Pawlenty to Obama: 'Eh, not so much'
(CNN) - The president was in Minnesota Saturday, and as a welcome to the state, Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty issued a web video explaining some local expressions because, he said, some people "think we talk funny here."
"Minnesotans don't like to offend people by coming right out and saying no, so instead they say 'eh, not so much,' like if you asked Minnesotans 'Do you like the federal take over of the health care system?' They might say 'eh, not so much,'" Pawlenty says in the video.
Another expression? "Uffdah."
"If you wanted to use it in a sentence, it would be like 'You said unemployment would stay below 8 percent and now it's almost ten – uffdah,'" Pawlenty says.
In the 2-minute long video he also touts his record as governor, referencing the state's budget, taxes and health reforms, before officially welcoming Obama.
"Mr. President, thanks for visiting our great state – it is an honor, even if it's just for politics," Pawlenty says. "We're glad you came. Don't be a stranger."
Pawlenty, whose name comes up as a potential 2012 presidential candidate has tried to raise his national profile lately. He will join other Republican governors on a state tour next week ahead of the midterm elections.
Obama was in Minneapolis Saturday for a rally to support gubernatorial candidate Mark Dayton.
– Follow Gabriella Schwarz on Twitter: @schwarzgcnn
How embarrassing and insulting to the millions of hard working Minnesotan's to have to listen to this drivel coming from a Governor who is leaving his term of 8 years in office with a budget defict of $6M.
We bid you welcome, Mr. President.
Pawlenty sadly continues to ditto his GOP lies about a so-called "takeover" nonsense, which has been debunked as Pants On Fire by Politifact.
Then again, it seems too often Pawlenty's GOP only has gimmicks, hypocrisy, and lies.
"57% of Minnesotans say they'd be open to someone else as governor, a sign that Pawlenty, although still personally liked by the voters, has worn out his welcome."
from The Atlantic magazine Jun 2 2009.
He really has some guts... after ruining MN he is trying to become prez to ruin the entire country...
Pawlenty... not so much!
Would I vote for Pawlenty for President "eh not likely"
Way to show respect there Mr. Pawlenty the govenor who has forgotten his state.
I hope Ticker lets you read this, speaking of 'eh, not so much'. Another lovely Palin endorsed, Tea Party Supporter, GOP
Congressional candidate from North Texas ACTUALLY SAID recently, that he would NOT rule out violent overthrow of the
government if the elections did not produce a change in leadership!!!! Is this a threat, or is it part of the Palin "don't
retreat, reload" agenda which produced Angle's "second amendment" statement. These people are truly locked and
loaded, and you should take note. Scared yet? I am.
My Governor Pawlenty – meh. His record? Gutting our educational budget, depleting our state coffers and stripping our poor of healthcare-uffdah!
I must have missed it, which "government takeover" was that? I'd LIKE for there to be a government takeover of health INSURANCE. But that didn't happen either. How stupid are people that they can't seem to understand what DID happen. Very little. Awww, poor insurers, they can no longer choose to deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. Wow. Terrible. I can see why Republicans hate that so much.
Nice. Talkinig to the electorate like they were children. Brilliant. No wonder your plan is so thin and your true message so blurry.
Every heard of Pawlenty? Um, not so much.
Does Minnesota like its governor? Eh, not so much. But it's nice to see him attempting to speak for Minnesota, even if it's just for politics. Hope he enjoys his stay before he returns to Iowa, South Carolina, or New Hampshire.
And Pawlenty's recorded as governor has benefited MInnesotans?! Uffdah.
I'm from MN. What a classy governor we have. Uffdah.
I'm appalled at how disrespectful some republicans are towards the President. I realize this is meant to score political points, which in itself is offensive, but this is unAmerican. As a someone in a leadership position, isn't it incumbent upon Gov. Pawlenty to be an example of good behavior and uphold the dignity of the office . We all know there are differences between the parties and disagreements among leaders, but too often we see this political tact meant to foment ire, widen the divide and demean the other side. How can any of these "leaders" profess bipartisanship when the conversation begins and ends with this kind of divisiveness ?
People of Minnesota, don't believe a word Obama says. He and the Democratic party have lost who they support and that is the people of the United States. No Amnesty, No Dream Act, No Cap and Trade, no bailouts especially where the Democrats hhad vested interests. My father was born in Minnesota, a great State, but not so great if the Democrats take it over.
just vote!
Remind me again . . . who is Tim Pawlenty?
>Another expression? "Uffdah."
"If you wanted to use it in a sentence, it would be like 'You said unemployment would stay below 8 percent and now it's almost ten – uffdah,'" Pawlenty says.<
I believe the correct, or at least preferred, spelling is "uff da." But then again, Pawlenty isn't even of Scandinavian extraction, so why should we expect him to know such things...
This is a issue for east coast journalist. You ridicule Sarah Palin and others for the way they talk. What you don't realize is, middle America does not hear what you do. When you ridicule us you come across as elitists. The number one problem with the Democratic party is they look down on middle America.
Most Minnesotans do NOT care for Tim Pawlenty. He won the governor's race by very little and everyone I know is thrilled to say goodbye to him in a few months. He will try to run for president on a platform of "I didn't raise Minnesota taxes." But all of his policies caused our property taxes to almost double. He's leaving a huge budget deficit because he "kicked it down the road" for the next governor by using creative accounting practices. He's a trickster.
As an ex republican, I think Pres. Obama is doing a great job trying to get us out of the mess of the 8 yrs of Bush. So the republicans think it is okay for the insurance companies to take over health care???? which by the way they have already.We already have healthcare provided by the gov for groups in the country and it is working for those groups and it could work for all. The public option would have been a great thing to give the insurance companies competition and great jobs, but no, the republicans who are a party of no no no no continue to work for the big insurance companies and the big corporations. You work for the wealthy.
Do I like the fact that hardworking Americans lose their life's saving to the healthcare system every week? "Eh, not so much." But that's RepubliCorp for yah.
Isn't there a problem with bridges falling down in Mn? Goofing off & talking trash is a fine way to earn a paycheck. But sometimes a governor has got to get to work!