Pawlenty frightened of aging, too self-conscious to be president

Gov. Tim Pawlenty's speech at the Republican Governors Association in Florida got some big time play yesterday. Everyone loves him, apparently. He is just so darn likable! National Public Radio even said he is "widely regarded as one of the Republican Party's future leaders."

But there's no way he'll be running for president in 2012. He's so concerned about his aging looks that he might freak out voters.

The New York Times covered Pawlenty's speech and lead with his self-conscious concerns:

Mr. Pawlenty said that after wearily returning from the campaign trail, he looked at himself in the mirror and complained about what he saw to his wife, Mary. “I said, ‘Mary, look at me,’ ” he said. “ ‘I mean, my hairline’s receding, these crow’s feet and wrinkles are multiplying on my face by the day, I’ve been on the road eating junk food, I’m getting flabby, these love handles are flopping over the side of my belt.’

“I said, ‘Is there anything you can tell me that would give me some hope, some optimism, some encouragement?’ ” he said. “And she looked at me and she said, ‘Well, there’s nothing wrong with your eyesight.’ ”

Pawlenty's love handles flopping over his belt? Is that really an image you want anyone to think of? Is he trying to make us ill?

Apparently talking about your awkward aging body is the way to bring back the Republican party:

“If we are going to successfully travel the road to improvement, as Republicans, we need to see clearly, and we need to speak to each other candidly about the state of our party.”

Gross.