Pawlenty decries "isolationist sentiments" in GOP

AP

At a time when Republicans in Washington are split over U.S. intervention in places like Libya and the ongoing war in Afghanistan, presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty is staking out an unequivocally hawkish foreign policy stance, declaring that the Republican party needs to exert clarity and strength abroad.

"Our enemies in the War on Terror, just like our opponents in the Cold War, respect and respond to strength," Pawlenty said in a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations this morning, according to his prepared remarks. "Sometimes strength means military intervention. Sometimes it means diplomatic pressure. It always means moral clarity in word and deed."

Pawlenty laid out a comprehensive and detailed analysis of the pro-democracy uprisings occurring throughout the Arab world, slamming President Obama for an unclear policy of "engagement."

"He has been timid, slow, and too often without a clear understanding of our interests or a clear commitment to our principles," Pawlenty said of the president's response to the Middle East unrest.

Yet he also took aim at his Republican colleagues, parts of which, he said, "now seem to be trying to out-bid the Democrats in appealing to isolationist sentiments. This is no time for uncertain leadership in either party."

Pawlenty said there was nothing wrong with Republicans questioning Mr. Obama's military leadership in the Libyan war, or his plan for drawing down troops in Afghanistan.

"What is wrong," he said, "is for the Republican Party to shrink from the challenges of American leadership in the world."

The former Minnesota governor laid out proposals for solidifying U.S. relations abroad, calling for a more trusting relationship with Saudi Arabia and a commitment to removing Libyan strongman Muammar Qaddafi and recognizing the TNC as the Libyan government.

"Now is not the time to retreat from freedom's rise," he said.

14 Photos

The narrowing GOP presidential field

[nearl451]

So TPAW's position is what again? Be for leadership and strength but not criticising anythingin particular except Obama is bad?

That's it?

OK. That's clear enough. Next candidate please.

[jamespad]

Pawlenty is showing his UTTER and TOTAL IGNORANCE of the intervention in Libya. I am a conservative Republican, but this man shows by his statements on this criminal and immoral NATO/US intervention how unqualified he is to serve as president or even as a national legislator. If he was the kind of person who was THOROUGH and BRIGHT, he would not be allowing this very wrong and destructive intervention ot continue. He is an embarrassment to the American people!

[noloyalisti]

Earth to idiot Republicon Corporate pawn: globalization is a complete disaster started by Reagan to enrich a few global elite. It has enabled them to take over the government and corrupt the American experiment into oblivion. They are working on enslaving us and the rest of the world as the earth's environment collapses.

[jnostromo]

First of all before we worry about the world, we need to take care of this country...We send too much in foreign aid to worthless coutnries, we have foreign invaders occupying american soil and we reward corporations who weaken the foundation of this country by outsourcing....The golbal economy/one world bs has got to stop...This country was one a leader now we are nothing more than a third world country and it is not all obama's fault...republicans share equally in the blame for the ruination of this land...If we ever had to face a third world war, we would not be able to adequately respond like those of the greatest generation....

[starving1968-3]

Pawlenty is going to follow the Reagan and bush models of over-bloated and unnecessary military spending, even if it means bankrupting us.

[jamespad]

Yes, he sounds like a total jackass - one who needs to be removed from congress poste haste.