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Gov. Pawlenty Praises Obama’s Positive Message

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Anonymous

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GOP’s Pawlenty Praises Obama’s Positive Message
Wednesday, Aug. 06, 2008 By AP / FREDERIC J. FROMMER
Associated Press
(ARLINGTON, Va.) — Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, often mentioned as a possible running mate for Republican presidential candidate John McCain, said Wednesday GOP candidates would do well to adopt a positive tone like that of McCain’s Democratic rival Barack Obama.

“Say what you will about Barack Obama,” the Minnesota Republican told a conservative group, “people gravitate when you have something positive to say.” He added that McCain has been positive as well.

“People want to follow hopeful, optimistic, civil, decent leaders,”
Pawlenty said in a speech to GOPAC, which helps recruit Republican candidates. “They don’t want to follow some negative, scornful person.”

Ronald Reagan still offers important lessons for today’s Republican Party, Pawlenty said, because the former president was civil, optimistic, pragmatic and a good communicator.

“He actually had some ideas,” Pawlenty said, adding that the Republican idea factory has seemed “a little stagnant in recent years.” …
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1829944,00.html
 
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I thought this was interesting compared with Gov.Pawlenty's message to Republicans--that these state Repub candidates are actually going to have to develop a policy this year- and run on some issues- not the smear campaigns, since the Dems are thought of too highly....

GOP pollster's advice: Don't attack Schweitzer
By CHARLES S. JOHNSON
Gazette State Bureau

HELENA - A pollster advised the state Republican Party this summer not to attack Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer because of his popularity, but to offer positive policy alternatives.

"Schweitzer has been effective at creating a majority centrist coalition, particularly with women and independents, and this is being driven by improving the state's economy," the Winston Group said in a June 19 memo to the Montana Republican Party.

It added: "Given the environment and the positive view of Schweitzer, the best strategy is to not attack Schweitzer, but on focusing on policy outcomes you want to offer and making positive contrasts with Democrats."

The Washington, D.C., polling company conducted a poll for the Montana Republican Party June 8-9. The Montana Democratic Party obtained a copy of the two-page memo. State Republican Chairman Erik Iverson said the party did commission the poll, with the memo aimed at Republican legislators and legislative candidates.
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"Part of the message is you can't let the Democrats nationalize the race or even make it a statewide referendum. We're telling each candidate their race needs to be localized and not them versus Brian Schweitzer or them versus the national Democratic Party.

"The reality of the situation is the Republican brand nationwide isn't very strong right now. I don't want them losing because they let their opponents make the race about George Bush or the Iraq war or any other national or state race."
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State Democratic Party spokesman Kevin O'Brien said he found some of the GOP poll information encouraging to Democrats. Fifty-eight percent believe the state is headed in the right direction and 29 percent say the wrong direction, the summary said, and 64 percent have a positive view of the state's economy, with 27 percent disagreeing.

Voters now give Democrats the edge over Republicans in handling the economy and jobs.
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http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2008/08/05/news/state/45-pollsters.txt

Looks like all the Repubs are jumping to praise Obama and the fact he actually has some new plans...Plans that don't date back to the 1920's like McSames.... :wink:

With friends like these, does McCain need enemies?

Thursday, August 7, 2008
In the last two days, two Republican governors who are often mentioned as potential running mates for McCain have come out with high praise for Obama.

First, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin praised Obama’s energy plan, despite the fact that McCain is trying to hammer Obama on this issue. About Obama’s plan to complete the Alaska natural gas pipeline:

I am pleased to see Senator Obama acknowledge the huge potential Alaska’s natural gas reserves represent in terms of clean energy and sound jobs.

About Obama’s plan to offer $1,000 rebates to help offset the high cost of energy:

This is a tool that must be on the table to buy us time until our long-term energy plans can be put into place. We have already enjoyed the support of Alaska Senator Ted Stevens, and it is gratifying to see Senator Obama get on board.


Second, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty praised Obama’s positive campaign:

Say what you will about Barack Obama, people gravitate when you have something positive to say. People want to follow hopeful, optimistic, civil, decent leaders. They don’t want to follow some negative, scornful person.

Pawlenty also talked about Reagan, saying that Reagan “actually had some ideas” but that the Republican idea factory has seemed “a little stagnant in recent years”. Pawlenty even brought up the issue of age, saying that Reagan is ancient history to young people. “If you’re under 40, that was a long time ago, man,” he said to laughter.

Ouch! I doubt if McCain is laughing.

UPDATE: Today US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice gave even higher praise to Obama. Rice has been often mentioned as a potential running mate for McCain, and when she was asked if she would consider as VP for Obama, she responded:

I don’t need another job in government with anybody. Look, I’m a Republican, all right? Senator McCain is a fine patriot and he would be a great president. But there’s something to be said for fresh blood. And I know that there are a lot of very good people who could be his vice president.

Rice was also asked “Would you feel safe with a President Obama?” to which she responded “Oh, the United States will be fine.”

http://politicalirony.com/
 
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