Courage to Stand: An American Story, by Tim Pawlenty
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Click here for 1 full quotes from Barack Obama in the book Courage to Stand, by Tim Pawlenty.
Click here for 1 full quotes from Sarah Palin in the book Courage to Stand, by Tim Pawlenty.
Click here for 34 full quotes from Tim Pawlenty in the book Courage to Stand, by Tim Pawlenty.
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BOOK REVIEW by OnTheIssues.org:
Tim Pawlenty is "Minnesota Nice" (a phrase he uses several times in this book, meaning friendly and mild-mannered, as is the stereotypical behavior of Minnesotans). Politicians must be Minnesota Nice to get elected as Governor of Minnesota, or Minnesotans will view the candidate as rude and/or abrasive. Pawlenty cites several examples as Governor where Minnesota Nice cooperativeness with the Democratic legislature succeeded (especially on budget issues like balancing the deficit without raising taxes, which he considers his greatest gubernatorial accomplishment).
However, politicians who are Minnesota Nice don't get elected President of the United States. Pawlenty was considered and rejected as McCain's vice-presidential selection in 2008 because he was too... well, too Minnesota Nice. (Pawlenty dedicates all of chapter 21, entitled "Rock 'n' Rogue", to his vetting for vice president). McCain went with a firebrand instead, who sparked the hard-core right into action: Sarah Palin is NOT Minnesota Nice.
In the book, Pawlenty attempts to portray himself as not so Minnesota Nice. The title itself is intended to portray Pawlenty as a tough guy -- including that tough-guy cover photo. The title "Courage to Stand" refers to the strong will necessary to take on the status quo of the legislature (p. xiii). Pawlenty hints throughout the book that he has the Courage to Stand up to the United States Congress too, and hence to change the status quo in Washington.
If voters accept that argument, then Pawlenty has a pretty good chance of winning the Republican nomination. His core Minnesota Nice values do make him as "post-partisan" as Obama (and Pawlenty has the credentials of working with those Minnesota Democrats to prove it), and it's possible that this year voters will tire of hard-core extremism (there are plenty of hard-core choices in the Republican primary this year!). If not, well, Pawlenty will certainly be on the short list for vice president again.
-- Jesse Gordon, editor-in-chief, OnTheIssues.org, June 2011
| OnTheIssues.org excerpts: (click on issues for details)
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Budget & Economy
Refused to raise taxes to force fiscal responsibility.
Bottom gets handout; top gets bailout; rest get wallet out.
Vetoed 123 spending bills as governor.
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Crime
Reinstate death penalty for the most heinous crimes.
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Families & Children
Lost mother at 16; needed & felt God's presence.
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Foreign Policy
More leverage, not more conversation, against Iran's nukes.
2009 Tehran protests: Obama demoralized them with silence.
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Free Trade
China-Minnesota partnership: grow jobs by growing exports.
Fair trade, to deal with world's rampant trade manipulation.
Fair trade, to deal with world's rampant trade manipulation.
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Government Reform
OpEd: Broke promise to pay for every dime of new spending.
Politicians rewarded for saying Yes; have the guts to say No.
2002: fined $600,000 for campaign finance violation.
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Gun Control
Pro-gun, but barred machine guns from security detail.
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Health Care
Shop around for best price & quality, like we do for TVs.
Eliminated MN's General Assistance Medical Care.
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Homeland Security
Military & veterans' issues top legislative priority.
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Jobs
A job is not just a job; it's an identity.
JOBZ program: Job Opportunity Building Zone.
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Local Issues
Led MN thru I35W bridge collapse: 145 people injured.
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Principles & Values
OpEd: Her energy is the fuel of grassroots politics.
My faith is part of how I think, including in public life.
Subscribed to "US News & World Report" as teenager.
U. Minnesota undergrad & law school, and met wife there.
Catholic in childhood; attends Baptist church after marriage.
Separation of church doesn't mean strike God from America.
We need politicians with courage to stand up to status quo.
47% pay no income tax? We're addicted to government.
Not change we can believe in; but change we can't believe.
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Tax Reform
1992 election based on high taxes & over-spending.
As House Leader, cut taxes by largest amount in MN history.
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War & Peace
2008: Ok to take out bin Laden despite civilian casualties.
Arbitrary deadline in Iraq shouldn't supersede common sense.
Decide Afghan withdrawal by strategy, not arbitrary deadline.
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Welfare & Poverty
Government growth displaces faith community & charities.
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The above quotations are from Courage to Stand: An American Story, by Tim Pawlenty.
Autobiographies for 2012 GOP primary candidates:
- No Apology, by Gov. Mitt Romney, Mar 2, 2010
- Real Change, by Speaker Newt Gingrich, Dec 18, 2007
Biographies:
- CEO of SELF, by Herman Cain, 2001
- Joe Biden: A Life of Trial and Redemption, by Jules Witcover, 2010
- Rick Santorum: A Senator Speaks Out on Life, Freedom, and Responsibility, 2005
- Michele Bachmann: Why She Will Win, by Ron Paul Jones, 2011
- A Mormon in the White House? 10 Things Every American Should Know about Mitt Romney, by Hugh Hewitt
- Mitt Romney: The Man, His Values and His Vision, by Lisa Ray Turner and Kimberly Field
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Policy books:
- Core of Conviction, by Rep. Michele Bachmann, 2011
- It Takes a Family, by Sen. Rick Santorum, 2005
- On My Honor, by Gov. Rick Perry, 2008
- End The Fed, by Rep. Ron Paul, Sep 16, 2009
- Gold, Peace, and Prosperity: The Birth of a New Currency, by Ron Paul, 2007
- My Journey to the White House, by Herman Cain, 2011
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Page last edited: Aug 18, 2011
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