Pawlenty (Gov. MN-R) Campaigns for McCain Today, Again.

[Nitrogenica]

"In the continuation of a troubling trend the Governor has decided to turn his back on the state when we need him most. Today Tim Pawlenty joins Presidential candidate John McCain to raise money for the septuagenarian. This does mark a slight improvement as the Governor is not traveling to New Hampshire, Iowa or Michigan to campaign for the Senator, but right here in St. Paul.

While I take issue with the increasing amount of time that the Governor is spending on behalf of a failing Presidential race, I can’t really fault him for helping out his horse while he’s in town. Still, I hope that the Governor’s recent string of accomplishments are featured at the fund-raiser:

State Jobless Rate Increases Above National Average for First Time in 31 Years.

Minnesota Economy Lags the Nation. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Minnesota’s economy grew by just 2.9 percent last year, compared to 3.4 percent for the nation. The state ranked 30th in the nation for real GDP growth, while job growth has trailed the nation since 2004. Minnesota has fallen from seventh to 10th in real per-capita GDP growth since 2004.

Minnesotans’ Personal-Income Growth Slows Down. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, growth in Minnesotans’ personal income continued to lag behind the national average in the first quarter of 2007, ranking 17th in the nation. Minnesota ranked 46th in the nation in personal-income growth in 2006.

Minnesota Shows Huge Disparities in Graduation Rates.

What a wonderful track-record to run on!"

Story Here http://www.mnpublius.com/2007/06/21/pawlenty-campaigns-for-mccain-today-again/



Tim W. Pawlenty

[ProgressiveAmPatriot]

1. I saw he got his picture in Time, disgusting really that they said he was getting something done

outside of Washington. Sure, he is destroying Minnesota.

[Nitrogenica]

2. Publius keeps getting freeped.

So sick of the trolls!! (aaargh)

[MrsMatt]

3. I smell a 2008 or 2012 run for the presidency

what a jerk.

[dflprincess]

4. Right now he's running for the vice-presidency and is holding the state hostage to his ambitions

He vetoed a tax bill that would have raised income tax on the wealthiest in the state (example, currently a married couple making $400,000 pays 8.5% in state income tax. The tax bill would have raised the rate to 9% on income over $400,000). This bill would also have increased aid to cities and provided property tax relief. Property taxes have been going through the roof here as cities try to make up for lost state money. He also vetoed a $.05 raise in the gas tax, while our infrastructure continues to crumble.

The only comfort I take is that the tax bill included some money for the Republican National Convention. Hope the delegates remember that when there aren't enough police around for security and they're late to a convention session because they're stuck in a "Pawlenty Jam" on an overcrowded freeway and our mass transit stinks.

Poor Timmy, I fear he attached his ambitions to the wrong candidate. I wonder how he feels as he watches McCain go down in flames.

Oh, and here's a great thread in the Minnesota forum on how he stalled about taking his wife to the hospital when she had appendicits. More Republican family values:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=160x26168

[ProgressiveAmPatriot]

5. His tax veto is worse than that, the top 1% in Minnesota actually pay lower rates

than those who aren't so fortunate as to be rich. He really is a model Republican.

[dflprincess]

6. Actually, it's their overall tax burden that's lower, not the income tax rate

When all the state taxes (sales, property, etc but I don't think the "health impact fee" on cigarettes is included) are calculated as a percentage of income the top 1% pays around 9% of their income in taxes. The rest of us serfs are paying around 12% or more. The form I received for my rent credit this year used 19% as the part of my rent that went to property taxes. Though I don't qualify for a refund on that, the state keeps lowering the income eligibility for rent credits.