Capitol View: August 28, 2009 Archive

Pawlenty rips stimulus, but downplays report that he may run

Posted at 11:25 AM on August 28, 2009 by Tim Pugmire (3 Comments)

During an interview with Bloomberg Television, Gov. Tim Pawlenty had harsh words for the Obama administration on health care reform and the economic stimulus. The Republican governor also acknowledged he was considering seeking the GOP 2012 presidential nomination.

Excerpts from the transcript:

"I'm going to finish out my term as governor both here in Minnesota and around the country, I'm going to try to speak to how the Republican Party can and should improve. And if that gets some traction and some momentum, then I would consider that, and not rule it in or out, but at least consider it."

"I think there is a value in governing a state like Minnesota as a conservative in terms of what that means to the rest of the country. I think I been very effective as a reformer, keeping a lid on spending, trying to drive down tax burdens in relative terms in Minnesota, been a reformer in education and health care. So I think the country is looking for leadership that is a hands- on leadership that can get things done and can improve the lives of people without having the federal government do all of that. I have done that in Minnesota."

UPDATE

Gov. Pawlenty is downplaying the Bloomberg comments. He told MPR News today that he's still not made any decisions about his future plans.

"What I've said before, and I just said it a little different in the Bloomberg interview, was I haven't ruled anything out or in," Pawlenty said. "And that includes whole array of private sector potential choices or interests, as well as public service. But as to whether I may of may not stay in politics, or may or may not be involved on the national level, I just don't know the answer to that."

Pawlenty's national political work continues next week, when he travels to New Jersey to campaign for that state's GOP candidate for governor.

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