This initially began as a comment on the thread I started earlier today, about the new TV ad Tim Pawlenty will roll out in the Des Moines and Ames markets tomorrow (thanks, Smack, for that info!), but as it grew longer and longer, I decided to convert it into a separate post. Without further ado…
I’ve made it no secret that I like T-Paw a lot. On a personality level, I identify far more with him than the other candidates in the race. I also believe his record can stand up to any Republican governor when considering context. He has a greater chance than anyone else of uniting the party’s factions and maybe even expanding its appeal to new demographics. And last but not least, he has offered the most pro-growth economic policy proposals of anyone in the field.
For all these reasons, it truly pains me to see him struggling so much with polling and fundraising. While I certainly don’t consider him anywhere near hopeless, I really believe he has missed out on numerous opportunities to continue and even build the momentum he had when he began his candidacy.
As a student of marketing and branding, I attribute his languishing in the national (and, to a lesser extent, the Iowa) polls to mistakes involving what our own Matt Coulter and others have described: failing to utilize his biography to define himself and help him stand out from the other candidates.
To the average voter who doesn’t follow the minutiae of campaigns, no discernible T-Paw “brand” exists. How would they view his positioning in relation to the other candidates? Those who want to embrace principle and ideological primal screams can look to someone like Michele Bachmann or Ron Paul. Mitt Romney has, for the most part, cornered the “competent executive” market, with four-plus years of campaigning to tell the public about his experience as a business executive, CEO of the Winter Olympics, and Governor of Massachusetts. Unless they know about Pawlenty’s background through their own research or from a campaign event, what about him would legitimately compel them to move away from the aforementioned alternatives (or Perry/Palin/Giuliani, potentially)?
In the opinion of this humble observer, I have always considered it rather obvious that Pawlenty’s durable competitive advantage (to invoke a commonly used business term) centers squarely on his background. He has a biography unique to the candidate field – one that includes humble beginnings, hardship, and inspiring depictions of the American Dream. The best thing his campaign advisors could do is simply let T-Paw be T-Paw. Let his fabled retail skills come through and shine. Let him do what won him so much electoral success in Minnesota.
In a time when voters feel anxious, downtrodden, and downright frightened for their economic futures – not to mention forgotten by Washington, one can easily envision voters responding to T-Paw’s working-class past. It offers the potential to distinguish him from the other candidates and forge the visceral, emotional, and personal connection with voters that he will need to finally gain traction in the polls and follow through on all the promise and organizational support we saw when he launched his bid for the presidency.
July 20th, 2011 at 11:16 pm
Thanks for the late night post.
TPAW has been talking about his background at all of his Town Halls and will continue to do so. TPAW being everywhere and anywhere in Iowa is playing into his blue-collar working background that Iowans like.
TPAW was never going to get traction in the polls until his TV & radio Ads starting playing in Iowa. Now they are playing…and now he is moving up.
Watch the next couple of Iowa polls….TPAW will be in third by himself in double digits with great FAV/UNFAVS and Bahcmann UNFAVS will be creeping up. Don’t doubt me…..
It’s happening.
July 20th, 2011 at 11:40 pm
Anthony, I agree. Although I would add it’s not just his blue collar background that needs to come out, it’s everything about him. Voters don’t know who he is. They need to know who he is, why he’s running for President, and then what his policy proposals are – in that order. And then, lastly, how those proposals differ from those of his opponents.
The Pawlenty campaign skipped steps 1-3 and went straight to 4. Then they did 3 with his economic speech.
Still waiting on steps 1 and 2…..
July 20th, 2011 at 11:45 pm
Instead, Pawlenty has positioned himself in a desperate situation now where he is forced to rely on attacking his opponents in an effort to gain traction.
Earlier today, he said Michele Bachmann was just like Obama and that she was all “big speeches and no experience”.
Ouch.
And this afternoon, a simple comparison in how two different candidates handled the Bachmann headache issue is quite illustrative of the state of this race.
First, Mitt Romney answered a question about the headaches like this: “There’s no question in my mind that Michele Bachmann’s health is in no way an impediment to her being able to serve as president. She and I have differing views, I’m sure, on some issues … Her health should not be an issue in a campaign.”
Then, Pawlenty said this:
Pawlenty says Bachmann’s headaches are fair game
Tim Pawlenty suggests that Rep. Michele Bachmann’s (R-Minn.) headaches are a legitimate issue. “All of the candidates, I think, are going to have to be able to demonstrate they can do all of the job all of the time,” said Pawlenty, who has also questioned whether Bachmann’s experience readies her for the office of the presidency. “There’s no real time off in that job.”
