Tim Pawlenty Thinks Complete (almost) Shutdown of Government is a Good Thing

And Hey, The Minnesota Government Was Running When He Left

Earlier The Dismal Political Economist described the fiscal disaster that former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty left the state when his term as Governor ended in January 2011.  Now Politico Reports that

Tim Pawlenty: Shutdown could be a good thing

Tim Pawlenty said that he wished the 2005 government shutdown he presided over would have lasted longer

and

The former Minnesota governor argued that the current government shutdown which began at midnight could end up being a good thing in the long term.

“There’s going to be a variety of near-term impacts, but the longer-term goal is what is most important here,” which is keeping the size of government under control, Pawlenty said.

Oh, and that “Era of Personal Responsibility” that Conservatives talk so much about.

The former governor said he bore no responsibility for the state’s current $5 billion deficit.