During Thursday night’s debate, former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty was asked about his past support of cap and trade:
Regardless of how one feels about cap and trade (or for that matter, health care mandates), it’s safe to assume that supporting either would be a detriment in terms of winning the GOP nomination. As such, both Pawlenty and Romney have baggage. But who will handle their negative information most successfully?
Nobody wants to admit they are wrong, but I think Pawlenty scores points confronting his position. “I sent a letter to Congress,” he explained, that said: “I was wrong, it was a mistake, and I’m sorry.”
“If you’ve got an executive position and you’ve been in the battle,” he added, “you’re going to have a few clunkers in your record — we all do, and that’s one of mine. I just admit it. I don’t try to duck it, bob it, weave it, try to explain it away. I’m just telling you I made a mistake.”
Compare that with former Mitt Romney’s defense of his health care plan in Massachusetts:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEc8U1Ls1_QUnlike Pawlenty, Romney won’t admit his plan was a mistake. When asked by George Stephanopoulos if he would apologize, he answered, “of course not.”
Instead, Romney has decided to try to finesse it — to make a nuanced argument about federalism — as if conservatives will believe government mandates are only bad if imposed by the federal government.
My guess is that Pawlenty’s apology means he won’t be haunted by his past positions. But Romney’s stubborn refusal to admit to making a mistake will likely mean health care will be his albatross.