That’s all you need to know about the race in a nutshell. Romney is comfortable with where he’s at. Pawlenty is desperate.
July 21st, 2011 at 12:00 am
I’ve obsered TPaw for nearly 10 years now. I’ve never understood why some of you are so enamored with him. His record isn’t bad, but it’s rather unremarkable. His electoral success is a result of a combination of weak opponents and the fact that MN Gubernatorial elections are held during mid-term election years. If it wasn’t for that, MN would never elect a Republican governor.
I voted for him twice, contributed to his campaign…even put two Pawlenty for Governor signs in my yard (and picked up 20 more to distribute to friends). I just didn’t envision a way for him to break through on the national scene.
July 21st, 2011 at 12:00 am
Resorting to going this negative is a sure sign of desperation. Has any legitimate candidate gone this negative this early?
July 21st, 2011 at 12:10 am
…and the only reason I went out of my way with the signs and the contributions is because his opponent in 2006 was hellbent on bankrupting the certain segments of the private sector while he was Attorney General. My livelihood depended on a Pawlenty victory.
July 21st, 2011 at 12:14 am
New ABC/WaPo poll out:
Romney – 26
Palin – 16
Bachmann – 13
Perry – 8
Cain – 7
Paul – 7
Gingrich – 4
Huntsman – 3
Pawlenty – 2
Santorum – 2
Without Palin:
Romney – 30
Bachmann – 17
Paul – 10
Perry – 8
Cain – 7
Gingrich – 6
Huntsman – 3
Pawlenty – 3
Santorum – 3
Pretty much confirms that NBC/WSJ poll (and shows the PPP poll as the outlier yet again).
July 21st, 2011 at 12:18 am
I agree completely that T-Paw has no “brand” right now and that is the fault of his campaign. However, I would be hesitant to overplay the “working class” roots so as not to come across as too much of a John Edwards clone. Edwards was a wealthy trail lawyer that attempted to brand himself as the “Son of a Millworker” with an everyman persona. Trouble was he hadn’t been anywhere close to the mill in 40 years and when reality didn’t match up with the imagery, such as his reported $400. haircuts, his branding was viewed as phoney.
Pawlenty needs to brand himself as the man he is today with mention but not emphasis on where he came from. I’ve heard him tell his story and too much talk of his history could come across as a contrived attempt to play on sympathy.
July 21st, 2011 at 12:28 am
Jax,
“Resorting to going this negative is a sure sign of desperation. Has any legitimate candidate gone this negative this early?”
Romney ’08.
July 21st, 2011 at 12:31 am
Ci2Eye,
“Edwards was a wealthy trail lawyer that attempted to brand himself as the “Son of a Millworker” with an everyman persona. Trouble was he hadn’t been anywhere close to the mill in 40 years and when reality didn’t match up with the imagery, such as his reported $400. haircuts, his branding was viewed as phoney.”
Right, but up until a few years ago, Pawlenty had a mullet, not a $400 hair cut.
He’s the real deal.
July 21st, 2011 at 12:34 am
Jax,
A more specific answer to your prior question. Just one example of many…….
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PDApAAAAIBAJ&sjid=c2QFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2183,214918&dq=romney+attacks&hl=en
July 21st, 2011 at 12:36 am
You know every interview I saw with him in jan/feb (and throughout his book) he played all the background cards….what else was his campaign supposed to do?
July 21st, 2011 at 12:46 am
11 – There’s a difference between pointing out difference in substantive positions and smearing someone because of migraines. I don’t consider drawing substantive differences going negative.
July 21st, 2011 at 12:47 am
@7 – Mitt is clearly losing his frontrunner status (to quote a notorious RomNot from earlier today).
July 21st, 2011 at 12:50 am
@11 – was there anything unfair in that article?
July 21st, 2011 at 1:04 am
Jax,
Yes, when Mitt attacks, it’s always the righteous arm of God at work. When anyone else attacks, it’s “smears.”
At any rate, you didn’t preface your question by asking if anyone had ever gone negative in an unholy way, you just asked whether a candidate had ever gone negative this early. I assumed that even Mitt’s most pious attacks counted.
July 21st, 2011 at 1:05 am
Jax,
Do you think Mitt is capable of doing anything wrong?
