Bridges in Minnesota Are Still Crumbling, and Pawlenty Has Done Nothing About It

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty answers to one constituency--the people who give him cash. Everyone else can just go jump off a bridge.

It’s a year today since the Minneapolis bridge collapse that killed 13 people, but don’t expect Gov. Tim Pawlenty to showcase the reconstruction.

Indeed, with the Republican National Convention in St. Paul just a month away and Pawlenty reported to be high on John McCain’s running mate list, Republicans want to drive attention away from the infrastructure disaster that spotlighted the nation’s crumbling bridges and from the criticism the governor faced for what some critics said was a slow response.

The governor’s staff reports there are no plans to hold any events near the site of the bridge collapse, about 10 miles from the convention hall. And GOP convention planners have organized hundreds of buses to ease the congestion expected when some 45,000 conventioneers, guests and media commute to the hall.

I think that number of 45,000 is completely inflated--a good number of Republicans are already planning on staying away. Coupled with the infighting from the Ron Paul supporters that is sure to embarrass them, and the growing popularity of Bob Barr's candidacy, look for reduced attendance in St. Paul. Pawlenty runs public policy in the State of Minnesota like any decent Republican--fuck the people, reward the donors, and put on a smiling face in front of the cameras. This is the future of the Republican Party--find smiling people who have no shame, no remorse, no conscience and hope to God they can skate by on their good looks while everything goes to hell around them.

Don't look for anyone to point out that the crumbling infrastructure in Minnesota continues unabated by anything the Pawlenty administration has been doing. Dead Americans in the rubble never concern these people. Bridges keep crumbling, the shit gets piled higher, and one would think the Republicans would put on a better show of trying to appear concerned. Apparently not.

--WS

McCain Picks Pawlenty?

Everyone knows these guys from the Corner are, like, totally in the know and have all of the inside knowledge, right?

If Pawlenty Was McCain's Pick, His Schedule Would Presumably Suddenly Change

A source tells me that Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty is John McCain's choice, and that the announcement is coming very soon. But I checked with the American Legislative Exchange Council, who Pawlenty is scheduled to address Wednesday at 11:30. As far as they know, his speech is still on.

So I urge skepticism. Maybe Pawlenty is the choice, and it's coming later. Or perhaps this was just an overreaction to the news that Pawlenty is going to Iowa Saturday for the state Republican party.

We all better hope and pray that it's Pawlenty. Talk about not-ready-for-prime-time and fully in the pocket of lobbyists and the Christian conservatives...

Check out the all black outfit...is the suburban Johnny Cash in a mock turtleneck look really going to play well next to John "Cotton Hill" McCain?

UPDATE: Pawlenty's record as the Governor who keeps telling people that the bridges are safe got a rude awakening over the weekend. Could a 1,200 pound piece of concrete be an issue this fall if McCain picks Pawlenty?

--WS

You Know, Pawlenty Would Be a GREAT Pick

Sorry--just feeling like a concern troll this morning.

Is there serious consideration that Senator John McCain will pick Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty? Let's hope so. He has quite a few negatives that will help pigeonhole McCain on a number of issues:

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty drew more attention as a likely short-lister earlier this week after McCain brought him up unsolicited in New Hampshire, telling a private meeting of delegates they were “really going to like him.”

At a media availability inside a Bethlehem, Pennsylvania grocery store Wednesday, McCain was asked about talk Pawlenty was at the top of the list.

At first, McCain demurred, saying “you know that I can’t mention any names. We have a process going on.’

Pressed on whether he had anything positive to say about him, McCain quickly said, “Oh, Tim. I’m sorry. He’s a great, fine person.”

Pawlenty is a special-interests candidate, through and through. He has seen campaign contributors like Piper Jaffray receive fines for giving him money. When in doubt, he always goes with a religious right view on the issues. He vetoed a bill that would have kept phthalates, flame retardants, or other polymers or chemicals from being used in maternity care--how stupid is that? You get a bill like that, you sign it. So, aside from being a bit of a wingnut, and being, well, boyishly young in comparison to John "Cotton Hill: McCain, Pawlenty recently vetoed home foreclosure relief in Minnesota:

In a move that political analysts say could hurt Tim Pawlenty's VP chances, the governor vetoed the Foreclosure Deferment Bill on Thursday. The measure would've kept nearly 15,000 Minnesotans from losing their homes by giving them the time and authority to renegotiate their loan terms while they make a required good-faith effort to pay. Pawlenty claims the temporary foreclosure freeze would make credit more expensive an add an "additional business risk into mortgage agreements."

About the only thing going for Pawlenty is that he has a pulse. Other than that, he's probably no worse than any other pick McCain could make. McCain has ties to lobbyists, a dismal voting record when it comes to taking care of people, and religious right maniacs braying at him constantly. Tim Pawlenty helps drive home those negatives with his own baggage.

--WS