T-Pawerful
By Mitch Berg
Governor Pawlenty – virtually the sole Republican with any semblance of power anywhere near Capitol Hill – drops the “L” word, promising line-item vetoes rather than a shutdown or a special session:
Turning the heat up to a boil in the closing days of the legislative session, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Thursday that he would use his powers of line-item veto and unallotment to singlehandedly balance a state budget facing a $4.6 billion deficit if a compromise plan can’t be crafted in the next four days.The unusual flexing of executive power seemed clearly designed to make Pawlenty’s adversaries in the DFL-controlled House and Senate blink as the clock ticks toward adjournment.
I’ve criticized the Governor in the past, but I’ll say it now; great job, Governor.
Now, expect the following in the next few days:
- A “Minnesota Poll” showing that Minnesotans oppose this use of the line-item veto (in a poll that’ll oversample DFL voters by 2-1)
- A Lori Sturdevant column bemoaning how Elmer Anderson would be rolling in his grave over this; how he’d have taken the DFL out for beer and lutefisk and cigars and gotten them all together by giving them pretty much what they wanted, but scolding them with a colorful homespun story that left everyone chuckling in that beer/lutefisk/cigar clogged way that old-time pols in smoky back rooms at Jax or Murray’s or the Saint Paul Grill always laughed, and everyone would have walked together into the glorious future.
- Gauzy, soft-focus stories on “the Minnesotans affected by the budget cuts”, which may very well focus on Minnesotans that are affected by budget cuts, but which will certainly ignore reams and oodles of waste, pork and subsidy of things government should not be subdizing.
Blogger reactions?
With dreary predictability (I almost called it word for word), Grace Kelly at Minnesota Preliterate Conspiracy Wackoes With Dubious Senses Of Ethics “writes“:
“Pawlenty’s idea of compromising is “Do it my way!”, each “offer” has been the same offer as before. Pawlenty gave a press conference where he said he will sign bills and not have a special session. Pawlenty announced his intention to use line item vetoes and unallotments to create his own budget without the house or senate involvement. Sounds like we no longer have a three part government, we now have a “dictator” or “king”.”
No, Grace, you deeply dotty little person; we have the governor acting in accordance with a law that was passed by our elected representatives. Elections have consequences. He’s doing his job.
Zack at MNPublius:
That’s all fine and dandy, except that in the time that Kelliher has been Speaker there hasn’t been a special session (a streak that is only in danger of ending due to Pawlenty’s Presidential ambitions and inability to engage in any kind of compromise).
Notice how often “compromise” is popping up with the leftybloggers? Pay attention to how often you see it in MSM columns in the near future. “Compromise” will be the paramount public virtue in this country before long.
This – when they’re defaming you on the one hand, and demanding “compromise” (i.e., silent acquiescence) on the other, is when you know they’re getting frustrated.
Thanks again, Governor.
May 15th, 2009 at 7:40 am
Yes, NOW we get the “compromise” BS. Note to DFL bloggers: real compromise was always on the table, and the legislature had MONTHS to engage in it. They elected to do otherwise, but now only the Governor is uncompromising? No, that’s all in your head.
May 15th, 2009 at 9:20 am
Troy,
What compromise did Pawlenty make on taxes?
I didn’t see one. Maybe you could point it out?
Mitch, how is not agreeing to a tax increase showing Pawlenty complying with the law?
Nonsense BS, that’s all your posting here is – poltical cover for being willing to do nothing except seek higher office.
In terms of power, Pawlenty has nothing other than he can say no – and because his party is such a cowed group of lemmings, no override is possible.
May 15th, 2009 at 9:27 am
Elections have consequences.
That phrase sounds awfully familiar. Oh, now I remember!! It was drummed incessantly by all of the DFL lackeys when the Gov’s veto of the
Mass Transit SubsidyTransportation Bill was overridden last year.May 15th, 2009 at 9:39 am
penigma,
I don’t recall saying Pawlenty did compromise. Please try read what I wrote again.
“Nonsense BS” covers the rest of your comment very nicely.