July 21st, 2011 at 1:13 am
Usually if you have to tell someone that you are humble that is not good. On Special Report’s online discussion, Krauthammer cited the Bachmann comment and he correctly pointed out that the media would do the job and he didn’t need to. He also cited Pawlenty’s Obamneycare attack and how he backed off. Krauthammer’s conclusion was that Pawlenty “does not know who he is”.
The Washington Post poll is consistent with PPP with Palin in it. The numbers are within the error of both PPP and ABC/Washington Post. If you average the numbers out you get
Romney 23
Bachmann 14.5
Palin 14
Perry 9.5
A sign of major weakness with Bachmann that she is pretty much dead even with someone that is perceived as not running.
Also on Special Report, Steven Hayes says everything Palin has done and said is consistent with a run except for the fact that she has not cut her ties with Fox. She really doesn’t have to. All she has to say is that she is in the race and she is out at Fox. This was probably the first time they seriously entertained the idea that she is running. Baier says the Newsweek article turned heads in Washington and money people he has talked to says all she has to do is get in.
July 21st, 2011 at 1:28 am
Frank,
“A sign of major weakness with Bachmann that she is pretty much dead even with someone that is perceived as not running.”
Spoken like a true Rombot. If you had told me (or any rational observer) a year ago (or even 3 months ago) that Bachmann would be tied with Palin, and 9 points behind Mitt, I would say that either she was doing really damn well for herself, or the other two had imploded. But I don’t think anyone can honestly say that recent poll numbers show “major weakness” for Bachmann. The gal was polling low singles what, a month ago? And you’re sniffing at the fact that she closed over half the distance with Mitt?
July 21st, 2011 at 1:31 am
Frank,
Of course, if you were speaking as a true Palindrone, you’d have to ask yourself why- when your gal was once polling 65% against Mitt and Huck- you’d be happy with being tied with a back benching congresswoman.
July 21st, 2011 at 1:59 am
You’re in fine form tonight, Matt.
July 21st, 2011 at 2:23 am
But I don’t think anyone can honestly say that recent poll numbers show “major weakness” for Bachmann. The gal was polling low singles what, a month ago? And you’re sniffing at the fact that she closed over half the distance with Mitt?
======================================
The conservative vote was going somewhere. It does show that Bachmann is not the conservative alternative as yet. Palin gets double digits despite the fact that only a quarter of Republicans think she is running. If Palin gets in she might be polling in single digits again. A solid debate performance and she is still nowhere near Romney even with Palin out. It’s already clear that there is much more daylight between Romney and Bachmann than there is between Palin and Romney.
July 21st, 2011 at 2:24 am
Matt C Says:
New ABC/WaPo poll out:
Romney – 26
Palin – 16
Bachmann – 13
Perry – 8
Cain – 7
Paul – 7
Gingrich – 4
Huntsman – 3
Pawlenty – 2
Santorum – 2
=========================
But,but,but…..it can’t be…….
Non candidate Sarah Palin 2nd?
No waaaaaay……………
According to the Ministry of Propaganda,the Libs,the RINOS,the elitist
Quislings on the right Sarah Palin will never,ever,never,ever…run.
And of course this was all confirmed by non other than the resident beard
scrachers on this site(“beard scrachers” is hamaca’s TM,I’m using it only with his written and explicit permission).
According to the beard scrachers Sarah Palin was supposed to hit low
single digits by June and disappear or something.
Well,it’s almost August and she’s still #2.
I guess she didn’t get the memo.
Or beard scrachers are clueless?
What do you think?!
July 21st, 2011 at 2:32 am
Of course, if you were speaking as a true Palindrone, you’d have to ask yourself why- when your gal was once polling 65% against Mitt and Huck- you’d be happy with being tied with a back benching congresswoman.
===============================================
It’s simple. Bachmann is a announced candidate and everything has gone right for her. Yet despie this she is essentially tied with Palin who again most people don’t think is running. Palin has a good story to tell about cleaning up the culture of corruption in Alaska, taking on the oil companies, and cutting spending. Her sound financial management led to Alaska’s bond rating being upgraded to AAA last year. Who knows. Alaska may have a better bond rating than the federal government.
July 21st, 2011 at 2:56 am
Rombots and resident beard scrachers,
When Sarah Palin declares what do you think will happen?
Her numbers will go up or down?
The domestic and international media will follow every move she makes,
every word she utters,or they will prefer to cover Willard mr “excitement”,ms Backmann or timid Timmy?
Your inputs are highly appreciated.
