Opinion - Pawlenty’s NGA role is a plus for the state

DL-online, out of Detroit Lakes has a very good pieces on why Governor Pawlenty's new role as NGA Chairman is a good thing for all Minnesotans (click here for entire article).

Gov. Tim Pawlenty has been accused all year of pursuing a spot in the national limelight. Today, he gets one. At its annual meeting in Traverse City, Mich., Pawlenty will be elected chair of the National Governors Association.

His attainment of this national perch is something Minnesotans of every political persuasion can applaud. The NGA is an influential, bipartisan promoter of state governments that better serve their citizens, and of a federal government that better responds to state needs. Its focus is on wise policy, not politics. (excerpted from article, emphasis mine)

Some of these points are often lost in a hyper-partisan environment we are currently in, which may sound odd coming from a hyper-partisan.

But it is refreshing to see papers like this and others focusing on the good Governor Pawlenty has and will do, and the positive influence he can have here and across the country with this new position.

So remember this as Left-wing bloggers and opposition hacks criticize "ambition." And, of course, take their comments with a few grains of salt.

Pioneer editorial: Pawlenty’s pick a wise one for him

Today, the Bemidji Pioneer praised Governor Pawlenty for choosing energy security as a priority issue during his tenure as chairman of the NRG.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty played into his strong suit when he declared “Securing a Clean Energy Future” as the theme of his upcoming year as chairman of the National Governors’ Association.

The Republican governor took over the reins of the organization on Monday, and proclaimed energy as his year’s project for the NGA, partially to “showcase” Minnesota’s energy initiatives, which Pawlenty says puts the state ahead of the rest of the nation. (Excerpt from Pioneer article)

Governor Pawlenty continues to receive accolades for his leadership and vision.

(Click Here for Entire Article)

Pawlenty revs up his peers on energy

As we have discussed almost ad naseum, Governor Pawlenty has now taken the reigns as the Chairman of the National Governor's Association.

From a right-wing conservative's perspective (mine), it couldn't have gone better. From the perspective of fellow Governors (right and left), well. . . they agree with me/us on this one.

Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, head of the Republican Governors Association, said that Pawlenty "exudes trust, and that's the most valuable commodity you can have in this business." When Pawlenty talks, he said, "I stop and listen." (excerpt from Trib Story)

"Gov. Pawlenty is one of the most thoughtful, introspective of all our governors," said Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, the group's new vice chairman. "Among all our governors, no one looks to the future more than Tim Pawlenty." (excerpt from Trib Story)

And let none of us forget that Governor Pawlenty started his tenure pushing for the "Americanization" of energy.

Some will say this is a push to avert global climate change, and you know what, if we are all conscientious of that, we are all the better.

But Governor Pawlenty showed just one of the reasons why he is now the voice and face of the GOP and the Conservative movement when he talked about energy security and how it is truly a national security issue in a post 9/11 world.

TRAVERSE CITY, MICH. - With the nation's governors assembled before him, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said on Monday that the United States can no longer rely on "unstable and unfriendly" foreign sources for its growing energy needs and called for an "Americanization" of energy.

By 2030, Pawlenty said, the United States also will be responsible for producing 20 percent of the world's carbon emissions, outpaced only by China.

"If we continue," he said, "we will risk the nation's security posture, its prosperity and quality of life."

Although he has pushed an alternative energy strategy at home in Minnesota for several years, Pawlenty, in his national rollout, broadened his focus to "cleaner energy," to include coal and petroleum producing states.

"We want to recognize traditional energy states that have concerns," Pawlenty said, nodding across the room to Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer and Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter. Cleaner, more efficient ways to burn fossil fuels, such as coal gasification, he said, should be part of the nation's energy arsenal right along with ethanol, wind, biodiesel and others. (Excerpt from Trib article)

And lest we all forget what a truly class-act this Conservative leader is.

"He's a bridge-builder, and, at his core, a decent human being," said Democratic Michigan Gov. Jennifer Gran- holm, after attending a sunrise prayer service on Sunday where Pawlenty read from the Old Testament's Isaiah. Discussion among a group as diverse as the governors "can devolve into partisan rhetoric," she said, "but he's really stayed focused more on policy than politics." (Excerpt from Trib Article, and yeah, she's Canadian).

The point here is clear.

MN has a Governor, and the GOP has a leader, who is miles ahead of the pack when looking at national and energy security issues. And while he stands out as a truly Conservative leader, the other side recognizes Governor Pawlenty as a class act, a model of ethics and a visionary leader.

Thanks Gov.

Keep fighting.

(Click here for entire story)

Pawlenty to chair National Governors Association

In today’s Pioneer Press, veteran political reporter Bill Salisbury reports on Governor Pawlenty’s upcoming appointment as chairman of the National Governor’s Association.

Being elected to chair the NGA is an impressive achievement. Moreover, it demonstrates the positive qualities Governor Pawlenty’s Republican and Democrat gubernatorial peers recognize in him as a genuine leader.

Salisbury writes:

“The (association) is one of the premier public policy organizations in the country, and I really enjoy and appreciate the chance to serve people and hopefully make a positive difference in public policy,” Pawlenty said in an interview Thursday.

As chairman, he will be the spokesman for the nation’s governors on Capitol Hill, at the White House, in business and foundation board rooms and with the Washington press corps.

The job also will give Pawlenty a national platform to promote himself. But he insisted that’s not why he’s taking the post.

“With the exception of a small group of reporters who follow this stuff, 99.9999 percent of Minnesotans and Americans don’t know or care, understandably, who the NGA chair is,” he said. “It’s not a particularly high-profile political opportunity, but it is a great public policy opportunity.”

Click here for the complete article.