Pawlenty: Elections 'barometer' for Obama

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty says election results in three key races will be viewed as a "barometer" for President Barack Obama's popularity.

[Slim Shady]

oh boyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeee

[whatever]

Well i haven't followed these races but i would bet money the GOP is expected to win at least 2 of 3. No way he would make this statement and risk it backfiring.

[Flynn Fan]

Not an Obama fan, but people must be bored right now. The district in NY hasn't elected a democrat since 1852. So how is that a measure of his popularity? And I believe Obama won our state in a landslide, even though we have a popular republican governor. Why is that? Because the people not making noise or joining in on the political hackery, have no problems voting for candidates from either party. Just because I voted for TPaw, doesn't mean I voted for McCain.

[Doubting Thomas]

Tim isn't really going out on a limb here. Two of those three are probably assured of going Republican/Conservative (Virginia Gov and N.Y. Rep).

If the angry Conservative voters in N.J. fear that the Democratic incumbant governor is going to win they may change their vote back from independent to republican and then all three races will be won.

[Good Gravy Miss Malavy]

Thanks for the original thought, Tim.

It's funny how the current GOP is commenting on how these elections are a barometer of Obama's popularity. I don't recall many, if any, previous GOPers making the same comments about previous democrat presidents. Seems like they are just making up with another way of attacking the president. Gee, sorry you didn't get your way last November!

[Antifees]

THis clown is not a 'popular' governor. HE is a clown. Pure and simple. I don't know where that comment comes from, but for all of us whose fees and property taxes have raised by 400% since this clown took office, he is NOT popular quite the opposite. If people only knew how he has pillaged each state department and placed his cronies that didn't get elected you would be appalled.

[Observer]

Sure, teh Republicans are going to win two oout of three, if not all three. Timmy is just repeating what anyone who has been following the news knows.

Off-year elections tend to have low voter turnout, so the electorate this year will be primarily the angry and disaffected. Flynn Fan is right about the upstate New York election, and Virginia has tended Republican in recent years, so no surprises there. The only doubtful election is in New Jersey, and the contest there is less about parties and national politics than it is about the personalities involved.

So once again T-Paw makes some empty statement, and his local media fan club picks it up and repeats it like it some profound higher wisdom. What else is new?

[Mary]

so?

[Cole]

Flynn Fan wrote:

Not an Obama fan, but people must be bored right now. The district in NY hasn't elected a democrat since 1852. So how is that a measure of his popularity? And I believe Obama won our state in a landslide, even though we have a popular republican governor. Why is that? Because the people not making noise or joining in on the political hackery, have no problems voting for candidates from either party. Just because I voted for TPaw, doesn't mean I voted for McCain.

I don't care if you love Obama or hate him, make sure you get your facts straight. "The district in NY hasn't elected a democrat since 1852." Wow, you couldn't be further wrong. This district alone voted for Obama last election and have had many democrats represent them since 1960s. Here's a quick list for you just so you can write them down and get your facts straight.

As for the race being a barometer, I'm not for sure. I am sure that the White House has sent VP Joe to this district, along with Obama to NJ. If they're not a 'barameter', why invest time and face in races that do not show a change in popularity? One thing is for sure, the White House is backing away from the stinky bags of poo they are trying to back today, must mean Conservative victories in 2 or may all three venues.

By the way, here's your list of Previous representatives for the rural Albany NY district (which has changed names over the years):

Jacob H. Gilbert Democratic March 8, 1960 –
January 3, 1963 Redistricted to the 22nd district
Charles A. Buckley Democratic January 3, 1963 –
January 3, 1965 Redistricted from the 24th district
Jonathan B. Bingham Democratic January 3, 1965 –
January 3, 1973 Redistricted to the 22nd district
Peter A. Peyser Republican January 3, 1973 –
January 3, 1977 Redistricted from the 25th district
Bruce F. Caputo Republican January 3, 1977 –
January 3, 1979
Peter A. Peyser Democratic January 3, 1979 –
January 3, 1983
Samuel S. Stratton Democratic January 3, 1983 –
January 3, 1989 Redistricted from the 28th district
Michael R. McNulty Democratic January 3, 1989 –
January 3, 1993 Redistricted to the 21st district
Sherwood Boehlert Republican January 3, 1993 –
January 3, 2003 Redistricted from the 25th district,
Redistricted to the 24th district
John M. McHugh Republican January 3, 2003 –
September 21, 2009 Redistricted from the 24th district
Resigned to become Secretary of the Army
Vacant September 21, 2009 –
Present

[IrishMN]

Only in the mind of a Corporate Media Right Wing reporter would this be a news story. King Timmy is a non-factor. This election cycle is a non-factor.

