If the Trump presidency’s festering pile of scandals, corruption and human rights abuses has even a glimmer of a silver lining, it’s that his surprise victory has inspired a wealth of people outside of the political mainstream to run for office. Nevada brothel owner Dennis Hof and Glenn Jacobs, also known as WWE star Kane, both told Rolling Stone after their respective wins that Trump’s political success gave them the confidence to run for office themselves. The phenomenon may be even more prevalent on the left, most...
- 8/14/2018
- by Ryan Bort
- Rollingstone.com
St. Paul, Minn. -- Al Franken barely made it into the Senate the first time, squeaking by with 312 votes after months of recounts and legal skirmishes that left Minnesota Republicans salivating at the prospect of snatching the seat back from the former "Saturday Night Live" star in 2014.
So far, that's not playing out according to plan.
Four years into his term, Franken barely figures into the Gop's calculations for trying to wrest control of the Senate from Democrats. Republicans don't consider him a top target for defeat, and they haven't found a strong challenger in the Democratic-leaning state.
Should a competitive race not materialize, Democrats say much, if not all, of the credit should go to Franken himself.
To solidify his then-shaky standing, Franken employed a disciplined strategy that started in 2009 when he was declared the victor of a three-way race in which he won less than 42 percent of the vote.
So far, that's not playing out according to plan.
Four years into his term, Franken barely figures into the Gop's calculations for trying to wrest control of the Senate from Democrats. Republicans don't consider him a top target for defeat, and they haven't found a strong challenger in the Democratic-leaning state.
Should a competitive race not materialize, Democrats say much, if not all, of the credit should go to Franken himself.
To solidify his then-shaky standing, Franken employed a disciplined strategy that started in 2009 when he was declared the victor of a three-way race in which he won less than 42 percent of the vote.
- 6/22/2013
- by AP
- Huffington Post
Democrats and Republicans shared heartwarming stories of triumph over adversity. In reality, Us social mobility is in decline
There is a famous Monty Python sketch called "Four Yorkshiremen". It portrays tuxedo-wearing men sipping fine red wine, chomping on cigars and eagerly reminiscing about their impoverished childhoods. The conversation quickly turns into a bizarre arm's race of boasting about humble origins when even living in a hole is seen as the height of luxury. Soon, one man is claiming to have grown up "in a lake", prompting one companion to exclaim:
"You were lucky to have a lake! There were a hundred and fifty of us living in t' shoebox in t' middle o' road."
Yet, listening to the endless drum beat of speeches from both the Republican and Democratic conventions in the past week, it seemed they were mimicking the Pythons' finest work. According to their own stories, speaker after...
There is a famous Monty Python sketch called "Four Yorkshiremen". It portrays tuxedo-wearing men sipping fine red wine, chomping on cigars and eagerly reminiscing about their impoverished childhoods. The conversation quickly turns into a bizarre arm's race of boasting about humble origins when even living in a hole is seen as the height of luxury. Soon, one man is claiming to have grown up "in a lake", prompting one companion to exclaim:
"You were lucky to have a lake! There were a hundred and fifty of us living in t' shoebox in t' middle o' road."
Yet, listening to the endless drum beat of speeches from both the Republican and Democratic conventions in the past week, it seemed they were mimicking the Pythons' finest work. According to their own stories, speaker after...
- 9/7/2012
- by Paul Harris
- The Guardian - Film News
Was Wednesday’s big Gop event a convention or a roast? Judging purely from the night’s speeches, it was often hard to tell. Though Jack Donaghy ex Condoleezza Rice and New Mexico governor Susana Martinez played it straight with poignant, heartfelt addresses, fellow Republicans like Mike Huckabee and especially Tim Pawlenty could easily use their speeches as Last Comic Standing audition material. Don’t believe me? Here’s a sampling of Day 2′s most noteworthy zingers:
Senator John Thune of South Dakota, on the president’s basketball prowess: “President Obama would be easy to defend… because you know he...
Senator John Thune of South Dakota, on the president’s basketball prowess: “President Obama would be easy to defend… because you know he...
- 8/30/2012
- by Hillary Busis
- EW.com - PopWatch
As if Stephen Colbert needed another reason to love the Romney/Ryan ticket, he found that Romney's foreign policy credentials are nothing short of impeccable.
So some critics pointed out that neither Mitt Romney nor Paul Ryan have much foreign policy experience to speak of... when you're a businessman with a capital B like Mitt Romney, you've racked up enough frequent flyer miles to make up for it.
At least that's the argument Romney surrogate Tim Pawlenty made when he explained to George Stephanopoulos that leveraging international business deals is pretty much the same thing as negotiating peace agreements overseas.
Stephen couldn't agree more -- nobody can deny that Mitt's been to a lot of airports. "Mitt Romney may not have served in the military, but he's a card-carrying member of the Admiral's Club," Stephen said.
Watch the clip above and let us know what you think of Romney's vast foreign policy experience.
So some critics pointed out that neither Mitt Romney nor Paul Ryan have much foreign policy experience to speak of... when you're a businessman with a capital B like Mitt Romney, you've racked up enough frequent flyer miles to make up for it.
