Chris Wallace skewered Tim Pawlenty today. Pawlenty has a “Better Deal” plan to grow GDP by 5% per year for ten years. Oh wait, it isn’t a plan, it’s an aspiration. Pawlenty is trying to tap into the Tea Party mood of faith in America. Set a bold goal, unleash creative forces and the sky’s the limit. That’s an admirable attitude but even if motivation was the same as leadership, Pawlenty is not a motivator.
I give Pawlenty credit for doing more than flag waving and Obama bashing. He hits the right notes in general. His proposal also includes deep cuts in tax rates and slashing government spending. Then he goes over into fantasy land saying he’ll ask for temporary executive power to freeze government spending at current levels and impound 5% of federal spending until the budget is balanced.
Aspiration is a notch better than hope because aspiration sets a goal. It isn’t a basis for a presidency if the goal is unrealistic. We saw 7% growth for two years under Reagan and an average GDP growth of 4.9% from 1983-1987. We have never had 5% growth for a decade. It was a big mistake to hire a president on the basis of hope and it will be a mistake to hire one on the basis of aspiration. We need to get serious.
Text of Pawlenty’s Speech on His Economic Plan
The United States is still home to the most dynamic and entrepreneurial people in the world. They’re all around us. Ready to innovate, invest, compete and create new businesses and jobs. That will mean opportunities for everyone.
They’ve been discouraged and weighed down. By President Obama’s big government. And heavy handed regulations. They deserve a better deal. I’ll give them one. And here it is.
Let’s start with a big, positive goal. Let’s grow the economy by 5%, instead of the anemic 2% currently envisioned. Such a national economic growth target will set our sights on a positive future. And inspire the actions needed to reach it. By the way, 5% growth is not some pie-in-the-sky number. We’ve done it before. And with the right policies, we can do it again.
But we can’t trust Congress to do it. We cannot allow the situation to risk being unresolved. And take down America’s potential for growth and prosperity.
So — I propose that Congress grant the President the temporary and emergency authority. To freeze spending at current levels. And impound up to 5% of Federal spending. Until such time as the budget is balanced. If they won’t do it — I will.
Why limit an aspiration to 5%? Maybe 5% sounds like a promising number to Pawlenty because that’s about where he lands in the polls.
Well said. I agree completely. We don’t need the Republican version of “pie in the sky”
But Tammy, listening him makes my eyes glaze over and I’m always wanting to yawn.
but Tammy and Pat S… sorry..
Pawlenty reminds me of a 2 yr old boy trying to walk in his father’s combat boots while throwing pebbles at Obama.
Sarah Palin stands ten feet tall, dances circles around the GOP field in her red leather Naughty Monkey combat boots while firing bazookas at Obama and never misses a beat……just sayin.
Another Day at the Races and It’s Post Time!
T-PAW sayin’ “stretch goal”? The instant I heard that, I hear all my previous managers at my yearly evaluations:
“Well Dennis, here’s what you’ll get for meeting these goals and here’s your ‘stretch goal’ if you meet that, it’s another 1% merit raise…” Thanks for the crap flashback, T-PAW, dweeb.
RINO technocrat from a state with a schizophrenic political culture: Ventura, Franken, Wellstone, Humphrey, et al.
Then he says: hogwash?…well, it could have been worse, he could have said: balderdash, hokum, hooey, horsefeathers, poppycock, or twaddle.
“So — I propose that Congress grant the President the temporary and emergency authority. To freeze spending at current levels. And impound up to 5% of Federal spending. Until such time as the budget is balanced. If they won’t do it — I will.” LMAO! Congress? They can’t tie their shoes. And btw, there’s a small thing called…Separation of Powers.
Mr. T-PAW, have you ever considered people just don’t like your looks?
ciao’
posted 6/12 505pm Texas Time.
He never froze spending here that is why we are 6 billion in the hole. He drove out or forced to close hundreds of businesses, with spending, taxes and smoking ban. He signed a bill 25% of energy by 2025 has to be alternative sources, driving our energy costs up and could cause the loss of 11,000 jobs. He is McLame and Romneycare rolled into one. There is way more things he screwed up but this is enough for now.
OK, so we know now the T-Paw has dreams and aspirations for this Nations recovery. It sounds like he doesn’t believe these goals are achievible. What then will he do if his dreams fall short. It’s refreshing to see he thinks he has a plan, but I feel the American people are looking for more. Jobs for starters may excite people, I heard nothing about jobs and the cost of energy. These all tie together. Come on T-Paw, lets here a realistic plan. Obama has nothing more then the same as we’re getting now. We the People want to here a realistic achievible goal.
T-Paw is trying too hard to be heard and no one is listening still. He thinks if he puts specifics forward people will be all excited about any of this. However, none of his proposals can distract from the fact that he is uninspiring and that no one can visualize him standing on the podium against Obama.
T-Paw did not come off well at all. chris a tough commenter. palin came off so impressive last week that chris and panel were all impressed. watch out gop for paling getting in. on a lighter side she was cute saying stepping on anyone’s TOES in her Alaskan accent. i have always liked her and she is more presidential then anyone out there.
I do appreciate the use of the word “emergency”. This is an emergency, and should be treated as such. Because until the situation is regarded with that gravity, it will stay in the category of important-but-not-quite-as-important-as-funding-a-cowboy-poetry-festival-etc.
Of all the candidates who have declared, Tim Pawlenty is my candidate. Yes, he has some thing to answer for, and he SHOULD! He NEEDS to!!! I hope in tonight’s debate they put him on the spot the way they would Sarah Palin. Currently, it is all about the economy. Right now, we aren’t taking in enough tax dollars to pay for entitlements: Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and Welfare. And the baby boomers are about to retire, and instead of paying into the system, they are going to start drawing out. That is a HUGE swell in the population! The future existence of our country is at stake!
It is an economic fact that no matter what the tax rate post WW2, from 91% to 28%, government never takes in very far from 18% of GDP. Tim Pawlenty’s economic plan, which includes two tax brackets, 10% and 25%, with the corporate tax rate of 15%, will create a boom unlike this country has ever seen. 5% would be seen as an economic SLOWDOWN!!! Right now, America has a corporate tax rate that is the highest in the world (or second, I don’t know if Japan has lowered theirs). And it is an economic fact that money will always go where it is treated the best. Google takes losses in the US, and pays NO US taxes. It takes its profits in the Netherlands, Ireland, and the UAE and pays the lower tax rate. Lowering corporate taxes will put “Joe’s fish, chips, and insurance” on the same footing as multinational companies, who will start paying their taxes here.
Now I know that Sarah Palin is the favorite in the TAM camp, but she needs to throw her hat in the ring. Until I see a plan from her that is better than Pawlenty, my support will be behind Pawlenty. I believe he can beat Obama. So far, he is the best we have.
As far as the criticism of him, BRING IT ON!!! Iron sharpens iron, to paraphrase what Tammy said today, it can only make him a better candidate.
Of course, living in Pennsylvania, the candidate is pretty much chosen by the time they get here.
-Doctor Jim