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“People want to follow leaders, and they want to have leadership for the country, that is hopeful and positive and optimistic,” he said at a speech to the National Press Club. “And the tone and tempo and nature of the Republican Party has to make sure we understand that and reflect that and we own it in a genuine way.”
Earlier, in an appearance before GOPAC, which helps recruit Republican candidates, he even showed some grudging admiration for McCain’s Democratic rival, Barack Obama.
“Say what you will about Barack Obama,” Pawlenty said, “...people gravitate when you have something positive to say.” He added that McCain has been positive as well.
Pawlenty talked about remaking the party to attract what he calls “Sam’s Club Republicans” — modern-day Reagan Democrats — by updating its message to appeal to voters who want new ideas and government results. He said the party needs to learn lessons from the optimistic Reagan, while acknowledging he’s an ancient figure for young voters.
“If you’re under 40, that was a long time ago, man,” said Pawlenty, 47.
The GOP, he added, needs to battle the perception that “those Republicans — they’re not for the working person. Not for the working person. Really? How is it that stereotype is overcome?”
Pawlenty called for policies such as better training and performance pay for teachers, online college education opportunities, and reworking health insurance to reward providers that show good results and save money.
At the Press Club luncheon, where tables had chocolate cakes adorned with red, white and blue elephants, Pawlenty said that the GOP’s “been a little bit in the doldrums” since the party’s Contract with America in the mid-1990s.
Without naming President Bush, he said that “compassionate conservatism,” which Bush championed, “has to also be more than just a label. It actually has to work.”
“The idea factory for the Republican Party has been a little less robust, a little less dynamic than it should have been,” Pawlenty said, “and I think that’s about to change.”
Pawlenty, a national co-chairman of McCain’s campaign, also argued that McCain’s “legendary” life experiences help make him the superior candidate.
“They are a life story — not a life oratory — but a life story,” he said. “A record of courage, valor, patriotism, service, country first, and you know what I’m talking about. That stands in contrast to Senator Obama, and I mean no disrespect, but it is simply a matter of fact that less than four years ago, he was a state legislator.”
He added that’s “it’s not even a close call” as to who should be “leader of the free world, commander in chief.”
Nick Kimball, Obama’s Minnesota campaign spokesman, responded, “It’s a sad day for Minnesota when our governor becomes the number one attack dog for a candidate like John McCain who has consistently favored profits for the oil companies over real energy relief for American families.”
The chairman of GOPAC, Michael Steele, called Pawlenty “the new face of the Republican Party.” In an interview, Steele said he hasn’t settled on who he thinks should be McCain’s running mate, but added that Pawlenty “brings some skills to the table that could be very helpful to a McCain administration.”
In keeping with his past public comments, Pawlenty shied away from talking about joining McCain on the ticket. But he did weigh in on a Paris Hilton video made in response to a McCain ad comparing Obama to Hilton and Britney Spears.
In the video, Hilton says, “Hey America, I’m Paris Hilton and I’m a celebrity, too. Only I’m not from the olden days and I’m not promising change like that other guy. I’m just hot.”
“I have to give Miss Hilton credit,” Pawlenty said at the GOPAC speech. “She came back with a pretty funny response that will probably elevate her celebrity status.”
Asked at the Press Club event what he thought were the most important qualities in a vice presidential candidate, he deadpanned, “discretion.”
