Pawlenty: Obama is "Barney Fife of presidents"

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, left, discusses his endorsement of Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, right, during a news conference in North Charleston, S.C., Monday, Sept. 12, 2011.

/ Bruce Smith

Former presidential candidate and Mitt Romney backer Tim Pawlenty Monday called President Obama "the Barney Fife of presidents."

Barney Fife was a fictional character played by Don Knotts on television's "The Andy Griffith Show" known for his combination of bravado and ineptitude.

The former Minnesota governor, who dropped his bid for the White House in August and endorsed Romney in September, went on to call the president "stumbling, bumbling, [and] ineffective" and compared him to former President Jimmy Carter. 

Pawlenty argued that the Obama reelection team has focused on Romney to the exclusion of other candidates because it doesn't want to face the former Massachusetts governor in a general election. He said Democrats have taken aim at Romney because the "don't want to focus on their own failure."

Pawlenty made the remarks in conference call organized by the Romney campaign. The call, one of twelve the campaign scheduled for Monday, follows the Democratic National Committee's release of a scathing attack ad on Romney's record. The 30 second television ad and longer web-only version paints Romney as a flip-flopper, describing him as "two men trapped in one body."

Pawlenty's comments echo Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul's response to the DNC ad, in which she said that "[t]he last thing the White House wants is to have to run against Mitt Romney and be held accountable for the many failures of this administration."

Romney has argued that he is the most electable candidate in the GOP field, arguing in effect that even if Republicans have misgivings about him because of his moderate record as Massachusetts governor, they should pick him as their nominee if they want to defeat Mr. Obama.

That argument got some backing from Democratic Rep. Barney Frank on Monday, when Frank announced he is not seeking reelection. Asked about Romney rival Newt Gingrich as a potential Republican nominee, Frank suggested that Democrats are thrilled at the prospect, quipping that "He would be the best thing that happened to the Democratic Party since Barry Goldwater."

With reporting by Sarah B. Boxer.

[norcalruss]

Tim Pawlenty Monday called President Obama "the Barney Fife of presidents."
+++++++++++++++++++++++
I'd say that Tim Pawlenty is the "Barney Fife" of GOP candidates. First in first out couldn't cut the mustard, raise money, or get many to take him seriously. He's just talking smack about Obama to suck up to Willard "the Waffler" Romney should he get the nomination and be looking for a running mate from the Midwest. I doubt if Pawlenty could help the Waffler carry his own state of Minnesota.

[ardeinne]

The comment tells us more about Pawlenty than it does about Obama. He really felt it would be effective to reach all the way back to the Andy Griffith show for a comparison? Only a limited demographic in this country probably even knows who "Barney Fife" was.

And, interestingly, this profound insight into US politicis is coming from a guy who, himself, was touted as the dream Republican candidate (nor so long ago, either) -- but whose campaign never got enough traction to get going.

[SherpaTom]

Ha ha ha ha ha ha. Sorry, that cracks me up.

[efpefp]

Surely, obumma is not as competent as Barney... wake up Pawlenty

[AmericasConscience]

Obama might even be not only an incompetent Barney Fife but a closet Barney Frank. Obama and Oprah have more in common than just being friends from Chicago.

[efpefp]

so true

[tsigili]

That's actually too kind.

[signseeker1717]

Well, you can't expect much from an "attack dog" who is really just a chihuahua.

[jcnbma]

Pawlenty is a whining, sniveling wannabee. He's jealous that no one ever takes him seriously because he's such a right wingnut loon. Keep mumbling, guy. We'll ignore you like that crazy dude on the park bench.

[endrepubs]

We need to remember Pawlenty dropped out of the Presidential race over..........Michele Bachmann.........He caved to Michele Bachmann!! Just shows what he is made of. Pawlenty is the real Barney Fife.......he couldn't even stand up to Michele Bachmann!

[impactors]

It is absolutely unbelievable. How can these quote unquote, college educated political candidates continue to miss, or quite possibly, intentionally ignore the reality of the Obama drive for as he promised, "FUNDIMENTAL CHANGE"? All we continue to hear is how dumb this President is. How out of touch with the American people, and how unexperienced. I guess it just re-enforces my age old belief that education and intelligence are completely different attributes. Obama's drive for total government control has been right on track since his election victory. The only jobs he's created have been government jobs. Under socialism, the government controls every aspect of its citizens lives. How else can that be achieved without continuing to expand government? Under socialism, everyone works for the government or state. How can that goal be achieved if private sector jobs are created? For this president to de-regulate business, and roll back taxes, would be counter productive to his plan for his promised fundimental change. One last point. In order to replace Capitalism with Socialism. This President "MUST" destroy the current system. In order to achieve this, he must bankrupt it. Hence, the bail-outs, and stimulas programs designed not to create perminant employment, but to bring about that necessary bankruptcy. I'd like to add that both mainstream parties have for years been pushing this nation toward socialism and complete government control. The only difference now being the rate at which we're being transformed. If this were not true. Why, for decades now, have American jobs been fleeing this nation under both parties? If it were not true, why have trade agreements so totally unfavorable to the American workers been entered into under both the Republican and Democratic parties? Make no mistake about what's happening right now. Socialism, along with a frightening reduction in the American way of life. Is knocking at our door. And both parties, in order to achieve their totally differnt goals, are more than eager to open that door. For years, we've watched what has to be the most intricate scam ever devised. So much so, that George C. Scott's character in the movie. "The Flim Flam Man", couldn't help but ask himself why he had'nt thought of it, himself. America has become the home of the FEELS GOOD POLITICAL PROCESS. Both parties openly pretend to be advisaries. While at the same time, working together to destroy what used to be the greatest nation on Earth. Not to mention the leader of the free world. Both parties closely resemble today's wrestling tag team. Both wrestlers take turns winning, and openly hate each other. While at the same time, sharing the same hotel room, and quite possibly bed, while on the road. Buddies to the end. In the case of America's two leading political parties. It's buddies all the way. And we, the forgotten and totally unrepresented people? We always get in the END, and I do mean end.

I'd like to say that without the help of the American voters who haven't the intelligence to be able to think outside the two party box. Without how extremely easy it is to FOOL THE AMERICAN VOTERS. What's happening today could never have happened. Want to blame someone? Ok, look in the mirror. That's where the blame is, and belongs.

[jcnbma]

You lack both an education and intelligence. Move on.

[royalstar05]

Pawlenty is an arrogant piece of garbage and a waste of flesh. People in Mn hated this guy. He said if he didnt become president he would move to Mexico and run tiki bar. Well Tim, i will pay for your ticket anytime you want to go.