Pawlenty Visits Fallen Soldiers. (Cottage Grove: income, cost, move)

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

In the past week, we unfortunately we had a lot of fallen MN soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.

See In Iraq, Pawlenty meets with fallen soldiers' colleagues | South Washington County Bulletin | Cottage Grove, Minnesota

I know the article mentioned that Pawlenty had this trip planned for months. My question is, why are governors traveling to Iraq and Afghanistan??? I think Pawlenty was in Iraq in 2007. Generally speaking, only a few governors have traveled there.

I was wondering if his motivation was preplanned (months ago) with his probable bid for the white house.

Your thoughts???

[Clifford63]

Fair question for sure because it cost a lot of money for these trips. It is very possible this could be intended to grab headlines and further pave the road for a run at the republican nomination. Very difficult to prove that this would be the sole or primary intent though.

At a broader level, it seem like politicians understand the need to support our troops a lot better than they did in a different war that was unpopular. My impression is americans that hate the current war can do this without hating the soldier, which is a good thing. For that reason, I cut some slack on these type of trips.

[Cruz Azul Guy]

I think it would be a lie to say that the majority of publicized actions taken by major politicians aren't politically motivated at least to some extent. This should be even more true for people like Pawlenty who is desperately trying to make people aware of him on the national spectrum as he prepares for a GOP presidential nominee bid. I can guarantee you that he won't make a single decision as state governor without first asking himself how the national public will react to his decision. Frankly, I'm still ticked off by the medical Marijuana veto but what would the conservative southern states think of him if he didn't? My point exactly.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by Clifford63

Fair question for sure because it cost a lot of money for these trips. It is very possible this could be intended to grab headlines and further pave the road for a run at the republican nomination. Very difficult to prove that this would be the sole or primary intent though.

At a broader level, it seem like politicians understand the need to support our troops a lot better than they did in a different war that was unpopular. My impression is americans that hate the current war can do this without hating the soldier, which is a good thing. For that reason, I cut some slack on these type of trips.

I agree with your point of view on this one (politicians want to support our troops). When I googled "governor trip to Iraq" (as well as other permutations) I only saw IL, MO and a couple of other governors that visited Iraq. The IL Gov took a lot of heat for it.

I'm surprised that the papers have not questioned our Gov's motive. Potentially the fallen soldiers made it uncomfortable for them to question this seemingly obvious point. In fact, I hesitated to even mention it myself at the risk of sounding insensitive.

But as Slig pointed out, there is no doubt that every single move that Pawlenty makes will be processed and re-processed. Therefore it is obvious to me he is racking up a bill on our backs for his personal benefit. While I am a TimPaw fan, I don't appreciate him wasting our money.

[Camden Northsider]

Originally Posted by MN-Born-n-Raised

While I am a TimPaw fan, I don't appreciate him wasting our money.

As a non-TimPaw fan, agreed- haven't we spent enough on Iraq with out publicity-seeking trips paid for by the taxpayers, esp. when governors have absolutely no possible worthwhile business being overseas?

Looks like someone conveniently failed to "un-alot" overseas gubernatorial travel from the state budget (and as he jumps on a jet on a whim, the majority of low/moderate-income MNans can't afford to go to the doctor anymore- what great "family values").

[marmac]

I didn't vote for Pawlenty but applaud his trip to Iraq to visit members of the--Minnesota--National Guard and Reserve units.

This war is vastly different from Vietnam in regards to the huge number of National Guard and Reserve units deployed.

Those units he visits are headquartered in--Minnesota, departed Minnesota as a unit after a public farewell, and will return to their headquarters in Minnesota with a homecoming covered by the press.

They then will continue to train monthly in Minnesota.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by marmac

I didn't vote for Pawlenty but applaud his trip to Iraq to visit members of the--Minnesota--National Guard and Reserve units.

This war is vastly different from Vietnam in regards to the huge number of National Guard and Reserve units deployed.

Those units he visits are headquartered in--Minnesota, departed Minnesota as a unit after a public farewell, and will return to their headquarters in Minnesota with a homecoming covered by the press.

They then will continue to train monthly in Minnesota.

I hear what you are saying. But realize that it is uncommon for a governor to travel to Iraq. So then the question to ask is why did he decide to travel to Iraq??? Could his trip be political motivated to show that he has overseas experience???

In 2008, Pawlenty also went to Kosovo. Again, why (the real reason)??? He isn't the Commander and Chief.

I did a little googling...See Pawlenty on the road often in 2008 | Minnesota Public Radio NewsQ

It seems he has been out of the state a lot. 1 out of every three days since January of 2008. Hummm..... I wonder why??????? 1+1==2.

[marmac]

----" He isn't the Commander in Chief"-----

I'm not sure, but I would guess he --is--the Commander in Chief of the Minnesota National Guard as he has the authority to call them up for state emergencies.

I realize once they are deployed by the Federal Govt, the Guard is under a different command.

Why I am not knocking Pawlenty for visiting Minnesota National Guard units is I doubt he is getting national coverage, just state coverage. ( maybe I'm wrong on that one)

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by marmac

----" He isn't the Commander in Chief"-----

I'm not sure, but I would guess he --is--the Commander in Chief of the Minnesota National Guard as he has the authority to call them up for state emergencies.

I realize once they are deployed by the Federal Govt, the Guard is under a different command.

Why I am not knocking Pawlenty for visiting Minnesota National Guard units is I doubt he is getting national coverage, just state coverage. ( maybe I'm wrong on that one)

I am guessing that no one outside of MN pays much attention that Pawlenty went to Iraq (publicity wise). Maybe Republican donors do. I don't know... But Palin (as an example) was knocked for not having any foreign policy experience. She didn't other than her proximity to Russia. (I still cannot believe she actually said that TWICE on national TV). When that point potentially comes up on the campaign trail, Pawlenty at least has some talking points to name drop. Of course it was on our dime.


Yea I am skeptical. At the end of the day, he doesn't need to be there. He needs to be managing MN.

[DaPerpKazoo]

Pawlenty ought to be involved in the affairs of the Minnesota National Guard.

Constitutionally, though perhaps not practically, he's supposed to be their commander, not the feds.

However, yes, this trip is clearly posturing for a presidential run.