Pawlenty calls for freshened-up GOP

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Gov. Tim Pawlenty told a conservative group Wednesday that the Republican Party needs new ideas and hopeful leaders, harkening back to the days of President Reagan.

"People want to follow hopeful, optimistic, civil, decent leaders," he said at a speech to GOPAC, which helps recruit Republican candidates. "They don't want to follow some negative, scornful person."

The Republican governor, often mentioned as a possible running mate to GOP Presidential candidate John McCain, even had positive things to say about McCain's Democratic presidential rival, Barack Obama, in that regard.

"Say what you will about Barack Obama," Pawlenty said, "people gravitate when you have something positive to say." He added that McCain has been positive as well.

Pawlenty, 47, said he came of age during President Reagan's tenure in the 1980s, but acknowledged the Republican icon is ancient history to young people.

"If you're under 40, that was a long time ago, man," he said to laughter.

But he said Reagan offered important lessons for today's Republican Party, saying the former president was civil, optimistic, pragmatic and a good communicator.

"He actually has some ideas," Pawlenty said. "The Republican idea factory has seen a little stagnant in recent years."

Pawlenty talked about remaking the party to attract what he calls "Sam's Club Republicans" -- a modern-day take version of Reagan Democrats -- by updating its message to appeal to voters who want new ideas and government results.

The party needs to battle the perception that "those Republicans -- they're not for the working person. Not for the working person. Really? How is it that stereotype is overcome?"

Pawlenty called for policies such as better training and performance pay for teachers, online college education opportunities, and reworking health insurance to reward providers that show good results and save money.

In keeping with his past public comments, Pawlenty shied away from talking about joining McCain on the ticket. But he did weigh in on a Paris Hilton video which had responded to a McCain ad comparing Obama to Hilton and Britney Spears.

In the video, Hilton says, "Hey America, I'm Paris Hilton and I'm a celebrity, too. Only I'm not from the olden days and I'm not promising change like that other guy. I'm just hot."

"I have to give Miss Hilton credit," Pawlenty said. "She came back with a pretty funny response that will probably elevate her celebrity status."

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