It’s Trump Day in Minnesota, Will Tim Pawlenty Show Up?
Tim Pawlenty has refused to say – three times, and cryptically tweeted about sending Lieutenant Governor candidate
Tim Pawlenty has danced around the subject of Donald Trump this entire campaign. After calling him“unsound, uninformed, unhinged and unfit to be President of the United States,” he voted for him.
As one Minnesota political scientist summed it up, “[Pawlenty] kind of embodies everything they don’t like about the Republican Party. He’s corporate, he governed but didn’t really transform government, and he came out and savaged Trump during the campaign.”
Jeff Johnson, his right-wing opponent who wants to repeal mandatory coverage for pre-existing conditions and believes in personhood, has enthusiastically committed to rallying with Trump.
Tim Pawlenty on the other hand, been trying to thread the needle, saying he agrees with “most of” Donald Trump’s policy priorities.
Well, the real test of his loyalty happens today, when President Trump holds a rally in Duluth. Tim Pawlenty hasrefused to say whether or not he will show three times.
This morning, Pawlenty cryptically tweeted he is sending his running mate but didn’t say anything about himself going.
“It’s clear that both Jeff Johnson and Tim Pawlenty will bring Donald Trump’s policies to Minnesota. But only Jeff Johnson has the courage to stand with the President and admit it,” said DGA Deputy Communications Director David Turner. “At this point, it doesn’t really matter if Tim Pawlenty shows up or not. When you refuse to answer a simple yes or no question three times, you have already made it clear you’re not very enthusiastic about going.”