[img_assist|nid=908|title=Tim Pawlenty in Columbus|desc=Politicker Photo|link=none|align=left|width=420|height=259]COLUMBUS - As Democrats dominate national media coverage this week, John McCain's campaign is counterprogramming the opposition in Ohio with McCain supporter and possible vice presidential nominee, Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-Minn.).

Pawlenty led-off his day-long tour of Ohio speaking about the economy to state business leaders at the Plaskolite acrylics manufacturing plant, where he focused almost singularly on McCain's message - making sure to contrast and dig at Obama as well.

But first Pawlenty introduced himself as a man who understands Ohio and the nation's economic anxieties.

"My mom died when I was 16 and my dad was a truck driver, so my family knew little bit about meeting a budget and some economic and family challenges," he said.

Pawlenty stressed taxes up front, telling the crowd in business terms, that not raising or even cutting taxes would keep production costs down, and that McCain wants to reduce the corporate tax rate, offer tax credits for capital procurement and increase the credit for the Alternative Minimum Tax to save those from paying a higher rate under the tax.

"That stands in contrast to his opponent, Barack Obama, who has proposed a whole bucket load of tax increases, increases that will directly affect our small and medium sized businesses in the country," Pawlenty said.  

Pawlenty also said Obama wants to raise taxes on energy, while McCain wants to encourage further production of oil, coal and nuclear power.

On health care, Pawlenty said McCain's plan will help people keep health insurance between jobs.

"You shouldn't have to have your health insurance at risk every time you change jobs," he said of the current employer-based insurance system.

Pawlenty warned the business crowd that if Obama is elected, unions will gain steam when Democrats pass a law to make union organizing easier by using a card check instead of a secret ballot.

"If you have a Democratic Congress and Barack Obama is president they're going to put that into law," Pawlenty said.

Policy aside, Pawlenty said McCain offered personal sacrifice on behalf of the country as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, while Obama has just offered rhetoric.

"The best sermons aren't preached but lived. Obama's got a lot of pretty oratory but when you shut the teleprompter off, it's not so hot," he said.

Next, Pawlenty heads to Canton to kickoff the Ohio chapter of "Sportsmen for McCain," and then will meet with charity volunteers in Richmond, and finish the day at the Summit Co. Republican Party's Fall Dinner in Akron.

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