Sometimes you can gain insight into a Republican by what the Democrats say about him. Back in 2008, when Pawlenty was being considered for the Vice-Presidential slot by John McCain, the Minnesota Independent tried to sideswipe Pawlenty with this quote in an article entitled, How Tim Pawlenty Made his Case for VP by Wrecking the Minnesota Economy, (by Britt Robson):
Voters across the country might be interested to know that no one has been more influential than Pawlenty in reversing Minnesota’s longstanding tradition of using progressive taxes to make prudent but significant investments in our social and physical infrastructure — education, transportation, health care and the environment (emphasis mine).
Among complaints Robson makes about Pawlenty:
“A biennial budget that contained more than $2.7 billion worth of tax relief” (It was more than twice as large, per capita, as any other state tax cut in the nation.)
“The very next year …returned hundreds of millions of dollars through an income tax cut and reduced vehicle license fees”.
“Lowered property taxes”
“Rebated $700 million worth of sales taxes back to citizens”
“Pawlenty had signed a pledge not to raise taxes. As billions of dollars’ worth of state programs were slashed, most of them in health and human services, the governor stood fast on his pledge”
“To dramatize just how radical this no-taxes stance was… Pawlenty has tenaciously rebuffed any income tax increases during his six years in office”
I can only say one thing to Governor Pawlenty: “With enemies like these, who needs friends?” Maybe you should have these Democrats campaign with you or have Robson create your next campaign ad.