Tim Pawlenty: Let's Get the 9-Iron, Like Tiger Woods' Wife

(AP)

Updated 11:45 a.m. ET

CPAC Convention, Washington -- Conservatives could learn a lot from Tiger Woods' wife Elin, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said at the Conservative Political Action Conference today.

"She said, I've had enough," Pawlenty said. "We should take a page out of her playbook and take a 9-iron and smash the window out of big government."

Following Tiger Woods' car accident in the early morning following Thanksgiving, Elin Woods smashed the window of his SUV in order to free her husband.

Pawlenty, speculated to be a strong contender for the GOP 2012 presidential nomination, made the remark during what was seen as a key speech as he seeks to court conservative activists ahead of a possible run. But he was obviously cognizant that his speech would likely be overshadowed today by Tiger Woods' first public remarks since it was revealed last year that he had a number of extramarital affairs.

CBSNews.com Special Report: Tiger Woods' Statement

In his remarks, the Minnesota governor railed against politicians in Washington for increasing the national debt, going down "on rhetorical bended knee" in front communist China.

"The United States of America is not a beggar nation," he said.

Pawlenty told a personal story very similar to President Obama's, about his mother dying of cancer in her 50's and struggling over bills in her final years.

"It was hard, and it was challenging," he said. Yet he said it gave his family perspective about spending.

"That perspective is not reflected in the current administration," he said.

Taking a combative tone against President Obama and Democrats in Congress, Pawlenty nevertheless said, "We love this country [and] we don't wish it ill will." If Republicans are going to return to power in Washington, he said, they need to "walk the walk."

It won't be easy, but it is possible to curb spending, Pawlenty said, noting that in Minnesota, the spending curve is down to zero.

As previous speakers have here at CPAC, Pawlenty joked that the snowstorms that devastated the Washington area, costing the local and federal governments huge sums, were beneficial because "any day that Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi can't get to work is a good day for freedom, a good day for liberty, and a good day for people's wallets."

He also accused the president of being too soft on issues of national security, saying that the president of France is lecturing America on "the dangers of appeasement."

"That is like AIG lecturing us on financial responsibility," he said. "I have a message for President Obama: Mr. President, no more apology tours, and no more giving Miranda rights to terrorists."

Pawlenty said conservatives also have a message for liberals: "If you try to take our freedoms, we will fight back."

Pawlenty also took at swipe at Mr. Obama by referencing another big event going on now – the Olympics.

"If government spending were an Olympic sport, [Obama] would be a repeat gold medalist," he said.

Pawlenty brought the crowd to their feet warning Democrats that Republicans were "planting the flag on constitutional ground" and that if they try to take away their freedoms "we will fight back."

More Coverage from CPAC:

Mitt Romney: Obama's Agenda Is "Reckless"
Dick Cheney Urged to Run for President at CPAC
Boehner: Imagine if I Was House Speaker
Eric Cantor: Government Jobs Good, but Don't Grow Economy
Marco Rubio: We Should Obstruct Democrats' Agenda
Marco Rubio Dismisses 2012 Speculation
CPAC Convention Courts Young Conservative Women
GOP Sen. DeMint Neutral in Arizona Primary
Washington Unplugged: Sen. Jim DeMint On CPAC, Tea Party Movement

[LadronesMentira]

Hey, thought for the day - imagine how different life in the US would be today if Elin Woods was married to Bill Clinton, and Hillary to Tiger.... wouldn't even have made a blip on the PGA radar. Hate to think about Bill, though....

[bosdem]

I am shocked and appawled at the audacity of Pawlenty to use the Tiger Woods situtation in relation to our thoughts about the goverment. First of all, violence is never the answer. Second, Tiger is responsible for his own actions and he said exactly that in his apology. Encouraging this type of behavior is exactly what is wrong with this country right now. We can disagree with each other but don't have to resort to violence to make our point.
The American people did say "enough is enough" when we voted Bush and the republican party out of office. Since then all the Republicans can do is criticize President Obama. No matter the issue, he is deemed wrong. Obama inherited a huge mess created over 8 years under Bush. It didn't all happen overnight, nor will it disappear overnight either. What we need is for all elected officials to look at the issues, and stick to the facts. Violence is never the answer and Pawlenty should apologize to Tiger for invoking his wife's action in his speech. It was grossly inappropriate to do so.

[idlepugilist]

Tim Pawlenty was a staunch supporter of the George Bush and his choice to borrow heavily from China. He talks from both sides of his mouth. The only thing Pawlenty hasn't done wrong is get caught having an affair.

[newazmn]

Under Pawlenty most measures of quality of life in MN declined, public education lost funding, state college system is in decline in national ranking, health care for low income was eliminated, money was diverted from the Mn Dept of Transportation for bridge inspection and the I35 bridge collapsed, property taxes are on the increase, he promised "No New Taxes" but every fee in the state increased auto, hunting, fishing... school districts are having major funding problems.

[Rodeo_Joe]

Aren't these the SAME folks that gave us the Depression we're in? Opps.

[antoniof123]

Yes, they are and Hawk if Dodd did this while the Repbulicans were in power, well that says enough about the irresponsible acts and abilities of the Republican party.

[r12b12]

I got News for you Liberals.......Run and Hide........ Obviously your out of touch in La La Land. People are Losing everything, can't find another job, Homeless, without Food, sleeping in their cars at WalMart and you have the Gall to think they are Right Wing Nut jobs because they will fight. What will you do when you see roving bands of people carrying weapons looking for a Can of Beans to eat. Liberalism is short for Brain dead Morons.

[puzzler125]

What an idiot!

[SueZeeeQue]

Another right wing nut advocating violence.

[starleo146]

He wants to be president?? Yeah sure,anyone can be a comic at someone else expense.The whole right wing nut gang all present and accounted for. This is a advertisement for who NOT to vote for

[mrbill_465]

You need to take another pill. He was making an analogy. He was advocating violence like Snickers was advocating tackling old women in the superbowl commercials. You want to see every conservative as evil. The evil ones are the ones that would spend, spend, spend and get our country into more and more debt. We can fix this problem by lowering taxes to encourage businesses to grow. It is a proven fact that lower taxes result in increased tax revenues. The problem with Bush was he lowered taxes but didn't curb spending. If we could do that, we could work our way out of this. Being partisan and making up stuff doesn't help.

[midlclass]

miranda rights! what a dope under the republican rein of political terror terrorist were read there miranda rights over three hundred times. this D.A. doesn't even have the common sense to check on this as a matter of fact they have been using this same out right lie for the last month. but the blind sheep will continue to follow the sightless wanta be sheperds of the party in the name of losing there freedoms. hey polockenty did you call your congressman or senator to oppose the 1000 page patriot act that took away rights of freedom. a bill that was written and signed and passed all in a feww short weeks and rammed through congress and the senate with one lone no vote the honorable russ fingold. be carfull about your stupid flag statment it may bite you.

[ellensmithee]

Way to use someone else's tragedy for your benefit, Pawlenty. You're just another crook.