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. 

[Incipimus iterum]

well Pawlenty was vetted in 2008 for McCain's VP and he would've made a bigger difference in that election

[GLPman]

As a VP pick or a politician? Either way, he's boring and clownish. He'd be a terrible VP pick and an awful president.

[President von Cat]

The VP should be a credible attack dog, no? Pawlenty tries too hard to be Mr. Tough Guy and he just comes off as ridiculous every time. Just look at that foolish book cover of his..

[Incipimus iterum]

As a VP pick or a politician? Either way, he's boring and clownish. He'd be a terrible VP pick and an awful president.

well he was better then Palin if u look at it, he had more experience

[Bull Moose Base]

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.

It's been obvious for a while the Romney Campaign would view DC experience as a negative and the board was deluding themselves with Burr, Thune stuff.  Portman's a fairly safe pick but has more DC time than Pawlenty.  If internal polling convinces Romney Campaign Portman would help him in Ohio, he might become the favorite but so far no sign he would.  Rubio is riskier and with the economy stalling out, Romney will probably play it safer.  Pawlenty's the VP frontrunner. 

Ironically, even though Pawlenty actually ran for president himself, his biggest advantage is how transparent McDonnell's and Christie's presidential ambitions are.  (McDonnell's bigger problem is women's issues.)  Pawlenty was always half running for VP, which was transparent in his retreat from his Obamneycare attack in the debate.

[Torie]

Blah

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Blah

Well said.

[Torie]

Blah

Well said.

The best thing was its length though, no?  Unusual for me I know. Just ask Lief.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Blah

Well said.

The best thing was its length though, no?  Unusual for me I know. Just ask Lief.

It was as boring as T-Paw, which makes it all the more stellar.......you need to have a chat with muon2 about T-Paw..........

[Napoleon]

Horrible person

[HagridOfTheDeep]

Not what Romney needs in a VP.

[Miles]

Eh, his ship has sailed.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Have any of you ever seen him in person? He is a much better speaker in person. I hope he does not chicken out in the debates like he did with Bachmann if he is picked.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

He attacked Romney on Obamney care and if you want a VP, you want someone with you, not someone that has attacked you on your signature initiative.  Portman is gonna be the choice.

[muon2]

Blah

Well said.

The best thing was its length though, no?  Unusual for me I know. Just ask Lief.

It was as boring as T-Paw, which makes it all the more stellar.......you need to have a chat with muon2 about T-Paw..........

Indeed I have had a chance to meet him in a small group setting. I don't disagree that his rhetorical skills could be improved, but I would contend his gubernatorial record on fiscal discipline was a model that Daniels and now Walker have emulated in the Midwest.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

The epitome of meh.

[Mr. Morden]

I liked his movie trailers, and I'm wondering if we'll get to see "Pawlenty: The Movie" if he's elected vice president.

Maybe his debate with Biden will include a lot of blue screen action.

[Dereich]

Geez, a VP debate between Pawlenty and Biden would be just awful.

[morgieb]

Neutral and just seems strange.

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

Much like Romney.

[Comrade Funk]

Boring white guy. I guess he's safe though...

[Lambsbread]

I like him, but he's the textbook definition of white bread. Yawn.

[Supersonic]

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

[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.