Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty dropped out of the race for the GOP presidential nomination on Sunday, hours after finishing a disappointing third in the Iowa straw poll.
"I wish it would have been different, but obviously the pathway forward for me doesn't exist so we are going to end the campaign," Pawlenty said on ABC's "This Week" from Iowa.
The low-key Midwesterner, who had struggled to gain traction in a state he had said he must win, had told supporters on a conference call shortly before the broadcast interview that he was ending his White House bid.
"I thought I would have made a great president, but obviously that pathway isn't there," Pawlenty said. "I do believe we're going to have a very good candidate who is going to beat Barack Obama."
Those last remarks still indicate that Pawlenty is delusional, but apparently not delusional enough to stay in this race. Still I am surprised that of all the GOP wannabes in this contest that he is the first to recognize that his chances are non-existent.
After all third place was not bad at all in the "nobody gives two shits about you but the media" Ames Straw Poll. I mean the only two to beat him were Michele Bachmann (I believe purely based on her corndog eating skills by the way), and Ron Paul who seems to ALWAYS place high in the early polling of the most wingnutty members of the GOP right before the more sober minds realize he might actually become their candidate and yank him of stage with a giant hook.
Hell he beat the eventual nominee, Mitt Romney, by FOUR places, you would think that might give him a boost of confidence going forward, but I guess losing to two of the most batshit crazy candidates in the field put the overall impact of this Iowa poll on the final nomination process into perspective for ole T-Paw.
I have to say that for me personally it is a shame, because right up until this morning I had a hell of a time differentiating between Pawlenty and Santorum. But as of right now I know that Pawlenty is NOT the guy who believes that a woman who has been raped should carry her rapist's child to term.
Okay folks time to get out your crystal balls and let's see who YOU think will be the next potential loser to Obama in 2012 to come to their senses.
Bachmann is running for VP & she hired Ed Rollins to run her campaign. So she stays in. Ron Paul & Mittens will also stay in. Newt will be next to drop out. Then Herman Cain. Huntsman just got in & he has a ton of $$ so he might want to debate Perry somewhere. So, to recap, rich men will stay in (Romney, Cain, Huntsman), nutters in the lead will stay in (Bachmann & Paul). Newt is toast.
ReplyDeleteNewt is next.
ReplyDeleteThere is no place for him in today´s GOP.
Informed GOP voters who may have supported him abandoned the GOP dingy.
Frothy Dick Santorum.
ReplyDeleteRick Perry from Texas. Right now he is courting the crazy xtian right-wing, and he's got a lot of coal/oil money behind him.
ReplyDeleteLike Dubya, he has a superficial charm and looks. Also dumb as a rock.
I vote Santorum, he can't keep opening himself up to the disgusting punch-line his name and his weird Dugard-like family are becoming.
ReplyDeleteSee ya T-Paw, although I'm sorry to see one of the most sane candidates go. He could have righted himself as he is one of the most legitimate and has more mainstream GOP appeal. He let Bachmann get the best of him?
ReplyDeleteWhy did he chose the FOX debate to find his still spine and go after that whack-job gal? It did help seal his fate.
To all candidates, don't hang your hat on the Iowa straw-polls, that fringe-shit don't resonate with the rest of America.
Perry/Bachman ticket is my prediction. Bachman is teabagger "darling". Perry has Texas money. Both of them are the kind that Koch and Murdoch love. Bachman won't be at the top of the ticket because fundamentalists don't really respect women in "the" power positions.
ReplyDeleteQuitting before it even really begins... Sarah Palin seen taking notes on her hand.
ReplyDeletePawlenty is a nasty piece of work. I am glad he's out. But, he's probably gonna gun for a VP position, you betcha. When he trotted out his silly tough guy campaign videos the pathetic was more than anyone could bear, obviously. He just ain't too impressive and obviously, people see that. Just an all out woos.
