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BY STEVEN HSIEH
ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY
You're watching politics news analysis from Newsy.
They’re both from the North Star State.
They’re both running for the GOP presidential nomination -- and now their back-and-forth on the road to the Iowa caucuses is grabbing headlines.
On NBC’s Meet the Press, former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty criticized fellow Minnesotan Michele Bachmann’s record – or lack thereof.
“I like Congresswoman Bachmann. I’ve campaigned for her. I respect her. But her record in accomplishment is nonexistent. It’s nonexistent. And so, we’re not just looking for folks who just have speech capabilities. We’re looking for people who can lead a large enterprise in a public setting and drive it to conclusion. I’ve done that, and she hasn’t.
And Bachmann - an Iowan by birth - responded with a written statement -- reiterating her message.
“Instead of negativity, I want to focus on my accomplishments … I am proud of my record of fighting with resolve, and without apology, for our free markets, for sane fiscal policies, and in opposition to the advancement of the big government left.” (Politico)
The Washington Post’s Jennifer Rubin says -- that’s a savvy response to T-Paw’s criticism.
“It’s not clear Pawlenty is going to make headway claiming that Bachmann doesn’t have a ‘record’ when her agenda is to stop President Obama’s agenda. And Bachmann’s response is likely to endear her to the hard-core base (which wants to fight Obama tooth-and-nail) that will boost her results in Iowa.”
But a writer for The Atlantic says Pawlenty does have a point, but the media isn’t exactly spreading the message.
“She rose to prominence by adeptly leveraging media appearances. That she did so despite having accomplished nothing of significance in public life is impressive. But it doesn't make her qualified to be president. She is manifestly unqualified to be president, as Republicans would quickly point out were someone with her resume running as a Democrat.”
Finally, the National Journal’s Major Garret tells MSNBC – Iowa might not be the right stage for this particular battle.
“One quick note. Tim Pawlenty’s message is much better for New Hampshire than Iowa. Because Iowa caucus-goers on the Republican side have a tendency not to elect presidents. They elect their favorites. They elect party activists who speak to their core set of issues.”
According to the latest straw poll from the Des Moines Register, Bachmann leads with 25 percent support, followed by former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. Pawlenty ties for third with pizza mogul Herman Cain.
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