At least that's the argument Romney surrogate Tim Pawlenty made when he explained to George Stephanopoulos that leveraging international business deals is pretty much the same thing as negotiating peace agreements overseas.
Stephen couldn't agree more -- nobody can deny that Mitt's been to a lot of airports. "Mitt Romney may not have served in the military, but he's a card-carrying member of the Admiral's Club," Stephen said.
Watch the clip above and let us know what you think of Romney's vast foreign policy experience.
- 8/15/2012
- by Ross Luippold
- Huffington Post
At the beginning of a four-day, four-state bus tour starting in Norfolk, Virginia, Mitt Romney has announced 42-year-old Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan as his vice presidential running mate.
The Boston Herald reports that Ryan said during the announcement, “Mitt and Ann, I am deeply honored and excited to join you as your running mate." He continued, "America is on the wrong track, but Mitt Romney and I will take the right steps in the right time to get us back on the right track."
In the past few months, many thought Romney would go with more moderate choices like Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, or former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty. However many believe Ryan, who is the chairman of the House Budget Committee, is a bold choice due to his views on budget and changing government spending.
CNN reports that President Obama has said of Ryan’s budget plan: "It is antithetical to our entire history as a land...
The Boston Herald reports that Ryan said during the announcement, “Mitt and Ann, I am deeply honored and excited to join you as your running mate." He continued, "America is on the wrong track, but Mitt Romney and I will take the right steps in the right time to get us back on the right track."
In the past few months, many thought Romney would go with more moderate choices like Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, or former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty. However many believe Ryan, who is the chairman of the House Budget Committee, is a bold choice due to his views on budget and changing government spending.
CNN reports that President Obama has said of Ryan’s budget plan: "It is antithetical to our entire history as a land...
- 8/11/2012
- Entertainment Tonight
For those of us of a certain age, we have fond memories of a certain cat-eating alien named Alf (my backstory?) Now a big screen version of the lovable sitcom is in development, but rather than a puppet, it will be CGI/live action. Is anyone else excited?
Did you ever wonder why the penis is shaped like that? Now you can know. Note: it's a video answer on autoplay when you click the link.
Pity the kids in Louisiana who choose a private school with this laughable curriculum based on Biblical teachings, like the fact that humans and dinosaurs lived on the earth together, or that dinosaurs were really fire breathing dragons. I wish I was kidding.
The Aclu is already saying that the new federal law restricting demonstrations at military funerals may violate the First Amendment.
Donald Faison is in talks to play Dr. Gravity in Kick Ass 2, fighting alongside Kick Ass.
Did you ever wonder why the penis is shaped like that? Now you can know. Note: it's a video answer on autoplay when you click the link.
Pity the kids in Louisiana who choose a private school with this laughable curriculum based on Biblical teachings, like the fact that humans and dinosaurs lived on the earth together, or that dinosaurs were really fire breathing dragons. I wish I was kidding.
The Aclu is already saying that the new federal law restricting demonstrations at military funerals may violate the First Amendment.
Donald Faison is in talks to play Dr. Gravity in Kick Ass 2, fighting alongside Kick Ass.
- 8/9/2012
- by lostinmiami
- The Backlot
Stephen Colbert is nothing if not a patriot, and on Tuesday's episode of "The Colbert Report," he exercised one of his basic American rights: screwing with Wikipedia.
When some pundits noticed that Wikipedia updates might be the key to noting who could end up as Mitt Romney's running mate, Colbert took that as an open invitation to push for his close personal friend, Tim Pawlenty.
"T-Paw was born in St. Paul Minnesota... let's edit that to 'The Minnesota town of St. Paul is where born Tim Pawlenty was.' He was the son of Eugene Joseph Pawlenty, and let's say... Mrs. Butterworth. Intending to become a dentist, Pawlenty started his career in... Santa's Workshop."
But why stop there? He added that Tim Pawlenty became Romney's running mate on Friday. Because Wikipedia is reality.
And yes, Wikipedia immediately took notice. Almost momentarily, an editor said, "Quick! Lock The Page!" and...
When some pundits noticed that Wikipedia updates might be the key to noting who could end up as Mitt Romney's running mate, Colbert took that as an open invitation to push for his close personal friend, Tim Pawlenty.
"T-Paw was born in St. Paul Minnesota... let's edit that to 'The Minnesota town of St. Paul is where born Tim Pawlenty was.' He was the son of Eugene Joseph Pawlenty, and let's say... Mrs. Butterworth. Intending to become a dentist, Pawlenty started his career in... Santa's Workshop."
But why stop there? He added that Tim Pawlenty became Romney's running mate on Friday. Because Wikipedia is reality.
And yes, Wikipedia immediately took notice. Almost momentarily, an editor said, "Quick! Lock The Page!" and...