July 21st, 2011 at 3:42 am
PIPER PALIN for President 2036 !!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBW_s1tbcp8
July 21st, 2011 at 4:39 am
If Pawlenty were allowed a do-over then maybe this piece would offer sound advice. But Pawlenty is in a different spot; he’s in a hole. And its not due to Romney’s money or Bachmann’s whatever (I am not sure what fuels her surge). Its due entirely to him roaring like a lion in small settings or when giving an uncontested speech but then turning into minnie mouse when confronted. Yes, his debate performance mortally wounded his campaign. When a debate moderator plays schoolyard instigator by asking,”why don’t you say it to his face?” you have no choice but to seize the moment. The hockey player ran from that fight. So the question isn’t really about branding or even rebranding. This is a recovery operation that requires Pawlenty to find another fight and prove he is capable of fighting and winning and the date and place is August 11 at the debate. And although Bachmann is his IA target I think he must attack Romney.
Picking on Bachmann’s migraines could not have been a worse issue to attack. (BTW, West attacking Wasserman-Schultz was such bad politics.)
July 21st, 2011 at 5:57 am
Why are we talking about Mr Asterix?
He has about as much chance of winning, and as much relevance, as old Newt Gingrich (which actually has about 5 times his support).
July 21st, 2011 at 6:41 am
Bishop Romney’s arrogance appears to have trickled down to his acolytes. I wonder if the bishop ever preached that “pride goeth before the fall.”
July 21st, 2011 at 7:31 am
Pawlenty did not pick on Bachmann’s migraines.
You guys don’t know how to read. Did you see TPAW with Greta last night? TPAW called it a sideshow and has never seen Michele not be able to do her job.
TPAW has said that Bachmann is not ready for the job…not on day 1 or day 360..period. But Pawlenty has not said these migraines are an issue….and neither have I.
The old “Palwenty suggest” routine…..is BS!
Matt C,
I have no idea what your problem is but you have an issue.
Get over it.
July 21st, 2011 at 7:41 am
PabloZed,
Your comment on TPAW picking on Michele’s migraines is another example of group think in this place. TPAW has never pointed out Michele having an issue with migraines being a big deal but yet you take Matt C’s word on it and look….booom..you believe it.
This place is turning into a joke. There is alot you can say negatively about TPAW…because it seems people need to do it everyday here…but making up stories that TPAW picked on Bachmann is a joke!
Why you guys make things up is beyond me.
TPAW talked about all candidates in general needing to be fit including himself..but yet Matt C writes the following:
“Pawlenty says Bachmann’s headaches are fair game”
What a joke you are Matt.
This is the last straw.
I’m going elsewhere.
This place is not a place to talk politics..it’s a place where people make things up and hope it was the way they describe it. Just becaue Politico.com twist all their words around to make all GOP candidates look bad doesn’t mean Matt C has to do the same thing.
Nobody calls Matt C out on this either..because you all want Matt C comments to be truthful…but they are not.
Have a good one guys….it’s been mostly enjoyable.
But I’m out of here. Will not be back.
Matt C = “Pawlenty says Bachmann’s headaches are fair game”
That’s all that nees to be said….completely made up.
July 21st, 2011 at 8:06 am
Smack, this occurs all over the web, on every site. People just make stuff up all the time. No one is a more egregious example than Mitt.
People have accused Mitt of flip-flopping on EVERY SINGLE issue, which is demonstrably false.
They have accused him of being a crony capitalist. They have accused him of being an elitist. They have accused him of everything under the sun.
And it’s all a bunch of made-up, wishful thinking.
But I don’t leave Race42012. It’s just part of the territory when you follow politics.
July 21st, 2011 at 8:17 am
Smack, I actually don’t believe everything I read. I do my own research. To wit, I saw the interview where TPaw was asked about Bachmann’s health. He said (paraphrasing), “everybody has to be able to do the job, allday everyday.” The reporter then asked what does that mean and TPaw said, “There are no days off. Being President is a tough job.” Let’s not be coy – that was a direct shot at the story that Bachmann was sometimes incapacitated. If you need me to find the video for you . . .
#32 “People have accused Mitt of flip-flopping on EVERY SINGLE issue, which is demonstrably false.” LOL. I needed a laugh this morning. Thanks. I will say this, Mitt has not flipped on Romneycare so to say every issue is an overstatement. But he has flipped on taxes, gays, abortion, guns, his dog, his sons service, seeing MLK march, saying the economy is worse . . . So its not EVERY, its DAMN NEAR EVERY.
July 21st, 2011 at 8:17 am
31 & 32
Us palin supporters put up wih much worse than that on a daily basis.
