Before Atlanta stop, Tim Pawlenty warns Republicans on foreign policy
With fewer than 48 hours before a campaign contribution deadline, GOP presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty will make a quick ATM stop in Atlanta this evening, with a fundraiser at the Cherokee Town and Country Club on West Paces Ferry.
But first, the Minnesota governor had a speech to give before the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. Pawlenty didn’t mention Mitt Romney by name, but one passage seemed directed at the GOP frontrunner. From The Hill:
[Pawlenty] said that members of his party cannot afford to forgo their traditionally bold, muscular foreign policy.
While it’s OK to question the Obama administration’s military tactics in Libya or the pace of the Afghan withdrawal, he said, “what is wrong, is for the Republican Party to shrink from the challenges of American leadership in the world.
“History repeatedly warns us that in the long run, weakness in foreign policy costs us and our children much more than we’ll save in a budget line item.”
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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71 comments Add your comment
the original and still the best John Galt
June 28th, 2011
2:23 pm
“In other words, elect me and the Welfare-Warfare State will continue unabated. Never mind that we are bankrupt.”
Centrist
June 28th, 2011
2:27 pm
Pawlenty doesn’t stand any more chance than Gingrich to win the GOP nomination.
It’s going to be either Perry or Romney – the rest of this is just news filler.
GaBlue
June 28th, 2011
2:41 pm
Centrist,
Well which is it? Perry is the epitome of the tea tard fringe that hijacked the party, and Romney is a once reasonable centrist whose position changes with the tide of the most recent Zogby report. Very different! Not that I’d vote for either one, but I’m just curious as to the accuracy of your predictions.
Centrist
June 28th, 2011
2:48 pm
@ GaBlue – The only way to test the accuracy of my prediction is to see who the nominee is. I understand you have already decided on Obama – I’m still open minded. I don’t know enough about Governor Perry, but unlike you I do like at least some of the Taxed Enough Already party ideals.
Original Thought not Necessary
June 28th, 2011
2:54 pm
Centrist,
Honest question here. Do you have prior knowledge of GaBlue from other times on ajc (or other) blogs or are you just making assumptions as to their political leanings?
Jay
June 28th, 2011
3:10 pm
Tim Pawlenty…..more like Tim Puh-leeze.
This goober is content to read from the “hawk” playbook and act real tough when it comes to foreign policy.
It would have been nice if Pawlenty actually provided an example from “history” when “weakness in foreign policy costs us and our children much more than we’ll save in a budget line item.”
I’d love to know when Pawlenty thinks America not being aggressive enough in foreign policy (neocon blabber for not enough wars) has actually harmed AMERICA’s interests. My guess is Pawlenty couldn’t provide an example because he doesn’t think; he just repeats mantras that his handlers tell him to.
I have a question I’d like all the Republican presidential candidates to be asked at the next debate: If you had one chance to prevent nuclear bombs from destroying America and Israel, which country would you save?
Cutty
June 28th, 2011
3:13 pm
The ‘get your hands off my Medicare’ Tea Party? Repubs think that if you’re under 55, then ending your Medicare benefits is fine. As if we haven’t been paying into that system for over 20 years. You want to cut my benefits, fine. Just cut me a check for the balance I’ve paid into Medicare.
Road Scholar
June 28th, 2011
3:15 pm
‘…to shrink from the challenges of American leadership in the world.”
Congress (both parties) has already “shrunk” from leadership here at home! Why are we worried about the world?
really?
June 28th, 2011
3:15 pm
America is bankrupt because of Americans point blank. Spending more than you actually earn. We love debt and we love to borrow. If we wouldn’t have that mentality we wouldn’t be here. Every freaking store wants you to get their credit cards, banks shove credit lines, etc down the throat but we wonder why we have a bad economy. We live off other people’s money
pete
June 28th, 2011
3:20 pm
As a moderate Republican, it scares me to death that Bachman seems to be making a move to the top of the polls. She doesn’t have a chance against Obama. She is far too extreme and goofy. Romney or Huntsman are the two candidates who probably have the best chance of defeating Obama, but whether they can get through the GOP primaries, which are dominated by the far right of the party, remains to be seen.