May 15th, 2009 at 9:39 am
Pen,
Reading your comment, I’m going to suggest that you take a bit of time and bone up on State Legislative procedures and laws. You seem unclear on them.
For example:
Mitch, how is not agreeing to a tax increase showing Pawlenty complying with the law?
The law says that the Governor, under certain circumstances, is allowed a line item veto. It’s legal. It’s NOT a sign that “Pawlenty is a king or dictator”, like Grace “9/11 was an inside job” Kelly implies. It’s a power accorded to him under state law.
Nonsense BS, that’s all your posting here is – poltical cover for being willing to do nothing except seek higher office.
“Do nothing?” Er, he’s taking the path of most resistance, the one that requires actual leadership. The other options – a “special session”, or mindless acquiescence to ruinous taxes – were the “easy” route; both were also as ruinous for the state as they’d have been for his political future.
In terms of power, Pawlenty has nothing other than he can say no
That’s basically true! And now, the left is trying to portray that as a bad thing. It is not; it is the governor’s legal power; it’s also his ethical duty; to serve as the governor he was elected to be. Elections have consequences!
– and because his party is such a cowed group of lemmings, no override is possible.
I’m not sure if you don’t get the process, or you need coffee, Pen – but you have it backwards. Every override is possible; without a few Dem defectors in the House, no veto can be upheld.
May 15th, 2009 at 9:41 am
I’ll say this for T-Paw – he’s gutsy. This is now a much bigger game of chicken than it was before. If the legislature digs in and T-Paw wields the terrible swift sword in July, he’ll own the result. I would say this – if the DFL were more convinced of their position, they wouldn’t be reacting the way they are.
T-Paw must be convinced he’s right, because he’s betting his career on this act. Not many politicians will make such a bet. If he’s wrong, his career is over. If he’s right, he’ll not only sweep to victory in 2010, but he’ll also be a strong candidate for higher office in 2012.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:18 am
The DFL is frustrated because their tired old playbook ran right up against the brick wall of reality. You can’t keep increasing spending 10% a year, every year, and not run out of golden goose eggs. Especially in a down economy, government needs to tighten its belt, just like everybody else. There are NO CUTS here, only less money than the DFL wants to spend, on everything under the sun. Besides, they shouldn’t be applauding themselves for “doing the job they were elected to do” because they DIDN’T! They did not send a set of spending bills to the governor that balanced, as required by law. That they were only out of balance by $3 billion says that the DFL established its priorities, and made some “cuts,” that Pawlenty must live with. All he’s doing is “cleaning up,” as he is required to do by law. They’re screaming because their little power play– their game of chicken– didn’t work. Again. They’ll be screaming all the way into next year, by which time we’ll find out that they’re also Chicken Littles. The sky won’t fall if a few billion bucks stays in the hands of the people who earned it, and things may even be getting better. Serves ’em right for being so Turkey Lurkey.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:07 am
The DFL majority refuses to do their job, then they point the finger at the Governor and try to blame him for what they failed to do!!!
Peev swallows it hook, line, and dinker. Now run along back to your Penisblog.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:30 am
And that $3 billion is over the biennium. Moby Anderson-Kelliher can’t cut $1.5 bil a year? Bullshit.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:43 am
because his party is such a cowed group of lemmings, no override is possible.
Wow, you’re a dumb putz. Do you recall the “Override Six” of February 2008? The six Republicans who voted to override Pawlenty’s veto of the Transportation bill? There is always a possibility of an override.
However, in this specific case it is unlikely because even a few Democrats are against this latest bill.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:52 am
The dumb putz is just repeating the talking points they fed him.
Medtronic is creating jobs, in TEXAS. MN wasn’t even in concideration. So what is the DFL answer? Raise taxes even higher until we are the #1 highest in taxes and unemployment.
May 16th, 2009 at 11:25 am
Here’s some humor-Spot at the Cucking Stool is calling for Pawlenty’s impeachment.
May 16th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Why is raising taxes always the direction we have to “COMPROMISE” in?
Why can’t we compromise in the direction of shrinking government every once in a while?