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Pawlenty impresses Iowa Republicans
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Tim Pawlenty delivers in first major speech to Iowa Republicans
Minnesota Governor and 2012 Presidential hopeful Tim Pawlenty needed to make an impressive showing in his first major speech in front of Iowa's most influential Republicans. He accomplished that goal. Pawlenty's speech at the Iowa GOP's fall fundraiser was peppered with humor, stiff jabs at Barack Obama, and well-placed, straight right wing points.
Pawlenty opened by praising Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley for his work in fighting with the Democrats on their attempted government takeover of the healthcare industry. Smart move. Grassley is still very popular among Iowa Republicans. Buttering him up for a potential endorsement does not hurt, either. Although Grassley did not endorse any candidate in the 2008 Iowa Caucus, he did come out in favor of George W. Bush and Bob Dole in previous elections.
Pawlenty followed his Grassley praise by lifting a line from Will Farrell comedy "Talladega Nights". He introduced his bride Mary with, "Thank you Lord for my red-hot smoking wife."
The Minnesota Governor also took direct aim at Democrats. He mocked the President's tendency to ask crowds, "Fired up? Ready to go?" Pawlenty rolled off several of Obama's left wing agenda items, and got affirmative responses from the GOP crowd when he asked if they are sick of this, and "Are you ready to fight back?"
Pawlenty hit Obama on the porkulus bill, ever-rising unemployment, broken promises of bipartisanship, and the enormous federal deficit. "We've got a Democrat-controlled Congress messing around with a miserable healthcare bill. They should be focused like a laser on jobs, not acting like a manure spreader in a wind storm," Pawlenty said to laughter and applause. “They can’t even get us, in a reasonable time, a vaccine for the H1N1 virus. How are they going to manage our health care?" Pawlenty also pointed out the Gitmo detainees have received the swine flu vaccine, while pregnant women and other high-risk U.S. taxpayers have not.
He also paid reverence to God, which is a smart move for any Republican politician in the Hawkeye State. Pawlenty stated the importance of thanking and acknowledging God, and noted that being "grateful to God" is in the first sentence of the preamble of Minnesota's Constitution.
Pawlenty closed his speech by using a story about Michael Jordan and a teammate to make a point about how Republicans have to work together. "We don't have a big enough party to throw people overboard," Pawlenty stressed. "As a team, we have to huddle around each other."
The crowd of 700 gave Pawlenty a 25 second standing ovation following his remarks. It was not a speech that blew anyone away, but it was well-delivered and made a positive impression on most of those in attendance. It was an important night for Pawlenty, it he hopes to unseat Mike Huckabee in the 2012 Iowa Caucus. He took a very positive first step.
Check back throughout the week for more analysis and news from Saturday's Iowa Tea Party Convention, "Leadership for Iowa" event, updates on the Iowa Governor's race, and my interview with Senator Chuck Grassley.
For more info: Big day for conservatives in Iowa;
Palin, Thompson show leadership while Huckabee, Romney exude cowardice
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Tim Pawlenty address Iowa GOP, reporters
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