With an eye on 2012, Pawlenty keeps his focus on the economy

Before a fundraiser in West Liberty, Tim Pawlenty talked one-on-one with Iowa Republicans. Photo: Lynda Waddington, Iowa Independent

WEST LIBERTY, Iowa — As Iowa Republican events go, a fundraising reception featuring Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty stood out as much for what was left unsaid as what was on the program.

Pawlenty, who spoke for about half an hour Sunday, spent the vast majority of his time showcasing a six-part plan on how and why Republicans are going to appeal to voters. Outside of point one — “remember that our rights and privileges come from our creator and not from our members Congress” — none of the points resembled the social conservative rhetoric that has steered and dominated Iowa Republican politics for at least the past two years.

There was no discussion about abortion, not even a passing public acknowledgment by Pawlenty that he is “pro-life.” Although this particular region of Iowa has a significantly higher Hispanic population than the majority of the state, there was no discussion of immigration. Most notably, however, there was no discussion of the April 2009 Iowa Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage in the Hawkeye State — despite the fact that just hours down the road many social conservatives were gathered in Des Moines to rally against the ruling.

“I consider myself a conservative — both fiscally and socially,” Pawlenty told The Iowa Independent following the event. “If you look my record and what I’ve said over the years about life issues and marriage issues, you’ll find that I have a conservative record both on financial and economic as well as social issues.”

Throughout his public remarks, Pawlenty was quick to point out that he was elected as a Republican to lead a liberal-leaning state. “Even in the land of Eugene McCarthy… Hubert Humphrey… Walter Mondale… Paul Wellstone… Jessie Ventura… and now U.S. Sen. Al Franken,” he said, fiscally conservative policies have been enacted to cut spending.

While there is little doubt that Pawlenty has made great strides in appealing to left-leaning voters in a state that has, at least in recent history, trended toward Democrats, it remains unclear if such a “kitchen table” approach, even given the current national economic state, would be enough for Iowa Republicans who will participate in the 2012 first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses.

At least at this event, Pawlenty’s subject matter and style of delivery resembled the early days of John McCain’s 2007 Straight Talk Express. And although McCain would ultimately have the last laugh when he was chosen as the Republican nominee for president, it is worth remembering that he and his message were rejected in 2008 by Iowa Republicans in favor of the much more social conservative message offered by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

Pawlenty railed against Democrats as 'the open bar party' for perpetrating the illusion of government services without a price. Photo: Lynda Waddington, Iowa Independent

Even if  McCain’s experience is set aside on the grounds that he did not run a full-tilt campaign in Iowa in the lead-up to the 2008 Caucuses, the Iowa experience of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney — who positioned himself as the fiscal conservative in the race, spent millions in an attempt to woo Iowans and was ultimately found lacking by social conservatives — can’t be ignored. In fact, if you combine the 2008 Caucus counts of McCain and Romney, the two only barely manage to oust Huckabee from the top slot by three percentage points. Further, social conservatives remain firmly in the lead if you add in the results from Right to Life-endorsed Fred Thompson.

Pawlenty agreed after the event that social conservative issues are important, but added: “The main issue now for most of the people, most of the time, is jobs and the economy.”

“We tend to focus on fiscal and economic issues, but that isn’t to say that life issues and marriage issues are unimportant. They are very important,” he said. “They’ve been important to me, and I’ve spoken to them many times in Minnesota. I’ve enacted legislation in Minnesota under my watch, either as a legislator or as governor, that is pro-life and also pro-traditional marriage.”

In the past year, Iowans have watched — and will officially judge in November — numerous politicians drift to the political right, from U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley to former Gov. Terry Branstad. But Pawlenty said that’s not his style, even when confronted with potential 2012 voters that crafted a state Republican platform calling for the abolition of the federal departments of agriculture, education and energy and ratification of the original 13th Amendement to the U.S. Constitution.

“I’ve succeeded in doing that (remaining myself) in Minnesota over the past eight years — some times better than others,” Pawlenty said with a quick laugh. “I’m a conservative in a blue state. If you look at Minnesota’s history there has been some exceptions, but basically Minnesota for its modern history has been a very liberal place. It leans deep blue. But yet I’ve been able to win, get re-elected and govern in a deep blue place.

“I always tell people that it is not about deluding or compromising our principles. It is about making sure that people who are not yet Republicans understand why becoming a Republican is a good idea. So, it is reaching out to independents and Democrats and convincing them that joining the Republican cause and the Republican team is a good idea. I’ve been able to do that in a tough place. … I’ve got not only the rhetoric of talking about reaching out and earning the support of independents and some Democrats, but I’ve actually done it.”