https://redstate.com/erick/2011/08/14/on-tim-pawlenty/feed/Conservative News & Politicsen-usSat, 13 Jun 2026 00:42:36 -0400<![CDATA[For a long time I thought Tim Pawlenty would be the eventual nominee. He kept his head down, worked hard, and hired a hell of a good team. Nick Ayers, Alex Conant, Ann Marie Hauser, and the rest of the team have really done well building Pawlenty&#8217;s image as a problem solver and as a blue state leader with red state values.Unfortunately, the personal charisma and charm Pawlenty had one on one never translated and he seemed uncomfortable throwing the punches necessary on a campaign trail. As Bachmann rose and word of a Perry entry came, the rationale for a Pawlenty campaign diminished.Tim Pawlenty really is a nice guy and it showed through. But being a nice guy and an exciting guy are two different things and the campaign was not able to generate excitement.Tim Pawlenty&#8217;s service to his country is not yet done I suspect and I hope.On a final note, Tim Pawlenty was a real and a serious candidate for President — not a book salesman or charlatan. When it became clear he could not win the nomination, he got out gracefully and swiftly. There are many candidates more deserving of the title &#8220;former candidate for President&#8221; than Tim Pawlenty. And I hope those candidates will learn from Pawlenty&#8217;s departure a valuable lesson in leadership — knowing when to lead, even when the direction is off the field.]]>Sun, 14 Aug 2011 14:12:07 -0400<![CDATA[Erick Erickson]]>https://redstate.com/erick/2011/08/14/on-tim-pawlenty-n40042