Reagan Veteran

Tuesday, August 4th, 2009 - 5:08pm

I've read this list a few times and find it clever and it raises some good points about Pawlenty. However, I don't understand why a commenter below said that it attempts to "bash the name Bush (and presumably that wonderful family)." Are you completely clueless or just a friend of the family that reflexively reacts to any comment that is not completely laudatory, like a pet spaniel barking at strangers at Kennebunkport? We don't need another Bush -- one has been on the national ticket in six out of the last eight presidential elections. We also don't need another Clinton (Hillary would have made it three out of five elections if Obama hadn't derailed her coronation). Between the Bush and Clinton families it almost seemed as if we had our own line of royal succession (and Hillary may not be done yet!). Whether it is fair or not (and I don't believe it is fair), the reality is that the animosity toward George W. Bush and his administration was/is strong, broad and deep. Blame the liberals, blame the media, blame whomever you want -- it's still the reality. It will take the Republican party many years to overcome the negative perception created by the Bush administration and a Republican Congress that seemed to lose its bearings (at least after Newt was booted out). We have ceded significant amounts of territory to the Democrats/liberals, and it is going to be a long, difficult challenge to retake it. Most of the public is in no mood for the policy prescriptions Republicans have been writing the last few years. It's time for others, whether it is Pawlenty or someone else, to step forward and offer a new, thoughtful, realistic and dynamic vision for the country. The Bush era is over, and the sooner it recedes in our rearview mirrors, the faster we will get to a place where Republicans are relevant again. Finally, if you don't get the comment about country club Republicans, and why he and his wife's commitment to her career are relevant, it reveals why you're clueless.

LF

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009 - 11:15am

# 4 stands out for me...unfortunately for us, the POTUS doesn't have nearly as much of a resume to display, and it is beginning to show already in the 1st of what is destined to be 4 looong years

Jean

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009 - 9:50am

From the author: I have the utmost respect for both Presidents Bush and the Bush family (and, in fact, proudly served six years in the administration of George W. Bush) - I just know that the Republican party needs something fresh and new and unknown on the national stage. I also have nothing against country clubs (another place I used to work - in the kitchen of one, in fact, flipping burgers and washing dishes), but believe that Americans prefer leaders who can relate, on a deep, personal level to blue-collar people. This is not impossible, but can be hard, for people who have never known hardship. If you look again at the line about Governor Pawlenty's wife, I think you will see that my intention was to praise the family's decision to stay in her judicial district so that she might continue to serve - it's an act of fairness of a husband towards his wife, which is kind and right. As for ice hockey? Hey, I like hockey. It's a great game of enormous athleticism, and I respect the toughness it takes to play it. Sue me. And please relax. This piece was meant to be fun, and to make people think a bit about the qualities Republicans might want in their next nominee. It was certainly not meant to offend.

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009 - 7:56am

I do like Tim Pawlenty, but see absolutly no reason to bash the name Bush (and presumably that wonderful family), bash country clubs, and hold up ice hockey and his wife's profession as credentials...what is this about?