TPMtv: TIM PAWLENTY V.P. MADNESS!

From the footage displayed he appears to be on auto pilot. Sure he remains abreast with regards to current issues, but he lacks depth. To quote a familiar idol judge, "That performance just wasn't memorable for me dog."

Bland? boring? Maybe. But he sure seems to have a command of the issues based on the clips in the piece. He does come accross as a boy scout. I've seen nothing yet in all the "buzz" surrounding him that indicates he's not ethical and honest. I assume reporters are searching for this angle. If all we get is "boring" that doesn't sound so bad. I'll take smart, honest but bland pick over a flashy, "ultra cool" empty suit politician any day. American hero + an honest, smart, young vp like Pawlenty might work for the republicans.

Sounds like Polenta! A bland, corny bit of food that needs sauce to be palatable. Maybe he really doesn't get any at home...his wife prefers fishing and hockey. But the really fun part of this for me was your wonderful slow fade on the audio, as Timmy droned off into the whiteness. So, so, apropos. I laughed out loud, serious! This frozen guy really deserves to run with McAncient.

I hope he picks Pawlenty. Obama is far ahead of McCain in MN. Pawlenty would have lost the last election here, but there was some last minute shenanigans from the Perry swiftboat crew...ad time that was complete b.s. They can try it again here, but a bridge falling into the river changed our MN landscape for a long time. I can't wait to watch him squirm his way out of Molnau and explain his way out of not giving $ to the DOT. Go for it Tim.

Yeah, go ahead McCain pick Pawlenty. He cannot even deliver the state of MN during the primary. Romney won. In his own senate district, which used to be pretty solid red in 2000 has become purple and will probably go solid blue. I live in his district, our 2 state senators and one of 2 district representatives are democrats. His hometown went for Kerry in the last election and the mayor is a democrat. He is bland, but smarmy, not quite as bad as Norm. He smiles as he vetoes legislation, he wasn't smiling when the legislature overrode his veto on the transportation bill. Republicans crossed the aisle to override his veto. If our primary caucus turnout is any indication, MN is a blue state, not a swing state.

Pawlenty appears to have gotten away with his remarks, shown in the video, about capital gains rates and retirement accounts. He said that raising the capital gains rates would affect people with IRAs and 401k's. That's just not true. Capital gains rates do not apply to withdrawals from retirement accounts, even if all the income in the account came from stock sales. Ordinary income rates apply to all income from retirement accounts. Most taxpayers get very little benefit from low capital gains rates. Wealthy taxpayers get a very big benefit. Even so, Obama wants low capital gains rates targeted at activities that will produce jobs. Selling the same share of Google 20 times for a gain each time is an example of an activity that does not produce new jobs but that is favored under the current capital gains tax laws.

Excuse me, but scare tactics now include taxing capital gains in IRAs and 401k's? 6:00- 6:12

Pawlenty is a very smart, witty fellow and although he has never won even 50% of the vote when elected governor, he could be a good VP choice strategically but for one major flaw - Lt. Governor Carol Molnau (who did double duty as MN Transportation Commissioner until booted from that post earlier this year) is so unpopular that all it would take would be one ad explaining that electing Pawlenty VP equates to electing Molnau governor and any hope that McCain had of winning MN would evaporate.

White Bread. Looks like he's a perfect running mate. He can spout off the talking points and he doesn't draw too much attention to himself. Let's hope McCain picks Romney, The Exorcist, or Lieberman (my personal favorite)...

Ed Schultz regularly plays on his radio show a wild Pawlenty rant against the Dems during a Minn. GOP convention, so he's not mild-mannered all the time. I've looked for it on YouTube but come up blank. Ask Big Ed, please.