INTO THE FRAY - AT 8:08 A.M. ET:  Outgoing Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty has entered the national political wars.  He is considered a possible Republican candidate for president in 2012.  He is very good, very solid, and he takes on Obama on health care:

"This whole health care proposal by president Obama is really quite a joke on a number of levels," Pawlenty told Neil Cavuto. "I think he is scamming the American people. Even if you believe that it is only going to tax people over $1 million, what is known to happen is that is only going to cover about 25% of the total cost. the rest will be paid for by saving waste, fraud, and abuse. If you believe that, then I've got some January tee time in northern Minnesota."

Good.

Pawlenty warned Republicans of allowing health care to become "a political referendum on" Obama, and to instead stick to arguing the policy.

COMMENT:  He is correct.  There's an old rule in politics:  When your opponent is committing suicide, don't get in his way.  Personal attacks on the president can easily backfire.  Argue the health-care issue.  Arguing that issue has been powerfully effective for Republicans so far.  It will continue to be as Americans learn the details, or lack of them, in Democratic health plans.

July 24, 2009