What is your opinion of Tim Pawlenty?

[milhouse24]

I just read on one of these threads that the romney team may have narrowed down a finalist list already.  While I'm doubtful that this is one hundred percent true, it seems increasing apparent that Tim Pawlenty will be one of the likely finalists whenever it is released to the public. 

All along, it has been highly probable that Romney will pick someone ultra-safe, scandal free, and puts a zero dent in negative media coverage.  Pawlenty has always been safer than Portman.  TPaw has already been vetted publicly and by the media with his short-lived presidential campaign, so there will be no shock or surprise factor from the media or voters. 

Pawlenty has decent government experience as a mildly popular governor of a liberal state.  He has no DC experience, which may or may not be a good thing depending on how you view it.  Romney may want to go completely "DC Outsider" for his campaign theme.  TPaw is scandal free, young, mildly attractive, evangelical, and is a pleasant and nice person in front of the camera.  He is non-confrontational, which may not blunt Obama/Biden attacks. 

The problem with picking Pawlenty includes he is from the midwest and might not help much in many of the states in that region.  Also, by ignoring the South, Romney runs the risk of alienating voters in Virginia, NC, Florida, and Colorado.  Which he needs to win.  Pawlenty is also completely forgettable, which is not good when you want to remind voters why they should vote for you, and exactly who they are voting for.  If voters have trouble remembering Pawlenty or even his name, then they will be less likely to trust the Republican ticket. 

[milhouse24]

How can anyone have an actual 'opinion' of Pawlenty? He is just... meh.

I might be wrong, but I just see Pawlenty as a big mistake for VP.  I just don't see how he can help get the votes to help Romney win, unless Obama has a huge meltdown such as the economy tanking/euro-greece crisis, and Romney just wants to play "not to lose" instead of "playing to win" 

Pawlenty or "Paul Lenty" is the unrecognizable face on a milk carton. 

Most swing state voters will say Tim "Who?" and the campaign will be Romney/Who? 

A bucket of warm milk would be more likeable and identifiable than Pawlenty. 

Romney can pick an inanimate object as running mate and it would help him get more votes than Pawlenty can get - such as a bucket of corn to appeal to Iowans; or even a cute puppy to make people think he cares about dogs. 

Pawlenty would never be allowed to enter the White House because security won't recognize him.