- 8/8/2012
- by Ross Luippold
- Huffington Post
arlier today, Neil Cavuto was joined by Tim Pawlenty mentioned the common complaint against the former Governor, namely, that he's too dull. Pawlenty responded to the accusation as only a truly exciting person would; by smiling mildly. He did, though, then offer a rebuttal, warning Cavuto that if the Fox News host continued to "goad" him, he'd have to show off his "tats."...
- 7/18/2012
- by Jon Bershad
- Mediaite - TV
[a quick offering to the Seo gods: justin bieber justin bieber justin bieber ]
And it's ABC with the scoop: Marco Rubio is not being vetted for Mitt Romney's Vice Presidential slot.
It's been two months since Romney named Beth Myers to head his Veep search team, and Rubio has not been asked to fill out any paperwork or turn over any financial documents, the first step in the vetting process (hopefully there's now a foreign policy test, too).
Rubio was on every political observer's shortlist, and got endorsements from statemates like Jeb Bush. Rubio is a young and energetic lawmaker who would have made a strong conservative foil to Romney, of whom the Gop is still rightfully suspicious. Rubio is expected to be the Gop's best bet for making inroads to the Latino vote, which they're in danger of losing permanently (or not), and could have helped Romney mitigate the damage of his primary positions on immigration, especially as Rubio has claimed...
And it's ABC with the scoop: Marco Rubio is not being vetted for Mitt Romney's Vice Presidential slot.
It's been two months since Romney named Beth Myers to head his Veep search team, and Rubio has not been asked to fill out any paperwork or turn over any financial documents, the first step in the vetting process (hopefully there's now a foreign policy test, too).
Rubio was on every political observer's shortlist, and got endorsements from statemates like Jeb Bush. Rubio is a young and energetic lawmaker who would have made a strong conservative foil to Romney, of whom the Gop is still rightfully suspicious. Rubio is expected to be the Gop's best bet for making inroads to the Latino vote, which they're in danger of losing permanently (or not), and could have helped Romney mitigate the damage of his primary positions on immigration, especially as Rubio has claimed...
- 6/19/2012
- by Evan McMurry
- Celebsology
Today's Daily Show began with some pessimism in the way of Mitt Romney-- it seems that anyone who would be a good vice presidential candidate for him wants nothing to do with the ticket-- from Condoleezza Rice to Marco Rubio to Tim Pawlenty. Stewart did find one person who said something less adamant than "Not me!" when mentioned for the bottom of the slate, however: Herman Cain, who also sat down for an extensive interview with John Oliver in which he delivered the American people from an alien invasion.
- 4/24/2012
- by Frances Martel
- Mediaite - TV
Rick Santorum suspended his campaign Monday, prompting college and condom enthusiasts everywhere to dance in the streets. And because I firmly believe that Newt Gingrich, like Tinkerbell, will vanish the moment we cease to acknowledge his existence, it is now safe to say that the grueling, violent, and thoroughly entertaining Gop primary has effectively drawn to a close. It was therefore only a matter of time before some nerd, someplace, somewhere, penned a valedictory piece comparing the intraparty war to the power-struggles of HBO's surging series Game of Thrones (which kicked off its second season last week). And, friends, I've run out of reasons why that nerd should not be me.
It wasn't just the shocking barbarity on the campaign trail that validates the comparison, with candidates' armies going medieval on one another from Nashua to Puerto Rico , but also the surreal fantasy of choice moments: Herman Cain quoting Pokemon in a speech,...
It wasn't just the shocking barbarity on the campaign trail that validates the comparison, with candidates' armies going medieval on one another from Nashua to Puerto Rico , but also the surreal fantasy of choice moments: Herman Cain quoting Pokemon in a speech,...
- 4/12/2012
- by Ben Zweifach
- Aol TV.
Chicago – You may be surprised by the angle taken by HBO’s controversial “Game Change,” a film already being summarily dismissed by conservative pundits who probably haven’t even seen the piece and merely assume that it’s another liberal Hollywood hatchet job. It’s not that at all. Yes, it does not make Sarah Palin nor the staff behind John McCain’s failed Presidential campaign look all that smart but it does break down some key failures of what happened on the Republican side of the ticket in 2008 in ways that take these people from “SNL” parodies to real people. It humanizes the people behind the sound bites and does so with three of the best performances on television in the last few years. It’s fantastic in so many ways.
TV Rating: 4.5/5.0
The team behind the excellent “Recount” (director Jay Roach and writer Danny Strong) try to offer...
TV Rating: 4.5/5.0
The team behind the excellent “Recount” (director Jay Roach and writer Danny Strong) try to offer...
- 3/10/2012
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
We never thought anyone could top Tina Fey's impersonation of Sarah Palin ... until we saw Julianne Moore nail it in "Game Change" (premieres Sat., Mar. 10, 9 p.m. Est on HBO).
The HBO movie, based on the book of the same name by political journalists John Heilemann and Mark Halperin, is all about the 2008 presidential election, with Moore as Palin, Ed Harris as John McCain and Woody Harrelson as their campaign strategist Steve Schmidt. The film is divisive, to say the least, but no one will argue that the hair, makeup, wardrobe and mannerisms of these very public figures is flawlessly portrayed.