ReplyDeleteMarcus Bachmann Can’t Cure The Gay Or The Rage
ReplyDeletehttp://www.politicususa.com/en/marcus-bachmann-don-lemon
Palin commenting on Bachmann's Straw Poll win.
ReplyDeleteNote - She does not say 'congratulations'.
NOTE -- Watch her lips/mouth. You can see how the are pulled tighter - drawn back. She's so pissed off that Bachmann stole her thunder.
Palin must be having a meltdown!!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/44133462#44133462
The clip is only 50 seconds so it's not long and drawn out!!
I call bullshit on that too. What would the poll matter? He got out for other reasons. He got enough attention for the money he was willing to spend, and if someone wants to pick him up as a vp candidate, he has enough cred to be a viable vp.
ReplyDeleteThe question really isn't why anyone is dropping out, it's why would they run at all, when they know they have no shot in 2012? But they're all directed by the GOP, so it's not as if this is all his idea anyway. The Party needs a few people to run.
The lower rungs are just in for the $$$$$$ just ask Sarah running for President is a money making venture that is their only cents/sense.
ReplyDeleteThe fat lady who does sarah´s hair is always coming on here and giving us updates on the warm and close knit palins.
ReplyDeletesarah spends hours sitting in the Beehive, holding court, and whining about how Rebecca likes to remind everyone that confident women don´t wear tons of makeup. And about how Rebecca is always crying about how long it takes sarah to put on makeup and ¨get ready¨ for anything, even ¨flippin´ cumulonimbus.¨
The fat lady has insider info.
What´s your take on whose dropping out next, fat lady?
Also, too, I know you are busting your fat ass and losing weight. Good for you!
(You´ll just gain it back like Bristol, though.)
Got to give it to him. He's at least a bit smarter then the rest. He wasn't the most entertaining clown anyways.
ReplyDeleteBachmann says she 'doesn't judge' - WTF?? -- REALLY??
ReplyDeleteOwns a clinic that's providing 'pray the gay away therapy' and she's not judging.
I don't like Gregory on a normal basis, but I give him credit on his attempts to push her.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/44133462#44136510
I also have to say, I love that there is a Texas news journalist, Wayne Slater, appearing on various shows pounding at Perry. I also watched a Texas Dem doing the same. Both hitting at only minimum & below jobs created by Perry and much more 'baggage' & BS Perry spews.
Huntsman will be out. He has $$$ but that was a pretty poor showing. I can see Santorum as the next flavor if the month. He is a fundie's dream candidate. Also I can see Perry flaming out Giuliani style. He is the least rational choice. The GOP whine about Obama blaming Bysh for everything...they do NOT want to pick a Bush acolyte or that will totally make the election 100 percent about Bush. And since polls show that MOST voters blame Bush fir the economy they would have to be stupid to pick Perry.
ReplyDeleteIt's about time for Newt "the heavy spender for diamonds" to get smacked by God closing the door on his fat ass. He'll whine and slam President Obama on the way out.
ReplyDeleteMan on dog or dog on man Santorum should be packing his bags and running for the exit.
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm not sure I'd go as far as calling it "coming to his senses," but my money's on Santorum. However, he's such a delusional little dick that he may see Paw Paw's demise as something that he can capitalize on. He might well imagine those billions of Paw Paw supporters flocking to his tent.
ReplyDeleteOf course the next clown out of the car could be someone who is NOT a batshit crazy loon with delusions of grandeur; someone like Gary Johnson, Jon Huntsman, or Fred Karger who could each draw fewer votes among Republican voters than President Obama.
Of cousre, I forgot about Thaddeus McCotter. I guess that just about sums him up: forgotten.
One thing is for certain: Romney is going to have to start waving his huevos elefante around and bashing Michelle Bachmann with them. I bet that will make Marcus EXTREMELY jealous.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
ReplyDeleteSarah should be proud.
Pawlenty quit.
Was at a gathering last night and spoke to a few 'Rethugs' - extremely rich, multi-business owning 'Rethugs'.
