Tim Pawlenty attacked by activists with glittery confetti in San Francisco
Tim Pawlenty was minding his own business running for president, signing books at an American Health Insurance conference Thursday when two women representing Reproductive Rights and CODEPINK sprinkled pink, glittery confetti on the former Minnesota governor.
Complaining that the Republican doesn't have "the courage to stand up for gay rights and women's reproductive rights," the two women opened manila folders filled with confetti and doused the man who in 2010 vetoed a Minnesota bill that would have allowed gay couples the right to the remains of their deceased partner.
"Marriage –- defined as between a man and woman –- should remain elevated in our society at a special level, as it traditionally has been," Pawlenty explained in regard to the "Final Wishes" bill that would have also given domestic partners rights to sue in wrongful death cases.
"I oppose efforts to treat domestic relationships as the equivalent of traditional marriage. Accordingly, I am opposed to this bill," the conservative said.
A recent Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll shows Pawlenty is gaining awareness among American voters, but as Neil King Jr. wrote today, "the more voters get to know him, the more blah they are."
Pawlenty shouldn't feel singled out by the activists. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich had the glitter treatment applied to him recently, too.
Pawlenty gets confettied:
Gingrich gets glittered:
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-- Tony Pierce
This is completely wrong. No matter which political side you are on. Protest is one thing, but this is more of an attack. It reeks of immaturity. Code Pink does themselves no favors. It makes me think of them as more of pranksters than serious people devoted to a cause. Shame on them.
Posted by: Kathleen McKinley | June 16, 2011 at 05:40 PM
Laugh it off and move on.
Posted by: Tom | June 16, 2011 at 05:41 PM
Pawlenty: Read "A Single Man" by Chris Isherwood, change your stance on the "Final Wishes" bill, and then admit that you are totally gay. (But I still won't vote for you.)
Posted by: Heisenberg | June 16, 2011 at 05:55 PM
ps: that video is awesome.
Posted by: Heisenberg | June 16, 2011 at 05:57 PM
I am Happy to see we have a canditate in Tim Pawlenty That has the courage to stand up for what is right & for Christian rights.
Posted by: rev William Pate | June 16, 2011 at 06:59 PM
Oh, that's pathetic. I just ask that people not assume that all (or even most) gays approve of this behavior.
Posted by: Mark | June 16, 2011 at 08:02 PM
WHAT A BRUTAL ATTACK IT WAS.
Posted by: davemartin7777 | June 16, 2011 at 09:39 PM
This is stupid. How much longer before someone get the wrong idea? If some tea party member did this to Pelosi, Reed or especially Prez Obama they would be branded as a racist. Go do something better with your time.
Posted by: Jim Parker | June 16, 2011 at 10:45 PM
Really, LA Times? You call dumping pink glitter on someone an 'attack'? Is Pawlenty such a fragile crybaby that he makes a china teacup look like battle armor?
Posted by: Nick | June 17, 2011 at 10:33 AM