That got me thinking: Which actors should be cast in the inevitable TV movie about the 2012 presidential election? A master of mimicking Texas politicians, Josh Brolin is an easy choice to tackle also-ran Rick Perry. But who would make a great Mitt Romney? Is there a chameleon who...
The HBO movie, based on the book of the same name by political journalists John Heilemann and Mark Halperin, is all about the 2008 presidential election, with Moore as Palin, Ed Harris as John McCain and Woody Harrelson as their campaign strategist Steve Schmidt. The film is divisive, to say the least, but no one will argue that the hair, makeup, wardrobe and mannerisms of these very public figures is flawlessly portrayed.
That got me thinking: Which actors should be cast in the inevitable TV movie about the 2012 presidential election? A master of mimicking Texas politicians, Josh Brolin is an easy choice to tackle also-ran Rick Perry. But who would make a great Mitt Romney? Is there a chameleon who...
- 3/6/2012
- by Maggie Furlong
- Huffington Post
We never thought anyone could top Tina Fey's impersonation of Sarah Palin ... until we saw Julianne Moore nail it in "Game Change" (premieres Sat., Mar. 10, 9 p.m. Est on HBO).
The HBO movie, based on the book of the same name by political journalists John Heilemann and Mark Halperin, is all about the 2008 presidential election, with Moore as Palin, Ed Harris as John McCain and Woody Harrelson as their campaign strategist Steve Schmidt. The film is divisive, to say the least, but no one will argue that the hair, makeup, wardrobe and mannerisms of these very public figures is flawlessly portrayed.
That got me thinking: Which actors should be cast in the inevitable TV movie about the 2012 presidential election? A master of mimicking Texas politicians, Josh Brolin is an easy choice to tackle also-ran Rick Perry. But who would make a great Mitt Romney? Is there a chameleon who...
The HBO movie, based on the book of the same name by political journalists John Heilemann and Mark Halperin, is all about the 2008 presidential election, with Moore as Palin, Ed Harris as John McCain and Woody Harrelson as their campaign strategist Steve Schmidt. The film is divisive, to say the least, but no one will argue that the hair, makeup, wardrobe and mannerisms of these very public figures is flawlessly portrayed.
That got me thinking: Which actors should be cast in the inevitable TV movie about the 2012 presidential election? A master of mimicking Texas politicians, Josh Brolin is an easy choice to tackle also-ran Rick Perry. But who would make a great Mitt Romney? Is there a chameleon who...
- 3/6/2012
- by Maggie Furlong
- Aol TV.
Remember Tim Pawlenty? Once upon a time, when the Gop field was a lot more crowded, he had his bid for the Republican nomination. That chapter, of course, is now closed. But on Friday, Pawlenty paid a visit to Morning Joe and discussed everything from third-party candidates to the supposed "back room deal" between Mitt Romney and Ron Paul. A bromance that, according to him, definitely doesn't exist.
- 2/24/2012
- by Meenal Vamburkar
- Mediaite - TV
The producers of Dancing With the Stars have been thwarted in their reported efforts to draft ostensible reality TV stars — okay, former Republican presidential candidates — Herman Cain and Michele Bachmann for the next season of their show. Yesterday, Cain’s executive assistant reportedly told the Atlanta Journal Constitution that the pizza godfather and Tea Party favorite wouldn’t do it because he “can’t dance in an eight-count. He can only dance in a nine-count.” And just today, Bachmann tweeted and released a statement taking her feather boa out of the ring, “In full disclosure, I did win a polka...
- 2/15/2012
- by Jeff Labrecque
- EW.com - PopWatch
Following former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty's dis of MSNBC's The Ed Show during last night's New Hampshire primary coverage, host Ed Schultz dedicated a bedtime story to him -- a satire of Goodnight Moon entitled Goodnight Mitt lambasting his chosen candidate Mitt Romney. "In the great 12 million dollar beach house, there was a telephone and 250 million bucks and a picture of greedy multi-millionaire schmucks!"...
- 1/12/2012
- by James Crugnale
- Mediaite - TV
Herman Cain may have been the second 2012 Republican candidate to drop out of the race (after Tim Pawlenty), and he may be forgotten in some respects, but he sure isn't gone. In fact, Herman Cain may be coming to a town near you before you even know it! Cain appeared on tonight's Hannity to handicap the race post-Iowa (and yes, he wishes he could have been there) but, more importantly, he had an important announcement to make: he bought himself a bus.
- 1/5/2012
- by Frances Martel
- Mediaite - TV
After months of jousting in approximately 213 televised debates, the Republican presidential-primary season begins in earnest tonight in Iowa. More than 100,000 are expected to participate in the unique caucus process to award the first tangible political victory to one of the seven leading presidential candidates. But the winner of the Iowa caucuses is hardly a bellwether for the rest of the campaign. Though our last two presidents rode early victories in the the Hawkeye State to the White House, the caucuses are just as well known for celebrating wild cards: Mike Huckabee claimed victory four years ago, and televangelist Pat Robertson...
