Pawlenty: Republicans can’t just rely on Democrats’ “goof ups”
JEFFERSON CITY — This morning, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty gave the Political Fix a preview of his speech to Missouri Republicans at Lincoln Days in St. Charles tomorrow.
Pawlenty, who recently told Esquire magazine that Republicans “blew it” when they were in the majority, said that 2010 is shaping up as a good year for the GOP. But he cautioned that Republicans have to do a better job of shaping their message. Pawlenty, who is considering a presidential run in 2012, is hoping to help the party remake itself.
“We’re benefiting right now from President Obama and the Democrats over-reaching,” Pawlenty said. “But having the other side goof up by itself is not a strategic plan.”
He added:
“We need to do what we say we’re going to do. When we talk about being the party of personal and financial responsibility, then we have to be that.”
Pawlenty lamented the various ethical problems and scandals involving members of his party in Congress over the last few years, saying that “all kinds of behaviors that went on back then” contributed to the voters “firing” Republicans.
That being said, he’s throwing his support behind Congressman Roy Blunt, who was part of the House leadership when the GOP lost power. Pawlenty will be attending a Blunt fund-raiser tomorrow afternoon before being the Friday night keynote speaker at Lincoln Days. One of Blunt’s primary opponents, state Sen. Chuck Purgason, R-Caulfield, plans to be in attendance at Lincoln Days.
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