Gov. Pawlenty Ole and Lena Joke

I was in the audience in Ames for the opening of the headquarters for U.S. Republican Tom Latham when Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty offered up an Ole and Lena Joke. Thanks to The (Ames) Tribune I can accurately relate it here.

“Ole and Lena were having trouble in their relationship. Ole went to a marriage counselor, who told him to take a two-mile walk each day for the next two weeks, then call him back. At the end of two weeks, Ole called the counselor. “How’s your relationship?” the counselor asked. “I don’t know,” Ole replied, “I’m 28 miles from home.”

Just a joke to get the crowd warmed up or a joke with some meaning for inquiring type minds?

I will admit, I had never heard an Ole and Lena joke before, so perhaps I am making way too much of the hidden meaning of Ole being in a troubled relationship and 28 miles from home.

Right now, as a conservative Republican, I am like Ole- troubled and feeling far from home. Being away from “home” I feel somewhat lost and alone. Part of my lost feeling comes from the concern I have about who McCain really is- the maverick, the guy who fires his campaign support staff when the media and democrats raise a fuss, the guy who promises to nominate Supreme Court judges who will uphold the laws as written? The guy who can smile or the guy that comes across as crabby?

… a long way from home because I am left to wonder and be concerned about who McCain will select as his vice presidential running mate. Will he bow to pressure from the media and Bush White House and select the slick Romney? Will he show some concern for Christian conservatives and select a running mate who will rally us to vote for the ticket then?

And while I am at it- I feel a long way from home right here in Iowa. I vote for people that say they will take a stand on issues that are important to me. Weeks and weeks pass with little action and a lot of bickering. Where is the leadership? Are they a long way from home, as well?

Right now the pressure is great with the wait to know who the vice presidential pick will be. It is no joke. Who McCain selects will send a big signal to me and I would think to many other Iowa voters as well.

McCain has a relationship problem with voters and it remains to be seen if any amount of counseling will help how I feel about him. Iowa candidates, I am watching what you do, as well. It is my opinion that other Iowa voters will walk with their votes, so get busy and work to tell us what you plan to do if elected- and then do it!