The Snark
June 28th, 2011
3:25 pm
Jay:
American isolationism in 1914 and 1940 comes to mind.
brant
June 28th, 2011
3:30 pm
If we got out of all our wars, we could balance the budget almost overnight. It’s ludicrous that we are nation building around the world, when our own country is falling apart. And, by the way, our “esteemed” governor is showing what’s he’s made of by supporting that slimeball Gingrich for President.
Ultra Violet
June 28th, 2011
3:31 pm
Mr. Pawlenty, unless the sovereign nation of the United States of America is directly threatened by another sovereign, your knee-jerk affection for all things war at a time when we can’t balance our budget is as looney tunes as it gets.
ByteMe
June 28th, 2011
3:32 pm
Little Timmy needs to sound tough because most people view him as wimpy little man.
yuzeyurbrane
June 28th, 2011
3:34 pm
Tim who?
Jon Lester
June 28th, 2011
3:41 pm
America’s desire for global supremacy is what invites conflict in the first place. It’s time to let regional powers take care of their own neighborhoods. Central Asia (Afghanistan included) is better off under the aegis of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. China is keen on investing in Pakistan so we don’t need to send our money there. Israel needs to arrive at the same level of self-reliance that we’ve forced Iran into. And the countries of Latin America need to let the current popular wave of leftist politics run its course (and who knows, some of them may even find success in doing so).
Pawlenty’s speech is just the latest exhibit in why the GOP doesn’t need to influence foreign policy again for years to come.
GaBlue
June 28th, 2011
3:46 pm
Centrist,
Please do not presume you know my mind on any matter unless I make a statement revealing it. Thanks!
Gov. Perry — in a snit after Obama’s election — stroked his frenzied base with talk of secession. It’s one thing for a private citizen to blather on that way, but for an executive officer of a state to do it, is irresponsible and UN-American by definition. I’m thinking it’s not a great idea to have a President of the United States who’s not on board with the whole “United States” concept. Despite what they might say in Texas, treason just ain’t that cool (IMO).
mb
June 28th, 2011
3:47 pm
Maybe the rest of the GOP needs to get off their collective butts and get involved in the primaries otherwise you’re going to end up with someone completely unelectable like a Bachman or Palin.
td
June 28th, 2011
4:02 pm
pete
June 28th, 2011
3:20 pm
Who do you think you are trying to fool? Obama beat the moderate McCain because the conservatives stayed home. They came out in 2010 and look at the results. The Republicans must nominate a conservative if they have any chance next year in defeating Obama.
MrLiberty
June 28th, 2011
4:04 pm
Kill more brown people, kill more brown people, kill more brown people…
Hey Tim, the neocon era is over. They have bankrupted this country and made us FAR less safe. They hate us because we are over there Tim. Where have you been for the last 20 years???
Ron Paul is leading the way to an intelligent foreign policy for a change. Shut up, sit down, and let us get america back in the right direction.
Ron Paul 2012. End the Fed, End the Wars.
td
June 28th, 2011
4:07 pm
Why are you libs so scared of a conservative female? You get all hysterical anytime Palin is mentioned and now you are doing the same thing with Bachman. I think you libs are scared of a strong principles woman.
jd
June 28th, 2011
4:09 pm
Sounding more and more like the party of Coolidge and Hoover every day. Ya’ll remember where they led us, right?
mb
June 28th, 2011
4:21 pm
Ron Paul doesn’t have a snowball’s chance either. Do you think the GOP conservative Christian base are going to vote for someone who espouses legalization of marijuana, much less heroin?
mb
June 28th, 2011
4:22 pm
I would be tickled of Palin or Bachman either one got the GOP nod. Either would be a cakewalk for President Obama.
td
June 28th, 2011
4:25 pm
mb
June 28th, 2011
4:22 pm
I would be tickled of Palin or Bachman either one got the GOP nod. Either would be a cakewalk for President Obama.
