If Tim Pawlenty wasn't running for prez, he'd "play hockey and drink beer"

By Kevin Hoffman Fri., May 20 2011 at 9:51 AM

Categories: T-Paw

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Tim Pawlenty is sounding less like the next leader of the free world and more like a unemployed schlub in his new interview with Time Magazine.

In a curious passage, the former governor of Minnesota is asked why he's running for president, and he says, "I don't know."

Uh, that's not a good start ...

Upon further consideration, T-Paw offers up the inspiring notion that playing president is better than the alternative, which is, in Pawlenty's immortal words: "go make some money and play hockey and drink beer."

Tim Pawlenty's retirement plan if the whole President of America thing doesn't pan out
And when I ask Pawlenty, during a second interview in Des Moines, Iowa, exactly when he decided he was up to the grand challenge of the presidency, he answers in less than grandiose terms, explaining how he'd set up a political-action committee in 2009. I try again, saying I am curious about when he first imagined himself worthy of the history books, ready to send soldiers to their deaths and endure the national stage's harsh toll. "I don't know," he replies. "I wish I had a good answer for you on that." Pawlenty says it is not an idea that crossed his mind 15 or 20 years ago but that as he considered life as a relatively young ex-governor, he felt obliged not to take the easy path and "go make some money and play hockey and drink beer." He adds that he almost didn't run at all. "Mary and I talked about this at length, and many times, and it was a close call," he says, mentioning his wife of 24 years. He adds with a laugh, "It could have gone the other way for all the reasons you're suggesting."

Not exactly, "We are the change we are looking for," but it is kind of fitting with Pawlenty's alcohol-fueled campaign from President of ~~Sigma Delta Chi~~ the Free World.

Pawlenty is supposed to officially announce that he's running for the Republican presidential nomination on Monday, so he'll have a busy weekend brainstorming in the garage if he can pull himself away from the Stanley Cup Finals.

(Hat-Tip: Yglesias)

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