2012 SelectSmart.com Presidential Candidate Selector Positions Tim Pawlenty (born November 27, 1960) is the 39th and current Governor of Minnesota and a member of the Republican Party.

Foreign policy and war issues: Statements on a two-state solution to Israeli/Palestinian conflict not found. However the GOP platform "support the vision of two democratic states". Source

Security/liberties: Views not known at this time.

Social Security: No increase in the Social Security tax cap. (Jun 2008) $97,000 of income is middle class; don’t raise withholding. (Jun 2008) Source

Stem cell research: Opposes federally funded stem cell research. Source

Same sex issues: The one vote Pawlenty wishes he could redo is his vote for the gay rights amendment. He says the bill protects people who are transgender and cross-dressers. Source

Trade issues: 2005 trade mission led to Minnesota-China Partnership. (May 2008)

Budget issues: [CNN's WOLF] BLITZER: So, let me just be precise, Governor Pawlenty. You don't have a problem with allowing the Bush tax cuts that were implemented in 2001 and 2003 being made permanent, all of the Bush tax cuts, the estate tax plus the tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, including billionaires? PAWLENTY: They should have been permanent in the first place, Wolf. The fact that we're even having the debate, I think, is silly. But now that they're going to expire, I think they should continue. And keep in mind, when you talk about tax cuts for the wealthy, that involves these reductions in corporate taxes, or increasing the AMT, or the exemptions I had talked about. And when you look at as a basket, it's the kind of thing we need to do to grow jobs, expand the economy. Senator McCain understands that you cannot grow an economy by adding tax burdens on the people who invest, do research, build buildings, add jobs. Those are the folks we need to make sure that they are engaged financially in helping this economy grow. We can't tax our way out of this. Source
Skeptical of the Obama initiated Stimulus Package. Pawlenty says he will "reserve judgment" to see the new administration's final plan. Source Governor Pawlenty supported the interests of the Taxpayers League of Minnesota 75 percent in 2002. Source

Business & labor issues: Pawlenty supported the interests of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce 82 percent in 2002 and 100 percent in 2001. Pawlenty supported the interests of the Minnesota AFL-CIO 14 percent in 2001. Source

Abortion issues: Pawlenty supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota 0 percent in 2001. Pawlenty supported the interests of the Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life 40 percent in 1999. Pawlenty supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota 67 percent in 1999. On the votes that Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life considered to be the most important in 1998, Governor Pawlenty voted their preferred position 100 percent of the time. Source

Capital punishment: Proposed instituting the death penalty in Minnesota. A state senate committee overwhelmingly voted to reject the proposal. Source

Marijuana: Views not known at this time.

Gun control: Based on lifetime voting records on gun issues and the results of a questionnaire sent to all state legislative candidates in 2000, the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund assigned Governor Pawlenty a grade of A (with grades ranging from a high of A+ to a low of F). Source

Minimum wage: As governor vetoed a bill that would boost the minimum wage in Minnesota to $7.75 an hour. Source

Health care: Made it a priority to "Work together to pass health care reform that is market-driven, restores the relationship between doctors and patients, and uses savings from the system to hold down the cost of health care premiums." Source

Prescription drugs: "Gov. Tim Pawlenty has unveiled a plan that would make it easier for Minnesotans to buy lower priced prescription drugs from Canada. Pawlenty wants the state to create a Web site that lists Canadian pharmacies that meet state standards for safety. He's also asking state officials to look at importing foreign-made, government-approved drugs for Minnesotans." Source

Environmental issues: "Deepening his involvement in the global warming debate and in national affairs, Gov. Tim Pawlenty is lending his voice to a nationwide radio ad sponsored by the activist Environmental Defense Action Fund." Source "Twenty-seven environmental and family farm groups are calling on Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty to withdraw his proposal to significantly weaken the rules governing environmental review of the largest feedlots in the state." Source

Immigration issues: Declaring that unchecked illegal immigration is undermining the entire legal system, Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposed a sweeping array of state responses on Tuesday, including a Minnesota enforcement team, more screening by local authorities, and increased penalties for false identification, human trafficking and hiring of illegal immigrants. "We have benefited immensely from immigration," the governor said at his State Capitol office before flying off to present his proposals in several outstate cities with significant immigrant populations. "But it needs to be legal and reasonable and orderly." He has been reluctant to either praise or directly criticize Arizona’s controversial immigration bill. Source Source Gov. Pawlenty also proposed making an administrative ban on issuing driver’s licenses to illegal aliens permanent, a crackdown on the trafficking of fraudulent documents, and overriding local sanctuary policies. Source

Education issues: TimPawlenty.com/

Link to voting records and special interest group ratings. (If available).

Campaign website