I do not care who the GOP nominates it will not be a cakewalk for Obama this time around. If he wins (to early to make a prediction) it will be by much less then he did last time. I will bet all my money, house, condo and cat on that one.
Centrist
June 28th, 2011
4:25 pm
Bachmann is a flash in the pan. After Iowa (her home state) she is done. An unseasoned House member is not going to win the nomination. Some of her stances are good – but she IS a flake. Not because of her many mis-statements, but her wacko fringe thinking that evolution has not been proved and creation “science” should be taught in school. She also led the hyperbole about “Death Committees” as part of Obamacare. Then there is that shrill voice on the stump …
khc
June 28th, 2011
4:34 pm
look into the eyes of palin and bachmann and one clearly sees nobody home
Jay
June 28th, 2011
4:47 pm
@The Snark:
You’re going to have to do better than regurgitating a couple of years. How about an explanation — with details — as to why things that happened in these two years fit the exact criteria of a situation in which America interests were harmed by an insufficiently aggressive foreign policy?
td
June 28th, 2011
5:15 pm
khc
June 28th, 2011
4:34 pm
look into the eyes of palin and bachmann and one clearly sees nobody home
If you mean on TV then I can seriously say the same about Obama. I have a 54 inch HDTV and saw nothing but a blank stare every time he is on TV giving a speech. I hope this is a TV thing and the POTUS actually has something behind those eyes for our nations sake.
Ga Values
June 28th, 2011
5:18 pm
Is this the same “little timmy” that was talking tough behind Romney’s back but was afraid to talk to Romney’s face on national TV? The last thing the GOP need is another coward as its standardbearer.
PatDonws
June 28th, 2011
5:22 pm
@ Galloway – At least Pawlenty is just making an ATM stop. Obama wants the bank to get to the $1,000,000,000 goal for his campaign. Will need every penny of it to pay off his inner city, urban “supporters” with six packs and cigs to get them to the polls.
khc
June 28th, 2011
6:06 pm
td, if you have not figured out that these two are true lightweights i feel sorry for you. i wish a true fiscal conservative, social moderate would come forth. and when i say fiscal conservative it would involve both spending cuts (glide path) and revenue increases. mostly dedicated to reducing defict and debt and enormous debt service the usa pays. tariffs on china, closing corporate and individual loopholes, subsidies cost benefitted, entitlement strengthening and attacking the issues for exponential growth in per capita health expenditures.
RGB
June 28th, 2011
6:07 pm
I look in the eyes of Barack Obama and see a feminized Joseph Stalin never more than arms length from a teleprompter.
I look in the eyes of Joe Biden and see Bunny Rabbit from Captain Kangaroo.
Enjoy liberati!!
khc
June 28th, 2011
6:08 pm
forgot to add the military industrial complex needs major league housecleaning too
Einsteindawg
June 28th, 2011
6:09 pm
As a conservative, I’m wondering about this love affair with Minnesota and Mass. politicians..Pawlenty, Bachman, Romney. Folks, these are states that had Hubert Humphrey, George McGovern, Jesse Ventura, Kerry, Teddy K, Barney Frank, and the idiot that ran with the first woman VP candidate. etc. And, these states are losers, too. Why don’t my Repub friends settle on an electable candidate and start touting Obammer’s economic track record?
khc
June 28th, 2011
6:15 pm
rgb, my guess the look you see in obama is why did he want this job after w screwed it up so bad……and biden while he wanders occassionally knows the paul revere story and where john wayne was born
RGB
June 28th, 2011
6:26 pm
khc, let me be concise and direct: One can blame the past and use it as a crutch in a failed attempt to deflect incompetence, malfeasance, and ineptitude. Or one can focus on the future and solve the problems we now have. Obama chose the former.
