With an overnight change of heart, Tim Pawlenty becomes the first to leave GOP presidential race

MinnPost ^ | August 14, 2011 | Doug Grow

[2ndDivisionVet]

Anyone who thinks Gov. Palin, Reps Paul and Bachmann are in the same "wing" of the Republican Party should go back to flipping hamburgers and let someone else write news articles.

[hellbender]

The remaining laughable candidates, like Gingrich, Huntsman, et al., need to get out of the race. It’s going to come down to the real conservatives—Bachmann and maybe Palin—against the establishment candidates—Romney and Perry.

[definitelynotaliberal]

Maybe he was thinking of Paul Ryan. That Paul is very much in the same wing of the party as Palin and Bachmann.

[Pan_Yan]

Here’s my (frequently updated) ongoing list of who’s either in the pool or toe-dipping. Those in blue are actually running. Candidates in red are in the ”I can't get drunk enough to vote for them” category. There are actually several more candidates who are too obscure for even this list.

Michele Bachmann
Haley Barbour
John Bolton
Herman Cain
Mitch Daniels
Newt Gingrich
Rudy Giuliani
Mike Huckabee
Jon Huntsman, Jr.
Gary Johnson
Thad McCotter
Roy Moore
Sarah Palin
Ron Paul
Tim Pawlenty
George Pataki
Rick Perry
Buddy Roemer
Willard Romney
Rick Santorum
Donald Trump

[2ndDivisionVet]

Hey! Where’s Fred Karger?! LOL

[definitelynotaliberal]

You have strong feelings about Gary Johnson. People don’t even know he’s in the race!

[Pan_Yan]

Hey! Where’s Fred Karger?! LOL

I never ask where a gay is since I'm afraid of the answer.

[tennmountainman]

Gingrich is only in to get his “Brand” free PR. Speaking fees, Book sales, Video sales. Why else would he stay in? Folks here say he has good ideas. He does not have to be in the race to “Share” his ideas.

[Pan_Yan]

You have strong feelings about Gary Johnson. People don’t even know he’s in the race!

I saw him in the debates, before they stopped inviting him. He's the guy that makes everyone uncomfortable at company parties.

[Sola Veritas]

“Anyone who thinks Gov. Palin, Reps Paul and Bachmann are in the same “wing” of the Republican Party should go back to flipping hamburgers and let someone else write news articles.”

I’m with you soldier. That one statement leaped out at me. I can see somewhat of linkage between Palin and Bachmann because they are Conservative Republicans that buck the “establishment” of the party...but Paul is a Libertarian not a Republican.

Whatever, I am pleased that Pawlenty is out of the race. In the last debate he ticked me off in his attacks on Bachmann....he went overboard. Of course, I will say that FOX entirely screwed up that debate. It was the WORST run one I have ever endured. Newt was right in calling the questions “Gothas”.

[MNJohnnie]

Grow is a huge Dembot. He is about as credible a political analysis as Howie Dean

[so_real]

It’s going to come down to the real conservatives—Bachmann and maybe Palin—against the establishment candidates—Romney and Perry.

EXACTLY what I see happening. Perry is a little right of Romney, and Palin is a little left of Bachmann. But the line is drawn firmly between those two groups. Though I still expect (hope?) Herman Cain continues to shake things up and provide a non-political point of view to the picture. What do you want FRiends ... a real conservative or another McCain / Bush / Dole / etc etc etc?

[MNJohnnie]

Grow is a huge Dembot. Anything published by him should be considered in that light

[Terrence DoGood]

good riddance

[ex-snook]

It’s going to come down to the real conservatives—Bachmann and maybe Palin—against the establishment candidates—Romney and Perry.

---

It will be a battle of governors - half governors are maybe veeps.

[MNJohnnie]

Cain is the only candidate in the race with serious ideas on how to renew America. The other candidates would be wise to learn from him. Just being able to fire up the faithful isn’t enough to win.

[DLfromthedesert]

Maybe Gary Bauer will jump in!!

[political1]

You have Herman Cain in the Blue. I find that interesting because there are only four blue. His campaign must be doing something right. Even though he came in fifth in Iowa people are still keeping an eye on him. I guess since Pawlenty dropped out that moves him up in the pack.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Long time leftie Doug Grow is not to be believed.

[Bigg Red]

I am glad that Pawlenty dropped out, but I must say that I think this whole Iowa caucus thing is just stupid. Why should a handful of people in that state be allowed to begin the winnowing?