To draw the conclusion that a Republi-thug victory or two means the tide of emotion is turning in this country is 100% wrong.

[TooFunny]

My goodness is he stoopid!

NY - the race where that district has been held by a Republican since 1850? Where the Repub candidate was forced out by their own party because she was too moderate? Where T-Paw, Palin and Rush and Beck have openly campaigned for an Independent who doesn't live in the district?

The REAL story in this district is that the Dems have a chance at all. That is a "shot across the bow" of the GOP.

VA Governor? Didn't the GOP candidate have, like, a 30-point lead? Now it's down to something like 20 points? In either case, no poll in the last year has showed the Repub candidate behind, so what is the surprise here? How is this related to Obama?

Answer: It's not.

An finally, the NJ Governor's race. This should be interesting. The people there hate both candidates....and, once again, the Republican candidate is being hurt by a 3rd party? How is this a shot at Obama? Again, it's not. It's another indication of why so many Republications don't want to be associated with the extreme-right tone of their loudest party members and candidates. They are eating their own, and T-Paw knows it. Rush knows it. And the ones who are leaving...the RINOS, as they are derisively called by GOPers.....know it.

[The Big Bopper]

Should be interesting depending on who ends up running.

[Tybalt]

it is a referendum on Obama.

Obama the left wing ideologue. Obama the elitist. Obama the anti-capitalist. Obama who has contempt for ordinary people, Obama who admires socialist oppressors like Chavez and Castro.

Obama the failure. Obama the disgrace.

[Cole]

Observer wrote:

Sure, teh Republicans are going to win two oout of three, if not all three. Timmy is just repeating what anyone who has been following the news knows.
Off-year elections tend to have low voter turnout, so the electorate this year will be primarily the angry and disaffected. Flynn Fan is right about the upstate New York election, and Virginia has tended Republican in recent years, so no surprises there. The only doubtful election is in New Jersey, and the contest there is less about parties and national politics than it is about the personalities involved.
So once again T-Paw makes some empty statement, and his local media fan club picks it up and repeats it like it some profound higher wisdom. What else is new?

You intentionally left out the fact that New Jersey is steadily democratic. The fact that a republican can compete in such a blue state might be something worth taking a look at. This is obviously why Obama has spent a lot of political power in New Jersey in the last week. If professional, OBJECTIVE voting goes on, a republican will be governor in NJ tomorrow. Surprising, the Absentee ballots sent to the state for this rate have HIGHLY increased and now the Democrats would like them counted......Objective? Considering many of the people who 'sent in absentee ballots' said they had no idea someone stole their name to sent in those ballots, I would say Objective is not the word.

[Pat]

Tim's not even certain what party he is in these days, backing the
conservative instead of the GOP candidate in New York's 23rd. Tim is confused. Perhaps that shot across the bow he referenced today, hit him squarely in the head.

[Tom Shakopee]

Good Gravy Miss Malavy wrote:

Thanks for the original thought, Tim.
It's funny how the current GOP is commenting on how these elections are a barometer of Obama's popularity. I don't recall many, if any, previous GOPers making the same comments about previous democrat presidents. Seems like they are just making up with another way of attacking the president. Gee, sorry you didn't get your way last November!

You damm dumb Liberal, if Obama and his Economic Policies were so effective and if people agreed, and the majority do not agree with Obama, with his Stimulus Plan and Governemnt-Run Healthcare take-over Democrats would win these election. They are not. As a matter of fact, ACORN has been dispatched to New Jersey to try to find the dead and get them to vote, naturally its not the deceased, but ACORN members registering them, to secure more votes for the incumbent Democrat crook. Be worried Democrats - your President/Savior is a failure. Liberalism is a mental d i s o r d e r.