When we look at history, there are groups of people in our own country who cling to the past to explain their current failings. Others don’t forget the past, but eclipse it and succeed immeasurably.
I, along with many other Americans, choose to solve our current problems. Obama and his kind choose to perpetuate, exacerbate, and multiply them. Obama craves power so badly that he pledges to raise a billion dollars to cling to the power. He could choose to solve our problems but instead attends three fundraising events daily. There is no look in his eyes of “why did I want this job?” He revels at the ease with which he brought this country to its knees.
So, khc, which path do you choose, pray tell? LIve in the past and live off of excuses, or actually solve the problems?
Eaglet
June 28th, 2011
6:29 pm
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/michele-bachmanns-holy-war-20110622
If not Romney …
Eaglet
June 28th, 2011
6:32 pm
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303627104576409760610829924.html?mod=WSJ_hp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsTop
Not kidding …
double
June 28th, 2011
6:33 pm
TD probably thinks his cat is one-eyed.
Harrington
June 28th, 2011
6:34 pm
“…he said, “what is wrong, is for the Republican Party to shrink from the challenges of American leadership in the world.”
So does Tim mean that we should just maintain the status quo, playing world policeman while things here at home go to hell in a handbasket? Cause if that what Tim means he won’t get my vote.
Joe Mama
June 28th, 2011
6:36 pm
A man who can’t talk tough to one of his challengers is a man who’s got no business being Commander in Chief.
khc
June 28th, 2011
6:38 pm
my guess is if he hadn’t inherited such a large hole, he likely could have done more….but two parties so diametrically opposed on solutions, hardly anything could get done….it would take leaders in the ilk of reagan & o’neil to move this country out of the ditch. but times have changed and i wonder if they could climb that mountain.
let me be succint…w was in charge and country went to hell. he had for majority of time a republican congress. obama on the edge of cliff only had dem majority for only 2 years and unfortunately he should have focused 100% on jobs but he wanted to bend the health care curve. can’t prove it but race probably has some impact as well. washington dc is for sale to highest bidder and for last several years that is big business.
Einsteindawg
June 28th, 2011
6:46 pm
Obammer knows he is in trouble. If the Repubs don’t get organized quickly, Hilary will be your next POTUS. But, that would be a slight improvement.
The Centrist
June 28th, 2011
7:33 pm
“what is wrong, is for the Republican Party to shrink from the challenges of American leadership in the world. Right now we cannot determine what the Republican Party wants to do on either domestic or foreign policies. Other than abortion, tax cuts, and gay marriage, the party have pancaked on nearly every issue or kicked the policy can down the road and pretend as if nothing had ever happened.
Alabama Communist
June 28th, 2011
7:41 pm
But first, the Minnesota governor had a speech to give before the Council on Foreign Relations in New York* Jim
OMG! Tim boy is just another war mongering Republican if he is begging the CFR for attention…I wonder if he will ride the Goats of the CFR after the speech?
Serious Robuck
June 28th, 2011
7:48 pm
The problem for Republicans in the coming election is not that Obama is weak. Every molecule of my being is a Democrat and I think Obama’s an incredible wimp. He should be very vulnerable to a strong challenger. The problem for Republicans is that every single one of those running or potentially running is a pathetic joke. I’d vote for Bob Gates in a heartbeat. He is probably the finest public servant in America right now. Aside from Gates, there’s no one on the scene in either party who has a command of the issues and of history, or the personal gravitas to equip him/her to deal with an extemely divided America and a very weak economy. (IMHO).
td
June 28th, 2011
7:48 pm
khc
June 28th, 2011
6:38 pm
He only had 2 years, like that is not enough time. Obama had the biggest majority in Congress then any modern day President. He could have done anything he wanted too. Instead of working on reducing the debt, creating jobs (just said this one for you Dems that really believe government creates jobs), balancing the budget what did he do?
Took over control of 20% the economy (Obamacare)
Took over two private corporations (GM and Chrysler), made the privately held stock worthless and then gave the Union control and all the money.