- 1/3/2012
- by Jeff Labrecque
- EW.com - PopWatch
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has chosen Kid Rock's "Born Free" as his campaign theme song. A Romney spokesman confirmed the decision to the Detroit News.
Kid Rock has been a vocal supporter of former President George W. Bush and has performed at Republican fundraisers. After Barack Obama was elected president, he said he would support him "until I have a reason not to." He added of Obama's win, "It's good the U.S. has proved it's not as racist as it's sometimes portrayed."
Kid Rock, whose real name is Robert Ritchie, grew up in Michigan, like Romney did.
"Born Free" is also the title of Kid Rock's eighth studio album released in 2010. The song peaked at number 31 on the Billboard Rock Songs chart.
Former Republican presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty, who endorsed Romney, has also taken the stage to "Born Free."
Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) received a cease-and-desist...
Kid Rock has been a vocal supporter of former President George W. Bush and has performed at Republican fundraisers. After Barack Obama was elected president, he said he would support him "until I have a reason not to." He added of Obama's win, "It's good the U.S. has proved it's not as racist as it's sometimes portrayed."
Kid Rock, whose real name is Robert Ritchie, grew up in Michigan, like Romney did.
"Born Free" is also the title of Kid Rock's eighth studio album released in 2010. The song peaked at number 31 on the Billboard Rock Songs chart.
Former Republican presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty, who endorsed Romney, has also taken the stage to "Born Free."
Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) received a cease-and-desist...
- 12/7/2011
- by The Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
The host at the core of MSNBC's primetime lineup, the head of Newsweek and the President of the United States are all among the "Least Influential People Alive," at least according to GQ, set to dole out the full list of dubious distinctions next month. The ego-crushing list also includes some random no-brainers like Tim Pawlenty and Tia and Tamara Mowry, but also seems to consider President Obama among those least relevant.
- 11/27/2011
- by Frances Martel
- Mediaite - TV
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Once considered a more base-palatable alternative to Mitt Romney for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty was forced to drop out of the race early after a slide that began with his refusal to confront Romney at a debate over "Obamneycare." According to Howard Kurtz, Pawlenty went looking for work at Fox News shortly thereafter, but was given a resounding "Fox no!" for his troubles.
- 9/27/2011
- by Tommy Christopher
- Mediaite - TV
Rick Perry, Texas governor, aggressive frontrunner in the 2012 Republican race, came across as surprisingly tame during this latest round of presidential debates-- this despite near-simultaneously releasing a blockbuster movie ad that makes Perry look more like action star than presidential material. On last night's Rachel Maddow gave a full review of his debate performance, noting that the newfound timidity isn't all that surprisingly when one realizes that the ad was created by the same man responsible for a similar endeavor by the otherwise mild-mannered Tim Pawlenty.
- 9/24/2011
- by Frances Martel
- Mediaite - TV
In a Fox and Friends Exclusive, former Gop hopeful Tim Pawlenty (R-Mn) has officially endorsed Mitt Romney's presidential bid, which could be the clearest case of subtraction by addition since the first time someone put Miracle Whip on a sandwich. To the extent that anyone noticed Pawlenty's campaign, it was for his attack on Romney over health care, and his spectacular failure to say it to Romney's face at a debate in June.
- 9/12/2011
- by Tommy Christopher
- Mediaite - TV
Shortly after coming in third place in the Iowa straw poll last month, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty bowed out of the Gop primary. Last night he appeared on The Colbert Report and explained that serious policy approach to a struggling economy and record lacked the "entertainment component" that voters were looking for in a candidate. When asked by Stephen Colbert if he considered learning to juggle, Pawlenty shot back "I thought about shooting sparks up my butt."...
- 9/7/2011
- by Colby Hall
- Mediaite - TV
Last weekend, some of the biggest and best bands from all over the world parked their fluid-stained buses in the fluid-stained bus capital of the world, San Francisco, for the Outside Lands Music Festival. Outside Lands is a 3-Day outdoor festival in San Fran’s beautiful Golden Gate Park, a park whose streams would soon run amber with the urine of drunk a-holes. Now my own experience with music festivals was not necessarily great. Back in 2001, while I was studying abroad in Budapest, I made the “adult” decision to travel to Nuremberg, Germany (“Home of the Trials!”) for MTV’s Rock-Im-Park festival, mainly because Radiohead was going to be playing, with a side of Dave Coulier’s ex-gf Alanis. My friends and I bought sleeping bags but decided against getting a tent, because it was June in Germany and I was Tim Pawlenty sure it would be warm enough! Meanwhile...
- 8/19/2011
- by Michelle Collins
- BestWeekEver
According to The Huffington Post, former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty will not run for a 2012 Senate seat. Pawlenty destroyed Republican hope (including Republican chair Tony Sutton’s hopes) of his running for Senate Wednesday when he declared he wouldn’t be going against freshman Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar. Pawlenty emailed The Associated Press, writing, “I don’t know what I’ll be doing next…However, I will not be running against Amy in 2012.” For Republicans to get their hopes up about Pawlenty running for the Senate is interesting, since, according to the article, he never held any interest in running against Klobuchar in the first place. According to the article, Pawlenty told the...
