Republican governor makes his voice heard through memoir

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Tim Pawlenty's book cover
Standing up for truth: Tim Pawlenty
Tim Pawlenty's book cover
Standing up for truth: Tim Pawlenty

FORMER Minnesota governor Republican Tim Pawlenty has attacked US President Barack Obama in his 301-page autobiography ‘Courage to Stand: An American Story’.

He has also portrayed himself as a faith-based politician in the memoir that is filled with Bible verses and talks about his blue-collar upbringing.

Although he is not as popular as Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich or Mitt Romney, Pawlenty was a vice presidential contender in 2008.

He was raised Catholic but later converted to an evangelical church with Baptist roots. He has ruled out a third term as governor and is said to be keen on standing for presidency.

According to a poll conducted in 2008, more than half of the Republicans described themselves as evangelical Christians and a majority of Mike Huckabee’s supporters called themselves as born again or evangelical.

Pawlenty seems to be eyeing an opportunity here. He made an unpublicized appearance at a gathering of pastors in Iowa last year. Although he has always been quite vocal about his religious convictions, his book makes his stand very clear.

There are several Bible passages that dot the book to emphasize his convictions. In the book, he says he doesn’t presume God “is on my side in matters of public policy. It matters more that I continue to search for wisdom, striving to be on God’s side.”

In another chapter, he says “I know where my help comes from. God has given each of us time, talents, skills, abilities and resources. We need to use those gifts for a cause and purpose beyond our individual circumstances. For me so far, that has led to public service.”

For now at least, Pawlenty seems to be singing the right tune. He talks about his vision for the country in the book and that includes repealing of Obama’s health law, lowering of taxes, loosened business regulations, and a freeze on federal government hiring.

In a stinging critique of Obama’s policies, he writes: “The candidate who promised to change the way Washington worked has only made things worse as president.”

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