ReplyDeleteThe fact they had too much to drink was wonderful in that their lips were 'loose'!! Let's just say, with the help of the bartender, the drinks got much 'stronger'!! He was so co-operative for 'palmed cash'!! Love him!!!
They so easily admitted that they have mega bucks stored away offshore as they will not invest until Obama is out. I asked 'Are you saying that you are manipulating the economy, the markets?'
The response -- "Damm right we are". "We're not spending, investing or hiring and won't until that 'N' is out".
I have said this all along that the Rethugs are manipulating the country - the economy - the markets and will not do anything about unemployment.
Only slightly off topic, but I've been poking around the Internet for information on Perry. Seems like he has quite a few skeletons in the closet. Also, he is hated by conservatives and liberals alike. I don't think he's going to get the nomination, if he manages to stay in the race.
ReplyDeleteAfter the first couple years of his first term as gov. of Minnesota, he started governing with his goal to get the GOP nomination and nothing else. That asshole wrecked the state in this futile quest.
ReplyDeleteYou know you really are being overly confident about Obama winning again. If the economy stays like this or gets worse we are in big trouble! We have liberals begging for someone to take on Obama, a bad bad economy AND we have lost messaging war as usual. The Republicans are loud and obnoxious and they have a very good chance of winning.
ReplyDeleteSo I hop Gryphen you will spend some time researching the top wingnuts and telling people why they are insane instead of just taking Obamas victory for granted. It's easy to sit back and be a snarky armchair quarterback. But this election is going to be a huge fight for the future of our country. There is so much more at stake now than in the last election. Liberals, and I am one, can be arrogant and make assumptions. More of us need to act and get involved. And we need to tell the liberals who are bitching about Obama to get over it because no one is going to challenge him. They are hurting the fight not helping it and yes I don't love everything Obama has done but I will fight for Democratic values to save the middle class.
Thanks for all you do G, I just had to say this because you keep talking like this is going to be a slam dunk and it isn't.
And those of you who wish Perry or Bachmann would win because they are easier to beat, be careful what you wish for. Remember George W and Reagan?
Agree with Anon @6:39 am (first comment); aside from ego, it's money that drives campaigns. T-Paw isn't rich, wouldn't be able to attract GOP $ that is now streaming Perry's way.
ReplyDeleteHeard only snippets of Perry's announcement speech on the radio, and damn, if he doesn't sound just like GW Bush. Don't know about the primary, but his voice (like Palin's) will sure to turn off nonpartisan voters.
Santorum is going to sink further into irrelevance with another "Rick" (Perry) in the race. He'll be forgotten about, reminding people to Google "Santorum"...
Just another failed governor that wouldn't carry his own state.
ReplyDeleteOperative word here: another.
Romney and Perry will be the frontrunners on the "R" side, unless Romney can pull out all the crud about Perry in TX w/proof and numbers. Then Romney will take it.
ReplyDeleteBoth will have the money to back them.
This of course is now a race to the 'right'. But, you can only go right so far til you hit a wall and there is no further 'right' you can go.
ReplyDeleteWhen it get's to that point - they'll be talking that they arrived in their UFO, stating that Limbaugh is a Democrat........and you can fill in your own thoughts as to the many batshit crazy they would have to say!!!
I had no idea that this Iowa vote involved only a few hundred people!
ReplyDeleteHow can any rational person take the poll to have any meaning whatsoever?
I was so flabberghasted to hear that functioning adults voted mostly for a woman who a four year old could detect is just not right, mentally...then to find out we're only talking about a handful of easily misled dummies from the least educated portion of the whole country.
Pawlenty owned every single one of those corpses in the Mississippi when the bridge collapsed...collapsed because he vetoed funding to actually check bridges and repair as needed.
ReplyDeleteI agree Newt's a short timer, but Tim Johnson will beat him to the exit.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pussy. A quitter just like Palin.