- 8/18/2011
- by monique
- ShockYa
The Republican presidential candidates' debate is the gift that keeps on giving for Fox News. The debate, which aired last Thursday and featured spats between Minnesotans Michelle Bachmann and Tim Pawlenty, propelled the network to its third-best week of the year...in the middle of August. It also elevated Fnc to second place in prime time amongst all of cable for the week. The last time Fnc had ratings that good was when the massive earthquake struck Japan earlier this year. While the debate is not solely responsible, it did rank as one of...
- 8/17/2011
- by Lucas Shaw
- The Wrap
On MSNBC's Morning Joe, former Bush communications director Nicole Wallace described the arrival of Gov. Rick Perry in the Republican presidential field as "that tall, ice cold glass of water" that Republicans were "crawling through the sand ready to reach for." Wallace says for Republicans, it's been refreshing to see Perry out at campaign events "answering all the questions," comparing his performance to that of Tim Pawlenty, who Wallace said drove some in the Gop to frustration. "You just wanted to shake him and say, 'you're in third place, just answer the questions.'"...
- 8/16/2011
- by Mark Joyella
- Mediaite - TV
On Sunday morning, Jon Stewart woke up to a cornucopia of material to write into Monday's program: Tim Pawlenty's sad campaign goodbye, Rep. Michele Bachmann's straw poll victory, Rick Perry's vasectomy entry into the race. He somehow covered all his bases and then some tonight: finding plenty of time for the one thing the media didn't cover: the fact that Rep. Ron Paul has emerged as a top-tier candidate in 2012.
- 8/16/2011
- by Frances Martel
- Mediaite - TV
The first casualty of the 2012 presidential race is Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, according to CNN. Pawlenty quit his run last Sunday after what CNN called a “disappointing” finish in the Ames Straw Poll, although he came in a distant third. Pawlenty was hoping the straw poll would help boost his chances in the race and lift his campaign up, he told to ABC’s “This Week.” However, the opposite happened for the campaign. “The pathway for me doesn’t really exist and so we’re going to end the campaign,” he said. However he ended the campaign Sunday, he gave his supporters hope after the results Saturday, tweeting, “Congrats to Rep....
- 8/16/2011
- by monique
- ShockYa
NBC's Chuck Todd told the crew on Morning Joe this morning the Republican presidential field may be--in the opinion of the conventional wisdom--down to a "top tier" of Mitt Romney, Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry, but Todd says a key question today is whether there's "an opening" for "one more in the field." Todd says now former candidate Tim Pawlenty was considered a voice of the establishment, or "the Chamber of Commerce candidate, if you will." For some big money donors, the choices of Perry, Bachmann and Romney may not be satisfying, leading to a call for one more big name--a Chris Christi, for instance.
- 8/15/2011
- by Mark Joyella
- Mediaite - TV
At the Indiana State Fair, minutes prior to a Sugarland performance, the stage rigging collapsed in a wind gust, killing at least five people and injuring dozens. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those lost.
Breaking Bad is renewed for a final season of 16 episodes on A&E. It's likely that will bring it to a close in 2013, which should give me time to catch up from the beginning before the end.
Rep. Michele Bachmann again dodged questions about gay rights, denied previous audio footage and claimed she doesn't judge. She's terrifyingly impossible to knock off message. She doesn’t' answer the question that's asked, just what her talking points are. And I'm afraid most of the country doesn't notice.
Slightly more entertaining is this satiric piece about Governor Rick Perry who may be the true threat.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes managed to hold...
Breaking Bad is renewed for a final season of 16 episodes on A&E. It's likely that will bring it to a close in 2013, which should give me time to catch up from the beginning before the end.
Rep. Michele Bachmann again dodged questions about gay rights, denied previous audio footage and claimed she doesn't judge. She's terrifyingly impossible to knock off message. She doesn’t' answer the question that's asked, just what her talking points are. And I'm afraid most of the country doesn't notice.
Slightly more entertaining is this satiric piece about Governor Rick Perry who may be the true threat.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes managed to hold...
- 8/15/2011
- by Ed Kennedy
- The Backlot
With all the Michele Bachmann news happening today and Tim Pawlenty suddenly dropping out of the race, let us not forget the sudden entrance of Rick Perry into the Republican presidential field. The Texas governor has breathed new life into the campaign, and could potentially shake up what has been described as a relatively lackluster assortment of candidates. But on Face the Nation today, DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz simultaneously bashed Perry for taking credit for job creation in Texas while defending President Obama's record on job creation and the economy during his term of office so far.
- 8/14/2011
- by Josh Feldman
- Mediaite - TV
After getting the big scoop on Tim Pawlenty's departure from the Republican race, ABC's Jake Tapper turned the focus to fellow Minnesotan Michele Bachmann, and asked if she would be "unelectable" at the national level. Given that Pawlenty and John McCain did better in Bachmann's congressional district than the congresswoman herself, Tapper wondered if the Republican establishment was right to worry that if she won the party nomination, Bachmann would not be able to win a general election against Barack Obama.
