Jun 2, 2009 6:47 pm US/Central
Mixed Reaction To Gov. Pawlenty's Announcement
ST. PAUL (WCCO) ―
-
-
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty speaks on day four of the Republican National Convention (RNC) at the Xcel Energy Center on Sept. 4, 2008 in St. Paul, Minn. U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) will accept the GOP nomination for U.S. President Thursday night.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
The reaction to the Gov. Tim Pawlenty's announcement not to seek re-election broke down along party lines.
On Tuesday, Republicans were saying Pawlenty will go down as one of the greatest governors ever, but Democrats say so far his legacy is a string of budget crises.
The governor pointed out several times that he does have 19 months left in office and that there is still a lot he wants to accomplish.
But most of the comments from both sides focused on looking back at his time in office and not on what's left ahead.
"The state is in not in good shape and I think its very hard to claim that Governor Pawlenty's administration has made it a better Minnesota," said DFL Party Chairman Brian Melendez.
"Governor Pawlenty is a giant of a governor as far as I am concerned and he will go down in the annals of Minnesota history as a governor who lead our state through some of the most difficult times," said Republican Senate Minority Leader David Senjem.
However, Tom Dooher of Education Minnesota is critical of Pawlenty.
"Right now what his legacy is that he has not invested in our kids and our kids future. And we need a governor that's going to see the vision of Minnesota as one to invest in and to invest in our kids," said Dooher.
Former Senator Norm Coleman offered this praise of Pawlenty. In a statement Coleman said: "Tim Pawlenty is the son of hardworking Minnesotans, who has rolled up his sleeves to stand for the values his Mom and Dad built this state upon. He has been the taxpayers' champion, and effectively used his veto pen to slow down wasteful government spending."
With Pawlenty out of the race Norm Coleman is being mentioned as a possible top Republican candidate for Governor next year.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