ReplyDeleteI think Romney will ultimately be the nominee, and I think he'll choose Rick Perry to run as his VP. And while I don't think they will get enough votes to win, I do think it's possible that the GOP, having seized many state houses in the 2010 election, could end up rigging the 2012 election.
ReplyDeleteSo we really need to GOTV, regardless of who the nominee is.
Huntsman will be the next to drop out officially. Newt is only in trying to grift the back the $$$ he is already in debt.
ReplyDeletePlease don't forget:
ReplyDeleteRick Santorum's wife had a second trimester ABORTION.
http://oursilverribbon.org/blog/?p=188
The Santorums thank God that they had the choice between killing their fetus and allowing it to kill Rick's wife.
...they had the choice.
So when little Rickie says that there are no exceptions concerning abortions... well, what he means is:
There are no exceptions for YOU.
And that basically goes for all the forced-pregnancy crowd, and I've said it before:
...they're 100% against having any options - right up until it affects THEM.
So WHY doesn't anyone in the mainstream media confront him about this? That should be question #1 for Ricky Santorum come the next debate:
Mr. Santorum, why is abortion an option for you and your wife, but not for anyone else?
Which pretty much only confirms that Pawlenty is a loser and doesn't have what it takes to be president.
ReplyDeleteSantorum????
ReplyDeleteNo idea who that is. I might have to google that.
Unless Whorehouse Perry has the Bushies (they don't like him) the Kock's, or Murdoch or Kristol types heavily on his side he isn't going very far, he just has too much baggage.
ReplyDeleteTexas is in debt, the school book debacle is his property, the air quality has gone basically from 1st place to last place, as has public education, and public health.
And let's not forget gun tottin' and wet back hatin', and secessionin' to add to his electability.
Since I don't live in Texas anymore I don't know enough about his in state political machine,but it apparently isn't the Bushies, and maybe not even Rove, so it will be interesting to see who, nationally, will join his staff.
Unfortunately for Texas there is a national "racism" that people who talk with southern or western accents, especially if they are from Texas, are inherently morons and biggots.
Its one of many reasons for the post Civil War schism between north and south that still exists in this country. And the same between rural and urban.
If they Dims and MSM attack Perry on the basis of his Texanishness they will just solidify rural and southern Americans in support of him.
Might check out
http://www.hightowerlowdown.org/
http://www.texasobserver.org/
http://www.burntorangereport.com/
Anon @ 2:01,
ReplyDeleteWell, your "national racism" theory against people from Texas because they have a Southern accent is oxymoronic nonsense. If it held any water then it would preclude any Dem with a Southern accent as well. That would have kept folks like Jimmy Carter, Ann Richards, Bill Clinton, and James Carville from the national stage.
No sale.
What it DOES illustrate is how few Southern liberals rise to positions of prominence within their own states. Rather than being a metric of our national "racism," the dearth of drawling liberals is more probably a measure of the regional stranglehold that conservatives have over the South.
Yours is but a logical fallacy that is dependent upon facts absolutely not in evidence.
Since when is accent equivalent to race?
Again, no sale.
Don't get me wrong. I am not a Pawlenty fan and doubt that anything on the face of the planet would have made me vote for the guy.
ReplyDeleteThat having been said, is anyone else as disturbed as I am that fewer than 20,000 people in Iowa (a place I've never been and don't care to visit) are deciding who runs for the U.S presidency? That fewer people than live in - say - Sheboygan Wisconsin apparently can control who the rest of the nation even gets to see and make an informed decision about?
Given the utterly lame Republican field, Pawlenty actually to me seemed like one of the lesser evils. Quiet, fairly thoughtful, sensible even. Were I leaning Republican - which I am not - I would have liked to have a chance to see him in MY state, hear what he has to say, and make a decision. But the AMES IOWA STRAW POLL decides I don't get that chance?
Pardon my French, but that is seriously fucked up.
Ta Ta T Paw!
ReplyDeleteNext is Newtie "We live within our means" Gingrich, with Santorum firmly holding up the rear.