Pawlenty should broaden appeal

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty told the Republican conventioneers that they must update their message to fit the issues of this time.

Pawlenty, whose is often mentioned as a potential vice presidential candidate, said that on the issues the GOP message is stronger than what is offered by Democrats, from taxes to the energy crisis to health care.

"Do you want government to take over your health care - courtesy of the people that brought you the Katrina response," he said.

But, he said, the party needs to change how the message is delivered, citing recent failures in the "ultimate marketplace" of politics - elections.

"If we're the marketplace party ... we've got to look each other in the eyeballs and see the warning lights are flashing on the dashboard," he said. "More people than we would like are choosing the products and services of our competitors."

Pawlenty said the GOP needs to "return to the core values that made our party successful in the first place that we've drifted away from."

Recalling the optimism of Ronald Reagan, Pawlenty told the crowd that they should do more to appeal to young voters, and to diversify.

The crowd was friendly to the Minnesota governor until the very end of the speech, when he exited the stage by saying, "Thank you for listening, have a great conventionand I look forward to coming back to our sister and neighboring state - and to the Vikings beating the Packers."

That brought a round of lusty boos.

Listen to Pawlenty's speech here.

-- By Greg Bump

Pawlenty will be here despite budget acrimony

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is facing a difficult budget battle in his home state, but he will still find time to deliver the keynote address at the Wisconsin GOP convention tonight.

Kirsten Kukowski, spokeswoman for the RPW, said Pawlenty called about an hour ago to confirm that he will make it to Stevens Point.

The Minnesota state legislature has been locked in a budget battle. The legislature adjourns Monday. Read more about the Minnesota budget battle here.

-- By Greg Bump