My problem with Tim Pawlenty, besides everything he stands for

By Richard K. Barry

I recently saw Tim Pawlenty's new ad to run in Iowa. I just don't know.

When you've been around politics a long time, you like to think you can consider things objectively and not let your own views get in the way of good analysis. That may not be possible, but some of us do try.

Well before Pawlenty crashed and burned in his "moment" during the CNN candidates' debate in which he famously failed to take on Mitt Romney on health care reform, having previously coined the silly term "Obamneycare," T-Paw, at least for me, always exuded a whimpering weakness. Franky, he makes me cringe.

So, now he's got an ad to run in Iowa in which he talks about the fact that his health care reform in Minnesota didn't involve an individual mandate, as Romney's did in Massachusetts. I know this may sound strange, but after the debate, any time Pawlenty takes a swipe at Romney, it's going to feel like he's talking trash behind Romney's back when he won't stand up to him, up close and personal, given the chance. I'm fairly sure most people frown on that sort of behavior.

But, beside all of that, the man just bothers me.

It's not about policy. It's not about where he stands on the issues. It's about how he comes across. And, objectively speaking, in this ad (below), he just comes across as "weak," like if you looked at him the wrong way, he'd dissolve. And, to be clear, I'm not saying it's true, only that in politics appearance is the largest part of reality.

Come to think of it, he kind of reminds me of Jon Cryer's character on Two and Half Men, Charlie's pathetic brother.

Anyway, decide for yourself.

(Cross-posted at Lippmann's Ghost.)

Only Nevada GOP Congressional candidate Mark Amodei can stop the impending Chinese invasion. It's true!

By Richard K. Barry

Who is Mark Amodei and how did he develop such an interesting sense of humour? Well, Mr. Amodei is running for the Republican nomination to fill a vacant congressional seat that became available when Representative Dean Heller filled John Ensign's Senate seat when Ensign resigned due to a sex scandal. On the other point, I don't know where Amodei gets his sense of humour.

Running in a way intended to get the attention of those swayed by Tea Party ideas, Amodei has put together a most entertaining television ad, which links raising the federal debt ceiling to a future takeover of a debt-ridden America by the Chinese. The best part is when the Red Army marches past the U.S. Capitol. No kidding, the freakin' Red Army!

Even The Daily Caller, the hyper right-wing website, seems a little taken aback by this one. Though, in a bizarre headline for the story, they did call the ad: "light-hearted fear-mongering." Let that one rattle around in your head for a while.

Anyway, here's a snippet of an interview with the candidate:

Amodei: The message is, the fiscal situation now is dire, and if you don't change the course, it will go from dire to catastrophic.

The Daily Caller: Does the catastrophic include an Army marching over the Capitol?

Amodei: Let's put it this way: If we start selling it to the French, you could substitute the French, you could substitute anybody you want. The fact of the matter is right now, this is where the ton of debt is being placed. There is no racial tone to it, it's simply factual.

I don't know. I really can't see this ad working with the French army marching in front of the Capitol. It would be marginally funnier. Then again, I can't see this ad working at all. But thanks for the giggle.

Here it is:

(Cross-posted to Lippmann's Ghost.)