Though he doesn’t quite phrase it that way . . .
[H]e has shown the ability to run a disciplined campaign and raise his visibility without incurring any serious knocks. He has diligently been where he has to be — CPAC, Iowa, New Hampshire — to introduce himself. He’s made no gaffes and has shown himself to be unusually adept on foreign policy for a governor. And he hasn’t alienated any key group in the GOP (e.g. hawks, social conservatives). The doubts about Pawlenty’s charisma will need to be answered, but he has left audiences generally impressed, be it the national media at the National Press Club or the Republican Christian conservatives in Iowa. His speaking abilities have sharpened, with obvious attention being paid to explain that “nice” doesn’t mean “wimp.”
Pawlenty’s goal is no be the “not Mitt Romney” candidate whom the base can rally around. Those who will never forgive Romney for RomneyCare (a majority of the primary electorate, I suspect) will look for an alternative. And he could well be that candidate. . . .
[T]he question becomes whether Pawlenty can consolidate support for those looking for a solid conservative with no obvious flaws. Attention will now increase on Pawlenty and we’ll soon find out whether, in part because of weak and dwindling opposition, Pawlenty can find his way to the front of the pack.
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Breathtakingly dull despite the youthful MTV jump cuts.
Kinda the exact opposite of Ronald Reagan.
Certainly not the live wires like Gore and Kerry.