5 steps to a GOP makeover

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty thinks he’s the man for the job, according to his first major interview (with Esquire) since launching a political-action committee.

Judging by these five quotes from the article, Pawlenty (with the help of a few key PR messages) is aiming to rebrand the GOP for 2012.

1. It’ll be different this time around: “We just lost our way. You can’t say that your hallmark issues are that we’re going to control spending, keep taxes low, and make government accountable, and then go to Washington and do the opposite…. Let’s face it, when Republicans had total control over it, they didn’t do what they said they were gonna do.”

2. “Liberal” is a dirty word again: “I think President Obama is governing as a movement liberal. I don’t think that rises to the level of being a socialist.”