to go. At least until they realize America has had it up to the eyeballs with snot nosed, narcissistic, Liberal, control freaks, sticking their noses and fat mouths into every aspect of our lives. Then suddenly, they try to become Conservatives. People like that have no core convictions and whip around constantly like a flag in a variable wind. What we need, is someone who believes in American exceptionalism and the American people, not their personal career advancement at our expense. We already have that in the doofus Obama.

    Report Post »  
  • quicker
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 5:32am

    They`re all politicions except for Hereman Cain.

    Report Post » quicker  
  • teddrunk
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 5:28am

    Pawlenty Explains Climate Past: “I ‘Flirted With’ Cap and Trade”. Great, then you’re a moron….next.

    Report Post »  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 11:31pm

      Did you ever see a Rino pass on a power grab……………
      Did he “flirt” with voting for Omama?

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
  • Theleftisda
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 5:16am

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=vsQzw_Ax8Cw
    Randy C
    America alway’s and forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Report Post » Theleftisda  
    • Theleftisda
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 5:29am

      I want to thank all of my Blazer family.
      I will give my all
      peace 4 ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      Report Post » Theleftisda  
  • GadsdenPatriot
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 5:07am

    I’m curious, did you admit it then that it would hurt the economy? or just now to save your own bum?

    Report Post » GadsdenPatriot  
    • dukielouie
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 5:55am

      Tim, Romney, and Huntsman are all supported by the Bush establement. Google ICLEI and Un agenda 21 in there states and find out who they really are. Look at the CFR and read what they write. Florida had it’s first UN Agenda 21 Conference 250 leaders came. We are bring this into the light. It is the Grinding Down of America. Newt was asked by the Tea Party if he supported the Agenda he said 21 was killing property rights, supports the 10th amendment, repeal of the 17th amendment, and the audit of the fed. Ron Paul has answered the same way.All others have not been asked directly.Please google Tom Deweese, Henry Lamb, or go to you tube. Beck is right on the One World Order for this is how they are doing it form the local up.

      Report Post »  
    • Sheepdog911
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 5:58am

      bI’d say that learn the science upon which your previous opinions were based is an allowable or even welcome change of mind. Flip flops are changes with the political winds, changed based on scientific fact makes good policy.

      Report Post » Sheepdog911  
    • Sheepdog911
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 6:04am

      Pawlenty’s re-evaluation aside, I don‘t think that we’ll see either Cain or Bachmann needing to change their minds on anything. Hoping for a Cain/Bachmann, Bachmann/Cain ticket in 2012.

      Report Post » Sheepdog911  
    • avenger
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 6:28am

      the only way I would vote for this guy would be the 2008 scenerio….holding my nose.

      Report Post »  
    • one yrs. food ration like Glenn says..
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 8:06am

      So if you make 49,999.99 you get taxes taken at 10 % but, if you happen to make a penny more at
      50,000.00 then 25 % comes out.. That is rediculous… Fair tax is the only way…

      Report Post » one years food ration like glenn says  
    • No1YaKnow
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 12:15pm

      Pawlenty keeps getting caught on his leftward leanings. Americans call b.s.

      Report Post » Marci  
    • spirit of freedom
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 1:28pm

      i am a relocated minnesotan, i voted for T paw. when he got elected, he is a RHINO. come from a long line of union loving commiecrats in his family. he is no different, he was all on board with cap and tax until he got his head handed to him on a stick!
      then the reversal, also when in office proposed a bill to put a gps tracking system on every car on the road so they could be taxed for everymile driven. oh and by the way tracks and logs every where you go and how long there! what freedom loving politition would even dream of trying to do something this intrusive?
      that is not what is called freedom mr pawlenty! get out of the race……… next!!!!

      Report Post » spirit of freedom  
    • ozchambers
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 3:57pm

      You did more than flirt, cuz you got a political STD. You go looking for love in leftist skank dives and you’re gonna get politically burnt! NEXT.

      Report Post » ozchambers  
    • DisillusionedDaily
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 5:07pm

      I am disillusioned by the crappy choice of Republican candidates so far. I keep hoping there is one out there who will actually defend and uphold the Constitution and not just give the lip service required to get elected to the oval office.

      Report Post » DisillusionedDaily  

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