Anyway, I’m one who thinks the migraine issue is legitimate. If it’s as severe as has been reported, I’m not sure I want Bachmann walking around with the nuclear football.
Having said that, I’m convinced that TPaw’s team is responsible for the leak to The Daily Caller. That’s fine with me, actually. It’s better to have it come out now, rather than October of 2012. TPaw does have a way of attacking his opponents in a passive aggresive manner…very similar to what Huckabee does. I do think there was some intent behind his comments yesterday. He should just let the press go after her on the issue, and stay above the fray.
July 21st, 2011 at 8:26 am
33
Perfect example of a clueless buffoon who lets personal vitriol and hate get in the way of facts and the truth.
Race42012 would be a lot better without bottom-feeding wretches like yourself.
July 21st, 2011 at 8:42 am
#35 – LOL. You mean without people willing to interrupt that “Romney is inevitable” meme?
First there was “Romney is next” so everyone get out of the way.
Then came, “Romney will raise $40-60 million and shock and awe everyone and keep Palin and others out.” Well, it was more like aw shucks, 70% of donations coming from maxed out contributors, and the possibility that next quarter could come in significantly lower.
So then comes, “Romney’s the frontrunner and no one can catch him.” Oh well.
And now we are hearing “Romney is the only one who is competitive in general election.” But truth is, if economy is still struggling whoever the nominee is will have as good a shot as Romney.
It boils down to is, its still all about IA, NH and SC and where the candidates stand.
July 21st, 2011 at 8:42 am
Good post Anthony. Of course, it almost reads like a postmortem.
Tim has been my second choice for a long time, and he deserves better than being at 2 or 3 percent in the national polls. The problem is that it’s becoming increasingly clear that he isn’t going anywhere in this race. He is, however, performing a yeoman’s work in sounding the alarm about Bachmann. Somebody has to.
July 21st, 2011 at 8:47 am
PabloZed
You have no idea what you’re talking about. But I don’t thik I needed to say this. Everyone already knows it. All your petty grievances are basically worthless and mean nothing.
July 21st, 2011 at 9:10 am
Smack and MassCon,
Please watch the language. No need to use those kinds of words.
July 21st, 2011 at 9:23 am
“To wit, I saw the interview where TPaw was asked about Bachmann’s health. He said (paraphrasing), “everybody has to be able to do the job, allday everyday.” The reporter then asked what does that mean and TPaw said, “There are no days off. Being President is a tough job.” Let’s not be coy – that was a direct shot at the story that Bachmann was sometimes incapacitated.”
I can understand why some would consider that a shot. I just don’t see it that way. Firstly, what he’s saying is true without any reference to Bachmann. Second, given the first point, the fact that questions have come up about whether migraines impact Bachmann’s performance mean that the questions have to be answered to the satisfaction of the voters–not the candidates and not the media. If there’s clearly no problem, it’ll go away.
July 21st, 2011 at 9:25 am
I’m with MWS: all the indignation about negative campaigning from the Rombots rings hollow with me.
I only just started following politics closely in the ’08 election cycle, and I can tell you that my first impressions of Romney were not good. I saw him almost constantly attack other candidates and display “flexibility” (to put it nicely) on the issues, according to political expediency and wrote him off as the Republican, male Hillary Clinton.
Now, my opinion of Mitt has improved with time, but my central point stands: Rombots don’t have the right to sit on a high horse and thumb their nose at negative campaigning, when their guy pretty much used it more than any other candidate in ’08.
July 21st, 2011 at 9:27 am
And for the record, I also have legitimate concerns about Bachmann’s migranes. I understand that you can treat them, and the president receives nothing but the finest medical care, but we can’t risk our leader getting “incapacitated” for hours, let alone days. Who knows what could happen in those times?
July 21st, 2011 at 9:28 am
10. Matt “MWS”
A mullet until recently? Oh hell no. What if he’s elected and then brings back the mullet? Do you really want the occupant of the White House brushing his mullet before meeting with foreign dignitaries? Before giving a State of the Union address? Do want the mullet appearing in usual political cartoons? Do want to hear singing of “Mullet, mullet man, I just want to be…a mullet man.”?
America deserves better.
July 21st, 2011 at 9:30 am
Facts are facts.
1. Romney says he supported a woman’s right to choose when running for Governor and once he became governor, suddenly he was pro-life.
2. Running for Governor, he said he supported indexing the minimum wage to inflation. As governor, he vetoed the bill.
3. Called the NRA a special interest when he supported gun control measure then became a lifetime
member.