- 8/14/2011
- by Josh Feldman
- Mediaite - TV
Following last night's heated Republican debate, Gop presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann chatted with Fox News' Sean Hannity, taking some time to directly address campaign rival Tim Pawlenty's claim that she reminds him of President Barack Obama (if you're just joining us after a lengthy sojourn on another planet: this was neither meant nor taken as a compliment), as well as his attacks on her record of accomplishments.
- 8/12/2011
- by Alex Alvarez
- Mediaite - TV
The debate began with the two most similar candidates-- Minnesotans Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Rep. Michele Bachmann-- pulling no punches in disparaging each other's records. It wouldn't take long for the two most different candidates to have at it, and the foreign policy conversation between. Rep. Ron Paul and Rick Santorum delivered just as much as the experience one among the Minnesotans.
- 8/12/2011
- by Frances Martel
- Mediaite - TV
Perhaps the most heated exchanges of tonight's Fox News debate happened 20 minutes into the show, and, shockingly enough, it involved some sharp barbs from typically placid Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty. Moderator Chris Wallace, perhaps noting that Iowa was Pawlenty's to lose to Rep. Michele Bachmann, turned the two against each other, resulting in an exchange where Rep. Bachmann called Pawlenty "a lot like President Obama," only to have her "record of distorting facts and misstatements" thrown back at her.
- 8/12/2011
- by Frances Martel
- Mediaite - TV
Will Sarah Palin put caloric caution on the backburner to take a bite of fried butter? You betcha! Hitting the road Friday to resume her One Nation bus tour, America's best-known hockey mom will be stopping at the Iowa State Fair, where she says she's going to chow down on some not-so-nutritious grub. What's on the menu? "I'm excited to try some of that famous fried butter-on-a-stick, fried cheesecake-on-a-stick, fried Twinkies, etc.," Palin, 47, wrote in an email to her supporters." But Palin's fair plans come with a side of sass. The former Republican vice presidential candidate says the fried food...
- 8/11/2011
- by Alison Schwartz and Sandra Sobieraj Westfall
- PEOPLE.com
President Obama's social media team unleashed a torrent of tweets today, specifically calling out Republicans opposing his debt ceiling plan.
President Obama's social media team unleashed a hailstorm of tweets today, galvanizing his followers to support a bipartisan debt ceiling compromise. The Presidential tweets were also aimed directly at his opponents, mostly Republicans, on Twitter. [At the time of publication, @BarackObama was still putting forth updates.]
The President's previous call to action over debt issues via social media crashed the congressional website, according to widespread reports. That initiative was aimed more generally at U.S. citizens.
Today's effort garnered a similarly impressive response. CBS News reported: "The Capital call center alerted House offices Friday that the high level of incoming calls [following the Twitter campaign] put the House phone circuits near capacity."
The Presidential tweets today shined a spotlight on Republicans' Twitter accounts, which could lead them to gain more social media followers ironically.
Even though Obama's social media following includes over 9 million...
President Obama's social media team unleashed a hailstorm of tweets today, galvanizing his followers to support a bipartisan debt ceiling compromise. The Presidential tweets were also aimed directly at his opponents, mostly Republicans, on Twitter. [At the time of publication, @BarackObama was still putting forth updates.]
The President's previous call to action over debt issues via social media crashed the congressional website, according to widespread reports. That initiative was aimed more generally at U.S. citizens.
Today's effort garnered a similarly impressive response. CBS News reported: "The Capital call center alerted House offices Friday that the high level of incoming calls [following the Twitter campaign] put the House phone circuits near capacity."
The Presidential tweets today shined a spotlight on Republicans' Twitter accounts, which could lead them to gain more social media followers ironically.
Even though Obama's social media following includes over 9 million...
- 8/1/2011
- by Gregory Ferenstein
- Fast Company
Leading Republican Donald Trump called into our generation’s Algonquin Round Table, Fox and Friends, to draw on his business savvy and suggest a corrective to this morning’s market turbulence make fun of Tim Pawlenty. The erstwhile insincere 2012 presidential candidate cited Pawlenty’s rudderless performance in the June 13 Republican debate as evidence that the former Minnesota governor is not a “tough guy.” The self-described billionaire told television’s Bloomsbury Group: “He’s trying to be a tough guy, but he’s not. You know, you can’t be something that you’re not.” There’s only so much Pawlenty can take! In other top political news, a Florida judge ruled that Trump owes some combative golfer $200,000 for expelling him from one of his clubs.