[Friday]

Is it a barometer for Obama's popularity, or just a barometer of people wanting to punish all politicians for the mess the economy is in? I think people are still looking for change, in whatever form it takes. Virginians are polling towards the republican following the previous democratic admin, Corzine was a banker and CEO of Goldman Sachs and an incumbant, so of course he's a ripe target. As for NY 23rd, that may be the one to watch - the teabaggers may have enough momentum to get their guy through it, but that is a long-term loss to the GOP since it is a moderate district: a taliban-style conservative might just push some of the moderate base in the other direction. If Hoffman does win it in the special, that doesn't mean he'll be able to keep it in the general.

[ForReal]

The Big Bopper wrote:

Should be interesting depending on who ends up running.

Uh, the elections are today.

[Tom Shakopee]

TooFunny wrote:

My goodness is he stoopid!
NY - the race where that district has been held by a Republican since 1850? Where the Repub candidate was forced out by their own party because she was too moderate? Where T-Paw, Palin and Rush and Beck have openly campaigned for an Independent who doesn't live in the district?
The REAL story in this district is that the Dems have a chance at all. That is a "shot across the bow" of the GOP.
VA Governor? Didn't the GOP candidate have, like, a 30-point lead? Now it's down to something like 20 points? In either case, no poll in the last year has showed the Repub candidate behind, so what is the surprise here? How is this related to Obama?
Answer: It's not.
An finally, the NJ Governor's race. This should be interesting. The people there hate both candidates....and, once again, the Republican candidate is being hurt by a 3rd party? How is this a shot at Obama? Again, it's not. It's another indication of why so many Republications don't want to be associated with the extreme-right tone of their loudest party members and candidates. They are eating their own, and T-Paw knows it. Rush knows it. And the ones who are leaving...the RINOS, as they are derisively called by GOPers.....know it.

You need help. Are you mentally disturbed or are you just leaving your closet for the first time in a year. Your President Obama is a failure. Here, let me help you with fact:

1-Obama promised if Stimulus Plan was passed that unemployment would not rise above 8.4 percent. It is now 9.9 percent. I guess this is a failure.

2-Half of the cabinent members of Obama's Cabinent are "tax-cheats." This is fact.

3-Obama hosted a "Beer Summit" that is probably his defining moment of his failing Administration, after he put his foot in his mouth and blamed police for the reverse-racist professor being harrassed because he was african-american. Of course, the Savior Barry still blamed "racism" in our Country for his premature and wrong comments.

4-His bowing before a Saudi King, the first for any American President in our Country's history.

5-Obama's failed and lack of cogent explanation of HealthCare Take-Over Plan. Need I say more.

6-Obama's failed handling of the War in Afghanistan that is eroding the morale of our troops. Obama's promise he would capture Bin Laden.

7-Obama Administration taking over the Auto Industry and setting a precedent that NO American President has ever broached.

8-Obama, the candidate that promised to bring America together is more partisan than any of his predecessors.

Other than this and more, Obama has been just great as our 44th President.

[Cole]

TooFunny wrote:

My goodness is he stoopid!
NY - the race where that district has been held by a Republican since 1850? Where the Repub candidate was forced out by their own party because she was too moderate? Where T-Paw, Palin and Rush and Beck have openly campaigned for an Independent who doesn't live in the district?
The REAL story in this district is that the Dems have a chance at all. That is a "shot across the bow" of the GOP.
VA Governor? Didn't the GOP candidate have, like, a 30-point lead? Now it's down to something like 20 points? In either case, no poll in the last year has showed the Repub candidate behind, so what is the surprise here? How is this related to Obama?
Answer: It's not.
An finally, the NJ Governor's race. This should be interesting. The people there hate both candidates....and, once again, the Republican candidate is being hurt by a 3rd party? How is this a shot at Obama? Again, it's not. It's another indication of why so many Republications don't want to be associated with the extreme-right tone of their loudest party members and candidates. They are eating their own, and T-Paw knows it. Rush knows it. And the ones who are leaving...the RINOS, as they are derisively called by GOPers.....know it.

Wow, where are you getting your facts? really? I pointed out in a previous post, the district (not always called NY-23) has voted both democrat and republican, switching back and forth from 1960s to present. NY-23 has been called other districts because of rezoning of districts, but the rural Albany district has voted for both parties, so where ever you got your information, whether your head or some website, its wrong.

As for the Virginia race, the current governor is a DEMOCRAT, how could the republican have a 30 point lead. Your facts are down right hilarious.