Propped up state governments and public sector unions with a trillion dollars of so called stimulus.
Now go ahead and defend this record.
Serious Robuck
June 28th, 2011
7:59 pm
I should have said the problem for Republicans in the coming election is not that Obama is STRONG. Far from it…
td, every time you post I’m reminded of the old saying: “Stay silent and be thought a fool, or speak and remove all doubt.”
…not to mention the fact that you regularly just make stuff up.
Serious Robuck
June 28th, 2011
8:00 pm
khc, I couldn’t agree more.
td
June 28th, 2011
8:23 pm
Serious Robuck
June 28th, 2011
7:59 pm
Point out one thing I have said that is not true? Just because you think Obama is the next coming does not mean it is true.
“Obama had the biggest majority in Congress then any modern day President” True or not true?
“Took over control of 20% the economy (Obamacare)” True or not true that the government will control all part of health care under Obamacare and Health care makes up 20% of the GDP?
“Took over two private corporations (GM and Chrysler), made the privately held stock worthless and then gave the Union control and all the money.” True or not true that the bailout made all the stock worthless and not the UAW controls 51% of the voting stock of GM?
“Propped up state governments and public sector unions with a trillion dollars of so called stimulus” True or not true that the vast majority of the stimulus package went to balance budgets for state governments (education, Medicaid, ect)?
Serious Robuck
June 28th, 2011
8:27 pm
td, keep talkin, buddy. You just make my points over and over.
td
June 28th, 2011
8:44 pm
Serious Robuck
June 28th, 2011
8:27 pm
Like I thought a typical liberal strategy. When you can not refute the facts then call the other side names. You will loose in the long run because the American people are waking up and know the progressive philosophy is bankrupt.
Serious Robuck
June 28th, 2011
8:52 pm
td, you are a fool. I’m guilty of calling you that. I stand by it. You are a fool…perhaps the biggest fool who posts here regularly. LMS, who drives me crazy, has moments of maturity, sanity, kindness and intelligence. You do not. Ever. Not ever.
td
June 28th, 2011
9:38 pm
SR, I do not go around and call people names and I state my opinions based on the facts as I see them. If that makes me a fool in your eyes then so be it. I only know that you and your other lib friends like to attack when light is being shined on the progressive agenda. I must have gotten a little close to the truth or you just are unwilling to open you eyes and see it.
Serious Robuck
June 28th, 2011
10:06 pm
td, you’ve set a standard for yourself tonight. There will be no more name calling here by td. I just may call you on it.
And please tell me what the conservative agenda is other than policing the world, not paying taxes, not subjecting your sons to military service, and not caring one whit about your fellow citizens.
MD
June 28th, 2011
10:26 pm
Man you dumocrates don’t get do you.Goofy could beat your boy obummer.
td
June 28th, 2011
10:27 pm
Serious Robuck
June 28th, 2011
10:06 pm
“And please tell me what the conservative agenda is other than policing the world, not paying taxes, not subjecting your sons to military service, and not caring one whit about your fellow citizens.”
I have never heard any conservative say there should be no taxes. Most conservatives believe in limited government. The Federal governments primary role is to protect the country and the vast majority of all Federal expenditures should go that way. Since the military expenditures are probably close to the correct level then Federal taxes should be drastically cut. Most everything else should be a state function. State should have the primary function of taking care of the peoples needs. We have an all volunteer military at this point in time so your point is mute. Personally I think ever citizen should be required to serve at least two years in the military. It would make them a better citizen. If you call caring for your fellow citizens welfare and all the entitlement programs that make people loose the will to succeed and divest them from having the drive of self worth then you are correct. All these programs that give people that entitlement mentality is ruining this country and a whole generation of people. Just look at what is happening in Greece right now because if we do not change our ways then it will come here eventually.
