Gov. Tim Pawlenty

Gov. Tim Pawlenty

Gov. Pawlenty has made a big enough name for himself — in part with relentless Obama-bashing in his own pursuit of the presidency — that his ever-so-qualified words of congratulations to President Obama for winning the Nobel Peace Prize drew notice in the national media blogosphere.

Politico’s Ben Smith, Think Progress and Chris Cillizza of the Washington Post blog The Fix were quick to pick up on Pawlenty’s remarks, as reported by Minnesota Public Radio’s Polinaut blog:

I would say regardless of the circumstances, congratulations to President Obama for winning the Nobel Prize. I know there will be some people who are saying “Was it based on good intentions and thoughts or is it going to be based on good results?” But I think the appropriate response is when anybody wins a Nobel Prize that is a very noteworthy development and designation and I think the appropriate response is to say “Congratulations.” …

I’m struggling with this …

I do think the concern that is it’s more about process and aspiration rather than results is a valid one but I do think overall when someone wins a Nobel Prize the appropriate response is to say, “Congratulations.”