Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty shakes hands with Nate Fratzke, 20. Fratzke’s friend, John Kaufmann, 19, chair of Pawlenty’s campaign for Muscatine and Cedar county, looks on. Photo: Joe Jarosz/Muscatine Journal
MUSCATINE, Iowa — Tim Pawlenty made sure everyone knew Monday that he’s ready to “Restore America.”
During a campaign stop at the Button Factory in Muscatine, as the GOP presidential hopeful explained how he’d get America back on track, he made sure the crowd of about 60 supporters and customers knew how he felt about President Obama and his policies.
“‘Obama Care’ should be repealed!” Pawlenty said.
The Minnesota governor also noted how we, as Americans, need to live within our means and not follow Greece’s ways and how standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel is important.
John Kaufmann, 19, of Wilton, said he was inspired by Pawlenty’s life story and speech. Kaufmann is the Head of the College Republicans at MCC and Chair of Governor Pawlenty’s campaign in Muscatine and Cedar county. His father is Rep. Jeff Kaufmann, R-Wilton.
“He’s very honest and strong in his convictions, and even if I don’t agree with him I appreciate that in a candidate,” Kaufmann said.
Kaufmann is convinced enough on Pawlenty’s stance on the issues to travel to Ames in three weeks for the Straw Poll.
“He absolutely has my vote,” Kaufmann said.
As Pawlenty focused on what Barack Obama has done wrong as president, community members asked about energy, gay marriage and fixing the national debt.
Pawlenty recently unveiled his economic plan, the most aggressive one out there he said, where he would propose a constitutional amendment to balance the budget with a federal spending cap of around 18 percent of Gross Domestic Product.
Even though this plan might mean sticking to his guns, Pawlenty said he still believes that bipartisanship works in government.
“It depends on the issue,” Pawlenty said. “Common ground could be found through the state and federal level.”
He said that he does not support gay marriage, but the more traditional idea of marriage. It’s issues like this, Pawlenty said, that are going to be more difficult to find common ground on.
Nate Fratzke, 20, of Wilton said he’s new to the political world, but was glad he went to the town hall meeting.
“I liked what I heard and learned a lot for someone who’s still learning,” Fratzke said.
Pawlenty, a life-long Minnesotan was born and grew up in St. Paul, Minn. During his second term as Governor of Minnesota, Pawlenty was able to eliminate $2.7 billion in deficit spending.
His final budget for 2010–11 was the state’s first two-year period since 1960 in which net government expenditures decreased.
Pawlenty asked residents for their support in the GOP Straw Poll on Saturday, Aug. 13.
