Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Pawlenty on cap-and-trade

Yesterday we discussed the power and danger of new media tools for presidential candidates, specifically former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty. Today there's a story out that Pawlenty is continuing to apologize for his past stand on the issue of capping carbon emissions. I guess he realizes he's got some work to do. The most interesting part of this, to my mind, is who he's speaking to - Laura Ingraham, conservative radio talk show host. Here's a bit of "old media".

4 comments:

  1. So he's changed his mind on the issue. He hasn't covered it up, he's been honest about it. He says he made a mistake, as did many other GOP candidates. I have no problem with Pawlenty in regards to this matter. I actually like the fact that he's owning up to it and not making excuses of any sort to weasel his way out of it.

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  2. To add to what Joey noted, I believe Professor Adler even mentioned in class that taking back a comment by acknowledging your wrong is a classy and respectable thing to do. It's precisely what Reagan did. Additionally, how much to we take into account that he is the governor of Minnesota and has to conform a bit to maintain his popularity?

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  3. I understand that sometimes, admission that you made contradictory statements in the past makes everything okay, but when does it work and when does it not? What did Kerry do wrong that made him a "flip flopper" while Regan and others are cleared of their troubles by simple admission of wrong doing?

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  4. In response to David, I think the answer is the classic "Can I sit down and have a beer with this guy". And I think that media has a big role in this. The media is the one to plant the image of the person in the public's mind. The republicans did a great job of making Kerry look like a slimy untrustworthy guy and Reagan as a good guy. Remember the ad of Kerry windsurfing? he goes this way...and he goes that way...it was great and effective.

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