- 7/25/2011
- Vanity Fair
The big news in the Michele Bachmann and Tim Pawlenty campaign offices this morning is a tepid, low-stakes public battle between Michele Bachmann and Tim Pawlenty. The Hill reports on this Midwestern melee: “Pawlenty, realizing he needs a strong showing in the Ames Straw Poll in Iowa early next month, has gone on the attack against Bachmann in recent weeks, calling her record ‘nonexistent’ and saying he thought her migraines were a legitimate issue for discussion on the campaign trail.” The migraines taunt refers to a lazily reported Daily Caller piece in which Jonathan Armstrong revealed that Congresswoman Bachmann takes medicine for headaches. Pawlenty has already distanced himself from Excedrin™-gate, telling Fox News last week, “I’ve observed Congresswoman Bachmann. I’ve never seen her have a medical condition or impairment that would seem to be a concern.” You could set an unfashionable, threadbare watch to the Pawlenty campaign...
- 7/25/2011
- Vanity Fair
In a statement so rich, Republicans are refusing to tax it, Gop presidential can'tidate Tim Pawlenty (R-The Drain) rhetorically asked CNN's Candy Crowley of President Obama, "Is he chicken?" This is the same Tim Pawlenty (R-kfc), you may recall, who refused to repeat his criticism of rival Mitt Romney during a Gop presidential debate in June. Pawlenty also asked, "If you're the leader of the free world, would you please come to the microphone, and quit hiding in the basement?"...
- 7/24/2011
- by Tommy Christopher
- Mediaite - TV
Tim Pawlenty as 2011 has come to know him is a pretty even-tempered guy: that is to say, about as milquetoast as they come. But he has shown a sense of humor, drawling out Tiger Woods jokes and enthusiastically (well, enthusiastically for Tim Pawlenty) gushing about Lady Gaga's oeuvre. Perhaps the national spotlight has kept his sense of humor in check, or the heightened sensory ability of the 24/7, Twitter-driven news cycle to catch off-color jokes has warded him off them, because he was delivering punchline after awkward punchline to Hannity & Colmes in 2008.
- 7/22/2011
- by Frances Martel
- Mediaite - TV
Getty The once-obscure Volkswagen Routan ninivan is a top pick among Generation X car shoppers, a survey says.
Are Minivans the preferred rides for Generation X? When do you let your kids navigate city or suburban streets on their own? And could China’s new cultural ambassador be a pleasant goat? A look at some of the most interesting stories on the Wall Street Journal blogs.
Minivans: The Preferred Rides For Generation X?: If you have noticed a lot...
Are Minivans the preferred rides for Generation X? When do you let your kids navigate city or suburban streets on their own? And could China’s new cultural ambassador be a pleasant goat? A look at some of the most interesting stories on the Wall Street Journal blogs.
Minivans: The Preferred Rides For Generation X?: If you have noticed a lot...
- 7/14/2011
- by Christopher John Farley
- Speakeasy/Wall Street Journal
Republican presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty is eager to add some excitement back to his campaign, and this morning on Meet the Press he may have found just the ticket: going on the attack. In Pawlenty's crosshairs was fellow presidential candidate Michele Bachmann who Pawlenty dismissed as having no successes in Congress that would make her more worthy than him of being elected President.
- 7/10/2011
- by Matt Schneider
- Mediaite - TV
You know how awkward it is when your parents pretend to be into the latest pop-music superstars in an attempt to be cool and culturally relevant? Well, that awkwardness would be amplified exponentially if your dad was presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty. As demonstrated in the above interview with a gaggle of gossipy, celeb-obsessed gals, T-Paw (yes, he really goes by that) does his best "cool Republican" impersonation as he confesses to loving Lady Gaga. He even admits to watching her HBO concert special and really digs "Born This Way" — you know that song about the gays. According to Pawlenty: I got to say, even though she's a little unusual, "Born this Way" has got some appeal. She's actually very talented. If you go to the end of the HBO special — the Lady Gaga HBO special — and you watch her sing a [...]...
- 7/8/2011
- Nerve
In December 2008, cable news' premier debate couple, Sean Hannity and Alan Colmes, split up, one to host his own program and the other to contribute to the debates of many on Fox News. At the time, it was unclear to what extent Colmes would remain with Fox News or what a program without Colmes to balance out Hannity's conservatism would look like. When discussing the run of Hannity & Colmes, many tend to look back at the heartfelt goodbyes (featuring a fairly nationally unknown Tim Pawlenty!) Colmes' fans gave him, but seem to overlook the fun Colmes had with the departure in the immediate aftermath.
- 7/7/2011
- by Frances Martel
- Mediaite - TV
Michele Bachmann.A-ha! Tedious wimp Tim Pawlenty may have found a way to influence the news cycle just yet! Vin Weber, the incongruously named co-chairman of the former Minnesota governor’s presidential campaign, gave an interview to The Hill in which he laid bare (that’s a pun, you’ll see in a second) why Michele Bachmann will pose a formidable challenge to Pawlenty’s chances in the February 2012 Iowa G.O.P. caucuses. In addition to the fact that absolutely everything poses a formidable challenge to Pawlenty’s chances in any caucus, Bachmann in particular has “hometown appeal, she’s got ideological appeal, and, I hate to say it, but she’s got a little sex appeal too,” Weber said, presumably in such a way that didn’t really indicate he hated saying anything of the sort.
- 7/7/2011
- Vanity Fair
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