I could go on and on.
July 21st, 2011 at 9:33 am
hamaca,
I, for one, wouldn’t mind seeing the mullet making a comeback. Reagan had his signature hairstyle, as did Nixon. Why not Pawlenty?
Foreign leaders will tremble in fear at the sight of the mullet. Don’t underestimate its power! Come on, you’re telling me you’d want to go into a heated international arms agreement negotiation with this? http://minnesotaindependent.com/43454/pawlenty-president-mullet
July 21st, 2011 at 9:54 am
# 40 – If it wasn’t a shot he would not have gone on Greta last night to walk it back.
#42 – I used to suffer from migraines, bad ones. I was never incapacitated. There really isn’t a medical story here.
July 21st, 2011 at 9:55 am
Looks like TPaw wussed out again (after seeing Mitt take the high road of course):
http://gop12.thehill.com/2011/07/pawlenty-migraines-mostly-sideshow.html
July 21st, 2011 at 9:59 am
SMACK,
Calling me a liar and questioning my integrity are things I do not take lightly, sir.
Everything about Pawlenty’s response to Bachmann’s migraine issue came from this article by Chris Cillizza of the Washington Post, one of the most highly respected political reporters out there:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/afternoon-fix-pawlenty-says-bachmanns-headaches-are-fair-game/2011/07/20/gIQAxdXNQI_blog.html?wprss=the-fix
I understand your sense of anger and desperation. It must be contagious at the Pawlenty camp. But that’s no reason to personally attack me. I’d recommend taking a step back and getting away from politics for awhile if the bad news about your candidate makes you respond like this.
July 21st, 2011 at 10:00 am
Pawlenty got a strike out when he openly encouraged discrimination. I really want another Republican president in the White House, but not someone who operates like that.
July 21st, 2011 at 10:32 am
46. I’ve suffered from 9 episodes of kidney stones. For me and many other people, they’re incapacitating until pain medication at the hospital begins to take effect. But, not all people who get kidney stones are affected in the same manner. Some people carry on just fine with just some discomfort.
Likewise, when it comes to migraines, they affect different people differently. I’m sorry you have them, but am glad they don’t incapacitate you. For other people, it may be different. With respect to Bachmann, it’s strange to me that the story is coming out now, but that’s politics and the vetting process. If she puts out whatever info she needs to ensure voters the migraines for her are manageable, I think it’ll become a non-issue.
July 21st, 2011 at 10:38 am
45. Anthony,
Well, if there’s such significant truth to mullet, it could be a useful weapon to subdue jihadists, foreign adversaries, and perhaps even liberals.
As a show of unity, therefore, I’m proposing we all grow a mullet! Who’s with me?
July 21st, 2011 at 11:07 am
TEX,
“When Sarah Palin declares what do you think will happen?
Her numbers will go up or down?”
Well, everything else she’s done over the past 2 1/2 years has sent her numbers down…….
July 21st, 2011 at 11:11 am
51 hamaca,
I’d do it (and grow a Fu Manchu mustache, if I could!) if it wouldn’t gross out my wife! Alas…
July 21st, 2011 at 11:18 am
hamaca,
I love my country, but I can’t wear the mullet.
July 21st, 2011 at 11:20 am
Here’s a picture of Anthony.
July 21st, 2011 at 11:32 am
Matt–hate the mullet, not the man.
July 21st, 2011 at 11:48 am
Matt,
That’s good, but I thought more along these lines: http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/908/337/SalFasano_display_image.jpg?1304335164
July 21st, 2011 at 1:05 pm
TEX,
Quit cherrypickin’ polls, you Frenchnut.
July 21st, 2011 at 1:40 pm
Well, everything else she’s done over the past 2 1/2 years has sent her numbers down…….
==========================================
The fact is that nobody has heard about anything she’s done over the past 2 1/2 years. The only time the LSM covers her is when she misspeaks a word or she is perceived to have made a mistake. When she talks to people unfiltered people do react favorably to her.
July 21st, 2011 at 2:11 pm
Franklin,
I heard that she quit her day job.
July 21st, 2011 at 5:20 pm
Hasn’t TPaw been a politician for like 20 years or something? What humble background are you referring to, exactly?
July 21st, 2011 at 7:27 pm
king,
Son of a truck driver. Working class neighborhood. First in the family to go to college.
July 28th, 2011 at 10:31 pm
[...] I have written in the past, Pawlenty has not used his greatest strength as a candidate – his unique [...]