Ron Carey, the former Minnesota Republican state chair, former chief of staff for Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and a native Iowan, has an op-ed in today’s Des Moines Register touting former Gov. Tim Pawlenty and dissing Bachmann.
He writes:
Having seen the two of them, up close and over a long period of time, it is clear to me that while Tim Pawlenty possesses the judgment, the demeanor, and the readiness to serve as president, Michele Bachmann decidedly does not.
Carey resigned as her chief of staff a year ago, after five months on the job, and has made no secret of his feelings about her abilities. He continues today:
The Bachmann campaign and congressional offices I inherited were wildly out of control. Stacks upon stacks of unopened contributions filled the campaign office while thousands of communications from citizens waited for an answer. If she is unable, or unwilling, to handle the basic duties of a campaign or congressional office, how could she possibly manage the magnitude of the presidency?
He says he agrees with both Pawlenty and Bachmann on almost every issue, but:
…the similarities end there. We need to look at the experience and accomplishments of the candidates and make sure we support someone who can not only defeat President Obama, but someone who also has the proven experience and leadership to handle the difficult challenges of the presidency.
I know Tim Pawlenty very well. He is a family man filled with faith and conservative convictions proven in action. He will make a great president. I know Michele Bachmann very well. She is a faithful conservative with great oratory skills, but without any leadership experience or real results from her years in office. She is not prepared to assume the White House in 2013.
So he likes Tweedle Dee and not Tweedle Dumb?
Got it.