Serious Robuck
June 28th, 2011
10:30 pm
td, you are a fool, buddy. You’d be more effective here if you could use the English language properly. Just sayin.
eatmotacos
June 28th, 2011
10:42 pm
@td
You’re in way over your head. Think about the nonsense that you have suscribed to, and how illogical it is. Would you let every state regulate drugs for example? Or would you just remove all regulations on evertything? Think about how stupid you sound. The world is a lot more complex than you seem to realize.
td
June 28th, 2011
10:54 pm
eatmotacos
June 28th, 2011
10:42 pm
Please re read my post. I did not say all. I said most. Nearly 45% of the entire federal budget is going to entitlement programs and the DOE. Surely these functions could be given back to the states?
td
June 28th, 2011
10:57 pm
Serious Robuck
June 28th, 2011
10:30 pm
You asked a serous question and I tried to honestly answer and what was the result? Why not try an honest approach to your philosophical views? Are mine that much more intellectually superior?
Teddy Roosevelt
June 28th, 2011
11:31 pm
As an outside observer of this here little argument, I have not seen anyone provide any facts against td, only name calling. I would love to see why you think he is a fool, and back it up with some data.
Yoland
June 29th, 2011
12:26 am
I contact blog just a few days .In the a few days ,I visit many blogs .But yours give me a deep impression .Because I like your nature.
double
June 29th, 2011
1:32 am
I would like to own TD at his true value,and sell him for what he thinks of himself.Does he make false statements?Yes,is he a braggart?Yes.Does he want all to know he has a 54inch flat screen,does he want all to know he has a condo.Yes,Yes rental property.Does he know the difference then/than?No.Does he feel intellectually superior.Let him show facts.
Fire Eater
June 29th, 2011
3:28 am
Pawlenty is just another puppet of the invade the world/invite the world internationalist elite and as such he is unfit to be president. You can bet that the children of the Bilderberg Group/Trilateral/CFR members are not getting burials in Arlington or plastic limbs at Walter Reed. Fighting and dying in their wars is for everyone else. I’m with Ron Paul on this one.
It is time to shrink our “participation in international affairs.” We can’t afford it. Bring the troops home from around the world and deploy them on the Mexican border.
Tom E. Gunn
June 29th, 2011
8:01 am
This is not the guy for the US. Our polcy should be simple, you attack us or our interest, and retaliation will be swift certain and unrestrained. How can we justify interference in Libiya and sit by and watch as thousands are murdered in Syria? How can we say we invaded Iraq over WMD’s, when Iran is openly building reactors and showing us they’re silos? Our vey one borders are under attack DAILY from reinforcements for the OCCUPYING hispanic force already here and our judges tie the hands of states to pass laws that are aimed at making them leave?
We are a mis guided and mislead country. We need a breath of fresh air, and I have not seen it in this field of politicans.
khc
June 29th, 2011
8:12 am
td, hard to prove what would have happened had yosemite sam been in charge, but my guess is the country would be worse off than it already is. did obama make mistakes…yes, he has too many closet repubs in his administration including geithner, summers, immelt and daley…..all big money boys…..why don’t you defend the growing wealth disparity in this country…it started with reagan and lives on with all the greedy folks in big business which now owns the republican party and is currently renting the dems…..
First Sergeant
June 29th, 2011
9:14 am
td
June 28th, 2011
8:23 pm
“Point out one thing I have said that is not true?”
“Took over control of 20% the economy (Obamacare)” True or not true that the government will control all part of health care under Obamacare and Health care makes up 20% of the GDP?
Td, here is a link which should help with your lack of knowledge of the Health Reform Act: https://www.cms.gov/NationalHealthExpendData/downloads/proj2009.pdf\
By the way, at some point in time, I will address each of your Obama bashing assertions.
1SG
td
June 29th, 2011
9:52 am
First Sergeant
June 29th, 2011
9:14 am
I read you link (good information) but it does not dispute my claim that the net result of Obamacare is a government takeover of 20% of the nations GDP.
DW
July 1st, 2011
1:11 pm
TD, your a total d0uche bag. Be quite and go home