Tim Pawlenty looked like a cheap knockoff of a Disney automaton in that first debate. I don’t really have anything against the guy but he’s certainly not an exciting candidate.
In 1984, I was too young to vote, but I watched the race closely. One of the most striking things about the race was how dynamic Reagan was. That geezer (all due respect) could light up a crowd and piss of the media quicker than chain lightening. The opposition, Mr. Mondale, was about as exciting as a stump. Seriously, the guy had cornered the market on bland and boring. My grandmother was a die hard Jacksonian democrat (not to be confused with the liberals) and she NEVER voted Republican. She voted for Reagan. When I asked why she said “That man has style and substance. Mondale is so wishy washy, he makes Charlie Brown look like a true leader.” That surprised me since I had no idea my granny liked the Peanuts comic and cartoons. But it shocked me that she liked Reagan.
I’m afraid that Pawlenty makes a mailbox seem exciting by comparison and Obama has the wow factor that (God forgive me for this) Reagan had, even if he does not have the substance.