Tonight’s debate will be remembered most for the sharp exchanges between the two Minnesotans – former governor Tim Pawlenty, and current Rep. Michele Bachmann. Both of them effectively damaged each other, but didn’t necessarily advance their own causes.
Bachmann rightly noted some of Pawlenty’s notable deviations from conservatism, particularly his past support for cap and trade. But Pawlenty strongly countered that for all of her talk, Bachmann hasn’t actually accomplished anything tangible, as he did as governor. When she responded by giving a long list of policies that she fought against, it only served to reinforce his point. As he stated, “Leading and failing is not the objective.” All of the policies she fought for became law anyway, he stressed, despite her efforts.
