Sep 20, 2008 9:44 pm US/Central
Pawlenty Tries To Rev Up Iowa Republicans
CLIVE, Iowa (AP) ―
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Saturday night he was honored to be mentioned as a possible running mate for Republican presidential nominee John McCain but called Sarah Palin an excellent choice.
Pawlenty spoke to about 100 party faithful at a fundraiser for the Polk County Republican Party in suburban Des Moines. Earlier in the day, he spoke at an event in Davenport.
Pawlenty outlined the important issues of the campaign and the difference between McCain and Democrat Barack Obama.
He said McCain's mantra "Country First" is more than just a campaign slogan for the former Vietnam POW.
"That's a lifetime record," Pawlenty said. "This is an individual who from a very young man dedicated his entire life to the cause and service and purpose of the country.
"His life is a testament to service," Pawlenty said.
Pawlenty said there are many challenges facing the country, from the economic and financial crisis to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and he said McCain has the experience, judgment and courage to lead the nation.
He complimented McCain for pushing for increased troop levels in Iraq, a strategy that has helped dramatically lessen violence in the country. He noted that Obama opposed such a move.
He also said McCain had warned of problems facing lending giants Fannie May and Freddie Mac, two years before the federal government stepped in and bailed them out.
"He had the courage to stand up and call it out but Congress didn't pass his bill," Pawlenty said.
He said McCain has a plan to solve the nation's economic crisis.
"He has put it on the table, it is not a cash bailout, it is an attempt to intervene ahead of time, with rules ahead of time so we're not doing it by the seat of our pants in a fair and effective manner," Pawlenty said.
He said McCain also has a plan to cut taxes to help small businesses grow and expand.
"Do you really think the way to encourage that is to increase their taxes?" he asked.
He said McCain will provide assistance to people with health care.
"But he can do it in a way that directs assistance to patients so they can be in charge, they can be in a relationship with their doctor, not have the government take it over," Pawlenty said.
He also said McCain will update the nation's out-of-date education program and reward teachers for better student performance, not a teacher's tenure.
He said McCain's is the best candidate to make American energy independent, from increasing offshore drilling, building more nuclear energy power plants and increasing research and development into renewable sources, such as wind, solar and biofuels.
Pawlenty also touted McCain's choice of Palin as his running mate, dismissing Democrat's criticism that she lacks experience.
"That doesn't even hold water," Pawlenty said. "She's got more experience than Barack Obama and he's running for president."
He said Obama has been a community organizer and that Palin has the executive experience needed to serve with McCain.
"He's been a part-time state legislator and he was in the U.S. Senate for three years although he's been gone for most of those three years because he's running for president," Pawlenty said. "He's never held an executive position, he's never been in charge of an organization, an enterprise company a PTA, nothing, so the question for Barack Obama is what have you accomplished? Not much. The answer is nothing.
"Gov. Palin has been a governor. She's been a mayor and chair of an energy task force in Alaska and she also clearly has leadership skills and abilities, so don't buy this argument."
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