Tim Pawlenty Races Newt Gingrich and Goes Ahead

To Maybe be the First to Drop Out of the Republican Race

The Dismal Political Economist has always thought that Newt Gingrich would be the first candidate to withdraw from the race for the Republican Presidential nomination.  Mr. Gingrich’s campaign problems are legion, he has no support in the Republican base, he apparently has alienated everyone he has ever talked with and he has that most fatal of campaign diseases, campaign debt.

Now comes former media favorite Tim Pawlenty.  Mr. Pawlenty had been placed on a pedestal by the media because he seemed like a serious candidate, a twice elected governor of moderate, Midwestern Minnesota. Now two things have undermined Mr. Pawlenty’s campaign (three if his electoral ineptitude also counts as a factor).  The first is the entry of fellow Minnesotan Michelle Bachmann, a true doctrinaire right wing conservative.  There is only room for one radical conservative Minnesotan in the race and it is increasingly clear that Mr. Pawlenty is not it.

The second issue has been the collapse and shutdown of the government of Minnesota, which unfortunately for Mr. Pawlenty has focused on the fact that he left the state with a $5 billion deficit, which is more than 10% of total government spending in the state.  His claims of responsible fiscal management are starting to come apart, since responsible fiscal management does not mean walking away and leaving a huge fiscal mess.

The New York Times speculates that Mr. Pawlenty will be the first to leave the Republican race.

Will Republican Race’s First In Be the First Out?

Mr. Pawlenty is hoping that Iowa still boost his campaign, but it turns out Ms. Bachmann is from Iowa and is talking up her roots in Waterloo, home of macho movie star John Wayne home of serial killer John Wayne Gacy. 

So Mr. Pawlenty, see if you can at least outlast Mr. Gingrich.  That’s not a great accomplishment but it does give you something to josh Mr. Gingrich about as you both sit and watch the campaign unfold without you. (Be careful though, Mr. Gingrich does not come across as a person who likes to josh).